‘A Day Without Accidents’ as UAE students head back to school and why the drop in market, our editors comment on the top stories of August 29

STUDENT SAFETY COMES FIRST: As more than one million students across the UAE return to school on Monday, utmost importance should be given to their safety especially on the roads. Dubai Police is leading the campaign from the front with ‘A Day Without Accidents’ deploying additional police patrols and policemen near schools. It is the duty of every motorist to follow the rules and adhere to speed limits in the school zone. Parents should prefer to use school buses and should take an early start if they are driving their children to school to avoid speeding. Police campaign also aims to raise awareness of motorists, parents, pupils and academic personnel on the importance of adhering to the announced precautionary measures against COVID-19. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE INVESTORS NEED TO TREAD LIGHTLY: Plain speaking by Jerome Powell was all that was needed for global markets to bring back a reality check. Up until his latest speech, investors were coming up with different interpretations on what the Fed’s next moves would be on rate hikes. Powell by stating unequivocally that more rate cuts are on the way to curb inflation in full was thus too hard for the markets and investors to stomach. And that’s why the Asian markets are seeing quite the drops, while in the UAE, key stocks have not been able to escape the harshness of what Powell said. It’s time then to tread carefully for investors – risks abound and chasing the wrong one is fraught with high-voltage downsides. Check the latest Bitcoin prices for affirmation… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

PAKISTAN NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO DEAL WITH FLOODS: Unprecedented rains have caused devastating floods in Pakistan, affecting more than 30 million people and killing more than 1,000. Besides disrupting lives, the floods have wiped out crops, which may have an effect on the overall economic situation of the country. The South Asian nation has already been reeling under an economic crisis, and needs urgent global assistance at this time of crisis. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

PANDYA LEADS INDIA TO DRAMATIC ASIA CUP WIN OVER PAKISTAN: India secured a thrilling final over victory over Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2022 Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium last night. The match went right to the wire with Hardik Pandya smashing a 6 with just 2 balls remaining to seal the win. Pakistan were put into bat and struggled to get going at the packed venue. They posted 147 and then made India work for every run in what turned into a fascinating battle. The match was in the balance right until the end but Pandya lashed out to earn the win. It was yet another amazing tussle between the two teams who always deliver the goods whenever they clash. This match has whetted the appetite and the good news is the two teams could play each other two more times in the tournament. Cricket fans all over the world will be keeping their fingers crossed. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)