Dubai Safari Park awaits visitors and US plunges into chaos after speaker’s ouster, Gulf News Editors comment on October 4 trending news

DUBAI SAFARI PARK BECKONS: The reopening of Dubai Safari Park on October 5 is much awaited as a host of recreational shows and educational programmes has been added to its rich menu of offerings. Residents and visitors can expect many new engaging activities that are entertaining and educative while encountering the 3,000-plus animals and birds at the park. They can also learn about the park’s distinctive ecosystem and its sustainability. A dedicated programme to raise awareness about endangered species has also been launched. The weather has also begun to cool down, so just head to the park at Al Warqa.. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor)

THE RISE OF UAE’S NON-OIL ECONOMY: The UAE's non-oil business sector has surged, marking its highest growth rate in September. The S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers' Index soared to 56.7, up from August's 55.0, a clear indicator of robust activity. What stands out is the remarkable revival of new business, with the new orders subindex hitting 64.7, the fastest expansion since June 2019. This upswing is powered by firms securing new clients domestically and abroad. The confidence in business prospects for the upcoming year has also strengthened, reflecting sustained demand and the acquisition of new clients. September's data surely paints a promising picture for the UAE's economic landscape. (By Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

US POLITICS PLUNGES INTO ‘CHAOS’: Chaos. That’s the word that is being used after US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a historic vote that saw members from his own Republican Party calling for his removal. While former Vice-President Mike Pence says ‘chaos is not America’s friend’, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says chaos is a positive thing. What everyone agrees on is that there is chaos in US politics at present. And at the wrong time too. There are key deadlines to be met to avoid a government shutdown and approving aid for Ukraine. The House is expected to hold elections for speaker only on October 11. So till them there will be plenty of soul-searching and wrangling to decide on the next moves. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

BREAKING THE STAR POWER: Egyptian director Omar Hilal, riding the wave of critical and box-office success with his debut Arabic comedy 'Voy! Voy! Voy!', claims that his filmmaking journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to crafting quality cinema without relying on established movie idols. In a recent video interview with Gulf News, Hilal shared an anecdote from the film's early days. Established Arab stars initially declined roles in 'Voy! Voy! Voy!', possibly underestimating it. Reflecting on this, Hilal added: “I think they might be regretting it now.” Hilal’s revelation shows that cinema has moved beyond star power. Let's hope that the success of 'Voy! Voy! Voy!' — Egypt’s official selection for Oscar 2024 — contributes to dismantling the star system. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)

UAE CRICKET BOARD PLAYS IT RIGHT: UAE cricket teams of the past included former cricketers from the subcontinent. But things have changed after the Emirates Cricket Board’s initiative to focus on youth development which allowed homegrown talent to play in the junior and senior national teams. The board has launched a franchise league in 2023, ILT20, where each team must include at least four domestic players. Now the league committee has started a ILT20 Development Tournament, where the top performers will be picked by the franchises. The ECB move is laudable as it will go a long way in helping the UAE become a permanent member of the International Cricket Council. (A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)