united arab emirates

World News

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, the UAE's long-ailing leader, has died

8:14am May 13, 2022

by The Associated Press

The United Arab Emirates' long-ailing ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, died Friday, the government's state-run news agency announced in a brief statement. He was 73.

People enjoy drinks at a restaurant overlooking the Marina district in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2019. The country is loosening its liquor laws and other restrictions.

World News

Why United Arab Emirates is relaxing laws on sex, marriage, liquor, vapes and more

3:34pm January 11, 2022

by Ruth Sherlock

The UAE is overhauling laws on an array of business, cultural and social norms. On paper, it makes the emirate one of the region's most progressive countries, but critics say the reality is complex.

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Men stand next to a torn poster of ousted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Kabul airport on Monday. Ghani fled Afghanistan over the weekend as Taliban forces closed in on Kabul.

World News

The United Arab Emirates Is Sheltering Afghanistan's Ousted President, Ashraf Ghani

12:56pm August 18, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

Ghani said on Sunday that he had left the country to avoid further bloodshed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left), United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (center) and Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony in September.

World News

'An Embarrassing Time': The Challenges For Arab Nations That Made Peace With Israel

1:36pm May 14, 2021

by Ruth Sherlock

"This is an embarrassing time for Gulf countries," says political scientist Bessma Momani. "Ultimately, they gave Israel a normalization deal, but didn't really extract anything for the Palestinians."

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Israeli tourists walk through the Deira district near Dubai's grand souk in December.

World News

As Israelis Flock To UAE, They See A New Precedent: Peace Deals Without Giving Ground

6:01am January 24, 2021

by Daniel Estrin

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel's United Arab Emirates peace deal sets a precedent: Israel need not cede captured land to the Palestinians in order to win friends in the Arab world.

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A lit menorah during a Hanukkah celebration at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on Dec. 16.

As Thousands Of Israeli Tourists Visit Dubai, A Small Jewish Community Gets A Boost

1:01pm December 29, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

The community maintains a low profile, given sensitivities in the region. Since the Israel-United Arab Emirates peace deal was announced, it has scrambled to accommodate a rush of Jewish visitors.

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The United Arab Emirates announced Wednesday that the Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine provides 86% protection from the virus. The UAE said it has registered the vaccine following analysis by health officials.

Chinese Vaccine 86% Effective, UAE Health Ministry Says

8:32am December 09, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

The Sinopharm vaccine, developed by a Chinese pharmaceutical company, has already been approved for emergency use in a few countries.

Israeli tourists deplane from a FlyDubai flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai, on Nov. 28.

World News

Israeli Tourism Ministry Warns Against Discussing Sensitive Topics With UAE Citizens

4:08pm November 30, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

The ministry's 29-page advisory is geared to tourism professionals and business travelers now that travel is open between the two countries, but it has been criticized in both Israel and the Gulf.

Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat (left) elbow-bumps with an Emirati official as he leaves Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday.

World News

Reporter's Notebook: What It Was Like On Israel's 'Peace Plane' To UAE

5:47pm September 02, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

Weeks ago it would have been unimaginable to see Israeli officials fly to the United Arab Emirates and walk out onto a red carpet. That wasn't the only unusual part of the visit.

An official stands at the door of an Israeli El Al airliner after it landed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Monday after flying in from Tel Aviv.

World News

With Israel-UAE Flight, Israelis And Emiratis Mark Closer Ties As Palestinians Worry

12:59pm August 31, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

Jared Kushner joined U.S. and Israeli officials Monday on the first official Israeli flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi to advance the Aug. 13 deal to establish diplomatic ties.