Live updates: Follow the latest news on Cop28
With fewer than three days left for a deal, the pressure at Cop28 is on.
The presidency is now working to reach an accord on key issues as the clock ticks down to the summit’s scheduled finish on Tuesday.
An agreement by the world's nearly 200 countries to end the use of fossil fuels – the primary driver of climate change – has emerged as the defining issue.
Is it possible that Cop28 could agree on historic language on the future of fossil fuels for the first time?
An agreed form of wording will need to be found, which might develop around the US-China Sunnylands text linking the phase-out with replacement with renewable energy
Antony Froggatt,
Chatham House
The latest stocktake draft text shows five options, with one stating “no text”. While this is an improvement on previous versions, the fact a no-text option remains underlines how much work lies ahead. All four other options state phase-out and not phase-down, which is deemed looser.
A few days might seem a short time to reach an agreement but this is aeons in negotiating terms and we can expect major changes to the text as countries and national interests come into play.
More than 100 countries have called for phasing-out fossil fuels. But states such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have resisted such language on fossil fuels and Opec is rallying its members and allies to veto any deal.
The role of the US and China will be crucial. China's climate envoy Xie Zhenhua on Saturday said a deal on fossil fuels was important but also called Cop28 the “most difficult” of his career. There are divisions across the parties on the issue and time is running out.
“The presidency has done step one by including fossil fuel phase-out language options in the negotiations,” said Lisa Fletcher, climate expert at the E3G think tank. “But its job is not done here," she said.
“Eyes are also on the US – its Sunnylands statement with China pre-Cop has instilled hope in a good outcome. It can support the presidency by putting its weight behind an ambitious energy outcome, including the phase-out of fossil fuels.”
Antony Froggatt, climate expert at Chatham House, said it appeared “highly unlikely” there would be no reference to fossil fuels in the decision text at Cop28, marking a contrast with Cop27 where the issue was not addressed at all.
“An agreed form of wording will need to be found, which might develop around the US-China Sunnylands text linking the phase-out with replacement with renewable energy,” he said.
There is also the question of finance. Developed countries will need to step up financial support from loss and damage to adaptation if progress on fossil fuels is to be made.
Low-lying nations demand action
Some blocs, such as the Alliance of Small Island States, have expressed concern at the slow pace of talks in areas such as climate adaptation, which means building sea walls and using drought-tolerant crops, while also calling for strong language on ending fossil fuels.
“It needs to be in the decision text at this Cop,” said Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands. “We have a fight ahead of us. We are ready for it.”
Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, has acknowledged “strong views about the idea of including language on fossil fuels and renewables in the negotiated text”. He also said during the summit that the phase-down and phase-out of fossil fuels is inevitable.
Also crucial in any final text will be the use of “unabated” – meaning the use of fossil fuels without the use of carbon-capture technology.
“There are encouraging signs of progress on an agreement to phase-out fossil fuels. However, there is fierce resistance from some countries,” said Sven Harmeling, Care Climate Justice Centre’s global policy lead.
"Key to unlocking the deadlock on fossil fuels is an improved financial package for developing countries. Without an ambitious outcome on adaptation and finance, it will be extremely tough to get an agreement over the line."
Dr Al Jaber will convene a majlis later on Sunday to assess the state of play and wants most of the work completed by Monday morning to ensure a timely conclusion.
“Now is the time to shift gears and get to consensus,” he said in a plenary on Saturday.
Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy at Climate Action Network International, said Cop28 must make a “clear decision” to phase out fossil fuels.
"The world awaits a strong, unified message that we are poised for a transition to a greener, more resilient world where we respect our planet's limits,” said Mr Singh.
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
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 Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
- Help out around the house.
- Entertain yourself so that your hosts don’t feel that they constantly need to.
- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
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The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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