Officials from Nvidia, Google and Saab were among participants in an inaugural event for UAE think tank Trends Research and Advisory as it opened an office in Washington.
Established in Abu Dhabi in 2014, the think tank pursues research and solutions related to topics such as security, economics, geopolitics, AI and climate change, in the Middle East and around the world.
“This expansion underscores our commitment to bridging regional perspectives and promoting a more interconnected approach to addressing complex global challenges,” said Trends chief executive Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, in an exclusive interview with The National.
“Our US office also serves as a platform for promoting cross-cultural understanding and enhancing the exchange of ideas between the Middle East and the US.”
Trends' launch in Washington comes shortly after the think tank opened a branch in Geneva, Switzerland.
“We are building bridges between regions and thought leaders, positioning Trends as a truly global platform for evidence-based research and cross-cultural collaboration,” Mr Al Ali said. He believes Trends has been instrumental in shaping public understanding and policy responses to regional challenges throughout the Middle East.
“With our high-quality research, strong regional and international networks, and proven ability to bring together key stakeholders, both in Washington and across the Middle East, we are committed to actively contributing to this vital mission of shaping informed dialogue and impactful policy solutions.”
In 2024, Trends boasted more than 790 research paper publications. It has focused on youth empowerment with its Trends Youth Council, which is designed to cultivate leadership among young scholars.
“It integrates them into strategic research projects, enhancing their role in shaping the research landscape,” Mr Al Ali said.
In 2017, the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania placed Trends Research & Advisory in its list of top 10 analysis institutes.
The UAE's Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, attended the inaugural event in Washington.
Mr Al Otaiba and Karan Bhatia, Google's head of public policy; Calista Redmond, vice president for AI initiatives at Nvidia; Michael Brasseur, chief strategy officer at Saab; and Frank Backes, chief executive of Capella Space, took part in a panel discussion about the impact of technology and innovation on US and Middle East partnerships.
“The core goals of Trends are to enhance the UAE’s global intellectual footprint, contribute to international knowledge exchange, and support policy formulation through strategic insight,” Mr Al Ali said. The company has “committed not only to policy impact but also to cultivating a culture of research excellence within the UAE and beyond, ensuring relevance in addressing both current and future global challenges”.
Also present at Thursday's event was Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE's Cybersecurity Council. As part of his Washington visit, Mr Al Kuwaiti is meeting government and private sector technology officials to discuss sharing techniques in the fight against cyber criminals.
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
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Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
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Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
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The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
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Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
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.
Don't get fined
The UAE FTA requires following to be kept:
- Records of all supplies and imports of goods and services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents related to receiving goods or services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents issued
- Records of goods and services that have been disposed of or used for matters not related to business
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
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Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
