UAE companies report upbeat numbers and Dubai Fitness Challenge is back, our editors comment on the top stories of October 26

UAE COMPANIES REPORT UPBEAT PROFIT NUMBERS – AND MIXED WITH CAUTION: The latest profit numbers from UAE’s banks and other listed heavyweights would surely have their shareholders pleased. In fact, to a degree that’s more than pleased. Abu Dhabi’s FAB has teed off the latest reporting season with a Dh10 billion nine-month profit, and two other banks went past Dh4 billion at the time of asking. In the days ahead, the energy and allied entities would have their say, and developers too would chip in. But within all this bullishness, the companies are not letting go off caution of what could be tougher times ahead for the global economy and what it would mean specifically for the UAE. These companies will be well-served by that approach – extreme watchfulness should never be construed as weakness. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

TIME TO GET FIT DURING DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, has invited residents to turn Dubai into the world’s most active city with his flagship community fitness initiative Dubai Fitness Challenge being held from October 27 to November 27. Apart from some its key events like Dubai Run and Dubai Ride, the calendar includes more than 10,000 fitness sessions, two fitness villages and 19 fitness hubs to facilitate emirate-wide participation. Resident should actively take up the fitness challenge as it aims at helping them embrace exercise into their everyday schedule to keep fit and healthy. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

CRUCIAL POLLS ROUND THE CORNER IN THE US: The US midterm polls take place in just two weeks and both the Democrats and Republicans are going all out to ensure victory. Losing just one seat could spell trouble for the Democrats, especially in the Senate. So when armed 'poll watchers' stand guard in parking lots in Arizona, it is no surprise. They say it is a deterrent against supposed ballot stuffing, going on to show how important these polls are. The heightened atmosphere is worrying election officials, but let's hope for peaceful polls. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

MESSI IN TOP FORM AHEAD OF QATAR WORLD CUP: Paris Saint-Germain reached the last 16 of the Champions League in style as they put seven goals past Maccabi Haifi. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe both scored two goals in the Group H clash while Neymar and Carlos Soler also got on the scoresheet. The seventh of the night was an own goal by Shon Goldberg. Messi’s double strike means he has become the first player to score 80 goals in the group phase of the Champions League and he would have had a hat-trick had it not been for the crossbar. The Argentina ace is in fine form with just weeks before the start of the Qatar World Cup. Meanwhile, Juventus have missed out on reaching the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time since 2013-14 after losing 4-3 at Benfica. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

SHOULD AN ARTIST’S WORK BE PENALISED OVER HIS PERSONAL CONDUCT? Should art be separated from the artist is one of the debates that have been raging for the longest time. When celebrated directors like Woody Allen or Roman Polanski, who have been facing allegations of sexual assault and rape for many years, are hailed for their brilliant work, you wonder if it’s fair to see their creation by keeping the creator’s conduct and context separate. Today, rapper Ye – previously known as Kanye West – is facing the same predicament. While a music streaming giant Spotify has decided to retain his music, many brands like Adidas have cut ties with the controversial musician for his string of anti-Semitic remarks and theories. While you can’t blame a streaming company to choose business over personal, it’s still disheartening. In today’s woke and cancel culture-fuelled world, there’s no excuse for giving any room for a public figure who peddles hate speech. As we always say, don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)