Republicans in the US House of Representatives failed in three successive votes on Wednesday to elect a new speaker, as far-right legislators continued to dash majority leader Kevin McCarthy's hopes of securing the job.
The California Republican has now suffered six humiliating defeats in two days as he failed over and over again to secure enough backers from within his own party — even with support from former president Donald Trump and former vice president Mike Pence.
But the potential 2024 presidential rivals' calls went unheeded by the group of hardline rebel Republicans, who view Mr McCarthy as insufficiently conservative and who have demanded changes to legislative processes in the House.
Lauren Boebert claimed that Mr Trump had called her on Tuesday evening, telling her and other like-minded Republicans to “knock it off” with their opposition to Mr McCarthy.
She said on the House floor that the former president should tell Mr McCarthy that he does not have the votes.
“It's time to withdraw,” she said before the fifth vote. After the sixth vote, lawmakers voted to adjourn until midday on Thursday.
Twenty Republicans voted in favour of Byron Donalds for the position in the last three rounds of votes.
Earlier in the day, Mr McCarthy had been confident, especially after securing the backing of Mr Trump.
“Some really good conversations took place last night, and it's now time for all of our great Republican House members to vote for Kevin, close the deal, take the victory and watch crazy Nancy Pelosi fly back home,” Mr Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Wednesday morning.
Mr Pence also threw his weight behind Mr McCarthy.
Chip Roy, a Republican holdout, said: “We’re still a long way from fixing this institution the way it needs to be fixed.”
Because of the Republicans' slim majority of 222 seats in the 434-member chamber, Mr McCarthy can afford to lose only four of those votes to secure the 218 needed to secure the House speaker position.
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday morning that the Republicans' protracted process to elect a House speaker was “embarrassing”.
“I hope they get their act together,” he said.
With Republicans at a stalemate, business in the House cannot proceed. It also stalls Republican plans to establish committees investigating Mr Biden's family and administration, as well as put into motion their policy agenda for the session.
In addition, the new Congress cannot be sworn in until a speaker is elected.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Party leader in the House, took to Twitter on Tuesday to deride the dysfunction of his Republican colleagues.
“Day one. House Dems are united and ready to get to work. Complete chaos on the other side of the aisle,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, all 212 Democrats continued to vote in support of Mr Jeffries for House speaker, breaking into applause each time he was nominated.
But with Democrats in the minority, it is highly unlikely that Mr Jeffries will be elected as speaker.
Karl Rove, a former top adviser in the George W Bush White House, called the “chaos” in the House an “utter, unmitigated disaster” for the Republicans.
The House speaker is one of the most powerful positions in Washington and second in line to the presidency.
Whoever holds the gavel controls the voting agenda, sets committee assignments and oversees the daily business of the lower chamber.
Departing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used the powerful position to shepherd through the Affordable Care Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. She also set the schedule during both of former president Donald Trump's impeachments.
With Democrats unlikely to do Mr McCarthy any favours by voting for him, the House could be in for a long process to select a speaker.
Patrick deHahn contributed reporting from New York
Results:
2.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh60,000 1,200m.
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Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
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3.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 1,700m.
Winner: Kenz Al Reef, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
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Winner: Mystique Moon, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
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Winner: ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
Pari
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Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Studying addiction
This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.
Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.
The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
'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.”
The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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.
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
