This year ends in many parts of the world with an economic bang, not a whimper. From the foothills of the UK's party season our columnist Chris Blackhurst reports on a conversation with two would-be London unicorns who spoke of the intense pressure they are under to move their potential £1 billion-plus tech businesses overseas.
“Anywhere but Britain,” was in effect what they were hearing, with the UAE, US and Saudi Arabia the most favoured destinations.
AI Week at the Museum of The Future, in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
Why? Because in the case of the US, that is where the global financial power and digital know-how is concentrated, while the Gulf powerhouses are making major strides in attracting global talent and introducing digital innovation.
Up to now, outside of China, the AI world has coalesced around three centres: the US, the UK-EU region and Gulf countries. But the one that is looking most vulnerable and may find itself slipping away is the UK-EU zone. Why? Because European countries and their leaders are applying what is often referred to euphemistically as an abundance of caution – they are talking big about investment and opportunities but, at the same time, they are paying heed to politicians and regulators anxious about controlling AI and restricting its development and impact.
If US President Donald Trump is suited and booted in proscribing parts of the Muslim Brotherhood, the UK is still searching under the bed for its shoes.
There may be something stirring at one level of the political landscape, though. I attended a launch in parliament of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Extremism. I found a group of representatives who wanted to change the group thinking around the issue.
The current UK structures are focused on counter-terrorism, not so much on extremism. Those laws and strategies were forged after the 9/11 attacks on the US that created a new era of security priorities around the world.
Seizing the agenda is the art of politics in this regard, and the British government is far behind the curve in addressing extremism.
It faces calls to address the scope and scale of the problem beyond the established counter-terrorism infrastructure. It has not, for example, implemented the findings of an official report, Operating With Impunity, which recommended tackling “persistent groups” that not only radicalise but also propagate extremist narratives.
That is why MPs moving to form a parliamentary group that specialises in this area is such a welcome step.
The UK parliament's corridors have gained a new caucus against extremism. Getty Images
There is no doubt that the situation in Yemen has been intolerable for the largest faction in Aden and the southern seaboard for months.
Now there has been a decisive shift in strategy by the Southern Transitional Council. By mobilising its forces, it has effectively taken control of all of the south of the country.
In a complicated picture, three members of the eight-man council running the presidency are with the STC.
Representatives of the US, and British ambassador Abda Sharif, met Rashad Al Alimi, the head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, and asked for de-escalation.
Flying the flag in Aden. Saleh Al-OBEIDI / AFP
A spokesman for the STC has accused the PLC of failing to take up the battle to liberate the north from the Houthis. For the autonomy-minded STC, the President is more interested in "seeking to establish a state for themselves in the south”.
And the PLC’s failure to provide basic services in Aden and other areas forced the STC to act on the discontent of its own supporters. The STC said it “launched a military operation to drive out terrorist elements" from a large area along the coast.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
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
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood. Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues. Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
