Live updates: Follow the latest on the US election
Thousands of anti-war protesters are expected to gather in Chicago on Monday as the Midwestern city hosts the Democratic National Convention.
The March on the DNC is expected to lead to demands that the Democratic Party stop focusing on military aid to Israel and instead improve housing, health care and the environment.
“Finally, the community is saying, at least the Palestinians and Arabs are saying, we are not voting for you this time,” Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesman for the march's coalition and chairman of the US Palestinian Community Network, told The National.
“We have no interest as to what's going on inside the convention hall,” he said, adding that the coalition is there to tell Democrats to “stop the genocide” in Gaza and show that the party has “lost a huge section of your constituency … that you've taken for granted”.
The convention is set to mark the final confirmation of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as the official Democratic nominees for the November 5 election – after President Joe Biden's decision to step aside from the race.
Mr Biden dropped out after a poor debate performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump, which hardened doubts of his ability to win amid a mounting “uncommitted” movement that urged Democrats to refuse to back the President during the primaries over his support of Israel's war in Gaza.
About three quarters of a million Democrats voted uncommitted in primaries across the US, notably in swing state Michigan, home to a large Arab-American population.
That movement is expected to make a significant show of force outside the convention halls: organisers are expecting a turnout of more than 10,000 protesters from across the country.
When Chicago hosted the DNC in 1968, riots started when thousands of anti-Vietnam War protesters were met with a heavy-handed police response.
Aisha, a Palestinian American, is travelling this week from Boise, Idaho, to take part in the march where she plans on waving a Palestinian flag.
“It's about bringing awareness and like, showing that our voices are here,” Aisha told The National.
“People are willing to travel across states, to tell the Democratic Party that we don't support genocide, we don't support this.”
Chicago is home to the largest per capita Muslim population in the US. It is also home to Little Palestine, the Bridgeview neighbourhood in the south-west of Chicago.
Many restaurants, stores, barbershops and coffee shops in Little Palestine have signs in Arabic and English. Since the Israel-Hamas war began, they also have been displaying Palestinian flags, “Free Palestine” signs and electronic billboards with the number of dead and wounded in the war.
About 18,000 Palestinian Americans live in Cook County, where Chicago is located.
Palestinian and Arab Americans said Mr Biden's decision to leave the race had not quelled the outrage towards his administration over its support for Israel since October 7.
Meanwhile, protest organisers say tension has been simmering in the city over a hectic permitting process that they say is infringing on their right to free speech.
The city last week granted permission for the coalition to use a shorter, less direct route than originally requested for the protest. The route will still be within “sight and sound” of the convention centre, a demand from organisers who say that is critical to their right to protest.
The coalition on Friday had a legal victory, however, with the reversal of a previous decision to ban portable toilets, sound amplification and stages.
Originally, the city argued these could be a risk to public safety, including concerns that tents or port-a-potties could hide illegal activities or weapons, or be used as weapons themselves.
At the convention, a handful of uncommitted delegates are expected to attend, but questions remain over whether they will be formally allowed to speak.
The full speaker list is still unknown, but US media reported that Mr Biden, former president Barack Obama, as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton, are among those expected to give addresses.
The Uncommitted National Movement requested that the Democratic National Committee provide speaking time for them at the convention, but those requests appear unlikely to be granted.
The protests are also campaigning for a wide range of progressive causes, including black justice, immigration, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights and climate change issues.
“We're coming together because we all feel abandoned by the Democratic Party,” Mr Abudayyeh said.
The scope of Israel's war in Gaza, where more than 40,100 Palestinians have been killed since October 7 when 1,200 Israelis died during a Hamas incursion, has sparked a wave of activism on the Palestinian cause across a largely pro-Israel US.
But this coalition does not surprise Mr Abudayyeh, a veteran of the movement for Palestine after about 25 years of community organising.
“I've seen this support ever since I became an organiser,” he said.
His family connection to progressive causes in the US runs generations deep. He said his parents were members of an Arab organisation mobilising on a range of causes including the movement for Puerto Rican representation, women's liberation and Native American sovereignty.
“It's what I expected, because these are the people that I work with on a day-to-day basis.”
Other demonstrations separate from the coalition are expected in Chicago, too, including a rally for the Poor People's Army.
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
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
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
