Eric Garcetti was first nominated to the post by US President Joe Biden in 2021. AFP
Eric Garcetti was first nominated to the post by US President Joe Biden in 2021. AFP
Eric Garcetti was first nominated to the post by US President Joe Biden in 2021. AFP
Eric Garcetti was first nominated to the post by US President Joe Biden in 2021. AFP

US Senate confirms Eric Garcetti as ambassador to India


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Former Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti was confirmed as the US ambassador to India on Wednesday after his nomination was stalled for 20 months.

Mr Garcetti was confirmed 52-42 after several Republicans voted for him. He will be Washington's first envoy to New Delhi since 2021.

“The United States-India relationship is extremely important and it's a very good thing we now have an ambassador,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Susan Collins, one of the Republicans crossing the aisle said: “I met with him personally. He clearly has an enormous amount of expertise about India. India’s been two years without an ambassador, and that is far too long.”

Elizabeth Jones has served as Washington's chargé d'affaires in New Delhi since October 2022.

The vacancy has left a diplomatic void for Washington as President Joe Biden seeks deeper ties with India to counter China's growing influence in the Pacific.

But India continues to buy oil from Russia and participate in military exercises with Moscow. Russia also provides India with most of its military hardware.

Mr Biden first nominated Mr Garcetti to the envoy position in 2021.

Some Democrats had opposed Mr Garcetti's nomination over how he handled sexual harassment claims made against former top aide Rick Jacobs while he was mayor. Mr Garcetti and Mr Jacobs both denied any wrongdoing.

Agencies contributed to this report

Brief scores:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

Bundesliga fixtures

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 

RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 

Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 

Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),

Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Updated: March 15, 2023, 9:26 PM