Not so long ago, London could genuinely lay claim to lead the world.
It was top for global finance, ahead of New York (admittedly, it was a close-run contest with Wall Street but the City was number one).
Where London went, others followed. Its music constantly pushed the boundaries; Britpop was everywhere. As the undisputed capital of the EU and with that, Europe, it was a forever buzzing, dynamic, urgent powerhouse of commerce and creativity.
Abu Dhabi is forward-thinking whereas London appears to be heading backwards
Everyone, be they a business or person, craved to be in London. Or at least that how it seemed. It was special. Just to walk around the centre was to breathe in the magic.
The high point was the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in 2012. Then, everything wonderful about Britain and London, in terms of achievement, history, pageant, charm and humour, came together in one vibrant, spectacular display.
Since then, something has undoubtedly slipped. It’s largely intangible but there are some hard facts. New York has regained its hegemony in banking. Post-Brexit, Berlin, arguably, has grabbed London’s EU pole position. Post-Brexit, too, London has become a more difficult place for young people from the EU to study and work.
In music, London’s once world-beating reputation for live performances has suffered, as the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has clamped down on late night venues.
Sad to report then, but all too typical, that Mr Khan had the opportunity to restore some of that lost lustre and blew it.
The British city had been earmarked for the second giant Sphere entertainment complex after Las Vegas. The 300ft-high glowing orb-like structure set new standards when it opened last year, combining the latest sound and light technology and high-resolution LED to deliver a wholly immersive, awe-inspiring experience.
It features an Exosphere with a 580,000-square-foot display, the largest LED screen in the world. Performers and audiences said they were knocked sideways by what they’d witnessed.
Seating 21,500 people, the London Sphere would automatically become a favourite for the world’s major performers and, symbolically, would have done much towards restating London’s Number One status.
Even the chosen site resonated – in Stratford, east London, home of those feted 2012 Olympic Games.
It’s not to be. Having declared his delight that London had been selected by James Dolan, creator of the original Sphere and executive chairman of Madison Square Garden and owner of the New York Knicks basketball team and New York Rangers ice hockey team, Mr Khan has backtracked.
That initial euphoria seemingly gave way to concerns about light pollution and energy use. It’s true the Sphere would be seen from all over London but where’s the real harm in that? Other cities have illuminated iconic buildings and monuments, why not London? Mr Khan’s short-sightedness makes you want to get hold of him and demand if he’s ever seen the Manhattan skyline at night? That’s polluting all right, but it’s also impressive and instantly recognisable.
Michael Gove, jumped in when he was Environment Secretary, to try to right the wrong but to no avail: Mr Dolan said he wasn’t prepared to allow his iconic ball to become a political football. He was probably correct: there would have been a back and forth dispute between central and local government, lost in the middle of which was his Sphere.
Central government, now with Keir Starmer at the helm, has had a torrid summer. Mr Starmer has been fighting fires, some of his own creation. The Sphere probably fell by the wayside.
Too late. Either London wanted it or it didn’t. The Mayor said not, so Mr Dolan has taken his spellbinding creation elsewhere, to the UAE and Abu Dhabi.
London’s undoubted loss is Abu Dhabi’s gain. It can’t be a coincidence that the UAE is fast gaining a world reputation for getting things done, for being a ready and willing partner for those with vision and money to invest. It’s already home to numerous landmark towers and developments. Abu Dhabi was chosen to partner the Louvre and Guggenheim. Now, it’s getting the next Sphere.
Abu Dhabi is forward-thinking whereas London appears to be heading backwards. Another prestige project has received the go-ahead, the expansion of the grounds for the Wimbledon tennis championships. On its face that would seem to be a signal that London can move with the times, that Nimbyism is not bound to prevail. But the Wimbledon approval only came after years of protest and fighting, which did not augur well for Mr Dolan and his Sphere.
Anyone could be forgiven for believing it did not wish to hold the premier tennis competition at all, let alone one with much-improved facilities.
Perhaps Mayor Khan will not rest until the lights have well and truly gone out, until London’s celebrated life has all but vanished, because that is how it feels. Londoners will be watching Abu Dhabi with envy. Doubtless they will visit the Sphere and be suitably awestricken. It could have been us, but not now.
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Company%20profile
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Brief scores:
Arsenal 4
Xhaka 25', Lacazette 55', Ramsey 79', Aubameyang 83'
Fulham 1
Kamara 69'
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The five pillars of Islam
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vault%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBilal%20Abou-Diab%20and%20Sami%20Abdul%20Hadi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELicensed%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInvestment%20and%20wealth%20advisory%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutliers%20VC%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
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
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
