An adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation book series, which has been in development for more than a decade, launched on Apple TV+ on Friday.
Initially written as a series of short stories, Foundation was published by Astounding Magazine between May 1942 and January 1950. They were subsequently turned into a collection of three books that were released in the early 1950s and won Asimov the one-off Hugo Award for Best All-Time Series in 1966.
The hugely ambitious and complex sci-fi story is set in the declining Galactic Empire and follows mathematical genius Hari Seldon (played by Jared Harris), who develops a theory that will reduce the impact of its collapse from 30,000 years of turmoil to only 1,000 years.
Despite being regarded as a seminal sci-fi text by experts, the fact that Foundation unfolded over hundreds of years, with little emotion or characterisation and a huge ensemble of characters, meant it had long been deemed unfilmable.
Lee Pace, who plays Brother Day, the Emperor of the Galaxy, tells The National that he initially held this belief, too.
“I was one of many who thought it was impossible to adapt in a narrative way,” he says. “I remember first hearing about it and saying, ‘No way. They can't do it. The story is too big. It’s too cerebral. There are too many characters. It takes too much time. It’s something that you can enjoy reading. And that's it.’”
Pace quickly started to change his mind when he discovered that David S Goyer, who wrote The Dark Knight and Blade trilogies, as well as Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice, was overseeing the production. Pace was given the first three scripts of Foundation to read, and he was excited to discover that Goyer had “really cracked” the adaptation.
“I think that he interpreted this handful of characters who can emotionally take us through what could potentially be a 1,000-year story.”
There was a lot for Pace to sink his teeth into with his character. “I’m not really playing a man,” he says. “I’m playing a series of men who inherit this role of the Emperor of the Galaxy. He has managed to cheat death and clone himself, so that he has lived for 400 years. His belief is that he should live for ever.”
As Pace explains, Brother Day’s arrogance is particularly dangerous because he has control over the lives of trillions of people over 10,000 planets, as well as technology that can “fold space and time and get you from one point of galaxy to any other point instantly.”
Pace's character Brother Day rules the galaxy alongside younger Brother Dawn (Cassian Bilton) and the older Brother Dusk (Terrence Mann). However, Pace doesn't just play one version of the character. Brother Day has been cloned so that an incarnation of him can help to lead the galaxy for hundreds and hundreds of years.
Each clone is intent on keeping the Galactic Empire exactly as it is. But Hari Seldon insists that doing this will only lead to a more catastrophic collapse and a sustained Dark Age period.
Ahead of filming, Pace dismissed the idea that there was a right way to portray each clone. Instead he embraced the fact that anything could be possible, before deciding that each new version of the Emperor would approach leading the galaxy in the same manner that an actor approaches a role.
“It's important to me that they felt human. But they don't believe they're human. There's a distance and a gap between who they are and who they think they are,” says Pace. “I think Day looks to Dawn and says, ‘Here's your costume. These are the lines. This is the blocking. Here are your props. When you inherit this extraordinary power, it is imperative to the safety of the galaxy, that you are exactly like me. That you believe as I believe. That you act as I am.’”
As a result of this, Pace says Foundation is a chance to examine and investigate the “riddle about inherited power” and the long history of Kings and Queens across the world who’ve ruled their countries over many generations. Pace is hopeful that this might result in Foundation having a diverse and global appeal.
“This story takes the investigation of what it means to be a human off planet Earth in the 21st century. So we're not talking about the internet. We're not talking about the coronavirus. We're not talking about American politics. We're talking about the Emperor of the Galaxy,” says Pace.
“It removes the contemporary triggers that put us in a circular conversation again, and again. I think that allows a more diverse audience and group of people to join that investigation. That's what Isaac Asimov was examining. It wasn’t the fate of a nation or a tribe or a race of people. It was the species.”
Pace is the first to acknowledge that audiences might need to adjust their viewing habits to really engage with Foundation, as the storytelling has more in common with novels than TV. Especially after Goyer himself previously said in an interview in January, 2021, that he wanted 80 hours over eight seasons to tell Foundation’s full story.
“I’m taking David at his word that this story is like a novel. It isn’t episodic,” says Pace. “You're not going to get all Foundation if you tune in for one episode. You have to sit with us.”
Episodes one and two of Foundation are now out on Apple TV+, the remaining eight episodes of season one will be release weekly on Fridays.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Dubai Women's Tour teams
Agolico BMC
Andy Schleck Cycles-Immo Losch
Aromitalia Basso Bikes Vaiano
Cogeas Mettler Look
Doltcini-Van Eyck Sport
Hitec Products – Birk Sport
Kazakhstan National Team
Kuwait Cycling Team
Macogep Tornatech Girondins de Bordeaux
Minsk Cycling Club
Pannonia Regional Team (Fehérvár)
Team Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Team Ciclotel
UAE Women’s Team
Under 23 Kazakhstan Team
Wheel Divas Cycling Team
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
|
1.
|
United States
|
|
2.
|
China
|
|
3.
|
UAE
|
|
4.
|
Japan
|
|
5
|
Norway
|
|
6.
|
Canada
|
|
7.
|
Singapore
|
|
8.
|
Australia
|
|
9.
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
10.
|
South Korea
|
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
TEAMS
EUROPE:
Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson
USA:
Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau ( 1 TBC)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
