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☆ Microsoft Makes High-Stakes Play in Tech Cold War With Emirati A.I. Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Paul Mozur | David E. Sanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Under the partnership, Microsoft will give G42 permission to sell Microsoft services that use powerful A.I. chips, which are used to train and fine-tune generative A.I. products shared with G42 and includes an agreement to strip Chinese gear out of G42’s operations, among other steps. “When it comes to emerging technology, you cannot be both in China’s camp and our camp,” said Gina Raimondo, the Commerce Secretary, who traveled twice to the U.A.E. The accord is highly unusual, Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, said in an interview, reflecting the U.S. government’s extraordinary concern about protecting the intellectual property behind A.I.

Persons: Biden, ”, Gina Raimondo, Brad Smith Organizations: Microsoft, United Arab, U.S ., Commerce Locations: United Arab Emirates, China, Washington, Beijing, Gulf

☆ The Orfali Bros Bistro is the best restaurant in the Middle East and North Africa — again
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

We love food, and we love people who love food,” says Orfali. Orfali Bros BistroA multicultural menuOrfali left Syria in 2006, relocating to Dubai a year later, and his brothers followed. “Different nationalities, different colors, different languages, different accents. Orfali Bros BistroA “flourishing” food sceneDubai’s restaurant scene has, until recently, been dominated by celebrity chefs and international franchises. “We build a relationship between us and the guests, and we make it family,” Orfali says.

Persons: CNN —, Mohamad Orfali, Treet Bel Laban ” —, ”, Orfali —, Mohamad, Omar, We’re, Orfali, “, Mohammad, barak, they’ve, Orfali Bros, Eclair, Samantha Wood, “ Mohamad, Wood, Chez Wam, ” Orfali, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Michelin, ”, Orfali, UAE, Dubai, “, Bros Locations: Aleppo, Syria, Dubai, East, North Africa, Orfali’s, UAE, Lebanese, Sichuan, , “ Dubai, Hokkaido, Turkish

☆ EU to Bolster Egypt Ties With Billions in Funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( March | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

The agreement is designed to enhance cooperation in areas including renewable energy, trade, and security while delivering grants, loans and other funding over the next three years to support Egypt's faltering economy. War in Israel and Gaza View All 222 ImagesInflation has been running close to record highs and many Egyptians say they struggle to get by. Of that, funding from the European Union is expected to total $5-6 billion, Finance Minister Mohamed Maait told Asharq Business. Egyptian officials say Egypt deserves recognition for hosting an estimated nine million foreign residents and largely shutting off irregular migration from its north coast since 2016. CROSSINGS VIA LIBYABut there has been a surge in Egyptians trying to cross to Europe via Libya, and the European Union is already providing funding aimed at reducing those flows.

Persons: Ursula von der, Mohamed Maait, Abdel Fattah al, Egypt's, Patrick Werr, Philip Blenkinsop, Renee Maltezou, Aidan Lewis, Nick Zieminski Organizations: IMF, Diplomats, Cypriot, European, Asharq Business, Rights Watch Locations: CAIRO, Egypt, Cairo, Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Qatar, United States, European Union, LIBYA, Europe, Libya, Crete, Gavdos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, U.S

☆ Vertical farming: This GigaFarm in Dubai’s desert could produce 3 million kilograms of food
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —In 2022, Dubai unveiled the world’s largest vertical farm. Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS)“Not just another vertical farm”GigaFarm’s vertical farming solution is supplied by IGS, a Scottish company founded in 2013. “This is not just another vertical farm, this is something completely different,” says Lloyd, adding that the recycling model could be applied to any urban area. And it’s not just the UAE that’s interested in vertical farming: Qatar is investing heavily in smart farming, and agritech companies are expanding into Saudi Arabia. However, it will take another decade before we see widespread adoption of vertical farming, and more research is required to increase the number of crops that can be grown, Sharma adds.

Persons: Dubai’s Al, it’s, Oliver Christof, “, Andrew Lloyd, you’ve, ”, Lloyd, AeroFarms, Lloyd —, It’s, ReFarm, Rohit Sharma, Sharma Organizations: CNN, Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, UAE, UN, IGS, University of Wollongong Locations: Dubai, Dubai’s, Dubai’s Al Maktoum, Tech, Scottish, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Ukraine, Russia, Carrefour, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, East, Africa

☆ How far does Gulf money go? An Abu Dhabi-backed newspaper buyout attempt is sparking panic in London
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Copies of The Daily Telegraph newspaper on a newsstand in a shop in London, UK, on March 12, 2024 (L), and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan speaking at COP28 on Dec. 1, 2023. More than 100 members of Parliament have signed a letter opposing the buyout of major British newspaper the Telegraph and news magazine, The Spectator, by UAE government-backed investment fund RedBird IMI. Long a favorite of Britain's Conservative Party, ownership of the 168-year old daily is not just about profit, but about power. The deal would ultimately see the Telegraph, which is valued at a reported £600 million, come under full Emirati ownership. Lawmakers have been scrambling to introduce a new law that would enable Parliament to veto buyouts of news outlets by foreign governments.

Persons: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Nahyan, Britain's, Long, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Barclay, Lucy Frazer Organizations: Daily Telegraph, UAE, COP28, United Arab Emirates, United Emirates, British, Telegraph, The, IMI, Britain's Conservative Party, Lloyds Bank, State for Culture, Media, Sport Locations: London, DUBAI, United Arab, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

☆ U.K. Moves to Bar Foreign State Ownership of Newspapers, a Blow to Telegraph Bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | Mark Landler | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An audacious effort by the American media executive Jeff Zucker and his Emirati backers to acquire London’s Daily Telegraph appeared to be on life support on Wednesday after the British government advanced legislation that would bar foreign state ownership of newspapers and newsmagazines. The move by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would torpedo Mr. Zucker’s bid in its current form, which relies heavily on financing from investment partners in the United Arab Emirates. The use of Emirati funds caused an uproar in Westminster over foreign influence in the British media, given the outsize importance of The Telegraph and its sister publication, The Spectator, to Mr. Sunak’s Conservative Party. Mr. Zucker’s media venture company, RedBird IMI, can now try to salvage its bid for the publications by finding new investors and diluting the Emiratis’ majority stake to a level allowed under the government’s proposed rules. His representatives had no immediate comment on Wednesday.

Persons: Jeff Zucker, Rishi Sunak, Zucker’s, Zucker, Rupert Murdoch Organizations: London’s Daily Telegraph, United, United Arab Emirates, Telegraph, Spectator, Sunak’s Conservative Party, RedBird IMI, CNN Locations: United Arab, Westminster, Britain

☆ Al-Hilal: Saudi Arabia club sets record for most consecutive wins in men’s soccer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal set the world record for the most consecutive victories in men’s soccer on Tuesday, defeating Al-Ittihad 2-0 in the AFC Champions League. Before that, Dutch giant Ajax had held the record for 44 years after a 26-game winning streak between 1971 and 1972. “Everyone at Al Hilal is delighted to achieve world football history by winning 28 consecutive matches,” said manager Jorge Jesus. “It is up to everyone at Al-Hilal to ensure that we close out the season as Roshn Saudi League champions and meet our targets in the cup competitions. According to Guinness World Records, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin has the most consecutive wins in soccer – men’s or women’s – with 41 across all competitions between 2012 and 2013.

Persons: Hilal, Al Hilal, ”, Jorge Jesus, Romarinho, Yasser Al, Shahrani, Hilal's, Yasser Bakhsh, Abderrazak, Ali Al, Malcom, Jesus, ” Al, Al Ain, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al, Nassr, Neymar Organizations: CNN, Saudi, Al, AFC Champions League, Welsh, New Saints, Ajax, ”, “, Saudi League, Champions League, Saudi Pro League, Guinness World Records, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin Locations: Saudi Arabian, Ittihad, Al, Hilal, Jeddah

☆ BP and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company suspend major purchase in Israeli gas firm
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Plans for a 50% stake purchase by energy major BP and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) in Israeli gas producer NewMed are on hold because of regional turbulence, NewMed said Wednesday. The three companies "have agreed, due to the uncertainty created by the external environment, to suspend discussions in relation to the proposed transaction," a NewMed statement said. The statement also said that BP and Adnoc "reiterated [their] interest in the proposed transaction," indicating that the deal was not permanently off the table. At the time, BP and Adnoc said that the deal would result in a joint venture from the two companies to focus on "gas development in international areas of mutual interest including the East Mediterranean." The two companies last month announced a separate gas joint venture in Egypt.

Persons: NewMed, Adnoc Organizations: Abu, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Tel, BP, CNBC Locations: Nasholim, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Tel Aviv, Egypt

☆ Al-Nassr knocked out of the AFC Champions League by Al Ain after Cristiano Ronaldo’s costly miss
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr crashed out of the AFC Champions League after a thrilling tie against Al Ain ended 4-4 on aggregate before the Emirati side triumphed on penalties. Monday’s end-to-end game could have gone either way, though Ronaldo will likely regret his staggering miss in the second half which could have seen Al-Nassr progress to the semifinals. Together, always!”After Al Ain won the first leg 1-0, the visiting team got off to a superb start in Riyadh thanks to two first-half goals from Soufiane Rahimi, whose neat finish had been the difference between the teams last week. Al Ain players celebrate their dramatic victory. Al Ain, chasing its first AFC Champions League title in 21 years, will next face another Saudi Arabian team – either Al-Hilal or Al-Ittihad – in the semifinals.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al, Nassr, Al Ain, Ronaldo, “, Soufiane Rahimi, Khalid, Sadio Mané, Abdulrahman, Fayez, Alex Telles ’, Ayman Yahya, Sultan Al, Shamsi, Raghed Al, Yasser Bakhsh, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, AFC Champions League, Al, Getty, AFC, League, Saudi Arabian Locations: Riyadh, Portuguese, Al Ain, Saudi, Al, Hilal, Ittihad

☆ As Israel’s Ties to Arab Countries Fray, a Strained Lifeline Remains
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Only a few years ago, plenty of citizens of the United Arab Emirates were willing to speak warmly about their country’s budding ties with Israel. Two women, Emirati and Israeli, posed for a photograph holding hands atop a skyscraper in Dubai. American, Emirati and Israeli officials predicted that their deal, called the Abraham Accords, would spread peace across the Middle East. But now, as Israel’s monthslong bombardment of Gaza fuels anger around the region, Emirati fans of the deal are increasingly hard to find. Some Emiratis, although frustrated with the accords, said they were afraid to speak publicly, citing their authoritarian government’s history of arresting critics.

Persons: Israel, “, ” Organizations: United Arab, Emirates, Abraham Accords Locations: United Arab Emirates, Israel, U.S, Dubai ., Gaza

She passed away.”As Israel’s severe restrictions on aid entering the Gaza Strip drain essential supplies, displaced Palestinians told CNN they are struggling to feed their children. CNNFood shortages are reportedly the worst in northern Gaza, where Israel concentrated its military offensive in the early days of the war. Dr. Muhammad Salha, acting director of Al-Awda Hospital, in northern Gaza, told CNN medical workers are treating cases of dehydration, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis among women and children. The US military said it had, alongside the Royal Jordanian Air Force, parachuted more than 36,800 meals into northern Gaza that day. He told CNN that he injured his foot while trying to buy flour along Al-Rashid Street.

Persons: CNN — Anwar Abdul Nabi, Kamal Adwan, tenderly, Mila, Nabi, Ashraf Al, Hussam Abu Safiya, Israel, “, ”, Ikhlas Shehadeh, ” Anwar Abdul Nabi, Richard Peeperkorn, Dr, Muhammad Salha, ’ wombs, Mohammed Salem, Ahmad Salem, Kosay Al Nemer, Melanie Ward, Riyad Mansour, Faraj Abu Naji, Rashid Organizations: CNN, Kamal, Health, Hamas, Ministry of Health, Integrated Food Security, UNICEF State, United Nations Population Fund, World Health Organization, WHO, Al, Awda, Reuters, Humanitarian Affairs, Kamal Adwan Hospital, United Arab, Emirati Ministry of Defense, Royal Jordanian Air Force, Medical Aid, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Rafah, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Gaza City, ”, Kuwait, Rasheed, Palestinian, Al

☆ An Israeli strike near a hospital in Rafah killed at least 11 people, Gaza health officials say.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Anushka Patil | More About Anushka Patil | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

An Israeli strike outside a hospital in Rafah, in southern Gaza, on Saturday killed at least 11 people and injured dozens of other displaced Palestinians, including children, who were sheltering in tents nearby, the Gaza Health Ministry said. At least two health care workers, including a paramedic, were among those killed after the strike near the gate of the Emirati maternity hospital, the health ministry said. The victims of the strike were sheltering near the Emirati maternity hospital, one of the last hospitals still functioning in Gaza. The Emirati hospital is essentially “the last hope for pregnant women in the whole of Gaza,” Mr. Allen said. A strike so close to the hospital poses a “terrifying” risk to pregnant women, newborns and the overloaded health care workers trying to care for them, he added.

Persons: Abdul Fattah Abu Marai, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Dominic Allen, Mr, Allen Organizations: Gaza Health Ministry, “ Islamic, World Health Organization, United Nations Population Fund Locations: Israeli, Rafah, Gaza, Kuwaiti, stretchers, Gaza’s, State, Palestine

☆ The eyes have it: The intriguing history of kohl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Zahra Hankir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

A Palestinian woman Hadeya Qudaih applying traditional kohl eyeliner to her granddaughter in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip in March 2020. Hadeya Qudaih makes and sells traditional kohl eyeliner for medical and cosmetic purposes (photograph taken in February 2020). A Bedouin man wearing traditional kohl, photographed in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. Kohl is so commonly worn in the area that girls are sometimes named or nicknamed Kahla by their parents or friends, roughly meaning “the girl who appears to have kohl around her eyes.” Kohl is also a feature of many millennia-old myths, rituals, and legends. “Even if she doesn’t (make kohl) anymore, I will for sure continue to do this myself,” Abu Issa said.

Persons: CNN — Kohl, kohl, Hadeya, kohl eyeliner, Khan Younis, Majdi, Tamam Farhan Abu Issa, Deir al Balah, “, Abu Issa, ”, ” Abu Issa, Issa, Qudaih, Hassan Jedi, Prophet Muhammad —, Alessandro Bigazzi, Jack Sparrow, eyeliner, Kohl, ” Kohl, Zarqa, TikTok, “ Blinkaria Kohl, tightlining, Eyeliner, Fatima Shbair, “ Kohl, I’ve Organizations: CNN, Crusaders, UNESCO, United, kohl, Quds Net News, ZUMA Press, UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments Locations: East, North Africa, Egypt, Europe, Lebanon, Gaza, Gaza’s, Deir, United Nations, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestinian, Petra, Raed, Kohl, Eastern, “

This black market for foreign currencies is among the signs of the economic woes plaguing Algeria. In the oil-rich North African nation, business owners are rumored to be dumping their assets and scrounging up euros on the black market so their wealth isn't stuck. The government estimates roughly $7 billion worth of foreign currency trades hands on the country's black market. Traders are intimately aware that the gap between the official and black market exchange rate can narrow or widen by the day. The growing chasm between the official and black market rates meant fewer euros are getting into the country, he said.

Persons: isn't, Belamane, Nourdine Sadaoui, Hicham Safar, “, ”, Abdelmajid Tebboune, Karim Allam Organizations: Associated Press, Traders, “, Bank of Locations: ALGIERS, Algeria, Algiers, Mecca, Europe's, Lebanon, Nigeria, Bank of Algeria, Ukraine, Europe, Russian

☆ UAE Sends First Ambassador to Syria Since Conflict
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Incoming Emirati envoy Hassan al-Shehi presented his credentials to Syria's foreign affair minister Faysal al-Meqdad at the foreign ministry on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and, to a lesser extent, the UAE then backed rebels against Assad - but Abu Dhabi has rebuilt ties with Damascus in recent years. Assad visited the UAE in 2022 - his first trip to an Arab state since the civil war erupted - and again in 2023 after a devastating earthquake killed thousands in Syria. The tragedy cleared the way for a thaw in Arab ties with Assad and months later the Arab League reversed its more than decade-long suspension of Syria's membership. Hundreds of thousands of people have died in the Syria conflict, which spiralled out of an uprising against Assad, drew in numerous foreign powers and splintered the country.

Persons: Hassan al, Shehi, Faysal, Bashar al, Assad, Abu Dhabi, Firas Makdesi, Maya Gebeily, Ed Osmond Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Incoming, Arab League, Regional Locations: DAMASCUS, Damascus, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Iran, Al, Riyadh

☆ Palestinians share their lives in war-torn Gaza via TikTok, X, and Instagram
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Palestinians on social media are a window into the warLike millions of others around the world, Noor is witnessing the war in Gaza through the eyes of Palestinians who are sharing their daily realities on social media. Eyewitness accounts on social media are critical in understanding global conflicts, including past flare-ups between Israelis and Palestinians. Before October 2023, Azaiza had about 25,000 Instagram followers, according to the social media analytics firm Social Blade. Now watching from afar in Melbourne, she’s the one refreshing her social media feeds and anxiously texting relatives, friends and colleagues to make sure they’re safe. Mark Kerrison/In Pictures/Getty ImagesEven as people flock to learn from and support these Palestinians on social media, Noor says the exchange is overshadowed by feelings of powerlessness.

Persons: Motaz Azaiza, Azaiza, “, ” Noor, she’s, Noor, He’s, ”, It’s, ‘, ’, Leyla Hamed, Kanwal Ahmed, They’ve, Bisan Owda, hasn’t, Ahmed, Young, Hind Khoudary haven’t, “ Everyone’s, ” Ahmed, Zaina Arafat, Mark Kerrison, Marwa Fatafta, Clarissa Ward, Mohammed el, Sheikh Jarrah, Owda, Hind Khoudary, Plestia Alaqad, ” Alaqad, Alaqad, “ It’s, Sheikh Zayed Al, Hind, Syed Faizan Raza, Wael Al, Hamza Al, Mustafa Thuraya, Ahmad Hasaballah, Ismail al Dahdouh, ” Owda, Fatafta, ” Fatafta, She’s Organizations: CNN, Images Israel, European, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Reuters, Agence France, Presse, Israel Defense Forces, Getty, Gaza’s, Committee, Protect Journalists, Reporters, Palestinian, Israel, Quinnipiac University Locations: Gazan, Deir, Gaza, Israel, California, Noor isn’t, Iraq, London, Toronto, Palestinian American, Brooklyn, Instagram, European Union, Ramallah, East, North Africa, Egypt, Palestinian, East Jerusalem, Palestine, Australia, Melbourne, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, Al, Gaza City, Anadolu, Gaza’s Old City, Islamabad, “, Jazeera, Rafah

Climate concerns boil overTensions are rising on Monday over contentious comments by Sultan Ahmed al Jaber, the oil executive and Emirati politician presiding over the COP28 climate summit. His skepticism about the world’s ability to halt a rise in global temperatures by reducing the use of hydrocarbons is casting fresh doubts over the U.A.E.’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis. “There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phaseout of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5 C,” he said at an event before the summit. The controversy revived concerns about his role as leader of COP28, given that he is also the chairman of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Al Jaber has long contended that fossil fuel companies should play a prominent role in the world’s energy transition to bring down global temperatures.

Persons: Sultan Ahmed al Jaber, Al Jaber, ”, COP28 Organizations: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Locations: Abu Dhabi

☆ Climate Summit Leader Tries to Calm Uproar Over a Remark on Fossil Fuels
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Lisa Friedman | More About Lisa Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Simmering tensions around the decision to hold a global climate summit in a petrostate burst into the open on Monday when Sultan Al Jaber, the Emirati oil executive who is leading the conference, launched into an angry public defense of his position on ending fossil fuel use. Mr. Al Jaber, who runs the state-owned oil company, Adnoc, was under fire for a video that surfaced in which he said there is “no science” behind the idea that fossil fuels must be phased out in order to keep average global temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels. That’s the threshold beyond which scientists say humans would struggle to adapt to increasingly severe storms, drought, heat and rising sea levels caused by global warming. Climate experts convened by the United Nations have said that nations must cut the emissions from fossil fuels by 43 percent by the end of this decade, compared to 2019 levels, if the world has any hope of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Persons: Sultan Al Jaber, Al Jaber Organizations: United Nations

☆ A harrowing video shows decomposing babies in a Gaza hospital after they had to be abandoned amid Israeli attacks, say reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A video shows abandoned dead babies inside a Gaza hospital's pediatric ICU unit. Al-Nasr Children's Hospital was evacuated several weeks ago amid Israeli attacks. AdvertisementA harrowing video shows abandoned dead babies inside a Gaza hospital's pediatric ICU unit weeks after it was evacuated due to Israeli attacks. In the video, journalist Mohammed Baalousha, with the Emirati TV channel Al-Mashhad, gained access to Al-Nasr Children's Hospital in Gaza City. AdvertisementThe video was filmed about two weeks after the hospital was evacuated amid the ground invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces.

Persons: Nasr Children's, —, Mohammed Baalousha, Nasr, Baalousha, Dr, Mustafa Al, Kahlot, Al Organizations: Service, Nasr Children's, NBC News, NBC, Nasr Children's Hospital Locations: Gaza, Mashhad, Gaza City, Al, Nasr, Israel

☆ Climate summit leader said there’s ‘no science’ behind need to phase out fossil fuels, alarming scientists
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The president of the COP28 climate summit, Sultan Al Jaber, recently claimed there is “no science” that says phasing out fossil fuels is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in comments that have alarmed climate scientists and advocates. The future role of fossil fuels is one of the most controversial issues countries are grappling with at the COP28 climate summit. Al Jaber was asked by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and current chair of the Elders Group, an independent group of global leaders, if he would lead on phasing out fossil fuels. While some argue carbon capture will be an important tool for reducing planet-heating pollution, others argue these technologies are expensive, unproven at scale and a distraction from policies to cut fossil fuel use. “They are not going to get any help from the COP Presidency in delivering a strong outcome on a fossil fuel phase out,” he said in a statement.

Persons: Sultan Al Jaber, Al Jaber, Mary Robinson, Robinson, ”, Al Jaber’s, what’s, Romain Ioualalen, Al, ” Joeri, Mohamed Adow, Angela Dewan, Rachel Ramirez Organizations: CNN, ”, Guardian, Elders Group, Abu, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, UN, International Energy Agency, IEA, Stockholm Environment Institute, Change, Imperial College London Locations: Paris, “, Abu Dhabi, Stockholm, UN, UAE

☆ Opinion: A perfectly reasonable, highly unrealistic path to peace
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Is there any way to bring an end to this war and open a path to lasting peace? There is a perfectly reasonable, though extremely difficult and perhaps unrealistic solution. It might have expected Arab countries having diplomatic relations with Israel to sever them. And yet, this could be a moment for Arab leaders to step in with an act of heroism. Allowing Hamas leaders to survive in exile, bringing the PA and perhaps the UAE to Gaza is hardly risk-free.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, it’s, don’t, Israel’s, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Ahmad Gharabli, Iran —, Joe Biden’s, Abraham, ”, Israel — Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, Hamas, West Bank, Peacemakers, Abraham Accords, Trump, The New York Times, Israeli, Getty, US Navy, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Saudi, Palestinian Authority Locations: Israel, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Palestinian, Tel Aviv, AFP, Druze, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Tehran, Kippur, Egypt, Oslo

☆ U.K. Opens Inquiry Into Jeff Zucker’s Emirati-Backed Bid for The Telegraph
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Michael M. Grynbaum | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Jeff Zucker’s re-entry into the global news business has hit a snag. The announcement capped a week of growing outcry in Westminster over Mr. Zucker’s use of roughly $1 billion in Emirati money to acquire the news organizations, which are hugely influential in British conservative politics. Tories lined up to denounce the proposed deal, warning that the Emiratis’ involvement could lead to undue foreign influence over The Telegraph’s coverage. The review, announced by Britain’s culture secretary, does not necessarily end Mr. Zucker’s chance of success. Since then, Conservative Party eminences have lined up to denounce his bid — often in essays published by newspapers controlled by Mr. Zucker’s rivals — and Tory members of Parliament urged regulators to consider the constraints on press freedoms in the Middle East.

Persons: Jeff Zucker’s, Zucker, Zucker’s, Rupert Murdoch, Lord Rothermere, Murdoch, — Organizations: CNN, The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator, Tories, The Daily, The, Conservative Party Locations: Westminster

☆ Emirati Fund to Invest Billions in U.S. Firms for Climate Projects
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( David Gelles | More About David Gelles | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

An Emirati financial firm is planning to invest at least $30 billion in a new climate fund in partnership with some of the biggest names in North American finance, according to three people familiar with the plans. The move comes as the United Arab Emirates, this year’s host of the annual United Nations climate talks that opened in Dubai on Thursday, is under pressure to prove it is committed to tackling global warming despite the fact that its economy is based on oil production. Lunate Capital, a new financial firm overseen by the Abu Dhabi royal family, launched just months ago with at least $50 billion in assets. On Friday, Lunate is expected to announce it will set up the new climate fund with a handful of prominent asset managers including TPG, BlackRock and Brookfield Asset Management, the three people said.

Persons: Abu, Lunate Organizations: United Arab, United Nations, Lunate, TPG, Brookfield Asset Management Locations: American, United Arab Emirates, United, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, BlackRock

BRUSSELS/DUBAI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Countries at the U.N.'s COP28 climate summit opening on Thursday hope to clinch an early deal on a new fund to pay for climate-caused damage, aiming to muster some political goodwill before talks turn to divisive topics including the future of fossil fuels. With finance also high on the meeting agenda, the United Arab Emirates' COP28 presidency published a proposal on the eve of the summit, for countries to adopt a new U.N. climate damage fund - raising hopes among some delegates that this could be among the first deals struck in Dubai. "Opening these negotiations is like opening Pandora's box. Adnan Amin, CEO of the COP28 summit, told Reuters this month the aim was to secure several hundred million U.S. dollars for the climate damage fund during the event. A breakthrough on the climate damage fund - which poorer nations have demanded for years - could help grease the wheels for other compromises.

Persons: Wopke Hoekstra, Adnan Amin, Kate Abnett, Valerie Volcovici, Katy Daigle, Matthew Lewis Organizations: United Arab, Reuters, The European Union, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, DUBAI, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, China, UAE, Brussels, Washington

☆ The Dilemmas of a Petrostate Preparing to Host a Climate Summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Vivian Nereim | More About Vivian Nereim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The choice of a leading oil producer, the United Arab Emirates, to host this year’s U.N. climate talks has angered environmental activists. But for the Emirates and other countries both highly dependent on oil and deeply vulnerable to rising temperatures, grappling with climate change is an urgent dilemma for them, too. If the world abandons oil too quickly, the powerful authoritarian state that the Emirati rulers have built in 50 years could crumble as the revenue that finances much of their budget dwindles. It is an extreme example of the choices faced by many other countries as well in a world addicted to fossil fuels. “Our leadership are very future-oriented and already many years ago understood how important it is for us to diversify,” Mariam Almheiri, the Emirati minister of climate change and environment, said in an interview last week.

Persons: ” Mariam Almheiri Organizations: United Arab, Emirates Locations: United Arab Emirates, Emirates

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