Marco Rubio, the former senior senator from Florida, officially began his tenure as the 72nd Secretary of State on Tuesday and vowed to carry out President Donald Trump’s America First foreign policy agenda.
Mr Rubio, flanked by his wife and four children, addressed staff at the State Department’s sprawling headquarters in Washington, saying that his and the department's job "in some ways will be different", in that there is now a "very clear mission" when it comes to foreign policy: "to ensure that our foreign policy is centred on one thing, and that is the advancement of our national interest".
He said the State Department’s focus will be on making the US stronger, safer and more prosperous.
Mr Trump said on Monday during his inauguration that he wants to "stop all wars" and to be a "peacemaker", and Mr Rubio said that the State Department will be critical to achieving those goals.
"That's what we endeavour to do – to promote peace around the world – because that's in our national interest," he said. "Without peace, it is hard to be a strong nation, a prosperous nation, and one that is better off."
Mr Rubio was confirmed unanimously by Congress on Monday and was sworn in early on Tuesday. He received bipartisan praise over the course of his brief confirmation process, with Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer saying he "was thorough and quick with his background checks and documentation. He did it the right way"
"We can all rest easier knowing that with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Sun has set on the America Last status quo and a new day of strong American leadership has dawned," Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said.
Mr Rubio inherits a department that has struggled internally over the previous administration's policies towards the Israel-Gaza war. Several State Department officials resigned over the concern that the department was allowing Israel to carry out a deadly campaign in Gaza with impunity.
Mr Trump has said that he is the most pro-Israel president in history. In his previous role as senator, Mr Rubio criticised his predecessor Antony Blinken for issuing sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank, which he referred to as Judea and Samaria, the biblical name for the region.
Mr Rubio was expected to meet the foreign ministers of India, Australia and Japan later on Tuesday.
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Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
