UAE Nationals Exempt From EU-Schengen Visa

The decision has been passed by the EU Council of ministers, but requires final approval from the European Parliament.

UAE Nears Debt Listing Rules To Boost Sales: Islamic Finance

The Securities and Commodities Authority has circulated draft rules that treat sukuk and non-Shariah compliant debt separately.

Mall Of Qatar To Boast “Completely Different” Offering To Dubai

Mall of Qatar’s general manager says the complex will set the standard for malls internationally.

Saudi Activist Sentenced To Lashes And Prison – Rights Group

Omar al-Saeed is reportedly the fourth member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) to be jailed this year.

MENA Economies Set To Grow In 2014

A growing young population, increasing consumption and rising budget expenditure will create investment opportunities in the region.

Saudi PetroRabigh Says Marketing Fee Deal To Boost Revenue

The petrochemical company is a joint venture between oil giant Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical.

Dubai Index Rises To 5-Year High; Qatar Gains

The DFM General Index climbed 1.3 per cent to 3,199.88, the highest since October 2008.

ADCB, Emaar Among UAE’s Favourite Stocks

MubasherTrade report forecasts low-to-mid-single digit economic growth rates in the Middle East in 2014.

Damac Launches Tenora Serviced Apartments In Dubai World Central

The 10-storey, 270-unit tower aims to serve professionals working to build the Expo 2020 venue.

Abu Dhabi’s TDIC To Raise $500m Loan To Pay Debt

The five-year facility was obtained from a group of seven banks, said bankers.

Kuwait To Secure $1.4bn Financing For Major Power Project

The Az-Zour North Power and Desalination project is Kuwait’s first public-private partnership.

UAE Visitors To Singapore Hit 30,000 In First Half

Middle East travellers benefit from plentiful air lift, and abundant food, shopping and leisure attractions

Expo 2020 Win Will Boost Dubai’s Property Market In 2014 – Developer

Mahdi Amjad, CEO of real estate company Omniyat says impact of the win was felt “from the first minute the results were announced.”

France Should Allow Headscarves, Arabic In Schools – Report

An estimated five million Muslims, originating mostly from former African colonies such as Algeria and Morocco, live in France.

Wintry Storm Alexa Grips Middle East

The storm has brought snow, rain and cold to swathes of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt.

US, Britain Have Not Helped Syrian Rebels Enough – Saudi Prince

Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki bin Faisal said the two nations did not provide the necessary aid to the rebel unit.

Etisalat Asks Banks To Wait For Loan Fees

The telecoms firm agreed an $8 billion loan in April to finance its acquisition of a 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom.

UAE, Oman Plan To Take On The Caribbean And Become Cruise Destination

Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are each investing in building additional cruise terminals.

The Future Of Air Travel

Some of the world’s best-paid engineers and designers are right now dreaming up the ways we will fly in the future.

How To Market Yourself In The Digital Era

It is important to identify your goal for being online, says Joumana Hage, senior strategic planner at creative solutions company CHEIL.

Saudi Religious Leader Condemns Suicide Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti condemned suicide bombings as grave crimes.

Al Jazeera Denies Report Its Cairo Office Was Raided

Reports claimed Al Jazeera’s office in the Egyptian capital had been raided and security forces arrested 11 Qatari citizens.

Trend Micro Warns Of Monthly Cyber Attacks In 2014

The security firm said advanced mobile banking and targeted attacks will accelerate over the next year.

PS4 In The UAE – What You Need To Know

The most powerful gaming console ever goes on sale in the UAE at midnight on Thursday 12 December.

Abu Dhabi Broker ADS To Enter UK In 2014

The firm is also planning to launch an asset management and wealth management business next year.

Dubai Has Strong Potential To Be Global Media Hub

Dubai has the required production infrastructure and services to become a global media hub, says study.

Qatar Refuses To Set Deadline On Workers’ Rights Improvement

Qatar 2022 chief has said that the state is being proactive in improving its human rights record.

UAE Has 37 Billionaires With A Combined Wealth Of $45bn

The country ranks second in the Middle East in terms of both its ultra-high net worth population and overall wealth.

UAE’s TAQA To Cut Abu Dhabi Staff By 16%

The energy company hopes that the staff-cuts will result in a saving of over $20 million in 2014.

Total Inks Deepwater Drilling Deal Offshore Oman

The exploration program is expected to begin with seabed coring in 2014.