From the editors: UAE prepares to mark World Heart Day

HOW HEART-HEALTHY ARE YOU? As the UAE, like the rest of the world, prepares to mark the World Heart Day tomorrow (September 29), each one of us would also do well to pause and ask ourselves just how heart-healthy we are. The focus on COVID-19 everywhere is understandable, but let’s not forget that taking care of our basic parameters of health is more important now than ever before. Studies have shown that those with cardio vascular disease and its risk factors can be more vulnerable in these pandemic times. So let’s not delay that overall health check. [COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor]

NASSER’S LEGACY LIVES ON IN ARAB WORLD: What would Gamal Abdul Nasser make of the state of the Arab world today? The famous Egyptian leader, who is often seen as the greatest proponent of Arabism, died on this day, 50 years ago. A superb orator and folksy leader, Nasser endeared himself to an entire generation of Arabs. His supporters applaud him for his strong nationalist stance against Israel and his pro-poor policies while his detractors deride his populism and hard socialist economic policies. Whichever way one looks at it, the fact is Nasser is one of the few regional leaders who continues to inspire - and polarise - public opinion across the Arab world. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]

TRUMP’S TAX DISCLOSURES THE NEW TALKING POINT: The revelations that US President Donald Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes the year he ran for office come at a sensitive time in the run-up to the elections – just a day before the first debate with Joe Biden. According to the report, he paid no income taxes in 10 of the previous 15 years, largely because he reported losing more money than he made. Democrats will be quick to raise the issue, and with many voters still sitting on the fence, the case of the missing taxes will surely play on their minds. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

UAE CONSUMERS ARE IN A LESS IS MORE MOOD: Can discounts keep delivering shoppers back to malls and shops in the UAE? Much of the pent up buying – brought on by weeks confined to homes – did ensure recent city-wide promotions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi brought back shoppers willing to spend. But the inducements were high – discounts reaching all the way up to an eye-popping 90 per cent. But can the same formula work as the critical year-end shopping season arrives? Various polls, including the latest by Standard Chartered, find UAE consumers not in the mood to indulge themselves. And more prone to keep close watch of their spending patterns. The pandemic sure has changed behaviours, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the mindsets of consumers. UAE’s retailers need to plan accordingly…[COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

Pep Guardiola now knows he has a real challenge on his hands as he tries to wrest the English Premier League title back out of the hands of Liverpool. On Sunday night, Manchester City were humbled 5-2 by Leicester City at the Etihad, with England striker Jamie Vardy helping himself to a hat-trick thanks to a very sloppy City defence. Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, who take on Arsenal on Monday evening, should be rubbing their hands with delight, given their rivals’ generosity this early in the season. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

Hollywood actor Dax Shepard revealed on his podcast that he started taking opioids again after recently celebrating 16 years of sobriety. The star has been open about his struggle with addiction to pain medication and other substances, and chose to discuss his relapse publicly in hopes that it might help others who are struggling. The stigma attached to addiction might stop people from getting the help they need. But it’s heartening to see some countries, including the UAE, approach this problem by offering sufferers a chance at rehabilitation without threat of jail time if addicts turn themselves in for treatment. [COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]