Donald Trump is criminally charged, 1 Billion Meals Endowment serves humanity, UAE businesses go green, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on March 31

TRUMP’S INDICTMENT SENDS SHOCKWAVES: A former American president has been indicted for a crime for the first time in history. A New York grand jury has indicted Donald Trump over hush money payments made to an adult star during his 2016 campaign. The payment did not violate any laws. However, when Trump repaid his lawyer Michael Cohen, he misrepresented the payment as legal fees in the payment record. This action could amount to a misdemeanor charge of falsifying business records in New York. Furthermore, prosecutors may argue that this conduct violated election laws as Trump's motivation was to conceal his affair with Daniels from the public. If proven, falsifying records to cover up a crime could result in a felony charge, which is a more serious offense. The former US president faces an uncertain future. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

“1 BILLION MEALS” IN RAMADAN 2023: The “1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign is a bold, visionary drive to help provide a food safety net for underprivileged populations around the world. It is an extension of previous food aid drives launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which started with “10 Million Meals”, “100 Million Meals” and, later, “1 Billion Meals” in Ramadan 2022. Corporates groups and individuals have been inspired to come forward to sustain the campaign through voluntary contributions. Some have pledged support for the drive over a number of years. This food drive is a channel for giving. The initiative to address hunger and malnutrition is charity — love — in action. It multiplies the best we have, and allows humanity to thrive. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor, Gulf News)

FINANCING UAE BUSINESSES’ GREEN JOURNEY: When businesses need to go green, stating those ambitions is the easy part. Mapping out all the points towards that end point takes intense effort. And then comes finding the funds necessary to make that happen. Whether from internal resources or from the outside. This is the part that will require careful planning, and this is a cost that businesses must factor in. But help is there – for those with a plan. Some of the UAE’s biggest lenders are getting into the play zone and help with the Net Zero efforts. What businesses need to show is they have a sound sustainability program – and that they will make every effort to stay the course. That’s the least they should be doing… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

CRICKET READY TO MAKE BIG IMPACT WITH NEW RULE: Today could be the red-letter day in the history of cricket. For the first time, after many centuries, the game is ready to trial the concept of a full-fledged substitutions, like football or basketball, with the introduction of impact player concept in the Indian Premier League Season 16. Over the years, the role of substitutes has been modified, from being just a fielder to start with. The introduction of concussion substitution has ushered in the change, which got modified in the last few years, making the game more interesting. This gives the players a chance to showcase their talents, especially in the Twenty20 format, as otherwise an all-rounder gets a preference over them. So let us wait and watch the impact of the new rule. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

SUSHMITA SEN THROWS THE SPOTLIGHT ON HEART DISEASES: Sushmita Sen is back to what she does best, showbiz, and a social media post on the same by the actress should come as relief to her legions of fans around the world. The first Indian to win the Miss Universe crown suffered a minor heart attack last month — a surprise since she is a sprightly woman who's perceived as fit as a fiddle. This throws the spotlight on the ailment and what youngsters can do to avoid it. All the more reason for countries like India, and others that have a bulging young population, to pay attention to the incident. As Sen, 47, said soon after her angioplasty, "I know a lot of you will stop going to the gym and say, ‘it did not help her.’ But that is not good... I survived because I have kept an active lifestyle." We’d do well to listen to her. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)