Do You Have The Best UAE Credit Card Deal?

We compare the interest rates, annual fees and perks offered by financial institutions in the UAE.

UAE Central Bank To Introduce Direct Debit System

The new move, to be introduced in mid-June, will allow customers to make automatic loan payments from their bank accounts.

No Reason To Panic In UAE After Earthquake, Say Officials

The 6.2 earthquake that hit Iran on Tuesday was about 500kms away from Abu Dhabi, with tremors affecting the entire GCC.

Twitter In GCC, Dubai Earthquake Frenzy

Social media users reported their ‘experiences’ of the earthquake tremors in a flurry of tweets.

Oman Goods Trade Surplus Rises 2.3% In 2012

Oman’s merchandise trade surplus reached $24 billion last year.

Earthquake In Iran Felt Across Dubai, GCC

An earthquake measuring a magnitude of 6.3 struck on Tuesday 60 miles south of the city of Bushehr in Iran.

Sharjah Islamic Bank To Issue $500m Sukuk

Lead arrangers released official price guidance at 3.125 per cent after suggesting the low three per cent area as an indicator.

Saudi Arabia Denies Man Was Sentenced To Paralysis

Local reports stated that a young man was sentenced to be surgically paralysed after stabbing a friend who was also left unable to move.

UAE Soccer Chief Criticises Asian Olympic Body

Yousuf Al Serkal is one of four candidates vying for Asian football’s top job.

S.Aramco, Exxon Offer Up To 90,000 Tonnes Of May Fuel Oil

The 700-centistoke (cst) cargo is scheduled to load between May 5 and 9, traders said.

US Allies Plan Big Gulf Naval Exercise In May

Representatives from over 30 nations will gather in Bahrain to practise minesweeping and escorting ships.

Malaysia MMC Says Saudis Terminate Rights To Develop $30bn City

Malaysian construction firm MMC’s joint venture with Saudi Binladin Group was awarded the contract to develop the Jazan Economic City in 2006.

Etisalat Says Unblocks Skype Website

The UAE telecoms operator had been blocking Skype, the free internet-to-internet phone calls site, for several years.

Emaar Launches First Project Within Mega-Development Reem

The developer will launch the sale of 188 townhouses in Mira this month.

Emirates Flying Milan-New York From October 1

Italian Civil Aviation Authority has authorised the services, an extension to one of Emirates’ existing triple daily flights, on an extra-bilateral basis.

Ajman Bank’s Acting CEO Resigns

Mohammad Zaqout, previously executive vice president of personal banking at Al Hilal Bank, will be the new chief executive.

Kuwait To Spend $17.5bn On Projects In 2013/14 – Finance Minister

Domestic tensions have been delaying work on Kuwait’s KD30 billion development plan

Etihad-Aer Lingus Codeshare Gains US Regulatory Approval

Etihad passengers flying on Aer Lingus’ planes to New York and Chicago can now pre-clear US Customs and Border Protection in Dublin

Sir Maurice Flanagan Retires From Emirates

Executive Vice Chairman who has been pivotal in managing Emirates’ growth in the last 28 years stepped down from his position on Sunday

Lorenzo And Rossi Storm MotoGP Qatar Season Opener

Valentino Rossi, back at Yamaha after two years at Ducati, finished second behind teammate Jorge Lorenzo.

Abu Dhabi’s Kizad Awards Dhs100m Contract to UAE Firm

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi has awarded a deal to construct phase 1 of its pre-built warehousing to UAE’s System Construct.

Etisalat Lines Up $8bn Loan For Vivendi’s Maroc Stake Bid

French media group Vivendi aims to offload its 53 per cent holding in Moroccan firm Maroc.

Saudi Riyad Bank Posts 5.5% Rise In Q1 Net Profit

The bank said it made $254 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Expatriates Apprehensive Over Saudi Labour Crackdown

More than 200,000 foreigners have been deported from the Kingdom over the past few months.

The GCC’s Health Scare

The regional president of Medtronic, one of the world’s biggest medical companies, explains the Gulf’s health timebomb.

Qatar National Bank Q1 Net Profit Up 6.7% On Loan Growth

The bank’s lending growth year-on-year stood at 28.7 per cent during the first quarter.

Kuwait Agilty Unit Wins $190m U.N. Mission Contract

Agility’s Gulf Catering Company for General Trade will provide bottled water and other supplies to the joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur.

Etihad Airways Q1 Passenger Revenues Up 19%

Passenger revenues at Etihad totalled $900 million in the first quarter of 2013, compared with $758 million a year ago.

Four Seasons Committed To Pearl-Qatar

Despite an oversupply of hotel rooms in Doha, Four Seasons will open its second hotel in the city, says senior official.

Bad Weather In UAE Delays Flights

Heavy rains and thunderstorms have delayed flights operating to and from the country.