US president Donald Trump issued an executive order on Tuesday that replaced the expiring one, allowing the US to resume accepting refugees after a 120-day ban. However, people from 11 “high-risk” countries, most of which are home to Muslim majorities, will still be blocked.
Names of the 11 countries were not disclosed, but officials said they are the same as on a 2015 list for tougher screening, requiring a “Security Advisory Opinion”, according to Agence France-Presse.
Refugee agencies and reports said the countries include Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
All but North Korea are mainly Muslim populations, and in the past have been the source of the largest portion of US refugee admissions.
They represent close to half of all the refugees entering the US, reported Agence France-Presse. In fiscal 2017, out of 53,716 refugees the US accepted, 22,150 came from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Somalia.
The new order will include a sharp cutback on refugee admissions with enhanced vetting and security measures. Applicants from the 11 countries will be subject to 90-day security and intelligence review.
The new order will include more in-depth checks, including their social media presence and personal information — phone numbers, e-mails, addresses — dating back 10 years.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump set a new cap on refugee admission, limiting the number to 45,000 per year. His predecessor, Barack Obama, had set it for the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2017 at 110,000.
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Read more: Trump's third attempt at Muslim country travel ban blocked
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Under the new cap, only 17,500 refugees are to be admitted from the Middle East and South Asia regions, but they will still have to undergo a 90-day review.
According to a poll taken last April by Quinnipiac University, 57 per cent of US registered voters support accepting Syrian refugees, while 38 per cent oppose such a policy.
The expired ban had targeted people from Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria.
Among Republicans, however, only 23 per cent support admitting refugees, while 73 per cent oppose it.
“The security of the American people is this administration’s highest priority, and these improved vetting measures are essential for American security,” said Elaine Duke, the acting Homeland Security chief.
"These new, standardised screening measures provide an opportunity for the United States to welcome those in need into our country, while ensuring a safer, more secure homeland."
The specs: 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Price, base / as tested: Dh101,140 / Dh113,800
Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 148hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed CVT
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Another way to earn air miles
In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
An Emirates Dubai-London round-trip ticket costs 180,000 miles on the Air Miles website. But customers earn these ‘miles’ at a much faster rate than airline miles. Adidas offers two air miles per Dh1 spent. Air Miles has partnerships with websites as well, so booking.com and agoda.com offer three miles per Dh1 spent.
“If you use your HSBC credit card when shopping at our partners, you are able to earn Air Miles twice which will mean you can get that flight reward faster and for less spend,” says Paul Lacey, the managing director for Europe, Middle East and India for Aimia, which owns and operates Air Miles Middle East.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Napoleon
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DUBAI WORLD CUP RACE CARD
6.30pm Meydan Classic Trial US$100,000 (Turf) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
8.15pm Dubai Sprint Listed Handicap $175,000 (T) 1,200m
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group Two $450,000 (D) 1,900m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm Well Of Wisdom
7.05pm Summrghand
7.40pm Laser Show
8.15pm Angel Alexander
8.50pm Benbatl
9.25pm Art Du Val
10pm: Beyond Reason
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099