UAE’s ‘genome’ strategy takes off, why your credit history matters even more, and Priyanka Chopra talks motherhood, Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on March 29

HOW UAE PERSONALISES HEALTHCARE FOR CITIZENS. The newly-launched National Genome Strategy will shape the laws needed to support genomic projects in the country. The strategy’s significance lies in the fact that treatments will be customised according to the genetic profile of the patients. Roughly one in four Emiratis have already had their genome sequencing data collected to further this novel approach to healthcare. A clearer picture of citizens’ health risks and precise, personalised treatments for them is a priority of the country’s leadership. The decade-long endeavour in the form of this latest strategy bears witness to this. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

YOU CREDIT HISTORY MATTERS – EVEN MORE NOW: UAE consumers can’t afford to turn lax on any of their outstanding payments, whether it’s on the credit card, a cheque commitment, or paying off the month’s electricity, water and telecom bills. Because everything is going into the mix that will decide your credit score – and by extension, whether you are good enough to take out a new loan. Not just that, any interaction related to rentals – or even property buys – come into play based on what your credit score says about you. At a time when inflation-linked costs are taking out bigger bites of your income, not missing out on any payments becomes even more of a necessity. That credit score will define where you stand. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

SCOTLAND STUN SPAIN IN EURO 2024 QUALIFIER: Scotland have turned Group A onto its head and are now looking very likely to qualify for European Championships. They have recorded back-to-back victories and are top of the table. They thrashed Cyprus 3-0 at the weekend and then followed that up with a very impressive win over Spain last night at a charged Hampden Park thanks to two goals from Manchester United’s Scott McTominay. This has seen the outsiders take a massive leap in their bid to make it to Euro 2024. Nobody gave them a chance against the much-fancied Spaniards but Steve Clarke’s side produced a stunning display. The experienced coach has recently signed a new deal with the Tartan Army and there is a growing feeling that his young and energetic squad has a bright future ahead of them. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS TAKES ON FOR THE WOMEN’S TEAM … AGAIN: Women are eternally wary of their biological clock ticking away as they pursue their ambitions, but Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently addressed that in a podcast in a no-holds-barred fashion. She spoke at length about how she froze her eggs in her early thirties because she wanted to focus on her acting career. At that point, being a mother – as enticing as it was – was not pragmatic because she had not even met someone eligible and suitable like Nick Jonas. But freezing her eggs was a liberating feeling, added the actress. It’s not often that actors open up about their struggle with maintaining work-life balance, but Chopra Jonas showed us the way. Her life is a portrait of having-it-all on her own terms and every working woman or a single lady hoping to find her perfect partner should take a leaf out of her life. Instead of moaning about losing time, Chopra took charge of her life and did something about it. Perhaps, everyone woman out there should feel empowered like her. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)