President Donald Trump's supporters have been quick to cheer his and Vice President JD Vance's castigation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. Finally, they say, America's leaders are standing up to the ungrateful Ukrainian President, putting US interests first and pursuing peace in a pragmatic way.
Viewed differently, what unfolded at the tail end of an otherwise cordial meeting was an unmitigated disaster. Not just for Ukraine, but potentially for Europe and America, too.
On Friday, the world watched in real time as Mr Trump and Mr Vance took turns scolding Mr Zelenskyy, once a broadly sympathetic figure in the US who has become the bête noire of the Make America Great Again (Maga) movement. It sees the Ukrainian leader as an upstart tyrant who has siphoned off American treasure to pay for a war he can't possibly win. They even blame Mr Zelenskyy for starting the conflict, a line straight out of Moscow, which launched the invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
The video of what transpired in the Oval Office during 10 jaw-dropping minutes will be studied for decades to come.
Mr Trump had just asked for “one more question” from the press when Mr Vance decided to insert himself into the meeting. He chastised Mr Zelenskyy for not “thanking the President” enough for US support and went on to accuse the Ukrainian leader of being disrespectful for sticking up for himself in a televised meeting – that Mr Trump had insisted on televising.
“It's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,” Mr Vance said. “You guys are going around and forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems, you should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”
From there, things went downhill fast.
Instead of taking a deep breath and putting on his best diplomatic face, Mr Zelenskyy suggested Mr Vance didn't know what he was talking about because he had never visited Ukraine. The Vice President shot back that such any trip would be a mere “propaganda tour”.
Mr Trump then waded in after Mr Zelenskyy, defending himself in a second language, clumsily said America shouldn't feel insulated from global affairs just because an ocean stands between it and Europe.
“Don't tell us what we're going to feel, because you're in no position to dictate what we're going to feel,” Mr Trump said. “You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War Three and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country.”
Some observers claimed Mr Vance and Mr Trump had only invited Mr Zelenskyy to the White House to ambush him. I doubt this was the case, as Mr Trump has opened up the Oval Office every time a world leader has visited, including French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who this week conducted a charm offensive on Mr Trump to nudge him into Ukraine's corner.
But any goodwill from all that diplomacy evaporated before our eyes on Friday. A rare earth minerals deal that would have allowed the US to recoup some of the money it has spent in Ukraine was left unsigned and Mr Trump reportedly ordered Mr Zelenskyy to leave the White House, saying he could come back “when he is ready for peace”.
Europe and Ukraine are only beginning to digest the seismic implications of what just happened. As of this writing, Mr Trump's position going forward is unclear and shocked European countries were coming to Mr Zelenskyy's defence. After three years of brutal conflict in Ukraine, Mr Trump's attempts to forge a peace deal with Russia appeared to be gaining ground, but now nothing is certain.
It is not unusual for global leaders to have major disagreements, but these are usually fleshed out behind closed doors. The spectacle of the sharply dressed Mr Trump and Mr Vance berating the diminutive Mr Zelenskyy, who was wearing black combat fatigues, will be remembered as a defining moment for our times.
Here were America's two most powerful men ganging up on a wartime leader whose country is being bombed daily by Russia. It will send chills down the spines of every US ally.
The spectacle was met with predictable delight by the Kremlin, with former president Dmitry Medvedev gloating over the admonishment of "insolent pig" Mr Zelenskyy.
At every moment since the Second World War, US presidents have resisted Russian or Soviet aggression. It was always a given, a defining characteristic of the postwar global order that America itself had forged and benefitted from.
Today we saw proof that era is over.
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
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BORDERLANDS
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Director: Eli Roth
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
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Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
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Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Explained
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The%20specs
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THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
The five pillars of Islam
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2.
3.
4.
5.
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
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EA Sports FC 25
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Tomorrow 2021
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
Transgender report
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- Alistair Burt: Despite Brexit, Britain can remain a world power
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The%20Killer
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
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
World Mental Health Day
Our commentary on Brexit
- Alistair Burt: Despite Brexit, Britain can remain a world power
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The%20specs%20
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Specs
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
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Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The national orchestra
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):
PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)
Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
Tomorrow 2021
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Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
