Live updates: Follow the latest news on Cop28
Listening to the protester inside the ring of steel, also known as the Blue Zone at Cop28, there was no doubting her passion.
What she was saying was straight from the heart. She was part of a group allowed in, marshalled but permitted nevertheless.
Credit to the organisers for letting their dissenting voices be heard – there are plenty of similar gatherings in many locations around the world where such open hostility would not be permitted. Not a chance.
Her message was clear, that at this Cop there are 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists in attendance. To applause – from her fellow demonstrators, not from the watching delegates, most of whom seemed tolerant but bemused – she raged.
For me, this has never been and still is not a fight between these two worlds, because we live on the same planet
Mathios Rigas,
chief executive of Energean
She protested that she did not know how those 2,456 live with themselves, how they get up in the morning to greet the day, knowing that they are going to do their bit to help destroy the planet.
In return for what? For money. Was that really all that motivated them? They were taking the lucre now but leaving behind a damaged world for future generations. “How could they?”
Meanwhile, in the nearby closed rooms, the organisers, Cop28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and his team, were negotiating hard with country leaders on an agreement, apparently, to “phase out” or “phase down” use of oil, gas and coal.
In that sense, the ringing attack on the industry did not stack up. It would seem to be game over, a question of when, not if, of how, not never. That, of course, is rubbish.
The words from the Cop side may be bullish but that is what they are. It does not mean they are anywhere near securing a deal, not to “phase out”, not completely, not in a recognisably short time frame.
The presence of the 2,456 says as much. They are not at Cop to enjoy the many attractions of Dubai; rather they are at Cop to use their influence, to apply, what in the trade of influencing governments and public bodies is called “nuance”.
For that, read opposition, steering the talks how they would like them, ensuring the fossil fuels sector gets its views across and is heard, and when it comes, trying as much as possible to insert wording and phrasing in the final draft that aids their cause.
Nothing unique about that. It is what lobbyists do, to have a quiet word with a minister here, an adviser there, to impress upon them the consequences, intended and unintended of what is being proposed.
'One cannot work without the other'
What is odd and what has provoked anger, witness the woman protester, was that they were allowed inside the Cop tent, given hallowed passes to mix freely with the delegates. Not in the actual private sessions held by Dr Al Jaber and his colleagues but outside, roaming around, sitting at the coffee stands, in the communal areas, greeting and persuading.
Rather like permitting the protesters to speak, the view was taken on high that they should be welcomed. That points to what is really occurring here in this UAE Cop, the acknowledgement that the one cannot work without the other, that while fossil fuels are a major part of the problem, the solution is not to can them completely, all at once.
That is not how it is universally seen. A letter from Opec has made plain the oil-producing nations animus. Seemingly, it gives little room for manoeuvre. Again, in the coded language that permeates proceedings such as this, the missive is “not helpful”.
Actually, talk to some of those who are present from the fossil fuels producers and they are more amenable. They understand, and they are not closing their minds to what has to happen if the world is to stave off the terrible effects of a hotter climate.
Mathios Rigas, chief executive of Energean, the Mediterranean-focused oil and gas provider, said: “People in this Cop are starting to be more realistic and are starting to come to terms that this is not a fight between renewables and the fossil industry.”
His line, which is heard frequently around the Cop, is that the former can learn a lot from the latter, that fossil fuel producers have the technical expertise and, importantly, the cash, that renewables require.
“It is a collaboration that needs to happen … we need to triple the amount of renewables. We need to decarbonise.
“We need big investments [and] there's trillions of dollars that need to be invested and this is a very complex project that needs the oil and gas industry, to manage them, to fund them to provide the technical capabilities,” Mr Rigas said.
“For me, this has never been and still is not a fight between these two worlds, because we live on the same planet.”
It is not as straightforward as phasing out or phasing down – there are other initiatives that can be taken. Oil and gas companies could do more to cut flaring, responsible for methane emissions that are more harmful than normal carbon.
On being asked about meeting methane and carbon dioxide reduction targets, Farhat Bengdara, the chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) said: “Yeah, I'm quite optimistic. And I think it's a doable thing. If we are committed, it is a doable thing.”
The NOC is aiming for an 83 per cent reduction in gas flaring by 2030 as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
That view was echoed by Hatem Al Mosa, chief executive of Sharjah National Oil Corporation: “You can get a big bang for the buck if you can reduce methane emissions, and a lot of the methane emissions are just leaks. We just need to fix the leaks.”
Said Mr Mosa: “[In] some places they actually vent methane intentionally. That has to stop. Regulations have to make it a felony.”
Contrary to how it is sometimes portrayed, flaring was not a problem wholly confined to the Middle East, in part but not totally.
“We've actually had almost zero routine flaring since 1995/1996 and we've been fine tuning and finding leaks to reduce the flaring to the absolute minimum,” said Mr Mosa.
“But then you go to the north of the Gulf and flaring is regular, you go to the United States flaring is regular. That, again, should be completely stopped.”
Walk around Cop and there is a willingness to change. The sands really are shifting. It may not be reflected in some of the public posturing but it may, just may, be reflected behind those tightly guarded doors. Here’s hoping.
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Know your cyber adversaries
Cryptojacking: Compromises a device or network to mine cryptocurrencies without an organisation's knowledge.
Distributed denial-of-service: Floods systems, servers or networks with information, effectively blocking them.
Man-in-the-middle attack: Intercepts two-way communication to obtain information, spy on participants or alter the outcome.
Malware: Installs itself in a network when a user clicks on a compromised link or email attachment.
Phishing: Aims to secure personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
Ransomware: Encrypts user data, denying access and demands a payment to decrypt it.
Spyware: Collects information without the user's knowledge, which is then passed on to bad actors.
Trojans: Create a backdoor into systems, which becomes a point of entry for an attack.
Viruses: Infect applications in a system and replicate themselves as they go, just like their biological counterparts.
Worms: Send copies of themselves to other users or contacts. They don't attack the system, but they overload it.
Zero-day exploit: Exploits a vulnerability in software before a fix is found.
SNAPSHOT
While Huawei did launch the first smartphone with a 50MP image sensor in its P40 series in 2020, Oppo in 2014 introduced the Find 7, which was capable of taking 50MP images: this was done using a combination of a 13MP sensor and software that resulted in shots seemingly taken from a 50MP camera.
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The%20specs
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TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
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