If you spend any time on my blog, you should check out the musical notes section which features songs from performance artistes from around the world; particularly divas from the African continent. I love music and always look for new talent and songs to share with others. So, I was thrilled to connect with Hope Opaiq on Twitter especially because she is a talented, fresh face on the music scene and deserves to achieve mega success for her special brand of music.
The beautiful, super-talented singer/songwriter, poet, actor, writer and all around creative artiste, Hope OpaiQ is a bright star on the rise. Hope has always loved music and her musical blend of urban pop, R&B, afro-beat, jazz, and hip-hop with a large dose of soul is reminiscent of music from another Naija talent; Sade Adu.
Born in Nigeria and raised in England, Hope has created her own unique music by infusing her afro-beat tunes with an edgy euro techno-pop sound. Hope has a solid relationship with BudaBless Records and is ready to gain more exposure and take her music to the next level. Do stay and enjoy Hope's interview, listen to her music and leave us your feedback.
*Listen to Hope OpaiQ performing the fabulous song Paradise above.
**Also Listen to Hope's mix of urban techno-pop on RadioPalmwine: Paradise, Got to Know, Look Down There.
My name is Hope Opaiq; I'm a Singer/Songwriter currently working on my debut solo album. I was born in Port Harcourt Nigeria, and moved to England as a young child.
I chose this path as a Singer/Entertainer because music is in my blood. It has been a part of me from as long as I can remember; Shakespeare was on to something when he said "If music be the food of love, play on!" I have always had music around me; from my Mum singing around the house, to copying the songs I would hear on the radio as a small child in Nigeria, then moving to England and being surrounded by 80's Pop and popular culture. Music has always been in my life. I suspect it also chose me!
I continue to make key changes in my life, it's a constant as I am always challenging myself to be a better person in every moment of my life, and pushing my artistic boundaries. I enjoy writing a lot as I find it very therapeutic, this has helped me to keep an account of my life, and I always refer to past entries as a life lesson learned. Change is inevitable whether we want things to change or not, it's going to happen, so the key point is to be ready for when change occurs.
My world view is based on probably one of the oldest adages in history, and that is to treat others how you would like to be treated. I work well under pressure and this helps me face my day to day life of performing on stage and dealing with the stress of deadlines that can go into putting on a great show. When you treat others with respect, it mainly comes back to you tenfold, from the CEO of a large company to the toilet cleaner; I always try to treat people how I would like to be treated.
I have had various jobs, from working in an office doing a 9-5, to retail work; the one thing that was consistent in all of these jobs was my passion for music, singing and writing.
The love of what I do and what I am motivates me to get up in the mornings. And I get up because I am able to. Not everyone is fortunate enough to wake up in the morning, let alone do a job they love, so, in that respect I feel very blessed.
Life makes me laugh. I think Mother Nature has a very warped sense of humor and sometimes you can't help but laugh at her organized chaos. Also, seeing people work well together in unity makes me very happy. It sounds so clichéd, but laughter really is the best medicine.
I am a Piscean and, true to my birth sign, I am a big dreamer and creativity follows me around. I love to make people laugh, and I'm a bit of a practical joker. My family and friends know me as being a bit of a nerdy geek which I now embrace with open arms. This alone puts a smile on my face.
I try not to get mad as I think it's a waste of energy, unless you use it, and turn it into something positive. I'm not too keen on injustice and believe that there should be no such thing as a poverty line. Everyone should have the right to basic human necessities such as food, water, and medicine; education is also very important. I'm talking about third world countries where basic human rights are denied. I'm lucky that I live in a country that caters well to these human needs. We must abolish poverty!
Honestly, I wouldn't do anything differently if I had the choice, because I believe I always had the choice in the first place, even if I was not conscious of it all the time. My life, so far, has been a carefully crafted plan from birth and beyond. I wouldn't change a thing as my experiences are what shaped me to be who I am; everything that's happened, happened for a reason.
I love to meditate as this helps me to remain calm in most situations; especially for my highly charged shows! I believe in the law of natural karma, not the mixed up version society seems to be stuck with. Natural karma is a natural law of probability and the chance that something positive can happen in every situation.
My advice to people is simple: Dare to dream: You never fail until you stop trying. It's my life's philosophy, and one which has yielded exciting results for me.
I would like to be remembered as someone who brought a smile to people's faces, and whose songs touch generations of listeners… And also as someone who was a bit wacky, different from the "norm" and a loyal friend. That would mean the world to me.
Happiness is a lifesaver gloriously entangled in a maze of confusion. Live. Life. Love.
Hope is a focused, ambitious and talented singer/songwriter who is ready to launch her music into the stratosphere. She is open to bookings and opportunities to showcase her creative talents. Hope can be reached via her OpaiQ website, Facebook page, MySpace site, Twitter handle @HopeOpaiQ, and on YouTube.
Do you have questions or comments for Hope? Are you a creative talent with a great story to share? Tell me. Do share your feedback with us. Thank You!
Love the interview, love that girl's energy and that song – Paradise is rocking!
Go Hope! Sending you success wishes so you will keep shining.
When is your album coming out? Thanks!
Very congenial vibe. Haven't sampled Hopeaks music yet, but if it has the same positivity as her philosophy it's sure to be good.
Sending the artist and this blogger lots of good energy. Great interview!
Your songs are so catchy. We love you here stateside and we wish you all the best and its About to Blow.
This is a great interview with Ms. OpaiQ. Her music is catchy too and I bet she will go very far in the industry. Good luck to you Hope, keep the faith and let us know when your drops. The songs are great!
Is she working on an album arrival date?
Is Hope taking questions? How long has she been playing professionally? I like her attitude of "treating others as you'd like to be treated (…) From the CEO to the toilet cleaner".. Hmmm!
Thank you ALL so much for your lovely comments. They really are appreciated.
Supposing there are no glitches, my album is due out next year, around Summertime. Visit my Website,Myspace and Twitter for all updates.
I'm really excited,and can't wait to present to you the finished masterpiece!
Take care and remain blessed.
Thank you ALL so much for your lovely comments. I really appreciate them.
If there are no glitches, my album will be out by next year, Summertime. Please check my Website, Twitter and Myspace for updates.
Thanks for checking in to read the questions.
I will look out for your album! Best of luck!
This is such an inspiring interview. I wish you all the luck in the world Hope, if your attitude is anything to go by, you're are surely on to a winner!
What a fantastic young artist, and a terrific interview! Really great stuff here!!!


text:
Augusta Hanna Elizabeth Innes Withers (nascida Baker) (1792 Gloucestershire - 1877 Londres) foi uma ilustradora inglesa de história natural, conhecida por ilustrar a Revista Pomológica de John Lindley e sua colaboração com Sarah Drake nas monumentais Orchidaceae do México e da Guatemala, por James Bateman. Ela foi nomeada a "pintora de flores comuns" da Rainha Adelaide e, mais tarde, da Rainha Vitória. Ela também produziu ilustrações para a Botanis de Benjamin Maund, Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London, The Illustrated Bouquet (1857-1863) e Curtis's Botanical Magazine.

Histórico familiar
Augusta era filha de um vigário de Gloucestershire, capelão do príncipe regente. Ela morou em Londres toda a sua vida e foi casada com Theodore Withers, um contador 20 anos mais velho que ela.

Carreira
Além de dar aulas de pintura, ela atuou como pintora de 1827 até 1865, expondo de 1829 a 1846 na Royal Academy, na Society of British Artists e na New Watercolor Society.

John Claudius Loudon comentou na Gardener's Magazine de 1831 que seus talentos eram da mais alta ordem e que "ser capaz de desenhar flores botanicamente e frutas horticulturalmente, isto é, com as características pelas quais as variedades e subvariedades são distinguidas, é uma das as realizações mais úteis de suas senhoras de lazer, vivendo no campo."

Em 1815, na tentativa de esclarecer a nomenclatura das variedades de frutas cultivadas e reduzir o número de sinônimos de uso comum, William Jackson Hooker iniciou um projeto de desenhos de frutas em aquarela estendendo-se por 10 volumes. Sofrendo um derrame em 1820, Hooker não conseguiu terminar o trabalho. Quatro outros artistas, incluindo Augusta Innes Withers e Barbara Cotton, foram contratados para completar o trabalho, irônico, já que Withers foi recusado como artista botânico pelo filho de Hooker, Joseph Dalton Hooker.

Withers pintou as 12 placas de cores para O assistente do Jardineiro de Robert Thompson.

Ilustrações

Ligações externas
Ilustrações de Augusta Innes Withers

Ilustradores da Inglaterra
Pintores da corte
Mortos em 1877
Nascidos em 1793

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Event Managers in Hyderabad are easy to find. However, Professional Event Managers in Hyderabad are hard to find at an affordable cost. Mukta Event Managers tries to fill this void through their professional services. In this series we are providing a glossary of all the terms regarding Indian Marriages.
Varmala is the garland for the groom or the "phool mala for the var" thereby, denotes a proposal of marriage. Varmala is also called as Jaimala.
It's a big moment in the Hindu weddings as its the first ritual that signifies that bride's acceptance of the groom as her husband.
In Hindu Weddings, Varmala is an important ceremony. Another aspect of garlanding is to express our gratitude towards someone. Example, the guest of honor for some function is garlanded on his arrival.
The bride extends a warm welcome to her groom by putting a garland of fresh flowers around his neck, just before the kanyadaan, on their first meeting.
A customized fresh garland can be made-to-order well in advance in flower shops. Online procurement is also an option.
Varmalas come with weightless flowers like rose petals and can be ordered to match the wedding outfit. Varmalas today are made not only with fresh flowers but also with artificial ones.
On the arrival of the baraat, the groom is then taken to a temporary, elevated stage in the wedding venue. The bride enters the stage escorted with her friends and sisters. In some communities, the bride is ushered into the mandap pandal by her brothers and maternal uncle. Then she is made to stand in front of the bridegroom for varmala. In South Indian weddings the maternal uncle hands over the garland to the couple.
This occasion is packed with fun and frolic. The male friends or relatives of the groom lift him, so that the bride is unable to put the varmala around his neck. As a response, the male members of the bride lift her too. The two groups try to deter each other, making the moment memorable with teasing and fun.
According to the tradition, the bride puts the garland around the groom's neck first. This symbolizes her acceptance of the new relationship with the groom. After her, it's the groom's turn to garland the bride, which signifies a warm welcome into his life with a promise to love and respect her forever. Therefore, the varmala depicts mutual acceptance of the wedding.
The garland used varies from region to community. Varmalas used down south were extremely heavy and long in size when compared to the ones used in the North, but these days they are being replaced by weightless ones. The flowers mostly preferred are red roses. Sometimes orchids and carnations are also used.
The fresh flowers in the garland symbolize happiness, color, BEAUTY, harmony and enthusiasm. The thread is a symbol or medium to secure these feelings and emotions. As thread and flowers are inseparable despite they dry and lose their charm, similarly, the married couple take a pledge to never leave each other despite the various ups and downs of life. The exchange of the garland which is a ring or circle signifies that there is no beginning and end to the union of the couple.
The significance of exchange of Varmala is the same as the exchange of wedding rings! Most wedding cards also come with these Varmala's embedded in them to signify that the card is of a Wedding!
The concept of Varmala is derived from the ancient times when the bride with the garland in hand would choose her groom from a swayamvar. The varmala was actually a proposal by the bride and acceptance thereafter. For example, the swayamvar of Sita in the Ramayana and Draupadi in the Mahabharata are classic cases.
This article is brought to you by Mukta Event Managers, the best wedding planners in Hyderabad. We specialize in birthdays, catering services in Hyderabad and candid photography. We are the best event management company in Hyderabad with utmost quality and care to the customer. Often called as the best Event Managers in Hyderabad, we will make your marriage a memorable affair.


After an introduction about performance art, which contained historical, theoretical and methodical aspects, the pupils saw a lot of examples of the contemporary art history spanning from the sixties to the present. The starting point of this work was actually the show "The Abramovic Method" at the PAC (Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea) in Milan, where Marina Abramovic had conceived a participative performance in which the public was involved and collaborated with the Serbian artist in executing the performance. The class took part and executed the Abramovic performance three times over in half hour sessions, then visited the exhibition and saw the video about her life and work. Back at school the students developed their own performance project by drawing and writing and implemented them later on. The performances have been documented by video.


Australia is at war with cats.
In an effort to control this non-native species' impact on the environment, and in spite of impassioned pleas from Morrissey and Brigitte Bardot, the government has pledged to kill 2-million feral felines by 2020. Bardot wrote a letter to the continent's environment minister, stating that, "This animal genocide is inhumane and ridiculous" because the 18-million cats that remain will simply keep on breeding. Sterilization, she argues, is a better long term solution. Maybe for the cats. But many feel the Australian ecosystem can't afford to wait for such potent (yet potentially impotent) predators to die of old age.
That's because Australia's crusade isn't against invasive feral cats so much as it is for protecting endangered native species. The impact cats have on Australia's environment is profound. Feral cats are the biggest threat to 124 species of endangered Australian mammals, birds, and lizards. It is estimated that a healthy adult cat will kill up to five times a day, and they are thought to be responsible for the extinction of at least 27 Australian mammals, including the lesser bilby, desert bandicoot and large-eared hopping mouse.
SEE WHAT ROAD KILL REVEALS ABOUT MAN'S PLACE IN THE GEOLOGIC CHRONOLOGY IN "NOTES ON SNARGE" FROM PC'S ANIMAL ISSUE.
People who debate the ethics of blaming cats for being cats must acknowledge that humans in Australia share blame as well. This isn't the first time Australians have had to deal with the environmental fallout of their animal importation habits. Australians have a history of inviting animal guests that don't know when to leave. Some of these creatures – like goats (feral population of at least 2.6 million) and donkeys (with feral numbers of up to 5 million) – came with European colonizers as farm and work animals. Others, including the European Rabbit (200 million now living wild) and the Red Fox (7.2 million) were brought in for sport. Australian farmers imported the Cane Toad (now at 200 million plus) to control a native species of beetle that threatened sugar plantations. Even the Dingo – one of Australia's most recognizable symbols – was brought to the continent by man, albeit some 4,000 years ago, though it's no longer considered an invader.
Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Photo by J. Harrison, via Wikimedia Commons.
Cats came to Australia as pets, with their presence down under first noted in the historical record in 1804. Reports of cats living wild in and around Sidney surfaced about 15 years later. Evolutionary biologists understand why it's been so easy for cats to thrive in Australia, and why their impact has been so devastating to native species. A study published in 2012 by researchers from the University of New South Wales found that "the impact of alien predators on native prey populations is often attributed to prey naiveté towards a novel threat;" something they confirmed by examining the foraging habits of native bandicoots living in suburban areas. Researchers concluded that bandicoots were much more likely to avoid yards with resident dogs than yards with cats – probably due to the species' 4000-plus years of experience with the dingo. Bandicoots have had enough time to recognize dogs as a threat – something their evolutionary arc has yet to teach them about cats.
Because bandicoots and other prey animals recognize dingoes as dangerous, dingoes can be considered native, as can other non-native species whose prey has adapted to their presence. Where this leaves wild Australian cats and their prey at present is unclear. There are those who argue that the key to sustaining biodiversity in Australia and other places on the planet rests not in returning biomes to how they once were, but in accepting them as they are – a train of thought which give cats a pass (pity the poor bilby).
It should be obvious by now that cats really aren't the problem in Australia.
Humans are potent, if not skilled, manipulators of the natural world. For centuries we have been selectively breeding animals to promote desired physical and behavioral traits, but we've also been engaged in other forms of biological and environmental manipulation. We slash and burn jungles to make way for crops. We eliminate predators to allow livestock to thrive. We mine the earth to power our machines. We dredge the oceans so we may eat. And we bring cats to places they don't belong because we like that weird kneading thing they do when they sit on our laps. To look at the earth as it is now is to recognize humanity's place as the ultimate invasive species.
In order to understand and manage the world we created, we need to first accept the fact that we did indeed create it. Man's role as the primary driver of environmental change, while still denied by some, has prompted geologists to conclude the Earth has entered a new epoch: the Anthropocene. The name signifies the role mankind has had as the driving force of evolutionary change on lithospheric, atmospheric, and biospheric levels. In short, nature – in what we have imagined to be its purist form – no longer exists. It hasn't for a while. Consciously or not, humans have approached the Earth the way they have approached cats and other domesticated animals, implementing a form of "selective breeding" on a planetary scale.
Ecologists Erle Ellis and Navin Ramankutty have documented the impact humans have had on the planet. Ellis and Ramankutty have reimagined those biome maps we saw in school so that instead of showing different types of habitats and the spaces they occupy, their maps reflect how humans interact with these spaces. These anthrospheric maps reflect a world as it is, where "biology goes on in a human context" and the natural cycle has come to be ruled by human activity. They make a compelling visual point.
So what does this mean for Australia's cats? Should they stay or should they go, now?
Postnaturalism is not about recycling your garbage, it is about making something good out of grandpa's garbage and leaving the very best garbage for your grandchildren. Postnaturalism means loving and embracing our human nature, the nature we have created to feed ourselves, the nature we live in. What good is environmentalism if it makes you depressed about the future?
Don't confuse postnaturalism with fatalism. It's not that we can't save the planet, we just can't return it to its former glory – whatever that looked like. But we can accept our role in what Earth has become, and influence what it will be by reducing our carbon footprint, pushing for renewable energy, and maybe killing a few million cats (while saving a few ground parrots in the process).
Header image by T. Guzzio. Original photo by Mark Marathon via Wikimedia Commons.


Welcome! I'm Larry, a pragmatic practitioner of meditation and other techniques of self-directed personal change. You can reach me at surfer100 at hotmail dot com. May you find something provocative, useful, and helpful here!


Burak Celet is the General Manager Board Member of the premium leather goods brand DESA and the luxury accessories brand NINETEENSEVENTYTWO. Founded as a family company in 1972 DESA a 43 year old heritage combining traditional values of craftsmanship with high quality and unique design. DESA prides herself on the high quality leather goods, accessories and ready-to-wear with an emphasis of leather outerwear, and shoes. With an impressive educational background, and more than 15 years with DESA, Burak Celet holds a successful career. He graduated in May 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Bogazici University in Istanbul. He had his master degrees as following; Business Administration in United States and a Masters of Science in Leather Technology in UK, in both of which he graduated with distinction.
Desa's production operation includes a tannery of 20,000m2 in Çorlu, two plants of 25,500m2 in İstanbul and Düzce for production of women's & men's outerwear, handbags and accessories, as well as distribution of those products via retail channels. Company provides integrated solutions for several international brands such as Prada, Miu Miu and Chanel. Desa's retail operation sustains 107 stores in Turkey; Desa also has an online store and 1 store in London.


text:
December 30, 2020 | Politics
Insecurity: Buhari should surprise Nigerians snd change service chiefs – Ejiofor
Following the increased rate of insecurity in the country, Former Department of State Service (DSS) Director, Mike Ejiofor has joined voices with Nigerians calling for the removal of service chiefs.
Ejiofor during an interview with Channels Television on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari should surprise Nigerians and respond to the calls by those seeking removal of the service chiefs.
"I expect that Mr President should take Nigerians by surprise, change the service chiefs. The attitude of Nigerians to security agencies should also change.
"We are expecting some equipment coming into the country. I think with these – change of tactics, change of equipment, change of attitude, change of service chief, change of approaches general…with all these we will make some progress," he said.
The Senate on different occasions recommended that President Buhari remove the Service Chiefs and replace them with people with fresh ideas and solutions.
The lawmakers first made the recommendation at plenary during a debate on security in the nation and the attack on rice farmers in Borno State which left over 40 dead.
They also lamented over the state of insecurity in the country and recommended the removal of the Service Chiefs during their debate on the abduction of over 300 students following gunmen's attack on Government Science Secondary School (GSS) in the Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.
This follows the motion raised by one of the lawmakers, Senator Bello Mandiya, from Katsina State.
Senator Sani Musa while seconding the motion said, "There is a need for this chamber to draw the attention of Mr. President that enough is enough, these Service Chiefs should go.
"I am being very honest and talking from the heart. Enough of this thing. I wish the National Assembly will take drastic action on this. We have been appropriating; where are these funds going to?"
Senator Gabriel Suswam during the debate criticised the service chiefs and said lawmakers will support the Senate President in whatever resolution decided to address kidnappings and insecurity in the country.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele lamented that the Senate has done its best but the executive is not listening and they are becoming helpless. He questioned why President Buhari has refused to remove service chiefs.
The security situation across the country is still a big challenge with the North battling terrorism, armed banditry and the south is battling kidnapping and other forms of crime and criminality.(Channel TV)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
JAY-Z Expected to Score His 14th No.1 Album with '4:44′
Daryl Nelson
Daryl Nelson Published: July 11, 2017
Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images
Surprise, surprise. It looks like JAY-Z will score his 14th No.1 album on the Billboard 200 charts for his brilliant 4:44 release. The album has already been certified platinum by the RIAA.
Undoubtedly, 4:44 has been the talk of hip-hop since dropping, and it's been the biggest release in terms of the overall social media responses since Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. Just think about it, Jay's new album has opened up an entirely new discussion in hip-hop about relationships, family and finances and it's truly unprecedented.
People have been breaking down his rhymes left and right, and a few of those verses have some of the younger rappers extremely tight. Remember how Boosie Badazz and Future responded to that holding-money-to-your-ear line in the song "Kill Jay Z?"
Anyway, based on predictions from industry insiders, the album is slated to sell over 200,000 in the week ending July 13. If 4:44 does go No.1 — which would be shocking if it doesn't — it'll cement Hall of Fame Hov's place as the artist with the most chart-topping albums behind The Beatles who have 19. After Jay, stands Bruce Springsteen and Barbra Streisand who each have 11.
Meanwhile, 4:44 has already went No. 1 in 39 countries through iTunes, and the rapper just announced a new tour, so it's clear he's in show mode.
In addition, if you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out Jay's 4:44 Footnotes, where people like Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, Will Smith and hoop star Chris Paul talk about the challenges of being in a relationship. It's a definite must see for both single folk and couples alike.
So what's next for the Brooklyn wordsmith after dropping this musical opus? Who knows but hip-hop owes him a collective thanks for 4:44, not only for the incredible rhymes but for what he's brought to the table of discussion.
Congrats to Jay on potentially having the No.1 album too.
Worst to Best: Every JAY-Z Album Ranked
Source: JAY-Z Expected to Score His 14th No.1 Album with '4:44′
Filed Under: Jay-Z
Are Mariah Carey and Jay-Z Feuding?
Politician Andrew Yang Says He's a Jay-Z Fan, Struggles to Name One Hov Song – Watch
Jay-Z Tweets for First Time in Over Two Years, Sells Majority of Tidal to Tech Company Square Inc.
Jay-Z Reveals Kobe Bryant's Last Words to Him Before His Death
Beyoncé and Jay-Z Send Reese Witherspoon 'More Water': Watch
25 Singers Who Forgot Their Own Lyrics on Stage
25 Longest Lasting Celebrity Couples
25 Most Shocking MTV VMAs Moments Ever
Jay-Z and Diddy Land in Top 10 of Forbes' 2018 Wealthiest Celebrities List


text:
HOLD THE DREAM
UAE, Dubai 2012 | DIPLOMACY | GUEST SPEAKER
Lee Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea, on a common vision for Dubai and Korea, growing trade relations, and the importance of working together to tackle climate change.
Lee Myung-bak was elected President of the Republic of Korea in 2007. Prior to entering politics he had a 27-year career with Hyundai Group. He joined the company in 1965 and just five years later, at the age of 29, he became a company director. By age 35 he was Korea's youngest CEO ever. Upon retiring as chairman of the company in 1992 he successfully ran for two consecutive terms in the Korean National Assembly before becoming Mayor of Seoul from 2002 to 2007. He is a graduate of Korea University.
His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a pioneer and a true visionary. His indomitable will and steadfast leadership prepared the UAE for the future and accomplished what many simply considered impossible. We find such vision and commitment still alive today in Dubai. Under the extraordinary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Dubai has become the model for the 21st century. Man-made islands, waterways, and ultra-modern architecture harmoniously coexist with their natural surroundings. Dubai has successfully blended together modernity, the environment, and aesthetics. Dubai has already taken steps to undergo another great transformation by making itself the model of what it means to be a green city in the 21st century. Dubai is a living testament of what human imagination, creativity, commitment, and able leadership can achieve. Korea also believes in realizing dreams. Korea was a country ravaged by decades of colonial rule followed by a devastating war that left the entire country in utter ruin. However, Koreans were able to transform the country from one of the poorest in the world into a robust and dynamic country. Many thought that Korea was hopeless, but the Korean people believed in their dreams. We have also become a country that is now providing assistance to others. We successfully hosted the G20 Seoul Summit, contributing to common prosperity and shared growth. For a country that was once sustained solely by outside help, it is a phenomenal achievement that we are proud of. And the reason we achieved such growth was because we believed in our dreams and worked to make them happen.
Our two countries share a common spirit, and we have built an important and successful economic partnership. Trade between the UAE and Korea reached $22.1 billion in 2011. Today, Korea is the world's seventh largest exporting country, and the UAE is its largest export market in the Middle East. UAE exports to Korea rose 21.2% to $14.75 billion in 2011, and Korean exports to the UAE grew 32.4% to $7.26 billion. It is believed that UAE-Korea trade will grow by 21% in 2012 to a record $26.6 billion. South Korean firms are now important participants in many key projects in the UAE, from nuclear power to infrastructure. UAE firms are increasing their role in Korea, entering partnerships to ensure Korea's energy security and running one of the country's largest ports.
As a young man, I devoted my life to making my country prosperous. That was my dream. Later, when I became Mayor of Seoul, I worked hard to realize another dream of mine, which was to make Seoul a green metropolis; a city to be truly proud of and comfortable to live in. A long time ago, there used to be a stream that flowed through the heart of Seoul, but it was covered up and left to fester. I got rid of the concrete expressways and the covering that had been in place for decades. I restored the stream to let it breathe again. Today, the silver fish, which are known to live only in the cleanest waters, have returned. When I became President in 2008, my dreams for Korea continued to grow. As we celebrated our 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation, I put forth a new vision. Our "Low-Carbon Green Growth" vision is our answer to the future.
We believe that protecting the environment and attaining sustainable growth can go together. Our Framework Act on Low-Carbon Green Growth is the first of its kind in the world. We are investing over 2% of our GDP into green technology, and are pleased to be able to share our knowledge and expertise with the UAE. South Korean nuclear energy professors have taken up posts at Khalifa University, and Emirati engineering students have visited Seoul to learn about the nuclear industry. A South Korean Green Economy agency is also working in Masdar City. Climate change is undoubtedly the defining challenge of our time. However, we consider this challenge as an historic opportunity. Our Green Growth initiative is revolutionizing the way we think, and the UAE is also thinking creatively to seize this historic opportunity.
When we look at the nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi, the renewable energy project in Masdar, and Dubai's construction of an eco-friendly, high-tech city of the future, I applaud the UAE's vision and foresight. For a country with one of the world's largest oil reserves, I know it took courage and vision for it to make this decision to prepare for the post-oil era.
And this is why Korea is proud to be the UAE's partner in this endeavor, a journey to create a better, cleaner future for all. Climate change cannot be addressed by a few countries. It is a global challenge that requires a global solution. It must involve our developing partners as well as the advanced countries. This is why Korea launched the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in June 2010, for which the UAE will be its strategic partner. The regional office for the GGGI in the UAE will act as a hub for the Middle East and North Africa. This institute will be focused on finding workable solutions and bringing genuine change. Our responsibility is to work together to make this world a better place, for ourselves and for our children. Let us show the world the power of dreams.
Inside Perspective
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler, Dubai
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, on Dubai's evolving role in the world.
The Dream Continues
Dubai's high standard of living and dynamic society makes it a secure Middle Eastern destination. Largely located along the western coast of the UAE, Dubai is now home to more than 2 million people. The expatriate population of the city that is drawn from all corners of the world helps to drive the local economy and contribute much to the lifeblood of this thriving metropolis.
Review: Diplomacy & Politics
A Vision True
Dubai's leadership platform has offered the stability needed for the Emirate to take a principal political and economic role in the region.
Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State and Managing Director, the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee
TBY talks to Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State and Managing Director of the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee, on the Emirates preparations to bring the exposition to the UAE.
Focus: The UAE's 40th Anniversary
Don't Stop Me Now
An inimitable social and economic story reached its 40th year in December 2011, as the UAE celebrated its anniversary with lavish festivity. The groundwork is now being laid for the next 40 years.
Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Minister, UK Trade & Investment
TBY talks to Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Minister of UK Trade & Investment, on upcoming events designed to bring companies in the UK and the UAE closer together.
Lee Myung-bak, President, Republic of Korea
Francisco J. Sánchez, Under Secretary of State of Commerce for International Trade, US
TBY talks to Francisco J. Sánchez, US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, on the trade relationship between the US and the UAE.
Matías Mori, Executive Vice-President, Chile's Foreign Investment Committee
TBY talks to Matías Mori, Executive Vice-President of Chile's Foreign Investment Committee, on a recent trade drive with the UAE, the opening of a UAE embassy in Santiago, and the benefits of investing in Chile.
John Shimmin, Minister for the Department of Economic Development, Isle of Man Government
TBY talks to John Shimmin, Minister for the Department of Economic Development of the Isle of Man Government, on the development of the relationship between Dubai and the Isle of Man and the potential opportunities for investors.
Review: Economy
As growth rates return to show a steady rise, Dubai's efforts to refocus the economy toward its traditional strengths in trade, finance, and tourism have ushered in a remarkable recovery that is paving the way for sustainable, long-term growth.
Focus: Strategic Plan
Dubai's Strategic Plan, currently being revised to reflect global economic conditions, lays out a program of action to help the Emirate maintain its role as a global business hub.
HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, UAE
TBY talks to Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade of the UAE, on the many opportunities for investment in SMEs and sectors such as tourism, logistics, and trade.
Sami Al Qamzi, Director General, Dubai Department of Economic Development
TBY talks to Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, on the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, the significance of SMEs, and investment flows.
Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO, Dubai FDI
TBY talks to Fahad Al Gergawi, CEO of the Foreign Investment Office of Dubai FDI, on Dubai's foreign investment environment.
Vox Populi: Foreign Chambers
Let's All Come Together
Business groups focus on building a network and strong ties with local and international players, while aiming to integrate and complement the present system.
Hamad Buamim, Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to Hamad Buamim, Director General of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, on the variety of services the Chamber offers and its close relationship with government strategies and key markets.
B2B: Business Development
Go Get 'Em
SMEs and exports are seen as key to the continued success of Dubai's economy. For those wanting to get ahead, the support is available.
Focus: Free Trade Zones
Dubai's expanding patchwork of free trade zones continues to provide an impetus for foreign investment across a wide range of areas.
Salma Ali Saif Saeed Bin Hareb, CEO, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)
TBY talks to Salma Ali Saif Saeed Bin Hareb, CEO of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), on the development of the free zone, growth trends, and the strength of the maritime industry.
Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General, Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) Authority
TBY talks to Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) Authority, on the history of the zone, taking the model abroad, and recent trends.
Arif Obaid Al Dehail, CEO, Ports, Customs, & Free Zone Corporation (Trakhees)
TBY talks to Arif Obaid Al Dehail, CEO of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (Trakhees), on the functions of the company, accreditation in Dubai's ports and free zones, and growth forecasts.
Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director & CEO, Dubai Investments
TBY talks to Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director & CEO of Dubai Investments, on targets for investment, the improved economic outlook, and the Dubai Investments Park.
Malcolm Wall Morris, CEO, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
TBY talks to Malcolm Wall Morris, CEO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, on stimulating the flow of commodity trade, establishing a trade hub, and the advantages of the JLT Free Zone.
Forum: Why Dubai?
Living Better
Multinational corporations choose Dubai because of the region's growth potential, quality of life, and demand for a wide range of products and services.
Mouayed Makhlouf, MENA Regional Director, International Finance Corporation, WB Group
TBY talks to Mouayed Makhlouf, MENA Regional Director of the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, on the role of the office in the region, developments in the housing finance market, and the potential of green financing in the Emirates.
Mustafa Abdel-Wadood, CEO, Abraaj Capital Limited
TBY talks to Mustafa Abdel-Wadood, CEO of Abraaj Capital Limited, on the company's latest acquisitions, investments, and expansion plans.
Samer Sarraf, Senior Vice-President & Country Head UAE, Amwal Al Khaleej
TBY talks to Samer Sarraf, Senior Vice-President & Country Head UAE of Amwal Al Khaleej, on the company's extensive asset management portfolio and its performance.
Review: Banking
The Twin Zones
The finance sector is showing strong signs of growth and renewal in Dubai, especially within the DIFC. On the local side, prudent practices are putting bank loan books onto a sounder footing.
Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General, Department of Finance
TBY talks to Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of the Department of Finance, on the creation of support funds to safeguard against crises, the restructuring of Dubai's debt, and positive indicators for the future.
Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
TBY talks to Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, on the establishment of a suitable regulatory framework for the sector and the creation of micro-cities.
Saeb Eigner, Chairman, Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
TBY talks to Saeb Eigner, Chairman of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), on its mandate, creating a financial center, and the regulatory environment.
Rick Pudner, Group CEO, Emirates NBD
TBY talks to Rick Pudner, Group CEO of Emirates NBD, on the banking system, expectations for the capital markets, and Dubai's economic outlook.
Raghu Malhotra, Division President, Middle East & North Africa, MasterCard
TBY talks to Raghu Malhotra, Division President, Middle East & North Africa of MasterCard, on the importance of shifting transactions from paper and cash to electronic methods.
Forum: Private Banking
Local and international private banking companies take advantage of demand for Islamic banking services, diversification opportunities, and high-net-worth individuals in the local market.
Rob Broedelet, Country Executive UAE, ABN AMRO, DIFC Branch
TBY talks to Rob Broedelet, Country Executive UAE at ABN AMRO, DIFC Branch, on the banking sector, advantages of the DIFC, and the local real estate sector.
Vox Populi: International Banks
A Little Encouragement
Foreign banks use Dubai as a hub for leveraging their reach to an array of markets in the same time zone and beyond.
B2B: Local Banks
Local financial institutions are bolstering the Emirate's mainstream banking sector, and are successfully rolling out retail and corporate products.
Review: Capital Markets
Just Add Liquidity
The local financial markets have struggled throughout the global financial crisis, but improved levels of oversight and transparency may help boost liquidity and trading levels.
B2B: Local Exchanges
Find the Pool
Dubai's financial markets are looking at new ways to improve liquidity and deepen the trading pool to bolster the bourse.
Forum: Capital Markets Development
Transparency is the name of the game in Dubai's capital markets, with more sophisticated financial instruments being introduced over 2012.
Review: Insurance
Premium Market
Nothing but growth is predicted for Dubai's insurance market, as premiums skyrocketed over 2011.
Forum: Insurance
Insurance companies recognize the competitiveness of the finance sector and are eager to rise to the challenge of serving the Gulf's largest market.
Ahmad Al Kazim, Managing Director, ASCANA
TBY talks to Ahmad Al Kazim, Managing Director of ASCANA, on operations in Dubai, development strategies, and new trends.
Review: Energy
Flip the Switch
As fuel prices rise and energy demand grows in Dubai, the Emirate is striving to improve its energy efficiency and diversify its fuel supply. By 2030, Dubai hopes to be one of the cleanest, leanest energy consumers in the region.
Saeed Abdullah Khoory, Group CEO, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC)
TBY talks to Saeed Abdullah Khoory, CEO of the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), on its focus to secure upstream assets and reduce dependence on gas imports.
Ahmad M. Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower
TBY talks to Ahmad M. Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, on the opportunities for investing in district cooling as a utility service, and his company's push to support green building technology and maintenance.
Port Perspective
TBY talks to Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World & Maritime World, on Dubai as a maritime hub, maintenance and conversion operations, and his outlook on the market.
Focus: Green Technology
Dubai is becoming a regional role model for the green energy business. In the past year, construction began on the Emirate's first sustainable city, a massive solar park was launched, and the British University in Dubai opened the UAE's first solar academ
Ivano Iannelli, CEO, Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence
TBY talks to Ivano Iannelli, CEO of the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, on energy efficiency in the GCC, clean development initiatives, and Dubai as a green financing hub.
Nasser H. Saidi, Chairman, Clean Energy Business Council
TBY talks to Nasser H. Saidi, Chairman of the Clean Energy Business Council, on the development of clean energy, the impact of reduced fuel subsidies, and the potential for green financing.
Lord Marland of Odstock, Minister, Department of Energy & Climate Change of the UK
TBY talks to Lord Marland of Odstock, Chairman of UK Trade & Investment's Business Ambassadors' Group & Minister of the Department of Energy & Climate Change of the UK, on the green technology bond, and promoting international dialogue on climate change.
Forum: Green Technology
It's Easy Being Green
With green technology a popular addition to new developments, a new sector has developed to turn saving energy into a business.
Nabil A. Habayeb, President & CEO, Middle East, North Africa & Turkey, General Electric
TBY talks to Nabil A. Habayeb, President & CEO of the Middle East & North Africa for General Electric, on infrastructure development, energy efficiency, and green technology in Dubai.
Review: Industry
As confidence returns, heavy investments in the industrial sector have triggered a comeback in automotive and retail sales, metals manufacturing, and FMCGs.
Abdulla J M Kalban, President & CEO, Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL)
TBY talks to Abdulla J.M. Kalban, President & CEO of Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL), on the dynamics of the global aluminum market and his impressions on the UAE's growing role as an major aluminum producer.
Vox Populi: Local Industry
Coming Together
Manufacturers are employing Dubai as a base for industrial production to take advantage of its proximity to profitable markets and booming local demand.
Focus: Dubai Industrial City
In the Same Neighborhood
As Dubai seeks to create a knowledge-based economy, industry benefits from collaboration and prime infrastructure in a zone dedicated to manufacturers and logistics companies in the sector.
Abdulla Bel Houl, Managing Director, Dubai Industrial City
TBY talks to Abdulla Bel Houl, Managing Director of Dubai Industrial City, on the history of the industrial zone and the advantages of investing and operating in Dubai.
Forum: Auto Retailers
Luxury brands, multi-purpose vehicles, and passenger cars are fulfilling Dubai's demand for mobility in terms of class and style.
Focus: Automotive Industry
High-end vehicles are especially attractive to consumers residing in Dubai, and multinationals see the Emirate as a prime location for the development of a more comprehensive components industry.
K. Rajaram, CEO, Al Nabooda Automobiles
TBY talks to K. Rajaram, CEO, Al Nabooda Automobiles, on the key strategies for marketing and selling luxury cars in Dubai.
Focus: FMCGs
Increased household consumption and expatriate wealth has driven trends in the FMCG market in recent years, and the sector is now employing record numbers.
Tarek El Sakka, General Manager, Dubai Refreshments
TBY talks to Tarek El Sakka, General Manager of Dubai Refreshments, on the company's partnership with PepsiCo, commodity prices, and new production facilities.
Jamal Al Ghurair, Al Khaleej Sugar, Managing Director
TBY talks to Jamal Al Ghurair, Managing Director of Al Khaleej Sugar, on Dubai as a regional hub, the sugar market, and the export game.
Yves Manghardt, Chairman & CEO, Nestlé Middle East
TBY talks to Yves Manghardt, Chairman & CEO of Nestlé Middle East, on the company's new facilities, the Middle East market, and the FMCG segment.
Review: ICT
An Apt Success
Dubai, in its quest to become the premier hub for business and commerce in the region, has long recognized the significance of ICT, with investment in infrastructure now on the up.
TBY talks to Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), on the move away from monopoly and fiber-optic solutions.
Eesa M. Bastaki, CEO, ICT Fund
TBY talks to Eesa M. Bastaki, CEO of the ICT Fund, on its initiatives to promote and enhance ICT development in Dubai and make a lasting impression on the global industry.
Osman Sultan, CEO, du
TBY talks to Osman Sultan, CEO of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC-du, on the brand, revolutionizing the telecoms sector, and innovation in the UAE.
Vox Populi: IT Infrastructure Development
Join the Cloud
IT infrastructure organizations and companies are working together in the virtual world to develop solutions and innovations for the next generation.
B2B: Global IT Solutions
Sustainability, infrastructure, and convenience attract foreign IT companies to Dubai, where they enjoy government support and a wide customer base.
Forum: IT & Media
Stirring Interests
Companies involved in IT and media are working to add value and take risks in an industry spearheading economic growth.
Review: Transport
In the Right Mode
The core of Dubai's economic success has been a commitment to logistics infrastructure and its geographic position. It is of little surprise that the city ranks highly as a global transport hub.
HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group
TBY talks to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, on consistent profits, rising fuel prices, and Dubai as an aviation hub.
Mohammed A. Ahli, Director General, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
TBY talks to Mohammed A. Ahli, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, on the development of Dubai as a global air hub.
Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
TBY talks to Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, on collaboration to support the aviation industry.
B2B: Airlines
Upstairs, Downstairs
Dubai's civil aviation scene is far from dominated by Emirates, with low-cost and charter organizers also in on the action.
Habib Fekih, President, Middle East, Airbus
TBY talks to Habib Fekih, President of Airbus Middle East, on the benefits of being based in Dubai, the success of the Dubai Airshow, and staying ahead of the game.
Focus: Port Expansion
As Dubai's ports continue to see growth in cargo volume and passenger numbers, major expansion plans to upgrade capacity are set to reinforce the Emirate's position as a leading maritime hub.
HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Board, DP World
TBY talks to Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, on the creation of DP World, its international capacity, and the London Gateway project.
B2B: Logistical Solutions
Never a Naysayer
Dubai's large size and disposition for luxury opens up opportunities for logistics companies, which aim to please a wide variety of customers.
Vox Populi: Logistics
Movers & Storers
Dubai has refocused its energy on developing its traditional status as a logistics hub, maintaining its unrivaled status in the region.
Review: Real Estate
Quality Does Count
Dubai's real estate sector continues to grow, although it has yet to return to pre-2008 levels. Demand for space from multinationals is set to keep the sector purring.
Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, CEO, Real Estate Regulatory Agency
TBY talks to Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, CEO of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, on the establishment, activity, and future of the organization.
Nicholas Maclean, Managing Director, CBRE Middle East
TBY talks to Nicholas Maclean, Managing Director of CBRE Middle East, on the state of the real estate sector in Dubai.
B2B: Local Majors
Live & Belong
The construction sector is stirring again in Dubai, with retail and hospitality space popular among the major developers.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties
TBY talks to Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, on developing the Dubai real estate sector, international operations, and improving community management structures.
B2B: Consultants
Take My Advice
Property consulting firms have benefitted from new interest in commercial space as the dynamics of the market are beginning to be worked out.
Vox Populi: Real Estate Outlook
Build Me Up
As the real estate sector undergoes reconstruction, surviving companies maintain their strengths and study new opportunities.
Forum: Management
Strong Recovery
Facility management providers are stepping up to the plate to offer landowners a new range of products and services in a changing business climate.
Review: Construction
The Top Out
New projects are starting to invigorate demand for building materials in Dubai, and as work on unfinished projects begins to accelerate, improved prospects have risen on the horizon.
Forum: Construction Engineering
Design Front
Dubai's construction sector revival is being driven by segments across the board, including materials, power, and water.
Vox Populi: Materials
Building materials are widely available in Dubai, fulfilling the need for specialized products and energy-efficient concerns.
Review: Health
Filling the Gaps
Both government regulatory agencies and private sector players have made progress over the past five years by consolidating the healthcare sector and incentivizing pharmaceutical production.
HE Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General, Dubai Health Authority
TBY talks to Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, on the vision behind the Emirate's health strategy and the local healthcare sector.
Thomas J. Murray, CEO, American Hospital Dubai
TBY talks to Thomas J. Murray, CEO of American Hospital Dubai, on the evolution of the private healthcare sector.
Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, Managing Director, Dubai Sciences Cluster
TBY talks to Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, Managing Director of Dubai Sciences Cluster, on the healthcare free zone and the private sector.
Forum: Private Health Care
International and domestic companies have been attracted by the dynamics of Dubai's private healthcare setup, driving up quality and standards.
B2B: Medical Technology
Leading the Region
A solid medical technology industry has developed around Dubai's growing healthcare sector.
Abboud Bejjani, Regional Director, Middle East, Africa, & Pakistan, Abbott Laboratories S.A.
TBY talks to Abboud Bejjani, Regional Director, Middle East, Africa, & Pakistan at Abbott Laboratories S.A., on the significance of Dubai, product development, and international growth plans.
Rashad Hassan Al Moosa, Joint Managing Director & Partner, Gulf Drug
TBY talks to Rashad Hassan Al Moosa, Joint Managing Director & Partner of Gulf Drug, on the local healthcare industry, core services, and staying competitive.
Vox Populi: DuBiotech
With the vision to turn Dubai into a life sciences hub, DuBiotech was established in 2005. It continues to attract attention.
Review: Education
Well-known as a technology and media hub, Dubai is quietly making strides as a regional center for education. As the Emirate invests in free zones specializing in the education sector, the number and quality of educational institutions is on the rise.
Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors & Director General, Knowledge & Human Development Authority
TBY talks to Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors & Director General the Knowledge & Human Development Authority, on the role of the KHDA and growth in the education sector.
Dino Varkey, Group Executive Director & Board Member, GEMS Education
TBY talks to Dino Varkey, Group Executive Director & Board Member of GEMS Education, on the role GEMS has played in the development of Dubai's education sector.
B2B: Local Educators
The Key to Knowledge
Dubai's blossoming education sector offers opportunities for students to study a range of international curricula.
B2B: Business Schools
Dubai's business education sector is warming up to cater for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
TOURISM & RETAIL
Review: Tourism
Setting the Record Straight
Dubai set a new record in terms of foreign visitors and nights spent in one of the Emirate's nearly 600 hotels and hotel apartments in 2011. The upward trend continued in 2012, as Dubai remains one of the world's 10 most-visited cities.
Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism, & Commerce Marketing
TBY talks to Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, Director General of the Department of Tourism, & Commerce Marketing, on Dubai's tourism strategy and the bid to host World Expo 2020.
Salah Al Qassim, Advisor, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
TBY talks to Salah Al Qassim, Advisor to the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, on culture, the arts, and heritage in Dubai.
Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group
TBY talks to Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group, on the rise of Dubai as a luxury holiday destination, expansion plans, and MICE tourism.
B2B: Business & Leisure Hotels
Dubai's hotel segment is diverse enough to suit a wide variety of travellers from business to pleasure. Getting noticed in the segment isn't always easy.
Sami Nasser, Vice-President of Operations, Sofitel Middle East, Egypt, & Indian Ocean
TBY talks to Sami Nasser, Vice-President of Operations at Sofitel Middle East, Egypt, & Indian Ocean, on Dubai as a brand, MICE tourism, and growth plans.
B2B: Luxury Hotels
Come Stay with Me
As more attention falls on the GCC as a tourist and business destination, Dubai is developing its luxury hotel offering.
B2B: Golf & Racing
Equine to a Tee
Both golf and racing have flourished in Dubai despite environmental challenges, and are continuing to attract more viewers as well as participants.
Focus: Retail
Shopping Paradise
With more mall space per capita than any other city in the world, it should come as no surprise that the wholesale and retail trade in 2011 contributed some 30.7% to Dubai's GDP. This could grow by 5.1% annually to reach $47.6 billion by 2015.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman, Dubai Duty Free
TBY talks to Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, on the development of the global duty free business, Dubai as a retail hub, and challenges facing the sector.
Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director, Canon Middle East
TBY talks to Anurag Agrawal, Managing Director of Canon Middle East, on regional operations, Dubai Internet City, and trends in the consumer electronics market.
Anan Fakhreddin, CEO & Member of the Board, Damas
TBY talks to Anan Fakhreddin, CEO & Member of the Board of Damas, on the gold industry, the company's IPO, and projects in the pipeline.
B2B: Luxury Retail
That Little Something
Known internationally as a luxury shopping center, Dubai's retailers look to go that extra mile to provide top-class customer service.
Review: Legal
Doing Business in Dubai requires planning and research, but investors need not worry, as it is an overall straight-forward process.
Mahmud P.K. Merali, Managing Partner, Merali's
TBY talks to Mahmud P.K. Merali, Managing Partner of Merali's (formerly Baker Tilly Merali's), on accounting standards, auditing issues, and structural reforms in Dubai.
Review: Accountancy
Number Crunch
The presence of incentives and the absence of many taxes contribute to the ease of doing business in Dubai.
Vox Populi: The Ins & Outs of Setting Up Shop
Dubai's liberal investment scheme can be complicated. Three experts look at some of the details of setting up a business in the Emirate.
Up next ...
Dubai & the Future
Since its inception four decades ago, the UAE has exemplified the true definition of success and rightfully claimed its stature as a symbol of growth and prosperity. Perhaps the UAE's barren desert climate gave birth to unequivocal will and an unparalleled purpose to overcome every challenge it encountered. Hence, it remarkably transformed itself in a very short period of time into a beacon of success and development in the region.
No more articles to show.


You are invited to join Councillor Abdul Hai, Cabinet Member for Young People and Cohesion, to celebrate Camden's diversity and the people who make the place.
We're hosting an exciting free evening which will bring together our communities and action-packed performances from a variety of special guests. Focused on stories from across the borough, we'll hear about the inspiring journeys, memories and reflections that have inspired our residents and helped to create the vibrant, diverse and rebellious spirit of Camden. Help us to celebrate the people, stories and communities that make Camden.
The event will include food and refreshments (from 5.30pm), music, speakers and performances from local Camden talent.


text:
Captain Marvel Trailer
So the trailer has dropped for the next Marvel Studio film, Captain Marvel. Just in case you haven't had a chance to see this trailer, here it is.
There is already some great cosplay ideas to come from this trailer already. And we at FnC thought be great to build a reference article for you if you want cosplay characters from the up and coming film, so you can wear it at comic con.
Design Pattern and Tutorial
Found this tutorial on Costume Super Center website by UncannyMegan.
Captain Marvel Cosplay Tutorial
Note: All images and copyright material belong to their respective properties and not this website or Food And Cosplay Network.
Other Film Reviews
11 years in the making, over 20 movies and it finally comes down to this. We're in the endgame now. And boy….was it a hell of an endgame. Now obviously I will try to make this a spoiler free review, but this is a hell of a movie to try and unpack without going too specific so I promise I will do my best. Now the best way to summarise this movie is that everyone that's left after the snap happens is trying to find their way through this new world that has been created by Thanos, that is until someone comes up with an idea that could change everything…….yeah that's vague enough not spoil anything Everything about this movie was just perfect. The pacing, the music, I know I already mentioned the performances but the beats each character hits, hits home so amazingly! Ok. This movie. IS AMAZING!!!! Before I even talk about this movie, I'm gonna tell you that you NEED to do a marathon before getting to this movie. There are so many hints and nods to the past movies. Along with that, this movie is literally like a fan service to us, the ones who have stuck to this movie franchise over the past decade and a bit. The performances from everyone involved were at top level. There are minor plot holes, but honestly, this movie delivers so much to the fans that you genuinely don't care, and I can tell you now, the last hour of this movie is the best cinematic piece in comic movie history. Hands. Down. And when it comes to cosplay, there is only thing i can say, and that is a huge thank you and congratulations. All weekend i've seen cosplayers doing what they love for the movie franchise they love and it has been to raise so much money for charities and it just shows how much cosplayers love to give back, not just to the community but to people in need as well. Bottom line. You need to stop reading this and go watch this movie!... Read more...
Hellboy Review
This remake centres around Harbour's Hellboy working with his father Ian McShane and facing off against Milla Jovovich's Numie who is an eternal living blood queen who wants demons and monsters to take over the world. Hellboy must beat her with the help of Sasha Lane's Alice and Daniel Dae Kim's Major Ben Daimio. A lot of people were a tad sceptical when a Hellboy remake/reboot was announced, however, the pictures of David Habour surfaced of him in the full Hellboy make up which raised all the excitement for the project! And so, the movie hit theatres with a lot of expectation! This movie took full advantage of the 18 rating, ramping up the gore that you would find in the comics. Now comparing this movie to the first Hellboy movie back in 2004, because of course it was gonna be compared, where the 2004 version opted for more storytelling and world advancement, this movie decided to shy away from more storytelling and went for adding more action. Most people do enjoy this but I personally didn't like this. The movie was hindered by lack of story and some CGI that looked incredibly bad. This CGI looked better placed back in 1998 it was that bad. Now don't get me wrong, David Harbour's performance was brilliant, I was a tad unsure with regards to some of the prosthetics but in the overall look, they were amazing in the movie, its just a shame that some of the other effects seemed unfinished and the gore itself became a bit too much at some times. The movie was a fun experience to go see, I would suggest going for it but don't expect an amazing movie. Now the prosthetics are amazing for Harbour's Hellboy and I think some of the best body paints to use for cosplays would be a good thing to speak about. One of the best paints I've used is mehron, the amount of variety you can get is amazing and it seems to go on quite well. There are also many other products you can grab from other places, as long as you can grab some body paint setter that will help keep the paint on for longer. There are many cosplayers who have done some amazing Hellboy cosplays that have used some excellent paint! I can't wait to see some more amazing cosplays using some stellar paintwork!... Read more...
Shazam Review
how goes it fellow nerds, geeks and the like! Well you'll be hearing alot from me this month, with quite a few films coming out, and a final season that I hope to review at the end. So let's start with another installment from DC, after their very big success with Aquaman, Shazam! Shazam revolves around 13 year old, or basically 14 year old Billy Batson, who is essentially recruited by an old wizard and passes on his powers to him to protect the world against the 7 deadly sins and to carry on the legacy of wizards that came before him. Unfortunately, Billy runs into his first super villian in Dr. Sivana and has to take him down with his new found powers. I have got to say, this movie was really good, I feel like the DC movie universe has turned a new corner and has a new freedom with their movie making. Asher Angel who plays Billy Batson as his younger self had a great chemistry with the other young members of the cast, especially Jack Dylan Grazer who plays Freddie Freeman, who helps Billy as he takes on this transformation. Zachary Levi, i'll be honest, I could never see as a super hero, and yet he handled it brilliantly! Showing the power that he possesses, while using his funny side to portray 14 year old stuck in a man's body who has superpowers. Mark Strong who plays Dr. Sivana is very compelling as a supervillian. All in all, this movie was incredibly fun and lighthearted, while still maintaining a sense of danger and dread. The costumes from this movie are really awesome as well. obviously due to this movie being in production for a while, there have been many set photos and its been amazing seeing people's take on how to do the lightning on Shazam's chest! From using yellow foam, to people using the same kind of lighting mechanism that can be used. What is also amazing to see is using red puff painting to add the small design and details to the suit. Hopefully when a sequel comes, and oh yes, there most definitely has to be a sequel to this movie because it was great, hopefully we can see the long awaited debut of Black Adam, which can add to the cosplay list for alot of people! I genuinely suggest you go and see this movie, DC have finally hit their stride with their movies and hopefully they will continue get better with the freedom the directors have.... Read more...
Film Reviews Captain Marvel, Cosplay, Marvel, marvel studio permalink
Event Review: VienCon 2018
Looking Forward, never look back!


text:
Charles Finney's Theology of Revival: Moral Depravity -- By: Sean Michael Lucas
Article: Charles Finney's Theology of Revival: Moral Depravity
Author: Sean Michael Lucas
Charles Finney's Theology of Revival:
Moral Depravity
Sean Michael Lucas1
Charles G. Finney is famous for his career in revival ministries, but he patterned his theology to fit his revivalistic practices. His unique view of original sin included a distinction between physical and moral depravity, the universal nature of moral depravity, and a rejection of the doctrine of imputation. Three possible reasons for his alteration of the theology in which he received training include the influences of Jacksonian democracy, an inclination toward favoring his legal training, and pragmatism. Finney has had a lasting influence on the church, including those who tend toward pragmatic methodology in ministry. Today's church must beware of such pragmatism and of being dragged into Finney's Pelagianistic theology.
In the study of American evangelicalism, it is important to recognize key contributors to the evangelical mind, individuals whose influence is still apparent. One such key individual is Charles Grandison Finney.2 Perhaps Finney's ability to popularize is one reason he is such
an important figure in history. He popularized the "New Measures" methodology, which he borrowed from the Methodists and perfected for his ends.3 From the Methodist "mourner's bench" to Wesleyan perfectionism, Finney adapted various parts of Methodism into a New School Presbyterian framework.
In addition, he popularized the New Haven theology. This new mutation of the New Haven theology has been called "Oberlin Theology" by historians because it includes the addition of Christian perfectionism.4 Finney popularized this new brand of theology around the country, arguing that his success as a revivalist justified his theological positions.5
James Johnson, in a seminal journal article, suggests that Finney
consciously sought to develop a theology which would be "patterned to fit his career as a revivalist….Since his theological system was designed to complement his career as an evangelist, his theology often assumed strange shapes in order to accommodate to the revivalistic milieu."6 Johnson, in the rest of his essay, sketches Finney's modifications in each area of theology. Johnson argues that it was necessary for Finney to set aside the...


If you follow social media trends at all, you've surely heard that Instagram has stepped into the ring to take on Snapchat. If not, here's what happened.
Snapchat offers a feature called Stories, which allows users to post a series of photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours. Instagram has replicated this feature, allowing Instagram users to share pics and videos that won't show up in their profiles and instead disappear later.
Instagram has copied Snapchat Stories, right down to the name. Instagram's Stories feature is similar to Snapchat Stories in that the Stories are available for a mere 24 hours before they disappear into the wild.
The Instagram Stories feature is Facebook's way of trying to compete with Snapchat's growing popularity with teens. This has been especially problematic for Facebook and Instagram as Instagram's engagement has been on the decline. Facebook offered to buy Snapchat for $3 billion in 2013—Snapchat, however, rejected the offer. Facebook owns Instagram, so in order to compete, both Facebook and Instagram are now offering similar services to Snapchat.
Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps on both the Android and iTunes app stores, so Facebook and Instagram had to go big in order to compete. What better way than to imitate Snapchat's ephemeral photo feature? You know what they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
How can businesses use Instagram Stories to their advantage? Read on to learn what this means for social media as well as how your business can get in on the Stories trend. Let's start by breaking down how to create an Instagram Story.
1. Click the plus sign at the top left of the screen.
3. You can also swipe down to see all the pics you've taken in the last 24 hours and add those to your Story.
4. Click the pencil to draw on the image or the Aa button to add text. You can also click the down arrow at the bottom right of the screen to download the picture. If you're not satisfied with any of your changes, you can click your smartphone's back button or cancel to start over.
5. Swipe left or right to add filters.
6. Tap the up arrow to upload the photo to your story.
7. If you uploaded a photo or video by accident like I did while testing out the steps in this list, tap on your story at the top of your Instagram home screen, tap until you get to the video or photo you want to delete and click the three dots at the bottom right to delete that image or video.
8. To feature a particular part of your story, tap the story and the part you want to feature. Click the up arrow to share that image or video to your profile.
How can small businesses take advantage of Instagram Stories?
The roll-out of Instagram Stories is great news for businesses. Since Instagram's algorithm recently changed to show what Instagram considers the "best" posts (most likely to engage followers) first, this meant businesses had less of a chance of always showing up in followers' feeds.
Now, though, when a business creates a Story, it will appear at the top of followers' Instagram home screens. And when followers are watching Stories, Instagram automatically shows them the next story. That means your Stories are likely to be seen by your followers if they are watching other stories, as your Story will automatically play when the follower finishes the preceding Story.
For our first Instagram Story, we took some behind the scenes photos to show what it's like to work at RevLocal. (Why yes, we did have a Friday queso cookoff.) Behind the scenes photos help consumers as well as potential employees get to know who your current employees are and give followers a chance to see what your day-to-day looks like.
Not only could it make you appear more trustworthy when your followers get a private glance into your business, but it can help them to learn enough to decide whether or not they want to work with (or for) you.
And letting followers get to know your employees isn't the only way to use Instagram Stories for business. Here are a few other ways you can take advantage of the marketing power of Instagram Stories.
Show off products and services.
Show off what makes your business special. If you own an ice cream shop, add photos of delicious looking mint chocolate chip waffle cones to your Story. Run a clothing store? Create an attractive display, take a pic and add it to your Story. If you have a new product that is about to launch, you could add images of the product to your story.
Offer a time-sensitive discount specific to Instagram Stories.
Not only will it create a sense of urgency since the image is gone in 24 hours, but it will make your Instagram followers feel special knowing they got in on a secret discount.
Since both apps allow for local targeting, advertising your local business on Snapchat or Instagram could be profitable.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of Instagram and Snapchat users are 29 or younger. (Snapchat says that 50 percent of its users are below the age of 25.) However, it's a safe bet that both applications will continue to look for ways to attract older users.
Although Instagram Stories was just released, it is expected that Instagram will quickly develop a way to generate revenue from it, which means it will probably take another page from Snapchat's book.
Snapchat's advertising is relativity new, but with 150 million daily users, businesses are taking notice. While Snapchat advertising has made a splash with big brands, the company recently lowered its advertising costs, which could signal a move towards more affordable advertising options.
One Snapchat advertising option that local businesses are already taking advantage of is Geofilters. Geofilters are photo overlays users can add to their Snapchat photos. Geofilters are location-specific, so it's only visible to Snapchatters taking a photo or video inside a specific geofence. However, with Geofilters costs starting below $10.00, the feature could be an inexpensive way to market your business. (Analytics are even available to see how many views and uses your Geofilters receive).
Because of the popularity of Snapchat Geofilters (over 800 million are viewed per day), it's likely that Instagram will soon offer a similar feature to users and advertisers (it copied everything else). Keep an eye out for that.
The question everyone is asking is, "Will Instagram Stories kill Snapchat?" And the reason for Instagram Stories is (at the very least) for Facebook and Instagram to compete with Snapchat by offering similar features. Still, the long-term effects remain to be seen.
While the idea of the new Stories feature is probably to keep users on Instagram longer (why go to Snapchat to create a story when you can do it all on Instagram now?) it doesn't seem to be hurting Snapchat too much. Some say Snapchat will need to improve its platform or suffer the consequences, but many people are only using Instagram Stories to ask followers to follow them on Snapchat as well.
Facebook and Instagram will surely continue to compete with Snapchat in order to gain back some of Instagram's declining user engagement. Facebook is currently testing a filter feature, dubbed "creative effects," which allows users to swipe left and right and add filters to images they upload to the app.
But, will Instagram Stories kill Snapchat? Probably not. Snapchat is hugely popular, and it would take more than one new Instagram feature to bring down the ephemeral messaging app. Think of Instagram Stories as another avenue to market your business online and drive consumer engagement.
While Snapchat will have to stay on its toes and continue updating its features now that it has some real competition, that doesn't mean Snapchat is dead (or even knocked out). It will simply have to work harder to keep users on the platform now that Instagram can do what it does and more.


text:
H Weston & Sons Ltd are manufacturers of traditionally produced Cider, Perry and Soft Drinks which are made, packed, warehoused and then distributed throughout the world. Co-products produced as a result of these products are sold as animal feed. Other drinks products are also contract-packed.
The management and all who work at H. Weston and Sons Ltd are committed to the protection of the environment and the prevention of pollution.
The company ensures that all its activities are carried out in conformance with the relevant environmental legislation and other requirements.
The company seeks to minimise waste including packaging, promote recycling, reduce energy and water consumption, reduce harmful emissions and where possible to work with suppliers who themselves have sound environmental policies.
An essential feature of the environmental management system is a commitment to continual improvement of the environmental management system to enhance environmental performance. This will be achieved by setting annual environmental improvement objectives and targets that will be regularly monitored and reviewed. The objectives and targets will be published throughout the company and all staff will be committed to their achievement.
In order to ensure the achievement of the above commitments, the company implements an environmental management system which satisfies the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001:2015.
This Policy and the obligations and responsibilities required by the environmental management system will be communicated to all employees.
Signed by Helen Thomas, Managing Director


text:
The Glenn Mitchel Show, 7/25/05, Hour 1: Treating Terrorists like Pirates & Trial of Saddam Hussein
Published July 25, 2005 at 3:59 PM CDT
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-477966.mp3
The Glenn Mitchel Show, 7/25/05, Hour 1: Treating Terrorists like Pirates & The Trial of Saddam Hussein
KERA 90.1's Glenn Mitchell Show
July 25, 2005, Hour One
Topic: Treating Terrorists like Pirates & The Trial of Saddam Hussein
Guests: Douglas Burgess & M. Cherif Bassiouni
Description: In "The Dread Pirate Bin Laden," the cover story in the current issue of Legal Affairs Magazine, Douglas Burgess, Jr. makes an innovative proposal for fighting terrorists. He argues that recognizing the legal connection between pirates and the modern-day followers of Osama Bin Laden could be one of the most important steps the international community takes to win the global war on terror. Burgess will join us for the first half of the hour. We'll spend the rest of the hour with M. Cherif Bassiouni, distinguished research professor of law and president of the International Human Rights Law Institute at DePaul University College of Law. Bassiouni has just published an open memo to the Prime Minister of Iraq as a web exclusive for Foreign Policy Magazine. He gives several suggestions for the successful handling of what will likely be the most important Iraqi legal case in history in his article "Prosecuting Saddam Hussein."
Visit the Glenn Mitchell Show page
Email The Glenn Mitchell Show about this show.


So now that everything has been confirmed, I'm VERY VERY VERY happy to post the final details for our Meet and Greet event! I have to apologize for the short notice, but we were trying to get a bigger space because the one we had at first was going to be too small.
If you ARE coming, do email tbcconnect@gmail.com so that we have a final head count before the event.
We're absolutely grateful to all our sponsors - you guys RAWK!!!!!
I can't wait to meet you (or see you again, if I've already met you before).
Interesting, wish you all the best!
These will be an amazing event. So happy for you ladies!
Awww, I love Cassie! I wish you all the best of support on this event! Wish I could make it!


The kingdom's response in the West has been publicly muted.
Here's what we know for sure: On October 2, Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork necessary to get married. He hasn't been seen since then.
Since that day, leaks from Turkish officials have painted a grim picture of what happened to the Saudi journalist and dissident: On Friday, The Washington Post reported that Turkish authorities possess audio and video recordings that show a Saudi security team interrogating, torturing, and ultimately killing Khashoggi inside the consulate.
The Khashoggi case has become a cause célèbre for human-rights and free-press advocates, as well as critics of Saudi Arabia. And it's putting the strong U.S.-Saudi relationship under intense scrutiny. Saudi Arabia's own response to the incident could provide clues to how the issue may ultimately be resolved—or not.
The Saudi media's coverage of Khashoggi's disappearance has ranged from casting aspersions about his motivations before the leaks about his fate became public to subsequently expressing concern about him, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), which tracks and translates regional media. Many of these reports say that Khashoggi, who until recently was a consummate Saudi insider, has ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and other anti-Saudi groups and countries.
Upon Khashoggi's disappearance, columnists for the Jeddah-based newspaper Okaz, which is broadly considered pro-government, called him a "traitor" and an "apostate" who collaborated with "enemies of the state" against Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is widely known as MbS, and the kingdom, MEMRI pointed out. But after it was reported that Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate, the tone in the Riyadh-based Al-Riyadh, which is also pro-government, was one of concern about his fate, MEMRI said. Still, according to MEMRI, a columnist dismissed the accusation that Saudi security personnel had killed the journalist. A columnist in Okaz, meanwhile, suggested that the accusations against the Saudis were conjured up by Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, MEMRI added.
What's been especially striking is the intensity of the criticism of Saudi Arabia in Washington, where the kingdom has many allies: Saudi Arabia has never been an exemplar of human rights; it routinely imprisons dissidents and journalists; and it is spearheading a war in Yemen that has had devastating consequences for civilians. The reason for the current blowback could be the nature of this particular incident.
Public criticism by a U.S. administration of an ally—or indeed an adversary—does not always work, especially if the country believes its actions are in its vital self-interest. But the absence of criticism sends the message that you can get away with virtually anything. "If the U.S. does not publicly fault or push back—whether regarding the detention of the Lebanese prime minister, or the way in which Saudi Arabia is prosecuting the Yemen war, or its handling of the crisis with Qatar—then it makes perfect sense for the Saudis to take the next step," Malley said.


text:
EVOLVE GLOBAL SUMMIT 2022
Evolve Events
Meta is opening its first store as VR headsets inch closer to mainstream reality
Published Sun, May 8 202210:01 AM EDT Updated Sun, May 8 20223:36 PM EDT
Trevor Laurence Jockims, special to CNBC.com
Meta Platforms is opening its first physical store to sell items like its Oculus Quest 2 headset this week.
The Facebook parent company is prepared to lose $10 billion on its hardware division, Reality Labs, this year, and reported a loss close to $3 billion in the most recent quarter.
But some experts say it may only take one or two killer apps for the metaverse to boost VR use from a mere 5% of teens to a big market.
Follow your favorite stocksCREATE FREE ACCOUNT
Katie Contreras and Chris Nguyen, experience experts, stand at the Customer Onboarding station for the Quest Demo space during a preview of the inaugural physical store of Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in Burlingame, California, May 4, 2022.
Brittany Hosea-Small | Reuters
A good number of teenagers have virtual reality headsets, but have they starting using them in a way similar to smartphones? So far, the answer is no.
One-quarter (26%) of teens say they own a virtual reality headset, a level of VR device ownership that is higher than many expected, but with just 5% of teens saying they use the technology on a regular basis, the level of engagement remains "uncompelling," according to the recently released Piper Sandler research report, "Taking Stock with Teens: Spring 2022."
Usage of VR headsets is low due to a number of factors, from costs yet to come down into the range of most consumers, to an insufficient range of applications. But the latter shouldn't present a problem to the eventual rise of a VR-enabled metaverse, since the metaverse may very well be the solution to that adoption problem. In terms of applications, there really isn't that much out there yet, certainly nothing that has captured major interest.
Gaming, already at $200 billion in annual revenue with an estimated three billion players globally, is a natural on ramp for Gen Z and subsequent generations who will have exclusively grown up in the digital world. It is a target of Meta's big tech rival Microsoft, which is spending close to $70 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard. A recent study of Gen Z gamers by Razorfish and Vice Media Group found that 20% of their entertainment/leisure budgets will be earmarked for in-game purchases over the next five years.
But to date, there are only a small number of VR games (just 3% of users on the popular gaming platform Steam have a VR headset).
Concerts and sports also have significant potential, but no real driver yet exists for either of these. Even education, where immersive class "field trips" to anywhere in the world are part of the collective imagining about VR's benefits, has yet to take off in significant ways.
The metaverse is certainly the biggest application space for VR on the horizon, so perhaps the "Field of Dreams" approach — if you build it, they will come — can work.
Certainly, Facebook parent Meta Platforms
is betting on it as part of efforts to diversity beyond the ad revenue from its Facebook family of apps, including the core app, Instagram and WhatsApp, which accounted for 97.5% of revenue in the most recent quarter, close to $28 billion.
"Everybody's talking about the metaverse," Nicola Mendolsohn, Meta's global business vice president, told CNBC from the sidelines of the Milken Institute Global conference last week.
But the revenue contribution for its Reality Labs division – the part of the company that's designing products for the metaverse — was $695 million. Reality Labs remains a money sink, if a big bet on the future for the company, posting a loss of $2.96 billion in the first quarter results, compared with a loss of $1.83 billion in the first quarter of 2021. Executives indicated the while expenses will come in a little lighter than previous expectations, this unit will continue to be an area of expense growth. The company has devoted over $10 billion to build the metaverse.
The cycle between investment and "meaningful enough revenue growth" to be profitable is going to be long, according to the company. "I think it's going to be longer for Reality Labs than for a lot of the traditional software that we've built," Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO, said on the recent earnings call.
"We are making large investments to deliver the next platform that I believe will be incredibly important, both for our mission and business comparable and value to the leading mobile platforms today. Now I recognize that it's expensive to build this. It's something that's never been built before."
Meta global business group VP says the metaverse is a continuum of modern technology
Closing Bell
Amid the heavy spending, some experts say it's possible that a major breakthrough occurs soon.
There has been significant innovation in VR already, says Sarah Ostadabbas, assistant professor of electrical & computer engineering at Northeastern University, so much so that she thinks widespread adoption may indeed be "just one or two killer applications away."
"With high latency and poor headtracking, previous VR was basically useless," she said, and added that Oculus has "already overcome these biggest limiting factors."
On Monday, Meta will open its first physical store and showroom for VR headset technology, where customers will be able to purchase the Quest 2 headset. It is also gearing up for a higher-end headset, currently referred to as Project Cambria and to be released later this year.
A case can be made that, given these tech advancements, the design side is where there is room for growth, a territory usually owned by Apple (long rumored to be developing a headset).
"It's been rumored for years that Apple will release industry-disrupting AR/VR hardware," said David Lasala, team lead, interactive development & XR technology at New York University.
But he says among active players right now, the clear front runner is the Meta (formerly Oculus) Quest 2. The second would probably be the Valve Index. Other headsets of note include the Lynx and Pico Neo. Also worth mentioning: Pimax, Varjo, HTC Vive, and there are still some Windows Mixed Reality activities.
But since Meta isn't primarily a hardware company, there is significant freedom in the niche to let the best VR developments be used.
"I think they want to build the platform (OS)," Ostadabbas said. "Google got scared when Meta and other social networks locked them out, so they jumped on cellphones to avoid being kept out of these major sources of information. Similarly, Meta has found out the hard way what smartphone providers can do to hurt their business model with one policy change."
Recent privacy restrictions on ad targeting from Apple and Google smartphone operating systems have cost Meta billions in ad revenue. The company's CFO estimated the Apple changes could cost it $10 billion in revenue this year.
What is the metaverse and why are billions of dollars being spent on it?
International Digital Originals
There are cautionary tales about owning the hardware, such as Google Glass, which has found only limited enterprise and industrial applications to date, and 3-D televisions.
Zuckerberg said on the last earnings call that "the best experience will be on virtual and eventually, augmented reality platforms, and especially on our platform like Quest," but he added that the company plans to make it easy for people to enter the metaverse from more platforms, and "even without needing a headset."
Whoever wins the hardware battle, if the tech works for consumers, there's still the question of what people are going to actually be doing in the metaverse, and, really, what's the point of all of it? Skeptics see hype and rebranding, and not much beyond that. A lot of the hype can be cut through by one word: presence.
"Aside from the immersivity, one of the most interesting differences between the metaverse and the internet is presence — your avatar," Ostadabbas said.
While sitting in a meeting in the shape of a purple octopus may seem silly (because it is) there is something to be said for the underlying concept. "The internet is a source of information and people explore massive amounts of information without ever leaving a mark. Until you comment, you are invisible. With the metaverse, your avatar means that consumption requires presence, and so even exploration is active and interactive," she said.
With presence comes Meta's other promise (pulled along from its Facebook days): community, a word that has seen a lot of its meaning devalued by social media, but there is promise here too within the metaverse in the shape of community without any constraints as to real world geography. Most community building throughout life is tied, for the most part, to a fairly thin range of possibilities (school on one side of thirty, work on the other). "In the best scenario, someone figures out how to recreate this community experience in the metaverse and people's lives are improved through a greater sense of belonging," Ostadabbas said.
Chris Nguyen, an experience expert, demonstrates the Quest Experience during a preview of the inaugural physical store of Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in Burlingame, California, May 4, 2022.
The centerpiece of Meta's approach is the social platform called Horizon Worlds, and it has said that after building out "the experience, the next focus will be on growing the community."
At its best, this will allow people to discover themselves more profoundly than ever before, according to Lasala — grow and heal, make art and learn. Grander claims can be made too, though they remain dubious. "I imagine if half the world's population was meeting and working in VR versus commuting, it could slow the climate crisis," he said. "But I have not done a deep dive into the carbon footprint of server farms and silicone productions compared to vehicles, so this might be wishful thinking."
The worst case is easier to figure. Meta is convinced that the business model of today is the bridge to the business model of tomorrow. "It's a new paradigm for computing and social connection," Zuckerberg told Wall Street analysts and investors on the recent earnings call. "So over the next several years, our goal from a financial perspective is to generate sufficient operating income growth from family of apps to fund the growth of investment in Reality Labs, while still growing our overall profitability."
But the metaverse could all very well be just "a cynical money grab used to monitor people at an even deeper level, with AR headsets allowing construction of deep social graphs and recording of interactions in a way previously not possible," Ostadabbas said.
The algorithms whirr along, creating increasingly controversial stratification of people to amp up clicks and ad revenue, and if this is a business model that sounds familiar, it should. It's the internet of Facebook and Alphabet, except this time around you're a purple octopus in an Oculus. In fact, as Horizon rolls out across all platforms, the business will include some shorter cycles "that might resemble a little bit more what we're used to with apps," Zuckerberg told Wall Street analysts.
The company received recent blowback from creators for plans to charge high fees for virtual asset transactions.
Mendelsohn stressed that the company's history is rooted in successful transitions.
"I've been at the company almost nine years. We've made some very strong pivots before," she said, alluding to the shift from PCs to mobile, and the shift to Instagram Stories.
The fully realized version of the metaverse is, she said, "some years off," but she added that it's a continuum of where the company is today, and clients like Wendy's that are already using video and ad products, and launched a world in Horizon Worlds with virtual restaurants last month.
"This is laying the groundwork for what I expect to be a very exciting 2030s," Zuckerberg said.
—By Trevor Laurence Jockims, special to CNBC.com
More In Evolve
Non-alcoholic beer to continue growing in 2023, Athletic Brewing Company CEO says
Ian Thomas
VIDEO01:04:41
Tesla's founders on Elon Musk and the early days
Dain Evans
How the advertising business is changing in the current economy