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US President Joe Biden took the stage on Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in front of a newly energised Democratic Party base, highlighting his legacy and aiming to instil confidence in his leadership for his remaining time in office.
Mr Biden, who dropped out of the presidential election race last month and endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris, spent the weekend at Camp David preparing for the speech with senior aides.
"It's been the honour of my lifetime to serve as your President," Mr Biden said. "I love the job, but I love my country more."
Polls show that Ms Harris, 59, has wide support in the Democratic Party, including among younger and more progressive voters, in addition to voters of colour.
Mr Biden, 81, has spent half a century in public office.
He was introduced by his wife, Jill, and his daughter Ashley, who praised his qualities as a husband and father.
"Weeks ago, I saw him dig deep into his soul and not seek re-election and endorse Kamala Harris, with faith and conviction," the first lady said.
"Joe knows that our nation's strength doesn't come from intimidation or cruelty, it comes from the small acts of kindness that heal deep wounds, from service to the communities that make us who we are, from love of a country that shines with promise and renewal."
Only weeks ago, Mr Biden was travelling across the country campaigning for a second term in office. Had he stayed in the race, he would have been the headliner at the DNC.
Instead, he was giving the keynote speech on Monday before heading to California, where will spend time on holiday.
The acceptance speech will instead be made by Ms Harris, who is set to be inaugurated as the presidential candidate on Thursday night with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Still, the Democratic Party and the convention this week honoured the President for a lifetime of service in US politics - and for willingly stepping aside.
Chris Coons, a US senator from Delaware, Mr Biden's home state, is one of his closest allies.
"On behalf of our nation, Joe, for your courage in fighting for our democracy, we thank you," he said during his speech before leading the chant with the crowd: "Joe we love you."
Hours before Mr Biden took the stage, Ms Harris made an unannounced appearance at the convention and thanked the President.
“Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you’ll continue to do,” she said. “We are forever grateful to you.”
Former president Barack Obama is scheduled to speak on Tuesday night, while former president Bill Clinton will deliver remarks on Wednesday.
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee in 2016, took the stage earlier on Monday evening to hail Mr Biden for stepping aside, saying: “Now we are writing a new chapter in America’s story.”
Mr Biden's exit from the campaign came after his disastrous performance in a debate with Republican nominee Donald Trump in late June, leading to panic in the Democratic Party about his capacity to win the November 5 election.
He has also endured intense criticism over his near unequivocal support for Israel in its 10-month military campaign in Gaza.
During his speech, he said he was sending US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the region prevent a wider war, reunite hostages with their families and get more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
"We're working around the clock to end the civilian suffering of the people in Gaza, and finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war," he said.
Near the site of the convention in Chicago, thousands of anti-war activists protested on Monday, and some broke through a metal barrier erected by police.
"Those protesters out in the street, they have a point," Mr Biden said. "A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides."
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments in Gaza since October 7.
The Israeli military began its offensive after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel killing about 1,200 people.
A video circulating online showed protesters unfurling a large sign reading "Stop arming Israel" during the Mr Biden's speech, before a security guard swiftly took it down.
Mr Biden spoke about his domestic accomplishments over the past four years, reflecting on how the country and its economy have rebounded since he took office amid the pandemic, and saying he had healed the country after four years under his predecessor Mr Trump.
"Covid no longer controls our lives. We got from economic crisis to the strongest economy in the entire world," he said.
Mr Biden talked about his attempts to support the nation's middle class and his dedication to fighting for American democracy – which he claimed Mr Trump was trying to undo.
"Wages are up, inflation is down, way down, and continuing to go down," he said. "The smallest racial wealth gap in 20 years and yes, we know we have more to do, but we're moving in the right direction."
He also cheered on Ms Harris and made the argument that she will – in his words last week – make “one hell of a president”.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
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Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (All UAE kick-off times)
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (11.30pm)
Saturday
Union Berlin v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
FA Augsburg v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Werder Bremen (6.30pm)
SC Paderborn v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Monchengladbach (9.30pm)
Sunday
Cologne v Bayern Munich (6.30pm)
Mainz v FC Schalke (9pm)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
