Why are futurists meeting in Dubai and UAE healthcare poised for new heights, our editors comment on the top stories of October 7

DUBAI TO HOST LARGEST GATHERING OF FUTURISTS: More than 400 futurists and thinkers will converge in Dubai next week for the Dubai Future Forum – the largest global gathering of future thinkers. The forum will help anticipate challenges and opportunities shaping the future of humanity. Through the forum, the Dubai Future Foundation seeks to reimagine and inspire Dubai’s future in collaboration with public and private sector partners. Holding of the Forum is important as the UAE is embracing smarter technologies to drive transformation across trade, aviation, logistics and real estate to build a diversified, innovation-driven economy. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

IN UAE, FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE STARTS NOW: The pandemic years affirmed the UAE healthcare sector’s state of preparedness for the unknown, and the resiliency with which the blight of COVID-19 as taken on. Now, the healthcare industry – and its players – are moving on to take on the possibilities of what the future holds. In this light, the coming together of Mubadala Health – with prized assets such as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi – with G42’s healthcare operations sets up a whole raft of possibilities. From the most intricate research to the most advanced ways in the delivery of patientcare. ‘Integratd healthcare’ is how the two entities described the outcome, and that’s exactly how it is going to be. (By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

A SPECIAL DAY FOR UAE SPORT: The NBA pre-season game between Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks heralded a new era as it’s the first time the popular American league games were held in the region. The Hawks and Bucks have kept the fans spellbound in a close game that Atlanta won 123-113 on Thursday night. It’s just the beginning. The multi-year partnership that DCT Abu Dhabi and NBA signed will ensure that these festival games will happen more often in years to come. The Junior NBA Abu Dhabi League for boys and girls, that was launched recently, will only make the sport grow more rapidly in the UAE, which is now the sporting capital of the world. Many of the NBA players have not seen Abu Dhabi and UAE in the past and it will be love at first sight for them. They will now frequent this wonderful country, like many other top athletes in the world and those visits can only enhance the sport. So it’s a special day for UAE in general and sport in particular. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

KANYE’S ANTICS CONTINUE: Rapper Kanye West had it all at one point — a loving wife, the respect of his peers in the music industry, and a highly successful fashion career. However, it seems to be all going down. West recently drew the ire of many when he wore a ‘White Lives Matter’ T-shirt to his fashion show. Then, he rehashed allegations against former wife Kim Kardashian, claiming she is keeping their kids from him. Now, Adidas is reviewing their partnership with the artist. Slowly, his reputation as a music genius seems to be wearing away due to his erratic behaviour and he needs to fix it before it becomes too late. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Features)