It was only a year ago when the Democratic Party chose Milwaukee, over other cities such as Miami and Houston, as the location of its much-anticipated Democratic National Convention, where the party will nominate a challenger to President Donald Trump. The party also picked the week of July 13th.
But the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 278,000 Americans and killed 7,159 of them, swept that date away on Friday, along with the countless other events that have been postponed or cancelled across the world. It will now take place a month later in August.
Experts believe the epidemic is a crisis that may have an impact on the outcome of the Democratic contest and the wider race for the White House that culminates in November, not only because of disruptions, but shifting perceptions about each candidate's response to the epidemic.
That seemingly small, one-month delay for the Democratic Party could make a significant difference in the battle between favourite Joe Biden and socialist Bernie Sanders, Dr Peter Yacobucci, associate professor of political science at Buffalo State University, told The National.
“Pushing back the convention has an interesting effect on the primary,” Mr Yacobucci said, pointing out that Bernie Sanders could stand to benefit from the delay.
“This may allow more time for [Sanders supporters] to organise and challenge the nomination. I don’t expect Biden will be put off track, but it is possible.”
While both the Democratic and Republican conventions may seem like mostly pomp and pageantry, they serve a critical function, especially for the party looking to unseat a president providing an opportunity to unite possibly divided factions within the party behind shared ideas and a single nominee.
Instead of July, thousands of Democratic delegates will now gather just one week before Mr Trump will accept the nomination at the Republican convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mr Yacobucci noted that while Mr Biden has come out strong against President Donald Trump’s handling of coronavirus, some Democrats were wondering why Mr Biden took so long to critique Mr Trump, whereas Mr Sanders had been more vocal initially.
Ultimately, Mr Yacobucci said the timing of the convention might not matter as much compared to the overall climate created by coronavirus.
“What really matters is how the country suffers and how the Trump Administration handles this,” he said.
By choosing Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the venue for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, the party is seeking to learn from 2016 election mistakes.
Many were surprised when Mr Trump won the state of Wisconsin in 2016, which hadn't been won by a Republican since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
It was one of several Midwestern states that flipped to Republicans in 2016.
Wisconsin in particular, is notable because Hillary Clinton’s campaign chose not to actively campaign there with early predicted a victory for her in the state.
Mr Yacobucci said it’s not a surprise that the DNC picked Milwaukee over other cities like Houston or Miami, which were also vying for an opportunity to host the convention.
“Wisconsin is a state that truly cost the Democrats in 2016 and there is a movement there to return it as a consistent backer of the Democratic Party in its own peculiar way,” he said, noting the unlikelihood of Democrats easily flipping a state like Texas.
Mr Yacobucci added that although some newer voices in the Democratic Party may have favoured choosing Houston or Miami due to demographic shifts in the US, the final choice of Milwaukee shows the more traditional Democratic leadership still has a lot of influence.
On the other side of the aisle, the Republican National Committee chose Charlotte, North Carolina as the site for the party’s 2020 convention, in part, Mr Yacobucci said, with hopes of keeping that state in Trump’s column, although it did back Barack Obama in 2008, and recently elected a Democratic Governor.
“The Republicans are looking to return North Carolina to a consistent Republican state,” he said.
Although it’s not uncommon for political parties to try and strategically pick presidential convention locations, Mr Yacobucci said there’s very little research that proves the location choice can actually influence election outcomes.
He did caution, however, that it’s not a choice that should be taken lightly.
“My intuition suggests it may increase local party supporter activism in the short term,” he added.
Indeed, with Mr Trump only winning Wisconsin by approximately 22,000 votes in 2016, Democrats are leaving no stone unturned and hoping that picking the state’s biggest city helps win back the White House.
All of this, however, doesn’t take into consideration just how much things have changed since the coronavirus pandemic.
There’s been ample criticism leveled at the White House’s response, but there seems to be no indication as to how much, if at all this will impact Trump when voters go to the polls in November.
Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez did not mince his words after announcing the delay of the convention from mid-July to mid-August.
“The Democratic Party is ready to defeat Donald Trump, the American people are ready to elect a Democratic president, and I have absolute confidence that our team is ready to deliver a successful convention for our nominee,” he wrote in news release outlining the party’s reasons for changing convention dates.
“Ultimately, the health and safety of our convention attendees and the people of Milwaukee is our top priority,” Mr Perez wrote, noting the seemingly lengthy challenges posed by Covid-19.
Democrats too, seem to be at the mercy of the pandemic, postponing their convention, and waiting to see how this all shakes out.
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The five pillars of Islam
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Quick%20facts
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
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
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
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The%20specs
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The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20six-cylinder%20turbo%20(BMW%20B58)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20340hp%20at%206%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20500Nm%20from%201%2C600-4%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20ZF%208-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.2sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20267kph%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh462%2C189%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWarranty%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030-month%2F48%2C000k%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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