Because it's much safer to assume that the newer approvals more urgently require or deserve attention. Approvals that have sat for a while are likely in that state because something is holding them there—in our case, often a primary stakeholder that has yet to make a decision.Why should new approval...

why are approvals sticking around for so long without having a decision made on them by the stakeholder? Respectfully, the question should be, "in what order are the discussions on this forum arranged?"  Descending, of course. What's most relevant appears first. That which requires action most urgen...