Time to visit Expo City Dubai and why UAE businesses need to strike a fine balance, our editors comment on the top stories of August 30

Time to visit Expo City Dubai: Expo City Dubai – the site of Expo 20202 Dubai – is set to open its doors from October 1 but the two flagship pavilions including Alif –the Mobility Pavilion and the Terra --the Sustainability Pavilion, will start receiving visitors from September 1. This is yet another chance for visitors to have lifetime experience at the Expo City. Terra encourages visitors to re-evaluate their relationship with the environment while Alif will transport explorers through time and across new horizons to discover how mobility has driven human progress throughout history. With its array of immersive educational experiences, exhibits and interactive workshops, reflecting the themes of the pavilions, Expo City Dubai is a must visit. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

CAN UAE BUSINESSES STRIKE A FINE BALANCE BETWEEN GROWTH AND COSTS? Heading into the busiest phase of the year, UAE businesses need to balance their focus between two objectives. One, which is obvious, is to score more wins for their businesses through sales, orders and all of the factors that contribute to success. Second would be the more tricky path to traverse – handle the cost of inflation. There are no easy remedies, and there’s no guarantee that these would even work. Pass on higher costs to consumers and suppliers? That would be the easiest way to lose clients and partners. Businesses need to come up with balancing acts, because these four months it matters even more… (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

IRAQ NEEDS POLITICAL STABILITY: More than 20 people have been killed in clashes in Iraq between Iraqi security forces and supporters of a powerful cleric. The violence began after Moqtada al-Sadr said he would quit politics, prompting his loyalists to storm a government palace and fight with rival Shiite groups. Sadr’s bloc won most seats in parliament last October, but he has refused to negotiate with Iran-backed Shia groups to form a government. After yesterday’s clashes, government promptly imposed curfew in parts of Baghdad but the capital remains restive. The last thing Iraq needs right now is political instability. It is time for all sides to calm tempers. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

SERENA WILLIAMS IS NOT FINISHED JUST YET: Serena Williams dug deep to secure a gritty win over Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic 6-3 6-3 to extend her US Open farewell. The 40-year-old – who has said she will retire after the tournament – will play Estonian second seed Anett Kontaveit in the second round on Wednesday. She entertained the capacity 25,000 crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York who willed her on with every shot. And in typical determined style the 23-time Grand Slam champion did not let them down. Williams – who will also play in the doubles alongside her sister Venus – is one short of the record which was set by Margaret Court. Her fans will be hoping she can somehow get that 24th major and then retire right at the top. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

A SLAP THAT WON’T BE FORGOTTEN: Actor-comedian Chris Rock has reportedly talked about declining a chance to host the Oscars because of the slap he suffered this year at the hands of Will Smith. Rock was doing a stand-up comedy set when he compared going back to the Oscars to returning to the scene of a crime. Rock still hasn’t made an official statement about the shocking incident and has only addressed it through jokes. While he seems to be moving past it, it’s clear that it has been weighing on his mind and won’t be forgotten just yet, the same way the public will remember it for a long time. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)