Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City Launches Solar-Powered Eco-Villas

The four-bedroom villa concept includes an array of solar panels that will generate approximately 40,000 KWh per year.

Yemen Rivals Battle On Despite Declared End To Saudi Raids

Hours after Saudi Arabia’s announcement of a halt to airstrikes in Yemen, Houthi fighters captured an army brigade base in Taiz.

First Gulf Bank Quarterly Profit Falls Short Of Estimates

The third-largest lender by assets in the UAE, made a net profit of Dhs1.42 billion for Q1 2015.

White House Says ‘Job Is Not Done’ In Yemen

A US government spokesperson acknowledged problems remain in the country.

Commercial Bank of Qatar Net Profit Falls 15.3%, Misses Forecasts

The bank earned a net attributable profit of SAR452.3 million ($127.1 million) for the three months to March 31.

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Forecasts 5% Loan Growth For 2015

ENBD’s loan growth climbed by four per cent in the first quarter of the year.

Bloom Launches Dubai Marina Residential Tower

Construction work on the project is set to begin in the first half of this year.

Yemen’s Saleh Hails End To Saudi-led Strikes, Seeks New Dialogue

“We hope that everybody will return to dialogue to solve and treat all the issues,” Saleh said on social media.

InterContinental Signs Deal For UAE’s First Hotel Indigo

The 285-room property will be located in Dubai’s Business Bay.

Fatburger Plots Four More Restaurants In MENA

The restaurants are planned for Kuwait, Qatar, Tunisia and Iraq.

SKAI Rebrands Jumeirah Village Circle Property To Viceroy

The newly branded hotel is scheduled for operation in 2018.

Iran Calls For Yemen Talks, Says Long-term Peace Possible

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said sustainable peace can prevail if military intervention is ceased and conditions are met for talks.

Bahrain’s Ahli United Bank Tightens Guidance For $300m Tier 1 Bond

The perpetual, non-call five deal at present has commitments from lead arrangers worth $600 million, documents showed.

Chevron Saudi Unit Plans To Shut Joint Kuwait Oilfield In May

Chevron’s decision was mainly down to problems getting work permits from the Kuwaiti authorities for its expatriate staff, sources told Reuters

Dubai Parks And Resorts Partners With UK’s Merlin Entertainment For Lego Water Park

The water park is an addition to the under construction Legoland Dubai theme park, set to open in October 2016.

Fighters In Southern Yemen Say Will Continue Fight

The announcement came despite Saudi Arabia saying it would end air strikes.

Oil Prices Drop As Middle East Tensions Ease

Oil prices had gained nearly $10 a barrel this month on tensions in the Middle East and concerns over slowing output growth in the United States, before starting to drop back.

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Q1 Profit Rises 60%, Beats Estimates

The lender, 55.6 per cent owned by state fund Investment Corp of Dubai, made a net profit of Dhs1.67 billion in Q1.

Saudi Ends Air Campaign In Yemen, Seeks Political Solution

Iran, which has supported its fellow Shi’ite Houthis, welcomed the ceasefire.

Dubai’s Damac Q1 Profit Falls 38%, Reveals Dividend Plans

The developer made a net profit of Dhs792.9 million in the three months to March 31.

Human

Windows 10: Biometrics Over Passwords Will Boost Security – Official

The move to remove all usernames and passwords will greatly enhance security and privacy, says senior Microsoft official.

Saudi Electricity Co Q1 Net Loss More Than Doubles

It lost 1.94 billion riyals ($517.4 million) during the three months to March 31.

Lower Oil Prices Seen Cooling Abu Dhabi’s Property Sector

Sale prices rose about 24 per cent in 2014 after an increase of 31 per cent in 2013, but rents rose only two per cent in Q1.

Saudi’s Algosaibi To Put Revised Debt Proposal To Creditors

Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi and Brothers (AHAB) has direct liabilities to banks and financial institutions worth around $6 billion.

Saudi Stock Exchange To Organise Foreign Roadshows In Q4

The roadshows would focus on North America and Europe, and will include investment firms and listed firms.

Oman Electricity Co To Meet Investors For Potential Debut Dollar Bond Issue

The issue could be around $1 billion, rating agency Standard and Poor’s said.

ADCB’s Q1 Net Profit Rises 31%

It is the fourth bank in the UAE to report earnings so far this quarter, with all registering double-digit profit growth.

Bloom Holdings Launches Park View Project In Abu Dhabi

The project will have a residential building consisting of 234 units and a 188-key hotel.

Dubai’s Noor Bank Launches $500 Million 5-year Debut Sukuk

The lender, which is issuing sukuk with a wakala structure, had obtained orders worth about $1.9 billion.

HSBC Barred From Taking New Funds In Saudi Arabia

HSBC Saudi Arabia needs to revamp its compliance procedures before CMA can reverse the ban, sources reportedly said.