United Arab Emirates
FILE - People gather around the official countdown clock showing remaining time until the kick-off of the World Cup 2022, in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup but soccer isn't the only sport played in the Gulf Arab country. From traditional pursuits to worldwide competitions, Qatar increasingly has marketed itself as a host for sports of all sorts. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
EXPLAINER: Sports in Qatar as country hosts 2022 World Cup

By Jon Gambrell Nov. 05, 2022 05:46 AM EDT

FILE - China's fan holds national flag before the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Iran and China at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Jan. 24, 2019. China withdrew as host of soccer's 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in the latest cancellation of the country's sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
Iran vs China 1/24/2019

May. 14, 2022 05:12 AM EDT

Andy Murray of Britain return the ball to Italy's Jannik Sinner during a match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
ATP Dubai, UAE Men Singles

Mar. 04, 2022 07:02 AM EST

Andy Murray of Britain celebrates after he beats Christopher O'Connell of Australia during a match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
ATP Dubai, UAE Men Singles

Mar. 04, 2022 07:02 AM EST

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures to media end of the Club World Cup final soccer match between Palmeiras and Chelsea at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
SE Palmeiras SP vs Chelsea FC 2/12/2022

Feb. 27, 2022 02:10 PM EST

Nadal returns after 4-month layoff and loses to Murray

Dec. 17, 2021 02:02 PM EST
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A rusty Rafael Nadal played his first match in more than four months on Friday, losing in straight sets to Andy Murray at an...

Golf: Olympics finally return with 3 medals at stake for men

By The Associated Press Jul. 27, 2021 11:38 AM EDT
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TOKYO OLYMPICS Site: Kawagoe, Japan. Course: Kasumigaseki CC....

FILE - In this Jan. 31, 2019, file photo, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, center, laughs as gives instructions to his players during training session in the Cricket training site on the eve of the AFC Asian Cup final match between Qatar and Japan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Even though men’s soccer squads at this Olympics are mostly players under the age of 24, Japan is not using a youth team coach for the Olympics. Moriyasu, who has been in charge of the senior team since 2018, will coach at the Olympics as well. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
Qatar vs Japan 2/1/2019

Jul. 03, 2021 06:06 AM EDT

A crow perches on a light pole near the statue of the Olympics rings in Tokyo on Thursday, July 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
3 Samoan weightlifters to miss Olympics over virus concerns

By Steve Mcmorran Jul. 01, 2021 08:19 PM EDT

Abu Dhabi says no vaccines for tourists, changes app posting

Jun. 24, 2021 11:21 AM EDT
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The capital of the United Arab Emirates announced on Thursday that it will not allow tourists flying into the emirate to...

FILE - In this Feb. 8, 2021 file photo, a man receives his Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine from a medical staffer at Guru Nanak Darbar temple in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, has apparently started offering free coronavirus vaccines to tourists flying into the emirate, a move that could entice travelers and help revive the country's struggling tourism industry. While no official announcement was made on the matter, the health authority's phone application showed updated criteria for vaccine access on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, saying visitors to the capital could now get the COVID-19 shot by presenting their passports. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
UAE's capital apparently offering COVID vaccines to tourists

By Isabel Debre Jun. 22, 2021 10:11 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2021 file photo, people embark on a dinner dhow cruise after sunset with a view of the city skyline and a sign promoting Dubai, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai's sovereign wealth fund announced Tuesday, June 22, 2021, a net loss of $5.1 billion over the past year, highlighting the toll that the coronavirus pandemic has wrought on the company's vast assets and the uncertainty around the emirate's post-pandemic recovery. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
Dubai investment arm posts $5.1 billion loss amid pandemic

By Isabel Debre Jun. 22, 2021 06:08 AM EDT

Supporters of Iranian president-elect Ebrahim Raisi celebrate after he won the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Initial results released Saturday propelled Raisi, a protege of the country's supreme leader, into Tehran’s highest civilian position. The vote appeared to see the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Hard-line judiciary head wins Iran presidency in low turnout

By Jon Gambrell Jun. 19, 2021 02:21 AM EDT

A voter casts her ballot for the presidential election at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 18, 2021. Iranians voted Friday in a presidential election that a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seemed likely to win, leading to low turnout fueled by apathy and calls for a boycott. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
In Iran's subdued election, many voters appear to stay home

By Isabel Debre Jun. 18, 2021 02:30 PM EDT

Voters register to cast their vote during the presidential election at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 18, 2021. Iran began voting Friday in a presidential election tipped in the favor of a hard-line protege of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, fueling public apathy and sparking calls for a boycott in the Islamic Republic. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Apathy greets Iran presidential vote dominated by hard-liner

By Jon Gambrell Jun. 17, 2021 11:58 PM EDT

Guyana’s government refuses to suspend Sputnik V vaccine

Jun. 17, 2021 08:34 PM EDT
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — Guyana’s government Thursday refused to suspend use of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine despite opposition warnings that doses could be...

Supporters of presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi hold signs during a rally in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Iran's clerical vetting committee has allowed just seven candidates for the Friday, June 18, ballot, nixing prominent reformists and key allies of President Hassan Rouhani. The presumed front-runner has become Ebrahim Raisi, the country's hard-line judiciary chief who is closely aligned with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
EXPLAINER: Iran vote to determine next president, direction

By Jon Gambrell Jun. 17, 2021 02:59 AM EDT

Supporters of presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi hold signs during a rally in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Iran's clerical vetting committee has allowed just seven candidates for the Friday, June 18, ballot, nixing prominent reformists and key allies of President Hassan Rouhani. The presumed front-runner has become Ebrahim Raisi, the country's hard-line judiciary chief who is closely aligned with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Iran election race narrows but fears persist of low turnout

By Isabel Debre Jun. 16, 2021 09:25 AM EDT

In Oman, fungal infection detected in some COVID-19 patients

By Isabel Debre Jun. 15, 2021 07:57 AM EDT
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Oman announced Tuesday that its doctors have detected a potentially fatal fungal infection afflicting some coronavirus...

FILE - In this April 20, 2017, file photo, Emirates planes are parked at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Middle East's largest airline, Emirates, announced on Tuesday a net loss of $5.5 billion over the past year as revenue fell by more than 66% due to global travel restrictions sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
Emirates Air posts $5.5B loss as virus disrupts travel

By Aya Batrawy Jun. 15, 2021 02:19 AM EDT