From Dubai airport data to UAE road safety, our editors comment on the top stories of August 17

WHAT THE DXB PASSENGER NUMBERS SAY: The proof is always in the numbers. Dubai International Airport’s half-yearly numbers of passengers handled provide quite a bit as traffic surged nearly three-fold between H1-2022’s total and the period last year to 27 million plus travellers. DXB also managed to keep a tight check on key factors that influence traveller experience at the airport. This meant as little time as possible for departure and security clearances, which adds to the ‘CX’ (or customer experience). Contrast that with the serpentine queues at some of the world’s major airports in summer. Sometimes, as much as numbers tell a tale, so does comparisons. On this factor too, DXB scores. (Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

ROAD SAFETY IS A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY: The persistent efforts of authorities to ensure two-wheeler safety on the roads across the emirates are essential to remind not only the riders but also motorists and pedestrians of their rights and responsibilities. Make no mistake: Road safety is a collective responsibility, and it is only when everyone abides by the rules that it can be achieved. A ‘no-accident’ culture is something that must be assiduously cultivated and nurtured by every individual on the road with no room for oversight or complacence. The sooner we realise it, the better it is for all. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor

TRUMP’S LONG SHADOW ON PRIMARIES: The defeat of US Representative Liz Cheney in the primary challenger in Wyoming on Tuesday points to the long shadow cast by former president Donald Trump’s in the run-up to the Congress election. Cheney, a fierce Republican critic of Trump who has played a significant role in the congressional probe of the January 6 assault on the Capitol, lost to the Trump-endorsed Harriet Hageman. This is a major victory for Trump’s campaign to oust his Republican rivals. (By N.R. Stephen, Senior Associate Editor)

BOLLYWOOD BOX OFFICE LULL: Major questions are on everyone’s minds in the Indian film industry. Firstly, why are movies doing so badly? Superstar Aamir Khan’s ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ has done poorly at the box office, which follows another lukewarm movie, Akshay Kumar’s ‘Raksha Bandhan’. In theory, Khan’s movie should have been a winner since it’s a remake of the classic ‘Forrest Gump’. However, audiences and the times have changed. Production houses need to better anticipate what moviegoers want and should focus on hiring fresh talents and better storytellers. A big name won’t necessarily lead to big box office draws anymore. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Features Editor)

RANGERS’ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURN ON A KNIFE EDGE: It has been 12 years since Scottish giants Rangers last featured in the Champions League and their hopes of ending that barren run are on a knife edge. The UEFA Europa League runners-up in 2021/22 were held to a 2-2 draw by PSV Eindhoven in a thrilling play-off at Ibrox and now there is all to play for in the second leg. The teams will meet again in the second leg next Wednesday in Eindhoven to decide who progresses to the lucrative group stage of Europe’s biggest and most prestigious club football competition. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)