The Sun is essentially an enormous nuclear fusion reactor. The Earth's internal heat – geothermal energy – is from a combination of residual heat from when it was formed and constantly decaying radioactive material. Our planet is habitable primarily because of the balance of nuclear-based energy from the Sun and the Earth.
But man-made nuclear power is where some of our greatest opportunities lie, at least in the near term.
Nuclear power is currently the source of about 10 per cent of the world’s electricity. There are about 440 nuclear plants and, rather unsurprisingly, growing. Nuclear power is reliable and efficient. It is considered a base load that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year, except when refuelling or maintenance is needed. It often works at more than 90 per cent of its capacity; very few energy sources get even near that. Its power can be used to produce hydrogen, ammonia and desalinated water.
Fifty-five new reactors are now being planned worldwide. Many more should be expected, given the energy and climate tensions developing in the world. About 30 countries are considering new nuclear programmes, or expanding their existing ones – including China, Egypt, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the UAE and the US.
Most of the new nuclear power plants will be in East Asia, South Asia and Russia. However, the Mena region has vast potential in some countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Because of Japan’s recent energy shocks, it is in the process of bringing back many of its nuclear power plants that were shut down after the Fukushima incident. Poland is in the process of developing a nuclear power system. Germany looks like it might shut down its plants, but whether the winter’s energy shocks change that remains to be seen. Sweden and Finland want to increase their nuclear power capacity, too.
The world will watch the Mena region when more nuclear power systems are developing
There has always been a concern that nuclear energy is not safe, but there is no perfectly safe energy. Neither is there such a thing as truly clean energy along the entire supply chain of an energy system. But in relative terms of health and safety, nuclear power is much better than most others.
Anyone who takes long-haul flights is exposed to radioactivity. Many houses have it in their basements. Oil and gas fields have radioactivity. Watches, cell phones, fire alarms and building materials have it. Many of the foods we eat have it. Radioactivity is everywhere. And it is mostly harmless.
There have been very few major accidents and not many deaths attached to those accidents compared to the millions who die each year from air pollution and other health issues emanating from traditional fuels, notably coal, and their end uses, like burning the fuels in cars, trucks, large ships, furnaces and heaters. About 8 million people died from fossil fuel pollution in 2018 – that is 18 per cent of global deaths. Walk around Ulaanbaatar, Beijing and New Delhi in the winter, and you will see it upfront and personal. Nuclear energy produces no particulates.
One of the ways to make sure that we globally decarbonise and fight climate change in the future is to use more nuclear power to generate electricity.
Of course, the Mena region must consider the risks associated with nuclear power and the fissile materials produced in nuclear power plants that could be used to make weapons. But countries like the UAE have led the way by signing special agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the US that restrict the UAE's development and use of fuel. Saudi Arabia will also be expected to ensure that the IAEA protocols and regulations are in place as they develop their programme.
Further, all Mena countries (except Israel) have ratified or acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. And while it is true that Iran has breached NPT regulations and IAEA monitoring and verification, it is worth pointing out countries in the region are all members of the IAEA and are subject to their monitoring and verification efforts.
The world will watch the Mena region when more nuclear power systems are developing. The restrictions and options available to other countries will apply to Mena states, many of whom experience unique and difficult challenges, making the region a good test case for the technology. Some states, for instance, might not pass safety and security tests for the beginning of such programmes. And if they do start a nuclear system, even a research system, without some global agreement, complications are possible.
Governments in the region could consider the option of deploying small modular nuclear reactors – or SMRs. These usually have a power capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit (standard reactors produce more than 1,000 MW of electricity), but they come with notable advantages. They can use less proliferative fuels and have passive systems for cooling and shutdowns. Some SMRs can be designed to burn the used fuel, which minimises any fissile material left over.
SMRs can be built underground, which might reduce the chances of sabotage and such. Their service and maintenance requirements are much lower than for larger reactors. Sensors and detectors can be self-contained. SMRs also require less water than traditional reactors. For countries wary about relying on loans from more powerful countries, SMRs can be built in modules that, over time, can add up to a more extensive nuclear power system.
With proper regulations, laws, supervisions and maintenance protocols in place, nuclear power – particularly from SMRs – has huge potential for the Mena region. In the long run, it can help the region improve its energy, environmental, health, water and food security systems when paired with renewable energy systems.
There are a number of options for the region’s energy mix in the future. Nuclear power could and should be a part of that.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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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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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
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Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
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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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jawan
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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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.
More on Turkey's Syria offence
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Genesis G80 2020 5.0-litre Royal Specs
Engine: 5-litre V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 505Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L/100km
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