In early May last year, during a debate in the United Kingdom prior to the Brexit referendum, I wrote a column trying to sum up my own views on the matter as a deeply interested outsider. At that time, I was undecided, though I cited the impact that Brexit would have on relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland as one of my key concerns. I couldn't imagine how on Earth a "hard" border, with passport checks, regulations on the movement of goods and the likes, could be introduced.
Before the vote in June, I had come off the fence. If I had had a vote, I would have voted to remain, albeit reluctantly since the European Union is so obviously in need of reform. Yet the issue of UK-Irish relations and the need, in my view, to preserve the Common Travel Area between the UK, Ireland and Britain’s Crown dependencies, like my other home, the Channel Island of Jersey, was one of the key topics that tipped the balance.
I felt that this topic had received far too little attention in the debate. I was concerned about the danger of conflict returning to Northern Ireland. I felt that those favouring Brexit were being extraordinarily negligent (at best) in failing to give sufficient thought to this thorny problem. I felt it had the potential to pose real difficulties in the event they did leave the EU.
The result of last May’s British general election led to the government of prime minister Theresa May becoming dependent for its survival on a political party from Northern Ireland’s Protestant community whose raison d’etre, to put it simplistically, includes a deep suspicion of the Irish Republic.
As we have seen over the past few weeks, the issue of borders in Ireland very nearly brought the negotiations between the UK and EU to a standstill. While an agreement to move forward was reached in the nick of time, the issue itself hasn’t been solved. Further friction is probable.
____________________
Read more from Opinion
Why did Trump make his Jerusalem decision? The answer is rooted in US domestic politics
Coherent pressure against the Iranian manipulation of the Yemen conflict is vital
In praise of Salvator Mundi and this time of year
____________________
Whatever view one might take of current political debate in the UK, it's difficult to avoid the conclusion that Brexit-related issues are occupying an extraordinary amount of time and energy, generating more heat than light. In other EU countries, one reads, there is something approaching a sense of utter bemusement as it becomes apparent that the British government might not have completed detailed studies of the implications of Brexit. Ministers tell parliament they have been done, only to say they have not a few days later. That's mildly confusing, to say the least – unless, of course, the results of any studies are so deeply pessimistic that the government prefers not to share them. It is also clear that the members of the British cabinet have not yet reached a united position on the nature of agreement they seek to achieve. Instead, the phrase "fighting like cats in a sack" comes to mind.
Metaphorically shrugging their shoulders, other EU states have made it clear that they view the British approach as being akin to self-harm. While wanting a suitable agreement with the UK, they’re getting on with life.
That sense of bemusement isn't confined to the EU. British ministers and officials continue to frequently visit the Gulf to talk about a variety of issues, including Middle East politics, trade, defence and more. This week, foreign minister Boris Johnson is in Abu Dhabi, as is Charles Bowman, the Lord Mayor of London. They are welcomed, of course; the normal courteous exchange of views continues. Key to their discussions will be a bid to strengthen UK-UAE trade and financial ties. Given the UK's fixation with Brexit, though, there may perhaps be a perception here that London is no longer as relevant to the UAE as it might wish.
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
