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.
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SQUADS
South Africa:
Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
Coach: Ottis Gibson
Bangladesh:
Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.
Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Skoda Superb Specs
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Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
