Live updates: Follow the latest on the US election
The Democratic National Convention is in full swing in Chicago as the party prepares to mark the formal nomination of US Vice President Kamala Harris as presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as vice presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
The political gathering caps off a whirlwind month for Democrats who quickly coalesced around the new ticket after President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid in July.
While there is likely to be a festive atmosphere inside the convention hall, protests are expected outside, as months of frustration over support for Israel amid the Gaza war threatens to boil over.
The National takes a look at what to expect at the DNC this week:
What is a convention?
The two major US political parties hold a convention each presidential election cycle to officially nominate their candidates and adopt a party platform.
Democrats officially nominated Ms Harris last month in a virtual vote of delegates due to concerns about ballot access in states with early deadlines, Reuters reported.
At the Republican National Convention last month in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Donald Trump was officially nominated and introduced his choice for vice president, JD Vance, a US senator from Ohio.
When and where is the Democratic Convention?
The convention will run from August 19-22 in Chicago's United Centre arena.
Official programming generally takes place during the day, while main stage events including speeches will run from about 5pm to 10pm local time.
How can you watch the DNC?
The prime time events will be broadcast on all major networks and cable news channels, as well as streaming services including Hulu, Paramount Plus, Peacock and Max.
Bloomberg reported that the convention will also be streamed on the DNC’s website, as well as on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, a first in the gathering's history, according to the organisation.
Who are the speakers? What is the schedule?
Mr Biden will kick off the convention on Monday night with a keynote speech that will serve as a goodbye of sorts for a politician who weeks ago was expected to once again accept the nomination as his party's presidential candidate.
He is expected to “hand off” his leadership in the party and the White House bid to Ms Harris, who will be present.
Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is also expected to speak on Monday.
On Tuesday, former president Barack Obama and Doug Emhoff, husband of Ms Harris, are scheduled to address the DNC. Former first lady Michelle Obama, a popular public figure in the Democratic Party, may also speak.
Vice presidential nominee Mr Walz will give his acceptance speech on Wednesday after former president Bill Clinton and former speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi speak.
On Thursday, Ms Harris will accept the convention's nomination for president in a speech to cap the DNC.
What are the themes for each day?
Monday will focus on the Biden administration's policy accomplishments; Tuesday will contrast Mr Trump's and Ms Harris's visions for America and Wednesday will address the importance of protecting individual freedoms.
Thursday's programme, with the highlight being Ms Harris's acceptance speech, is titled For Our Future.
Will there be protests?
Thousands of anti-war protesters plan to demonstrate during the convention in the streets of Chicago, demanding that the US end aid to Israel amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The March on the DNC, a coalition of more than 200 organisations from all over the country, plans to hold two demonstrations during the event. Those protests are expected to take place on Monday and Thursday.
What about Trump?
Mr Trump and Mr Vance will spend the week touring battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona and Georgia, Reuters reported.
The Republicans have announced their own themes, similar to the ones they laid out during their convention last month. Monday's events will focus on the economy; Tuesday's on crime and public safety; Wednesday's on national security, and Thursday's on immigration.
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
U19 World Cup in South Africa
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Vriitya Aravind, Deshan Chethyia, Mohammed Farazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Osama Hassan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rishabh Mukherjee, Ali Naseer, Wasi Shah, Alishan Sharafu, Sanchit Sharma, Kai Smith, Akasha Tahir, Ansh Tandon
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Everton%20Fixtures
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UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
