Latest updates: Follow our full coverage on the US election
US citizens in the UAE are divided as their country prepares to elect either its first female president, in Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris or return Republican nominee Donald Trump to the White House for a second time, as a deeply polarising campaign draws to a close.
Bringing peace to the Middle East, controlling inflation, generating jobs, women's reproduction rights and tighter border security to curb illegal immigration are all key concerns for voters as the November 5 election looms.
As an immigrant from the Middle East to the US, I always felt the election is like a wedding every four years, hopefully it will be a beautiful and peaceful wedding
Huda Raphael,
Abu Dhabi resident
Many Americans in the Emirates have cast their votes online already. Some dropped off postal ballots at the US consulate in Dubai and the embassy in Abu Dhabi, with other planning to vote this weekend.
The US embassy said it was confident the number of ballots dropped off "will exceed the turnout from 2020". Some of the voters interviewed by The National asked to be identified by their initials due to the polarising nature of the election.
Turning away from Trump
The Roberts family have lived in the UAE for more than 20 years and said Mr Trump’s policies made them move away from the Republican Party.
“We have been Republicans all our adult lives, up until a two elections back when it was Trump versus Hillary Clinton – that was the first time we couldn’t support him as a Republican candidate,” said Janet Roberts, 72, a freelance writer from Utah who moved to Abu Dhabi in 2004.
“I don’t think he is a person who has the moral integrity to serve as our president. I’m choosing Kamala Harris because she is a principled person. Her polices, her aura and her manner of dealing with people is considerate and respectful, I don’t see that from Trump towards people who disagree with him.”
Ms Roberts said she was “more adamant” to vote for Ms Harris, because of the policies introduced by the Trump administration, including a ban on travellers from several predominantly Muslim countries. The travel ban was imposed in January 2017 and affected residents in countries including Libya, Somalia, Syria, Iran and Yemen.
“We saw how the Muslim ban affected my colleagues, their families, their hopes, dreams and their travel plans,” she said. “Every time Trump talked about it afterward there was no consideration about the ramifications, how it demoralised people.”
Her husband, Gary Roberts, believes a marked increase in early voting for this election reflected growing opposition to Mr Trump. US media has reported that in key states such as Wisconsin, election officials recorded a nearly 40 per cent increase in early voting, compared with 2020.
“For the first time in a long time, more people have already cast their ballot and in some states it’s gone off the charts because people have decided to choose sanity versus insanity,” said Mr Roberts, 83, a political and financial consultant in Abu Dhabi, who worked in the administrations of former US presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
“The Democrats are talking about change to help people to do better. The Republicans do not have an agenda other than retribution and that has never won an election."
Abortion rights
Ms Roberts and her daughter Tessa said the issue of abortion rights struck a chord with women in the US who may have otherwise declined to vote.
Tessa, 37, said the issue was brought home when a friend in the UAE had to terminate a pregnancy in the third trimester. “A close friend needed to get an abortion in the seventh month as her baby was no longer breathing," she said. "I did think, 'Oh my goodness, what would she have done if she was back in my own country?' She could not have got this much care."
Reproductive rights have become a crucial issue in this election after the US Supreme Court, which includes three justices appointed by Mr Trump, overturned federal protection for abortion in 2022. Fourteen US states have banned it in almost all circumstances.
'Make America great again'
Supporters of Mr Trump offer a contrasting view. They voted for him to strengthen the country’s borders, bring down inflation, boost employment and restore peace in the Middle East. KW, 64, who works in the healthcare sector, said it was unfair for illegal migrants to be granted housing.
“They are allowing so much illegal immigration into the country and that is a problem that you need to control,” said KW, who has lived in the UAE for 15 years.
“The borders need to be secure but right now millions of people are coming in without being vetted. They are given credit cards, phones, housing and that’s upsetting a lot of people in the United States who are struggling and don’t get these benefits. Violence, murder and street crime is way up and people don’t feel safe. People want to feel secure and protected.”
He said Mr Trump had a special relationship with world leaders and backed him to help bring peace to the region. “We believe in his leadership internationally because of the hand of friendship he always extends to world leaders.”
Harris to bring stability
Iranian American Amir, 46, born and raised in Texas, said the issues of respect for the institution of government and a deeper understanding of foreign policy meant he was supporting Ms Harris.
“Chaos is not good for anybody and leading with a steady hand is key in internal and international politics,” said the Dubai resident, who works in the aviation sector. “If we have a strong, calm government it can focus on policy instead of mudslinging. I believe we are as strong as all our allies combined and we need someone in office who respects that. If Harris comes in, we will be on the right track and put this era of politics and name calling to bed.”
Peace in the region
Ericka and Jim Mansfield said they were focused on peace, which is critical to their family and business. Mr Mansfield, 53, did not vote for Mr Trump in the last election but is considering doing so this time.
“I think Trump and the Republicans are better for the Middle East in general and business,” said the entrepreneur, who founded an electric scooter company with his wife after moving to Dubai from Colorado two years ago. “I feel Republicans can end the wars, whereas Biden and Harris have not been able to. Trump can bring parties to the table to reach concessions.”
Ms Mansfield has not yet made up her mind. She plans to vote online this weekend.
“Someone that can bring fewer wars in this region is certainly beneficial to me and my family. Having stability is important, it’s in our interest and the world’s best interest not to have this conflict we see every day," she said. “I’m hoping for a leader who will bring stability in the world and deal with domestic issues like health care and immigration.”
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
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Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
SHAITTAN
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Final: UAE beat Qatar by nine wickets
Third-place play-off: Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by five runs
Table
1 UAE 5 5 0 10
2 Qatar 5 4 1 8
3 Saudi 5 3 2 6
4 Kuwait 5 2 3 4
5 Bahrain 5 1 4 2
6 Maldives 5 0 5 0
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
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last 16, first leg
Ajax v Real Madrid, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
'The Predator'
Dir: Shane Black
Starring: Olivia Munn, Boyd Holbrook, Keegan-Michael Key
Two and a half stars
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Racecard
5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m
6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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