Zain Saudi Q1 Net Loss Narrows, Beats Estimates

The company made a net loss of $84.8 million in the three months to March 31.

UAE Confirms Three New MERS Cases

All newly detected cases have shown no outward symptoms of the virus, HAAD said.

Oman’s Bank Muscat Q1 Net Profit Jumps 59%

The bank made a quarterly profit of 39.76 million rials ($103.3 million) in the three months to March 31.

Etihad Signs Interline Deal With Fiji Airways

The UAE carrier said the deal was the starting point of further negotiations, raising the possibility of a codeshare or equity partnership with Fiji in the future.

Saudi Intelligence Chief Prince Bandar Replaced By His Deputy-Royal Decree

Prince Bandar, a former ambassador to Washington, was appointed as the chief Saudi spy in July 2012.

Saudi Arabia: Reported Poison Gas Use By Syria Is Challenge To World

The reported gas attacks posed a clear challenge to the Security Council decision to dismantle Assad’s chemical arsenal, a senior official said.

Saudi Arabia’s Sahara Q1 Net Profit Drops 20.3% On Lower Sales

Sahara blamed the decline on lower sales, citing a planned shutdown of Al Waha plant as well as lower income from associates.

Fire Reported In Dubai’s Ravi Restaurant

The blaze was reportedly caused by a fault in the restaurant’s recently installed electric signage.

Coca-Cola Sales Beat Estimates As China Volumes Soar

Global case volumes rose two per cent in the quarter while those in China rose 12 per cent, the company said.

BlackBerry Buys Minority Stake In Healthcare IT Firm

The smartphone maker has been targeting various niche markets as it attempts to engineer a turnaround and stem losses.

Oman Extends Recruitment Ban On Expat Maids And Labourers

The extended ban, issued by the Ministry of Manpower, will come into effect from May 4 this year.

Air Arabia To Begin Services From Ras Al Khaimah On May 6

The Sharjah-based low-cost carrier has been designated the new airline of Ras Al Khaimah following the closure of RAK Airways.

Dubai’s Takaful Emarat Expects To Post Q1 Profit

The company’s past financial statements show it last reported a quarterly profit in the first quarter of 2009.

Kuwait To Award $4.3bn Contract This Year For Heavy Oil Project

The deadline for bids for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract is May 11, a senior executive said.

Etihad’s Revenues Surge 27% In Q1 2014

The airline’s growth in revenue was aided by an increase in passengers resulting from its codeshare and equity partnerships.

Dubai’s IMG Theme Park Gets $327m Islamic Loan

Proceeds will be used to expand the $1 billion Worlds of Adventure theme park.

Saudi Warns Imams Against Talking Politics In Mosques

Religious clerics found preaching about politics during their Friday sermons could lose their jobs, the ministry said.

Saudi Samba Financial Group Q1 Profit Up 7%

The bank attributed the profit rise to a drop in operating expenses.

Exclusive: Dubai Not Building Any Hotels For The Expo – Tourism Chief

The current hotel supply pipeline is only linked to the emirate’s 2020 tourism strategy, says Helal Al Marri, the head of Dubai’s DTCM.

Google Unveils Email Scanning Practices In New Terms Of Service

The company clearly stated that incoming and outgoing emails are automatically analysed by software to create targeted ads.

Saudi Cement Co Q1 Profit Falls 16% As Demand Sags

The firm made a profit of $76.3 million in the three months to March 31.

Saudi Arabia Imposes Fines, Jail Terms For Visa Lapses

Police raids and an amnesty on fines for immigration violations last year caused over a million foreigners to leave voluntarily.

Saudi Miner Ma’aden Q1 Profit Falls 48% As Metal Prices Drop

Ma’aden made a profit of 125.2 million riyals ($33.4 million) in the three months to March 31.

Infiniti Middle East Sales Up 19% In 2013

The Japanese car maker sold around 5,892 units in the region during its financial year ended March 2014.

Swiss Chocolate Firm Lindt & Sprungli Opens Dubai Office

The move was facilitated by the emirate’s official foreign investment development agency Dubai FDI.

Gunmen Kill Saudi Guard Near Yemeni Border, Wound Another

The guards came under heavy fire from the Yemeni side of the border at about 3 a.m in the eastern part of Jizan province.

Saudi Banks Urged To Be Less Conservative

A conservative approach to lending has hampered the growth of the Kingdom’s banks, according to a new report.

Kuwait’s Gulf Bank Q1 Net Profit Climbs 10%

The country’s fourth-largest lender by assets said net profit for the first quarter was $31.1 million.

Emaar Launches 480 New Townhomes In Reem Community

The new collection of Mira Oasis townhomes follows strong investor interest, said the Dubai developer.

Saudi’s Yansab Q1 Net Profit Drops 16.7% On Lower Prices

Yansab said the profit fall was due to lower prices and higher sales and maintenance costs.