US President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that he was removing his national security adviser Mike Waltz and nominating him for US ambassador to the UN.
The decision came after it emerged that Mr Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, were leaving the administration. The shake-up follows revelations that Mr Waltz added a journalist to a Signal chat group where military plans to bomb the Houthis in Yemen were being discussed.
Mr Trump's decision to appoint Mr Waltz to the UN follows his withdrawal of Elise Stefanik of New York, his initial nominee for the position, weeks earlier.
Although Ms Stefanik had undergone a confirmation hearing, her nomination was rescinded in March as her vote in support of Mr Trump’s agenda remains crucial to House Republicans.
Mr Waltz's transition from national security adviser to nominee for UN ambassador will now require him to undergo Senate confirmation, a process he avoided in January.
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Waltz would replace former president Joe Biden’s UN envoy, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who faced backlash for vetoes of humanitarian resolutions for Gaza.
“It looks like Trump is using the UN as a safe place to exile Waltz,” Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group, told The National.
“But I think other diplomats will at least be glad that there is finally a US ambassador on the way to New York, and optimistic UN officials point out that he knows how Trump thinks.”
Republicans have long been sceptical of the UN and frequently attacked the institution, claiming it has an anti-Israel bias.
The Trump administration is considering a proposal to slash the State Department’s budget by nearly half, a move that would gut international aid and strip the UN of critical funding.
Since resuming office on January 20, the President has ceased US participation in the UN Human Rights Council, continued the suspension of funding for the Palestinian relief agency UNRWA, and initiated a review of the UN cultural agency Unesco.
He has also declared US intentions to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organisation.
Karen Hult, professor of political science at Virginia Tech's Centre for Public Administration and Policy, said Mr Waltz's appointment solves two problems: it fills the gap left after Ms Stefanik's name was removed; and takes away a source of criticism over the Signal incident.
"Meanwhile, as long as Secretary Rubio remains the Secretary of State and serves as the 'acting' national security adviser, it technically is not a demotion but rather an increase in access to the President," she told The National. "'Acting' officials are frequently more responsive to presidential directions and demands, in part in order to keep their positions."
Who is Mike Waltz?
Mr Waltz, a colonel in the National Guard and a three-term Republican congressman from Florida, is a long-time Trump loyalist who supported the president-elect's claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
He is a China hawk and has been a vocal critic of the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress, after several combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa, according to his biography.
Mr Waltz worked as an adviser to defence secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates, and he advised former vice president Dick Cheney on counter-terrorism.
He has credited the temporary Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement to the “Trump effect” and has said that the US would continue to support Israel.
“I want the people of Israel to be very clear and to hear me loud and clear: you're dealing with President Trump … who fully supports Israel,” Mr Waltz told Fox News in January. “No one has done more for Israel than President Trump. We will have their back to make sure Hamas never exists as a terrorist state and certainly does not govern Gaza.”
Israeli ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, congratulated Mr Waltz on his nomination.
“Waltz is a true friend of the state of Israel and of the Jewish people, and we will stand together against the forces of lies and hatred at the UN,” Mr Danon said.
"Our alliance is stronger than ever – especially in the face of the hypocrisy and moral decay that characterises several UN institutions.”
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
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EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Company%20profile
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THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
