As Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin sits in the Danish embassy in Abu Dhabi, mere footsteps from the serene Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, his previous life in Afghanistan seems worlds away.
The new Danish ambassador to the UAE worked in Afghanistan for five tumultuous years. During that time he was shot at, bombed and saw rocket attacks on children.
The UAE’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Juma Al Kaabi, and five UAE diplomats died in a bomb attack on Kandahar during Mr Mellbin’s time there.
“I’ve known quite a lot of people who were killed,” he said. “It affects you, seeing screaming children. But unless you have a coping mechanism you cannot work in that environment. If you can’t sleep and start waking up at 4am, then it’s over. You must check out.”
Mr Mellbin, 59, took up his new post in the UAE last Saturday. The country is home to 2,700 Danish residents and almost 250 Danish companies operate here, such as shipping giant Maersk, diabetes care leader Novo Nordisk and water security company Grundfos.
But the Danish community, who mainly work in finance, shipping and business, often fly below the radar. Mr Mellbin is seeking to raise their profile and enhance links across politics, the economy, security, and yes, even happiness.
The UAE and Denmark are small countries with globalised economies, he says. But both are challenged in a world where old alliances that allowed small states to prosper are faltering.
“Will free trade be able to flow as it did?” Mr Mellbin asks. “Will there be trade wars?”
He believes a global realignment is coming, with ideology replaced by shared interests. He points to the increased competition for water resources, something critical for the UAE.
“Water is a limited strategic resource for the UAE so you have to rethink how you make yourself less vulnerable,” Mr Mellbin says.
The Danish embassy was established in 1978 but links stretch back decades. Renowned archaeologists such as Jens Vellev and Karen Frifelt conducted early digs in the country from the 1950s, which shed light on the region’s ancient trade connections to the wider world.
Today, Mr Mellbin believes recent proposals by the UAE to lift requirements for businesses to have a local partner will foster more global connections.
Interest in the Middle East is also growing in Denmark. Islam is now the largest minority religion in the country and more universities are offering Arabic.
“We have some Emirati tourists but we’d like more,” Mr Mellbin says. “We are working with the UAE on that.”
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Read more:
The Dane who dug up the UAE's earliest history
Vision to see future in our past
New Irish ambassador hopes visa process for travelling Emiratis will ease
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Denmark scores well in happiness charts and the UAE has its own Minster of State for Happiness and Well-being. Mr Mellbin can see future co-operation on this.
Before starting as a diplomat, Mr Mellbin trained as a lawyer and served in Denmark’s Finance Ministry before quickly switching to foreign affairs in 1985. He focused on counter-terrorism and became ambassador to Afghanistan in 2007.
Mr Mellbin then did a stint in Japan before moving back to Afghanistan in 2013 for a four-year post as the EU’s special representative and head of delegation.
In 2016, he helped to mediate the first peace deal in Afghanistan in 20 years between the government and Hezb-e-Islami, the country’s second largest militant group, which was run by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the warlord known as the Butcher of Kabul.
Covert meetings were held in hotel lobbies and rarely with the central figures because of the threat from drone attacks. So how did he function while surrounded by so much killing?
“If you sit in a car and think ‘will there be a car bomb?’, then you cannot function,” Mr Mellbin says. “But everyone has an expiry date. You just don’t know when it is.”
US troops are still entrenched in Afghanistan, years after the September 11 attacks, but he welcomes the brief Taliban ceasefire during Eid.
“Peace is possible in Afghanistan. It can be done,” Mr Mellbin says.
Now he is focused on the task at hand. And outside of his demanding brief, he hopes to indulge his passion for photography with his Canon EOS 1D Mark 2.
“I have been well known for pictures from Afghanistan and of cycling,” Mr Mellbin says. “I’m going to take a lot of pictures.”
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
Company%20profile
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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
The biog
Name: Maitha Qambar
Age: 24
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Education: Master’s Degree
Favourite hobby: Reading
She says: “Everyone has a purpose in life and everyone learns from their experiences”
SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.4-inch IPS LCD, 400 nits, toughened glass
CPU: Unisoc T610; Mali G52 GPU
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 64GB, up to 512GB microSD
Camera: 8MP rear, 5MP front
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, 3.5mm audio
Battery: 8200mAh, up to 10 hours video
Platform: Android 11
Audio: Stereo speakers, 2 mics
Durability: IP52
Biometrics: Face unlock
Price: Dh849
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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
Company%20Profile
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Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
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The specs: 2019 Audi A8
Price From Dh390,000
Engine 3.0L V6 turbo
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Scoreline
Liverpool 4
Oxlade-Chamberlain 9', Firmino 59', Mane 61', Salah 68'
Manchester City 3
Sane 40', Bernardo Silva 84', Gundogan 90' 1
