Celebrating International Teachers’ Day and why UAE regulators take a bleak view of oversights, our editors comment on the top stories of October 5

A BIG SALUTE TO ALL OUR TEACHERS: Today is International Teachers’ Day, a day when each one us would do well to pause and thank our teachers. It’s not just those who have taught us within classrooms in our school and college days, but also those from whom we constantly imbibe lessons of life. Learning is a process that never stops and can be drawn from a variety of people and situations. While some directly impact us, others inspire us from a distance. But there is no taking away from the fact that they have something worthwhile to share. At the end of the day, our thoughts, words and actions are a reflection of what we learn. So a big salute to all those who make a positive difference to us - and the world around us. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

UAE regulators take bleak view of oversights: Whether it is the DFSA in Dubai or ADGM in Abu Dhabi, they are not in the mood to overlook acts of omission and commission by their licensed entities. And they are not stopping with words, but enforcing penalties that are meant to hurt the offenders where it matters. And even auditors are not being spared if the regulator gets to see that a firm has not been pulling its weight in carrying out their duties with the highest transparency. The DFSA in particular has through the year come up with a series of verdicts, and each have hit home. And delivered a bigger message out into the market. The message – no opaqueness or sleight of hand, please. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

SOMALIA NEEDS HELP TO TIDE OVER FAMINE: A famine could be declared in Somalia within weeks, affecting nearly a million people. Data shows that more than 30 per cent children in the region are acutely malnourished and over two people out of 10,000 are dying every day. Although formal declarations of this kind by the UN are rare, it shows that much needs to be done to help the people. Countries much come together to help the people and children of Somalia tide over this crisis. The call for action to help must come sooner rather than later. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

BOWLING ISSUES CONTINUE HOUND TEAM INDIA: South Africa showed great resilience in winning the final Twenty20 against India and also exposed the glaring deficiencies in the Indian bowling attack again. The South African batters plundered the Indian bowlers, scoring 227 for three in 20 overs with Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw, who scored an unbeaten century, setting up the base for the assault in an innings that consisted 16 sixes. India losing by 49 runs is nothing compared to the huge worry that the Men in Blue once again suffered due to the inadequate bowling. It could have been an experimental side, but after having conceded 221 runs in the second Twenty20, which means a total of 448 in 40 overs by the Indian bowlers. That’s a lot. Without Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian bowling lacks the bite and that could cost Rohit Sharma’s men dear in the Twenty20 World Cup, which begins soon. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

“PLEASE DON’T DECIMATE OUR ORIGINAL SONGS”: Indian singer Falguni Pathak, who’s a constant rock-solid performer during the festive period of Navratri, has a humble request for all those who try to give a modern spin to her original hits. “Remix all you want, but do it well and don’t be on this mission to decimate it,” told Pathak to Gulf News in an exclusive interview. We hear her. Recently singer Neha Kakkara led one of her re-mixes and spectacularly botched it up. Pathak and her fans promptly called Kakkar out, indicating that this annoying trend of tampering with original songs and making it more risqué should be ditched entirely. It’s simply audacious to tamper with something that’s already good. Here’s hoping Pathak’s plea to end the scourge of re-mixes will be heard. ([By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)