From the Editors: Happy birthday Hope Probe

Hope Probe anniversary: It’s the second anniversary of the launch of the Hope Probe, and the interplanetary mission’s performance so far has been outstanding. It has travelled more than 490 million kilometres from Earth and supplied 88.5 gigabytes of fresh data to the international scientific community, which will help fetch answers to pressing questions. Above all, the mission has done the UAE proud, highlighting the country’s skyrocketing success in the space sector and its immense potential to work on more advanced projects. The recent allocation of Dh3 billion for a Space Fund will no doubt provide the necessary push towards this end. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

Dubai wants to ensure steady growth for its property markets: With the residential property market dynamics ticking along, Dubai has turned its attention to commercial, issuing a Decree that clears the path towards more inward investments into offices, warehousing, logistics and other property types. The Decree confirms that these investors will be guaranteed incentives, a detail that’s always a vital element when funds are out to seek the best returns. There is a lot of inherent potential waiting to be tapped in Dubai’s commercial real estate space, not least at the Expo City and the wider Dubai South environments. Likewise, even existing free zones are into expansion mode, and any big-ticket fund or investor stands to benefit from solid, longer term returns. Commercial property is the next big wave Dubai expects to ride. (Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

England will miss Stokes, the warrior in title-defence next year: The exit of Ben Stokes, England’s fearless allrounder, from 50-overs cricket hasn’t been exactly a happy one – with the world champions succumbing to a series defeat against India and losing his farewell match against South Africa on Tuesday night. This, however, does not matter in the long run – what does is his absence when England visit India next year to defend their ICC World Cup crown. His ability to multi-task was a key component in the erstwhile captain Eoin Morgan executing his plans at home in 2019 but then, the next 50-overs showpiece is a long way off and the allrounder is the best judge of his own body and mind. Stokes is a rare talent but needs to be handled with care, and we look forward to more heroics from him in Tests – which will be his priority area now – along with the T20s. The show will surely go on…(By Gautam Bhattacharyya, Senior Associate Editor)

Netflix needs to press play on a new content strategy: Netflix Inc has its work cut out for itself with the streaming giant announcing that it lost nearly 1 million subscribers between April and June of this year. Moreover, while this number is considerably lesser to what was earlier forecasted, Netflix must press play on a new content strategy or risk losing customers to streaming platforms like Disney+. According to Reuters, senior management at the streamer are looking to replicate the success of Disney by building its own universe with integrated films, television shows and games. The strategy has clearly worked for Disney and its juggernaut known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Netflix definitely has the content to follow this track with shows such as ‘Stranger Things’, ‘Squid Game’ and ‘Bridgerton’. Now, all that is left is to put this into effect. (By Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor)