How Dubai became home to the world’s best schools and the buzz happening in UAE start-up scene, our editors comment on the top stories of August 31

DUBAI IS HOME TO WORLD’S BEST SCHOOLS: As the new academic year begins, the school sector in Dubai continues to record a steady growth, with four new private schools opening in this year. The enrolment in Dubai’s private schools will cross 300,000 pupils, the highest ever in its history. Characterised by the diversity of its students, Dubai’s private education sector offers a range of curricula and choices. The emirate’s versatile schooling system drives further growth by attracting experienced teachers, and new families who come to Dubai for the world-class education their children receive. Over the years, Dubai has truly become hub of education in the region. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE’S START-UP SCENE KEEPS THE BUZZ HAPPENING: Amidst the billion dollar profits put up by UAE’s listed blue-chips, transactions in the millions might not have the same visibility with a wider audience. But anyone intent on looking closely will see that UAE’s startup and funding spaces are humming with activity. A few millions for one fintech is soon matched or exceeded by another startup deal, but this time in proptech. These are funds that would help the recipients with their expansion, or add more bells-and-whistles to their existing services. All of which creates more jobs in the tech space and feed other parts of the local economy with money spent on goods and services. So, for every Amazon Web Services launching a network of data centres in the UAE and creating jobs, there are the many startups finding their feet. And the funds…(By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

DEFENDING CHAMPION RADUCANU KNOCKED OUT OF US OPEN: We have had the first big shock of the US Open as defending champion Emma Raducanu was crushed at the very first hurdle. The British No.1 was beaten in straight sets by France’s Alize Cornet at Flushing Meadows. The 6-3 6-3 defeat will have been hard to take for the 19-year-old who says the US Open is her favourite tournament. Being unable to defend her title will hurt the teen ace who burst onto the scene last year but was out-hustled and out-scrapped by the experienced Cornet. Raducanu, who was seeded 11th before the tournament, will now tumble down the rankings. 32-year-old Cornet is no pushover – at Wimbledon she ended world number one Iga Swiatek’s 37-match winning streak. And with Raducanu out of the way and Serena Williams on the brink of retirement, the 40th seed will fancy her chances in New York. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)

TRAGIC LOSSES IN ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY: South African actress Charlbi Dean has died at the age of 32 from a sudden unexpected illness. It’s a tragic loss of a star who seemed to have a lot ahead of her and who was recently at Cannes celebrating her new movie. News of the actress’ death comes soon after that of South Korean actress Yoo Ju-eun, who took her own life at the age of 27. Any person’s death is significant but it’s even more heart-rending when it’s a young person with a lot of potential. Both stars were talented individuals who left this world in different ways. But their legacies will live on in the projects they’ve worked on. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)