Robert F Kennedy, the nephew of former president John F Kennedy. Bloomberg
Robert F Kennedy, the nephew of former president John F Kennedy. Bloomberg
Robert F Kennedy, the nephew of former president John F Kennedy. Bloomberg
Robert F Kennedy, the nephew of former president John F Kennedy. Bloomberg

Robert F Kennedy Jr announces independent 2024 presidential bid


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Anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy announced on Monday that he will run for president as an independent, dropping his long-shot bid to secure the Democratic nomination.

“I’ve come here today to declare our independence from the tyranny of corruption, which robs us of affordable lives, our belief in the future and our respect for each other,” Mr Kennedy said in Philadelphia.

“But to do that I must first declare my own independence. Independence from the Democratic Party and from all other political parties.”

Mr Kennedy said that his supporters often found themselves on opposites sides of issues including the climate crisis, abortion and gun control.

“Independence is more than being independent of two existing parties. It's also independence from tribal thinking,” he said.

Some Democrats and Republicans also fear that the nephew of former president John F Kennedy could steal votes from Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

“The truth is, they’re both right,” Mr Kennedy said.

Mr Kennedy has long been vocal about his anti-vaccine beliefs. Public health experts and members of his family have discredited his work.

His siblings – Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy and Joe Kennedy II – called Monday's announcement “deeply saddening”.

"The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third-party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country,” they said in a joint statement.

“We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for country”.

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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

Game is on BeIN Sports

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
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  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m

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3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m

3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m

4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m

4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m

 

The National selections

1.45pm: Cosmic Glow

2.15pm: Karaginsky

2.45pm: Welcome Surprise

3.15pm: Taamol

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4.15pm: Chiefdom

4.45pm: California Jumbo

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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
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Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

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Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

Updated: October 09, 2023, 7:37 PM`