The US State Department added at least 116 countries this week to its Level Four: Do Not Travel advisory list, including nearly every country in the Middle East.
The only country excluded from the level-four status was Morocco, which is at level three, which advises US citizens to reconsider travel.
On Monday, the State Department said it would increase the number of countries receiving its highest advisory rating to about 80 per cent of nations.
Before Tuesday, the US listed 34 out of about 200 countries as Do Not Travel.
The countries previously included were Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
The are now 150 countries at level four.
Here are the travel advisories for each country in the region.
UAE
The advisory for the UAE was updated to Do Not Travel on Tuesday.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention issued a level-four travel health notice “indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country”.
Because of risks involving "civil aviation operating within the [Arabian Gulf] and the Gulf of Oman region", the Federal Aviation Administration also issued an advisory for the UAE.
Saudi Arabia
The advisory for Saudi Arabia was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
US citizens were advised not to travel to Saudi Arabia owing to Covid-19 and the “threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities".
"Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism,” the State Department said.
Saudi Arabia was issued a level-four travel health notice by the CDC.
The authorities advised US citizens in Saudi Arabia to avoid the following locations owing to "missile and drone attacks and terrorism":
- Within 80 kilometres of the Saudi-Yemen border, as well as the cities of Abha and Jazan, Najran, and Khamis Mushait
- Abha airport
- Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah
Oman
The advisory for Oman was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
Oman is listed as a level-four state by the CDC, “indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country”.
Americans are advised to avoid the Yemen border area because of “terrorism and armed conflict”.
“Crossing the border into Yemen can be dangerous, and US citizens who attempt to cross the Oman-Yemen border, from either Oman or Yemen, may be detained by Omani authorities,” the State Department said.
Bahrain
The advisory for Bahrain was updated to Do Not Travel on Tuesday, with the State Department warning Americans against increased Covid-19 in the country.
Owing to risks involving “civil aviation operating within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region”, the FAA also issued an advisory for Bahrain.
Kuwait
The advisory for Kuwait was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday, with the CDC indicating a very high level of Covid-19 there.
Americans were warned to avoid “the desert region near the border with Iraq due to the prevalence of unexploded ordnance”.
The State Department also advised Americans to exercise increased caution in the Jeleeb Al Shuyoukh area in Kuwait City because of crime.
Qatar
The advisory for Qatar was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Qatar as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19 in the country”.
The FAA also issued an advisory for Qatar because of risks involving “civil aviation operating within the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region”.
Iran
The advisory for Iran remains at level four, indicating a very high level of Covid-19 in the country. The State Department also warned Americans that there are risks of kidnapping, arrest and detention of US citizens.
Algeria
The travel advisory for Algeria was changed to Do Not Travel on Wednesday. The CDC issued a travel health notice for Algeria owing to Covid-19 and said that there were unknown levels of infection in the country. The State Department also said that Americans should avoid travel to Algeria because of terrorism
Egypt
The advisory for Egypt was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Egypt as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department urged Americans to exercise increased caution in Egypt owing to terrorism and its limited ability to help dual citizens who are arrested.
Iraq
The advisory for Iraq was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Iraq as a level-four country because of it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warned Americans of a high risk of violence and kidnapping as well as threats from terrorist and insurgent groups.
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza
The advisory for Israel was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Israel as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department also warned Americans of potential travel restrictions, strict quarantine procedures, armed conflict and civil unrest.
Jordan
The advisory for Jordan was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Jordan as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department also warns Americans of some terrorism concerns. Jordan is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and is struggling to control infections.
Lebanon
The advisory for Lebanon was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Lebanon as a level-four country owing to “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department told Americans to reconsider travel, warning of crime, terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest. Lebanon has experienced a lot of political turmoil over the past year leading to nationwide protests.
Libya
The advisory for Libya was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Libya as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department told Americans to reconsider travel warning of crime, terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest.
Syria
The advisory for Syria was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Syria as a level-four country because of “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warned Americans against travel to Syria owing to terrorism, armed conflict and the possibility of unjust detention.
Tunisia
The advisory for Tunisia was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Tunisia as a level-four country owing to “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warns Americans against travel owing to terrorism and also mentions avoiding travel to high-risk areas such as the border with Libya, the country’s mountainous areas and the desert south of Remada.
Turkey
The advisory for Turkey was updated to Do Not Travel on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Turkey as a level-four country owing to it having “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warns Americans against travel owing to the possibly of arbitrary detention.
Yemen
The advisory for Yemen was updated to “Do Not Travel” on Wednesday.
The CDC listed Yemen as a level-four country because of “a very high level of Covid-19”. The State Department warns Americans against travel owing to terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines. The US embassy in Yemen has been closed since 2015.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor
Power: 843hp at N/A rpm
Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km
On sale: October to December
Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
Final, 7pm
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The%20specs
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Look north
BBC business reporters, like a new raft of government officials, are being removed from the national and international hub of London and surely the quality of their work must suffer.
LEADERBOARD
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