Latest updates: Follow our full coverage on the US election
At first glance, regardless which side of the political aisle you reside, it might be tempting to think that with the presidential election having crossed the finish line, we might get a return to normality in the US as the toxic political ads and increased rhetoric evaporate. Don’t bet on it.
Before his victory, President-elect Donald Trump had made clear his preference for divisive politics and his affinity for making an enemy out of anyone who disagrees with him. Neither had he shown any sort of remorse for the violent January 6, 2021 insurrection weeks after he lost the previous presidential election. Those aren’t political thoughts; those are realities to even the most casual observer.
In many ways, Mr Trump and his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, are as different as they come in politics, for a number of reasons. Yet one thing both candidates in this highly divisive election agreed on during the rough and tough campaign trail was that this was the most important presidential election ever.
Given the platter of geopolitical problems coupled with domestic disagreements over the economic and social policies, few would argue with them. Yet we’ve heard about the unprecedented importance of US presidential elections throughout the last few cycles.
For once, therefore, it would be refreshing to experience a dull, unimportant and purely incidental presidential election.
Do yourself a favour and watch TV news election highlights from the 1996, 1992, 1988 or 1984 presidential elections. Watch the debates as well while you’re at it. What you will find throughout the videos is a refreshingly dull, civil and informative discourse. In short, it seems like a completely different world, because it is.
This is not to fall into the trappings of golden-age thinking, but how did we get to this circus-like political atmosphere in which we currently reside?
Some may accuse me of recency bias given my age of 39. But to me, it definitely feels that in addition to the polarising and increased rhetoric presented by Mr Trump, the origin of the tensions seemingly baked into our presidential elections can be traced back to the 2000 election between then vice president Al Gore and then Texas governor George W Bush.
That election had just about everything to sew distrust in the minds of many Americans.
You can start with the fact that Mr Gore won the popular vote by more than 500,000 votes, only to see the electoral college emerge as the deciding factor that would lead to his defeat. Yet that grossly oversimplifies the fact that there was ample confusion over a problematic ballot that saw a disproportionate number of people vote for Pat Buchanan, the independent conservative candidate, in Florida.
Making matters more dysfunctional, when a recount in Florida finally got under way and showed Mr Gore on the path to win the sunshine state, the Supreme Court stepped in and made what many describe was a partisan five-to-four decision to halt the recount, and essentially send Mr Bush to the White House.
Any trust that was built up in the countless presidential election cycles prior to 2000 quickly dissipated. The idea of voting itself, it seemed, suddenly became polarising in the subsequent presidential elections. Somewhere along the line, distrust in elections shifted mainly to the Republican Party. It coincided with the rise of Mr Trump and his blunt political rhetoric, and it remains to be seen if it will linger beyond his time in politics.
Most recently, a Pew poll found that 90 per cent of Harris supporters were confident in the integrity of US elections, while only 57 per cent of Trump supporters had confidence. Yet when Pew asked if those surveyed felt that the Supreme Court would make non-partisan decisions if presidential election court cases came on the docket, only six per cent of Harris supporters felt that the land’s highest court could leave politics out of its decisions.
In other words, there are no quick fixes that will make this level of distrust and anger go away at this point.
There’s much work to do to calm the rhetoric. Although many will rightly point the finger at Mr Trump for his xenophobic, racist and bombastic style, it’s worth noting that he is simply exploiting the divisions that have gone unresolved over the years.
I don’t have any particular answers. Finding big-picture, consensus issues that both sides agree on is a start. So, too, is the idea of term limits for Supreme Court judges perhaps. That’s just off the top of my head.
Regardless – again – just to reiterate my main thesis, I sure would like to see a boring presidential election again in my lifetime.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
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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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
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LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)
Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)
Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More on Quran memorisation:
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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