Rappler's latest stories on arab
OFWs in UAE scramble to update visas following new policies
'Walang tigil ang mga telepono, landline, at mobile. Daig pa namin ang call center (The phones, whether landline or mobile, just won't quit. We're busier than a call center),' says Larry Esguerra, office manager at MPQ Tourism
Dubai counts on pent-up demand for tourism comeback
With its advanced medical facilities and infrastructure, Dubai is betting it will be an attractive option for tourists
3,000 Dubai OFWs seek PH consulate's help for repatriation
Most of those seeking assistance are jobless overseas Filipino workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic
Dubai reopens doors to tourists after long shutdown
(UPDATED) The Gulf emirate of Dubai again welcomes foreign visitors, as it seeks to boost its ailing economy
Gulf economies to shrink 7.6% over virus, oil slump – IMF
The International Monetary Fund's 2020 projection for the 6-nation Gulf Cooperation Council dramatically worsens
OFWs in UAE seek Locsin’s help to address canceled flights
'Hindi na po namin hiningi na tulungan kami financially. Kami na po bumili ng sarili naming tickets. Ang gusto lang po namin ay makauwi sa Pilipinas'
Dubai OFW in limbo over unpaid bank loan
Failure to meet credit card obligations is among the leading problems besetting overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi's ADNOC sells pipeline firm stake to foreign investors
A consortium acquires a 49% stake in Gas Pipeline Assets, a newly formed subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Over 88,000 OFWs in UAE seek aid, but funds only for 17,000
Data from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai show that Filipino workers either lost their jobs, are on a no-work-no-pay arrangement, or have had their salaries cut
Dubai ports giant 'prepares for worst' as virus impact looms
DP World and its subsidiaries are a major source of cash for Dubai's economy, one of the most diversified in the oil-rich Gulf
Tripoli gov't to boycott Arab League Libya talks
The talks are called for by Egypt, a key supporter of the Tripoli government's archfoe, eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar
Race to ready Dubai's mega Expo despite 1-year delay
The coronavirus pandemic creates daily challenges for organizers of the Expo 2020, rescheduled to October 2021 in Dubai
UAE says low oil price unsustainable, warns of shocks
'The last thing we want is to have shocks,' says United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suheil al-Mazrouei
UAE opens doors, allows even foreigners to return
The new government policy aims to bring back over 200,000 people with valid UAE resident visas
UAE backs Egypt peace initiative in Libya
UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash says the initiative 'strengthens the Arab and international momentum for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of foreign troops, and the return to a political track'
OFW recalls close brush with COVID-19 in shared UAE flat
Arnaldo Tumaliuan shares a flat with 8 other people in Dubai. One of them tests positive for the coronavirus.
OFWs in Dubai battle coronavirus, too
Most OFWs in Dubai opt to share living quarters to save on rent. They also become more vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus.
Dubai investment arm's net profit rises in 2019
The Investment Corporation of Dubai, which owns giant firms like Emirates Airline, posts a 16.9% increase in net profit in 2019
Virus deaths among Filipinos in Dubai, neighboring emirates reach 43
Among the Filipino victims are 3 nurses, two engineers, a community volunteer, and a high school official
Another Filipina nurse dies of coronavirus in UAE
A Filipino mechanic known for his dedicated volunteer work also dies after contracting COVID-19 in Dubai
Filipina nurse in UAE dies of coronavirus on Mother's Day
(3rd UPDATE) 'A hero who has given her life to something bigger than oneself,' the Philippine Nurses Association's UAE chapter says in its Facebook post honoring charge nurse Janette Daywan Alano
Coronavirus death toll among Pinoys in UAE rises to 27
(UPDATED) A total of 23 Filipinos died of the coronavirus in Dubai alone
Massive India repatriation begins with flights from UAE
Some 15,000 nationals will be repatriated from 12 countries on planes and naval ships
Life of luxury: Dubai's huge service sector faces unsure future
While some lockdown measures are lifted and many businesses are reopening, uncertainty remains for both employers and employees in Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai postponed by 1 year to October 2021
The multibillion-dollar Expo 2020 Dubai is postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic
UAE airlines say years needed to restore demand
Emirates and Etihad executives reiterate that until an effective vaccine for COVID-19 becomes widely available, how passengers fly will be different
Among first Filipino nurses in his UAE hospital, Marlon Jimenea dies of COVID-19
His wife, healthcare assistant Merry Janet, says Marlon didn’t show signs of breaking down, so they both took his condition lightly. He died in the ICU, where he worked.
Filipino nurse in UAE dies of coronavirus
The Philippine Nurses Association's UAE chapter pays tribute to Ilonggo nurse Marlon Jimenea who 'succumbed to the novel coronavirus...after serving as a medical frontliner against the outbreak'
Dubai launches home tests for coronavirus
The 'Mobile Laboratory units' are converted ambulances with equipment, thermal scanners, and storage cabins for samples
UAE reopens malls, eases curfew after coronavirus shutdown
However, mosques will remain shut during the holy month of Ramadan
UAE considers reopening malls after virus shutdown
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates request a study into 'the possibility of reopening commercial centers...while taking into consideration health requirements'
9-year-old Filipino, youngest coronavirus patient in UAE, recovers
The UAE’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs posts a Twitter video of the boy walking by the corridor outside the ICU while medical staff applauded
No last goodbye for Gulf migrant workers lost to pandemic
OFWs are among the migrants who die alone in the Middle East because of the coronavirus
Overseas Warriors: Up close with UAE’s Filipino nurses during the pandemic
There are about 30,000 Filipino nurses in the United Arab Emirates, many of them working in the front lines. One of them proclaims she is an Overseas Filipino Warrior.
Abu Dhabi borrows $7 billion as low oil prices bite
Abu Dhabi says its bond offering was oversubscribed by more than 6 times
Emirates launches first rapid virus test for passengers
Emirates says passengers bound for Tunisia were all tested at the airport's check-in area before they left Dubai, with results released within 10 minutes
UAE extends validity of resident, visit visas to December 31, 2020
The modified policy is intended to 'support residents and visitors and lessen the repercussions of the coronavirus'
Bayanihan in Dubai: Filipinos help OFWs in need amid pandemic
Some Filipinos in Dubai have been aiding OFWs who suddenly lost their jobs because of the closure of businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic
Dubai suspends marriage and divorce during virus lockdown
Justice Khaled al-Hawsni of the family court says couples who have already completed marriage formalities must not organize wedding parties 'even among their immediate circles'
30 organizations urge Gulf governments to unblock VoIP platforms
Access Now, alongside 29 other organizations, petitions the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman to permanently lift a ban on VoIP services
Filipina chef gives free food to displaced OFWs in Dubai
Chef Virginia Baby Sorongon has launched a food drive to help fellow Filipinos displaced by the temporary closure of businesses in Dubai amid the coronavirus pandemic
UAE airlines resume limited passenger flights
The flights are open to foreign citizens who wish to leave the United Arab Emirates, but no incoming passengers are allowed
UAE doubles stimulus to counter coronavirus impact
The United Arab Emirates' stimulus package is now at $70 billion
Dubai tightens measures during coronavirus outbreak
The Dubai government imposes the tighter restrictions after the United Arab Emirates records 241 new COVID-19 infections
UAE officially asks to postpone Expo 2020 Dubai
The Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions says it will hold a virtual meeting on April 21 to discuss 'options for a change of dates'
No fines for expired UAE visas
'All people holding any kind of UAE visas or residency will be exempted from any fines for a renewable period of 3 months,' says a senior immigration official
Emirates to resume limited passenger flights
(UPDATED) Dubai-owned carrier Emirates will partially resume flights starting Monday, April 6
Gulf stocks battered by coronavirus, oil price war in Q1 2020
The 5 major bourses in the Gulf region plummet in the first 3 months of the year, with Dubai's market losing more than a third of its value
Dubai to inject capital into grounded Emirates Airline
(UPDATED) The statement of Dubai's crown prince does not specify the size of the intervention, but says more details will be announced later
Expo 2020 Dubai organizers recommend 1-year postponement
A final decision on postponement will be made by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions
