Ramadan 2019: Astronomer predicts start date in the UAE

The first day of Ramadan is likely to fall on May 6 this year

Video: Heavy rains, hail in parts of the UAE as temperatures drop

Motorists have been cautioned to be careful on the roads due to poor visibility

Saudi shuts part of world’s largest offshore oilfield after power cable cut

The shutdown at Safaniyah occurred about two weeks ago

UN warns of locust outbreak spreading across Saudi Arabia

The outbreak poses a possible threat to crops and food security

Waste-to-energy initiatives across the GCC pick up pace

The region is seeking to reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfills and find alternative energy sources

Saudi court rejects conglomerate AHAB’s filing under bankruptcy law

Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi and Brothers was the first high-profile company to file for a settlement under the law

Four UAE healthcare trends that will affect you in 2019

New technologies in the healthcare industry could help companies health insurance premiums under control

Flights temporarily grounded at Dubai airport after drone activity

Unauthorised drone activity at the airport disrupted operations for 30 minutes

Dubai’s Emaar Properties reports 27% Q4 profit increase

The company’s profit was helped by solid performances at its development and hospitality units.

Aramco, Total to invest $1bn to develop retail fuel service stations in Saudi

The 50:50 JV will invest the amount over the next six years in the Saudi retail fuel market

UAE’s Dana Gas posts $186m net loss for 2018

The gas producer reported one-off non-cash impairments of $187m for its Zora field in the UAE

Customers of Dubai's Gold AE to launch legal action

Saudi gold and jewellery sector hit hard after expat ban

The kingdom banned the employment of expatriates in the sector in December 2017

Damac quarterly profit down 87% as Dubai property prices tumble

Dubai property prices have steadily fallen since a mid-2014 peak

Dubai’s Bluewaters project begins handover to its first residents

The Dhs8bn Bluewaters project opened late last year

Air Arabia suffers $166m loss in 2018 amid Abraaj-related impairments

The airline faced impairment charges of Dhs1.13bn mainly on its overall exposure to Abraaj-related investments

Dubai International airport rebrands as it seeks to become a cultural hub

Dubai International retained its title of the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic in 2018

Pakistan expects 8 investment deals during Saudi prince’s visit

Total Saudi investments in Pakistan could reach $20bn over the next few years

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad restructures Airbus, Boeing jet orders

The airline said it will take delivery of five Airbus A350s and 26 A321neos plus six Boeing 777-9s “over the coming years”

Emirates cuts A380 order, signs $21.4bn deal with Airbus for 70 A330, A350 jets

The Dubai airline’s total A380 order book will now stand at 123 units

Saudi king launches $8bn in development projects in capital

King Salman announced 360 new projects, and proclaimed another 921 projects already built

Saudi Arabia regrets EU inclusion in dirty-money blacklist

The kingdom said its commitment to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism is a strategic priority

Saudi Arabia ‘to lift’ Lebanon travel warning, marking warmer ties

Riyadh has repeatedly warned against travel to Lebanon since January 2011

Mubadala’s venture capital unit to launch $400m European fund, says executive

Mubadala Ventures will also invite international venture funds to invest in Abu Dhabi

Adopt AI or lose competitive edge, warns Oracle chief

Speaking at Oracle OpenWorld, regional senior vice president Andrew Sutherland also praised Dubai’s “forward thinking” approach to technology

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa unveils new dining lounge on 154th floor

Premium venue to serve as a visitor attraction and host corporate meets and events

Emirates to launch new service from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Bangkok

The new daily service is set to launch on June 1, 2019

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to deploy Boeing Dreamliner jets on all China routes

The Boeing aircraft will be deployed on Etihad’s daily service to Chengdu from July 1, replacing the Airbus A330-200

Value of projects awarded in the GCC drops to ‘new low’ in 2018

Construction, the largest single sector, declined by 13 per cent to $45.8bn last year

Saudi PIF to boost hiring as it eyes expansion outside Riyadh

The sovereign wealth fund is seeking to open offices in London and in the United States

Bank interest and dividends not subject to VAT in the UAE

There is no requirement to report income from bank deposits and dividends in the VAT return