Arab Health 2023, Fed rate announcement and European football transfer window ends, our editors comment on the top stories of Jan 31

ARAB HEALTH IS AN EMPHATIC ENDORSEMENT OF UAE BEING A TOP-NOTCH MEDICAL HUB: The ongoing Arab Health 2023 which has over 3,000 exhibitors from all over the world is a testament to the huge success of Dubai in hosting the 48th edition of an annual event, which has become the region’s largest in recent times. Equally, it is an emphatic statement on how the UAE has emerged as a top-notch medical hub with the latest global expertise being made available to patients not only from within the country but also beyond. The exhibition is also a great showcase of the latest innovations in technology and patient care, many of which are homegrown, which again is a matter of pride for the country. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

WORLD WANTS THE FED TO EASE UP – WILL IT? Late tomorrow, the US Federal Reserve will offer its latest interest rate hike, and everyone seems to be hoping that it would come in lower at 0.25 per cent. That would alleviate some of the pain and all attendant worries that consumers have faced since the Fed and its fellow central banks went into hyper-aggressive tame-the-inflation push. This is where 0.25 as compared to the series of 0.75 per cent hikes of last year will be a relief. Along with that, the Fed should deliver a roadmap of how long the rate hike regime might continue. Or when they might consider dropping. Worldwide, consumers and businesses need a break… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

NOT YET TIME TO LOWER GUARD AGAINST CORONAVIRUS: The US will end the twin national emergencies for addressing COVID-19 on May 11, President Joe Biden has informed Congress. At the same time, the WHO has sounded its highest alert over the COVID-19, saying the pandemic remains an international emergency. The twin statements come at a time when most of the world has returned closer to normalcy, three years after the virus threatened normal life. But the WHO warning means we still need to be careful. The cases of deaths related to the virus may have gone down globally, but till it is wiped out it is prudent to take all measures to safeguard one's health. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

TRANSFER WINDOW DEADLINE DAY WILL SEE PLENTY OF WHEELING DEALING: The January transfer window will slam shut tonight meaning clubs all over Europe only have a matter of hours remaining to try to tempt players into joining them, and similarly, getting rid of some of the dead wood. It is a vital and exciting period as the window allows business to be conducted between clubs that could potentially make or break a team’s season. Some good deals can mean the difference between finishing first or second at the top end of the table while at the bottom the struggling sides will be desperate for a new talisman to rescue them from the dreaded drop. About £550 million has already been spent this month in the English Premier League, shattering the 2018 record of £430 million, but as the clock ticks down there will still be some big and surprising moves to come. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

PRIYANKA CHOPRA JONAS BITES THE BULLET: When you are a global icon like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, then every move you make is well-documented and chronicled. And by association, her daughter Maltie Marie – who has just turned a year old recently – also attracts a lot of attention. But imagine our surprise when Chopra decided to reveal her face to the public and perhaps squash all kind of speculation on how the child looks like. Her husband and singer Nick Jonas was being decorated at the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in California, when this celebrity couple took the plunge to reveal their daughter’s face. This a stark contrast to celebrity parents like Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli who opted to shield their daughter entirely from the public glare. Like most things in life, there’s no right or wrong here. But here’s to Priyanka Chopra and Jonas for deciding to control the narrative around their daughter. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)