Joe Biden is loved for his decency, for his moral compass. Here is a man who used the Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s words during his campaign as balm for a bruised country: “Once in a lifetime, the longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up and hope and history rhyme”. Mr Biden is a man who suffered – like many Americans in this Covid period – excruciating personal losses. He grieved, but he did not break.
Many people love that Mr Biden is a veteran politician who knows the White House and Congress. He can make bipartisan deals; he can concede – but also smooth rather than inflame. He’s a deal-maker. He will need this skill. If the Republicans keep the Senate, Mitch McConnell, the Majority leader, can and will make his life hell.
Mr Biden is a pragmatic centrist. He’s not unlike Lyndon B Johnson, the 36th US President, renowned for twisting arms with a wide smile when he wanted to get something done. He’s likable: an average guy, who one childhood friend recalled could strike up a conversation with everyone and anyone.
For the first time in four years, many Americans have hope. There are ambitious plans already being discussed in Mr Biden’s teams and a diverse Cabinet being drawn up. There’s talk of ending the Muslim travel ban imposed by Donald Trump. There’ s talk of restarting the Paris Climate Agreement.
That’s part of the euphoria we are all feeling with the win. But the flip side is this: what Mr Biden will inherit is terrifying. The total of coronavirus cases in the US surpassed 10 million on Sunday. Experts say the virus is spreading out of control and could grow worse before the President elect takes office. The magnitude of Mr Biden’s task is vast.
US President-elect Joe Biden with his wife Jill Biden, salute the crowd on stage after being declared the winner of the US presidential election. AFP
Then there is the damage that can be done even before he enters the White House.
To start, Mr Trump remains in control of the pandemic – which he doesn’t even believe in – for the next 72 days. He is at war with his coronavirus advisors, including Dr Anthony S Fauci. Ahead are the Thanksgiving holidays, when traditionally Americans gather their tribes, the Christmas holidays and ending of college semesters. All mean close proximity of families gatherings indoors, and a potential surge of the virus.
Dr Ashish K Jha from Brown University told National Public Radio that all Mr Biden can do during this potentially catastrophic period is wield “moral and social power”. Dr Jha predicted that by the time Mr Trump leaves office, 100,000 more people could be dead.
If he wants to, Mr Trump could use his Executive Orders to roll back regulations. He could pardon his cronies: Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn.
There is the risk of civil unrest could occur if the militias, the White Supremacists, the armed factions are so inclined. There are 71 million people who voted for Mr Trump and are disappointed by the Biden win. Mr Trump could invoke their support.
There are historical examples of past fiascos; but none seems as potentially dangerous as this one. In 1801, John Adams, the second President of the US and another sore loser, refused to hand over office to his rival, Thomas Jefferson.
Adams refused to attend the event to see Jefferson sworn in. Adams appointed dozens of last-minute judges, including a Chief Justice, before Jefferson arrived. Remember Amy Coney Barrett?
Adams refused to leave until his former White House staff literally moved the office from around him – taking his belongings away and cutting their communication with Adams.
US President-elect Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden gesture to the audience during an election event. Bloomberg
In November, 1932, at the height of The Great Depression when millions of Americans were out of work and struggling to feed their families, Herbert Hoover lost to a Democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The banking system was on the verge of complete collapse. Hoover, a Republican, opposed federal assistance and refused to intervene even as the Federal Reserve begged him to declare a bank holiday. Hoover kept repeating that the economy would recover at any moment. “The Depression is over!” he said, blaming the economic crisis on FDR: a bit like Trump’s belief that the virus is “turning a corner.”
For the first time in four years, many Americans have hope
But these are all worse-case scenarios; my conjecture. One hopes there will be a peaceful transition, that Mr Trump will come to his senses. If he follows protocol, shakes Mr Biden’s hand, declares his loss, we have a chance.
If all goes well, what should happen, from now until January 20, is the standard transition: the Secret Service divides its attention between the incumbent and the incoming President, and the CIA begins briefing both. White House staff prepare to re-do the house, and by mid-day on January 20, Mr Trump’s belongings should be gone. Dr Jill Biden replaces Melania Trump. The power organs – the Pentagon, the CIA, FBI and the Attorney General – cut communication with Mr Trump. Finally, Air Force One and the Beast automobile will salute Mr Trump for the last time.
But Mr Trump’s reign in the White House was never marked by tradition. And while the euphoria of Mr Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s rousing speeches from a Wilmington Delaware drive-in cinema calmed an anxious nation, there is still an angry man looming in the background.
And for the next 72 days, that man, Donald J Trump, is still the Commander in Chief.
Janine di Giovanni is a Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and a columnist for The National
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Remaining fixtures
August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Quick facts on cancer
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
At least one third of common cancers are preventable
Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health strategies
The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Name: Thndr Started: 2019 Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr Sector: FinTech Headquarters: Egypt UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi Current number of staff: More than 150 Funds raised: $22 million
