The good news stories from 2023 could be jotted down on a Post-it note - although at least a final addendum is the decision to transition away from fossil fuels, agreed on at Cop28 in mid-December.
As for the bad news? An earthquake in Turkey and Syria left an estimated 60,000 dead, a coup in Niger threatened the stability of Africa’s entire Sahel region, and forest fires and drought attributed to climate change ravaged large areas of Europe, North America and North Africa, with Nasa declaring this summer the hottest on record.
In the Middle East, Lebanon teetered on the brink of economic catastrophe, while politicians and warlords in Libya continued to fail to find a way forward to bring desperately needed peace and stability to its people.
Both were eclipsed, though, by the appalling events beginning in October with the killing and kidnapping of about 1,200 people in Israel by Hamas and the resulting brutal and unrelenting assault on Gaza in response, which has so far left nearly 20,000 Palestinians dead.
Meanwhile, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continued largely away from the headlines, with no prospect of peace, and thousands of young soldiers and civilians put through the meat grinder of war.
Looking ahead
So much for the past year. Can we hope that 2024 will be better, not least because it is a leap year and will last a day longer? (So happy birthday to Algerian rai music superstar Khaled, born in 1960 and about to turn 16).
The next 12 months could have little potential for change, at least politically. Russia will almost certainly re-elect President Putin in March, in part because of the lack of any credible opposition.
Ukraine also goes to the polls that month, in what could be a vote of confidence in President Zelenskyy’s handling of a war now entering its third year.
Across the Atlantic, Americans must decide in November who to elect, in what increasingly looks like a rerun of 2020. President Joe Biden, now 81, is insisting he not too old for a second term and likely to face former president Donald Trump for the Republicans – providing the latter can stay out of jail.
Elsewhere, important elections will take place at the European Parliament and in nearly 40 countries, including India, Pakistan, Finland, Mexico and the UK, where the Conservatives are in real danger of losing power after 13 years.
In total, seven of the world’s 10 most populous countries will go to the polls in 2024, making it the busiest election year in history, according to The Economist magazine.
AI in politics
A major concern in many of these polls is the potential malign influence of artificial intelligence (AI). An article published by Chatham House, the foreign affairs London-based think tank, warns of “concerns that voters will never be certain that what they see and hear in the campaign is real”.
AI, the author writes, can “in an instant clone a candidate’s voice, create a fake film, or churn out bogus narratives to undermine the opposition’s messaging”.
The issue is likely to heighten concerns about the power of big tech in our lives and especially the role and responsibilities of companies such as TikTok, Facebook and X – if Elon Musk can keep it from bankruptcy.
The Brics group of emerging economies, a rival to the western-dominated G7 and comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is likely to expand.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia have been invited to join on January 1, in a challenge to the world’s economic balance of power and potentially the long-term future of the US dollar as the sole global currency.
Whether the world will prosper in 2024 remains uncertain. Energy prices will continue to fluctuate, while inflation still lurks and interest rates remain the highest for many years. Organisations such as the World Economic Forum predict poor growth for 2024 but believe the world may avoid a recession – just.
Equally uncertain is the weather, with more drought, wildfires and floods predicted, the result of climate change. The deadline of reducing CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 is a year closer, and it is hoped Cop29 in Azerbaijan will build on the achievements from the UAE's gathering in 2023.
At least the world can come together peacefully in the pursuit of sporting excellence. July and August will feature the summer Olympic Games in Paris, with a spectacular opening ceremony down the Seine river.
Unusual predictions
Gazing into a crystal ball is always an uncertain, if not unreliable business. Nostradamus, according to those who interpret the 500-year-old prophet of doom, sees floods, famine, a “parched Earth” and a great naval battle in 2024 in which the “reds” will lose. Some are seeing this a portent of conflict around Taiwan and the South China Sea.
The Danish bank Saxo is known for its “Outrageous Predictions”, which for the coming year include an end to obesity, thanks to new drugs, Saudi Arabia buying the Uefa Champions League and Robert F Kennedy unexpectedly winning the US presidential election.
Their 2023 predictions, however, including the resignation of President Macron and a new Brexit referendum in Britain, proved spectacularly wrong.
At least the Chinese Year of the Dragon should bring a period of calmness and reliability.
Science is generally more reliable. Watch out for the launch of Artemis 2, a manned Nasa mission which will involve humans, including the first woman and first African-American, orbiting the Moon for the first time since 1972.
Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origin is planning a launch with an all-woman crew early in the new year, while Dream Chaser, the next-generation Space Shuttle, is expected to enter service in 2024 with a visit to the International Space Station.
Back to Earth, and the bane of many a traveller should end in the coming months, with the widespread installation of new airport scanning technology that means you will be able to carry up to two litres of liquid through security. Say goodbye also to those clear plastic bags and taking your laptop out for inspection.
Anyone looking for entertainment to lift the spirit and forget their troubles for a couple of hours will find franchises and sequels dominating the cinema screen. Ghostbusters, The Joker, Mad Max, Planet of the Apes and the Alien series will all return, with the second instalment of the Dune science fiction trilogy and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 most anticipated. Are you not entertained?
The year 2024 also means we are almost at the end of the first quarter of the 21st century. The early 2020s are unlikely to be remembered as a golden age when we look back in future years. Or at least we really hope they aren't.
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
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.
The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
WITHIN%20SAND
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
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
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: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Tips for SMEs to cope
- Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
- Make sure you have an online presence
- Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
- Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%20four-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starting%20from%20Dh89%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Bournemouth 0
Manchester United 2
Smalling (28'), Lukaku (70')
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
