One of modernity's better trends is countries having ways to project power internationally other than through military might. Describing this process, former US assistant secretary of defence Joseph Nye devised the term “soft power”: the ability to peacefully convince others to do what you want.
It is perhaps unsurprising that an American came up with the term. Alongside its significant hard power, the US has been a pioneer of soft power throughout the past century, to great effect; Coca Cola and McDonald's are far more globally recognisable brands than the Pentagon. Sometimes the two even combine. The National has written about a supposed project by the US in the 1950s to get Filipinos to vote for Ramon Magsaysay, their seventh president, by writing a pop song, Magsaysay Mambo.
The annual Global Soft Power Index assesses more everyday trends. First in this year’s list is the US, which jumped from sixth place in 2021. The UAE has been climbing steadily towards the top spot in recent years. In the 2022 report, the country ranks 15th overall, up two points from last year, making it once again the leading Middle Eastern country. This makes sense given not a year goes by without the country fulfilling goals in its years-long strategy to diversify and become a global destination.
But recently, the Emirates won a significant deal of respect and admiration for its approach to an unplanned, seismic global event: the Covid-19 pandemic. Both recovery from and efforts to tackle it have come up as perhaps the leading factor determining this year's rankings. The UAE has now largely opened up to the rest of the world, regaining its status as a global hub for tourism and aviation, both sectors that people have been clamouring to revive after two years of restrictions. Some of those that have chosen more inflexible policies have suffered as a result, such as Australia and New Zealand, which have both dropped in the table.
In terms of helping the rest of the world, countries that pioneered vaccines, such as China, the US, Germany and the UK, also gained plenty. The UAE will have done well out of its participation in the Covax scheme, the almost uniquely quick vaccination drive, the speed at which it introduced policies to protect people from the virus and its ability to be one of the first countries globally to safely host major international events, be they in sport or business.
In the background to Covid-19, longer-term aspects of the UAE continue to build on its reputation as a global brand. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said on Twitter that the "real soft power of the UAE is in its development model that brings together East and West". The country’s strongest performance in the rankings continues to be in the business and trade category, a sign that it remains open as a place for people around the world to work.
A soft power strategy does best in stable times. The past few years have been quite the opposite, and 2022 might follow suit in its own way. The fact that the UAE not only continues to lead the Middle East in the rankings, but also edges towards the global top ten, is a sign that growth in the country is not just progressive, but also resilient.
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
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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Infiniti QX80 specs
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Power: 450hp
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THE SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Results
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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7.
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Singapore
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8.
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Australia
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9.
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Saudi Arabia
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10.
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South Korea
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