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.

GCC says air strikes against ISIL have not failed

Officials say that air strikes need to be complemented with other steps to effectively silence the Islamic militant group.

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.

Top 10 countries with the fastest internet speeds

Asia and Europe have the fastest internet connection speeds globally, a new report shows.

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 clerics urge calm as village hit by ISIL seethes

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of al-Qadeeh town on Friday evening, hours after a suicide bomber killed 21 worshippers in a packed Shi’ite mosque.

Oman refinery firm borrows $910m from local, Gulf banks

The money will be used to “meet general corporate requirements and certain projects currently being considered”, the company said.

“Barbarians at the gate” as Middle East business leaders meet

The conference was suffused by concern that Islamic State’s expansion could derail efforts to boost trade and investment in much of the Middle East.

Two Saudis killed in rocket attacks launched from Yemen – SPA

SPA quoted a Civil Defence official as saying that a child was killed and three other children were wounded on Friday in the al-Tawal region.

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.

Gulf banks increase lending footprints in Asia, Africa

Previously Gulf banks largely participated as junior partners in international syndicated loans but that picture is changing gradually.

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.

Airbus sees “significant” orders at Paris Airshow in June

Airbus’ A400M will be displayed on the ground at the Paris Airshow, but will not take part in daily flying displays.

GCC, EU plan joint aviation agreement

Officials from both the regions held extensive talks recently to discuss an agreement based on liberated skies.