What impact does cultural diplomacy have in an increasingly polarised world? And can science's leading role in combatting the coronavirus pose a threat to the future of religion?
These are some of the thought-provoking ideas set to be covered in a series of online discussions featuring some of the world's leading intellectuals.
Organised by the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy and the Emirates Literature Foundation, the eight-part Literary Conversations Across Borders programme aims to discuss some of the pressing issues facing the world today in the wake of the pandemic.
Beginning on Saturday, May 30, each session will be streamed on Emirates Literature Foundation's YouTube page upon pre-registration on the foundation's website.
Guest speakers include Indian politician and writer Shashi Tharoor, English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, and Emirati cultural and key government figures such as Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State for Food Security Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri and Omar Ghobash, Assistant Minister of Public and Cultural Diplomacy.
Nusseibeh hailed the initiative as “a ground-breaking project for the UAE".
“Having these conversations across cultures strengthens our bonds and brings greater appreciation of the topics that affect us in the world today, no matter where we live,” he said.
“This project provides a platform for Emiratis to be part of the international discussions that are happening at the moment and shows that the UAE is an open, forward-thinking nation, eager to engage with other countries and cultures. Two-way dialogue will foster understanding, helping to break down stereotypes and a recognition of the common concerns, joys and sorrows that affect us all.”
With more sessions yet to be announced, here's a look at the first trio of events coming our way.
Saturday, May 30: How will the events of 2020 change the course of history? (5.30pm)
In what promises to be a riveting first session, Indian parliamentarian and author Tharoor and Nusseibeh will look at how this extraordinary year will shape the future of nations and societies to come.
With both speakers renowned for their keen appreciation of the modern and cultural history of the region and the developed world, their shared analysis and appreciation of the power of cultural diplomacy should be nothing short of insightful.
Saturday, June 6: Sustainability – Have we pulled back from the brink? (7.30pm)
This conversation focuses on the environmental struggles facing our world today, with celebrity scientist Goodall and Almheiri sharing their thoughts on a topic that has become further highlighted by the present pandemic.
Saturday, June 13: Will science be the new religion in the post-pandemic world? (9.30pm)
Ghobash, author of 2017's Letters to A Young Muslim, joins award-winning journalist and author of 2013's The First Muslim, Lesley Hazleton, in looking at how our increased reliance on science – a key feature of this pandemic – could impact our established series of beliefs such as faith, hope and trust.
More information about Literary Conversations Across Borders series is available at www.elfdubai.org
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The details
Colette
Director: Wash Westmoreland
Starring: Keira Knightley, Dominic West
Our take: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Company%20profile
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SCORES
Yorkshire Vikings 144-1 in 12.5 overs
(Tom Kohler 72 not out, Harry Broook 42 not out)
bt Hobart Hurricanes 140-7 in 20 overs
(Caleb Jewell 38, Sean Willis 35, Karl Carver 2-29, Josh Shaw 2-39)
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
UAE squad
Ali Kashief, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdelrahman, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Mohmmed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammad Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Eisa, Mohammed Shakir, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Adel Al Hosani, Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah), Waleed Abbas, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai) Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Mahrami (Baniyas)
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
How%20champions%20are%20made
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Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
Brief scores:
Barcelona 3
Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'
Rayo Vallecano 1
De Tomas Gomez 24'
On racial profiling at airports
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
