US sanctions imposed on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, known as the Ceasar Act, is complicating the return of Syria to the Arab fold, the UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The return of Syria to the Arab League is in the interest of Syria and other countries of the region, he told a told a joint news conference in Abu Dhabi, with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there recently, pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area.&nbsp;

Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit.&nbsp;

Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate".&nbsp;

"My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said.&nbsp;

The UAE and Israel formalised ties in a Washington ceremony on September 15, brought together by shared concern about Iran.&nbsp;

Their so-called 'Abraham Accords', joined by Bahrain, have uncorked tourism and commerce between Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Palestinians have been critical of the rapprochement, worried that their own unmet statehood goal might be sidelined.&nbsp;

Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital but this is not widely recognised abroad. The Palestinians want their own capital in the east of the city, which Israel captured in a 1967 war.&nbsp;

The UAE would follow Jordan and Egypt in setting up an embassy in or near coastal metropolis Tel Aviv.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US sanctions imposed on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, known as the Ceasar Act, is complicating the return of Syria to the Arab fold, the UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed said on Tuesday.

US sanctions imposed on the government of President Bashar al-Assad, known as the Ceasar Act, is complicating the return of Syria to the Arab fold, the UAE's Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed said on Tuesday. The return of Syria to the Arab League is in the interest of Syria and other countries of the region, he told a told a joint news conference in Abu Dhabi, with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Meanwhile, the first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there recently, pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area. Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit. Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate". "My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said. The UAE and Israel formalised ties in a Washington ceremony on September 15, brought together by shared concern about Iran. Their so-called 'Abraham Accords', joined by Bahrain, have uncorked tourism and commerce between Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Palestinians have been critical of the rapprochement, worried that their own unmet statehood goal might be sidelined. Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital but this is not widely recognised abroad. The Palestinians want their own capital in the east of the city, which Israel captured in a 1967 war. The UAE would follow Jordan and Egypt in setting up an embassy in or near coastal metropolis Tel Aviv. (With inputs from agencies)

UAE minister: US sanctions complicate Syria's return to Arab fold 

The sisters of Spain's King Felipe were vaccinated against the coronavirus in Abu Dhabi last month while visiting their father, online newspaper El Confidencial reported on Wednesday, sparking outrage at home where most Spaniards are still awaiting shots.&nbsp;

Elena de Borbon and her sister Cristina visited former king Juan Carlos, who has been living in the United Arab Emirates since leaving Spain in August amid a cloud of scandal.&nbsp;

It was not clear how the two got their shots, as the UAE only provides free Covid-19 vaccinations to residents and citizens, and requires a valid identification card. According to statistics from World in Data, as many as 60% of the UAE's population have received a vaccine so far.&nbsp;

"It is very unpleasant, very ugly," Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz told Spanish state television TVE. "We, the people, who exercise some sort of representation, must lead by example."&nbsp;

She said it was not right for the royals to be vaccinated while in Spain many medics and vulnerable people are still waiting for immunisation against Covid-19.&nbsp;

Cristina's lawyer office did not answer a request for comment, while Fundacion Mapfre, the Madrid-based social and cultural branch of insurance company Mapfre where Elena de Borbon works, declined to comment.&nbsp;

Spain aims to have 70% of its 47 million population inoculated by summer, but only 1.3 million have been fully vaccinated so far, about 2.7% of the total.&nbsp;

Authorities are working through priority groups of the most vulnerable members of society, with over 80-year-olds and essential workers such as police officers and teachers currently receiving shots.&nbsp;

Elena de Borbon, 57, was supposed to wait a few weeks to get vaccinated in Spain, while her sister is officially a Swiss resident.&nbsp;

The outcry arose after many local politicians and high-ranking military officials were outed as having jumped the vaccination queue, triggering a wave of resignations.&nbsp;

A palace source said the king's sisters were not its concern as they were no longer technically part of the royal family since their father abdicated. The king, Queen Letizia and their daughters would get the shots when it was their turn.&nbsp;

The controversy will do nothing to defuse popular anger at Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014 amid several scandals. Supreme Court prosecutors have opened several investigations into his business dealings, including those linked to a multi-billion dollar, high-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

The sisters of Spain's King Felipe were vaccinated against the coronavirus in Abu Dhabi last month while visiting their father, online newspaper El Confidencial reported on Wednesday, sparking outrage at home where most Spaniards are still awaiting shots.

The sisters of Spain's King Felipe were vaccinated against the coronavirus in Abu Dhabi last month while visiting their father, online newspaper El Confidencial reported on Wednesday, sparking outrage at home where most Spaniards are still awaiting shots. Elena de Borbon and her sister Cristina visited former king Juan Carlos, who has been living in the United Arab Emirates since leaving Spain in August amid a cloud of scandal. It was not clear how the two got their shots, as the UAE only provides free Covid-19 vaccinations to residents and citizens, and requires a valid identification card. According to statistics from World in Data, as many as 60% of the UAE's population have received a vaccine so far. "It is very unpleasant, very ugly," Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz told Spanish state television TVE. "We, the people, who exercise some sort of representation, must lead by example." She said it was not right for the royals to be vaccinated while in Spain many medics and vulnerable people are still waiting for immunisation against Covid-19. Cristina's lawyer office did not answer a request for comment, while Fundacion Mapfre, the Madrid-based social and cultural branch of insurance company Mapfre where Elena de Borbon works, declined to comment. Spain aims to have 70% of its 47 million population inoculated by summer, but only 1.3 million have been fully vaccinated so far, about 2.7% of the total. Authorities are working through priority groups of the most vulnerable members of society, with over 80-year-olds and essential workers such as police officers and teachers currently receiving shots. Elena de Borbon, 57, was supposed to wait a few weeks to get vaccinated in Spain, while her sister is officially a Swiss resident. The outcry arose after many local politicians and high-ranking military officials were outed as having jumped the vaccination queue, triggering a wave of resignations. A palace source said the king's sisters were not its concern as they were no longer technically part of the royal family since their father abdicated. The king, Queen Letizia and their daughters would get the shots when it was their turn. The controversy will do nothing to defuse popular anger at Juan Carlos, who abdicated in 2014 amid several scandals. Supreme Court prosecutors have opened several investigations into his business dealings, including those linked to a multi-billion dollar, high-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia.

Spanish king's sisters spark outcry after getting early vaccine in UAE 

The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there on ‮M‬onday pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area.

Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit.

Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate".

"My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said.

The UAE and Israel formalised ties in a Washington ceremony on Sept. 15, brought together by shared concern about Iran.

Their so-called "Abraham Accords", joined by Bahrain, have uncorked tourism and commerce between Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Palestinians have been critical of the rapprochement, worried that their own unmet statehood goal might be sidelined.

Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital but this is not widely recognised abroad. The Palestinians want their own capital in the east of the city, which Israel captured in a 1967 war.

The UAE would follow Jordan and Egypt in setting up an embassy in or near coastal metropolis Tel Aviv.

According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, Al Khalja has experience in the energy, disarmament, business development and oil investment sectors.

The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there on ‮M‬onday pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area.

The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Israel arrived there on ‮M‬onday pledging to build up new bilateral relations and officials said he would scout for an embassy location in the Tel Aviv area. Mohamed Al Khaja, former chief of staff to the UAE foreign minister, was due to present his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the start of a three-day visit. Meeting Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, Al Khaja, 40, said he was "very proud and honoured to be the first Emirati ambassador" to Israel, where, he said, he and his hosts were discussing "the model of how we operate". "My mission here is to foster and develop this relationship...and we hope this will bring peace and prosperity to the people in the Middle East," he said. The UAE and Israel formalised ties in a Washington ceremony on Sept. 15, brought together by shared concern about Iran. Their so-called "Abraham Accords", joined by Bahrain, have uncorked tourism and commerce between Israel and Gulf Arab countries. Palestinians have been critical of the rapprochement, worried that their own unmet statehood goal might be sidelined. Israel opened an embassy in Abu Dhabi in January. Israel considers Jerusalem its capital but this is not widely recognised abroad. The Palestinians want their own capital in the east of the city, which Israel captured in a 1967 war. The UAE would follow Jordan and Egypt in setting up an embassy in or near coastal metropolis Tel Aviv. According to the UAE Foreign Ministry, Al Khalja has experience in the energy, disarmament, business development and oil investment sectors.

First UAE ambassador arrives in Israel, eyes Tel Aviv embassy

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed India-Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire observance calling it "an important step towards achieving security, stability, and prosperity in the region."

The UAE is the first country in West Asia to welcome last week's development. It joins the likes of the US, UN and EU.&nbsp;

Highlighting the "close historical ties" UAE has with both India and Pakistan, the foreign ministry of the country in a statement said, "it commends the efforts of the two countries to reach this achievement", emphasizing the "importance of adhering to a permanent ceasefire" between the "two friendly countries in Kashmir" to the "benefit of both sides and committing to diplomatic means - through dialogue - to build bridges of confidence and establish a lasting peace that achieves the aspirations of both peoples."

Last week in a surprise development India and Pakistan agreed to lower the temperature at the line of control with "strict observance" of the 2003 ceasefire pact with both the militaries issuing a rare joint statement.&nbsp;

While no formal dialogue has taken place between India and Pakistan for years, ties have been completely frayed after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was taken by a Pakistan-based terror group. After India removed special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, Pakistan had cut all people-to-people ties and recalled its envoy.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed India-Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire observance calling it "an important step towards achieving security, stability, and prosperity in the region.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed India-Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire observance calling it "an important step towards achieving security, stability, and prosperity in the region." The UAE is the first country in West Asia to welcome last week's development. It joins the likes of the US, UN and EU. Highlighting the "close historical ties" UAE has with both India and Pakistan, the foreign ministry of the country in a statement said, "it commends the efforts of the two countries to reach this achievement", emphasizing the "importance of adhering to a permanent ceasefire" between the "two friendly countries in Kashmir" to the "benefit of both sides and committing to diplomatic means - through dialogue - to build bridges of confidence and establish a lasting peace that achieves the aspirations of both peoples." Last week in a surprise development India and Pakistan agreed to lower the temperature at the line of control with "strict observance" of the 2003 ceasefire pact with both the militaries issuing a rare joint statement. While no formal dialogue has taken place between India and Pakistan for years, ties have been completely frayed after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack whose responsibility was taken by a Pakistan-based terror group. After India removed special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, Pakistan had cut all people-to-people ties and recalled its envoy.

UAE welcomes India-Pakistan joint statement on ceasefire observance

There is growing concern for the red sea coral reef, environmentalists now say that these coral reefs are under threat due to the Israel-UAE oil deal warning that this could lead to the next ecological disaster.

Red sea coral reefs are under threat due to Israel-UAE oil deal

After Russia, U.S., India and Europe, UAE has now officially become the fifth nation to enter the orbit of red planet Mars. UAE's Space Agency became the fifth agency in the world to achieve the feat

UAE becomes fifth nation to successfully enter the orbit of Mars

The first Arab space mission, the UAE's "Hope" probe, is expected to reach Mars' orbit on Tuesday, making it the first of three spacecraft to arrive at the Red Planet this month.

The United Arab Emirates, China and the United States all launched projects to Mars last July, taking advantage of a&nbsp;period when the Earth and Mars are nearest.

If succesful, the wealthy Gulf state will become the fifth nation to ever reach Mars -- a venture timed to mark the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE -- with the China mission due to become the sixth the following day.&nbsp;

Landmarks across the UAE have been lit up in red at night, government accounts emblazoned with the #ArabstoMars hashtag, and on the big day Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, will be at the centre of a celebratory show.

"Hope", known as "Al-Amal" in Arabic, will orbit the planet for at least one Martian year, or 687 days, while the Tianwen-1 from China and the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover from the US will both land on Mars' surface.

Only the&nbsp;US, India, the former Soviet Union and the European Space Agency have successfully reached the Red Planet in the past.

- Risky manoeuvre -

After blasting off from Japan last July, the Hope mission now faces its "most critical and complex" manoeuvre, according to Emirati officials, with a 50-50 chance of successfully entering a Mars orbit.

The spacecraft must slow significantly to be captured by Martian gravity, rotating and firing all six of its Delta-V thrusters for 27 minutes to reduce its cruising speed of 121,000 kilometres (about 75,000 miles) per hour to about 18,000 kph.&nbsp;

The process, which will consume half of its fuel, will begin on Tuesday at 1530 GMT and it will take 11 minutes for a signal on its progress to reach ground control.

Omran Sharaf, the UAE mission's project manager, said it was a "huge honour" to be the first of this year's missions to reach Mars.

"It is humbling to be in such auspicious and skilled company as we all embark on our missions," he said.&nbsp;"It was never a race for us. We approach space as a collaborative and inclusive effort."

While the Hope probe is designed to provide a comprehensive image of the planet's weather dynamics, it is also a step toward a much more ambitious goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within 100 years.

While cementing its status as a key regional player, the UAE also wants the project to serve as a source of inspiration for Arab youth, in a region too often wracked by sectarian conflicts and economic crises.

Hope will use three scientific instruments to monitor the Martian atmosphere, and is expected to begin transmitting information back to Earth in September 2021, with the data available for scientists around the world to study.

- Close behind -

China's Tianwen-1, or "Questions to Heaven", has already sent back its first image of Mars -- a black-and-white photo that showed geological features including the Schiaparelli crater and the Valles Marineris, a vast stretch of canyons on the Martian surface.

The five-tonne Tianwen-1 includes a Mars orbiter, a lander and a solar-powered rover that will for three months study the planet's soil and atmosphere, take photos, chart maps and look for signs of past life.&nbsp;

China hopes to land the 240-kilogramme rover in May in Utopia, a massive impact basin on Mars. Its orbiter will last for a Martian year.&nbsp;

Tianwen-1 is not China's first attempt to reach Mars. A previous mission with Russia in 2011 ended prematurely when the launch failed.

NASA's Perseverance, which is set to touch down on the Red Planet on February 18, will become&nbsp;the fifth rover to complete the voyage since 1997 -- and all so far have been American.

It is on an astrobiology mission to look for signs of ancient microbial life and will attempt to fly a 1.8 kilogramme helicopter-drone on another world for the first time.&nbsp;

Perseverance, capable of autonomously navigating 200 meters (650 feet) per day, will collect rock samples that could provide invaluable clues about whether there was ever past life on Mars.

About the size of a small SUV, it weighs a metric tonne, has 19 cameras and two microphones -- which scientists hope will be the first to record sound on Mars.

The mission is set to last at least two years.

The first Arab space mission, the UAE's "Hope" probe, is expected to reach Mars' orbit on Tuesday, making it the first of three spacecraft to arrive at the Red Planet this month.

The first Arab space mission, the UAE's "Hope" probe, is expected to reach Mars' orbit on Tuesday, making it the first of three spacecraft to arrive at the Red Planet this month. The United Arab Emirates, China and the United States all launched projects to Mars last July, taking advantage of a period when the Earth and Mars are nearest. If succesful, the wealthy Gulf state will become the fifth nation to ever reach Mars -- a venture timed to mark the 50th anniversary of the unification of the UAE -- with the China mission due to become the sixth the following day. Landmarks across the UAE have been lit up in red at night, government accounts emblazoned with the #ArabstoMars hashtag, and on the big day Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower, will be at the centre of a celebratory show. "Hope", known as "Al-Amal" in Arabic, will orbit the planet for at least one Martian year, or 687 days, while the Tianwen-1 from China and the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover from the US will both land on Mars' surface. Only the US, India, the former Soviet Union and the European Space Agency have successfully reached the Red Planet in the past. - Risky manoeuvre - After blasting off from Japan last July, the Hope mission now faces its "most critical and complex" manoeuvre, according to Emirati officials, with a 50-50 chance of successfully entering a Mars orbit. The spacecraft must slow significantly to be captured by Martian gravity, rotating and firing all six of its Delta-V thrusters for 27 minutes to reduce its cruising speed of 121,000 kilometres (about 75,000 miles) per hour to about 18,000 kph. The process, which will consume half of its fuel, will begin on Tuesday at 1530 GMT and it will take 11 minutes for a signal on its progress to reach ground control. Omran Sharaf, the UAE mission's project manager, said it was a "huge honour" to be the first of this year's missions to reach Mars. "It is humbling to be in such auspicious and skilled company as we all embark on our missions," he said. "It was never a race for us. We approach space as a collaborative and inclusive effort." While the Hope probe is designed to provide a comprehensive image of the planet's weather dynamics, it is also a step toward a much more ambitious goal -- building a human settlement on Mars within 100 years. While cementing its status as a key regional player, the UAE also wants the project to serve as a source of inspiration for Arab youth, in a region too often wracked by sectarian conflicts and economic crises. Hope will use three scientific instruments to monitor the Martian atmosphere, and is expected to begin transmitting information back to Earth in September 2021, with the data available for scientists around the world to study. - Close behind - China's Tianwen-1, or "Questions to Heaven", has already sent back its first image of Mars -- a black-and-white photo that showed geological features including the Schiaparelli crater and the Valles Marineris, a vast stretch of canyons on the Martian surface. The five-tonne Tianwen-1 includes a Mars orbiter, a lander and a solar-powered rover that will for three months study the planet's soil and atmosphere, take photos, chart maps and look for signs of past life. China hopes to land the 240-kilogramme rover in May in Utopia, a massive impact basin on Mars. Its orbiter will last for a Martian year. Tianwen-1 is not China's first attempt to reach Mars. A previous mission with Russia in 2011 ended prematurely when the launch failed. NASA's Perseverance, which is set to touch down on the Red Planet on February 18, will become the fifth rover to complete the voyage since 1997 -- and all so far have been American. It is on an astrobiology mission to look for signs of ancient microbial life and will attempt to fly a 1.8 kilogramme helicopter-drone on another world for the first time. Perseverance, capable of autonomously navigating 200 meters (650 feet) per day, will collect rock samples that could provide invaluable clues about whether there was ever past life on Mars. About the size of a small SUV, it weighs a metric tonne, has 19 cameras and two microphones -- which scientists hope will be the first to record sound on Mars. The mission is set to last at least two years.

UAE's 'Hope' probe to be first in trio of Mars missions

Saudi Arabia’s combustible mix of religion, nationalism, and tradition as well as contradictions in the kingdom’s projection of itself as a driver of moderate Islam and major voice in combatting discrimination and racism spark heated debates on social media every now and then.

How the mix plays out will ultimately bring into spotlight the outcome of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to inject a significant dose of nationalism in a Saudi identity that historically has heavily been shaped by religion.

The contours of public engagement are evident in the contrast between passionate debates over issues such as a proposal to remove the sword from the Saudi flag and discussions of what constitutes Muslim holy land and the status of Jerusalem as Islam’s third-holiest city as opposed to far more cautious social media responses to changes in US policy as the Biden administration settles into office.

The debates suggest that Prince Mohammed’s endeavour is a work in progress.

Like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia has emphasised its desire to end the six-year-old conflict in Yemen in response to President Joe Biden’s halt to sales of arms that would be used in offensive operations in the war-ravaged country.

The kingdom has largely been silent about the State Department’s subsequent announcement that it was revoking the Trump administration’s designation of Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis as terrorists.

The lack of debate about the Saudi response likely reflects popular sentiment in favour of an end to a military conflict that the Gulf states cannot win as well as an endorsement of Biden’s reiteration of the United States’ commitment to the security and stability of the kingdom.

It also reflects a keen understanding of what can and cannot be discussed in an environment in which the government tolerates no dissent or criticism of its policies. So does the lack of discussion of the government’s limited effort to evade being targetted by Biden’s insistence that his administration would make adherence to human rights a central plank of his foreign policy.

In an apparent gesture, Saudi Arabia last week temporarily released two US-Saudi dual nationals -- a journalist and a Shiite epidemiologist/writer -- incarcerated since 2019.

A Saudi court sentenced in December a US-Saudi medical doctor and popular religious motivational speaker Walid Fitaihi to six years in prison on charges that included illegally obtaining US citizenship. The court upheld a freeze on his assets as well as a ban on travel that includes his family.

At about the same, another court sentenced Loujain al-Hathloul, one of several detained women activists, to five years and 8 months in jail, 34 months of which were suspended. The court ruling sparked expectations that Al-Hathloul could be released next month.

By contrast, Saudis have been vocal when it comes to repeated reports that the UAE-backed Southern Transition Council (STC) in South Yemen maintains relations with Israel as well as the removal of TV personalities perceived to be critical of government policy.

Nationalism, as well as religion and tradition, appeared to be major drivers of criticism of a proposal by Saudi writer Fahd Al-Ahmadi to remove the sword from the Saudi flag in a bid to counter perceptions of Islam as coercive and violent.

“The sword is a symbol of our Islamic culture and we should not be ashamed,” countered one challenger who identified himself on Twitter as Abu Wisam.

Similar drivers were evident in responses to articles in Saudi daily newspaper Okaz suggesting that Mecca rather than Israel was the holy land and that Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, was originally in a village near Mecca.

Widely viewed as an attempt to reduce Saudi hesitancy to establish diplomatic relations with Israel by downgrading the religious significance of Jerusalem, responses ranged from endorsement to insisting on the need to fight the Jews no matter what to personal attacks.

Many responses seemed to starkly contrast with government efforts to project the kingdom as a bastion of tolerance that rejects ethnic and religious discrimination.

A US public relations firm last week distributed letters to the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter by Mohammed al-Issa, the head of the Mecca-based Muslim World League (MWL) that serves to propagate the kingdom’s projection of moderation.

“The MWL is calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech targeting Muslims or adherents to any religion and more robust procedures to see hateful content quickly removed … The MWL stands ready to begin an open and constructive dialogue with all social media companies so that we may together end the spread of hateful ideologies,” Al-Issa wrote.

The debates suggest that, despite significant progress in Saudi endeavours to remove hate speech from schoolbooks and the recent publication in Saudi media of op-eds penned by Israeli authors, the league may do well to help counter hate speech at home alongside projecting a kingdom as in the forefront of the fight against racism despite banning public religious expression by non-Muslims, including the opening of houses of worship.

A recent Israeli report on Saudi schoolbook reform suggested that amidst a battle for the soul of Islam waged by Middle East states, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran as well as Islamists, Muslim ultra-conservatives and external powers, competing for religious soft power “the efforts needed to induce deep change seem to remain herculean… The battle for the hearts and minds of people in the MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region is far from concluded.”

If so, consistency in domestic policies as well as international projection is what is likely to separate the wheat from the chaff.

(A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox.)

(Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.)

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Saudi Arabia’s combustible mix of religion, nationalism, and tradition as well as contradictions in the kingdom’s projection of itself as a driver of moderate Islam and major voice in combatting discrimination and racism spark heated debates on social media every now and then.

Saudi Arabia’s combustible mix of religion, nationalism, and tradition as well as contradictions in the kingdom’s projection of itself as a driver of moderate Islam and major voice in combatting discrimination and racism spark heated debates on social media every now and then. How the mix plays out will ultimately bring into spotlight the outcome of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to inject a significant dose of nationalism in a Saudi identity that historically has heavily been shaped by religion. The contours of public engagement are evident in the contrast between passionate debates over issues such as a proposal to remove the sword from the Saudi flag and discussions of what constitutes Muslim holy land and the status of Jerusalem as Islam’s third-holiest city as opposed to far more cautious social media responses to changes in US policy as the Biden administration settles into office. The debates suggest that Prince Mohammed’s endeavour is a work in progress. Like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia has emphasised its desire to end the six-year-old conflict in Yemen in response to President Joe Biden’s halt to sales of arms that would be used in offensive operations in the war-ravaged country. The kingdom has largely been silent about the State Department’s subsequent announcement that it was revoking the Trump administration’s designation of Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis as terrorists. The lack of debate about the Saudi response likely reflects popular sentiment in favour of an end to a military conflict that the Gulf states cannot win as well as an endorsement of Biden’s reiteration of the United States’ commitment to the security and stability of the kingdom. It also reflects a keen understanding of what can and cannot be discussed in an environment in which the government tolerates no dissent or criticism of its policies. So does the lack of discussion of the government’s limited effort to evade being targetted by Biden’s insistence that his administration would make adherence to human rights a central plank of his foreign policy. In an apparent gesture, Saudi Arabia last week temporarily released two US-Saudi dual nationals -- a journalist and a Shiite epidemiologist/writer -- incarcerated since 2019. A Saudi court sentenced in December a US-Saudi medical doctor and popular religious motivational speaker Walid Fitaihi to six years in prison on charges that included illegally obtaining US citizenship. The court upheld a freeze on his assets as well as a ban on travel that includes his family. At about the same, another court sentenced Loujain al-Hathloul, one of several detained women activists, to five years and 8 months in jail, 34 months of which were suspended. The court ruling sparked expectations that Al-Hathloul could be released next month. By contrast, Saudis have been vocal when it comes to repeated reports that the UAE-backed Southern Transition Council (STC) in South Yemen maintains relations with Israel as well as the removal of TV personalities perceived to be critical of government policy. Nationalism, as well as religion and tradition, appeared to be major drivers of criticism of a proposal by Saudi writer Fahd Al-Ahmadi to remove the sword from the Saudi flag in a bid to counter perceptions of Islam as coercive and violent. “The sword is a symbol of our Islamic culture and we should not be ashamed,” countered one challenger who identified himself on Twitter as Abu Wisam. Similar drivers were evident in responses to articles in Saudi daily newspaper Okaz suggesting that Mecca rather than Israel was the holy land and that Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, was originally in a village near Mecca. Widely viewed as an attempt to reduce Saudi hesitancy to establish diplomatic relations with Israel by downgrading the religious significance of Jerusalem, responses ranged from endorsement to insisting on the need to fight the Jews no matter what to personal attacks. Many responses seemed to starkly contrast with government efforts to project the kingdom as a bastion of tolerance that rejects ethnic and religious discrimination. A US public relations firm last week distributed letters to the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter by Mohammed al-Issa, the head of the Mecca-based Muslim World League (MWL) that serves to propagate the kingdom’s projection of moderation. “The MWL is calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech targeting Muslims or adherents to any religion and more robust procedures to see hateful content quickly removed … The MWL stands ready to begin an open and constructive dialogue with all social media companies so that we may together end the spread of hateful ideologies,” Al-Issa wrote. The debates suggest that, despite significant progress in Saudi endeavours to remove hate speech from schoolbooks and the recent publication in Saudi media of op-eds penned by Israeli authors, the league may do well to help counter hate speech at home alongside projecting a kingdom as in the forefront of the fight against racism despite banning public religious expression by non-Muslims, including the opening of houses of worship. A recent Israeli report on Saudi schoolbook reform suggested that amidst a battle for the soul of Islam waged by Middle East states, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran as well as Islamists, Muslim ultra-conservatives and external powers, competing for religious soft power “the efforts needed to induce deep change seem to remain herculean… The battle for the hearts and minds of people in the MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region is far from concluded.” If so, consistency in domestic policies as well as international projection is what is likely to separate the wheat from the chaff. (A podcast version of this story is available on Soundcloud, Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Spreaker, Pocket Casts, Tumblr, Podbean, Audecibel, Patreon and Castbox.) (Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.) (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion: Separating the wheat from the chaff Saudi moderation put to the test

UK's transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said the UAE had been added to the 30 existing countries which are currently subject to a travel ban – along with Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa.

This move will shut down the world's busiest international airline route from Dubai to London.

From 1 pm on Friday 29 January, no passenger flights from Dubai or Abu Dhabi may arrive in the UK.

"This means people who have been in or transited through these countries will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third-country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for ten days at home," UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Thursday.

British people including social media influencers flying home from Dubai could face a mandatory 10-day quarantine stay in a hotel.

Emirates Airways said on their websites they would suspend all U.K. passenger flights from 1300 GMT on Friday when the ban takes effect. Etihad Airways said they would only suspend flights to the UK, with those from the U.K. remaining unaffected.

Dubai airport, in a statement, advised passengers booked on flights due to arrive in the U.K. after the ban comes into effect to not go to the airport and instead contact their airline.

The UK transport department advised British nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates to make use of indirect commercial airline routes if they wished to return to Britain.

Due to border closures caused by Covid-19, Dubai to London was the world's busiest international route in January with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, according to airline data provider OAG.

Emirates and Etihad normally carry large numbers of passengers connecting from Britain to destinations like Australia through their airport hubs, meaning the decision to cancel those flights will have far-reaching implications.

The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations.

Eran Ben-Avraham, an Australian stranded in Britain due to strict limits on the number of arrivals in Australia, said his options for getting home were continually shrinking.

"At the moment it is only giving us three options of flying Qatar, ANA or Singapore Airlines," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "Every day it is making it more difficult to get home. The flights back are anywhere from like 4,000 pounds ($5,487)."

(With inputs from agencies)

UK's transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said the UAE had been added to the 30 existing countries which are currently subject to a travel ban – along with Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa.

UK's transport secretary, Grant Shapps, said the UAE had been added to the 30 existing countries which are currently subject to a travel ban – along with Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa. This move will shut down the world's busiest international airline route from Dubai to London. From 1 pm on Friday 29 January, no passenger flights from Dubai or Abu Dhabi may arrive in the UK. "This means people who have been in or transited through these countries will be denied entry, except British, Irish and third-country nationals with residence rights who must self-isolate for ten days at home," UK Transport Minister Grant Shapps said on Twitter on Thursday. British people including social media influencers flying home from Dubai could face a mandatory 10-day quarantine stay in a hotel. Emirates Airways said on their websites they would suspend all U.K. passenger flights from 1300 GMT on Friday when the ban takes effect. Etihad Airways said they would only suspend flights to the UK, with those from the U.K. remaining unaffected. Dubai airport, in a statement, advised passengers booked on flights due to arrive in the U.K. after the ban comes into effect to not go to the airport and instead contact their airline. The UK transport department advised British nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates to make use of indirect commercial airline routes if they wished to return to Britain. Due to border closures caused by Covid-19, Dubai to London was the world's busiest international route in January with 190,365 scheduled seats over the month, according to airline data provider OAG. Emirates and Etihad normally carry large numbers of passengers connecting from Britain to destinations like Australia through their airport hubs, meaning the decision to cancel those flights will have far-reaching implications. The Australian government said it will add more charter flights from Britain if needed as a result of the Emirates and Etihad cancellations. Eran Ben-Avraham, an Australian stranded in Britain due to strict limits on the number of arrivals in Australia, said his options for getting home were continually shrinking. "At the moment it is only giving us three options of flying Qatar, ANA or Singapore Airlines," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "Every day it is making it more difficult to get home. The flights back are anywhere from like 4,000 pounds ($5,487)." (With inputs from agencies)

World's busiest international airline route shuts as UK bans flights from UAE

Israel opened an embassy in the United Arab Emirates, its foreign ministry said Sunday, in a historic move four months after the Jewish state and the Gulf country normalised ties.

"Today the Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi has officially been opened, with the arrival of the mission head Eitan Naeh," the ministry said in a statement.

"The Israeli embassy in the United Arab Emirates will advance relations between the countries on all levels."

The UAE had, earlier in the day, approved the establishment of the country's first embassy in Israel.

"The government approves the creation of the embassy of the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, in the state of Israel," it announced on Twitter.

The UAE, along with Bahrain, signed a US-brokered deal&nbsp;in September to normalise relations with the Jewish state.

The agreements, known as the "Abraham Accords", shattered a longstanding Arab consensus that there should be no normalisation with Israel until it reaches a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.

The Palestinians condemned the agreements as a "stab in the back".

Earlier this month, Sudan also signed the accords, becoming the third Arab country to do so and the fourth to normalise diplomatic relations with the Jewish state in as many months.

Morocco also normalised ties with Israel in December, in a diplomatic quid pro quo that saw Washington back Moroccan rule over the disputed Western Sahara region.

Until last year, only Egypt, in 1979, and Jordan, in 1994, had normalised ties with Israel.

(with inputs from AFP)

Israel opened an embassy in the United Arab Emirates, its foreign ministry said Sunday, in a historic move four months after the Jewish state and the Gulf country normalised ties.

Israel opened an embassy in the United Arab Emirates, its foreign ministry said Sunday, in a historic move four months after the Jewish state and the Gulf country normalised ties. "Today the Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi has officially been opened, with the arrival of the mission head Eitan Naeh," the ministry said in a statement. "The Israeli embassy in the United Arab Emirates will advance relations between the countries on all levels." The UAE had, earlier in the day, approved the establishment of the country's first embassy in Israel. "The government approves the creation of the embassy of the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, in the state of Israel," it announced on Twitter. The UAE, along with Bahrain, signed a US-brokered deal in September to normalise relations with the Jewish state. The agreements, known as the "Abraham Accords", shattered a longstanding Arab consensus that there should be no normalisation with Israel until it reaches a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians. The Palestinians condemned the agreements as a "stab in the back". Earlier this month, Sudan also signed the accords, becoming the third Arab country to do so and the fourth to normalise diplomatic relations with the Jewish state in as many months. Morocco also normalised ties with Israel in December, in a diplomatic quid pro quo that saw Washington back Moroccan rule over the disputed Western Sahara region. Until last year, only Egypt, in 1979, and Jordan, in 1994, had normalised ties with Israel. (with inputs from AFP)

Israel opens embassy in Abu Dhabi; UAE to return favour

Israel is now trying to win popular acceptance in the middle east after normalizing ties with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. The nation is now using social media to further cement ties with the Arab world.

A social media blitzkrieg from Israel

In a month from now, three spacecraft will pull into the vicinity of Mars:&nbsp;the UAE's hope orbiter, NASA's perseverance rover and&nbsp;China's Tianwen-1 mission. They are all headed to Mars to find signs of life.

The year&nbsp;2021 is going to be a busy year for space explorers. Some exciting missions are expected to arrive at their destination. Three of them shall reach by next month.

UAE

Their destination is the same and so is their motive. They are all headed to Mars to find signs of life. The first to arrive will be the UAE's Hope Orbiter — the first-ever Arab mission to Mars.

This unmanned mission blasted off from Tanegashima, Japan on July 20, 2020. It's part of celebrations to mark the UAE's 50th anniversary this year and is&nbsp;expected to pull into the vicinity of Mars by the February 09. Once there, the mission will study the martian atmosphere. It is equipped with an infrared spectrometer to measure the planet's lower atmosphere, a&nbsp;high-resolution imager to provide information about the ozone and an ultraviolet spectrometer to measure oxygen and hydrogen levels.

China

The next to arrive will be the first Chinese mission to Mars on February 10. It is a long march five rocket&nbsp;that took off from the tropical island of Hainan last year and is&nbsp;called Tianwen or 'questions to heaven'. This mission has three aims: to place a probe in the orbit around Mars, land on the surface and&nbsp;then release a robotic rover to conduct analyses.

"The probe is currently flying at a speed of about 23 kilometres per second, which is basically two million kilometres per day. Its relative speed to the earth now is about 21 kilometres per second, that is, 1.8 million kilometres per day,"&nbsp;Li Zhencai, Deputy Commander, Tianwen-1 mars probe project, China Academy of Space Technology said.

NASA

Following Tianwen-1 will be NASA's perseverance rover which&nbsp;launched from Cape Canaveral in July 2020. The mission aims to land a rover vehicle on the surface of Mars. Once it has arrived by February 18, the rover will explore the site known as Jezero Crater — formally a lake — in search of signs of ancient life.

Around 40 rocks and oil samples will be collected and placed in tubes ready to be brought back to earth by another mission.

In a month from now, three spacecraft will pull into the vicinity of Mars: the UAE's hope orbiter, NASA's perseverance rover and China's Tianwen-1 mission. They are all headed to Mars to find signs of life.

In a month from now, three spacecraft will pull into the vicinity of Mars: the UAE's hope orbiter, NASA's perseverance rover and China's Tianwen-1 mission. They are all headed to Mars to find signs of life. The year 2021 is going to be a busy year for space explorers. Some exciting missions are expected to arrive at their destination. Three of them shall reach by next month. UAE Their destination is the same and so is their motive. They are all headed to Mars to find signs of life. The first to arrive will be the UAE's Hope Orbiter — the first-ever Arab mission to Mars. This unmanned mission blasted off from Tanegashima, Japan on July 20, 2020. It's part of celebrations to mark the UAE's 50th anniversary this year and is expected to pull into the vicinity of Mars by the February 09. Once there, the mission will study the martian atmosphere. It is equipped with an infrared spectrometer to measure the planet's lower atmosphere, a high-resolution imager to provide information about the ozone and an ultraviolet spectrometer to measure oxygen and hydrogen levels. China The next to arrive will be the first Chinese mission to Mars on February 10. It is a long march five rocket that took off from the tropical island of Hainan last year and is called Tianwen or 'questions to heaven'. This mission has three aims: to place a probe in the orbit around Mars, land on the surface and then release a robotic rover to conduct analyses. "The probe is currently flying at a speed of about 23 kilometres per second, which is basically two million kilometres per day. Its relative speed to the earth now is about 21 kilometres per second, that is, 1.8 million kilometres per day," Li Zhencai, Deputy Commander, Tianwen-1 mars probe project, China Academy of Space Technology said. NASA Following Tianwen-1 will be NASA's perseverance rover which launched from Cape Canaveral in July 2020. The mission aims to land a rover vehicle on the surface of Mars. Once it has arrived by February 18, the rover will explore the site known as Jezero Crater — formally a lake — in search of signs of ancient life. Around 40 rocks and oil samples will be collected and placed in tubes ready to be brought back to earth by another mission.

Space explorers: UAE, China and NASA race to Mars in 2021

Dubai will start inoculating people with the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech for free from Wednesday, the emirate`s government said, joining Saudi Arabia which last week became the first Arab country to begin using this vaccine.

The move comes after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain earlier this month rolled out a vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) to the general public.

The UAE`s Ministry of Health and Prevention registered the Pfizer-BioNTech`s vaccine for emergency use on the request of Pfizer, the state news agency WAM reported, citing the ministry.

The UAE was the first country outside China to roll out the Chinese vaccine, saying earlier this month it had 86% efficacy, citing an interim analysis of late-stage clinical trials.

Dubai`s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said in a statement on Twitter late on Tuesday an "extensive vaccination campaign" against COVID-19 would kick off on Wednesday using Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine.

A message on Dubai Health Authority`s hotline said the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine would be for citizens and Dubai residents 60 years and above, as well as for individuals with chronic illness who were above the age of 18.

Dubai, the business and financial hub of the UAE, has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, which hurt its key tourism, real estate and trade sectors.

S&amp;P Global warned earlier this year that Dubai’s economy was set to shrink 11% this year, almost four times the drop in GDP experienced during the global financial crisis in 2009.

Qatar has also granted emergency use authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, while fellow Gulf Arab state Oman will receive its first shipment of the same vaccine on Wednesday.

Qatar started the free vaccination drive on Wednesday, Qatari media reported.

Kuwait received 150,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday and expects to receive about 450,000 doses of it in the first quarter, Ghada Ibrahim, head of public relations at the ministry health, said in a video posted on Twitter.

UAE has recorded 195,878 coronavirus cases and 642 deaths so far from the virus.

Dubai will start inoculating people with the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech for free from Wednesday, the emirate`s government said, joining Saudi Arabia which last week became the first Arab country to begin using this vaccine.

Dubai will start inoculating people with the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech for free from Wednesday, the emirate`s government said, joining Saudi Arabia which last week became the first Arab country to begin using this vaccine. The move comes after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain earlier this month rolled out a vaccine developed by China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) to the general public. The UAE`s Ministry of Health and Prevention registered the Pfizer-BioNTech`s vaccine for emergency use on the request of Pfizer, the state news agency WAM reported, citing the ministry. The UAE was the first country outside China to roll out the Chinese vaccine, saying earlier this month it had 86% efficacy, citing an interim analysis of late-stage clinical trials. Dubai`s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management said in a statement on Twitter late on Tuesday an "extensive vaccination campaign" against COVID-19 would kick off on Wednesday using Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine. A message on Dubai Health Authority`s hotline said the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccine would be for citizens and Dubai residents 60 years and above, as well as for individuals with chronic illness who were above the age of 18. Dubai, the business and financial hub of the UAE, has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, which hurt its key tourism, real estate and trade sectors. S&P Global warned earlier this year that Dubai’s economy was set to shrink 11% this year, almost four times the drop in GDP experienced during the global financial crisis in 2009. Qatar has also granted emergency use authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, while fellow Gulf Arab state Oman will receive its first shipment of the same vaccine on Wednesday. Qatar started the free vaccination drive on Wednesday, Qatari media reported. Kuwait received 150,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday and expects to receive about 450,000 doses of it in the first quarter, Ghada Ibrahim, head of public relations at the ministry health, said in a video posted on Twitter. UAE has recorded 195,878 coronavirus cases and 642 deaths so far from the virus.

Dubai to begin inoculations with Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine from Wednesday

WASHINGTON — For Sudan, agreeing to normalize relations with Israel was the price of removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

A similar diplomatic deal with Israel sealed Morocco’s demand for the United States to recognize its sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trumps-parting-gifts-to-israel-349171/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

United Arab Emirates officials who wanted to buy stealthy F-35 fighter jets from the United States first had to sign on to the Abraham Accords, the product of President Donald Trump’s campaign to foster stability between Israel and estranged or even hostile Muslim states.

In each case, the incentives that the Trump administration dangled in exchange for the détente could fall through — either rejected by Congress or reversed by the administration of President-elect Joe Biden.

That puts at risk not only the series of regional agreements for rapprochement but also exacerbates a worldview that the United States cannot be depended upon to hold up its end of diplomatic deals.

The Abraham Accords, Trump’s signature foreign policy achievement, have either newly brokered or restarted economic and political ties for Israel with Bahrain, the UAE, Sudan and Morocco. Officials familiar with the administration’s efforts said Oman and Tunisia might be the next states to join, and the warming could be expanded to nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa even after Trump leaves office in January.

Formally easing tensions between Israel and its regional neighbors is a success, to be sure, that past Republican and Democratic presidents alike have long sought to foment.

“All diplomacy is transactional, but these transactions are mixing things that ought not to have been mixed,” said Robert Malley, president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group, who is close to Antony Blinken, Biden’s pick for secretary of state.

Malley predicted that the incoming Biden administration would try to walk back or dilute parts of the normalization deals that defy international norms, as in the case of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, or otherwise challenge long-standing U.S. policy, like the F-35 sales to the UAE.

Congress has also shown alarm at the deal-making.

The Senate last week narrowly accepted the UAE’s purchase of the stealth jets, drones and other precision weapons, signaling concern over expanded arms deals to the Persian Gulf. That could be reversed if Democrats take control of the chamber after runoff elections in Georgia next month; regardless, the move will be reviewed by the Biden administration to ensure that the $23 billion sale to the UAE does not dull Israel’s military edge in the region.

A day after the Senate vote, the Republican chair of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, said it was “shocking and disappointing” that the Trump administration had decided to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara and predicted that it would be reversed. The United Nations, the European Union and the African Union all view the Western Sahara as disputed territory.

“I am saddened that the rights of the Western Saharan people have been traded away,” Inhofe said in a statement. “The president has been poorly advised by his team; he could have made this deal without trading the rights of a voiceless people.”

Saad Eddine el-Othmani, Morocco’s prime minister, said Tuesday that his government “didn’t want it to be an exchange.”

“We don’t bargain with the Sahara,” Othmani said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. “But the victory in this battle required the concomitance.”

Nowhere has the diplomatic deal proven more delicate than for Sudan.

A seemingly unrelated issue — immunity in U.S. courts from terrorism lawsuits — was indirectly tied to a condition of Sudan reluctantly signing on to the peace accords with Israel in October.

The State Department had already decided to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in exchange for the country compensating victims of the 1998 bombings against U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As part of those negotiations, Sudan’s transitional government had demanded the dismissal of all other terrorism lawsuits that it faced from attacks carried out in the 27 years it was on the list.

The State Department agreed and countered last summer with a condition of its own: that Sudan begin to thaw a half-century of hostilities with Israel.

Only Congress, however, can grant Sudan the legal peace it seeks. Over the past several months, lawmakers have been deadlocked over doing so, given that it would deny families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks their day in court.

“We have always wanted all terrorists to be held accountable for their acts on 9/11,” Kristen Breitweiser, a lawyer whose husband was killed in the attacks on New York, said in a statement issued last week during furious negotiating in Congress.

Sudan insists it is not liable for the 9/11 attacks, given that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden left his sanctuary in the country five years before they were carried out. But the congressional compromise that was hammered out, according to officials and others close to the negotiations, allows the 9/11 lawsuits to continue, potentially making Sudan liable for billions of dollars in victims’ compensation.

Representatives for the Sudanese Embassy in Washington declined to comment but have previously said the country might exit the peace accords with Israel if it is not given immunity from the terrorism lawsuits. As the Trump administration tries to keep the deal from falling apart, an official confirmed a Bloomberg report that the United States had offered Sudan a $1 billion loan to help clear its arrears and obtain as much as $1.5 billion in annual development assistance. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is expected to visit Sudan, Israel and the UAE in a high-level delegation to the region next month.

Bahrain appears to be a lone exception among the countries that were offered incentives as part of normalization agreements with Israel, although this week the State Department designated the Iranian-linked Saraya al-Mukhtar as a terrorist group, in part for its goal to overthrow the tiny Sunni monarchy.

That has also fueled concern among current and former government officials and conflict analysts that the United States will designate Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, in part to convince Saudi Arabia to sign on to the accords with Israel.

Officials close to the decision said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was inclined to issue the designation to cut off Iran’s support of the Houthis, who have seized control of most of Yemen, ousted its government and attacked neighboring Saudi Arabia in their five-year border war. It could also prohibit the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen’s major ports — most of which are controlled by the Houthis — and, in turn, exacerbate a famine in one of the world’s poorest countries.

It is doubtful, however, that the terrorism designation alone would persuade Saudi Arabia — the most powerful monarchy in the Middle East — to normalize relations with Israel. That thaw could take years, if it happens at all, and by then might be driven more by a rising number of young adults in the kingdom who are more concerned with jobs and economic stability at home than a generations-old conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, said a secretive trip that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made to Saudi Arabia last month to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a bold signal of the détente.

“These Arab countries want to be friends with Israel,” Haley told the Israeli-based DiploTech Global Summit on Wednesday.

Even if they disapprove of Trump’s transactional diplomacy, Biden and Blinken will also be wary of appearing to back away from Israel, which is the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East and holds considerable political sway over U.S. evangelical and Jewish voters.

“I think President-elect Biden will try to continue with the momentum because it’s beneficial for the U.S., it’s beneficial for the allies of the U.S., and I think that will be the right thing to do,” said Danny Danon, who retired this year as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.

WASHINGTON — For Sudan, agreeing to normalize relations with Israel was the price of removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. A similar diplomatic deal with Israel sealed Morocco’s demand for the United States to recognize its sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.

WASHINGTON — For Sudan, agreeing to normalize relations with Israel was the price of removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. A similar diplomatic deal with Israel sealed Morocco’s demand for the United States to recognize its sovereignty over the Western Sahara region. Watch | United Arab Emirates officials who wanted to buy stealthy F-35 fighter jets from the United States first had to sign on to the Abraham Accords, the product of President Donald Trump’s campaign to foster stability between Israel and estranged or even hostile Muslim states. In each case, the incentives that the Trump administration dangled in exchange for the détente could fall through — either rejected by Congress or reversed by the administration of President-elect Joe Biden. That puts at risk not only the series of regional agreements for rapprochement but also exacerbates a worldview that the United States cannot be depended upon to hold up its end of diplomatic deals. The Abraham Accords, Trump’s signature foreign policy achievement, have either newly brokered or restarted economic and political ties for Israel with Bahrain, the UAE, Sudan and Morocco. Officials familiar with the administration’s efforts said Oman and Tunisia might be the next states to join, and the warming could be expanded to nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa even after Trump leaves office in January. Formally easing tensions between Israel and its regional neighbors is a success, to be sure, that past Republican and Democratic presidents alike have long sought to foment. “All diplomacy is transactional, but these transactions are mixing things that ought not to have been mixed,” said Robert Malley, president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group, who is close to Antony Blinken, Biden’s pick for secretary of state. Malley predicted that the incoming Biden administration would try to walk back or dilute parts of the normalization deals that defy international norms, as in the case of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, or otherwise challenge long-standing U.S. policy, like the F-35 sales to the UAE. Congress has also shown alarm at the deal-making. The Senate last week narrowly accepted the UAE’s purchase of the stealth jets, drones and other precision weapons, signaling concern over expanded arms deals to the Persian Gulf. That could be reversed if Democrats take control of the chamber after runoff elections in Georgia next month; regardless, the move will be reviewed by the Biden administration to ensure that the $23 billion sale to the UAE does not dull Israel’s military edge in the region. A day after the Senate vote, the Republican chair of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, said it was “shocking and disappointing” that the Trump administration had decided to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara and predicted that it would be reversed. The United Nations, the European Union and the African Union all view the Western Sahara as disputed territory. “I am saddened that the rights of the Western Saharan people have been traded away,” Inhofe said in a statement. “The president has been poorly advised by his team; he could have made this deal without trading the rights of a voiceless people.” Saad Eddine el-Othmani, Morocco’s prime minister, said Tuesday that his government “didn’t want it to be an exchange.” “We don’t bargain with the Sahara,” Othmani said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. “But the victory in this battle required the concomitance.” Nowhere has the diplomatic deal proven more delicate than for Sudan. A seemingly unrelated issue — immunity in U.S. courts from terrorism lawsuits — was indirectly tied to a condition of Sudan reluctantly signing on to the peace accords with Israel in October. The State Department had already decided to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in exchange for the country compensating victims of the 1998 bombings against U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As part of those negotiations, Sudan’s transitional government had demanded the dismissal of all other terrorism lawsuits that it faced from attacks carried out in the 27 years it was on the list. The State Department agreed and countered last summer with a condition of its own: that Sudan begin to thaw a half-century of hostilities with Israel. Only Congress, however, can grant Sudan the legal peace it seeks. Over the past several months, lawmakers have been deadlocked over doing so, given that it would deny families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks their day in court. “We have always wanted all terrorists to be held accountable for their acts on 9/11,” Kristen Breitweiser, a lawyer whose husband was killed in the attacks on New York, said in a statement issued last week during furious negotiating in Congress. Sudan insists it is not liable for the 9/11 attacks, given that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden left his sanctuary in the country five years before they were carried out. But the congressional compromise that was hammered out, according to officials and others close to the negotiations, allows the 9/11 lawsuits to continue, potentially making Sudan liable for billions of dollars in victims’ compensation. Representatives for the Sudanese Embassy in Washington declined to comment but have previously said the country might exit the peace accords with Israel if it is not given immunity from the terrorism lawsuits. As the Trump administration tries to keep the deal from falling apart, an official confirmed a Bloomberg report that the United States had offered Sudan a $1 billion loan to help clear its arrears and obtain as much as $1.5 billion in annual development assistance. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is expected to visit Sudan, Israel and the UAE in a high-level delegation to the region next month. Bahrain appears to be a lone exception among the countries that were offered incentives as part of normalization agreements with Israel, although this week the State Department designated the Iranian-linked Saraya al-Mukhtar as a terrorist group, in part for its goal to overthrow the tiny Sunni monarchy. That has also fueled concern among current and former government officials and conflict analysts that the United States will designate Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, in part to convince Saudi Arabia to sign on to the accords with Israel. Officials close to the decision said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was inclined to issue the designation to cut off Iran’s support of the Houthis, who have seized control of most of Yemen, ousted its government and attacked neighboring Saudi Arabia in their five-year border war. It could also prohibit the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen’s major ports — most of which are controlled by the Houthis — and, in turn, exacerbate a famine in one of the world’s poorest countries. It is doubtful, however, that the terrorism designation alone would persuade Saudi Arabia — the most powerful monarchy in the Middle East — to normalize relations with Israel. That thaw could take years, if it happens at all, and by then might be driven more by a rising number of young adults in the kingdom who are more concerned with jobs and economic stability at home than a generations-old conflict between Israel and Palestine. Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, said a secretive trip that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made to Saudi Arabia last month to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a bold signal of the détente. “These Arab countries want to be friends with Israel,” Haley told the Israeli-based DiploTech Global Summit on Wednesday. Even if they disapprove of Trump’s transactional diplomacy, Biden and Blinken will also be wary of appearing to back away from Israel, which is the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East and holds considerable political sway over U.S. evangelical and Jewish voters. “I think President-elect Biden will try to continue with the momentum because it’s beneficial for the U.S., it’s beneficial for the allies of the U.S., and I think that will be the right thing to do,” said Danny Danon, who retired this year as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump incentives for signing peace accords with Israel could be at risk

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday landed in Dubai for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership "on developing and strengthening relations between [the] two friendly countries".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-returns-1-billion-of-saudi-arabias-soft-loan-officials-say-350506" hreflang="en">Pakistan returns $1 billion of Saudi Arabia's soft loan, officials say</a>

UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum hosted Qureshi to hold talks.&nbsp;

UAE Embassy in Pakistan took to Twitter and said: "H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, receives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries".&nbsp;

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H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries <a href="https://t.co/zhcv5tgDCo">pic.twitter.com/zhcv5tgDCo</a>
— UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) <a href="https://twitter.com/uaeembassyisb/status/1339531084460113923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Later today, Qureshi took to Twitter and said "issues of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, including encouragement of UAE business community to invest in Pakistan and the welfare of our diaspora in UAE" were discussed during the meeting.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-imran-khan-in-spotlight-as-pakistan-passes-new-rape-law-350282" hreflang="en">PM Imran Khan in spotlight as Pakistan passes new rape law</a>

Qureshi went on to add that that Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will be a "memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship".

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The Pakistan Pavilion at <a href="https://twitter.com/expo2020dubai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@expo2020dubai</a> next year will be a memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship and we wish UAE a resounding success. 🇵🇰 🇦🇪
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1339546708146085888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The talks come weeks after UAE temporarily suspended the issuance of visit visas to a dozen countries, including Pakistan, until further notice. However, Pakistan officially believes that the UAE authorities decided due to the second wave of Covid-19.

According to Dawn's report, Foreign Minister Qureshi is expected to take up the issue of suspension of visas with the UAE authorities.&nbsp;

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday landed in Dubai for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership "on developing and strengthening relations between [the] two friendly countries".

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday landed in Dubai for a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks with UAE leadership "on developing and strengthening relations between [the] two friendly countries". Also read: Pakistan returns $1 billion of Saudi Arabia's soft loan, officials say UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum hosted Qureshi to hold talks. UAE Embassy in Pakistan took to Twitter and said: "H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, receives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries". H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recives H.E Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and holds bilateral talks on developing and strengthening relations between two friendly countries pic.twitter.com/zhcv5tgDCo — UAE Embassy PK (@uaeembassyisb) December 17, 2020 × Later today, Qureshi took to Twitter and said "issues of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, including encouragement of UAE business community to invest in Pakistan and the welfare of our diaspora in UAE" were discussed during the meeting. Also read: PM Imran Khan in spotlight as Pakistan passes new rape law Qureshi went on to add that that Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai will be a "memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship". The Pakistan Pavilion at @expo2020dubai next year will be a memento of Pakistan-UAE friendship and we wish UAE a resounding success. 🇵🇰 🇦🇪 — Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) December 17, 2020 × The talks come weeks after UAE temporarily suspended the issuance of visit visas to a dozen countries, including Pakistan, until further notice. However, Pakistan officially believes that the UAE authorities decided due to the second wave of Covid-19. According to Dawn's report, Foreign Minister Qureshi is expected to take up the issue of suspension of visas with the UAE authorities.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi arrives in Dubai for two-day visit

Pakistan has been slowly slipping from the good books of the Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia — the de facto leader of the Islamic world. This can be proved through the dissection of two high-profile and very similar visits that stand as proof of the Saudi-Pakistan breakup that also reaffirm how Saudi Arabia along with the UAE &nbsp;is increasingly leaning towards India.

In August, the Pakistan army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa travelled to Riyadh. The visit followed weeks of posturing by Islamabad on Kashmir. Bajwa went there expecting the sheikhdom to take a firmer line against India's policies in Kashmir. In fact, the Saudi crown prince was expected to give the Pak army chief an audience, a loan concession and a medal. However, all he received was a royal snub as the Saudis changed their mind and he didn't get to meet Mohammed Bin Salman. This also meant there was no loan concession and obviously no medal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-army-chief-naravane-meets-top-saudi-generals-349638">WATCH|</a>

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General Bajwa, much to his dismay, had to settle for customary meetings with the Saudi officials and he returned to Islamabad empty-handed.&nbsp;

Now, four months later, the Indian army chief, General Manoj Mukund Naravane has embarked on a six-day long tour of West Asi, making it his third foreign tour this year and the first visit by an Indian army chief to this part of the world. The purpose of the visit was to create a military alliance with the two gulf powers.&nbsp;

On Friday, General Naravane received a guard of honour at the headquarters of UAE's land forces. During his trip, he also held talks with the commander of land forces, Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri and discussed defence cooperation between India and UAE. The army chief also visited the land forces institute and its infantry and armour schools.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-saudi-arabia-defence-partnership-349798">WATCH|</a>

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On Sunday, he arrived in Saudi Arabia and visited the ministry of defence in Riyadh where he received a guard of honour by the royal Saudi land forces and met top Saudi generals such as Saudi Arabia's chief of staff General Fayyad Bin Hamid Ruwaili and the commander of Saudi Arabia's joint forces General Mutlaq Bin Salim Bin Al-Azima. The discussions largely revolved around ramping up defence cooperation in strategic areas.

&nbsp; 
The stark contrast between these two visits of India and Pakistan is clearly visible where Pakistan's General receives a royal snub and a red carpet is rolled out for the Indian General. This contrast proves that New Delhi has not only managed to delink Islamabad from the Arab world but is set to become a major security partner of the Gulf powers.

Reports around General Naravane's visit to the gulf have highlighted a potential sale of the Brahmos missile. Both, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have reportedly shown interest in buying the Indo-Russian missile system. A number of other proposals are also on the table such as joint military exercises.

In recent years, the Indian navy has held drills with UAE and Saudi Arabia. In March 2018, India and the UAE conducted their maiden naval exercise "Gulf star 1" and in 2019, India and Saudi Arabia announced their first joint naval drills — which were delayed to the coronavirus pandemic. General Naravane's visit could lead to a rescheduling of these drills.

Reports also indicate that Indian contingents could soon be sent to Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the protection of the house of Saud. Over the years, thousands of Pakistani troops have been sent to the royal kingdom. Elite Pakistani commandoes have been tasked with guarding the royal family in Riyadh but Islamabad has refused to allow Pakistani troops to join Saudi and Emirati troops in Yemen.

Reports say the Gulf powers now want India to be on board in Yemen. Indian contingents could be sent to join troops in Yemen as Islamabad is made to pay back its loans.

Pakistan's Geo news carried out a report on Monday titled, "china bails out Pakistan to replay $1 billion Saudi debt". Pakistan has been forced to pay another tranche of a $3 billion loan it borrowed from the sheikhdom, and much like last time, China has again come to Pakistan's rescue.

Pakistan has been slowly slipping from the good books of the Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia — the de facto leader of the Islamic world. This can be proved through the dissection of two high-profile and very similar visits that stand as proof of the Saudi-Pakistan breakup that also reaffirm how Saudi Arabia along with the UAE is increasingly leaning towards India.

Pakistan has been slowly slipping from the good books of the Arab nations, especially Saudi Arabia — the de facto leader of the Islamic world. This can be proved through the dissection of two high-profile and very similar visits that stand as proof of the Saudi-Pakistan breakup that also reaffirm how Saudi Arabia along with the UAE is increasingly leaning towards India. In August, the Pakistan army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa travelled to Riyadh. The visit followed weeks of posturing by Islamabad on Kashmir. Bajwa went there expecting the sheikhdom to take a firmer line against India's policies in Kashmir. In fact, the Saudi crown prince was expected to give the Pak army chief an audience, a loan concession and a medal. However, all he received was a royal snub as the Saudis changed their mind and he didn't get to meet Mohammed Bin Salman. This also meant there was no loan concession and obviously no medal. WATCH| × General Bajwa, much to his dismay, had to settle for customary meetings with the Saudi officials and he returned to Islamabad empty-handed. Now, four months later, the Indian army chief, General Manoj Mukund Naravane has embarked on a six-day long tour of West Asi, making it his third foreign tour this year and the first visit by an Indian army chief to this part of the world. The purpose of the visit was to create a military alliance with the two gulf powers. On Friday, General Naravane received a guard of honour at the headquarters of UAE's land forces. During his trip, he also held talks with the commander of land forces, Major General Saleh Mohammed Saleh Al Ameri and discussed defence cooperation between India and UAE. The army chief also visited the land forces institute and its infantry and armour schools. WATCH| × On Sunday, he arrived in Saudi Arabia and visited the ministry of defence in Riyadh where he received a guard of honour by the royal Saudi land forces and met top Saudi generals such as Saudi Arabia's chief of staff General Fayyad Bin Hamid Ruwaili and the commander of Saudi Arabia's joint forces General Mutlaq Bin Salim Bin Al-Azima. The discussions largely revolved around ramping up defence cooperation in strategic areas. The stark contrast between these two visits of India and Pakistan is clearly visible where Pakistan's General receives a royal snub and a red carpet is rolled out for the Indian General. This contrast proves that New Delhi has not only managed to delink Islamabad from the Arab world but is set to become a major security partner of the Gulf powers. Reports around General Naravane's visit to the gulf have highlighted a potential sale of the Brahmos missile. Both, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have reportedly shown interest in buying the Indo-Russian missile system. A number of other proposals are also on the table such as joint military exercises. In recent years, the Indian navy has held drills with UAE and Saudi Arabia. In March 2018, India and the UAE conducted their maiden naval exercise "Gulf star 1" and in 2019, India and Saudi Arabia announced their first joint naval drills — which were delayed to the coronavirus pandemic. General Naravane's visit could lead to a rescheduling of these drills. Reports also indicate that Indian contingents could soon be sent to Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the protection of the house of Saud. Over the years, thousands of Pakistani troops have been sent to the royal kingdom. Elite Pakistani commandoes have been tasked with guarding the royal family in Riyadh but Islamabad has refused to allow Pakistani troops to join Saudi and Emirati troops in Yemen. Reports say the Gulf powers now want India to be on board in Yemen. Indian contingents could be sent to join troops in Yemen as Islamabad is made to pay back its loans. Pakistan's Geo news carried out a report on Monday titled, "china bails out Pakistan to replay $1 billion Saudi debt". Pakistan has been forced to pay another tranche of a $3 billion loan it borrowed from the sheikhdom, and much like last time, China has again come to Pakistan's rescue.

Indian Army General Naravane's Saudi visit sheds light on Pak's break-up with Arab world

The Senate on Wednesday rejected efforts to block the sale of munitions worth $23 billion to the United Arab Emirates, overcoming concerns about sending weapons to Gulf Arab nations.

The pair of votes, forced by a bipartisan group of senators, highlighted growing unease in Congress with sending large tranches of sophisticated weapons that could sharply alter the military balance to a region facing simmering proxy wars. But in a victory for President Donald Trump, the majority voted against the blockade, endorsing his last-minute push to send armed drones and stealth fighter jets to the Emirati military and arguing that bolstering the country’s arsenal would help nations allied against Iran.

“This would continue the 20 years of growth in our relationship, working side by side against common concerns and common enemies,” Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said. “The UAE has consistently been willing to stand with us in at least six long-term deployments. They come, they stay, they are side by side with us in the field.”

The administration formally notified Congress last month of the intended $23 billion sale, a deal that included up to 50 F-35 jets, as many as 18 Reaper drones and other precision weapons. That push, championed by Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, came as he and other administration officials completed the Abraham accord, a joint agreement in which the United Arab Emirates became the third Arab nation to recognize Israel.

A vote to block the sale of F-35 jets failed 47-49, and a separate vote to block the sale of the drones failed 46-50, with Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, both Democrats, voting in favor of the drone package. Kelly opposed the F-35 sale.

Administration officials have insisted that the arms sale — particularly the transfer of the coveted F-35 fighter jets — is not a direct reward for the Emirates’ recognition of Israel. But they have acknowledged that it is linked to the broader diplomatic initiative, and Kushner briefed Senate Republicans on Tuesday on his work with the Emiratis, according to a person familiar with the discussion.

Emirati diplomats, led by the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador, Yousef al-Otaiba, lobbied senators in the days leading up to the vote, running a rapid-response Twitter feed as lawmakers debated the provision and arguing that the sale “is critical to protecting our shared interests against common adversaries,” referencing Iran.

“The UAE has purchased &amp;amp; operated some of the most advanced US defense systems including F-16s, Patriot &amp;amp; THAAD. @usairforce F-35 squadrons are based in the UAE,” embassy officials wrote. “The UAE has never compromised or shared this technology with an adversary or without US knowledge &amp;amp; approval.”

Democrats had accused Trump administration officials of rushing the sales through in the final months of Trump’s term, and pointed to reports indicating the Emirates had previously misused American-made weapons.

“There is no doubt that the UAE’s recent normalization agreement with Israel is a big deal, and there is a level of arms transfer that could make sense for an important partner in the region,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., one of the sponsors of the legislation to block the sales. “But the Emiratis’ recent behavior in Yemen and Libya, where U.S. weapons were misused and given to radical militias, on top of their active and growing defense relationships with China and Russia, should give everyone pause.”

Congressional efforts to block arms sales are rarely successful. After the administration last year circumvented Capitol Hill to allow the sale of billions of dollars of munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, lawmakers tried to derail the deal but were unable to override the president’s veto.

Still, the sale, which experts believe could take six to eight years to deliver, could be reversed by the incoming Biden administration. Several advisers to President-elect Joe Biden are wary of sending munitions to the Gulf Arab nations because of the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has created the world’s greatest humanitarian disaster.

The Senate on Wednesday rejected efforts to block the sale of munitions worth $23 billion to the United Arab Emirates, overcoming concerns about sending weapons to Gulf Arab nations.

The Senate on Wednesday rejected efforts to block the sale of munitions worth $23 billion to the United Arab Emirates, overcoming concerns about sending weapons to Gulf Arab nations. The pair of votes, forced by a bipartisan group of senators, highlighted growing unease in Congress with sending large tranches of sophisticated weapons that could sharply alter the military balance to a region facing simmering proxy wars. But in a victory for President Donald Trump, the majority voted against the blockade, endorsing his last-minute push to send armed drones and stealth fighter jets to the Emirati military and arguing that bolstering the country’s arsenal would help nations allied against Iran. “This would continue the 20 years of growth in our relationship, working side by side against common concerns and common enemies,” Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said. “The UAE has consistently been willing to stand with us in at least six long-term deployments. They come, they stay, they are side by side with us in the field.” The administration formally notified Congress last month of the intended $23 billion sale, a deal that included up to 50 F-35 jets, as many as 18 Reaper drones and other precision weapons. That push, championed by Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, came as he and other administration officials completed the Abraham accord, a joint agreement in which the United Arab Emirates became the third Arab nation to recognize Israel. A vote to block the sale of F-35 jets failed 47-49, and a separate vote to block the sale of the drones failed 46-50, with Sens. Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, both Democrats, voting in favor of the drone package. Kelly opposed the F-35 sale. Administration officials have insisted that the arms sale — particularly the transfer of the coveted F-35 fighter jets — is not a direct reward for the Emirates’ recognition of Israel. But they have acknowledged that it is linked to the broader diplomatic initiative, and Kushner briefed Senate Republicans on Tuesday on his work with the Emiratis, according to a person familiar with the discussion. Emirati diplomats, led by the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador, Yousef al-Otaiba, lobbied senators in the days leading up to the vote, running a rapid-response Twitter feed as lawmakers debated the provision and arguing that the sale “is critical to protecting our shared interests against common adversaries,” referencing Iran. “The UAE has purchased &amp; operated some of the most advanced US defense systems including F-16s, Patriot &amp; THAAD. @usairforce F-35 squadrons are based in the UAE,” embassy officials wrote. “The UAE has never compromised or shared this technology with an adversary or without US knowledge &amp; approval.” Democrats had accused Trump administration officials of rushing the sales through in the final months of Trump’s term, and pointed to reports indicating the Emirates had previously misused American-made weapons. “There is no doubt that the UAE’s recent normalization agreement with Israel is a big deal, and there is a level of arms transfer that could make sense for an important partner in the region,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., one of the sponsors of the legislation to block the sales. “But the Emiratis’ recent behavior in Yemen and Libya, where U.S. weapons were misused and given to radical militias, on top of their active and growing defense relationships with China and Russia, should give everyone pause.” Congressional efforts to block arms sales are rarely successful. After the administration last year circumvented Capitol Hill to allow the sale of billions of dollars of munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, lawmakers tried to derail the deal but were unable to override the president’s veto. Still, the sale, which experts believe could take six to eight years to deliver, could be reversed by the incoming Biden administration. Several advisers to President-elect Joe Biden are wary of sending munitions to the Gulf Arab nations because of the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has created the world’s greatest humanitarian disaster.

US Senate rejects attempted blockade of weapons sale to UAE

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday said that landmark Abraham Accords were like an 'opportunity' and that they were not struck at the 'expense' of the Palestinians. He was speaking at a regional security conference in Manama, Bahrain.

"The Abraham accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed," he said in a virtual address.

The Abrham Accords, through which UAE and Bahrain broke decades of Arab consensus were decried by Palestinian leaders as a "stab in the back". The consensus among Arab countries meant that they would be no relations between them and Israel until it made peace with the Palestinians

Israeli foreign minister on Sunday said that the diplomati shift could help resolve Israel-Palestine conflict.

"I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions. This is the only way to solve this conflict," he said.&nbsp;

"We believe as Israel moves from annexation to normalisation, there is a window to solve this conflict," he said, referring to its agreement to put annexation plans on hold in return for the normalisation deal.

The United States, which brokered the Abraham Accords, has been intensively negotiating for more Arab nations to come in board, notably Saudi Arabia, the biggest Gulf power.

Saudi to sign up?

Mutual concern over Iran has gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer, and there were reports last month that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in Saudi Arabia, fuelling speculation a normalisation accord could be in the making.

Riyadh, however, denied that the meeting, reportedly between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had occurred.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told AFP in Manama Saturday that the kingdom's position remained resolute.

"We've been quite clear that in order for us to proceed with normalisation we will need to see a settlement of the Palestinian dispute and the formation of a viable state of Palestine along the lines envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative," he said.

"Without a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis we are not going to see true peace and stability in the region."

Asked whether that effectively ruled out the establishment of ties with Israel any time soon, he said he was "optimistic that there is a path towards a resolution between the Palestinians and Israelis".&nbsp;

However, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi former intelligence chief who is said to be close to the top leadership, gave voice to the strong support that the Palestinian cause still has in the region, with a fiery presentation to the Manama meeting.&nbsp;

He accused Israel of depicting itself as a "small, existentially threatened country, surrounded by bloodthirsty killers who want to eradicate her from existence".

"And yet they profess that they want to be friends with Saudi Arabia," he said, outlining a history of forcible eviction of Palestinians and destroyed villages.

"You cannot treat an open wound with palliatives and painkillers. The Abraham Accords are not divine writ."

(With AFP inputs)

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday said that landmark Abraham Accords were like an 'opportunity' and that they were not struck at the 'expense' of the Palestinians.

Israel Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday said that landmark Abraham Accords were like an 'opportunity' and that they were not struck at the 'expense' of the Palestinians. He was speaking at a regional security conference in Manama, Bahrain. "The Abraham accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed," he said in a virtual address. The Abrham Accords, through which UAE and Bahrain broke decades of Arab consensus were decried by Palestinian leaders as a "stab in the back". The consensus among Arab countries meant that they would be no relations between them and Israel until it made peace with the Palestinians Israeli foreign minister on Sunday said that the diplomati shift could help resolve Israel-Palestine conflict. "I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions. This is the only way to solve this conflict," he said. "We believe as Israel moves from annexation to normalisation, there is a window to solve this conflict," he said, referring to its agreement to put annexation plans on hold in return for the normalisation deal. The United States, which brokered the Abraham Accords, has been intensively negotiating for more Arab nations to come in board, notably Saudi Arabia, the biggest Gulf power. Saudi to sign up? Mutual concern over Iran has gradually brought Israel and Gulf nations closer, and there were reports last month that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in Saudi Arabia, fuelling speculation a normalisation accord could be in the making. Riyadh, however, denied that the meeting, reportedly between Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, had occurred. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told AFP in Manama Saturday that the kingdom's position remained resolute. "We've been quite clear that in order for us to proceed with normalisation we will need to see a settlement of the Palestinian dispute and the formation of a viable state of Palestine along the lines envisioned in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative," he said. "Without a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis we are not going to see true peace and stability in the region." Asked whether that effectively ruled out the establishment of ties with Israel any time soon, he said he was "optimistic that there is a path towards a resolution between the Palestinians and Israelis". However, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi former intelligence chief who is said to be close to the top leadership, gave voice to the strong support that the Palestinian cause still has in the region, with a fiery presentation to the Manama meeting. He accused Israel of depicting itself as a "small, existentially threatened country, surrounded by bloodthirsty killers who want to eradicate her from existence". "And yet they profess that they want to be friends with Saudi Arabia," he said, outlining a history of forcible eviction of Palestinians and destroyed villages. "You cannot treat an open wound with palliatives and painkillers. The Abraham Accords are not divine writ." (With AFP inputs)

Israel calls Abraham Accords an 'opportunity' for Palestinians

This strategic partnership, according to UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, aims to “enhance political, economic and cultural cooperation” between the two countries.

How significant is the Greece-UAE defence agreement?

In a significant development, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will be on a week-long two-country visit next week. He will be visiting Saudi Arabia and UAE. This is first such visit by any Indian Army chief to both the West Asian Arab countries.

He will be in Saudi Arabia from 6th to 8th December. India and Saudi Arabia have had increased engagement in defence. Riyadh-Delhi ties have seen high voltage diplomatic activity, including 2 high-level visit--first by Crown Prince to Delhi in 2018, followed by the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country last year. India is one of the key strategic partners of the Kingdom, with trade, investment and others being the main pillars.

General Naravane's next stop will be the United Arab Emirates, another country with which India has increased engagement on several fronts. The army chief's visit comes just days after India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the country. UAE hosts one of the largest populations of Indians outside of India.&nbsp;

This is army chief's 3rd foreign visit, amidst the Covid pandemic. He has been to Myanmar, Nepal. The focus is now on the Arab world.&nbsp;

In a significant development, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will be on a week-long two-country visit next week. He will be visiting Saudi Arabia and UAE.

In a significant development, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane will be on a week-long two-country visit next week. He will be visiting Saudi Arabia and UAE. This is first such visit by any Indian Army chief to both the West Asian Arab countries. He will be in Saudi Arabia from 6th to 8th December. India and Saudi Arabia have had increased engagement in defence. Riyadh-Delhi ties have seen high voltage diplomatic activity, including 2 high-level visit--first by Crown Prince to Delhi in 2018, followed by the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the country last year. India is one of the key strategic partners of the Kingdom, with trade, investment and others being the main pillars. General Naravane's next stop will be the United Arab Emirates, another country with which India has increased engagement on several fronts. The army chief's visit comes just days after India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to the country. UAE hosts one of the largest populations of Indians outside of India. This is army chief's 3rd foreign visit, amidst the Covid pandemic. He has been to Myanmar, Nepal. The focus is now on the Arab world.

Indian Army chief to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE next week

Dec 2 in history: From formation of UAE to Bhopal gas tragedy

Energy, Covid-19 cooperation, defence were the key focus areas of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he met the top leadership---Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.&nbsp;

The in-person visit comes amidst the pandemic and UAE normalising its ties with Israel, a significant development that has ramifications in the region.

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Thank HH <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedBinZayed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MohamedBinZayed</a> for receiving me on arrival at Abu Dhabi. Conveyed the greetings and good wishes of PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>. UAE’s care and consideration of its large Indian community is deeply appreciated. <a href="https://t.co/0xewAQvj9a">pic.twitter.com/0xewAQvj9a</a>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1331699969280106497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, "EAM and the UAE Foreign Minister discussed recent regional and international developments and agreed to continue coordination on various multilateral issues."

When it comes to Covid-19, EAM briefed his counterpart on the "progress made by India" in dealing the pandemic and thanked the Emirati leadership for " taking great care of Indians during the Covid-19 pandemic".

UAE has the largest population of Indians outside of India, many of whom are playing a key part in the local economy and also sending huge remittances back home.&nbsp;

EAM is on a week-long 3 nation visit and has already visited Bahrain and UAE and his next destination is Indian ocean Island country of Seychelles to meet with the new leadership of President Ramkalawan.

Energy, Covid-19 cooperation, defence were the key focus areas of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he met the top leadership---Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Energy, Covid-19 cooperation, defence were the key focus areas of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) as he met the top leadership---Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The in-person visit comes amidst the pandemic and UAE normalising its ties with Israel, a significant development that has ramifications in the region. Thank HH @MohamedBinZayed for receiving me on arrival at Abu Dhabi. Conveyed the greetings and good wishes of PM @narendramodi. UAE’s care and consideration of its large Indian community is deeply appreciated. pic.twitter.com/0xewAQvj9a — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 25, 2020 × A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said, "EAM and the UAE Foreign Minister discussed recent regional and international developments and agreed to continue coordination on various multilateral issues." When it comes to Covid-19, EAM briefed his counterpart on the "progress made by India" in dealing the pandemic and thanked the Emirati leadership for " taking great care of Indians during the Covid-19 pandemic". UAE has the largest population of Indians outside of India, many of whom are playing a key part in the local economy and also sending huge remittances back home. EAM is on a week-long 3 nation visit and has already visited Bahrain and UAE and his next destination is Indian ocean Island country of Seychelles to meet with the new leadership of President Ramkalawan.

Covid-19, energy, defence key focus of Foreign Minister Jaishankar's UAE visit

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has embarked on a 6-day diplomatic tour. Which countries will he be visiting? What's on the agenda? WION's Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: S. Jaishankar embarks on 6-day diplomatic tour

In a major shake-up of foreign ownership laws aimed at attracting investment into an economy reeling from the coronavirus and a decline in oil prices, the government of the United Arab Emirates announced by decree today that foreign investors can fully own local companies without the need for an Emirati sponsor.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, issued the decree, which replaces the Commercial Companies Law No. 2, passed in 2015.

Until now, companies in the UAE had needed a certain shareholding to be held by Emirati nationals, or an Emirati agent, depending on what type of company it was.

“The amendments allow foreign entrepreneurs and investors to fully establish (own 100 per cent) and own companies without any nationality requirements,” state news agency WAM said.

“The condition requiring a foreign company wishing to open a branch in the country to have an agent from among the country’s citizens has also been cancelled,” it added.

The UAE approved a new foreign investment law in 2018 that would allow foreigners to own up to 100% of some businesses and foreigners could already own up to 100% of those registered in designated business parks known as "free zones".

As an oil and gas producer, the UAE economy has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices, prompting the International Monetary Fund to forecast in October that the Gulf`s second-largest economy could shrink by 6.6% this year.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a major shake-up of foreign ownership laws aimed at attracting investment into an economy reeling from the coronavirus and a decline in oil prices, the government of the United Arab Emirates announced by decree today that foreign investors can fully own local companies without the need for an Emirati sponsor.

In a major shake-up of foreign ownership laws aimed at attracting investment into an economy reeling from the coronavirus and a decline in oil prices, the government of the United Arab Emirates announced by decree today that foreign investors can fully own local companies without the need for an Emirati sponsor. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, issued the decree, which replaces the Commercial Companies Law No. 2, passed in 2015. Until now, companies in the UAE had needed a certain shareholding to be held by Emirati nationals, or an Emirati agent, depending on what type of company it was. “The amendments allow foreign entrepreneurs and investors to fully establish (own 100 per cent) and own companies without any nationality requirements,” state news agency WAM said. “The condition requiring a foreign company wishing to open a branch in the country to have an agent from among the country’s citizens has also been cancelled,” it added. The UAE approved a new foreign investment law in 2018 that would allow foreigners to own up to 100% of some businesses and foreigners could already own up to 100% of those registered in designated business parks known as "free zones". As an oil and gas producer, the UAE economy has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices, prompting the International Monetary Fund to forecast in October that the Gulf`s second-largest economy could shrink by 6.6% this year. (With inputs from agencies)

UAE opens up the economy, allows 100% foreign ownership of firms: Report

Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' national carrier, announced Monday it will start direct flights to Israel in March 2021 after the countries recent agreement to normalise ties.&nbsp;

The Abu Dhabi-based airline "will launch daily scheduled year-round flights to Tel Aviv", it said in a statement.

It added the service will begin on March 28 -- a date that will fall approximately six months after the UAE&nbsp;signed a US-brokered deal to formalise relations with Israel, the first such accord between a Gulf nation and the Jewish state.&nbsp;

"The commencement of scheduled flights is a historic moment and as an airline, cements Etihad's commitment to growing opportunities for trade and tourism," said Mohammad al-Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, according to the statement.

Dubai's budget airline flydubai had already announced that it would start direct flights to Tel Aviv this month, operating 14 flights a week.&nbsp;

Unlike Dubai and the other emirates that make up the UAE, Abu Dhabi has placed stringent coronavirus restrictions on entering the city. &nbsp;

With their economies hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE and Israel are hoping for rapid dividends from the normalisation deal.

They have already signed treaties on direct flights and visa-free travel, along with accords on investment protection, science and technology.

The UAE was only the third Arab country to normalise ties with Israel following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.&nbsp;

However, its move was quickly followed by Bahrain and last month Sudan also announced it would normalise ties.

The agreements, which have been roundly condemned by the Palestinians, break with years of Arab League policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The consensus had been that there should be no relations with Israel until it makes peace with the Palestinians.

Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' national carrier, announced Monday it will start direct flights to Israel in March 2021 after the countries recent agreement to normalise ties.

Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates' national carrier, announced Monday it will start direct flights to Israel in March 2021 after the countries recent agreement to normalise ties. The Abu Dhabi-based airline "will launch daily scheduled year-round flights to Tel Aviv", it said in a statement. It added the service will begin on March 28 -- a date that will fall approximately six months after the UAE signed a US-brokered deal to formalise relations with Israel, the first such accord between a Gulf nation and the Jewish state. "The commencement of scheduled flights is a historic moment and as an airline, cements Etihad's commitment to growing opportunities for trade and tourism," said Mohammad al-Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, according to the statement. Dubai's budget airline flydubai had already announced that it would start direct flights to Tel Aviv this month, operating 14 flights a week. Unlike Dubai and the other emirates that make up the UAE, Abu Dhabi has placed stringent coronavirus restrictions on entering the city. With their economies hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, the UAE and Israel are hoping for rapid dividends from the normalisation deal. They have already signed treaties on direct flights and visa-free travel, along with accords on investment protection, science and technology. The UAE was only the third Arab country to normalise ties with Israel following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. However, its move was quickly followed by Bahrain and last month Sudan also announced it would normalise ties. The agreements, which have been roundly condemned by the Palestinians, break with years of Arab League policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The consensus had been that there should be no relations with Israel until it makes peace with the Palestinians.

UAE's Etihad to launch direct flights to Tel Aviv next year

NMC Health founder BR Shetty was prevented from departing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early on Saturday by immigration officials at India`s Bengaluru airport, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Sunday.

Shetty had said in a statement on Saturday he planned to return to the UAE and denied reports he had fled the country after the hospital group`s implosion under a mountain of previously undisclosed debt.

Shetty`s wife was allowed to fly to Abu Dhabi, the source said.

"He was told that we have some kind of intimation that you cannot travel at this point in time," the source said, adding Shetty was not detained.

Shetty could not be reached for comment on his cellphone. His spokesman declined to comment beyond the statement issued by Shetty on Saturday. Immigration officials in Bengaluru could not immediately be reached for a comment.

NMC went into administration in April following months of turmoil over its finances and the discovery that it had $6.6 billion in debt, well above earlier estimates.

Shetty is also facing a legal challenge in India, where Bank of Baroda is suing him for backing away from an agreement it says was decided at a March meeting to give the bank 16 properties as collateral for debts and to secure additional guarantees.

Shetty has said the agreement was a "fraudulent document", according to a statement of objection filed to an Indian court and seen by Reuters.

NMC Health founder BR Shetty was prevented from departing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early on Saturday by immigration officials at India`s Bengaluru airport, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Sunday.

NMC Health founder BR Shetty was prevented from departing to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early on Saturday by immigration officials at India`s Bengaluru airport, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Sunday. Shetty had said in a statement on Saturday he planned to return to the UAE and denied reports he had fled the country after the hospital group`s implosion under a mountain of previously undisclosed debt. Shetty`s wife was allowed to fly to Abu Dhabi, the source said. "He was told that we have some kind of intimation that you cannot travel at this point in time," the source said, adding Shetty was not detained. Shetty could not be reached for comment on his cellphone. His spokesman declined to comment beyond the statement issued by Shetty on Saturday. Immigration officials in Bengaluru could not immediately be reached for a comment. NMC went into administration in April following months of turmoil over its finances and the discovery that it had $6.6 billion in debt, well above earlier estimates. Shetty is also facing a legal challenge in India, where Bank of Baroda is suing him for backing away from an agreement it says was decided at a March meeting to give the bank 16 properties as collateral for debts and to secure additional guarantees. Shetty has said the agreement was a "fraudulent document", according to a statement of objection filed to an Indian court and seen by Reuters.

NMC founder BR Shetty stopped from flying to UAE by Indian immigration

Indian Cricketer Krunal Pandya was detained at the T2 International airport in Mumbai by the officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables.

"Cricketer Krunal Pandya stopped by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at the Mumbai International Airport over suspicion of being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables, while returning from UAE," DRI sources said.

According to the sources, he had reportedly made purchases of valuables, including gold chains, totalling to a huge amount, which was considered much above the permissible limits as per Indian laws.

After this was brought to his notice, Pandya admitted that he was unaware of the rules, apologised and even agreed to pay the penalties on the same.

He further assured that he would not repeat the error after which the DRI allowed him to leave.

Krunal recently featured for Mumbai Indians in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in UAE. The Rohit Sharma-led side won their fifth IPL title on Tuesday after defeating Delhi Capitals in the finals of the tournament. The franchise had earlier won the tournament in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019.

The all-rounder has played 71 matches for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He was the player of the match in the IPL 2017 final and had helped Mumbai Indians defeat Rising Pune Supergiant to claim their third title.In this year's IPL, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) skipper KL Rahul won the Orange Cap while Delhi Capitals pacer Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap.

Rabada finished with 30 wickets from 17 matches, while Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah finished the tournament with second-most wickets (27) this season.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Cricketer Krunal Pandya was detained at the T2 International airport in Mumbai by the officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables.

Indian Cricketer Krunal Pandya was detained at the T2 International airport in Mumbai by the officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables. "Cricketer Krunal Pandya stopped by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at the Mumbai International Airport over suspicion of being in possession of undisclosed gold and other valuables, while returning from UAE," DRI sources said. According to the sources, he had reportedly made purchases of valuables, including gold chains, totalling to a huge amount, which was considered much above the permissible limits as per Indian laws. After this was brought to his notice, Pandya admitted that he was unaware of the rules, apologised and even agreed to pay the penalties on the same. He further assured that he would not repeat the error after which the DRI allowed him to leave. Krunal recently featured for Mumbai Indians in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in UAE. The Rohit Sharma-led side won their fifth IPL title on Tuesday after defeating Delhi Capitals in the finals of the tournament. The franchise had earlier won the tournament in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019. The all-rounder has played 71 matches for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He was the player of the match in the IPL 2017 final and had helped Mumbai Indians defeat Rising Pune Supergiant to claim their third title.In this year's IPL, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) skipper KL Rahul won the Orange Cap while Delhi Capitals pacer Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap. Rabada finished with 30 wickets from 17 matches, while Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah finished the tournament with second-most wickets (27) this season. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Cricketer Krunal Pandya detained at Mumbai airport

The United Arab Emirates government has scrapped a ban on unmarried couples living together and has also done away with reduced sentences for so-called "honour" killings.

The oil-rich country has raised penalties for rape and sexual harassment.

The new laws are aimed at the country’s multicultural residents as it seeks to carve a new identity for itself.

There will no longer be separate sentencing guidelines for "honour" killings.

According to reports, "honour" killings will now be punishable like any other crime in which jail terms was between three and 15 years.

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has included changes to the sentencing guidelines for other offences related to women.

Reports say there will be harsher penalties in harassment cases, while the rape of a minor and of "someone with a limited mental capacity" will attract the death penalty.

Also, there won't be any penalties against those found drinking alcohol without a licence, however, individuals must still be over 21 to purchase or consume alcohol.

The new rules include several other changes in inheritance and the court system.

The United Arab Emirates government has scrapped a ban on unmarried couples living together and has also done away with reduced sentences for so-called "honour" killings.

The United Arab Emirates government has scrapped a ban on unmarried couples living together and has also done away with reduced sentences for so-called "honour" killings. The oil-rich country has raised penalties for rape and sexual harassment. The new laws are aimed at the country’s multicultural residents as it seeks to carve a new identity for itself. There will no longer be separate sentencing guidelines for "honour" killings. According to reports, "honour" killings will now be punishable like any other crime in which jail terms was between three and 15 years. UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has included changes to the sentencing guidelines for other offences related to women. Reports say there will be harsher penalties in harassment cases, while the rape of a minor and of "someone with a limited mental capacity" will attract the death penalty. Also, there won't be any penalties against those found drinking alcohol without a licence, however, individuals must still be over 21 to purchase or consume alcohol. The new rules include several other changes in inheritance and the court system.

UAE allows unmarried couples to live together in sweeping law reforms

Batting legend Rahul Dravid, often dubbed as 'The Wall', has been crucial in grooming India's next generation in the sport. His coaching stints for the U-19 team and India A have been lauded by many.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-have-no-say-ravi-shastri-reacts-to-rohit-sharmas-omission-from-indian-squad-for-australia-tour-339405" hreflang="en">'I have no say': Ravi Shastri reacts to Rohit Sharma's omission from Indian squad for Australia tour</a>

Mumbai Indians' young gun Ishan Kishan, who played an amazing knock of unbeaten 74 &nbsp;in 47 balls to help them win against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Kishan recalled Dravid's advice after the win. According to the young player, Dravid's advice helped him in the UAE during IPL 2020.

"My mom must get the credit for the food she gives me, that makes me so powerful, and sometimes even I’m surprised how my sixes carry such a long way," Kishan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"My coaches told me that playing shots on the off-side is important, and that wasn’t my strength initially, and I knew, even Rahul sir told me that I need to work on my off-side shots so I’ve been working on that this season and thankfully it’s showing in the match situation now,” he further added.

"It was not as easy as it looked. The ball wasn’t coming on so I had to keep rotating the strike and then take them apart later. It all depends on the practice sessions, and how you train I wanted to keep my shape and hit sixes," Ishna Kishan said.

On being asked if he likes batting as an opener, Ishan Kishan said: "I enjoy batting everywhere, wherever the management wants me to bat. At this level you have to be able to adapt."

Batting legend Rahul Dravid, often dubbed as 'The Wall', has been crucial in grooming India's next generation in the sport. His coaching stints for the U-19 team and India A have been lauded by many.

Batting legend Rahul Dravid, often dubbed as 'The Wall', has been crucial in grooming India's next generation in the sport. His coaching stints for the U-19 team and India A have been lauded by many. Also read: 'I have no say': Ravi Shastri reacts to Rohit Sharma's omission from Indian squad for Australia tour Mumbai Indians' young gun Ishan Kishan, who played an amazing knock of unbeaten 74 in 47 balls to help them win against Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Kishan recalled Dravid's advice after the win. According to the young player, Dravid's advice helped him in the UAE during IPL 2020. "My mom must get the credit for the food she gives me, that makes me so powerful, and sometimes even I’m surprised how my sixes carry such a long way," Kishan said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "My coaches told me that playing shots on the off-side is important, and that wasn’t my strength initially, and I knew, even Rahul sir told me that I need to work on my off-side shots so I’ve been working on that this season and thankfully it’s showing in the match situation now,” he further added. "It was not as easy as it looked. The ball wasn’t coming on so I had to keep rotating the strike and then take them apart later. It all depends on the practice sessions, and how you train I wanted to keep my shape and hit sixes," Ishna Kishan said. On being asked if he likes batting as an opener, Ishan Kishan said: "I enjoy batting everywhere, wherever the management wants me to bat. At this level you have to be able to adapt."

'Sir told me...': Ishan Kishan talks about Rahul Dravid's advice that helped him in UAE

The U.S. State Department notified Congress it approved the sale of 50 Lockheed Martin Co&nbsp;F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates in a deal that could be worth $10 billion, sources said on Thursday, potentially setting up a showdown with lawmakers over the deal.

The United States and the UAE aim to have a letter of agreement for the F-35 jets in time for UAE National Day celebrated on Dec. 2, Reuters reported in September.

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees, whose members have criticized the UAE`s role in civilian deaths in Yemen, have the right to review, and block, weapons sales under an informal review process.

Israel initially balked at the prospective sale but last week dropped its opposition after what it described as U.S. guarantees that Israeli military superiority would be preserved.

Any deal must satisfy a longstanding agreement with Israel that any U.S. weapons sold in the region must not impair Israel`s "qualitative military edge," guaranteeing U.S. weapons furnished to Israel are "superior in capability" to those sold to its neighbors.

"We all face a common threat," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an apparent allusion to Iran, told reporters on Thursday when asked about reports of the impending UAE jet sale.

"But with that said, it was important that the (Israeli) defense establishment received this clear American undertaking to preserve our qualitative military edge," added Netanyahu, who earlier on Thursday hosted visiting Pentagon chief Mark Esper.

Representative Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, confirmed that an informal notification was sent to Congress on Thursday. "As Congress reviews this sale, it must be clear that changes to the status quo will not put Israel`s military advantage at risk," he said.

The sources said the Trump administration aims to send formal notifications for the deal in the coming days. Once formally notified, Congress can choose to pass legislation to block the sale.

Typically the informal notification process for complex deals like the F-35 sale is 40 days, but the Trump administration is cutting it to just a few days to meet the goal of a UAE National Day signing ceremony, the sources said.

"Rushing these sales is not in anyone`s interest," Engel warned in his statement.

Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made clear he would not automatically support the deal in a statement adding that "recklessly accelerating the timeline around a reportedly artificial deadline precludes sufficient consideration."

The UAE, one of Washington`s closest Middle East allies, has long expressed interest in acquiring the stealthy F-35 jets and was promised a chance to buy them in a side deal when it agreed to normalize relations with Israel.

Because of the qualitative military edge restriction, in the past the F-35 has been denied to Arab states, while Israel has about 24 of the jets. Israel is currently slated to purchase 50 of the fighters.

The U.S. State Department notified Congress it approved the sale of 50 Lockheed Martin Co F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates in a deal that could be worth $10 billion, sources said on Thursday, potentially setting up a showdown with lawmakers over the deal.

The U.S. State Department notified Congress it approved the sale of 50 Lockheed Martin Co F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates in a deal that could be worth $10 billion, sources said on Thursday, potentially setting up a showdown with lawmakers over the deal. The United States and the UAE aim to have a letter of agreement for the F-35 jets in time for UAE National Day celebrated on Dec. 2, Reuters reported in September. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and House of Representatives Foreign Affairs committees, whose members have criticized the UAE`s role in civilian deaths in Yemen, have the right to review, and block, weapons sales under an informal review process. Israel initially balked at the prospective sale but last week dropped its opposition after what it described as U.S. guarantees that Israeli military superiority would be preserved. Any deal must satisfy a longstanding agreement with Israel that any U.S. weapons sold in the region must not impair Israel`s "qualitative military edge," guaranteeing U.S. weapons furnished to Israel are "superior in capability" to those sold to its neighbors. "We all face a common threat," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an apparent allusion to Iran, told reporters on Thursday when asked about reports of the impending UAE jet sale. "But with that said, it was important that the (Israeli) defense establishment received this clear American undertaking to preserve our qualitative military edge," added Netanyahu, who earlier on Thursday hosted visiting Pentagon chief Mark Esper. Representative Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, confirmed that an informal notification was sent to Congress on Thursday. "As Congress reviews this sale, it must be clear that changes to the status quo will not put Israel`s military advantage at risk," he said. The sources said the Trump administration aims to send formal notifications for the deal in the coming days. Once formally notified, Congress can choose to pass legislation to block the sale. Typically the informal notification process for complex deals like the F-35 sale is 40 days, but the Trump administration is cutting it to just a few days to meet the goal of a UAE National Day signing ceremony, the sources said. "Rushing these sales is not in anyone`s interest," Engel warned in his statement. Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made clear he would not automatically support the deal in a statement adding that "recklessly accelerating the timeline around a reportedly artificial deadline precludes sufficient consideration." The UAE, one of Washington`s closest Middle East allies, has long expressed interest in acquiring the stealthy F-35 jets and was promised a chance to buy them in a side deal when it agreed to normalize relations with Israel. Because of the qualitative military edge restriction, in the past the F-35 has been denied to Arab states, while Israel has about 24 of the jets. Israel is currently slated to purchase 50 of the fighters.

Trump admin moves forward with sale of 50 F-35 jets to UAE, notifies Congress

The US state department has notified Congress that it intends to sell 50 F35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, after Israel agreed last week to drop its objections.

US moves ahead with sale of 50 F-35 fighter jets to the UAE

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