US President Joe Biden signed executive orders to launch his administration on Wednesday, including a decision to rejoin the Paris climate accord and a mask mandate for all federal buildings.
The orders included keeping the US in the World Health Organisation, ending the ban on entries from mostly Muslim-majority countries, bolstering environmental protection and strengthening the fight against Covid-19.
Also among the directives was a halt on building the wall on the Mexico border and moves to expand diversity and equality for minority groups in the federal government.
The orders were aimed at reversing decisions by Donald Trump and setting a clear policy path for Mr Biden's administration, just hours after he was sworn in as president.
"Some of the things we are going to be doing are going to be bold," he said in the Oval Office.
"We are going to combat climate change in a way we have not done so far."
Mr Biden said that included returning to the Paris agreement, a treaty signed by most nations and the EU in 2015 and put into effect in 2016 to limit global warming.
He said his action on the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed 400,000 lives in the US, would help to change its course.
His return to the Paris agreement, which the US joined when Barack Obama was president and Mr Biden was vice president, was praised by other leaders.
"Welcome back," said French President Emmanuel Macron. "We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet."
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the move, saying it was a big step for the leading producer of global carbon pollution.
"But there is a very long way to go," Mr Guterres said. "We look forward to the leadership of the United States in accelerating global efforts towards net zero" emissions.
He called for ambitious new targets for 2030 and more financing to battle climate change.
Mr Biden's top climate official, John Kerry, praised the move as a boon for "America's credibility and commitment – setting a floor, not a ceiling, for our climate leadership".
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
