Saudi Offers Russia Deal To Scale Back Assad Support

Sources say Saudi Arabia wants Moscow to ease its strong support of Assad and agree not to block any future Security Council Resolution on Syria.

Egypt At ‘Dangerous Stalemate’ In Political Crisis

Acting President Adli Mansour, in a message on the eve of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, said Egypt was in critical circumstances.

Eid Declared On Thursday, August 8

Private sector employees will be off on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9.

Bahrain In Talks Over Possible Eurofighter Deal-BAE

The Eurofighter combat jet is made by BAE Systems and Italian weapons maker Finmeccanica and EADS

UAE Residents Spend Dhs10,000 Annually On Gadgets

A recent study found 68 per cent of UAE residents spend at least Dhs10,000 every year on technology, with 71 per cent admitting they are addicted.

Gold Falls To Three-Week Lows On Stimulus Fears

Bullion has lost around 25 per cent of its value this year.

Dubai’s Ruler Signs Dhs2.1bn Emirati Housing Grant

Sheikh Mohammed approved the scheme which will help 5,000 families before the end of the year.

Etihad To Operate A380 On Sydney, Melbourne Routes

The Abu Dhabi airline is also increasing flights to Australian destinations.

Costa Coffee To Introduce Camel Milk Drinks

The global coffee chain has introduced camel milk as an option for customers, as well as a new camel milk iced drink.

Bahrain’s Seafront Property Records Strong Sales

More than half of the plots on Dilmunia Island were sold out on the day they were launched, says developer.

Saudi Activist Freed After Two Years In Detention

Mohammed al-Bajadi, a founding member of the banned Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, was sentenced to four years in prison last year.

Etihad Eyes China And America Partnerships

Etihad, whose annual net profit tripled in 2012, holds stakes in Virgin Australia, Air Berlin, Aer Lingus and Air Seychelles.

Aldar’s Q2 Profit Jumps On Sorouh Merger Deal

Aldar said quarterly earnings included a one-time gain of Dhs2.6 billion principally driven by the acquisition of Sorouh’s assets.

Saudi’s Prince Salman Named Deputy Defence Minister

Prince Salman bin Sultan is a son of the late Crown Prince Sultan, a veteran defence minister until his death in 2011.

France Debates Extending Headscarf Ban To Universities

France’s 2004 ban on headscarves in schools and 2010 ban on full face veils in public have alienated many of its five million Muslims.

Standard Chartered Income Up 4% In H1 2013

Standard Chartered UAE recorded single digit growth in income during the first half of 2013.

Saudi Arabia Says Barred Sudanese President’s Plane For Lack Of Permit

Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s plane was barred from entering the Kingdom’s airspace this week while on a flight to Iran.

Business Confidence Riding High In Dubai

The majority of businessmen in Dubai expect a profitable third quarter this year, find two official surveys.

DAFZA Sees 44% Growth In H1 2013

Dubai Airport Freezone Authority saw 94 new international companies register in the first half of the year.

Siemens Wins $966.8m Contract From Saudi Aramco

The company will supply gas and steam turbines and other equipment for the upcoming Jazan power plant.

Majority Of ME Travellers Carry Phones On Holidays

A study by Visa finds regional travellers are “addicted” to their devices with 33 per cent using them to check-in online while abroad.

Job Creation Up In Saudi’s Non-Oil Private Sector

Despite a rise in raw material prices, the Kingdom’s non-oil sector has seen slight growth.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Swings To Small Profit In Q2

The bank made a net profit of Dhs1.3 million in the quarter, compared with a loss of Dhs15.9 million for the same period last year.

Exclusive Interview: Rory Tapner, Coutts CEO

Rory Tapner, Coutts CEO, reveals how the UK’s most famous private bank is set on carving out a slice of the region’s rapidly growing wealth.

Air Arabia Q2 Net Profit Rises 15%

The low-cost airline served over three million passengers during the first half of 2013

Google Offers Virtual Tour Of Emirates A380

Google has given access to all three classes and even the pilot’s cockpit of the world’s biggest jet through its Street View cameras.

Emirates Launches Luxury Private Jet Service

Emirates Executive launches at a time when business aviation is seeing a rise in regional demand.

Commercial Bank Of Qatar Appoints New CEO

The lender has named Abdulla Saleh al-Raisi as its chief executive officer.

Arabtec Appoints Former Burj Khalifa Exec As COO

Nabil Al Kendi was appointed COO of the Arabtec’s group of construction companies, a subsidiary of Arabtec Holding.

Dubai Hotel Occupancy Falls As Peak Season Winds Down

As the peak season for hospitality winds down, average occupancy across UAE and Saudi hotels witness a slight decline.