The Senate on Tuesday failed to block President Joe Biden’s proposed $650 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia.
Several key senators who supported blocking other sales to Riyadh under former president Donald Trump threw their support behind the White House this time.
Senators voted 30-67 against a bipartisan resolution introduced by Republican Rand Paul to block the sale, which the Biden administration says will be used to replenish Saudi Arabia’s stock of medium-range, air-to-air missiles used to intercept Houthi drone attacks.
A Saudi-backed coalition has battling the Iran-backed rebels since 2015 after a request from the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
Mr Paul's failed efforts to stop the sale were joined by independent Senator Bernie Sanders, Republican Mike Lee and a handful of other Democrats.
Mr Biden halted the Trump administration's sale shortly after taking office when he vowed to end military support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
But the Biden administration proposed a much smaller sale to replenish Saudi missile stocks, classifying it as defensive, which convinced two key senators to support the transaction despite them leading efforts to block weapons for Riyadh under Mr Trump.
“This looks to me like a traditional defensive sale and these weapons are used in part to shoot down drones that are launched into Saudi territory from Yemen,” Chris Murphy, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Middle East panel, told The National.
Iran has stepped up its supply of drones and missiles to the Houthis in recent years, allowing the rebels to launch attacks similar to those used by Tehran’s proxies in Iraq and Syria.
Mr Young, the top Republican on the Middle East panel, echoed Mr Murphy’s assessment despite joining Mr Murphy in the tussle over Mr Trump’s 2019 sale.
“The circumstances have changed considerably,” Mr Young told The National. “We’ve seen some in the Houthi movement who have aligned themselves with the Iranians terrorising Saudis and also threatening the lives and welfare of American troops and civilians in the country as well.”
The Biden administration in September also notified Congress of a separate $500m sale to maintain and service Saudi Arabia’s fleet of helicopters.
The helicopters have reportedly been used on the Saudi-Yemeni border where the Houthis have launched drone attacks into the kingdom.
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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.
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
The%20specs
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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
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Most%20ODI%20hundreds
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Company%20profile
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TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
