Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will provide free bus services to transport visitors from Energy Metro Station to the Church Complexes in Jebel Ali during the Easter celebrations, from April 18 to 20, between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

According to a tweet on the authority’s official account on X, visitors can also easily reach the churches located in Oud Metha by taking a short walk from Oud Metha Station.

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This initiative aligns with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to foster coexistence, tolerance, and harmony within society. It also reflects the RTA’s commitment to engaging with Dubai’s diverse communities.

The RTA has also recently launched the pilot operation of a new electric bus on Route F13, a metro feeder service. The route starts from Al Quoz Bus Depot and passes through key destinations including Burj Khalifa, The Palace Downtown Hotel, and Dubai Fountain, before terminating at the Dubai Mall Metro Bus Stop (South).

The electric bus features cutting-edge technologies, including advanced high-definition camera and screen systems that replace traditional mirrors, and a transparent head-up display that projects essential driving information onto the front windscreen to enhance driver awareness. The vehicle also integrates a range of other state-of-the-art smart systems.

The RTA aims to operate smart, eco-friendly public transport supported by innovative technology, reinforcing its commitment to transforming all public transit into zero-emission mobility by 2050. This initiative ensures seamless and sustainable transportation across Dubai.

The bus is designed for Dubai’s unique environmental conditions and is equipped with modern specifications and smart technologies. These include a best-in-class air conditioning system and high-capacity batteries with 470 kWh of storage—the largest of any electric bus previously tested in the RTA’s fleet. When fully charged, the bus can travel up to 370 km. It is a 12-metre-long city bus with a total capacity of 76 passengers, including 41 seated and 35 standing.

In recent years, the narrative around women in leadership has seen significant shifts, often punctuated by a celebration of so-called “positive stereotypes”.

Women leaders are frequently lauded for their empathy, nurturing nature, and collaborative style — traits that are undeniably valuable in the modern workplace. Yet, while these attributes are intended to champion women, they may paradoxically serve to constrain them, reinforcing outdated perceptions that ultimately hinder their progress.

Are positive stereotypes truly an unqualified asset, or do they act as a double-edged sword for female leadership?

Positive stereotypes, by their nature, carry an undercurrent of limitation. While empathy and nurturing are valuable traits, they often come paired with an implicit expectation that women’s leadership styles will align exclusively with these qualities. This dynamic can subtly enforce traditional gender roles, positioning women as caretakers and consensus-builders rather than decisive visionaries or assertive strategists.

The same stereotype that celebrates a woman’s emotional intelligence can quickly flip to criticize her as overly emotional in moments of stress or conflict. This dichotomy can create a narrow and therefore precarious path for female leaders.

The challenges that women leaders can face

The first problem is that any characterisation creates a tightrope of expectations on which the leader must walk. We are all multi-dimensional people who house within us traits and behaviours that sometimes reflect empathy and other times reflect its opposite. We are sometimes decisive and other times uncertain.

Positive stereotypes are still stereotypes that constrain the range of acceptable behaviors for whomever is labeled with them.

The second problem is that stereotypes, even when positive, may inadvertently reinforce biases that undermine women’s credibility in roles traditionally associated with male leadership qualities — such as decisiveness, ambition, and resilience. For instance, a woman who exhibits assertiveness may be seen as violating the empathetic archetype and therefore faces backlash for being “too aggressive.” Conversely, a man displaying empathy may be celebrated as bringing a fresh perspective to leadership, highlighting the gendered double standard.

Read: 44 women leaders share advice to power your success

Addressing the issue

To address this issue, we must begin by redefining leadership qualities to transcend gendered expectations. Leadership is not — and should never be — a one-size-fits-all model. Traits such as empathy, decisiveness, adaptability, and resilience should be valued equally in all leaders, regardless of gender. This reframing allows leaders to bring their authentic selves to the table without fear of judgment or stereotype-based penalties.

Showcasing diverse role models is another critical step. Women in leadership are not a monolith, and their experiences, styles, and strengths are as varied as those of their male counterparts.

By highlighting a broad spectrum of female leaders, from empathetic nurturers to bold risk-takers, we can dismantle the narrow narratives that constrain both women and men. Moreover, the diversity of characteristics within each of these role models should be celebrated.

Again, no leaders display a uniform trait across all situations, but if we hold stereotypical views of leadership, we may inadvertently remember only those instances where a “good” leader has displayed a trait we associate with good leadership.

By allowing our leaders to express an array of traits and behaviours, we loosen our dependence on stereotypic expectations which both allows more diversity in our leadership and allows us to see our leaders in a less filtered light.

It is important for organisations to invest in fostering inclusive leadership pipelines. This means not only creating opportunities for women to ascend to leadership roles but also ensuring that those pathways are free from restrictive narratives.

Importantly, this approach aligns with research showing that managers are more likely to engage constructively with challenges related to gender and race when they view themselves as part of the solution rather than merely part of the problem. The issue is about addressing the systemic conditions that perpetuate gender stereotypes and hinder women’s progress.

By adopting an inquisitive, evidence-based approach to understanding workplace behaviour, organisations can tackle gender disparities while fostering a culture of continuous learning that empowers all employees to reach their full potential.

The path to truly equitable leadership requires a conscious effort to break free from the confines of stereotypes—positive or negative.

Both men and women deserve the freedom to lead authentically, drawing on their full spectrum of qualities without being pigeonholed by preconceived notions. By creating a leadership culture that values diversity of thought and style, we can pave the way for a more balanced and equitable future.

The challenge before us should be about celebrating the unique contributions of all leaders without confining them to restrictive narratives.

Positive stereotypes may shine a light on certain strengths, but true progress lies in dismantling the barriers they inadvertently uphold.

Only then can we achieve a leadership landscape that is as inclusive and dynamic as the world it seeks to serve.

The writer is the Raffini Professor of Management at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, Dubai Executive MBA Program.

Apple’s shipments of smartphones in China slumped 9 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier and it was the only major manufacturer to see a decline, according to data from research firm IDC.

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Apple, which ranks fifth in China’s smartphone market, saw shipments fall to 9.8 million phones, giving it a market share of 13.7 per cent, down from 17.4 per cent in the previous quarter.

It was Apple’s seventh straight quarter of decline.

By contrast, market leader Xiaomi 1810.HK saws its shipments surge 40 per cent to 13.3 million while industry-wide shipments grew 3.3 per cent.

IDC analyst Will Wong said Apple’s premium pricing structure has prevented the US company from capitalising on new government subsidies introduced in January which fuelled growth in the first quarter.

The government subsidies for smartphones and some other consumer electronics refund consumers 15 per cent of products with a sticker price under 6,000 yuan ($820).

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, a massive 17,000-square-metre multi-sensory experience by the globally renowned Tokyo-based art collective teamLab, is now open.

Located in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District, the purpose-built structure is more than just a venue — it’s a dynamic, breathing environment where art, science, and technology merge to ignite imagination and curiosity.

A collaboration between the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Miral, and the Japanese art collective teamLab, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi invites visitors into a realm where sight, sound, and touch are woven into an evolving ecosystem of massive, transformative artworks.

Redefining the relationship between art and environment

Unlike traditional art spaces, the installations at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi do not exist in isolation. They are manifestations of phenomena — emerging and sustained entirely by their environment. This revolutionary concept challenges the conventional notion of art as a static object.

“The artworks in teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi do not exist independently,” explains Toshiyuki Inoko, founder of teamLab. “The environment produces the phenomena, and the environment maintains the existence of the structure.”

Inoko describes a new form of existence — one that is intangible, dynamic, and deeply interwoven with its surroundings. “Perhaps, people’s consciousness will spread from existence itself to the environment,” he adds. “Life may be a miraculous phenomenon that emerges from a flow in an open and continuous world.”

Enter an immersive world

Guests will journey through extraordinary installations, where elements like air, water, and light are transformed into sensory phenomena, shaped by both the surrounding environment and visitors’ interactions — offering an ever-changing, living art experience.

Divided into two captivating zones — Wet and Dry — teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi invites guests to step into a world where art and audience merge. In the Dry area, interactive artworks come alive in response to visitors’ movements, creating a personalised, ever-changing experience.

Transitioning to the Wet area, guests follow a dedicated path into a sensory-rich environment, where fluid, tactile installations deepen the connection between art, nature, and the self.

Visitors will experience exhibits such as Massless Suns and Dark Suns, where radiant and shadowy spheres challenge perceptions — solid yet intangible, their presence entirely dependent on the visitor’s interaction. A gentle touch sends ripples of light across neighboring spheres, while purple-blue shadows take on a tangible form.

Nearby, Levitation Void introduces a floating phenomenon — an energy-infused void that defies gravity. Suspended in mid-air, this entity hovers freely, responding to touch and disturbance, only to slowly rise again and return to its ethereal state.

A vision for the future of cultural exchange

Speaking on the significance of the launch, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi , said: “Saadiyat Cultural District is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserving heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision… We believe in the diversity of artistic expression and teamLab is the perfect partner to provide immersive art experiences that push the boundaries of art and technology.”

He added: “teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will offer an immersive journey that sparks infinite curiosity and imagination… Through these multi-sensory explorations, we are inspiring new generations of innovators, thinkers, and creators from Abu Dhabi and beyond.”

A jewel in Saadiyat’s Cultural Crown

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is the latest addition to the ever-evolving Saadiyat Cultural District. With institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, and Berklee Abu Dhabi already established, the District is poised to become the world’s largest concentration of premier cultural and educational institutions.

Soon, this artistic ecosystem will be further enriched with the opening of Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — each promising to deepen the city’s cultural capital and global appeal.

Book your journey at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi

Tickets are now available at www.teamlababudhabi.com.

Speaking on Thursday at the IMF headquarters in Washington ahead of the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank next week, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva painted a stark picture of a world economy increasingly tested by trade tensions, financial volatility, and a breakdown in global trust. Yet, she remained firm in her belief that a more resilient and better-balanced world economy is still within reach — if governments act wisely, boldly, and collectively.

Global trading system under pressure

Georgieva began by noting that the resilience shown by countries in the face of past shocks is once again being challenged — this time by a fundamental reboot of the global trading system. Market volatility is rising sharply, and trade policy uncertainty has hit unprecedented highs. She pointed to tumbling global stock prices amid tensions, even as some valuations remain elevated.

This, she warned, is emblematic of the sudden and sweeping shifts that now define our world —shifts that require thoughtful and coordinated responses.

Erosion of trust and the return of self-reliance

Framing the backdrop of current instability, Georgieva described trade tensions as a long-simmering pot now boiling over, fuelled by a deep erosion of trust — both in the global economic system and among nations themselves.

While global integration has undeniably lifted billions out of poverty, she acknowledged that many communities felt left behind. Job losses, wage suppression, and supply chain disruptions have led many to blame the international system for economic inequities. This dissatisfaction has only been compounded by growing trade distortions, such as tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

Citing data, she highlighted a halt in the earlier decline of US effective tariff rates, along with a rise in subsidy measures across major jurisdictions. These actions have reinforced the perception of an uneven playing field and intensified trade imbalances.

The evolving notion of national security has further complicated trade flows. In a multipolar world, where goods like semiconductors and steel are now deemed strategic, self-reliance is gaining new currency — even at a higher economic cost.

Growth at risk, smaller economies in the crossfire

The fallout from escalating trade barriers is significant, Georgieva warned. The US effective tariff rate has soared to levels not seen in decades, triggering retaliatory measures from other nations.

While the US, China, and the EU — the world’s three largest importers — may be relatively insulated, their actions have outsized effects.

Smaller advanced economies and emerging markets, highly dependent on trade, are bearing the brunt. For low-income countries, the situation is compounded by shrinking aid flows as donors turn inward.

Georgieva outlined three critical observations:

1. Uncertainty is costly: Complex global supply chains become harder to navigate, leading to delayed investments, volatile markets, and precautionary saving.
2. Tariffs hurt growth: Acting like taxes, they dampen economic activity and raise prices, with costs borne by both businesses and consumers.
3. Long-term productivity suffers: Especially in smaller economies, shielding industries from competition discourages innovation and reduces efficiency.

She likened trade to water — when blocked, it finds alternative routes, but not without disruption and cost. The IMF’s upcoming World Economic Outlook will quantify these costs, showing growth markdowns (though stopping short of recession) and inflation upticks in some regions.

Recent bond and currency market fluctuations, including a depreciating dollar and unusual yield curve movements, were presented as early warning signs.

The path forward: Domestic reforms and global rebalancing

To navigate these challenges, Georgieva called on nations to act on three fronts:

Strengthen domestic resilience: With many countries burdened by elevated debt, she urged fiscal discipline, credible and agile monetary policy, and robust financial oversight — especially in the face of rising non-bank risks. Emerging markets, she advised, should maintain flexible exchange rates and consider temporary measures as guided by the IMF’s Integrated Policy Framework.

For low-income nations, she stressed the need for domestic resource mobilization and stronger international support. Countries facing unsustainable debt must consider proactive restructuring — helped by an upcoming IMF playbook designed to guide such decisions.

Boost long-term growth: Highlighting the US as a productivity leader, she pointed to reforms in banking, capital markets, IP rights, competition policy, and AI readiness as essential for lagging economies. Governments must remove barriers to private enterprise and innovation to avoid “self-inflicted injuries”.

Currently, 48 nations are working with the IMF on balance-of-payments support and market-oriented reforms.

Rebalance macroeconomic imbalances: Internal imbalances between saving and investment, along with external current account disparities, can spark instability. Georgieva emphasised the need for rebalancing policies — fiscal, monetary, and structural — that reduce vulnerabilities and mitigate trade frictions.

Addressing the three global economic powerhouses directly, she encouraged China to boost private consumption, reduce industrial overreach, strengthen social safety nets, and address the property sector to restore confidence and demand. She added that the US and other surplus countries to recognise their outsized role in fostering or diffusing global imbalances.

A shared responsibility, says IMF MD

Georgieva concluded with a powerful reminder: “All countries can pursue policies for better internal and external balance, supporting collective resilience and wellbeing.” The world is not yet in recession, but the warning signs are clear. The choices countries make today will define the shape of tomorrow’s global economy.