From UAE job market to Abu Dhabi blue chips, our editors comment on the top stories of August 18

UAE JOB MARKET BECKONS: That the UAE issued over half a million new work permits during Q2 2022 is a strong indicator of how the country is faring. A 27 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2021, the jump, announced as part of the government’s Private Sector Workforce Report, was sizeable. Whether it is people from within the country exploring new opportunities or first-timers coming in, the message is clear: Companies are hiring, and the UAE job market is more attractive than before. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

GLOBAL AMBITIONS DRIVE ABU DHABI’S BLUE CHIPS: With a mindboggling $10 billion fund, the Abu Dhabi-based G42 can make its presence felt in the global tech space. It also offers proof that UAE entities are willing to take on higher visibility in emerging areas driven by tech and innovation. G42 joins an elite base of entities widening their investment and project presence beyond the UAE and the region. It’s a two-way journey, with US mega fund Apollo taking an 11 per cent plus stake in Aldar Investment, part of a $1 billion-plus inflow. With oil hewing close to that $100 a barrel mark, keep an eye out for the figures over a billion. They add up nicely. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

TAKING CARE OF THE SEAS: Scientists are now warning that marine life in the Mediterranean is at risk. Ocean currents have built up areas of warm water, and weather systems and heat in the atmosphere have increased the water temperature. Dozens of species, including corals, sponges and seaweed, have been affected along thousands of kilometres of Mediterranean coasts, according to a new study. While we focus on rising temperatures and wildfires on land, creatures under the sea are suffering. The seas serve the planet by absorbing 90% of the earth's excess heat and 30% of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by coal, oil and gas production. It's time we played our role in protecting the waters too. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

BILLIONAIRE RATCLIFFE TO BUY MANCHESTER UNITED: Manchester United have made a terrible start to the English Premier League season, having lost their opening games. They sit at the bottom of the table and look set to lose their star player Cristiano Ronaldo before the transfer window shuts. But emerging from the gloom is some news that could give the 20-time champions a huge lift. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy a stake in the club, which could release much-needed funds to improve the squad. Ratcliffe, 69, owns French side Nice and Swiss club Lausanne-Sport. United have been struggling, but this could be when their fortunes begin to change. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

BOYCOTT TREND RAGES ON IN BOLLYWOOD? We lived in simpler times when hashtags like #BoycottBollywood didn’t dominate our lives and reflected a movie’s fortunes at the box office. Now Bollywood A-lister Aamir Khan is the latest actor to bear the brunt of such hashtags that set social media alight. Even before his movie ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ hit the cinemas, a large section of digital warriors tore the film to shreds. These faceless trolls and haters could not separate art from the artist’s politics. The result: ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ — a remake of Tom Hanks iconic ‘Forrest Gump’ — was rejected even before it got a chance to impress. Such trends shouldn’t become the norm in Bollywood because it could be a death knell for the prolific film industry. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Assistant Editor Features)