Latest news with #SenateHearing
Associated Press
15-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Live updates: Mike Waltz will face questions over Signal chat at Senate hearing for new UN job
Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will face questioning from lawmakers Tuesday for the first time since he was ousted as national security adviser in the weeks after he mistakenly added a journalist to a private Signal chat used to discuss sensitive military plans. He is set to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at 10 a.m. ET. The hearing will provide senators with the first opportunity to grill Waltz over revelations in March that he added The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a private text chain on an unclassified messaging app that was used to discuss planning for strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen. Waltz has spent the last few months on the White House payroll despite being removed as national security adviser. The latest list of White House salaries, current as of July 1, includes Waltz earning an annual salary of $195,200. Update: Date: 2025-07-15 12:03:05 Title: The Kremlin says more U.S. weapons for Ukraine will extend the war Content: The Kremlin said Tuesday that new supplies of U.S. weapons to Ukraine announced by President Trump will extend the conflict. Asked about comments by Trump, who threatened Russia with steep tariffs if it fails to agree to a peace deal in 50 days and announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that 'such decisions made in Washington, in NATO members and in Brussels are perceived by the Ukrainian side as a signal for continuing the war, not a signal for peace.' He reaffirmed that Russia is open to continuing the talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but is still waiting for Kyiv to offer a date for their new round. 'We are ready to continue the dialogue,' he said, adding that 'we haven't yet received signals about the third round and it's hard to say what's the reason.' Update: Date: 2025-07-15 11:59:38 Title: Ask AP reporters a question Content: Update: Date: 2025-07-15 11:59:04 Title: Catch up on the latest headlines Content: AP Morning Wire curates the most important stories and sends them straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free newsletter here.
Independent Singapore
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
‘More embarassador than ambassador.' Donald Trump's pick for envoy to SG roasted online
SINGAPORE: United States President Donald Trump's choice for ambassador to Singapore had a humiliating time before the Senate earlier this week. 'I'm trying to help you here,' Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth told Dr Anjani Sinha, an orthopaedic and sports surgeon Mr Trump handpicked for the position. 'But you haven't even done your homework.' Ms Duckworth asked Dr Sinha a series of questions regarding Singapore's economy, the US Navy's work with Singapore, and when the city-state will chair the ASEAN, which the would-be envoy visibly struggled to answer. This resulted in the Senator telling him: 'You are not taking this seriously. You think this is a glamour posting. You think that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore, but what we need is someone who's actually going to do the work.' @thechillicrap Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth reprimands Dr. Anjani Sinha after the US ambassador to Singapore nominee fails to answer questions on the country and its ties with the US during a Senate hearing… #singaporetiktok #tiktoksingapore #tiktoksg #tarrifs ♬ original sound – thechillicrap – thechillicrap The senator underlined how important Singapore is to the United States, especially in the region, in the context of the tensions between the US and China. Ms Duckworth told Dr Sinha, 'I want to reinforce for you again right now. You are not currently prepared for this posting. Period. And you need to shape up and do some homework.' As the clip of Dr Sinha's grilling was shared on social media, some commenters took to calling him more of an 'embarassador than ambassador.' 'Anjani Sinha has absolutely zero expertise or experience in international relations or diplomacy whatsoever,' a Facebook user noted. Another wrote, 'Jialut la. As an HR practitioner, this is a big FAIL for an interview. The end of US supremacy is near.' Dr Sinha, a staunch supporter of the Republican Party in the US, was nominated for the post by Mr Trump in March, which means he's certainly had ample time to prepare for the ambassadorship to Singapore. In a post on Truth Social , the US President wrote, 'I have no doubt that Anji will strongly represent our Nation's interests, and put America first. Congratulations, Anji!' He is said to have been friends with Mr Trump for over 10 years, according to an introduction from Senator Lindsey Graham. In May, the U.S. Department of State touted Dr Sinha's 'deep social and cultural ties to the Indo-Pacific region' and wrote that he is 'uniquely positioned to relate to its key stakeholders.' 'His appreciation for Singapore's role as a financial hub, and his own business expertise — particularly in the life sciences and healthcare sectors – render him well qualified to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore,' it added. Despite Dr Sinha's poor showing this week and the backlash that ensued online, he is still likely to be confirmed as ambassador to Singapore, given the Republican Party's majority. /TISG Read also: U.S. Defence Secretary compares Donald Trump to Lee Kuan Yew, but Singaporeans say 'ah gong confirm flip in his grave' See also Billionaire Bezos buys estate for $165 mn: report
CNA
11-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Who is Tammy Duckworth, the US senator who grilled Trump's pick for ambassador to Singapore?
Scroll up for the next video X Who is Tammy Duckworth, the US senator who grilled Trump's pick for ambassador to Singapore?
CNA
11-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Anjani Sinha's Senate hearing: A bad day in the office
President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore, Dr Anjani Sinha, is in the news cycle for an apparent gaffe in his Senate hearing. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng assess his performance and determine what exactly Singapore needs in a US ambassador with Sean King, Senior Vice President at Park Strategies.
Malay Mail
10-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘You've not even done your homework': Trump's envoy pick told Singapore no ‘glamour posting', grilled over tariffs and Asean
WASHINGTON, July 10 — US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore, Dr Anjani Sinha, came under tough questioning during his Senate confirmation hearing, struggling to defend the administration's tariff policies and demonstrate knowledge of US-Singapore relations. The Straits Times reported that Dr Sinha, a retired orthopaedic surgeon, faced intense scrutiny from Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who expressed doubts about his qualifications and preparedness for the role during a two-hour session before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 'This is not a role you can just pick up on a whim, or because you think it will be glamorous,' Duckworth was quoted saying, questioning his grasp of key economic and diplomatic issues, including the US trade surplus with Singapore and the impact of recent tariffs announced by Trump. When asked to state the size of the US trade surplus with Singapore, Dr Sinha incorrectly estimated it at US$18 billion. Duckworth corrected him, noting it was US$2.8 billion in 2024, and pressed him on how he would justify new tariffs to Singapore, a long-time US trading partner. Duckworth also challenged him on regional knowledge, pointing out he was unable to name when Singapore next chairs Asean (2027) or identify specific US military facilities in Singapore. 'You've not even done your homework, sir,' she said, as she accused him of not taking his posting seriously. 'Singapore may feature incredible culture, but that should not be treated as a glamour posting. This nation is too important to the United States, to Asean, to the entire region.' 'I just feel that you are not taking this seriously. You think... you're going to live a nice life in Singapore, but what we need is someone who's going to actually do the work,' she reportedly said. Until Duckworth's intervention, the hearing had been largely supportive. In his opening statement, Dr Sinha described Singapore as a 'key strategic partner' and highlighted opportunities for growth in defence, technology, and trade. Dr Sinha noted shared experiences with Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, including their medical backgrounds and family similarities, saying, 'So we have a strong connection already.' Born in India and based in the US since 1977, Dr Sinha has practised sports medicine for decades and has been married to Dr Kiki Sinha, a retired anaesthesiologist, for 48 years. Their son attended the hearing, while their daughter watched from Norway. Dr Sinha was nominated by Trump on March 11. His confirmation now awaits a vote in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53–47 majority.
