When I first moved to the US, I noticed a woman at the next table at lunch, proudly wearing her military uniform. Several people came up to thank her for her service.
Coming from France, I was surprised. Of course, French people celebrate their troops on Bastille Day during the military parade on the Champs Elysees.
But on a daily basis, most French people do not pay this kind of attention and respect to those who fight to protect our country.
The US has a strange way of dealing with soldiers. They are treated as role models and heroes while deployed and on active duty.
When they return as war veterans, however, most of them not only suffer from the consequences of war but also from a lack of consideration and attention that contrasts with the way they were treated just a few months before.
There are currently more than 18 million veterans in the US, too many of whom are suffering from mental health issues that are not being taken care of properly.
Earlier this year the US National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine published a report on this issue entitled Evaluation of the department of veterans affairs mental health services. This report indicated nearly four million US service members took part in recent wars.
There seems to be an unprecedented increase in mental health-related cases among the veterans of these conflicts.
Yet the report indicated that the US Department of Veterans Affairs needs to switch gears to properly address a veterans’ mental health crisis and includes evidence-based recommendations to improve veterans’ equitable access to brain healthcare.
There is also an emphasis on the need to leverage advanced tech, including virtual reality (VR) in providing innovative solutions to improve mental healthcare for veterans.
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Read more from Olivier Oullier:
Why you just can't get that song out of your head
Neuroscience can help explain football fans' behaviour
London cabbies know exercising your brain is the best way to avoid accidents
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VR is a powerful tool when it comes to recreating environments and being able to control parameters.
In the case of veterans, it allows a gradual transition from the stress of the warzone to civilian life.
This is what Crusades 22, a non-profit organisation providing integrative and complementary care for veterans and active soldiers with post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) is working on, in collaboration with Dr Albert Rizzo, director of the University of Southern Califonia’s Institute of Creative Technologies and several tech companies.
Dr Rizzo is a leading light in applying VR to improve treatment.
My company first joined forces with the Crusades 22 team and Dr Rizzo last year in San Diego, California, during the Navy Seal Foundation Impact Forum, where we demonstrated how the combination of VR and some of our mobile neurotechnology could be used to provide a portable, scalable and affordable solution that could disrupt access to mental healthcare for veterans in the near future.
I joined Dr Rizzo and many other distinguished individuals on the board of directors of Crusades 22 to work on a project called The Forging – the organisation’s protocol to help soldiers returning home with cognitive and emotional challenges associated with PTSI.
It enables them to benefit from real-time immersion that is both rehabilitative and recreational and motivates them to participate in tech-enabled self-care.
Brian Hillard, the executive director of Crusades 22, says it is developing artificial intelligence to combine neuroinformatics, biorhythms and virtual reality to create customised tools for veterans to comfortably reintegrate in the community.
I am mindful that the story I share here is US-centric, especially considering there are veterans all over the world, as illustrated by the work of the World Veterans Federation (WVF).
The WVF is composed of organisations from more than 120 countries and represents 45 million veterans worldwide.
All these veterans’ organisations work hard to deal with a key societal issue: repairing the damage human beings do to each other during wars.
But effort should not be restricted to active soldiers and veterans.
Traumatic consequences are experienced by their friends, families and the civilians who are injured or lose people they love.
As illustrated by the work of Crusades 22 and many other organisations in the world, the Fourth Industrial Revolution should play a key role in accelerating equitable access to brain healthcare for veterans and all of those who suffer the dramatic consequences and life-altering problems associated directly and indirectly with conflicts globally.
Leveraging VR and neurotech is key but will not be successful without empathy for those who suffer.
Professor Olivier Oullier is the president of Emotiv, a neuroscientist and a DJ
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Spec%20sheet
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Who's who in Yemen conflict
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Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Company%20profile
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Scores
Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Italy 7-26 Australia
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
JERSEY INFO
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%C2%A0profile
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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.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
Draw for Europa League last-16
Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen; VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk; Inter Milan v Getafe
Sevilla v AS Roma; Eintracht Frankfurt or Salzburg v Basel; LASK v Manchester United
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Khalid Essa, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Salem Rashid, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Mohammed Al Attas, Walid Abbas, Hassan Al Mahrami, Mahmoud Khamis, Alhassan Saleh, Ali Salmeen, Yahia Nader, Abdullah Ramadan, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Fabio De Lima, Khalil Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Muhammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
RESULTS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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