Kerry Says Saudi King Backs Israeli-Palestinian Push

The U.S. Secretary of State spent two hours and 40 minutes with King Abdullah. Earlier in the day he met with the King of Jordan.

Kuwait Six-Month Budget Surplus Down 15% As Spending Jumps

Spending soared over 50 per cent, partly thanks to increased outlays on public sector wages.

Emirates President Tim Clark Knighted In UK Honours List

Clark was recognised for his “services to British prosperity and to the aviation industry”.

UAE Bourse Regulator To Crack Down On Unlicensed Lending

Firms must abide by the new regulations or face fines of Dhs100,000.

Dubai Duty Free Sales Touch Dhs6.65bn In 2013

Perfumes, liquor and gold were the best selling products in 2013.

Saudi Plane Makes Emergency Landing, 29 Hurt

The flight, arriving from Mashhad in Iran before dawn, was carrying 315 passengers and suffered a technical malfunction.

Dubai’s Ruler Ranks 7 Among World Leaders Using Twitter

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has over 2.4 million followers on Twitter.

Saudi To Recruit More Indian Domestic Workers After Labour Deal

Officials say that the new labour deal will better protect the rights of foreign domestic workers in the Kingdom.

UAE Urges Emiratis In Lebanon To Leave The Country

The country’s foreign affairs ministry also urged UAE citizens against all travel to Lebanon because of security concerns.

Abu Dhabi’s ATIC To Invest Up To $10bn In U.S. Chip Plant

ATIC is controlled by Abu Dhabi state investment fund Mubadala and owns GlobalFoundries.

Bahrain Names Bahraini Living In Iran As Suspect In Foiled Attacks

The Gulf Arab kingdom has been rattled by bouts of unrest since February 2011.

Nakheel Plans $1.1bn Of Early Debt Repayments In 2014

Nakheel was taken over by the government as part of a $16 billion rescue plan completed in 2011.

Egypt Summons Qatari Envoy After Criticisms Of Crackdown

Egypt accuses Qatar and its Doha-based Al Jazeera television channel of backing the Muslim Brotherhood.

Bahrain Impasse Risks More Instability In 2014

Authorities are using arrests, raids and strict new laws against activists seeking political reform.

The Battle For Business Class

In a bid to boost their business passenger base, carriers are investing heavily in luxury amenities, while others have even mulled dropping first class all together.

Saudi Electricity Co To Sell Local Currency Sukuk, Names Arrangers

The Kingdom’s monopoly utility said it would offer the sukuk to investors between Jan. 9 and Feb. 27.

Bahrain Hikes Salaries For Government Workers

The benefits are estimated to cost the government BD6 million annually.

Oman Government Plans To Borrow $1bn In 2014

The government plans to borrow half of that amount overseas from commercial banks and “strategic partners”.

RAK Airways Suspends Operations

The airline said that it has suspended operations due to increased operating costs and regional instability.

Oman Budget Sees Slowdown In Spending Growth

Spending this year is projected at $35.1 billion, up five per cent from the original expenditure plan in the 2013 budget.

UAE Slashes Prices of 205 Drugs

The Ministry of Health has reduced the prices of 14 drugs used for the treatment of diabetes in a move to make medicines affordable.

Gulf Stocks To Start 2014 On Strong Note

Regional stock markets are projected to reflect expectations for solid global economic growth this year.

Month-Long Dubai Shopping Festival Begins

Themed ‘Shop At Your Best’ the festival this year features 150 events and activities.

Saudi Morality Police May Relax Rules On Prayer Times

All shops in Saudi Arabia are supposed to shut for half an hour during the daily Muslim prayers.

Ex-Head Of Bankrupt US Law Firm Appointed As Top UAE Legal Adviser

Law firm Dewey & LeBoeuf was one of the US’ largest and most profitable law firms.

Nakheel To Award Contract For Jumeirah Islands In Jan 2014

Construction of the project is expected to be completed within two years after awarding the contract.

Damac Offers Property Buyers Free Lamborghini Aventador This DSF

The Dubai-based developer has promised customers free luxury cars as part of its Dubai Shopping Festival promotion.

Bahrain Says Probing Torture Claims By Men Jailed In Bombs Case

Three men in the Kingdom have been jailed for 15 years for two homemade-bomb attacks.

Bahrain Fuel Price Hike In Doubt As MPs Boycott Debate

Bahrain’s National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) announced plans on Dec. 23 to raise the price of diesel from Jan. 15.

Six New Cases Of MERS Virus Hit Saudi Arabia, UAE

The total confirmed cases of the respiratory disease has reached 176, of which 74 have died, the WHO said.