Dubai’s non-oil private sector shines, Scores dead in migrant shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa island, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on August 9 trending news

DUBAI’S NON-OIL PRIVATE SECTOR SHINES: Dubai businesses recorded another strong performance in July, driven by fresh contracts and increased output. This positive trend was supported by steady input costs, maintaining growth prospects for the year. Though slightly below June's 10-month peak, sectors like construction, wholesale and retail, and travel and tourism saw continued expansion, as reflected in the PMI data by S&P Global. This also led to a more optimistic outlook, improved supply conditions, and stable price dynamics. The July PMI stood at 55.7, indicating ongoing growth, despite a slight moderation in demand and job creation. (By Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

REFUGEE PLIGHT NEEDS COMPASSIONATE RESPONSE: The tragedy befalling refugees stands as a deeply poignant testament to the urgent need for a compassionate and humane approach. The recent incident in Italy underscores this reality. A devastating shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa island has led to the untimely demise of forty-one migrants. The harrowing accounts shared by the four survivors of this calamity paint a grim picture: they set out on a perilous voyage from Sfax in Tunisia with hopes of reaching the shores of Italy, only to face the unforgiving wrath of the sea, resulting in the heart-wrenching loss of their fellow travelers. This heartrending episode serves as a solemn reminder that the plight of refugees is not only a global crisis but also a human one, imploring us all to extend a helping hand and forge a path of empathy, support, and solidarity. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

SMART FINE PAYMENT: The Dubai Public Prosecution has introduced a service called "Smart Fine Payment", a digital service that enables the party found guilty in a criminal case to pay the imposed fine online and automatically have their travel ban revoked after the court's ruling. Through this proactive digital service, parties found guilty in criminal trials and given just fine sentences can pay their fines online, request the end of searches, and have the ban on leaving the country instantly lifted when the judgement is rendered. This intelligent fine payment service would hasten the processes for carrying out judgements rendered in absentia. It is a major addition to the package of prosecution services, in keeping with the "Services 360” programme to improve government services continuously. The service opens up yet another avenue for embracing the future. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

MOROCCO WOMEN'S TEAM EXIT AFTER A 'REMARKABLE ADVENTURE': Morocco's run at the Women's World Cup ended after their 4-0 loss to France in the round of 16 on Tuesday but the country will be proud of what the talented group achieved in Australia. Coach Reynald Pedros aptly puts it as a "remarkable adventure", given the fact that the team's run to the last 16 was nothing short of magic. None had expected the team to reach these heights especially after the 0-6 drubbing at the hands of Germany in the opening match. But they followed it up with a 1-0 win over South Korea and Colombia, which sealed their progression to knockout rounds. Now the team has little time to rest on laurels and is determined to book a ticket to Paris Olympics. So expect more such surprises. (By Jai Prasad V. Rai, Assistant Editor)

SIDDIQUE’S DEMISE MARKS A VOID IN INDIAN CINEMA: Director Siddique, of the famous Siddique-Lal combination that produced many memorable movies across Indian languages over the decades, is no more. His demise is a loss not just to Malayalam film industry, in which he primarily worked, but all of Indian cinema. Their movies were remade in languages spoken across the country -- Tamil to Telugu and Hindi. Consider just one: ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’, the “comfort movie” for most Malayalis — akin to comfort food — found remakes in six Indian languages. At least two of these remakes — ‘Arangetra Velai’ in Tamil and ‘Hera Pheri’ in Hindi — are considered cult classics to this day. Siddique continued to churn out hits after parting ways with Lal, who turned to acting. Some of them include ‘Bodyguard’ in Hindi and ‘Kavalan’ in Tamil. (By Rajagopalan Venkataraman, Assistant Editor-Features)