Summer eye care, Egypt interest rate rise and more: Gulf News Editors comment on August 4 trending news

SUMMER EYE CARE: Ophthalmologists in the UAE are warning that relying solely on sunglasses is insufficient to protect our eyes in the scorching weather. For one, summer heat and low humidity can lead to dry eyes, aggravated by wind, dust, air conditioning, and swimming pool chemicals. To combat dry eye, staying well-hydrated and using appropriate artificial tears prescribed by an eye specialist are recommended. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated can also help reduce eye strain. Eye specialists consistently caution against depending solely on plain goggles to shield our eyes from the damaging impact of the sun's ultraviolet (UV), and emphasise the importance of prioritising our eye health during the summer season. (Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

EGYPT CENTRAL BANK RAISES INTEREST RATES: The Central Bank of Egypt raised interest rates by 100 basis points on Thursday in a surprise move, saying it sought to contain inflationary pressures and anchor inflation expectations. The targets are 5 per cent to 9 per cent inflation by the final quarter of 2023 and 3 per cent to 7 per cent by the end of 2026. Egypt’s decision denotes its seriousness in tackling inflation, but interest rate hikes will have a negative impact on economic growth. So the Central Bank will have to carefully balance the need to contain inflation without compromising on economic growth. (Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

MOROCCO CONTINUE TO MAKE HISTORY: Morocco women's team’s wild celebrations in the Perth Rectangular Stadium said it all. The World Cup debutants stunned Colombia 1-0 to qualify for the Round of 16 at the expense of Germany. Not many expected Morocco's stay to last this long, particularly after the 6-0 drubbing by Germany in their opening game. But the 72nd-ranked team surprised everyone to become the first Arab nation to enter the knockout stage. The team's success is talked about in the bustling cafes and restaurants of Rabat. An euphoric moment indeed! (Jai Prasad V Rai, Assistant Editor)