RAK International Airport set to receive SpiceJet passenger flights

SpiceJet has repatriated almost 53,000 Indian nationals on approximately 300 flights from the beginning of June

Emirates Loto Mahzooz

Emirates Loto, rebranded as Mahzooz, postpones Dhs50m lottery in the UAE

The organisers said that the decision to do so stemmed from “circumstances outside our control”

Dubai Health Authority

Dubai Health Authority launches laboratory to test for Tuberculosis, Legionella

It is the only facility in Dubai and the Northern Emirates that tests for Tuberculosis and Legionella

poultry_farming_as_one_of_the_activities_of_the_training_center.

UAE bans import of birds, poultry from four countries due to bird flu concerns

The import ban extends to the Netherlands, Germany, several regions in the UK and select areas in Russia

DIFC Dubai

Israel’s Bank Hapoalim signs agreement with DIFC, AGDM

The agreement enables Bank Hapoalim to access banking and innovation opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia through the DIFC platform

Saudi Arabia won’t tap debt market again in 2020, minister says

The world’s largest crude exporter is relying on more borrowing as it grapples with the impact of the twin economic shocks caused by oil market turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic

Saudi Arabia to review VAT hike once economic crisis ends

The VAT hike to 15 per cent, was implemented in July this year

Tips to declutter your brain: Schedule in a few slots of solitude

Solitude is a practice of deliberately removing oneself from daily distractions to become more reflective and calm

Industry outlook: How has the wealth management space fared in the GCC?

Similar to wealth, wealth management has gone through layers of evolution to become a specialised investment advisory service

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa to have fireworks, light and laser show to welcome NYE 2021

Several Covid-19 preventative measures will be in place for visitors, Emaar has stressed

Tony Douglas, Etihad Aviation Group GCEO and Gonen Usishkin, EL AL Airlines CEO sign MOU agreement LR

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad and El Al Israel sign MoU to cooperate on codeshare and loyalty programme

The teams at Etihad Guest and El Al Matmid loyalty programmes will explore reciprocal “earn and burn” opportunities for its members

Battista Anniversario

German firm Automobili Pininfarina unveils world’s first globally connected hypercar

Owners will be able to access online services in over 50 countries, including the Gulf region

Government employees in Abu Dhabi to receive full housing allowance

Citizens and residents living in Abu Dhabi are entitled to full housing allowance and rent stipend in line with their job grade

Developer Arada begins handovers at Sharjah’s Nasma Residences

The first five phases of the community are fully sold out

UAE’s Fruitful Day raises over Dhs3m to fund expansion

The company will use the funds for horizontal and vertical expansion

Turki Al Malki, Saudi coalition

Saudi forces destroy armed drone launched towards civilian targets in the kingdom

The attack, launched on Wednesday, targeted the kingdom’s southern region

Umm Al Quwain

Umm Al Quwain tourism department launches offers for frontline heroes

These offers will be available to frontline workers for a period of six months starting November 17, 2020

KUWAIT-HEALTH-VIRUS

Kuwait going ahead with decision to ban work permits for expats aged over 60 from Jan 1

The decision applies to expat workers who do not have a university degree

Bahrain-Manama

Bahrain and Israel to begin direct flights, open embassies

Starting 2021, there will be 14 weekly flights operating between Bahrain and Tel Aviv

Saudi Arabia raises minimum wage for citizens by 33%

The higher minimum wage must be paid for a worker to be counted as part of a company’s quota of citizen employees

Abu Dhabi Israel

Abu Dhabi Global Market signs fintech agreement with Israel Securities Authority

The agreement provides a framework for information sharing, and will facilitate the movement of startups and transfer of knowledge and talent

Ecommerce

Retail traffic and sales in UAE set to soar during Black Friday: Criteo study

Survey says 37% of UAE shoppers are more comfortable shopping in-store now

LEXUS

Lexus UAE partners with Facebook for new online showroom experience

Customers can extensively browse through the Lexus range on their Facebook mobile app

Dubai-based tech incubator AstroLabs expands into tech recruiting

AstroLabs Talent to offer 4,000-strong Academy alumni recruiting support

Dubai’s Emirates ramps up A380 flights; adds services to UK and Russia

Emirates is expanding its services to the UK following the establishment of UK-UAE air corridor

Dubai’s Emirates reveals special fares ahead of National Day holidays

The offer is valid for bookings, starting November 18 till November 29, 2020, for travel until May 31, 2021

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed 2

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed invites Israeli President for UAE visit

President Reuven Rivlin has also extended an invitation to Sheikh Mohamed to visit Israel

Vincent Reffet

French stuntman dies in Dubai in training accident

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, took to Instagram to condole the stuntman’s death

World’s biggest oil firm Saudi Aramco sells $8bn in bonds

Aramco sold $8bn in tranches maturing in three, five, 10, 30 and 50 years

Oman

UAE-Oman bilateral trade reached Dhs48bn in 2019

Oman is the UAE’s second largest trading partner in the Gulf