Dubai World Trade Centre converted to a freezone

The move aims to boost Dubai as a hub for regional and international exhibitions while also attracting local and international investments.

Saudi Arabia advertises for eight new executioners

No special qualifications are needed for the jobs whose main role is “executing a judgement of death” and to perform amputations on those convicted of lesser offences, an advert showed.

Saudi Arabian Airlines fined $1.6m for breaking EU aviation law

The airline was fined by the Belgian government for breaching EU carbon emissions rule.

Kuwait Finance House may sell properties, cut small number of jobs

The bank may auction the properties or offer them to be run by other operators, depending on market conditions, an official said.

Dubai named world’s second most important shopping destination

About 55.7 per cent of retailers in Dubai are international brands while the city attracted 45 new global brands last year.

MAG 5 JV launches new affordable residential tower in DWC

The project, valued at Dhs700 million, will comprise of 1,000 residential units and will be ready for handover by 2018.

Saudi Arabia’s March oil exports highest in over 9 years – data

The country shipped 7.898 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in March, up from 7.350 million bpd in February and 7.474 million bpd in January.

Dubai Islamic Bank picks arrangers for potential dollar sukuk

DIB has mandated First Gulf Bank, HSBC, Maybank, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Standard Chartered Bank and itself to arrange the meetings in Asia and Europe.

ICBC Dubai branch narrows price guidance for benchmark 5-yr dollar bond

The deal, rated A1 by Moody’s, has so far attracted orders totalling more than $3.5 billion from investors, a document showed.

Oil oversupply due to shale oil output rise, not OPEC – Kuwait

OPEC production had not risen by more than 200,000 to 400,000 bpd above its 30 million bpd cap since 2011, an official said.

Emirates plays off Airbus’ A350 against Boeing’s Dreamliner

Emirates’ head Tim Clark has said the airline will opt for either B787-10s or A350-900s in the next stage of its fleet development.

No impact of Oman quake on the UAE, say officials

The 5.0 magnitude earthquake hit Oman on Sunday, triggering fears of a tsunami.

Saudi-led air strikes hit Yemen’s Aden after truce expires

Bombings struck the rebel-held presidential palace in Aden’s downtown area.

BBC journalist jailed in Qatar when reporting on labour conditions

The BBC’s crew was invited to Doha to film improved accommodation for migrant workers in the country, ahead of 2022 World Cup.

Oman’s Bank Nizwa withdraws United Finance merger proposal

Nizwa said in February that it saw the proposed merger as a way to speed up its growth.

Dubai Water Canal project 33% complete, new diversions announced

The Roads and Transport Authority has opened phase II of the main traffic diversion works on Al Wasl Road.

Saudi-led alliance resumes air strikes on Yemen as ceasefire ends

Explosions could be heard near Aden’s airport and the districts of Khor Maksar and Crater, a witness said.

Qatar Petroleum to restructure following oil price fall

Earlier this year, QP said it would absorb its international unit, QPI, into its structure.

Majid Al Futtaim to invest Dhs1bn in VOX Cinemas until 2020

The funds are aimed at helping VOX attract a further 50 million customers over the next five years.

UN Yemen envoy calls for truce to be extended for five days

The five-day humanitarian truce began on Tuesday to distribute aid to the millions deprived of food, fuel and medicine by weeks of fighting.

Dubai Properties says Arabella Townhouses sell out on launch day

The developer has now launched additional units for sale within the project, which is located in its Mudon community in Dubailand.

Saudi PetroRabigh restarts vacuum distillation unit after unscheduled maintenance

The maintenance will cost the company around SAR100 million, which will be reflected in second-quarter results.

Nakheel signs deal with Landmark Group for 25 outlets in Al Khail Avenue

Construction on the Al Khail Avenue mall will begin this year, with expected opening in 2018.

UAE’s Waha Capital to invest up to $1.08bn by 2020

Waha is looking to invest in sectors with high growth potential such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare and education.

Kuwait’s Agility Q1 profit rises 5%, in line with forecast

he firm’s net profit in the three months to March 31 was KD11.8 million.

Abu Dhabi prosecutors say will contest verdict in schoolgirl death case

The Abu Dhabi Appeals court had eased the verdicts on the defendants and overturned the school’s closure.

Saudi man gets life in US prison in Africa embassy bombings case

Khalid al-Fawwaz was not charged with planning or participating in the attacks, which killed 224 people and injured more than 4,000.

Etihad Airways says US carriers got $70bn in government aid

The claim follows US carriers’ allegations that Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways have received more than $40 billion in state subsidies.

Credit Cards Bolster Citigroup In UAE, Bahrain And Poland

Citigroup has experienced growth in credit card acquisitions in the UAE of 2.5 times over the past year, it said.

Qatar Labours On As Reforms Fail To Take Shape

Despite promises to overhaul its labour laws to prevent the abuse of migrant workers, Qatar is yet to take firm action.