UAE shoppers, watch out for costs, and Arab Media Forum gets underway, our editors comment on the top stories of October 4

UAE SHOPPERS, WATCH OUT FOR THE COSTS: In the coming weeks, UAE consumers will be sizing up all sorts of promotions, discount offers, buying opportunities and new model launches. The last two years have seen them not miss out on any of the available opportunities, with the theme of ‘revenge shopping’ after a Covid-induced break in early 2020 being repeated by shopper and retailer alike. Will Q4-2022 hope more of the same? Retailers will sure hope so, but they have to factor in rate hikes, inflation or recession worries, currency volatility, and product mark-ups. But each moment in the world of retail comes with opportunities, even in muted times. This is where another category, the Buy Now Pay Later platforms, can provide relief. In a world of steep rate hikes, zero interest transactions can work wonders. As for shoppers, keep watching how and where you spend. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

DUBAI HOSTS ARAB MEDIA FORUM: The 20th edition of the Arab Media Forum (AMF), the largest gathering of Arab media professionals in the world, begins today in Dubai with the participation of more than 3,000 media personalities and professionals from across the Arab world. Outstanding personalities in ‘Journalism, TV and Digital Media’ will also be awarded at the forum to recognise their services. The AMF will also award the Arab Media Personality of the Year. The AMF which is a platform to discuss and analyse changes shaping the regional and global media industry, also opens fresh avenues to foster a new generation of Arab media professionals that can master and harness technology to further promote the global competitiveness of Arab media. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

AUSTRALIA’S AMBITIOUS PLAN TO PROTECT WILDLIFE: Australia has set an ambitious target of preventing any animal or plant from becoming extinct in the coming decade. Millions of additional hectares have been set aside for the protection of threatened species in the country and under the new policy 110 'priority species' will be protected over the next 10 years. They include the koala, the quokka and the northern hairy-nosed wombat. This is good news not only for Australia but for the whole world. Efforts like this must be made to protect wildlife from climate change and deforestation. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

LIVERPOOL FACE TOUGH TEST IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TONIGHT: Liverpool have had a miserable start to the new English Premier League season and sit in mid table after some lackluster displays. They have only won 2 out of 7 games and are already 11 points behind leaders Arsenal. Tonight they head into a huge Champions League clash against Scottish giants Rangers and cannot afford another poor performance. The Group A tie at Anfield offers manager Jurgen Klopp the chance to get their season back on track but they need to improve their defending which has looked suspect in the early stages of the new campaign. They have conceded 14 goals in nine games across all competitions, keeping just two cleans sheets. Rangers will fancy their chances in what is being billed as the Battle of Britain. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

RICHA CHADHA AND ALI FAZAL TAKE THE PLUNGE TODAY: Are you hoping to find a modern couple in Bollywood who aren’t shy about declaring their adoration for each other? This loved-up pair aren’t coy about their bond and they are a welcome antidote in an industry filled with celebrity couples who claim they are just “good friends” even whey they are dating publicly. Meet Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, who began as co-stars in the hit comedy ‘Fukrey’ in 2013 and found love, comfort, and camaraderie in each other. In 2019, Ali famously popped the question by the beach in Maldives without going the conventional route. “He didn’t go down on his knee nor did he have a ring … He took a ten-minute nap on the sand – he may been stressed about the proposal,” said Richa Chadha in a recent interview with an Indian lifestyle magazine. While it’s difficult to find celebrity couples in Bollywood who keep it real and organic, Richa and Ali are cut from a different designer cloth. As they take the plunge today to become man and wife, here’s wishing the adorable couple a lifetime of happiness and fun. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)