President Donald Trump talks of buying Greenland, taking over Panama and incorporating Canada into the US. His supporter, Elon Musk, wants to colonise Mars. But the US has just ceded the most important piece of territory to China – the future.
Mr Trump’s first few days back in the Oval Office have brought a literal snowstorm and a figurative blizzard of executive orders, many relating to energy and climate. He withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change, for the second time.
In an interesting document, he declared a “national energy emergency”, defining “energy” as including all fossil fuels, biofuels, geothermal and hydroelectric power, uranium and critical minerals, but not wind, solar, batteries or hydrogen.
The US has become a fossil fuel superpower. It is by far the world’s biggest producer of petroleum, outstripping Russia and Saudi Arabia, has become the largest exporter on a gross basis of oil, and in 2023 it took the lead in exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Even in coal, it is the fourth biggest global exporter.
Snowstorms apart, its natural gas prices are still near historic lows and domestic oil prices are moderate. It’s hard to see how energy production is “far too inadequate to meet our Nation’s needs”, as the emergency order declares.
But the order does identify “a precariously inadequate and intermittent energy supply, and an increasingly unreliable grid” as the core problem, a presumed reference to the increasing contribution of wind and solar, and to power cuts that have hit states such as Texas in recent years.
Middle ground
Now, it should be recognised that these policies are partly a response to US environmentalism that has concentrated far too much on stopping fossil fuel projects, and even carbon capture, nuclear power, electricity grid upgrades and some renewable developments, instead of promoting low-carbon energy in all its forms.
The hand of Mr Trump’s nominee for energy secretary, Chris Wright, is pretty clear in the emergency order. In contrast to some candidates for top jobs, Mr Wright is clearly a knowledgeable professional, whose experience, mostly in the oil sector, also covers solar, geothermal and nuclear power. But both his mandate and inclination lie in boosting legacy energy output, rather than focusing on efficiency or emissions.
The emergency order has paused about $300 billion of green infrastructure spending allocated by the signature Inflation Reduction Act.
This includes billions of dollars to install electric vehicle charging stations. Mr Trump will likely want Congress to remove tax credits for drivers who buy EVs. His promised tariffs, of anywhere from 10 to 60 per cent on Chinese goods, and 25 per cent on Mexico and Canada, would drive up the cost of EVs and reduce competition for US car makers. Mr Trump has also rescinded the goal from former president Joe Biden for half of all vehicles sold in America in 2030 to be electric.
What happens next was ably summed up by The Simpsons. “Then we’ll go too far, and get corrupt and shiftless, and the Japanese will eat us alive,” says one car-maker from the cartoon. This refers to the rush of cars from Japan into the US market in the 1980s, which were cheaper, more reliable and had better fuel-economy than the petrol-guzzlers that Motown turned out.
US president at the time Ronald Reagan leant on Japan to curb its car exports and artificially make its currency more expensive. It did not help Detroit long term, as Chrysler and GM needed the government to bail them out in 2008.
The fears of Japan’s economy overtaking the US economy were, of course, wildly overblown, as its subsequent two lost decades showed. China, which has more realistic prospects of overshadowing its American rival, is not about to make the same mistake.
The consequences of the US energy about-turn will not be immediately visible. The US economy and energy sector will probably get a short-term boost from increased confidence in the oil and gas sector, and relaxation of regulation and permits for new projects. Higher LNG exports will bring down international gas prices and assist Europe.
However, tariffs on imports will raise the cost to consumers of oil and gas from Canada and Mexico and probably exclude most Chinese clean energy technologies entirely. The US had already missed the bus on solar and wind power, but president Biden’s measures had given hope of retaining a foothold and developing a domestic battery and EV industry beyond Tesla.
Co-operation with Europe, Japan, the GCC and other allies could have built an interlinked and internationally competitive green sector.
Now this looks like fantasy. China too will eat its clean energy competitors alive, unless Europe and others also cower behind high protective walls of tariffs and subsidies. US companies will seek special favours from Washington, and deliver more expensive and lower-quality products, that will slow the adoption of wind, solar, batteries and other breakthrough technologies at home.
Something else might bail out the US. No doubt its oil and gas industry will continue to perform impressively in shale and deepwater.
Its still very innovative tech sector may come up with some breakthroughs, aided by AI and its growing push into space and rocketry. This could come in new battery chemistries, geothermal, self-driving vehicles, synthetic life, nuclear fusion or an unexpected area. But as China’s new energy behemoth evolves further, it’s increasingly probable that future advances will come not in Silicon Valley but in Shenzhen.
More probably, what is in prospect is an America that has dirtier, more expensive and not more reliable energy. It will have abdicated a meaningful role in international climate diplomacy, leaving others – notably the EU and China – to set the rules. Carbon pricing and border tariffs will wall off imports of carbon-intensive US goods.
Mr Trump demands the EU buys more US oil and gas, or faces tariffs. In the short term, this may happen, certainly for gas. But in the longer term, the obvious response to such bullying, and the pandemic of American sanctions against real and imaginary enemies, is to refocus trade ties.
That could lead to a Balkanised international trade system, like that which contributed to the political and economic disasters of the 1930s. Or, it could involve Brussels and London choosing the lesser of two evils, and co-operating more with Beijing. If China plays its cards subtly, it has a great opportunity to expand into the unexplored terrain of the future.
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
FIGHT CARD
Sara El Bakkali v Anisha Kadka (Lightweight, female)
Mohammed Adil Al Debi v Moaz Abdelgawad (Bantamweight)
Amir Boureslan v Mahmoud Zanouny (Welterweight)
Abrorbek Madaminbekov v Mohammed Al Katheeri (Featherweight)
Ibrahem Bilal v Emad Arafa (Super featherweight)
Ahmed Abdolaziz v Imad Essassi (Middleweight)
Milena Martinou v Ilham Bourakkadi (Bantamweight, female)
Noureddine El Agouti v Mohamed Mardi (Welterweight)
Nabil Ouach v Ymad Atrous (Middleweight)
Nouredin Samir v Zainalabid Dadachev (Lightweight)
Marlon Ribeiro v Mehdi Oubahammou (Welterweight)
Brad Stanton v Mohamed El Boukhari (Super welterweight
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Company%20profile
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES
Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)
Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Saturday
Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
Udinese v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Juventus (11.45pm)
Sunday
Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
Command%20Z
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