The Democratic Convention opened in Charlotte, North Carolina yesterday.
The day began with caucus meetings. The convention centre was buzzing with activity as the party's almost 5,000 delegates and committee members made their way to their respective caucus meetings. This morning there were sessions for Asian Americans, African Americans, ethnics, Hispanics, native Americans, women, youth, the disabled and military veterans and their families. These caucuses address the particular needs of these constituencies and discuss the strategies needed to organize them and get them out to vote.
I chaired the ethnic caucus meeting. This grouping represents delegates and members from 19 European and Mediterranean countries. For most of the last century, our communities were the immigrants and their descendants that formed the backbone of the Democratic Party. The party lost some ground with these groups in recent decades and is now working to recapture their support.
Democratic Party Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz addressed the caucus to make the case directly. Strategy and goals were discussed. Party and campaign officials made statements.
Winning "ethnics" is especially important in what are known as the "battleground states" - states that are the key to success in national elections and where the outcome of the voting is not a foregone conclusion. Hence, ethnic voters will receive attention between now and November.
With the caucus meetings over, the delegates spilled out into downtown Charlotte for an unexpected treat. Nearly the entire center of the city has been shut down and the streets have become an open-air fair, which the organisers have called "CarolinaFest".
The day began with a parade featuring local high school marching bands. There were booths selling political memorabilia, ethnic food, local crafts and more. There were musicians and street performers and even impromptu "soap boxes" where speakers addressed issues of concern. Museums were open and many were free of charge. And special exhibits on American history were constructed and open to the public. There were a host of family activities, including a "kids convention" that taught lessons in "the democratic process and civic engagement". It was a marvelous sight, one that I had never seen in any city that had hosted a major party convention.
Too often national political conventions some to town, take it over for a week and shunt aside local residents. They bear the brunt of the inconvenience of heavy traffic and closed streets but have no opportunity to participate in the festivities.
This was clearly different. Visiting delegates and tens of thousands of local residents shared in "CarolinaFest". And thousands will be admitted to Charlotte's massive sports stadium, where President Obama will deliver his acceptance speech.
I have noted that national conventions aren't what they used to be. There is little tension or drama. In the case of the convention here, this is even more the case. Barack Obama will be renominated, as will his running mate, Joe Biden. There will be work, to be sure, but that will take place in side meetings and caucuses.
Taking that into account, the organisers of the Charlotte convention have taken an unconventional approach, making the event more inclusive and finding ways to make it more fun.
James Zogby is president of the Arab American Institute (www.aaiusa.org and Twiiter at @aaiusa)
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England 12-man squad for second Test
v West Indies which starts Thursday: Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
HOW TO WATCH
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The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]
Not before 4pm:
Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]
Not before 7pm:
Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]
Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Court One
Starting at 2pm
Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT)
Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
Not before 5pm:
Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
EA Sports FC 24
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Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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