The US presidential election hung in the balance on Wednesday but supporters of President Donald Trump in Dubai were hoping for the best.
Trump International Golf Club proved the perfect place to watch the US presidential elections results pour in.
What started as a few like-minded Americans gathering for a morning coffee to watch the drama unfold, soon transformed into an election party as Mr Trump appeared he might be able to cling on to power for four more years. But nothing was certain.
The experience was considerably different to four years ago, with people following physical-distancing regulations and wearing face masks.
There are more people out there like me than you would realise
As the excitement began to build, much of the chatter among Americans was which way their home states had voted and who would win 270 Electoral College votes.
“Texas is always red,” said Daniel Edwards, 35, from Houston.
“It looks like it will go down to Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina and Wisconsin. Those swing states look like they will be crucial.
“It will be interesting to see how fast it will get to 270.
“We will stay here for most of the day but we may have to go home to watch the final results come in.”
By 10am, Florida, one of the key states in the election, had retained its Republican status with Trump winnning about 51 per cent of the vote. Iowa and Ohio also backed the president.
Less than an hour later and Pennsylvania looked to be heading the same way with Mr Trump taking 56 per cent of the vote with time running out for his Democrat rival, Joe Biden.
By noon, Mr Biden looked to be regaining more states for the Democrats but most analysts had Mr Trump as a favourite to remain in the White House.
It was not only Trump supporters who turned out to watch the coverage on Fox News.
They may have stood out from the crowd in their striking Trump uniform of red caps emblazoned with the slogan "Make American Great Again", but there were also supporters of Mr Biden from South Carolina, Virginia and Louisiana.
Mr Edwards, who works in the oil and gas industry, was not surprised by the huge turnout of Trump supporters to vote on election day.
"It shows a lot of people supported Trump from the closet," said Mr Edwards, who lives in Arabian Ranches.
"The turnout has been huge. Everyone thought Biden was going to win but it looks like the same situation as in 2016.
“For Americans, the economy is so important.
“Trump is probably the most hated man on the planet and when he first took over there was so much negativity, not just from Americans.
“Americans living overseas definitely see him more in a positive light now with the impact he has had on the Middle East.
“America is the world police, it has to be. Trump is a strong leader who can keep things in perspective.”
Mr Biden may have started election day as the overwhelming favourite but early on a repeat of the 2016 election when Hillary Clinton found herself at the wrong end of a similar upset looked on the cards.
Both were claiming to be on track for victory but nothing was guaranteed.
Mr Trump cried foul on postal votes, called the situation fraudulent and told the nation he was heading to the US Supreme Court to challenge the result if the Democrats were voted in. But Mr Biden struck a different tone telling people to be patient and ensure all votes were counted.
Much has changed in the way Mr Trump is viewed at home and abroad, according to Texan Amber Morris, 34.
“I did not used to support Mr Trump,” said Ms Morris, who moved to the UAE five years ago. “The Covid-19 lockdown gave me time to do all my own research on him and what he stood for.
“I realised he had done a lot of work for minority communities, the general media view of him being a racist just wasn’t true.
“When I was a kid he was in all the rap videos so I wondered how he could be this kind of person.
“There is a lot of misunderstanding if you just take what comes out of his mouth [but] when you read what he has actually done it is very different.”
Women and Latinos were happy to pile their support behind Mr Trump, despite a view he alienated many with reports of poor conduct.
“Suburban women have not been unsupportive of Trump. As a woman I have never felt my rights or liberties would be restricted under his administration,” said Ms Morris.
Prior to polling day, more than 100 million Americans cast their ballot and with millions more turning out on the day the election was set for the highest participation rate in a century.
“In America people are being verbally and physically attacked for being Trump supporters. Luckily here in the UAE there is more tolerance so we found each other to watch the high drama,” said Nikki Cruz, 42, who moved to Dubai from California eight years ago.
“I am a Hispanic Latino woman and I like his policies, particularly in the Middle East.
“There are more people out there like me than you would realise. We just want someone to fight for us who is not a standard politician.”
The Latino vote proved crucial in Florida and was a state Mr Trump had to win.
Mrs Cruz, who lives in Al Barsha, was expecting to put celebrations on hold as the final result may not be known for some days.
“Trump has not got involved in the swamp politics," she said. "We don’t want someone who has been there for 47 years [like Biden].”
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
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Scoreline
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
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Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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MATCH INFO:
Second Test
Pakistan v Australia, Tuesday-Saturday, 10am daily at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Entrance is free
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
more from Janine di Giovanni
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
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
Mobile phone packages comparison
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
