Sugar has been a part of Middle Eastern cuisine for more than a thousand years, first entering the region from the Indian subcontinent. When it eventually reached Europe, sometime in the Middle Ages, it transformed palettes. “No food refuses sugar,” as one medieval Italian cookbook notes.
But modern science tells us refusal – or, at least, regular abstinence – is a wise choice. In his 2016 book The Case Against Sugar, science reporter Gary Taubes compares sugar to tobacco – addictive, too easily available and detrimental to our health. Public health experts agree, and yet globally the consumption of sugary drinks, in particular, has risen in recent decades.
It is little surprise, then, that so many governments have come to see sugar as a public health threat. Today, more than 100 countries levy taxes on sugar to discourage overconsumption. The UAE is one of them, having introduced a flat tax on sugar-filled soft drinks in 2017. This month, authorities announced a new, more dynamic taxation model, in which the tax level per litre on sugary beverages will be determined by the sugar level per 100ml.
Under the previous flat-tax regime, all companies producing sugary beverages would pay the same amount of tax. The new model is expected to discourage companies from increasing sugar levels by making it more expensive to do so on a directly proportional basis. This system will come into effect at the beginning of next year.
“This approach incentivises manufacturers to reduce sugar levels and empowers consumers to make more informed dietary choices,” the UAE Ministry of Finance said on Friday.
The dangerous consequences of excessive processed sugar by now are well-documented. They include obesity, hypertension and cardiometabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes. In the Middle East, in particular, obesity and diabetes related to diet have been a scourge on public health systems. One study by researchers at Tufts University in the US found that sugary beverages directly contributed to around 15 per cent of diabetes cases in the region.
The consumption of sugary drinks has risen in recent decades
The peril is worsened by the fact that a love of sugar appears to be ingrained in most people. The dopamine release from sugar intake is neurochemically comparable to the effect of opiates. Tobacco companies, masters of addiction science, understand its power; sugar has been a common additive to cigarettes for decades.
In light of this, smart regulation is not only warranted, but crucial. Sugar consumption is an area where taxation has been shown to make a difference in spending habits. One 2019 study of American soft beverage consumers conducted by the University of California, Berkeley, found this to be the case. And policymakers have seen this pattern bear out in parts of the Gulf, too. In Bahrain, the introduction of a sugar tax in 2017 is thought to have contributed to an 8 per cent drop in diabetes between 2011 and 2021.
Of course, taxation is not a silver bullet in the war on sugar. It is just one part of a comprehensive public health policy toolkit. Public awareness is critical to changing not only consumer behaviour, but manufacturers’ corporate strategies. Since the health consequences of sugar became clear, beverage behemoths have introduced sugar-free options which have soared in popularity.
It is likely to take years or even decades to kick society’s sugar habit. The global war on smoking has shown that such policy battles are often long and arduous. But it is worth it for governments to remain persistent. Few rewards are sweeter, for the individual and society as a whole, than good health.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C108hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C340Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20automatic%20(front%20axle)%3B%20two-speed%20transmission%20(rear%20axle)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E488-560km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh928%2C400%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOrders%20open%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The five pillars of Islam
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