President Sheikh Khalifa has declared 2021 as the "Year of the 50th", as the UAE celebrates its Golden Jubilee and plans a route to its centenary, 50 years on from now.
For most governments around the world, five decades in the future would seem a long way off. Political realities mean that most are more concerned about getting to the end of the news cycle, than they are about planning for a distant future. Things are different in the UAE, which has stated its ambition to be the "best country in the world" by 2071. With this as a goal, 50 years suddenly feels like a much shorter length of time.
Realising this ambition by the nation's centenary is going to require a great deal from society. Governmentally, continued agility and openness to innovation will be needed. Over the past few years, a number of cabinet reshuffles have taken place, which have typically involved the merging of different ministerial portfolios, or the creation of entirely new ones, constantly learning from experience to create a more efficient public sector. Last year, Abdullah Al Nuami, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, spoke of the country's approach to governance as "one house", in which officials could move portfolios with the same ease as someone could transition room to room in a home. This commitment to efficiency has led to achievements ranging from a world-leading Covid-19 response and vaccination drive, to the success of the country's Hope probe, which entered the Martian orbit last February.
The UAE has stated its ambition to be the best country in the world by 2071
Nimble governance has boosted the country's expanding private sector, another pillar in the UAE's centenary goals. Business, which relies on certainty, has been challenged globally by Covid-19. Last month, in early steps towards a new normal for the private sector, the UAE, under stringent Covid-19 regulations, welcomed the world to some of the first major in-person gatherings since the pandemic started, one being Abu Dhabi's international defence summit Idex, the other Dubai's Gulfood, which brought together leaders in the culinary and hospitality industry, so devastated by the pandemic. In the midst of all this, the government is mandating private sector inclusiveness, just this week announcing that all listed companies would need at least one female board member.
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This all feeds into a country that showcases itself as a centre for efficiency, business, and most importantly, openness, inclusion and tolerance. In a world that seems to be backsliding in this regard, the UAE has pushed an agenda that pits itself against this worrying trend. In 2019, the country hosted Pope Francis on the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula in history. For young and talented people across the world, the government announced the expansion of its Golden Visa scheme, which allows gifted individuals in certain fields to pursue their talents in the UAE. For expatriates already living in the nation, a series of legal reforms have been announced, for example, allowing foreign residents to divorce according the law of their home country.
The country consistently ranks among the top countries in the region – and often in the world – on major rankings including ease of doing business and passport strength.
If 50 years feels an intimidatingly short period of time to become the best country in the world, perhaps looking back on these achievements can reassure all those who wish the UAE well that the impossible will still be possible in the future.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
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The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
SPECS
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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
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
