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Paul Waring shoots 61 in Abu Dhabi to set 36-hole record on European tour with 19-under par
Read full article: Paul Waring shoots 61 in Abu Dhabi to set 36-hole record on European tour with 19-under parPaul Waring has hit the shot of his life to complete a career-low 11-under 61 in the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday and establish a five-stroke lead heading into the weekend of the European tour’s first playoff event.
The UAE opens its annual oil-and-gas summit as industry weathers Mideast wars and awaits US election
Read full article: The UAE opens its annual oil-and-gas summit as industry weathers Mideast wars and awaits US electionThe United Arab Emirates has opened its annual oil-and-gas summit as it plans to increase energy output even as global prices have fallen.
The world’s second Sphere will be built in the UAE capital after the first opened in Las Vegas
Read full article: The world’s second Sphere will be built in the UAE capital after the first opened in Las VegasThe world’s second Sphere will be built in the capital of the United Arab Emirates after the opening of the first in Las Vegas.
UAE sentences Bangladeshi nationals to prison over protests against their home government
Read full article: UAE sentences Bangladeshi nationals to prison over protests against their home governmentA court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced dozens of Bangladeshi nationals to prison, including three for life imprisonment, over protests against their home government in the Gulf country.
UAE orders a trial of Bangladeshi nationals arrested for protesting their home government
Read full article: UAE orders a trial of Bangladeshi nationals arrested for protesting their home governmentAuthorities in the United Arab Emirates ordered an investigation and an expedited trial of Bangladeshi nationals arrested after protesting against their home government across the Gulf country.
Houthis may be running low on their weapons stocks as attacks on ships slow, US commander says
Read full article: Houthis may be running low on their weapons stocks as attacks on ships slow, US commander saysA top U.S. commander says Houthi rebels in Yemen may be running through their supplies of drone swarms and anti-ship ballistic missiles as the pace of their attacks has slowed a bit.
World Trade Organization ends meeting in UAE after failing to reach major agreements
Read full article: World Trade Organization ends meeting in UAE after failing to reach major agreementsNegotiators taking part in a World Trade Organization meeting in the United Arab Emirates have ended their summit after failing to reach agreements on several major initiatives.
Al-Shabab claims attack in Somali capital that kills 4 Emirati troops and 1 Bahraini officer
Read full article: Al-Shabab claims attack in Somali capital that kills 4 Emirati troops and 1 Bahraini officerThe al-Qaida-linked militant group al-Shabab has claimed an attack that killed four Emirati troops and a Bahraini military officer at a military base in the Somali capital.
Iran is 'directly involved' in Yemen Houthi rebel ship attacks, US Navy's Mideast chief tells AP
Read full article: Iran is 'directly involved' in Yemen Houthi rebel ship attacks, US Navy's Mideast chief tells APThe U.S. Navy’s top Mideast commander says Iran is “very directly involved” in ship attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels during Israel’s war against Hamas.
BP denies ex-CEO Looney a $41 million payout, saying he misled the firm over work relationships
Read full article: BP denies ex-CEO Looney a $41 million payout, saying he misled the firm over work relationshipsBP says its former chief executive has been denied a payout of 32.4 million pounds, or $41 million, after he was found to have misled the company over his past relationships with colleagues.
On sidelines of COP28, Emirati 'green city' falls short of ambitions, but still delivers lessons
Read full article: On sidelines of COP28, Emirati 'green city' falls short of ambitions, but still delivers lessonsA bold, innovative project begun nearly a generation ago to erect a “green-city” in the United Arab Emirates has run into realities and largely missed its mark.
Russia's Putin is visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia, seeking to bolster Moscow's Mideast clout
Read full article: Russia's Putin is visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia, seeking to bolster Moscow's Mideast cloutRussian President Vladimir Putin visited the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in a one-day lightning tour intended to raise Russia’s profile as a Middle East power broker, even as his war Ukraine grinds on.
First planeload of wounded Palestinian children from Israel-Hamas arrives in United Arab Emirates
Read full article: First planeload of wounded Palestinian children from Israel-Hamas arrives in United Arab EmiratesThe first planeload of Palestinian children wounded in the Israel-Hamas war raging in the Gaza Strip has reached the United Arab Emirates, part of a pledged relief effort by the country to aid 1,000 children.
Makhachev retains lightweight belt with first-round KO of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294
Read full article: Makhachev retains lightweight belt with first-round KO of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294Islam Makhachev (26-1-0) used a devastating kick with his left leg to Alexander Volkanovski’s right temple, then quickly pounced and used nine hammering blows with his left hand before referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight at the 3:06 mark of the first round.
Minnesota tops Dallas, sweeps 2-game NBA preseason set in Abu Dhabi
Read full article: Minnesota tops Dallas, sweeps 2-game NBA preseason set in Abu DhabiKarl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid each scored 14 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves topped the Dallas Mavericks 104-96 to complete a two-game sweep of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games.
Hillary Clinton returning to the White House for an arts event next week
Read full article: Hillary Clinton returning to the White House for an arts event next weekFormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to make a rare public appearance at the White House, attending an arts event next week with first lady Jill Biden.
Germany's foreign minister delayed in Abu Dhabi after technical problem forces plane to turn back
Read full article: Germany's foreign minister delayed in Abu Dhabi after technical problem forces plane to turn backGermany’s foreign minister had to wait for hours in Abu Dhabi after a technical problem on her government plane forced it to return to the airport rather than continue to Australia.
Still Cruising: Tom premieres new 'Mission Impossible' adventure in Abu Dhabi
Read full article: Still Cruising: Tom premieres new 'Mission Impossible' adventure in Abu DhabiTom Cruise has graced the red carpet in Abu Dhabi for the Middle Eastern premiere of “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.”.
A decade after outcry, SeaWorld launches orca-free park in UAE, its first venture outside the US
Read full article: A decade after outcry, SeaWorld launches orca-free park in UAE, its first venture outside the USU.S. theme park chain SeaWorld, which has been mired in controversy in recent years over its treatment of killer whales and other marine mammals, has opened a massive new aquatic life park in the United Arab Emirates.
Actor Nazanin Boniadi asks world to back Iran women protests
Read full article: Actor Nazanin Boniadi asks world to back Iran women protestsActor Nazanin Boniadi is urging the world to back the protests in her native Iran calling for women’s rights and political change, saying despots fear nothing “more than a free and politically active woman.”.
Abrahamic House in UAE houses a church, synagogue and mosque
Read full article: Abrahamic House in UAE houses a church, synagogue and mosqueA new complex erected on the shores of the Persian Gulf, in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, houses a Catholic church, a Jewish synagogue and an Islamic mosque.
Abu Dhabi state gas company to sell 4% of shares in IPO
Read full article: Abu Dhabi state gas company to sell 4% of shares in IPOThe Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s gas processing firm plans to sell 4% of its shares to local investors in the latest initial public offering to be made by a state-run energy company in the Middle East.
Climate groups decry selection of oil chief to oversee COP28
Read full article: Climate groups decry selection of oil chief to oversee COP28Hundreds of climate and environmental groups from around the world released a letter Thursday that decried the nomination of an oil executive to oversee the United Nations climate negotiations at COP28.
Pakistan premier says UAE extends $2B loan, offers $1B more
Read full article: Pakistan premier says UAE extends $2B loan, offers $1B morePakistan’s prime minister says that the United Arab Emirates agreed to extend a $2 billion loan to his country and provide a additional $1 billion as his nation struggles to recover from devastating floods this summer.
UAE names oil company chief to lead UN climate talks COP28
Read full article: UAE names oil company chief to lead UN climate talks COP28The United Arab Emirates has named a veteran technocrat who both leads Abu Dhabi’s state-run oil company and oversees its renewable energy efforts to be the president of the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Dubai.
BP profits soar in 3Q as pressure increases for windfall tax
Read full article: BP profits soar in 3Q as pressure increases for windfall taxBP’s earnings have more than doubled in the third quarter as the London-based energy giant benefited from high oil and natural gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Murray has 25 points to lead Hawks past Bucks in Abu Dhabi
Read full article: Murray has 25 points to lead Hawks past Bucks in Abu DhabiDejounte Murray scored 25 points in his Atlanta debut and the Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 123-113 on in the NBA’s first game in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf.
Ex-F1 boss Ecclestone to be charged with fraud over assets
Read full article: Ex-F1 boss Ecclestone to be charged with fraud over assetsBritish prosecutors say former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone will be charged with fraud by false representation following a government investigation into his overseas assets.
As Saudi Arabia eases mask mandate, UAE stresses mask rules
Read full article: As Saudi Arabia eases mask mandate, UAE stresses mask rulesSaudi Arabia has lifted a mask mandate for indoors spaces even as COVID-19 infection numbers steadily climb past 1,000 new cases a day after reaching double-digit lows just two months ago.
US vice president, top officials visit UAE to pay respects
Read full article: US vice president, top officials visit UAE to pay respectsVice President Kamala Harris has led a high-powered American delegation to the United Arab Emirates to pay respects to the federation’s late ruler and meet with the newly ascended president.
World leaders descend on UAE to pay respects to late ruler
Read full article: World leaders descend on UAE to pay respects to late rulerAn array of presidents and prime ministers were descending on the United Arab Emirates from around the world to pay their respects to the federation’s late ruler and greet his successor, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Biden joins pope, imam in calling for 'human fraternity'
Read full article: Biden joins pope, imam in calling for 'human fraternity'U.S. President Joe Biden is joining Pope Francis and a leading Sunni imam in calling for greater global cooperation to fight the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and other world crises.
UAE envoy: Yemen's Houthis used missiles in Abu Dhabi attack
Read full article: UAE envoy: Yemen's Houthis used missiles in Abu Dhabi attackA United Arab Emirates ambassador says Yemen's Houthi rebels used cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones in an attack on Abu Dhabi this week that killed three people and set off fires at a fuel depot and an international airport.
Satellite photos show aftermath of Abu Dhabi oil site attack
Read full article: Satellite photos show aftermath of Abu Dhabi oil site attackSatellite photos obtained by The Associated Press appear to show the aftermath of a fatal attack on an oil facility in the capital of the United Arab Emirates claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The AP Interview: UN nuke chief says view of Iran blurred
Read full article: The AP Interview: UN nuke chief says view of Iran blurredThe head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has warned that the restrictions faced by his inspectors in Iran threaten to give the world only a “very blurred image” of Tehran’s program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
Mercedes, Red Bull play nice ahead of F1 championship
Read full article: Mercedes, Red Bull play nice ahead of F1 championshipThe heads of Mercedes and Red Bull have shaken hands and wished one another good luck as drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen head into the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In The Pits: F1 down to the wire in thrilling title fight
Read full article: In The Pits: F1 down to the wire in thrilling title fightThe most dramatic championship fight in decades will be settled in Formula One's season finale this week at Abu Dhabi with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen tied for the points lead.
Davis Cup Finals to add hosts cities, reduce teams next year
Read full article: Davis Cup Finals to add hosts cities, reduce teams next yearThere will be more host cities and fewer nations playing in the Davis Cup Finals next season in an attempt to increase fan engagement and keep the revamped team event sustainable.
Pandemic tourism: Thailand launches Phuket 'sandbox' plan
Read full article: Pandemic tourism: Thailand launches Phuket 'sandbox' planThailand has opened the popular resort island of Phuket to fully vaccinated foreigners from lower-risk countries in an ambitious but risky plan that it hopes will breathe new life into a tourism industry devastated by the pandemic.
New Israeli foreign minister in the UAE on 1st state visit
Read full article: New Israeli foreign minister in the UAE on 1st state visitIsrael’s new foreign minister is in the United Arab Emirates on the first high-level trip by an Israeli official to the Gulf Arab state since the two countries normalized relations last year.
UAE's capital apparently offering COVID vaccines to tourists
Read full article: UAE's capital apparently offering COVID vaccines to touristsThe capital of the United Arab Emirates has apparently started offering free coronavirus vaccines to tourists flying into emirate, a move that could entice travelers and help revive the country’s struggling tourism industry.
UAE organizers 'regret' philosopher Habermas' prize refusal
Read full article: UAE organizers 'regret' philosopher Habermas' prize refusalThe board of a high-priced literary award from the United Arab Emirates has expressed regret that prominent German philosopher Juergen Habermas has turned down the prize, reversing his earlier decision.
US officials in Mideast to reassure jittery allies over Iran
Read full article: US officials in Mideast to reassure jittery allies over IranTop Biden administration officials and U.S. senators have crisscrossed the Middle East, seeking to assuage growing unease among key Gulf Arab partners over America’s rapprochement with Iran and other policy shifts.
UAE weapons show draws major deals, traders amid pandemic
Read full article: UAE weapons show draws major deals, traders amid pandemic(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)ABU DHABI – In spite of the surging coronavirus pandemic, major arms makers descended Sunday on a convention center in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, hoping to make deals with militaries across the Middle East. The UAE unveiled $1.36 billion in local and foreign arms deals to supply its forces with everything from South African drones to Serbian artillery. Significant national pavilions were absent, including the United States, the world’s largest arms exporter. Ad“The threats are obvious lately,” said Walid Abukhaled, CEO of Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company, a holding company owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund. “If Iran goes into a major rearmament program or starts to flex its muscles, that’s where missile defense and air defense systems come in,” he said.
72 tennis players in lockdown after virus cases on flights
Read full article: 72 tennis players in lockdown after virus cases on flightsItalian tennis player Simone Bolelli, left, and Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez are escorted to their training session in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. The number of players in hard quarantine swelled to 72 ahead of the Australian Open after a fifth positive coronavirus test was returned from the charter flights bringing players, coaches, officials and media to Melbourne for the season-opening tennis major. Some players have expressed anger at being classified as close contacts merely for being on board those flights with people who later tested positive. But local government, tennis and health authorities have said all players were warned of the risks in advance. The Australian Open starts Feb. 8 following a week of warmup tournaments at Melbourne Park and the ATP Cup.
Australian Open arrivals hit by 4 COVID-19 positive tests
Read full article: Australian Open arrivals hit by 4 COVID-19 positive testsHealth authorities confirmed there'd been three positive tests for COVID-19 returned on Saturday, and another on Sunday. The Australian Open starts on Feb. 8. Kei Nishikori, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up, and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka were among a group of players who arrived on the flight from Los Angeles. Also, Americans Madison Keys and Tennys Sandgren returned positive tests, but Sandgren was given permission to fly after Australian health authorities determined he was no longer contagious though still shedding viral particles. South Australia health officials “confirmed that there is no one who has an active COVID-19 infection in the entire tennis cohort based in Adelaide,” the Australian Open said on Twitter.
Kenin beats Putintseva to reach Abu Dhabi quarterfinals
Read full article: Kenin beats Putintseva to reach Abu Dhabi quarterfinalsKenin is the top-seeded woman in Abu Dhabi, where the first womens tour-level tennis event of 2021 begins main-draw play on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)ABU DHABI – Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States came back from match point down to beat Yulia Putintseva and reach the quarterfinals of the Abu Dhabi Open on Saturday. Kenin posted 57 unforced errors to Putintseva's 43 but still prevailed 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 over the 13th-seeded Putintseva. Kenin dropped the opening set for the second consecutive match in Abu Dhabi. Also, Aryna Sabalenka recorded her 12th consecutive win in tour matches with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Ons Jabeur.
Spain's ex-king pays tax debt amid ongoing financial probes
Read full article: Spain's ex-king pays tax debt amid ongoing financial probesMADRID – The law firm representing Juan Carlos I said Wednesday that Spain’s former monarch has paid tax authorities nearly 680,000 euros ($821,000) following a voluntary declaration of previously undisclosed income. The former king now lives in Abu Dhabi, where he moved in August amid a deepening financial scandal. His lawyer in Madrid, Javier Sánchez-Junco, said in an e-mailed statement that Juan Carlos I filed a self-declaration of undeclared past income and had paid by Wednesday the ensuing debt of 678,393.72 euros. The former king moved to the United Arab Emirates after it emerged that he had become the target of official investigations by prosecutors in Spain and Switzerland for possible financial wrongdoing. “Spain’s parliamentary monarchy is not in danger,” Sánchez said.
UAE says Chinese vaccine 86% effective, offers few details
Read full article: UAE says Chinese vaccine 86% effective, offers few detailsThe United Arab Emirates said Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, that a Chinese coronavirus vaccine by Sinopharm tested in the federation of sheikhdoms is 86% effective, though it released few details. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File)DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates said Wednesday a Chinese coronavirus vaccine tested in the federation of sheikhdoms is 86% effective, in a statement that provided few details but marked the first public release of information on the efficacy of the shot. The UAE, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, conducted a trial beginning in September of the vaccine by Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm involving 31,000 volunteers from 125 nations. The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved for emergency use in a few countries and the company is still conducting late-stage clinical trials in 10 countries. Morocco is gearing up for an ambitious COVID-19 vaccination program, aiming to vaccinate 80% of its adults in an operation starting this month that’s relying initially on the Sinopharm vaccine.
First commercial passenger flight from UAE lands in Israel
Read full article: First commercial passenger flight from UAE lands in IsraelTEL AVIV – The first commercial passenger flight to Israel by a carrier from the United Arab Emirates landed near Tel Aviv on Monday, further cementing a normalization deal between the two countries. Etihad said it plans regular passenger flights between the countries in the future and was launching a dedicated Hebrew website. In August, a Star of David-adorned El Al plane flew from Israel to Abu Dhabi, carrying a high-ranking American and Israeli delegation in the first-ever direct commercial passenger flight between the two countries. Israel and the UAE announced in August they had agreed to normalize ties, setting off a flurry of business, banking and intergovernmental agreements, along with an end to a longstanding boycott by the UAE against Israel. The UAE and Bahrain are the third and fourth Arab states to establish ties with Israel.
UK festival curator accuses UAE minister of sex assault
Read full article: UK festival curator accuses UAE minister of sex assaultCaitlin McNamara alleged she was attacked in February by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, the Sunday Times reported. The account is denied,” British lawyers for Sheikh Nahyan said in a statement. “Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan made a mockery of his ministerial responsibilities and tragically undermined his government’s attempt to work with Hay Festival to promote free speech and female empowerment,” she added. The sheikh’s ministry paid for the four-day festival in Abu Dhabi, which took place in late February and featured several famous authors. Sheikh Nahyan has received international attention as the Emirates hosted Pope Francis and moves toward normalizing ties with Israel while welcoming Jews to this Muslim-ruled nation.
The Latest: NCarolina virus numbers head in wrong direction
Read full article: The Latest: NCarolina virus numbers head in wrong directionConnecticut has seen an uptick in virus cases in communities across the state over the past few weeks. There were 3,747 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, breaking the record of 3,279 set on Tuesday. The day of high case numbers comes just two weeks after the Republican governor repealed that same statewide mask mandate, citing declining numbers of virus cases. Mississippi has had more than 108,000 virus cases and at least 3,152 virus-related deaths. Mississippi’s state health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Monday that six hospitals have no beds available in their intensive care units.
Abu Dhabi, UAE's conservative capital, ends alcohol licenses
Read full article: Abu Dhabi, UAE's conservative capital, ends alcohol licensesDUBAI – Abu Dhabi, the conservative capital of the United Arab Emirates, is eliminating its licensing system for alcohol purchases for drinkers after Dubai repeatedly loosened its own rules to boost sales and tourism amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We would like to announce the cancellation of alcohol licenses for individuals,” the circular said. Eliminating the licenses also would decriminalize alcohol possession, although the Emirates maintains a strict no-tolerance policy on drunk driving and public intoxication. Alcohol sales go on in six of the UAE's seven sheikhdoms, while Sharjah remains dry like the neighboring nations of Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The new alcohol rule also comes just after Abu Dhabi ordered hotels to offer Kosher food, a nod toward the UAE normalizing relations with Israel.
UAE's warm welcome to Israelis reflects changing region
Read full article: UAE's warm welcome to Israelis reflects changing regionIsraeli National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat, center left, elbow bumps with an Emirati official as he leaves Abu Dhabi, Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. (Nir Elias/Pool via AP)
Israel lists first commercial passenger flight to UAE
Read full article: Israel lists first commercial passenger flight to UAEDUBAI Israel has listed an El Al flight taking off Monday for Abu Dhabi, which would be Israel's first commercial passenger flight to the United Arab Emirates after the two countries agreed to a U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations. The confirmation of the flight comes as the latest concrete sign of a deal that saw Israel agree to halt plans to annex land sought by the Palestinians. The website of the Israel Airports Authority listed the flight on Friday. A return flight to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport on Tuesday will be numbered LY972, Israels international calling code. However, U.S. officials earlier said the anticipated first flight will include American officials led by President Donald Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
US officials: 1st Israel-UAE commercial flight next week
Read full article: US officials: 1st Israel-UAE commercial flight next weekWASHINGTON U.S. officials announced Tuesday that the first commercial flight between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is scheduled for next week, carrying American and Israeli delegations to Abu Dhabi after the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The flight, likely on an Israeli El-Al airliner, would carry a U.S. delegation headed by President Donald Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and national security adviser Robert OBrien, the officials said. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The flight also would indicate Saudi support for the deal. Israeli and American officials have expressed hope that other Gulf Arab countries will soon follow suit, with relations based on mutual commercial and security interests, and their shared enmity toward Iran.