The recent verbal altercation between US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on the one side and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the other will linger in the minds of world leaders visiting Washington in the near future.
Some might worry that a public humiliation awaits them if they either don’t toe the US administration’s line on a particular issue or fail to lavish praise, gratitude and admiration on its leadership, or both. Indeed, to some observers Mr Zelenskyy paid the price for refusing to flatter Mr Trump or agree to his plan to end the war in Eastern Europe, with the Ukrainian President getting scolded in front of the media before being expelled from the White House.
Reports suggest that Mr Trump’s team had advised Mr Zelenskyy against wearing military fatigues to the meeting on Friday, which was supposed to conclude with both leaders signing a rare earth minerals deal. But he did so anyway. Further, the Ukrainian President insisted that the war wouldn’t end as long as Kyiv didn’t receive sufficient security guarantees against Russia.
Regardless of his missteps, however, the verbal blowback from Mr Trump and Mr Vance was seen in many quarters to be an undiplomatic response. It could even undermine America’s own interests.
First, in the eyes of several European leaders, Mr Trump appeared to be deliberately weakening Ukraine’s position in its resistance against Moscow. This prompted many of them to swiftly reaffirm their support for Kyiv, further straining relations within Nato.
Second, Mr Trump’s stance on Ukraine, along with his threats to impose tariffs on the EU, could push European nations towards leveraging their ties with China to assert their independence from an increasingly antagonistic Washington.
Third, the indefinite suspension of the rare earth minerals agreement – until Mr Zelenskyy submits to US demands and its peace plan – means that the Trump administration has effectively shot itself in the foot.
The deal was seen to be beneficial to both countries, and if it collapses, the EU could step in as an alternative partner to Ukraine. Further, the deal was strategically advantageous for Mr Trump’s policy towards China, as it gave American companies access to critical minerals needed in Washington's economic competition with Beijing.
One cannot rule out the possibility of Mr Trump de-escalating tensions with America’s western partners in the interest of suing for peace in Ukraine
For what it’s worth, Mr Zelenskyy walked into the embrace of unified domestic support and global, particularly European, acclaim after he seemingly endured provocation and humiliation without backing down. As a result, he has solidified his own political position, making him more likely to win elections whenever they are held.
Meanwhile, any delay in ending the war, which has just entered its fourth year, will also add to the enormous pressure on Russia’s economy. The leadership in Moscow knows that merely improving relations with Washington won’t stop the drain on its resources. As for Ukraine, it will almost certainly withstand possible cutbacks in US aid, if European nations compensate any shortfall.
Still, the Europeans are keeping their options open.
Despite his warm interaction with Mr Trump at the White House last week, French President Emmanuel Macron called on fellow EU leaders to resist being subservient to Washington. Speaking in Portugal, he stressed the need to keep Washington “on our side” but also warned against any divisions on the continent amid a period of global uncertainty.
Mr Macron’s remarks on the necessity of defending Europe’s interests, as well as upholding its principles and history with determination and decisiveness, were striking. He attempted to walk a fine line in his dealings with Mr Trump, ensuring that Europe’s response to the American President’s provocative policies was calculated rather than arbitrary.
Given all this, one cannot rule out the possibility of Mr Trump de-escalating tensions with America’s western partners in the interest of suing for peace in Ukraine. He may also reassess the potential loss of the rare earth minerals deal with Kyiv and rethink his approach. After all, he is first and foremost a dealmaker.
This is exactly why it doesn’t seem as if the world is witnessing the unravelling of Nato or a fateful rupture in relations among its member states. At least not yet. Rather than a dramatic upheaval that will permanently redefine transatlantic ties, what is at play here is a temporary realignment.
But there is a larger point to contend with here.
Mr Trump’s political arsenal includes tools of reprimand, humiliation and disdain – even towards America’s allies and partners – highlighting the ruthlessness of certain methods now synonymous with “Trumpism”. Thus, the US President’s emergence as an indispensable figure in both American and global decision-making has left its mark on policymaking in capitals worldwide.
Like Mr Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was careful not to provoke or offend Mr Trump. Yet both European leaders appeared uneasy as they struggled to engage with him in a manner that accounted for his mercurial nature.
This means that foreign policy is no longer shaped solely by traditional state-to-state relations. It has, instead, morphed to the tune of one man who deliberately cultivates his unpredictability. Ultimately, Mr Trump seeks to be perceived as larger than the American presidency, as the one who shapes it rather than the other way around. That is why the world is unsettled by his improvisations.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
SWEET%20TOOTH
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MEYDAN RESULTS
6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
Winner Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
How to invest in gold
Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.
A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.
Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”
Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”
Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”
By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.
You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.
You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
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INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
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
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Serie A
Juventus v Fiorentina, Saturday, 8pm (UAE)
Match is on BeIN Sports
