A welter of scandals around British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has demonstrated the powerful importance of acting for social good.
Mr Johnson has allowed the culture of his administration to develop independent of the society it serves. Despite being gravely threatened by Covid-19 himself almost two years ago, he permitted his closest team to disregard the safety measures imposed to slow the pandemic. In doing so, he has removed himself from the mainstream.
Belief in the importance of promoting social good applies not only among people you know but across the world.
One of the most significant trends is in the business world, where the profit motive is now surrounded by wider goals. These include the health of the planet, reduction in inequality and concerns over the impact of innovation. As the Davos Forum opens a series of virtual meetings this week, these themes can be expected to surface again and again.
Mr Johnson’s lockdown parties were not only contrary to the spirit of the lockdown regulations that his administration promoted. There is a selfishness in the idea that the government headquarters, protected by the police, could be a haven for behaviour that was banned just outside the gate. Restaurants along Whitehall, which houses UK government offices in London, were at the time closed but no one seems to have drawn a parallel with what was happening inside the institutions.
A survey out last week from the World Economic Forum highlighted the importance of doing the right thing. The Global Risks Report 2022 showed just how much the pandemic has set the world on a new course. Respondents really wanted to show that what was important in business was the impact that the enterprise made on the planet and the people on it. The priorities it set out were crafted not only by the threat to health over the past two years but also the clear and present danger posed to the Earth from the climate threat.
The Davos meeting this year will not be held face-to-face because of the pandemic. But it will take place virtually, with the agenda revolving around how to reflect on the concerns of systemic failure and the pressures those big issues present.
The most severe risks to the planet over the next decade were clearly set out in the survey. Biggest among them was a potential failure to take climate action and the associated weather and biodiversity threats. Plus infectious disease outbreaks, erosion of social cohesion and widespread livelihood breakdown. The outcomes of the Cop26 and the expectations around Cop27 in Egypt and Cop28 in the UAE were mentioned by the big business respondents in a year when only the climate competed with health as the universal top concerns.
As an outlier, there was also an interesting look at the increased innovation that is taking place in space exploration and how it could replicate or compound global inequalities.
The scale of the biggest issues resonates not just among cabinet ministers and corporate boards. In fact, there is a complementary popular sea change in attitudes as well. A powerful wave of how people judge their leaders based on environment and social tests has grown measurably stronger throughout the pandemic.
Late last year, the London-based polling firm Ipsos Mori pointed to fundamental tests from changing popular attitudes, particularly among the youngest. “The combination of financial and health worries is manifesting itself as a 'control crisis' – where individual lack of empowerment is coupled with perceptions that surrounding institutions are also 'out of control',” an accompanying analysis said.
Boris Johnson should have lived up to the discipline that the moment required
Tell that to Terry Smith, the money manager who controls more than $30 billion in funds, who was critical of the conglomerate Unilever for its environmental, social and corporate governance goals. Mr Smith complained last week that the focus by the management of the Magnum ice cream brand was hurting his returns. “Unilever seems to be labouring under the weight of a management, which is obsessed with publicly displaying sustainability credentials at the expense of focusing on the fundamentals of the business,” he wrote in a letter to investors.
Mr Smith comes from an old-school City of London background where taking care of the basics is prized. Mr Johnson’s style of politics is also all about pushing through the basics and connecting with people through this very simple prism. But as a maxim, "it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to" is all very well when the consequences are nebulous – which isn't the case in the world we currently live in.
There seems to be little inclination from voters to turn a blind eye, though.
There are some suggestions that Mr Johnson’s team was powered by a saviour complex that justified its own behaviour behind closed doors. The truth is more simple: it was a hard time. But then, Mr Johnson should have lived up to the discipline that the moment required.
As a biographer of former British prime minister Winston Churchill, Mr Johnson was accused of transcribing his own traits to the war-time leader. What he did not recognise when he got the mantle of leadership himself was that every crisis is different.
The health threat is universal and personal, as are the climate dangers. Mr Johnson has been caught out by changing views.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Scoreline
Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3
- Agüero 18'
- Kompany 58'
- Silva 65'
Napoleon
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
The view from The National
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
Wayne Rooney's career
Everton (2002-2004)
- Appearances: 48
- Goals: 17
Manchester United (2004-2017)
- Appearances: 496
- Goals: 253
England (2003-)
- Appearances: 119
- Goals: 53
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
