Saudi Gulf Airlines plans to begin flights at start of November

The airline plans to fly from Dammam to three destinations, initially with a fleet of four Airbus A320s, an official said.

Reem Island murder suspect’s mental illness claims disproved in court

Alaa Bader Al Hashemi was sent for a medical examination after she claimed to be suffering from a mental illness.

Abu Dhabi eyes golf tourism to increase visitor numbers

The emirate is establishing a new committee to promote its golf tourism ambitions.

Dubai’s bourse to add trading-at-last session

The new trading-at-last session will start 20 seconds after 1355, allowing investors to place orders based on the already calculated closing prices of securities.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank eyes UAE expats as industry growth slows

UAE banking sector revenues rose nearly 14 per cent last year but expansion shows signs of decelerating due to factors including oil price drop and a cooling of real estate markets.

Abu Dhabi’s Gulf Capital says eyes four deals in Egypt

The company aims to hold $5 billion in assets under management by 2018, CEO Karim El Solh said.

Why the DIFC’s new wills registry can bring more capital flows into Dubai

The new registry gives non-Muslim expatriates the option to decide on their inheritance policy.

Egypt denies Arabtec project to build a million homes has stalled

Egyptian officials have said the entire project will cost about 280 billion Egyptian pounds ($36.7 billion).

QEWC, Mitsubishi to build Qatar’s biggest-ever power, water plant

The $3.2 billion plant at Umm Al Houl, 20 kms south of Doha, will provide 2,520MW of electricity and 136.5 million gallons per day of water.

UAE to establish common database of all patients’ medical records

The move, endorsed by the cabinet, aims to streamline healthcare services in the country.

Japan’s Mitsubishi, Tepco win $2.5bn Qatar gas plant bid

The 2.4 GW plant, located 20km south of Doha, is scheduled to begin operations in 2017.

Saudi’s Emaar Economic City says expects tenant inflow to accelerate

The developer expects to attract about 50 new companies to establish operations this year, versus 35 last year, and thinks it will sell around 2,500 residential units in 2015.

US Embassy urges citizens to be cautious in Abu Dhabi’s rural areas

The warning comes after an individual was hit and run repeatedly in Al Bahia, a rural area of Abu Dhabi.

RTA mulls car rental scheme for metro users

The scheme, when implemented, is expected to lessen carbon emissions, increase the use of public transport and reduce car ownership.

Saudi king vows to punish those behind suicide attack

The monarch promised to punish all those who are linked to the attack, intensifying its crackdown on terrorism.

UAE releases two Qataris sentenced for insulting local leaders

The UAE justified the pardon, saying that it wanted to smoothen its relationship with ally Qatar.

UAE banks discuss plan for centralised Islamic finance board

The banks said that it is working closely with the central bank in setting up a Higher Sharia Authority that would complement and oversee the work of individual sharia boards.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank to consider expanding in UAE, Saudi, Egypt

The bank did not expect to make any acquisitions this year, but said that it would at some later date as a number of foreign banks in the Middle East pulled out.

Etihad to respond to US government on subsidy claims by May end

The carrier will be the first among the three Gulf airlines to file an official response.

US approves sale of 10 MH-60 Seahawk helicopters to Saudi Arabia

The proposed sale would improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapons systems.

Saudi Interior Ministry says mosque bomber belonged to ISIL

The attack was one of the deadliest assaults in recent years in the Kingdom, where sectarian tensions have been aggravated by nearly two months of Saudi-led air strikes on Houthi rebels.

Saudi regulator seeks to prosecute 9 Mobily officials – report

The offenders reportedly include board members and senior executives who were in charge at the time violations were committed in Mobily.

Abu Dhabi announces two new MERS cases

Health officials said that both patients are in a stable condition and are receiving the necessary medical care.

Kuwait’s Al Ahli Bank buying Egyptian unit of Greece’s Piraeus Bank for $150m

The transaction, which requires approvals from the central banks of Kuwait and Egypt, stands to benefit both lenders.

Amnesty report says 2022 FIFA World Cup host Qatar still failing migrant workers

The Gulf state denied the accusation, claiming several of the allegations were inaccurate.

Saudi shells hit Yemen aid office, killing five – local official

Artillery fire and air strikes hit the town of Maydee along Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia in Hajja province.

Dubai’s Amlak Finance shares to resume trade on June 2 after 6-year suspension

Trading in Amlak was halted as credit markets dried up and the emirate’s real estate prices began a near-50 per cent tumble from their peak.

Dubai’s Amanat buys 4.14% stake in Al Noor Hospitals

Amanat was set up to invest in education and healthcare businesses in the UAE and other Gulf states.

Visa, FIFA sponsor, expresses “grave concern” over Qatar workers

The announcement came two days after the pressure groups renewed their call on FIFA sponsors to put pressure on the governing body over the issue.

Saudi regulator cancels Arabian Contracting float at company request

Last week, approval was issued for the sale of a 30 per cent stake in Arabian Contracting, with the offer set to run between June 10 and 16.