We have less than eight weeks left of 2019 and there could still be so much that happens before the end of it that making any kind of predictions about what 2020 might hold seems foolhardy. This year has already shown remarkable and, at times, frightening developments, particular in the last few months. From attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in September to the current wave of protests in Lebanon and Iraq, we have been building to a kind of crescendo as we head into 2020.
Perhaps, then, rather than looking towards the next 12 months, it is worth examining the past decade as a whole. The 2010s started almost as a footnote to the previous 10 years. We had thought then that the worst was behind us, from the war on terrorism to the global financial crisis. We began 2010 hoping that we had the answers to avert the excesses of globalisation and avoid the price for not living sustainably, not just in terms of the environment but philosophically. To be sustainable, we must avoid the thinking that we need to have more. Rather, we need to understand that we have enough.
Ten years ago, we thought we had won the war on terror. After the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, we faced the horror of ISIS. No one now says that with the death of Baghdadi we have won anything
In any case, the idea that we would not have to suffer the consequences of the 2000s was just wishful thinking and the past decade has instead been an exercise in building resilience.
Looking back, while the uprisings in Tunisia and elsewhere in the region felt momentous then, now we can see them as one phase in perhaps a longer period of transition in the Middle East and North Africa that will continue to be marked by sporadic and tumultuous upheavals. The conflict in Syria has ossified to the point that it is feeling like a permanent feature of the geopolitical landscape, rather than something that can be resolved.
And in this decade, we thought we had won the war on terror. The death of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011 was supposed to be proof of that. Instead, we faced the horror of ISIS. Now no one is attempting to say that we have won anything with the death of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi. In fact, we are ready and braced for the backlash.
The global economy splutters along. After suffering the financial shocks of 2009, it had felt like we had staved off Armageddon. In reality, we swapped a rapid crash of the current capitalist system for a long-drawn-out death spiral that we still hope to escape. There are those rubbing their hands with glee for the chance to rip up capitalism and start anew. They might have their chance soon enough. The beginning of this year was marked by the US-China trade war. It is still ongoing, even as a rapprochement is ever so close. The uncertainty around it ever materialising has become normal.
I write all of this not to depress you. Actually, given what we have dealt with, I am remarkably optimistic. For the past decade, we have been building our resilience. In previous decades, we might have allowed our excesses free rein but in the 2010s, we have not had such luxuries. Across all fields of life, we understand that we can take nothing for granted any more.
The biggest issues facing us as we head into a new decade are still so complex. Can we actually rally our efforts to help mitigate the impact of climate change? How can we accelerate the creation of job opportunities in the Middle East? What can be done to ensure that the threat of all kinds of extremism does not overwhelm us?
These might be massive challenges – but are they really new? Have we not been tackling them every single day without pause for several decades now? Should they continue to frighten us? Certainly not into paralysis or indecision. We must take them seriously but we also know that we have the strength, capability and ingenuity to meet them.
There will be new crises to come that we have not yet fathomed. There always are. This time though, as we head into the 2020s, I feel as if we are armed with a resilience that will help harness our most creative and innovative spirits to find our way through.
The next decade is likely to be just as difficult as the last but we have changed. We are better equipped and I hope wiser and less afraid than we were ten years ago. In that sense I can say with confidence, bring on 2020.
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
TYPES%20OF%20ONLINE%20GIG%20WORK
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Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
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.
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
Pakistan T20 series squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin
Recycle Reuse Repurpose
New central waste facility on site at expo Dubai South area to handle estimated 173 tonne of waste generated daily by millions of visitors
Recyclables such as plastic, paper, glass will be collected from bins on the expo site and taken to the new expo Central Waste Facility on site
Organic waste will be processed at the new onsite Central Waste Facility, treated and converted into compost to be re-used to green the expo area
Of 173 tonnes of waste daily, an estimated 39 per cent will be recyclables, 48 per cent organic waste and 13 per cent general waste.
About 147 tonnes will be recycled and converted to new products at another existing facility in Ras Al Khor
Recycling at Ras Al Khor unit:
Plastic items to be converted to plastic bags and recycled
Paper pulp moulded products such as cup carriers, egg trays, seed pots, and food packaging trays
Glass waste into bowls, lights, candle holders, serving trays and coasters
Aim is for 85 per cent of waste from the site to be diverted from landfill
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
