Over the last few years, I have come to the conclusion that if I stay in the UAE long enough, many of the people I would most like to see, or even meet, will eventually make their way here. Not everyone, of course, but as the years go by, a considerable number have happily obliged.
Pope Francis is the latest person to tick off my UAE wishlist – and I mean that with the deepest respect. I was delighted to have been involved, albeit peripherally, in last week's papal visit.
Looking back, there have been a whole host of other significant figures, from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Charles and Princess Diana, for example. I even took Prince Charles birdwatching, as well as on a visit to the ruins of a Christian monastery on Sir Bani Yas island. I was honoured to meet another world-famous figure, Nelson Mandela, in the UAE, as well as his successor as president of South Africa, my university classmate Thabo Mbeki, whom I hadn't seen for more than 40 years.
It’s not just been royalty and politicians, of course. I never attended concerts by the likes of Cliff Richard, Rod Stewart and the Rolling Stones in the UK during the early years of their careers but I’ve seen them all here, and had the pleasure of introducing my daughters to the music of proper pop stars. Real highlights of my time in the Emirates, even if I have missed many of the other great performers who have passed through and continue to do so, in increasing numbers.
Then there have been childhood heroes such as Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Before I reached my teens, I had been enthralled by his books Aku Aku about Easter Island and Kon-Tiki, about his journey across the Pacific. It never occurred to me that I would ever get to meet him.
Then, many years later, in the late 1980s, I not only had the pleasure of introducing him as the speaker at a meeting of the Emirates Natural History Group (ENHG) but also later enjoyed swapping tales over a dinner of roast reindeer at a Norwegian Food Week at the (now sadly renamed) Abu Dhabi Hilton.
I was reminded of another childhood hero the other day when a more recently arrived colleague told me that Arabian Sands, by the late explorer Wilfred Thesiger, had provided her with invaluable insights into the UAE before the coming of oil.
Thesiger's crossings of the Empty Quarter more than 70 years ago first came to public attention with the publication of Arabian Sands in 1959. That was another book that enthralled me and awoke my desire to see the deserts of the peninsula.
Nearly 30 years ago, I met him in Abu Dhabi at the opening of an exhibition of his magnificent photographs and then introduced him as a speaker of an ENHG meeting, chaired by our patron, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, now the UAE's Minister of Tolerance.
Later, I took my first-ever trip into the sands of the Empty Quarter, south of Liwa, in Thesiger's company. That remains an incredible memory. I recall him muttering, as our helicopter flew near the flares of an oilfield: "Desecration…. desecration". And there was more. South of Liwa, I had the almost unimaginable privilege of being able to show him two things in the deep desert that he had never previously seen, the gypsum crystals known popularly as "desert roses" and the nest of a golden eagle, one of our rarest breeding birds. As a child, how could I have ever imagined such good fortune?
On another occasion, a few years before his death, I attended the ceremony in which he was given a medal awarded to him by Sheikh Zayed. One of Sheikh Zayed’s sons presented it to him and I recall, with amusement, a conversation about Sheikh Zayed’s age.
“I am now nearly 90," said Thesiger. "Looking back to when we first met in 1947, he must have been around 30. So now he must be over 80.”
“Ha,” Sheikh Zayed’s son laughed, “none of us would dare to tell him he was that old!”
I have one regret of the occasions on which I was lucky enough to spend time with the explorer. I didn't discover until after he died that one of his favourite authors as a child and a young man had been the great John Buchan, the author of The Thirty-Nine Steps, a Scottish MP and governor general of Canada. Buchan was one of my childhood favourites too and I still read his books today. How I wish that I had asked Thesiger about him. But I digress.
When I first came to the Emirates, the country was only a few years old. The idea that a steady array of world-famous figures – a Catholic Pope, royalty, politicians, musicians, writers, explorers and more, would visit these shores would have seemed, at best, somewhat far-fetched.
Today it is commonplace – except on very special occasions like last week’s papal visit, which was extraordinary in many ways. But the long entourage of high-profile visitors is evidence of the manner in which the UAE has established itself on the world stage. I look forward to seeing whom I can tick off next on my wishlist.
Peter Hellyer is a consultant specialising in the UAE’s history and culture
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
A%20QUIET%20PLACE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Lupita%20Nyong'o%2C%20Joseph%20Quinn%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Sarnoski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 (Tosun 9', Doucoure 93')
Rotherham United 1 (Olosunde 56')
Man of the Match Olosunde (Rotherham)
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
%3Cp%3E1984%20-%20Apple%20unveiled%20the%20Macintosh%20on%20January%2024%3Cbr%3E1985%20-%20Steve%20Jobs%20departed%20from%20Apple%20and%20established%20NeXT%3Cbr%3E1986%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20Macintosh%20Plus%2C%20featuring%20enhanced%20memory%3Cbr%3E1987%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20Macintosh%20II%2C%20equipped%20with%20colour%20capabilities%3Cbr%3E1989%20-%20The%20widely%20acclaimed%20Macintosh%20SE%2F30%20made%20its%20debut%3Cbr%3E1994%20-%20Apple%20presented%20the%20Power%20Macintosh%3Cbr%3E1996%20-%20The%20Macintosh%20System%20Software%20OS%20underwent%20a%20rebranding%20as%20Mac%20OS%3Cbr%3E2001%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20Mac%20OS%20X%2C%20marrying%20Unix%20stability%20with%20a%20user-friendly%20interface%3Cbr%3E2006%20-%20Apple%20adopted%20Intel%20processors%20in%20MacBook%20Pro%20laptops%3Cbr%3E2008%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20MacBook%20Air%2C%20a%20lightweight%20laptop%3Cbr%3E2012%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20MacBook%20Pro%20with%20a%20retina%20display%3Cbr%3E2016%20-%20The%20Mac%20operating%20system%20underwent%20rebranding%20as%20macOS%3Cbr%3E2020%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20M1%20chip%20for%20Macs%2C%20combining%20high%20performance%20and%20energy%20efficiency%3Cbr%3E2022%20-%20The%20M2%20chip%20was%20announced%3Cbr%3E2023%20-The%20M3%20line-up%20of%20chip%20was%20announced%20to%20improve%20performance%20and%20add%20new%20capabilities%20for%20Mac.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Results
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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