The Americas

Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination for vice president

Donald Trump has unleashed America’s ‘worst impulses’ and tarnished its reputation, said Barack Obama

The National

August 20, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Senator Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president on Wednesday night, in the party’s first virtual convention.

Ms Harris joins Joe Biden's campaign against Donald Trump as the first Black woman on a major party ticket.

She used her acceptance speech to share personal details about her immigrant parents and her upbringing. Ms Harris said she imagines an America built on the values her mother taught her, “where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.”

"My mother taught me that service to others gives life purpose and meaning," she added.

The nomination is the latest in a lifetime of firsts for the 55-year-old daughter of a Jamaican father and Indian mother.

Ms Harris was the first Black attorney general of California, the first woman to hold the post, and the first woman of South Asian heritage to be elected to the US Senate.

She is now the first Black woman to feature on the ticket of a major US political party and is seeking to become the first female vice president of the US.

Ms Harris also made pointed remarks about race relations in US, while condemning Mr Trump for furthering inequalities.

"Donald Trump's failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods," she said. "We are a nation that is grieving."

She said structural racism is why "Black, Latino and Indigenous people are suffering and dying disproportionately," from the coronavirus. "There is no vaccine for racism."

"We have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons, Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose," she said.

The California senator spoke from Wilmington, Delaware, Mr Biden's home town, which has become the campaign headquarters. The Biden campaign has been largely run online due to the coronavirus pandemic, while Mr Trump has continued to hold rallies and host campaign events.

Barack Obama, America's first black leader, used his Democratic convention speech on Wednesday night to depict President Trump as someone who never took his office seriously, putting US democracy in danger.

“What we do in these next 76 days will echo through generations to come," he said.

Mr Obama said that on handing over the White House to Mr Trump in 2017, he thought the Republican "might show some interest in taking the job seriously, that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care."

"But he never did," Mr Obama said.

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Instead Mr Trump has treated the presidency as "one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves."

As a result, Mr Trump has left America's "worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished and our democratic institutions threatened like never before," he said.

Mr Obama took a back seat during the hotly contested Democratic primaries but is now throwing his still considerable sway behind Mr Biden, who served as Mr Obama's vice president for eight years.

Addressing all Americans, but naming White factory workers, Black moms, new immigrants and cynical young people, he said "tonight, I am asking you to believe in Joe and Kamala's ability to lead this country out of dark times and build it back better."

Mr Obama spoke two days after his wife, Michelle Obama, opened the convention with a scathing takedown of Mr Trump, painting him as a man who lacks the competence, character and decency for the job.

"Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country," she said.

Former first lady Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Mr Trump, also addressed the convention to endorse Mr Biden.

Ms Clinton took aim at Trump's record as president, before urging Americans to vote. "We need numbers overwhelming, so Trump can't sneak or steal his way to victory," she said. "Vote for honest elections, so we, not a foreign adversary, choose our president."

"Let's set our sights higher than getting one man out of office," she added, telling Americans to vote for health care, for better jobs and for climate change. "Vote for justice, for George Floyd," she said.

Other speakers on the bill included Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, who blasted the Trump administration for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. She is currently embroiled in negotiations with Republicans for a new stimulus bill to address Covid-19's crippling impact on the US economy,

"Instead of crushing the virus, they're trying to crush the affordable care act," she said.

Mr Biden was officially nominated on Tuesday to take on Mr Trump in the November 3 election. He will deliver an acceptance speech on Thursday at the conclusion of the four-day convention.

The Republican Party is to hold its online convention next week and nominate Mr Trump to try for four more years in office.

Senator Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential nominee, speaks during the Democratic National Convention at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. Bloomberg
Senator Kamala Harris, Democratic vice presidential nominee, speaks during the Democratic National Convention at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. Bloomberg
Former US President Barack Obama speaking from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the third day of the convention. AFP
Former US President Barack Obama speaking from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the third day of the convention. AFP
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention, as seen on a screen at a drive-in watch party for the convention at Suffolk Downs, in Boston. AP Photo
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention, as seen on a screen at a drive-in watch party for the convention at Suffolk Downs, in Boston. AP Photo
Members of Pasadena Area United Democrats watch at a socially distanced outdoor viewing party as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks on the third day of the virtual Democratic National Convention in Pasadena, California. AFP
Members of Pasadena Area United Democrats watch at a socially distanced outdoor viewing party as Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks on the third day of the virtual Democratic National Convention in Pasadena, California. AFP
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, is displayed on a monitor at a television studio while speaking virtually during the Democratic National Convention in New York, U.S. Bloomberg
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, is displayed on a monitor at a television studio while speaking virtually during the Democratic National Convention in New York, U.S. Bloomberg
Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden waves next to U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) after she accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. REUTERS
Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden waves next to U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) after she accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. REUTERS
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) waves to supporters after accepting the Democratic vice presidential nomination during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. REUTERS
U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) waves to supporters after accepting the Democratic vice presidential nomination during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. REUTERS
Singer Jennifer Hudson performs during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
Singer Jennifer Hudson performs during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are seen after U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. REUTERS
Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are seen after U.S. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination during an acceptance speech delivered for the largely virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. REUTERS
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaking during the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. EPA
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaking during the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. EPA
Hillary Clinton speaking during the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. EPA
Hillary Clinton speaking during the third night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. EPA
Prince Royce performs "Stand By Me" as Kerry Washington, serving as moderator, watches during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. AP
Prince Royce performs "Stand By Me" as Kerry Washington, serving as moderator, watches during the third night of the Democratic National Convention. AP
Former US Representative Gabrielle Giffords speaking during the third day of the convention. AFP
Former US Representative Gabrielle Giffords speaking during the third day of the convention. AFP
DeAndra Dycus, a mother whose son was left paralyzed by a stray bullet at the age of 13, speaks by video feed during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
DeAndra Dycus, a mother whose son was left paralyzed by a stray bullet at the age of 13, speaks by video feed during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
Actor Kerry Washington speaks during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
Actor Kerry Washington speaks during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
Singer Billie Eilish performs during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
Singer Billie Eilish performs during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. REUTERS
UAE SQUAD

UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards

Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

Tomorrow 2021
%3Cp%3EMATA%0D%3Cbr%3EArtist%3A%20M.I.A%0D%3Cbr%3ELabel%3A%20Island%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

How do Sim card scams work?

Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.

They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards by claiming to be the victim, often pretending their phone has been lost or stolen in order to secure a new Sim.

They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.

The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.

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
Brief scores:

Barcelona 3

Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'

Rayo Vallecano 1

De Tomas Gomez 24'

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The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mobile phone packages comparison
The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged

Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic

Power: 445bhp

Torque: 530Nm

Price: Dh474,600

On Sale: Now

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

While you're here

 

 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
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Brief scoreline:

Manchester United 2

Rashford 28', Martial 72'

Watford 1

Doucoure 90'

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Company%20profile
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
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
The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

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