United Arab Emirates

A person in all black walks past a logo at the media center ahead of the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit.

Confidence in UN climate talks at a low point ahead of COP28 in Dubai

Optimism soared after the Paris Agreement was established in 2015. But progress at UN climate talks since then has been incremental at best.

Confidence in UN climate talks at a low point ahead of COP28 in Dubai
A photographer takes pictures of the Khurais oil field during a tour for journalists, 150 km east-northeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia says it's not responsible for high oil prices

Saudi Arabia says it's not responsible for high oil prices
Popular Russian rapper Oxxxymiron played to a packed club in Istanbul to raise funds for Ukrainians and their fight against Russia.

The new Russian diaspora finds a home in Istanbul 

The new Russian diaspora finds a home in Istanbul 
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks to a group of Bahraini businesspeople during an official visit to Manama, Bahrain

What's at stake for Israel and Gulf Arab countries in light of the Abraham Accords?

What's at stake for Israel and Gulf Arab countries in light of the Abraham Accords?
A logo adorns a wall on a branch of the Israeli NSO Group company, near the southern Israeli town of Sapir, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021.

Cybersecurity expert: Israeli spyware company NSO Group poses ‘a serious threat to phone users’

Cybersecurity expert: Israeli spyware company NSO Group poses ‘a serious threat to phone users’
A closeup photograph showing the inside of a computer with micro-chips and other wiring.

Ex-US intelligence officers accused of hacking for UAE

Top of The World: Court documents have revealed that three former US intelligence and military officials were working for the United Arab Emirates to carry out hacking operations. And, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has ordered the firing of the Port-au-Prince chief prosecutor who was investigating the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. Also, Afghanistan’s women’s soccer team have left the country and arrived in Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover

Ex-US intelligence officers accused of hacking for UAE
Samples of a COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinopharm subsidiary CNBG are displayed near a 3D model of a coronavirus during a trade fair in Beijing on Sept. 6, 2020.

UAE reports success with Sinopharm vaccine; Ethiopia rejects Tigray probes; EU plans to tighten Turkey sanctions

State media in the United Arab Emirates reported that the Chinese government-backed vaccine protected 86% of trial participants against COVID-19. Ethiopia’s government has rejected independent probes into the Tigray conflict. And, the European Union hopes to tighten sanctions on Turkey for drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, according to a draft statement prepared for EU leaders to give at a summit on Thursday.

UAE reports success with Sinopharm vaccine; Ethiopia rejects Tigray probes; EU plans to tighten Turkey sanctions
A group of three people are shown from behind standing at a ticketing agent desk at Ben Gurion airport.

Israel urges citizens to avoid Gulf, cites Iran threat

The Israeli government on Thursday urged its citizens to avoid travel to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, citing threats of Iranian attacks.

Israel urges citizens to avoid Gulf, cites Iran threat
A supporter of US President Donald Trump waves Israeli and US national flags on the day of the U.S. presidential election, in Carmiel, northern Israel, Nov. 3, 2020.

Amid US-UAE arms deal and US election, Israelis wonder how balance of power in region might change

The news of a proposed $10.4 billion deal for the US to sell up to 50 F-35 fighter jets to the UAE has raised questions among Israeli defense officials, who warn that it could have negative effects for Israel.

Amid US-UAE arms deal and US election, Israelis wonder how balance of power in region might change
Heba Nabil Iskandarani received her new passport in the mail in September after a long process of researching her family's history and finding documentation. 

Stateless Palestinian becomes Spanish citizen after proving Sephardic origin

Even before discovering her Jewish roots, Heba Iskandarani was always fascinated by Judaism. Subconsciously, she says, she always knew there was something there. But her genealogical journey took years before reaching back far enough into the past.

Stateless Palestinian becomes Spanish citizen after proving Sephardic origin
signing ceremony

Palestinians worry about the impact of the Abraham Accords. They say it's time to elect new leaders.

President Donald Trump hosted a signing ceremony on Tuesday with Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The new alliances have left some Palestinians wondering if it’s time for new leadership.

Palestinians worry about the impact of the Abraham Accords. They say it's time to elect new leaders.
A Boeing 737 Max jet is shown in the air with its wheels down prepared for a landing.

House report faults Boeing, FAA; Yoshihide Suga elected new PM of Japan; Report alleges Venezuela committed human rights abuses

A House committee has issued a report condemning Boeing as the FAA over two fatal 737 Max crashes. Japan’s parliament has voted for Yoshihide Suga to become the country’s first new prime minister in almost eight years. UN investigators have said that security forces in Venezuela committed systematic human rights abuses.

House report faults Boeing, FAA; Yoshihide Suga elected new PM of Japan; Report alleges Venezuela committed human rights abuses
National flags of Bahrain, UAE, Israel and the US are projected onto the walls of Jerusalem's Old city, Sept. 15, 2020.

Israel hoping to boost regional security with Abraham Accords

While Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu takes a victory lap in Washington, the Palestinian leadership remains opposed to what they have termed "betrayal" by fellow Arab states.

Israel hoping to boost regional security with Abraham Accords
A man rides a scooter past the flags of the US, United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain along a road in Netanya, Israel, Sept. 14, 2020.

Israel, UAE, Bahrain to sign historic agreement; US presidential candidates spar over climate; federal court rules against TPS

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain are set to sign agreements toward normalizing relations with Israel. On Monday, during a visit to fire-ravaged northern California, Trump again spurned scientific consensus about the role played by climate change in the unprecedented infernos scorching the West. And a federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration can end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for around 300,000 immigrants.

Israel, UAE, Bahrain to sign historic agreement; US presidential candidates spar over climate; federal court rules against TPS
A large group of men are shown sitting in a street with cardboard cutouts of President Donald Trump and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lay on the ground in front of them with shoes placed.

Israel and UAE cut diplomatic deal; Despite flooding North Korea refuses aid; Spain tightens coronavirus restrictions

Israel and the United Arab Emirates look set to establish full normalization of relations. And, despite weeks of heavy rains and flooding that destroyed thousands of homes and buildings and even threatened a nuclear reactor, North Korea has rejected aid from the international community. Also, Spain has decided to shut nightclubs and ban outdoor smoking in an attempt to tamp down a resurgence of cases of the coronavirus in Western Europe.

Israel and UAE cut diplomatic deal; Despite flooding North Korea refuses aid; Spain tightens coronavirus restrictions