New law to attract more expats to UAE, how the country became a MICE hub, Arsenal gets top talent, our editors comment on the top stories of Feb 1

NEW LAW WILL ATTRACT MORE EXPATS TO THE UAE. From today, the reformed Federal Personal Status Law comes into effect, beginning a new chapter in the lives of non-Muslim expats who call the UAE home. Under this law, foreigners of different faiths will be able to follow their own norms in personal matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance. Knowing they have recourse to a law that is in line with what they are accustomed to in such aspects of life will undoubtedly make the UAE even more attractive as a destination to live and work in. Expats make up most of the country’s population and the new law caters to the diverse needs and aspirations of all its residents. (By Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor)

REWORKING UAE’S SUCCESSFUL MICE FORMULA WITH A NEW ‘E’: Into the second month of 2023, the value-add that comes from playing host to events, conferences and exhibitions is rubbing off on the UAE economy. The conference venues are humming with activity, and the only thing that changes is the industry that gets showcased with each passing event. Hotels in the UAE are holding on to the post-December occupancy levels, thanks to these very events. A full calendar of MICE activities planned well in advance is one great add-on that Dubai and Abu Dhabi can call on all the way through May and June. Add to that ‘experiences’ these destinations can conjure up, and a reworking of the formula to ‘MICE + E’ should work just fine. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

ARSENAL HAVE DONE ENOUGH IN JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW TO WIN PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal look set to go all the way and lift the Premier League trophy after making several solid additions to the squad in the January transfer window. The Gunners, who are currently five points clear at the top of the table and have a game in hand, brought in Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Jorginho from Chelsea. Arsenal are a young and exciting team and they are headed by the increasingly impressive Mikel Arteta as coach. Sure, they missed out on two main targets - Mykhailo Mudryk who went to Stamford Bridge and failed to tempt the Seagulls in letting Moises Caicedo leave. But overall, the North London giants look in good shape and come May they could be crowned champions. And the way they have been playing this season, they will deserve it. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

IS BOLLYWOOD ADULTING? Bollywood, as a film industry, is often criticised for not maintaining a united front when it comes to looking at the bigger picture of what will benefit them as a whole. But there seems to be a tectonic shift in the post-COVID-19 era. The ailing industry, which is being resuscitated by Shah Rukh Khan's January release 'Pathaan', is still playing in the cinemas successfully. And this weekend, Kartik Aaryan's new film 'Shehzada' was scheduled to released, but its makers have decided to postpone their release by a week to avoid cutting into 'Pathaan's business. And that's a smart move because a glut of releases will not benefit anyone with audiences being divided and forced to choose. Here's hoping Bollywood stars and producers -- keep their egos aside - and make such pragmatic decision in future. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)