On Our VirtuaL Route 66

 As The New Quarter Dawns, we present the following for our community as we look forward to the privilege to serve:

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it's fame and money, you're not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you're mistaken. As the director of a 75-year-old study on adult development, Waldinger has unprecedented access to data on true happiness and satisfaction. In this talk, he shares three important lessons learned from the study as well as some practical, old-as-the-hills wisdom on how to build a fulfilling, long life. Read transcript Watch now

A simple way to break a bad habit Read transcript Watch now

10 ways to have a better conversation Read transcript Watch now

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator Read transcript Watch now

Why AI is incredibly smart and shockingly stupid Read transcript Watch now

Can we build AI without losing control over it? Read transcript Watch now

Teach girls bravery, not perfection Read transcript Watch now

UAE leaders welcome astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport terminal. UAE Presidential Court

Returning from an extended work trip, I am already plotting my next travel adventure – so I can understand exactly why Sultan Al Neyadi now has his sights set on the Moon, or even Mars …

OK, my last journey – or my next – won’t be half as epic as the UAE astronaut’s six months on the International Space Station, but on the sentiment we are simpatico.

And while I came back with a cold (sob), Dr Al Neyadi came back to the UAE having contributed profoundly to science and to the country’s standing in the global space industry.

As President Sheikh Mohamed said: “The people of the UAE are united in pride for his remarkable achievement, which has further advanced our nation’s space exploration ambitions.”

Also returning to the UAE this week was a team of medical volunteers who provided help to earthquake survivors in Morocco. The team also gave urgent maternity care and treated people for diabetes and heart disease.

Please do read on for more … and if you want some travel inspiration you can find the latest edition of our new "travel unpacked" series in the highlights.

PS. I went to Germany, it was lovely and enlightening – you can read about it here.

Best wishes always,

Nicola Leech
Do you have beshara to share? Email me: NicolaLeech@TheNationalNews.com

Al Ain’s najmonaut

UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, the first Arab to perform a spacewalk, is welcomed back to his hometown of Al Ain. MBRSC

“When I was young, I used to see the Milky Way from Al Ain when there wasn't any light pollution,” Dr Sultan Al Neyadi said after a grand welcome reception in Abu Dhabi. “It was a special experience to see my dream turning into reality.”

So perhaps it was at this hero’s homecoming that the scale of his achievements really became clear.

Dr Al Neyadi was greeted by hundreds of people, welcomed by dignitaries and treated to a traditional Emirati dance. It was a fitting tribute to the man who put their town on the map of najmonauts – find out what that means here.

And speaking of Al Ain, read this wonderful story from one of our graduate trainees about a tree that has become an unlikely nature spot and something of a local legend in its own right.

QUOTED

‘Keep pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations of women in science. We have the power to make a difference’

– Sara Ishaq Alkhoori, a PhD research student at Khalifa University is exploring how biofuel production can be used to mitigate carbon emissions and protect the environment

Care amid aftershocks

A UAE-based team of medics deliver urgent care and training in Morocco after the deadly earthquake. Photo: Aster Volunteers

A team of medics is back in the UAE after volunteering in Morocco in the aftermath of the 6.8-magnitude earthquake.

The doctor and five nurses went on a six-day mission to the worst-hit parts of Marrakesh and surrounding areas, where they faced aftershocks.

While providing urgent health care, the team also trained local people.

“Volunteers now know how to diagnose and see if a patient or victim is alive or not, and how to activate the emergency response system,” Haitham Naeem, a Jordanian assistant chief nursing officer, told The National. Read more here.