Live updates: Follow the latest on the US election
US President Joe Biden took the stage on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in front of a newly energised Democratic Party base, highlighting his legacy and aiming to instil confidence in his leadership for his remaining time in office.
Mr Biden, who dropped out of the presidential election race last month and endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris, spent the weekend at Camp David preparing for the speech with senior aides.
"It's been the honour of my lifetime to serve as your President," Mr Biden said. "I love the job, but I love my country more."
Polls show that Ms Harris, 59, has wide support in the Democratic Party, including among younger and more progressive voters, in addition to voters of colour.
Mr Biden, 81, has spent half a century in public office.
He was introduced by his wife, Jill, and his daughter Ashley, who praised his qualities as a husband and father.
"Weeks ago, I saw him dig deep into his soul and not seek re-election and endorse Kamala Harris, with faith and conviction," the first lady said.
"Joe knows that our nation's strength doesn't come from intimidation or cruelty, it comes from the small acts of kindness that heal deep wounds, from service to the communities that make us who we are, from love of a country that shines with promise and renewal."
Only weeks ago, Mr Biden was travelling across the country campaigning for a second term in office. Had he stayed in the race, he would have been the headliner at the DNC.
Instead, he was giving the keynote speech on Monday before heading to California, where will spend time on holiday.
The acceptance speech will instead be made by Ms Harris, who is set to be inaugurated as the presidential candidate on Thursday night with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Still, the Democratic Party and the convention this week honoured the President for a lifetime of service in US politics - and for willingly stepping aside.
Chris Coons, a US senator from Delaware, Mr Biden's home state, is one of his closest allies.
"On behalf of our nation, Joe, for your courage in fighting for our democracy, we thank you," he said during his speech before leading the chant with the crowd: "Joe we love you."
Hours before Mr Biden took the stage, Ms Harris made an unannounced appearance at the convention and thanked the President.
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you’ll continue to do,” she said. “We are forever grateful to you.”
Former president Barack Obama is scheduled to speak on Tuesday night, while former president Bill Clinton will deliver remarks on Wednesday.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee in 2016, took the stage earlier on Monday evening to hail Mr Biden for stepping aside, saying: “Now we are writing a new chapter in America’s story.”
Mr Biden's exit from the campaign came after his disastrous performance in a debate with Republican nominee Donald Trump in late June, leading to panic in the Democratic Party about his capacity to win the November 5 election.
He has also endured intense criticism over his near unequivocal support for Israel in its 10-month military campaign in Gaza.
During his speech, he said he was sending US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region prevent a wider war, reunite hostages with their families and get more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"We're working around the clock to end the civilian suffering of the people in Gaza, and finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war," he said.
Near the site of the convention in Chicago, thousands of anti-war activists protested on Monday, and some broke through a metal barrier erected by police.
"Those protesters out in the street, they have a point," Mr Biden said. "A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides."
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments in Gaza since October 7.
The Israeli military began its offensive after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel killing about 1,200 people.
A video circulating online showed protesters unfurling a large sign reading "Stop arming Israel" during the Mr Biden's speech, before a security guard swiftly took it down.
Mr Biden spoke about his domestic accomplishments over the past four years, reflecting on how the country and its economy have rebounded since he took office amid the pandemic, and saying he had healed the country after four years under his predecessor Mr Trump.
"Covid no longer controls our lives. We got from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the entire world," he said.
Mr Biden talked about his attempts to support the nation's middle class and his dedication to fighting for American democracy – which he claimed Mr Trump was trying to undo.
"Wages are up, inflation is down, way down, and continuing to go down," he said. "The smallest racial wealth gap in 20 years and yes, we know we have more to do, but we're moving in the right direction."
He also cheered on Ms Harris and made the argument that she will – in his words last week – make “one hell of a president”.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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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
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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
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
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Wonka
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
