11,200km from his polling station in the US, John Gravois considers the cost of witnessing history from afar.
Seven years ago on a hot summer evening, I heard a knock on my bedroom door. I was a cub reporter at an English-language newspaper in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and I lived in a large villa with about a dozen other journalists from work - Americans mainly, like me. At the door was one of my co-workers. "You probably want to come see the TV," he said. "A small plane just crashed into the World Trade Center."
In the villa's common room, we gathered around the TV and watched as the event clarified. (The plane, of course, hadn't been small.) Aside from the damp Cambodian night outside, our gathering probably wasn't all that different from the shell-shocked domestic scene that was playing out in millions of living rooms across America. That's because television has a way of rendering all of its viewers equidistant from the events on the screen. When the first tower collapsed, a few of us leapt up from our seats as if we were witnessing the catastrophe at close range.
That illusion evaporated once the television was off and we walked outside. Experiencing September 11 in Phnom Penh was meaningful in its own right. We received condolences from countless Cambodians - and felt humbled each time to accept comfort from people who had so recently suffered war, nationwide poverty and genocide. But as time went on, we felt increasingly unmoored from America. Our distance from home had been bearable when home was a fixed point, but now America was in motion - perhaps sliding from its foundations. And we weren't there.
I've been thinking of that night a lot over the past week, because now again I find myself far from home at a historic moment - a moment that I am inclined to believe signals a correction in America's course, much as September 11 marked the beginning of a tragic deviation. The two events stand out as bookends on the Bush era, but also as two moments when I dearly wished I was closer to home.
Ever since the advent of broadcast communication, it has become common to talk about major events by asking "Do you remember where you were when such-and-such happened?" Americans of my grandparents' generation remember where they were when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor; I remember where I was when I watched the Space Shuttle Challenger explode (in an appliance store with my mother).
You remember where you were at such moments because doing so establishes a set of co-ordinates: this is where History intersected with your tiny, personal life. But the matrix that connects us to those historic events is often made of nothing but airwaves, broadcast signals and screens. It is a context, sure, but an ethereal one. Sometimes the real answer to the question is "I wasn't there."
My wife and I own a house in Washington DC where we spent our first year of marriage, in a neighbourhood heavily populated by African-American retirees. Our neighbours there are men and women old enough to remember when American businesses and schools were segregated according to race, old enough to remember Martin Luther King Jr's legendary march on Washington and old enough to remember the riots that swept the US capital on the night of his assassination.
I can still picture those neighbours waiting for the bus in the mornings. And I can picture my local polling station, a rundown brick high school built in the colonial style. I can picture walking into the school's gymnasium, with its pale hardwood floors, seeing the row of voting booths and making small talk with the election workers. But I cannot quite picture - not to my satisfaction - what it would have been like to stand among my elderly neighbours as they cast their votes for a black man.
Thanks to the internet, which has absorbed far too much of my attention lately, I have an inkling: during a day of early voting in Evansville, Indiana, a medical student reported online that he saw a 90-year-old African-American woman break down in tears after she voted. "She had not truly believed, until she left the booth, that she would ever live long enough to cast a vote for an African-American for president," the student wrote.
I wish I could have been there among my neighbours on Tuesday. Instead, a few days ago, I filled out an absentee write-in ballot while sitting at my coffee table here in Abu Dhabi, and then my wife carted the ballot off to the post office while I was at work.
Of course, witnessing Obama's election from Abu Dhabi has been meaningful in its own right. The night before voting began, I was chatting with my barber, a Keralite guest worker here. As he cut my hair, a news report in Malayalam came over the radio, and the name "Obama" seemed to pop up every 20 words or so. "Indian people want Obama," my barber told me in jagged English. Then, explaining the broadcast, he said that many Indians are hoping Obama will resolve the dispute over Kashmir - suggesting that the weight of impossible expectations bears down on the president-elect from all corners of the world.
And it strikes me: the days after the terror attacks of September 11 were probably the last time when America enjoyed this much of the world's faith and goodwill.
This week, on Wednesday at four o'clock in the morning, my alarm went off and I got up from bed, leaving my wife and three-month-old daughter to sleep a little longer, and I joined a few friends in my living room to watch the election returns come in on CNN. After daybreak, my wife and I took turns holding our daughter and watching the screen.
One of my dearest friends back in America - we were roommates in college - lives in Chicago, where Barack Obama began his political career. This friend of mine worked on Obama's long-shot campaign for the US Senate in 2004, and it was from him that I first learnt about the young candidate in February of that year.
Six months ago my friend had a son. And on Tuesday night, he brought his boy to Chicago's Grant Park, where Obama delivered his acceptance speech before a crowd of 200,000. "He will not remember any of this," my friend says of his son, "but he will grow up knowing that he was there."
In more ways than one, parenthood teaches you that presence is irreducible. In the years ahead, if someone asks me where I was when Barack Obama was elected president of the United States, I will reply that I was with my wife, my daughter and my friends in my living room in Abu Dhabi, where it was 9am when Obama took the stage in Grant Park on CNN. But I know that part of me will simply feel like saying "It broke my heart to miss it, but I wasn't there."
jgravois@thenational.ae
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Results
5.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
Winner Spirit Of Light, Clement Lecoeuvre (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer)
6.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner Bright Start, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
6.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner Twelfthofneverland, Nathan Crosse, Satish Seemar
7.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner Imperial Empire, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
7.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m
Winner Record Man, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Celtic Prince, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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 play-off
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Majestic Thunder
7.05pm Commanding
7.40pm Mark Of Approval
8.15pm Mulfit
8.50pm Gronkowski
9.25pm Walking Thunder
10pm Midnight Sands
PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero
TEST SQUADS
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson and Jackson Bird.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately