From the Editors: Midday break bears testimony to UAE’s commitment to health and wellbeing of its workforce

MIDDAY BREAK BEARS TESTIMONY TO UAE’S COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF ITS WORKFORCE: Starting today, workers at construction sites across the UAE will get a two-and-a-half-hour midday break every day until September 15. This is the 18th year on the trot that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is implementing the midday break rule, in line with the ministry’s commitment towards ensuring occupational health and safety and offering a safe and humane working environment to all. It is not just in the UAE but all over the world, those who have to work out in the open during the day in the peak summer months, run great risk of exposure to the direct rays of the sun and are therefore susceptible to heat-stroke, extreme dehydration and even skin diseases. The UAE has always been extremely caring about the health and wellbeing of its workforce and has taken specific measures to address these issues. Implementing the midday break bears testimony to that. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

UAE EXERCISING CAUTION: The UAE Ministry of Economy’s move to place a temporary restriction on exports of wheat originating from India serves multiple purposes. One, it assures that UAE has ready access to a key food staple at a time when the whole world is veering towards supply disruptions and prices spirals on key commodities. This also means that India has assured the UAE of constant supply of wheat, thus ensuring that the UAE is not covered as part of the ban on wheat exports the Indian government had announced earlier. The UAE Ministry of Economy has also brought in new requirements on shipments of wheat sourced from other countries. Times of global crisis, especially on the food supply side, requires caution. The UAE Ministry is exercising that caution… [COMMENT BY: Manoj Nair, Business Editor]

ENGLAND NEED TO BACK COACH SOUTHGATE: England suffered a humiliating 4-0 home defeat against Hungary in the UEFA Nations League and many fans are calling for coach Gareth Southgate to be sacked. They are fuming not just because of last night’s thrashing but because England have looked out of sorts in their last four matches where they have drawn 2 and lost 2. But with the Qatar World Cup just months away changing coach now would be risky. England fans should not forget that he guided the team to their first final in 60 years only to lose the Euro 2020 on penalties to Italy. He also took them to the semi-final in the last World Cup. The fans are frustrated but they must look at the bigger picture. Southgate has been a key part of transforming the team and although it was a very disappointing result last night he should be given the chance to turn things around. [COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor]

BTS’S BURNOUT IS A LESSON FOR ALL: South Korean group BTS’ announcement that they’re taking a break as a septet has shocked fans — and has even sent shares for their agency HYBE into a tailspin. In the emotional video announcing it, leader RM teared up as he spoke about the fear of disappointing fans but also the pressure he felt to continue making music despite feeling burned out. Other members also spoke about wanting to learn more about themselves during this period (which HYBE said in a statement is “not a hiatus”). While there’s no predicting what will happen to arguably the world’s biggest music group, the main message here is one of the importance of self-care and putting one’s own mental wellbeing above external things.[COMMENT BY: Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features]