My 7-year-old daughter this week was building a time capsule for people in the future. "What should they know about 2022? Cost of living crisis, climate change, war in Ukraine..." she wrote despondently in her missive for human beings yet to come.
"Is there anything good I can include?" she asked in despair.
I felt stumped. It feels hard not to be sensitised to all the terrible things that happen around us. But this year is the first time in my life I’ve seen the phrase "rolling polycrisis". It seems to be everywhere and it has put a name to the sense of multiple calamities.
Ever more mass shootings in the US, inflation rising, wildfires and floods, protests and strikes, heatwaves, droughts, flooding, it’s a list of perpetual doom. And that’s just the new stuff which eclipses ongoing horrors to which we have become inured, from Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Myanmar, Ukraine – it’s a catalogue that could fill this entire column.
So in search of happier news, my optimistic daughter and I spread our net across social media. It’s curious how what has just happened can cast a positive glow on events. Plenty of people quoted Morocco reaching the semi-final of the World Cup, the first Arab country to do so. The Lionesses brought football home to the UK. And a lettuce outlasted a prime minister, which was funny fleetingly, if not really "good" news.
And there were leaps forward. We have the possibility of a vaccine for malaria. A new drug that has the potential to slow down Alzheimer’s disease. Climate reparations were put on the global agenda. Nuclear fusion gives us hope for a clean energy future. As my 7-year old is a huge space fan, the James Webb telescope was firmly on her list of positives.
Many people added the emergence from the lockdowns and ongoing restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic as the biggest bright spot. And while the surrealness of 2020 and 2021 already seems hard to recollect, the long shadow of the pandemic can still be felt. Rates of Covid-19 infections in some parts of the world are rising again. And while many argue it’s good we are unshackling ourselves from the fear of those years, it is hard because many of our loved ones remain at high risk.
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In fact, that one of the reasons that this has been a very tough year for me personally, perhaps the toughest year of my life, given the loss of my mother. It was not easy balancing primary care for my parents during lockdowns earlier in the year while caring for my children, not to mention holding an intense job. Several hours each day caring for the elderly is no walk in the park, accompanied by several serious hospitalisations and my mental health challenges.
It seems like when it comes to this feeling of heaviness, I am not alone. The New York Times had a report headlined “The Rising Tide of Global Sadness”, building on a book and research from Gallup called “Blind Spot: The Global Rise of Unhappiness and How Leaders Missed It.”
Anger, stress, sadness, physical pain and worry seemed to have reached a global high. Given the backdrop of the pandemic, this was no surprise. But the trajectory was rising for over a decade.
In the periods of graveness over the past year, there has been immense personal growth.
Studies have looked at whether generation z is the most depressed generation in human history. And who could blame them? It is a world of widening emotional inequality. As the top 20 per cent of the world experiences the highest levels of happiness since Gallup began measuring happiness and well-being, the bottom 20 per cent has been experiencing the worst.
And yet, while I have felt like a microcosm of the terrible 12 months of 2022, there have also been incredible personal highlights. The first of its kind book for girls was published tackling the challenges of body image at ages 8+. I launched a two year project identifying "consumer inequality" and how brands should engage with minority ethnic consumers. I won some awards. I wrote this column and from the feedback, I know it touched many. My kids said I did a great job as a mum, and they are very thankful.
In the periods of graveness over the past year, there has been immense personal growth. And this has emerged from extraordinary pain and challenges. In reality, maybe it could not have been any other way.
Perhaps the same can be said of 2022 and for the world more generally. We are living through a tough time but there are highlights sprinkled throughout. Let's hope that 2023 brings a period of growth from which we can emerge stronger and happier. At least that is what I am wishing for.
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THURSDAY'S FIXTURES
4pm Maratha Arabians v Northern Warriors
6.15pm Deccan Gladiators v Pune Devils
8.30pm Delhi Bulls v Bangla Tigers
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20CarbonSifr%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202022%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Onur%20Elgun%2C%20Mustafa%20Bosca%20and%20Muhammed%20Yildirim%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Climate%20tech%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%241%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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.
Results:
5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
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.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
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
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
