Deutsche, HSBC Face Deadlock With Saudi’s STC On $1.2bn Loan

Saudi Telecom wants the banks to restructure a $1.2 billion loan taken for Axis Telekom.

Bahrain Will “Forcefully Confront” August 14 Protests – PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa has warned that those behind the planned demonstrations will be punished.

Emaar’s Housing And Land Sales Double

Emaar generated revenue of Dhs1.63 billion in the three months ending June 30 compared to Dhs815.6 million a year earlier.

Dubai’s MAF Signs JV With Gourmet Gulf, Enters F&B Market

Gourmet Gulf holds franchise rights for brands like California Pizza Kitchen, Morelli’s Gelato and YO! Sushi.

Du Retracts Fee Hike On Service Packages After Twitter Outrage

Du customers have now been given an option to unsubscribe from the automatically upgraded home service package within three months.

Noor Islamic Bank Reports Dhs100m H1 Net Profit

The Dubai-based bank also announced an increase in customer deposits of 22 per cent while its customer base rose by 14 per cent.

Emirates Investment Bank Sees Q2 Profit Rise 48%

The Dubai-based private investment bank reported net profit for the first half of the year was up 28 per cent on 2012.

RAKBANK Appoints New CEO – Sources

Peter England, previously a senior banker at Malaysia’s CIMB Group, will take up the role.

Dubai’s RTA Completes 100km Of Master Bicycling Track Project

Dubai plans to construct 850kms of cycling tracks across Dubai in the next few years.

Bahrain Deports US Teacher For Writing Articles On Radical Websites

The woman was accused of violating the terms of her work permit and using Twitter to spread misinformation.

Qatar World Cup “Impossible” In Summer – FA Chief

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is likely to be shifted to winter, says chairman of the Football Association, Greg Dyke.

Bahrain Prime Minister Issues Warning Ahead Of Planned Protests

Protesters inspired by the rebel protests in Egypt last month have called for rallies on Wednesday

Camels Are Prime Suspects In Deadly Saudi Virus Outbreak

The World Health Organisation says 46 people have died out of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus.

Qatar Could Benefit From Dual-Track SWF Model

Qatar Investment Authority can organise its estimated $100 billion of assets around two distinct investment approaches, suggests Reuters’ columnist Una Galani.

Dubai’s Rotating Tower Plan Given New Life

Dynamic Tower will be a rotating skyscraper measuring 80 stories high and rotating a full 360 degrees every 90 minutes.

Qatar’s Al Gharafa Sign Lyon Striker Lisandro

Lisandro scored 11 goals in Ligue 1 last season for French side Olympique Lyon.

S&P Downgrades Al Baraka Bank To Junk Status

The Islamic lender’s rating was reduced from BBB- to BB+ with a negative outlook on the back of increased sovereign and economic risk in the regions where it operates.

Rolls-Royce Bespoke Demand Drives Growth

The high-end car manufacturer named Abu Dhabi as its most successful market in the world last month and its biggest global market for its bespoke vehicles.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Reports 11% Q2 Net Profit Rise

Net profit in the three months to June 30 was 9.5 million dinars compared with 8.6 million dinars in the same period last year.

Saudi Offers Russia Deal To Scale Back Assad Support

Sources say Saudi Arabia wants Moscow to ease its strong support of Assad and agree not to block any future Security Council Resolution on Syria.

Eid Declared On Thursday, August 8

Private sector employees will be off on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9.

Bahrain In Talks Over Possible Eurofighter Deal-BAE

The Eurofighter combat jet is made by BAE Systems and Italian weapons maker Finmeccanica and EADS

UAE Residents Spend Dhs10,000 Annually On Gadgets

A recent study found 68 per cent of UAE residents spend at least Dhs10,000 every year on technology, with 71 per cent admitting they are addicted.

Dubai’s Ruler Signs Dhs2.1bn Emirati Housing Grant

Sheikh Mohammed approved the scheme which will help 5,000 families before the end of the year.

Etihad To Operate A380 On Sydney, Melbourne Routes

The Abu Dhabi airline is also increasing flights to Australian destinations.

Costa Coffee To Introduce Camel Milk Drinks

The global coffee chain has introduced camel milk as an option for customers, as well as a new camel milk iced drink.

Bahrain’s Seafront Property Records Strong Sales

More than half of the plots on Dilmunia Island were sold out on the day they were launched, says developer.

Saudi Activist Freed After Two Years In Detention

Mohammed al-Bajadi, a founding member of the banned Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, was sentenced to four years in prison last year.

Etihad Eyes China And America Partnerships

Etihad, whose annual net profit tripled in 2012, holds stakes in Virgin Australia, Air Berlin, Aer Lingus and Air Seychelles.

Aldar’s Q2 Profit Jumps On Sorouh Merger Deal

Aldar said quarterly earnings included a one-time gain of Dhs2.6 billion principally driven by the acquisition of Sorouh’s assets.