UAE

03 Jan 2022; MEMO: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Sunday that spreading misinformation and false news will be punished with imprisonment and a heavy fine.

The UAE Public Prosecution posted a video on its official social media accounts explaining that according to Article 52 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on combating rumours and cybercrimes the punishment for spreading rumours or publishing false news is one year in jail and a fine of Dh100,000.

DUBAI, Dec 28 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has approved emergency use of Sinopharm's protein-based COVID-19 vaccine and it will be available to the public as a booster dose starting January 2022, the health ministry said.

The vaccine will be produced and distributed by a joint venture between the UAE's Group 42 and China National Biotec Group (CNBG), a unit of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm), the ministry said in a statement on state media on Monday.

26 Dec 2021; MEMO: The Emirati government plans to end its monopoly on the sale of imported goods, in an effort to attract foreign investments, according to The Financial Times on Sunday.

The British newspaper said that the Gulf state's government has informed its key business families of the new policy, as part of its efforts to promote competition and openness.

LIWA, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Deep in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, the moment that camel breeders had been waiting for arrived.

Families hauled their camels through wind-carved sands. Servers poured tiny cups of Arabic coffee. Judges descended on desert lots.

A single question loomed over the grandstand: Which camels were most beautiful?

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday recorded its highest daily virus caseload in months, a spike that comes as the omicron variant races across the globe and the Mideast tourist hub prepares to welcome hordes of tourists for the holidays.

14 Dec 2021; MEMO: The UAE and Israel have agreed to establish a joint research and development fund to help reinforce common interests, including trade, technology, energy and climate challenges, the official WAM news agency reported yesterday.

According to WAM, the agreement was announced following the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Crown Prince of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran appears to be preparing for a space launch as negotiations continue in Vienna over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers, according to an expert and satellite images.

9 Dec 2021; MEMO: The United States will send a senior government delegation to the United Arab Emirates next week to meet with banks over concerns about Iran sanctions compliance, a State Department spokesperson said on Thursday, as nuclear talks with Iran stall.

The move suggests Washington is looking to crank up economic pressure on Tehran amid Western doubts about Tehran's determination to salvage the 2015 nuclear accord, Reuters reports.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s crown prince is in Qatar on Thursday for the first time since the kingdom rallied other Arab states to end their yearslong rift and embargo on the small Gulf state.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Qatar marks his third stop in the region this week as the Saudi heir to the throne tours the six U.S.-allied Gulf Arab states that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council. His meetings with Arab rulers are aimed at fortifying the kingdom’s alliances as rival Iran resumes nuclear negotiations with world powers.

07 Dec 2021; MEMO: The UAE today announced plans to move to a Saturday-Sunday weekend, making Fridays half-days to allow staff to attend prayers. The decision, which impacts public sector employees but may ripple down into the private sector, comes into effect on 1 January 2022, the statement said. As a result, Sunday 2 January will be a weekend, the statement explained. Currently weekends are Fridays and Saturdays.