Middle East Experience

The federal cabinet of the United Arab Emirates approved a new system allowing professionals to reside in the Gulf state while working remotely for employers abroad, while introducing a multiple-entry tourist visa “for all nationalities.”The virtual work visa was launched by the emirate of Dubai in October.The UAE has taken several measures to attract wealthy foreigners as the COVID-19 pandemic and low oil prices have hit its economy, particularly that of business and tourism hub Dubai.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Vice-President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also Dubai’s ruler, said in a Twitter post on Sunday that a new work visa would cover such professional workers. He added the cabinet had also approved a multiple-entry tourist visa for all nationalities.“We are working with clear objectives to boost our economic status globally and provide the best quality of life to our citizens and residents,” he said.Residence for foreigners, who make up a majority of the UAE’s 9 million population, had thus far been mainly linked to employment inside the country, with workers sponsoring families.Many foreign workers, needed to support demand in Dubai’s real estate, services and retail sectors, left last year after firms slashed jobs.Dubai’s realty market has been re-energized by prime property sales in the past few months, with buyers taking advantage of decade-low prices, easy financing and an economy open for business despite the pandemic.Meanwhile sales in the UAE retail sector are expected to grow 13 percent this year, to reach $58 billion by the end of 2021, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Sunday, as the Gulf state banks on a vaccination drive and its hosting of the Dubai Expo world fair which starts in October to boost demand.Read more:UAE economy to grow 2.5 pct in 2021 after shrinking 5.8 pct last year: Central BankUAE may ‘soon’ be first country to vaccinate all population, reach herd immunity: DocIn the UAE, Dubai golden visa likely to increase economic growth by up to 1 percentDubai on track to vaccinate 100 percent of adult population by Q4 of 2021: WAM
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE approves new system to attract remote workers, multiple entry tourist visas

Tehran will return to its nuclear commitments once the United States lifts all sanctions on Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Sunday.“The US must lift all sanctions, and then if we verify that they have indeed been lifted, we will return to our [nuclear] commitments without any problems,” Khamenei said in a televised speech.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Iran began violating the deal after former President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018 and reimposed economic sanctions.Khamenei said Washington’s promises are “not credible” and that the US needs to take action.Iran has a great amount of patience and is not in a hurry to reach any agreements, Khamenei said, adding: “We also believe that opportunities should not be squandered, but we will not rush either, because sometimes the risk is greater than the benefit.”The US and Iran have both said they want to keep the deal alive, but there is disagreement over who makes the first move.Washington has said it would rejoin the deal once Iran returns to full compliance with it, while Tehran insists the US must lift all sanctions first.Khamenei said the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” policy against Iran has failed, and if the Biden administration chooses to pursue the same policy, it will also fail.Khamenei said he agrees with US officials who say the world has changed since the nuclear deal was signed, but claimed that the change has been in Tehran’s favor, not Washington’s.“Iran has become much stronger” since 2015-2016, Khamenei claimed.“If the nuclear deal is to be changed, the changes must be in Iran’s interest,” he said.“We have neutralized the sanctions.”US, Israel looking to undermine Iran electionsIn another part of his speech, Khamenei accused the US and Israel of trying to undermine Iran’s presidential elections, set to take place in June.“They either accuse the organizers of rigging the elections, or they discourage the people from participating by saying the elections make no difference to their lives,” Khamenei said.Iran is due to hold presidential elections on June 18. Officials have expressed concern over potential low voter turnout, which could undermine the regime’s legitimacy.Last year, turnout in Iran’s parliamentary elections was around 42 percent, the lowest since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Khamenei says Iran will return to nuclear commitments once US lifts sanctions

Russian jets conducted raids on areas close to heavily populated towns and camps in opposition-held northwestern Syria near the Turkish border, the first such strikes this year, witnesses and opposition sources said on Sunday.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The sources said the warplanes struck a target near a border crossing and the outskirts of Sarmda city in Idlib province, while a surface-to-surface missile hit the village of Qah near the Turkish border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.Read more:Syria to receive first deliveries of COVAX vaccines within weeks, says WHO officialTurkish air force launches strikes on Kurdish militia in Syria: MonitorFive civilians, including child, killed in regime fire on hospital in Syria’s Idlib
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Russian jets conduct raids northwestern Syria in opposition-held areas

The Jewish Link published a piece headlined..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: New Jersey Jewish newspaper apologises for 'shooting Palestinians' joke

Israel is conducting large-scale testing for the creation of a national drone network for commercial deliveries, medical transport and urban air mobility.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Pizza is just the beginning: Israel’s drone delivery plan aims for the sky

Efi Nave and Eti Karif had mixed legal, illegal motivations.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'Sex for judgeship' case against Effi Naveh closed - State Attorney

The Palestinian health ministry started its vaccination campaign after the West Bank received 60,000 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca via the Covax scheme..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Palestinians roll out vaccines as virus cases spike

“There’s a feeling among many Palestinians that the elections won’t bring about real changes in Israel’s policies toward the Palestinian issue.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Palestinians apathetic about Israeli elections

An author, physician and champion of equal rights, she was jailed by Anwar Sadat for her activism against the Egyptian government..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Nawal El Saadawi, Advocate for Women in the Arab World, Dies at 89

Have you seen an increase in stray dogs and cats in the street? Doha News explores the reasons behind it and how you can help..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar's stray animal problem: What can be done? – Doha News | Qatar