In Dubai last weekend, several dozen experts, futurists, geneticists, economists and philosophers were gathered by the World Economic Forum to grapple with the following question: what kind of future are we currently in the process of making?
In every arena, from climate action to adoption of technology to the evolution of education, we seem to be standing at a fork in the road. All that is certain is that the path we have been treading has come to an end.
Forum founder Professor Klaus Schwab was optimistic as the Dubai meeting, on what he calls the Great Narrative, wrapped up. It will be "a different world" and one that "we can imagine", Prof Schwab said. "We cannot describe it in all of its details, but we can identify some trends," he added.
At the concluding panel discussion, he said we now live in a world that is in "accelerated transformation" but asked whether we are in the process of creating a better one.
Freeke Heijman, founding director of Quantum Delta NL, the foundation that runs the Dutch national Quantum Initiative, is certain we are. Three main trends are behind Ms Heijman's conviction.
First, she pointed out, digitalisation is shaping the wider industrial revolution, whether it is quantum computing to solve problems, artificial intelligence, the metaverse and virtual reality. Second is the energy transition and the realisation of fusion power by the middle of this century, as well as the development of green hydrogen. And finally, there is biology and the engineering of DNA and personalised medicine.
There are plenty of caveats, however.
Author Dambisa Moyo said that the ability to create economic success underpins all of our efforts to create a better tomorrow. Achieving the necessary levels of growth needed to support appropriate levels of wealth and job creation is by no means certain. For example, fears of a return to the stagflation of 1970s are not unfounded; stagflation is when higher prices coincide with high unemployment. The markers of recession and booms are also simultaneously present around the world today, evident in the economic data as well as in protests on the streets.
At this week's Adipec oil and gas conference and exhibition in Abu Dhabi, the path to net-zero carbon emissions and the energy transition required to get there are being talked about as a huge opportunity for both the industry and the world. There are, meanwhile, worries about energy security amid a supply crunch and record-high gas prices, with some asking what the move away from a reliance on fossil fuels will mean for sustainable economic growth.
Much will depend on how quickly we reorient the future around people – such as changing the way we measure progress to include people's dignity, well-being and also the notion of regeneration, according to Brazilian political scientist Ilona Szabo de Carvalho. Stop treating climate change and inequalities as unaccounted externalities, de Carvalho said, for they can be accounted for. "I believe this shift has started, but of course needs to be accelerated."
There can be a new politics, too.
First, trust has to be rebuilt along with societies to replace old bonds and connections that are now gone. This can be done best at the local level, according to Ngaire Woods, the founding dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and professor of global economic governance at the University of Oxford. "Let that trust in politics, which actually does things to people, percolate up into co-operation at the national level,” Prof Woods said.
At the moment, it seems as if politics is a battle between those who want change and those who resist it.
Perhaps like Schroedinger’s cat in the box, we cannot know our future until we experience it
In their book Covid-19: The Great Reset, published in the summer of 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Prof Schwab and Thierry Malleret argue that humankind is faced with two choices. "One path will take us to a better world: more inclusive, more equitable and more respectful of Mother Nature," they write. "The other will take us to a world that resembles the one we just left behind – but worse and constantly dogged by nasty surprises."
According to Prof Schwab and Mr Malleret, pandemics are a force for radical and lasting change.
Much, of course, will depend on economic and climate justice, essentially ensuring that we look after the most vulnerable no matter where they might be. There is guarded optimism among many that the agreements reached in Glasgow at last week's Cop26 will help achieve this. Others, meanwhile, lament missed opportunities.
At the moment, we seem to be between two paths. It reminds me of Schroedinger’s cat, the thought experiment where a cat in a box is both dead and alive at the same time. Is that not our future right now? Equally likely to be worse or better. Perhaps like the cat in the box, we cannot know until we see it.
It would seem, however, that the doctrine of "profit first" for business, espoused by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman is close to being consigned to the past.
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
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
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
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.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Aquaman%20and%20the%20Lost%20Kingdom
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Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
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
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
RACECARD%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SupplyVan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2029%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MRO%20and%20e-commerce%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
