Nikki Haley, who served as the US ambassador to the UN under Donald Trump, is expected to announce her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election on February 15, media outlets have reported.
Ms Haley was expected to deliver an invitation to supporters to a “special announcement” to be made in South Carolina, The Post and Courier of Charleston first reported.
Her presidential campaign would pit her against her former boss, who also hopes to secure the Republican nomination. She would be the party's first female and non-white nominee, should she win the nomination.
Ms Haley, a daughter of Indian immigrants, served as governor of South Carolina from 2011-2017.
She rose to national prominence in 2015 when she pushed to remove the Confederate flag from state grounds after a white supremacist killed nine people at a black church.
While serving as the US ambassador to the UN from 2017-2018, the US withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran. She also pushed for stronger sanctions on North Korea.
If Ms Haley does announce her candidacy, she will join a crowded field: Former vice president Mike Pence and former secretary of state Mike Pompeo are expected to enter the race. And former national security adviser John Bolton said he is seriously considering running as well.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also expected to run and is seen as Mr Trump's most potent rival for the nomination.
Ms Haley has been inconsistent in her criticisms of Mr Trump since leaving his administration in 2018. She once said the former president had no future with the Republican Party after the January 6 insurrection.
But her expected announcement appears to backtrack on comments she made to reporters in 2021 that she would not seek the Republican ticket if Mr Trump were to run again.
Mr Trump told a local South Carolina television outlet at the weekend that she had reached out to him over the decision. Mr Trump said he told Ms Haley: “If your heart wants to do it, you have to go do it.”
Agencies contributed to this report
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
DRIVERS' CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 171 points
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP) 151
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP) 136
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing) 107
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 83
6. Sergio Perez (Force India) 50
7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 45
8. Esteban Ocon (Force India) 39
9. Carlos Sainz (Torro Rosso) 29
10. Felipe Massa (Williams) 22
Astroworld
Travis Scott
Grand Hustle/Epic/Cactus Jack
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
