From the Editors: Time to take stock of our values on World Literacy Day

TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF OUR VALUES: It doesn’t take a red letter day to remind us about the importance of education. However, on World Literacy Day today, it is worth reflecting on matters that really matter in this context. It is not sufficient for us or our children to become literate and acquire a string of degrees. True education also entails character building, the foundation for which is a solid repository of values. Let us use this day to pause and take stock of our values to make our lives more meaningful. Let us pledge to ourselves to be honest, sincere, kind and empathetic. The world will be a better place for it. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

AFGHAN GOVERNMENT IS NOT INCLUSIVE. BUT WORLD HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO DEAL WITH IT: The cards are on the table. The Taliban announced its government on Tuesday, with hardline elements in top roles. Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund will be prime minister, and co-founder of the group, Abdul Ghani Baradar, will be his deputy. Mullah Yaqoob, the son of the Taliban founder Mullah Omar, was named defence minister, while the position of interior minister went to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani network, the most hardline faction within the Taliban that is now also running security in Kabul. The ‘acting’ government is not an inclusive one as promised, but it is what it is and the world has no option but to deal with it. And in many developing countries, interim governments often tend to end up being not-so-interim at all. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

ENGLAND’S SILVERWOOD DOING THE RIGHT THING BY STOKES: England coach Chris Silverwood is giving all-rounder Ben Stokes all the time he needs to prioritise his mental well-being. Silverwood he will late until the last possible minute before making a decision on Stokes’ involvement in the Twenty20 World Cup, which begins next month in the UAE. Stokes, 30, withdrew from England’s Test squad for the series against India after saying he would take an “indefinite break” from cricket to protect his mental state.Having struggled with a finger injury, Stokes missed England’s home Test series against New Zealand in June but briefly returned to competitive action ahead of schedule later that month to captain a second-string one-day side. It looks like Silverwood is doing the right thing by Stokes, despite the busy England schedule. saying he did not want to rush the star player back into action before he was ready. “I haven’t spoken to him just yet because I want to give him as much space as possible,” Silverwood said. “But I will not be putting pressure on him or rushing him, and whatever support he needs he will get. The T20 World Cup begins on October 17. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

BRITNEY SPEARS IS FINALLY TASTING FREEDOM: In an announcement that stunned fans, Britney Spears’ father Jamie Spears has filed a petition to end the court conservatorship that has controlled the singer’s life and money for 13 years. For many who have spearheaded the ‘Free Britney’ movement, the statement is akin to a big victory for the music icon and the fan community that has been actively fighting for her freedom. Even as the next hearing draws closer on September 29, there appears to be a sense of jubilation in the Britney camp that cannot be denied. The world has been watching Britney’s court battle ever since her impassioned speech on June 23 where she labelled the conservatorship “abusive” and revealed she was being forced to take certain medications and use an intrauterine device for birth control against her will. The mother of two deserves her freedom and her life back. That’s all she has ever asked for. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]