Jen Psaki, President-elect Biden's choice for White House press secretary, delivers a daily briefing at the US State Department when she was working for former US president Barack Obama. AFP
Jen Psaki, President-elect Biden's choice for White House press secretary, delivers a daily briefing at the US State Department when she was working for former US president Barack Obama. AFP
Jen Psaki, President-elect Biden's choice for White House press secretary, delivers a daily briefing at the US State Department when she was working for former US president Barack Obama. AFP
In 1992, James Carville, a strategist in former US president Bill Clinton’s election team, coined the famous phrase “it’s the economy, stupid”. These words were allegedly posted around his campaign office, a reminder of the importance of economic wellbeing for American voters.
For President-elect Joe Biden, the phrase is as relevant as it was in 1992. But in 2020, one could say “representation” merits equal consideration.
President Donald Trump achieved much in office, but few disagree that his term left America divided.
Some women in America have felt alienated during this administration. Despite him choosing some women for senior roles, an estimated 4.6 million people across the US joined the Women’s March in January 2017. The protest was officially advocating social change. Mr Trump also failed to win a majority among female voters in both 2016 and 2020.
In contrast, Mr Biden has assembled the most diverse presidential team in history. And now he is expected to announce an all-female communications team. He will hope this brings a greater range of Americans back into the political fold.
Appointments include, among others and all pending Senate approval, Jen Psaki as White House Press Secretary. Psaki will be the face of the new administration, tasked with informing the American public, especially important during the Covid-19 crisis.
With significant media experience, she will also likely try to re-involve traditional outlets. News organisation will welcome this, after four year of President Trump branding them the “lamestream media”.
Yesterday, reports emerged that Mr Biden was also expected to announce women for senior economic posts.
These include Neera Tanden as head of the Office of Management and Budget, as well as Princeton economist Cecilia Rouse to Run the Council of Economic Advisers. Again, this will depend on whether the Senate will approve them, particularly in the case of Ms Tanden, disliked by both the Republicans and the left of the Democratic Party.
Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress, is expected to be nominated as President-elect Biden's pick for the White House budget chief. AP
Mr Biden has assembled the most diverse presidential team in history
Regardless, Mr Biden’s focus on female appointments is a moral decision, as well as a strategic move to widen his support base.
A similar phenomenon is taking place in the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently appointed former newsreader Allegra Stratton to head the government’s Covid-19 briefings.
Ms Stratton is said to be part of a group within Downing Street, reportedly led by the Prime Minister’s partner Carrie Symonds, that is successfully pushing back against the previous, male-dominated communications team previously led by Dominic Cummings.
Greater representation now seems to be a possible factor in political success. But this only lasts if those appointed are the best people for the job. Some will criticise this as simply trying to win over feminist lobbies.
A look at the professional record of these women, however, proves this to be false. With this level of expertise, they are first and foremost experienced and capable professionals.
Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
