From the Editors: Sri Lankan expats must help their country’s revival

HOUSING BENEFIT RECIPIENTS A BLESSED LOT: The granting of housing benefits worth Dh1.5 billion to 1,100 Emirati beneficiaries in Abu Dhabi by the UAE President on Monday reinforces the commitment of the leadership to the welfare of the country’s citizens. The benefits, coinciding with Eid Al Adha, comprised the second package that has been granted this year. The grants cover houses, housing loans and exemptions from loan repayments. The beneficiaries are blessed indeed. (By Sharmila Dhal, UAE Editor).

SRI LANKAN EXPATS WILL NEED TO PLAY THEIR PART: The Sri Lankan economy has slipped into such a crisis that there are only tough solutions to prevent a permanent state of disarray. Airlines are cancelling their services to one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. The currency keeps shedding value and there is a full-blown fuel shortage. With the economy at a standstill, Sri Lanka’s diaspora should to start playing their parts. Because any course correction will need expats to help out, starting with remittances and then growing into something more substantial. The new government should not shy away from state asset disposals. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

IN AWE OF THE UNIVERSE: The universe we live in is a beautiful one. We always knew this, but our view has just expanded, thanks to the images being sent by Nasa's new James Webb Space Telescope. The pictures enable us to go farther into space than we have ever gone before. Yet, the images with hundreds of specks, streaks, spirals of white, yellow, orange and red are only a speck of the universe. As we admire the beauty of these images, we cannot but think of our finite place in these galaxy of stars. We must thank our scientists for their hard work in getting the telescope in place and giving us this view. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

SUMMER BOX OFFICE IS 2022’S BIGGEST OPENER: With ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ hammering its competition to earn a cool $302 million worldwide in its opening weekend, the season’s biggest blockbuster is not a film but rather the summer box office itself. The season has entered the record books with films such as ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ crossing $1 billion globally, with Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ earnings hitting $815 million. Currently, ‘The Minions: Rise of the Gru’ has also locked in its worldwide grosses to $399.9 million. Hollywood and theatre owners are celebrating a summer that in the US alone has seen earnings rise 217 per cent from last summer. With more movies waiting in the wings, the only way is up from here. (By Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor)

RECORD-BREAKING ENGLAND IN HOT FORM: England footballers continued their home European Women’s Championship in style by creating history as they thrashed Norway 8-0 in Brighton. The Lionesses’, ranked 8th in the world, equalled the record for most goals scored by half time as they went into the break leading 6-0. They have recorded several big wins in the past, but the 8 goals scored yesterday was on another level and easily the team’s greatest victory. Norway are ranked 11th and have been tipped to reach the final, which makes the win more impressive. The result guarantees England progression from Group A as winners, and they could go all the way. (By Imran Malik, Assistant Sports Editor)