Emirati leaders invite Israel’s Netanyahu, Herzog, to join COP28 climate conference in Dubai
May 23, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Emirati leaders extended a long-sought invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the U.N climate conference, known as COP28, in November.
UN envoy cautiously optimistic Yemen’s warring parties will resume UN-led negotiations
May 17, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. envoy for Yemen expressed “cautious optimism” Wednesday that the country’s warring parties will return to U.N.-led negotiations to end their deadly eight-year conflict.
Leaked US intel: Russia operatives claimed new ties with UAE
April 12, 2023 GMTUAE leader designates his eldest son as crown prince
March 29, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, appointed his eldest son Khaled as crown prince of Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, placing him as next in line to take over as the leader of the federation.
Senior Iranian official visits UAE on heels of Saudi deal
March 16, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A senior Iranian official visited the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, just days after Tehran agreed to restore diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in a Chinese-brokered deal that raised hopes of a broader rapprochement across Middle East.
Ukraine first lady Olena Zelenska in UAE amid Russia’s war
March 8, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Ukraine's first lady on Wednesday offered spirited support to her nation's people while visiting the United Arab Emirates, a country that still remains open to Russia despite Western sanctions.
Abrahamic House in UAE houses a church, synagogue and mosque
February 21, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — On the shores of the Persian Gulf, a new complex houses a Catholic church, a Jewish synagogue and an Islamic mosque in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
Russia sells weapons at Abu Dhabi arms fair amid Ukraine war
February 21, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Russia offered weapons for sale Monday at a biennial arms fair in the United Arab Emirates, ranging from Kalashnikov assault rifles to missile systems — despite facing sanctions from the West over its war on Ukraine.
Dubai again plans for flying taxi takeoff, this time by 2026
February 13, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai again is planning for the takeoff of flying taxis in this futuristic city-state on the Arabian Peninsula, offering its firmest details yet Monday for a pledged launch by 2026.
Egypt’s president praises UAE, seeking to heal Gulf aid rift
February 13, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi offered effusive praise Monday for the United Arab Emirates, seeking to repair a rift between Cairo and the Gulf Arab states that have supplied billions of dollars in aid to his nation.
French finance minister backs pension push, UAE’s COP28 pick
January 30, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Trying to sell France to Emirati investors Monday, France's finance minister highlighted what he described as the business-friendly overhaul of President Emmanuel Macron — while sidestepping ongoing protests back home over a planned pension overhaul.
S. Korea, Iran summon each other’s envoys over Yoon comment
January 19, 2023 GMTSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea and Iran have summoned each other’s ambassadors in a diplomatic spat triggered by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s comments describing Iran as the “enemy” of the United Arab Emirates during a trip to that country this week.
South Korea president, in UAE, backs return to nuclear power
January 17, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Monday that his nation's efforts to be carbon neutral by 2050 would rely in part on returning to nuclear power, even though his predecessor had tried to move away from atomic power.
Where are the Gulf Arab tourists? Israel’s hopes fall short
January 15, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — When Israel struck an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to open diplomatic ties in 2020, it brought an electrifying sense of achievement to a country long ostracized in the Middle East.
South Korean president travels to UAE, seeks arms sales
January 15, 2023 GMTABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol received an honor guard welcome Sunday on a trip to the United Arab Emirates as he hopes to expand his country's military sales here.
Pakistan premier says UAE extends $2B loan, offers $1B more
January 12, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Pakistan's prime minister said Thursday that the United Arab Emirates agreed to extend a $2 billion loan to his country and provide an additional $1 billion as his nation struggles to recover from devastating floods this summer and a dire economic crisis.
UAE to ban single-use plastic shopping bags starting in 2024
January 10, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags to take effect next year, the latest initiative aimed at reducing pollution in the oil-rich nation.
Interpol says a top human trafficker arrested in Sudan
January 5, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — An Eritrean national described as one of ‘’the world’s most wanted″ human traffickers has been arrested in Sudan after an international manhunt led by the United Arab Emirates, Interpol announced on Thursday.
Dubai ends 30% tax on alcohol sales, fee for liquor licenses
January 1, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Dubai ended its 30% tax on alcohol sales in the sheikhdom Sunday and made its required liquor licenses free to obtain, ending a long-standing source of revenue for its ruling family to apparently further boost tourism to the emirate.
2 Yemeni soldiers escorting UN convoy killed in ambush
December 10, 2022 GMTSANAA, Yemen (AP) — Two troops from Yemen's pro-government forces were killed in an armed ambush on a United Nations convoy in eastern Yemen, the U.N. said Saturday.
According to a statement from the U.N.'s International Office of Migration spokeswoman, the two soldiers were killed while escorting a convoy traveling west from Seiyun to Marib.
New report details labor rights abuses at Dubai’s Expo 2020
February 2, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The legions of workers who built Dubai’s extravagant Expo 2020 site and keep it running face exploitation, grim conditions and a wide range of labor abuses, according to a new report released on Wednesday by a London-based labor rights group.