From the Editors: Global gross debt in record spike, World Mental Health Day and why stars speak out

Customers must follow COVID-19 guidelines during shopping Dubai Economy in collaboration with other government departments continue its inspection campaign to ensure that all businesses follow COVID-19 protocols. Hundreds of commercial establishment have been issued fines and thousands others have been given warnings and some event shut down. This is all being done to ensure the safety of people visiting shopping malls, restaurants, gyms and entertainment facilities. Now, it is our joint responsibility to make sure that we all strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines and do not compromise on any precautionary measures at any place – be it the office or a supermarket or an office. This is the only way to prevent the spread of pandemic. [COMMENT by Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor]

Indebtedness becoming a catalyst for poverty: Global gross debt issuance hit an astonishing record of $26 trillion in March-September of this year. With near zero interest rates, quantitative easing and over $15 trillion in fiscal stimulus, rising debt levels are coming under increased scrutiny. Extreme poverty is set to rise this year with coronavirus expected to push up to 115 million people into that category, according to the World Bank. While low income countries will face the longer-term consequences of higher deficits and debt, the chances of them falling to extreme poverty, exacerbated by capital flight and currency vulnerabilities will rise if rising indebtedness is not managed effectively. [COMMENT by Babu Das Augustine, Banking Editor]

Armenia, Azerbaijan truce a welcome development: Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting at noon Saturday. This followed two weeks of heavy fighting, the worst clashes in the separatist region in 25 years. The region is Azerbaijani territory that has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces supported fully by Armenia. Russia secured the truce between the two sides. Moscow has a military pact with Yerevan but also has close ties to Baku. What seems to have urged Russia to act is Turkey’s worrisome involvement in the conflict on the Azeri side. Military means will achieve nothing. It’s time to give negotiations a chance. [COMMENT by Omar Shariff, International Editor]

We say the same things four times a year a group of young upstarts threaten to overthrow the reign of the ‘Big Three’. And yet time and again, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic turn these pretenders away. In New York, Dominic Thiem won the title, but that was only because Federer is recuperating, Nadal refused to travel and Djokovic beat himself after beating a line judge. Order has been restored in Paris as Djokovic fought off Stefanos Tsitsipas over five sets to reach the final. Awaiting him? Twelve-time champ Nadal, who is yet to be seriously challenged at Roland Garros. See you in Australia for the same old story? [COMMENT BY Matt Smith, Sports Editor]

WE NEED TO TALK. There’s a reason it’s so important that stars come clean about their mental health issues – because it makes the average Jane and Joe feel less stigmatised and more ‘normal’. Head heath is after all an equalizer, no amount of fame or fortune can keep you from feeling sad and depressed or balance out the hormones in your body that may be leading you down a dark path. What is necessary is people talk about it enough to stop the stigma, to stop the judgement that pours down like treacle over a tart. And the first step is acknowledgement. Kudos to those who do. [COMMENT by Karishma Nandkeolyar, Assistant Online Editor]