In pics: Sheikh Mohammed meets with the first UAE astronauts

One of the two astronauts will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 25, 2019

Dubai skyline

Dubai reveals five new initiatives to support and cut costs for SMEs

The initiatives also seek to boost public-private partnerships in the emirate

Abu dhabi uae capital flag

UAE public and private sector to have same number of national holidays

New decree aims at achieving a “balance between the two sectors”, the government said

Revealed: Top 5 most powerful Arabs in the UAE

The highest ranking entries originating from the UAE in Gulf Business’ annual Arab power list

Sheikh Mohammed approves Dhs1bn infrastructure projects in Fujairah

Plans to build schools, healthcare facilities and internal roads along the UAE’s east coast have also been approved

14,000 social media accounts shut down in Dubai for selling counterfeit goods

The accounts, closed in 2018, had a combined 77.9 million followers

Dubai ‘makes progress’ in fight against illegal diesel trade

A group comprising ENOC and six government entities have found 62 per cent of companies to be in violation of diesel guidelines

UAE logistics players to benefit from Iran’s re-entry into global markets

UAE ranked third in global logistics report

The 2019 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index placed the UAE third for the fifth consecutive year

UAE Presidential Palace to open to the public

Qasr Al Watan – or Palace of the Nation – will be open to visitors from Monday, March 11

Saudi Arabia awards seventh cinema license

Local company Next Generation aims to open six cinemas with a total of 50 screen by the end of 2019

DP World asks court to halt antitrust probe at Mumbai port

Last year the Competition Commission of India said it suspected antitrust violations by DP World and Denmark’s A.P. Moller-Maersk at terminals they operate

Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners consider buying club in India

City Football Group currently owns or has shares in seven clubs around the world, including New York City FC and Melbourne City

Lockheed gets $1bn down payment for Saudi THAAD missile system

The $15bn system is part of a broader $110bn arms package

Saudi Arabia says it is too early to restore ties with Syria

Saudi ally, the UAE, reopened its embassy in Damascus in December

Dubai investment firm Trustworthy.ae to open depot, logistics facility in Kizad

The facilities will seek to cater to the expected rise of container volumes at Abu Dhabi Ports

UAE allocates Dhs1.5bn to build ‘new generation’ of schools

The schools will have laboratories for robotics, AI, health and the environment as well as specialised sports facilities

EFG Hermes advising on $500m M&A deal in Saudi Arabia, more in pipeline – exec

The bank’s head of investment banking also revealed it was also working on an IPO in the kingdom

Revealed: Top 5 most powerful Arabs in Saudi Arabia

The highest ranked Arabs originating from Saudi Arabia in Gulf Business’ annual Arab power list

Saudi’s Shoura Council could debate keeping shops open during prayer times

The proposal has led to a heated debate on social media platforms in the kingdom

Dubai school staff member dies on campus

All the children were sent home on Monday

Wheat - BRICS

Saudi Arabia buys 625,000 tonnes of wheat in tender

The wheat was purchased at an average price of $248.16 a tonne

UAE official says Iran’s stance over disputed islands is ‘illogical’

The ownership of the three islands has been the subject of a longstanding diplomatic dispute between the two countries

Emirates chosen as top brand by women in UAE, Apple tops Saudi list

Technology brands have seen their popularity decline in the last year in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia

UAE banks propose $5.1bn of dividends

The value of dividends of 18 UAE banks was up 12.2 per cent on the previous year

Kuwait’s Sheikh Ahmad re-elected Asia Olympic chief amid Swiss probe

He was re-elected unanimously for an eighth term at the OCA general assembly

Pictures: Sheikh Mohammed receives new UAE ambassadors

The UAE leader met with nine newly appointed foreign ambassadors

Saudi cabinet approves tourism visa for foreign travellers

It is not yet certain when the visas will become available

UAE airlines resume flights to Pakistan

Pakistan closed its airspace last week due to growing tensions with India

Saudi Arabia has deposited $334m in Jordan central bank

Saudi, Kuwait and the UAE put together a $2.5bn package in June to help shore up Jordan’s struggling economy

UAE-based healthcare group Avivo eyes MENA expansion

The group currently operates two hospitals and 29 clinics in the region