Kamala Harris unveiled major economic proposals on Friday that include plans to cut taxes for many Americans, enable access to affordable housing, and ban “price gouging” on food and groceries.
The Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate made the announcement during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lay out her economic agenda for her first 100 days in office.
“Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency, because I strongly believe when the middle class is strong, America is strong,” she said.
“I will be laser-focused on creating opportunities for the middle class. Together, we will build what I call an 'opportunity economy'.”
Ms Harris, who only began campaigning last month after President Joe Biden abruptly dropped out of the race, is leaning on her boss's economic agenda.
But she is also introducing new ideas, including expanding child tax credits and aid in mitigating America's high childcare costs, where parents often must pay $30,000 annually per child for day care.
Her plans includes a $25,000 subsidy for first-time homebuyers, a $6,000 tax credit for families with newborns, and a plan for the construction of three million new housing units.
The aim is to contrast her economic plans with that of her Republican rival, former president Donald Trump, whose economic plans focus on tackling inflation and the rising costs of everyday items.
“Donald Trump's plans to devastate the middle class, punish working people, and make the cost of living go up for millions of Americans,” Ms Harris told the crowd.
“On the other hand, when I'm elected president, what we'll do is increase the security and stability financially of your family and expand opportunity for working in middle class Americans.”
Mr Trump has also vowed to impose fixed tariffs on all imports and slash corporate taxes.
The former president has said Ms Harris's plans to enact federal price controls on groceries amounted to communism.
Ms Harris's appearance in North Carolina comes after her first joint speech with Mr Biden since he ended his re-election bid and endorsed her for the Democratic Party nomination.
They spoke at an event on Thursday, during which they touted the administration's work on lowering prescription drug costs.
The economy remains one of the highest concerns for American voters, with many feeling increased pressured over the high costs of food and housing as well as health and childcare.
Republicans have often fared better with working-class Americans who see the party as stronger on the economy than Democrats.
Ms Harris is hoping to appeal to appeal to a broad segment of American voters, including working-class and younger voters who are anxious about their economic prospects, by continuing to push for the cancellation of student and medical debts, and lowering the cost of housing and health care.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
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
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
