NATO summit starts with a big bang, Dubai continues hiring streak, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on July 11 trending news

NATO SUMMIT OFF TO A GOOD START: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support for Sweden's bid to join NATO at the Vilnius Summit marks a positive start, potentially resolving a prolonged issue amidst the Ukrainian conflict. In recent months, Sweden and Finland abandoned their military non-alignment policies to apply for NATO membership, with Finland's approval granted earlier. Concerns over Sweden's counterterrorism efforts raised by Turkey had delayed their bid. US President Joe Biden's endorsement and discussions with Erdogan signal a clear path for Sweden's entrance, strengthening defense in North Central Europe and reinforcing NATO's transatlantic collaboration. The Vilnius Summit sets the stage for enhanced partnerships and stability in an evolving geopolitical landscape. (By Sadiq Shaban, Opinion Editor)

DUBAI'S BUSINESS SECTOR SUSTAINS HIRING STREAK: Dubai businesses experienced a strong surge in new orders during June, resulting in the best performance in the past 10 months. The positive trend led to continued hiring and allowed firms to offer consumer discounts and boost sales. The Dubai Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) showed accelerated growth in new business across key sectors such as construction, wholesale and retail, and travel and tourism. Retail benefited from Eid breaks and summer holiday buying, while construction received awards for significant projects. The PMI for June reached 56.9, indicating robust demand and extending the 14-month streak of job creation. (By Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

SAFETY ON THE BEACH: The summer holidays are bound to attract jet skiers to the UAE’s waters. To keep everyone safe, there are rules in place and authorities tasked to enforce them. In Sharjah, an outpost has been set up in Al Mamzar area to monitor the sport, keep tabs of the rental process, detect any negative behaviour and take appropriate measures. As a rule, those under the age of 15 are not be allowed to use/rent a jet ski. Moreover, rental companies are also mandated to take sufficient data of each renter. It is also prohibited to rent a jet ski after sunset. More importantly, reckless jet ski riders will be immediately stopped. This type of recreation requires greater awareness and caution to curb any damage to life and property. Taking a proactive approach that prioritises the well-being of everyone will help promote responsible behaviour and create a safer environment not only for jet ski riders but also for people using the public beaches. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

HARRY BROOK FINDS HIS GROOVE AGAIN: Harry Brook was under immense pressure to live up to the tag of being a prodigious talent for England. However, the 24-year-old Yorkshireman had to face a barrage of bouncers during the first two Tests and ended up with an under-par performance. He was under the microscope for the manner in which he scored runs, not very convincing. However, coming slightly down the order in the second innings, the older ball gave Brook the extra time to execute his shots, better than the slightly newer balls. The move helped England chase the target and bring the Ashes series 2-1. Brook down the order will be far more effective than at No 3, unless he strengthens his horizontal bat shots. Even on Sunday, he fell untimely to a short ball that gave the Aussies some hope before Mark Wood and Chris Woakes scored those required runs in quick time. Brook finding his groove is a positive sign. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

MADONNA SETS HER PRIORITIES STRAIGHT: Pop icon Madonna, who landed in a hospital's Intensive Care Unit after an infection, has declared this morning that she intends to focus on her health, even if it means she will have to reschedule her upcoming global music tour. With this announcement, the 64-year-old singer has proven that she marches to the beat of her own drum. While she thanked her army of fans for their positive energy and kind words, she also mentioned that her children were her "first thoughts" when she woke up in the hospital, and her second? While it's heartening to see her take a firm stand that places health and family first, Madonna is also teaching us all that it's okay to take a break and come back stronger. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)