The first time Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went to Washington for a state visit, he won America over with a speech in which he described Canada and the US as siblings. “We became the stay-at-home type,” he said, whereas America “grew up to be a little more rebellious”. It was a charming complement to the “bromance” editorialised by the North American media between Mr Trudeau and his equally charismatic host, US president Barack Obama.
Now, after four years of deeply uncomfortable moments with Donald Trump, Ottawa hoped to recapture some of the brotherly love with the new president, Joe Biden. Instead, it was reminded in earnest what Mr Trudeau had mentioned tongue in cheek, which is how different the two countries’ interests can sometimes be.
Mr Biden's first phone call to a foreign leader, two days after his inauguration, was to Mr Trudeau. The call was made awkward by the fact that, mere hours after he was sworn in, Mr Biden issued an executive order ripping up a 2019 agreement for an oil pipeline, called Keystone XL.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, with then US vice president Joe Biden in Ottawa in 2016. Times have changed over the past five years. Reuters
The pipeline would ship 830,000 barrels of oil a day from the Canadian province of Alberta to the US state of Nebraska, 2,000 kilometres away, where it could then continue to the port of Galveston in Texas.
For Alberta, which was built on supplying the US with oil, it's a heart-wrenching loss. Oil gave Alberta the highest level of wealth per capita in Canada for years. Since 2015, however, successive collapses in the oil price and, eventually, Covid-19 have brought the industry to its knees. Unemployment is at 11 per cent. And there is simply too much oil in storage to export, meaning that the price for getting it out through the limited pipelines available is too high. Keystone XL was supposed to be the answer to that problem, and a vote of confidence in the province's oil future. Last year, to signal its own support, the government of Alberta made a $1.1 billion investment in the pipeline and loaned the company building it another $4.7bn.
The whole Keystone XL episode reveals an unexpectedly pragmatic dimension to Mr Trudeau’s otherwise idealistic politics. The head of Alberta’s government, Jason Kenney, was mortally outraged by the Prime Minister’s response to Washington’s decision. Mr Kenney believed it was, simply put, to capitulate. Without any effort to push back, Mr Trudeau gave in and has declared the pipeline more or less dead.
That is a stark departure from his efforts with Mr Obama and Mr Trump over the past five years, when the publicly woke and green Mr Trudeau was often referred to as a “secret oil man”. During the Obama era, Mr Trudeau lobbied Washington hard for Keystone XL, but in vain. So he made trips to the US to speak to the oil industry directly, knowing that his personal connection with the president would spare him the administration’s ire. At an industry conference in Houston in 2017, just weeks after Mr Obama left office, Mr Trudeau famously justified Canada’s position by saying, “No country would find 173 billion barrels of oil in the ground and just leave them there.”
President Trump signs permit for TransCanada 's Keystone XL oil pipeline. Reuters
As difficult as Mr Trudeau's relationship with Donald Trump was, oil was at least something on which they could agree. So in 2019, Mr Trump signed the pipeline deal that Mr Obama wouldn't and Mr Trudeau's administration was relieved. As Ottawa's natural resources minister Seamus O'Regan put it, Keystone XL was becoming a matter of "national unity".
That remark was informed by the long history of animosity in Alberta towards Mr Trudeau’s Liberal Party and even the Prime Minister himself. In his last re-election campaign, his greatest electoral grief came from Alberta. Any hope that Mr Trudeau has ever had of gaining votes – and financial support – from the province has always relied on his support for Keystone XL.
So why has he given up so easily now? The reality is that Mr Trudeau supported the project not because it was hard, but because it was easy. When Mr Obama was president, Mr Trudeau could leverage their “bromance” to push as hard as he could without jeopardising their relationship, while expediently signalling to Albertan voters that he was fighting their corner. With Mr Trump, signing oil deals was right up the president’s street.
Gina McCarthy, White House national climate adviser, speaks while John Kerry, special presidential envoy for climate, listens during a news conference at the White House in Washington last week. Bloomberg
But with Mr Biden, Mr Trudeau has neither of those assets. Mr Biden is less suited, given the state of American politics and his status as a veteran, Cold War-era statesman, for Instagram moments with Mr Trudeau. He has also brought into his administration a team that is earnest in its ideological opposition to Keystone XL. His climate czar, Gina McCarthy, is a long-time public opponent to the pipeline, and gives an ear to the environmental activist movement that has mounted a vicious campaign against it for the past decade. She is also far more cognisant of the contradictions in Mr Trudeau's environmental policies.
Much of Mr Biden’s decision would have been motivated by her advice. She knows, and cares, that Alberta’s oil is not extracted like that of most other places. It is locked in the form of viscous bitumen buried within layers of sand underneath the province’s northern forests. Extracting it is much more expensive, labour-intensive, carbon-heavy and environmentally catastrophic than the oil industry standard. Areas of forest the size of small countries have to be cleared to get to it, and the land is often rendered too dangerous for animals to return afterwards.
Native Americans lead demonstrators as they march to the Federal Building in protest against President Donald Trump's executive order fast-tracking the Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines, in Los Angeles, California in 2017. AFP
The reality is that the US just doesn't need that much Canadian oil anymore
Making the case for the Biden administration to support a project associated with such dark consequences would be tough, even for the charming and persuasive Justin Trudeau. But Mr Trudeau also knows that that is not his only obstacle. Mr Biden has a pragmatic side, too.
The reality is that the US just doesn’t need that much Canadian oil anymore, and it will only need it less in the years to come. While Canada’s share in the US’s oil import basket has increased over the past decade, the overall size of that basket has shrunk considerably. The US is weaning itself off of oil.
And so Canada’s oil export ambitions will have to be tempered, at least as far as Keystone XL goes. It can neither afford nor win the fight with Mr Biden’s Washington, which is proving itself at once more progressive and equally pragmatic on this issue.
But Canada has other pipelines in the making, including one with a view to getting its oil to Asia, via Vancouver. That orientation may come to define Canada's energy relationship in the years ahead, even if it continues to put Ottawa's environmental targets in an awkward position. It will also no doubt make Washington uncomfortable. In the end, Mr Trudeau will hope to send a message to the new US President: that Canada won’t rebel, but it can no longer afford to be the stay-at-home type, either.
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.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600 Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine Transmission Six-speed gearbox Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson and Jackson Bird.
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.
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania. Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan. Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef. Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
Gorillaz
The Now Now
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
