Arab | Common News Update

Jan302021 by adminNo Comments

United Arab Emirates says it will offer citizenship to some

World

The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to grant some foreigners citizenship to this oil-rich nation home to Abu Dhabi and DubaiByThe Associated PressJanuary 30, 2021, 9:55 AM• 2 min readDUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- The United Arab Emirates on Saturday announced plans to grant some foreigners citizenship to this oil-rich nation home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, part of efforts to stimulate its economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.The UAE previously gave citizenship to Palestinians and others who helped form the country's government after its formation in 1971. Others have received it over time as well.Saturday's announcement by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai who also serves as the autocratic nation's prime minister and vice president, said the offer could appl...

Jan242021 by adminNo Comments

Arab Spring exiles look back 10 years after Egypt uprising

World

LONDON -- The Egyptians who took to the streets on Jan. 25, 2011, knew what they were doing. They knew they risked arrest and worse. But as their numbers swelled in Cairo's central Tahrir Square, they tasted success.Police forces backed off, and within days, former President Hosni Mubarak agreed to demands to step down.But events didn't turn out the way many of the protesters envisioned. A decade later, thousands are estimated to have fled abroad to escape the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi that is considered even more oppressive. The significant loss of academics, artists, journalists and other intellectuals has, along with a climate of fear, hobbled any political opposition.Dr. Mohamed Aboelgheit was among those jailed in the southern city of Assiut in 2011 after joining c...

Jun242020 by adminNo Comments

Arab League: Israeli annexation could ignite a religious war

World

UNITED NATIONS -- The head of the Arab League warned a high-level U.N. meeting Wednesday that Israel’s annexation of parts of the West Bank would inflame tensions and endanger peace in the Middle East, and could ignite “a religious war in and beyond our region.” Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the 22-member organization, said annexation will also have “broader ramifications on the international security around the world.” “If implemented, Israeli annexation plans would not only be detrimental to the chances of peace today but will destroy any prospects for peace in the future,” he told the Security Council. “Palestinians will lose faith in a negotiated solution, I’m afraid Arabs too will lose interest in regional peace. A new dark reality will set in vis a vis this conflict and in...

Oct252019 by adminNo Comments

Air Force F-15Es arrive in United Arab Emirates

Business

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- F-15E Strike Eagle fighter planes arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, last week to support ongoing operations in the Middle East, the U.S. Air Force announced. Citing operational security concerns, the Air Force did not specify how many planes arrived, but they join F-35A Lightning II, KC-10 Extender, E-3 Sentry, and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft at the base. In a statement on Wednesday, U.S. Air Forces Central Command said the deployment is a "in support of ongoing operations to maintain air superiority, defend forces on the ground, enhance regional partnerships and demonstrate a continued commitment to regional security and stability." The aircraft are part of the 494th Fighter Squadron, known as the "Panthers," stationed in Lakenheath, Britain. The Strike...

Jul292019 by adminNo Comments

Israel’s Arab parties unite to make gains in upcoming vote

World

Israel's four Arab political parties have announced a merger ahead of September elections, hoping to boost turnout among the minority, which makes up a fifth of Israel's population. Ayman Odeh, head of the Hadash party, said Monday that now that the parties have reunited as Joint List, they can address the "great challenge" facing the country's Arab minority. The four factions first united in 2015, earning 13 seats in the 120-seat Knesset. But infighting later split the Joint List into two parties, which only won a combined 10 seats amid low Arab turnout in April's election. Israel faces an unprecedented repeat election in September after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a majority coalition government. Israel's Arab citizens largely identify with the Palestinians and have...