From the Editors: Yoga has an increased relevance in modern times

YOGA HAS AN INCREASED RELEVANCE IN MODERN TIMES: The overwhelming response to the series of yoga events that were organised in the UAE to mark the International Day of Yoga went on to demonstrate the huge popularity of yoga. The ancient practice, whose impact on mental and physical well-being is long-established, has gained increased relevance in modern times as people grapple with stress and the fast pace of life. As the events emphasised, yoga should become a way of life if its full benefits are to be realised. June 21 as IDY only served as a reminder towards this end. {COMMENT BY: Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor}

UAE BUSINESSES MUST FIND WAYS TO NAVIGATE COSTS: New orders are streaming in for UAE businesses, and summer is setting up nicely for travel and tourism focussed companies to ride the boom in demand. But the ‘Big C’ is what’s spoling the mood from turning more bullish. The ‘Cost’ of operations is what’s turning out to be quite the concern for business owners, even as those related to logistics costs start subsiding. The back-to-back hikes in interest rates had still come as a jolt, even though such a move was made clear well in advance. As always, it’s the smaller enterprises that will struggle against narrowed down access to loans, and they must find ways to keep paying off their existing obligations. Careful navigation through the cost spiral needs some clear thinking. [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

CHELSEA FLOP LUKAKU RETUNRS TO INTER MILAN: Having been linked with Inter Milan all summer, Chelsea’s misfiring striker Romelu Lukaku is now heading back to the Serie A club. The Stamford Bridge outfit signed the 29-year-old Belgian international from Inter for a club record £97.5m in August 2021 on a five-year deal. However, he struggled with the pace of the English game and scored just 8 goals in 26 Premier League appearances. He will initially return to Italy on a season-long loan deal and it is believed he has taken a pay cut to rejoin the team where he lead the attack to help them win the title in 2020-21. It will be interesting to see how he fares there without coach Antonio Conte, now at Tottenham, who got the best out of the former Manchester United and Everton attacker. Can Lukaku regain his old form or are his best days behind him? Time will tell. {COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor}

BILL COSBY’S VERDICT ADDS FUEL TO #METOO MOVEMENT: In what can only be described as another landmark win for the #MeToo movement, actor Bill Cosby has been found guilty of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975. Jurors found that Cosby intentionally caused harmful sexual contact with Judy Huth, who he believed was a minor at the time. An emotional Huth broke down after the verdict was announced, bringing the seven-year legal fight to an end and spelling defeat for the 84-year-old entertainer who was once hailed as America’s dad. {COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor}