Aramco keeps $75bn dividend promise even with oil’s plunge

The kingdom needs an oil price of $84 to balance this year’s budget

Dubai exchange shuts trading floor to prevent spread of virus

The trading floor will be shut from Monday until further notice

Saudi Arabia suspends work at govt departments for 16 days

All commercial markets and malls with be shut down, with the exception of pharmacies and food stores

Emaar suspends entertainment at all its attractions across Dubai

The list of establishments that will be closed until the end of March include Dubai Opera, VR Park and the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Covid-19: Saudi, Oman, Kuwait report additional cases; GCC recoveries cross 125

A total of 118 people tested positive for the Covid-19 virus in the kingdom

Isra’a wal Miraj holiday announced for public, private sectors in Oman

Sunday, March 22 will observed as a public holiday in the sultanate

Dubai World Cup 2019 Godolphin

Dubai World Cup to be held without spectators at the venue

Fans will not miss out on the action altogether though as the event will be televised live

Saudis detain 298 government employees in corruption probe

Total sum of misused funds amounted to SAR379m

Oman bans entry for all non-Omanis, except GCC citizens

The decision will be implemented from Tuesday, March 17, for an indefinite period to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus

Coronavirus update: UAE announces 12 new cases, total now at 98

All the individuals are currently in a stable condition

Oppo Reno 3 Pro

This new OPPO phone, set to launch in the UAE, promises ‘clarity in every shot’

Reno3 Pro’s 44MP plus 2MP dual front camera captures “every facial detail in ultra-high resolution”

Abu Dhabi’s ADX to close trading halls on virus concerns

The Exchange will continue to provide access to trading services through its Sahmi digital platform

Over 3,000 employees at Saudi’s stc to work remotely for two weeks

stc had previously provided remote working facilities to all its employees in the Al Qatif region

Dubai’s Global Village closes for the season

The move comes even as Dubai closes all theme parks, cancels all events to prevent Covid-19 spread

Covid-19: Dubai closes theme parks, cinemas, gyms, spas and cancels all events

All events in Dubai have been suspended from Sunday, March 15, 2020 until the end of the month

Saudi Central Bank declares SAR50bn package to combat coronavirus

Around SAR30bn ($7.99bn) is expected to be made available to banks and finance companies in return for deferring small- and medium-size businesses’ loans

Etihad suspends flights to Beirut, Istanbul as part of network changes due to virus

Frequencies to Jakarta, Seoul and Bangkok have also been temporarily reduced

Dubai-bound flight from India offloads passengers after Covid-19 patient gets on

A British national who boarded the flight was reportedly in quarantine and has tested positive for coronavirus

Saudi Aramco reports 21% profit drop for 2019 on lower oil prices

Brent crude averaged $64.12 a barrel in 2019 compared with $71.67 the previous year

UAE stocks drop amid mounting virus concerns

Dubai’s main index fell 3.6 per cent as of 10.42 am local time

UAE Central Bank announces Dhs100bn package to counter Covid-19

Banks across the country are expected to exercise stable lending practices and treat customers fairly

Abu Dhabi closes Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre, Ferrari World, other tourist sites

The closures will extend from March 15-31, though visitors have been asked to check the individual websites before planning their visits

coronavirus

Coronavirus: GCC reports over 800 cases, 12% recoveries

The WHO declared the new strain of the coronavirus as a pandemic on Wednesday

Saudi Arabia suspends all international flights for two weeks

During the two weeks a few flights would be operated as “exceptional cases”

UAE suspends issuance of all visas, bans travel to Italy, Turkey, among others

The decision does not apply to those who already have their visas issued

How the region’s startup ecosystem is gaining ground

What do startups look for to start off on the right foot in the region

Coronavirus: Dubai reveals Dhs1.5bn stimulus package to support businesses

Package includes cancellation of some fees, reduction in utility bills for three months

Oman suspends tourist visas, halts sports activities for month

Non-class student activities and the provision of shisha have also been prohibited while court attendance has been restricted in the sultanate

Emirates to suspend all Italy flights, conduct thermal screening on US-bound flights

Emirates also plans to gradually roll out thermal screening procedures for all of its flights departing Dubai

UAE announces 11 new coronavirus cases, total count now at 85

The individuals, who belong to nine nationalities, are currently in a stable condition