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Tom Fletcher

The optimist's guide to 2019

While it may not have the most auspicious of beginnings, the coming year will present many opportunities to change the world for the better

January 1, 2019

Graduates queue to have their photograph taken after a graduation ceremony at Oxford University in England. Paul Hackett/Reuters

The university of the future will be inclusive, innovative and creative

Old models of academia have been overtaken by our fast-moving, networked world. It's time for radical change

October 28, 2018

The UN is not perfect but it might be the only tool we have for global co-existence. Julie Jacobson / AP

Beyond the protocol and the preening, the tedium and tantrums, what happens in the UN matters to all of us

The organisation might not be perfect but no one has come up with a better idea for global co-existence or the challenges facing humanity

September 23, 2018

US President Donald Trump waves as he disembarks Air Force One after arriving in Singapore June 10, 2018. Jonathan Ernst / Reuters

Why Trump should have studied Churchill before Kim summit

The success or failure of talks in Singapore may depend on the unlikeliest of matters

June 10, 2018

Fake news is intended to make individuals question everything that is put before them. Sean Gallup / Getty

In a digital age, can mainstream media match Silicon Valley's lure?

Ahead of The National's Future Forum tomorrow, Tom Fletcher asks how media outlets will stay ahead of the curve, retraining for the roles that robots cannot do

May 7, 2018

Casper Klynge, Denmark's tech ambassador, at The National's offices in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National National

How Casper Klynge is reinventing diplomacy as the world's first tech ambassador

Denmark's representative in Silicon Valley has met with scepticism since taking up his post, but he is convinced others must follow his country's lead

May 3, 2018

Avicii sent out his last tweet two days before his death last Friday / Sean Eriksson

Rest in tweet: the digital epitaphs that will live on after we're gone

We cannot imagine our lives without social media but will it start to become part of our deaths too?

April 22, 2018

Russian President Vladimir Putin is one of the foremost practitioners of old power, while other nations are handing more power to the people. Itar Tass / Reuters

There are fewer wars when you take power away from men in big castles

The best ideas now spread sideways. We need to build solutions together – it turns out our survival depends on it

April 9, 2018

The UAE showed its commitment to bolstering morale by appointing Ohood Al Roumi as the UAE's Minister of State for Happiness and Well-being in 2016. Reem Mohammed / The National

The pursuit of happiness is backed by science – happy people are more productive

There are proven links between happiness and achievement in schools and workplaces, writes Tom Fletcher

February 11, 2018

Donald Trump is compelling on social media because you know it is really his thoughts / AFP

It used to be said that you are what you eat. For today's leaders and diplomats, you are what you tweet

In some ways, Twitter is simply a return to the lively political debate of the Roman forum

January 29, 2018

FASHION

Designer Rami Kadi: 'My DNA is fashion technology'

The driving gloves are becoming popular with Abu Dhabi drivers. Picture by Saeed Saeed

COMMENT

The story behind the gloves some Abu Dhabi taxi drivers wear

Plane enthusiasts watch an Airbus A380 during a flight demonstration at the Farnborough International Air show in Britain. Airbus will shut down production of the superjumbo due to weaker than expected demand. EPA

AVIATION

Why the end of the A380 superjumbo is no surprise

The employee says the two-year term stipulated on her offer letter is not mentioned in her employment contract. Photo: Getty Images

MONEY

'Can my company lock me into a two-year contract?'

A Maserati GranTurismo. Antonie Robertson / The National

MOTORING

Eight exotic cars you can buy for the price of a family saloon

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