From the Editors: Renewing Dubai driving licence becomes easier

NEW OPTION TO RENEW DRIVING LICENCE IN DUBAI: The unveiling of the region’s first mobile eyesight testing service by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority provides much convenience to motorists who can opt to get the test done at a fee at a place of their choice to renew the driving licence. They can not only avail the option through prior booking but can also download the test result, renew the licence and receive an electronic or printed copy of the new licence. The smart facility yet again demonstrates the constant efforts made by RTA to raise the bar of its services for customers. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

THE WORLD COULD DO WITHOUT MORE TENSION: US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has ratcheted up tensions with China. The standoff will deal another blow to the world economy, suffering from the fallout of the war in Ukraine. When the world is recovering from the ill-effects of COVID-19 pandemic these confrontations are counterproductive. As countries scramble to reel under inflation amid supply chain disruptions, such face-offs will worsen a bad situation. The world could do without more strife. (By Shyam A. Krishna, Senior Associate Editor)

MANCHESTER UNITED’S RONALDO AND MAGUIRE MOST ABUSED PLAYERS ON TWITTER: Footballers tend to suffer a lot of abuse during football matches from fans inside stadiums but now a study has revealed the two most targeted players on social media. They are Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire. The pair have received the most Twitter abuse of any other players in the Premier League according to a new report. An analysis by Ofcom of 2.3 million tweets in the first half of last season found 60,000 abusive posts half of which was directed at 12 players. And eight of them were from United. The findings have shed light on a darker side of the beautiful game and clearly more needs to be done to eradicate this, not just in sport but in society as a whole. (Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

A WIN FOR DIVERSITY: Film producer Janet Yang has been elected as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, making her the first person of Asian origin to hold the post. She’s also the fourth woman elected to run Hollywood’s most elite group of filmmakers. Reports say that around 19 per cent of Academy members are now from underrepresented ethnic and racial communities. All over the world, people are watching films and shows from outside their own cultures, and Yang’s hiring is a step in the right direction for further increasing diversity in movies and media. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)

AFTER THE IPOS, UAE BLUE-CHIPS DELIVER BIG-TIME: Tecom Group would not have disappointed any of its shareholders with the 40- and 50- per cent plus gains in net profit, whether taken from a six-month perspective or purely from its performance in the second quarter. After a hugely successful IPO, which drew in a record over-subscription from retail investors, Tecom had to show it can continue to do just as well operationally. The same is happening in Abu Dhabi, where the newly listed firms have delivered exceptional results, Borouge and Fertiglobe being the latest. Soon, DEWA will announce its results and that could deliver another major boost for sentiments. With October dividend payments on the horizon, shareholders will have lots to keep themselves busy with. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)