The White House on Tuesday resubmitted to Congress its list of about 100 stalled nominees requiring Senate confirmation, a necessary procedural action that highlights President Joe Biden’s struggles to secure valuable votes to install key personnel in his administration.
The list includes Barbara Leaf for assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, Steven Fagin for ambassador to Yemen, Tamara Coffman Wittes for assistant administrator overseeing the Middle East at the US Agency for International Development, and Deborah Lipstadt for special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.
It also includes two Muslim nominees: Mohsin Raza Syed for assistant secretary of transport and Dilwar Syed for deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Senate Republicans — especially Ted Cruz of Texas — stalled the advancement of several national security nominees last year, forcing Democrats to spend valuable floor time to vote to install them in office.
While Mr Biden only nominated Mr Fagin to serve as Yemen ambassador in December, the resubmission of his nomination comes as Houthi rebels hijacked a UAE-flagged cargo ship off the port city of Hodeidah on Sunday, and as they continue to launch drone attacks against neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
The president nominated Ms Leaf to oversee US diplomacy in the Middle East in April, but Mr Cruz has stalled her nomination, citing dissatisfaction with her written letters to his office on Iran, Egypt and the Abraham Accords.
And James Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has delayed a confirmation hearing for Ms Wittes — a prerequisite for a floor vote — over a series of social media posts, including one critical of the Abraham Accords. Mr Biden nominated Ms Wittes for the post in July.
Republicans have also delayed the hearing for Ms Lipstadt, who was nominated in September, due to tweets that criticised members of their party.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
JERSEY INFO
Red Jersey
General Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification by time.
Green Jersey
Points Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter, who has obtained the best positions in each stage and intermediate sprints.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider born after January 1, 1995 in the overall classification by time (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification: worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained the most Intermediate Sprint Points.
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Ferrari
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
