ABU DHABI // They had different reasons for being there, but the Iraqis who turned out to vote all did so for love of country.
Samer Bunni, and his wife Najwana, have a family here in the UAE.
"The bombings cause us pain no matter where they take place, it's all a part of us," said Mr Bunni. "We wish to be able to visit, have our kids smell the air of Iraq. For them to know where their roots are."
Ibtisam Khalil, a housewife, said whenever she hears of bombings she realises "it could have been me".
"I want the people to focus on its unity, to be independent," she said.
"I would like a government that won't be susceptible to the same kind of interference from Iran, said Hameed Alenizy, an English teacher.
Lamees Bazirjan, the owner of Qibab Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi, was one of many hoping for change.
"If everything gets better, Id love to see Baghdad again. I don't want to see it with blood everywhere. It isn't easy for us to leave our country."
Hussein Ali, an English teacher based in Abu Dhabi, said he was ready to sacrifice everything for Iraq.
Dr Moner Jabir, who works at Gulf Diagnostic Centre Hospital, was voting at the last minute with his wife, whose sister remains in Iraq.
"I want a government that will realise the hopes of the people, and reinstate security in Iraq," said Mr Jabir. "The country's infrastructure, electricity, water, most services are gone."
Muthana al Bustani, an electrical engineer, and Saba al Sharifi, a housewife, agreed one one thing: that the candidates they voted for deserve their support.
Hadeel Al Sayegh
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
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Business Insights
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners