Live updates: follow the latest news on Russia-Ukraine
The US Senate confirmed Bridget Brink as ambassador to Ukraine late on Wednesday night, filling the post as the US begins returning diplomats to the capital Kyiv.
Ms Brink received unanimous approval from a Senate committee for the post earlier on Wednesday, and was also confirmed unanimously by the full Senate without a formal roll-call vote.
The foreign relations committee held the veteran diplomat's confirmation hearing on May 10, only two weeks after she was nominated to the post by President Joe Biden.
Ukraine welcomed the Senate's confirmation of Ms Brink, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff said on Thursday.
"We greet the US Senate unanimous decision to approve Bridget Brink [as] the US Ambassador to Ukraine," Andriy Yermak wrote on Twitter.
The US evacuated its diplomatic staff from Kyiv three months ago as Russia invaded Ukraine but on Wednesday the embassy reopened. The return to Kyiv came weeks after Ukrainian forces defeated Moscow's efforts to take control of the capital.
"The Ukrainian people, with our security assistance, have defended their homeland in the face of Russia's unconscionable invasion and, as a result, the Stars and Stripes are flying over the embassy once again," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The ambassador’s post has been vacant since former president Donald Trump abruptly forced out ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in 2019. She later became a crucial figure in the first impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump.
US Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a tweet that he was "proud to lead the Senate's swift confirmation" of Ms Brink to the ambassadorship.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a separate tweet: "She is an excellent choice to lead our diplomatic mission as we continue standing with the Ukrainian people."
Ms Brink, a Michigan native who speaks Russian, had been the ambassador to Slovakia.
Agencies contributed to this report
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
The%20Little%20Mermaid%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rob%20Marshall%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHalle%20Bailey%2C%20Jonah%20Hauer-King%2C%20Melissa%20McCarthy%2C%20Javier%20Bardem%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
more from Janine di Giovanni
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
