Bring Your Smile On International Happiness Day

Jeanette Teh shares her tips to encourage happiness in the work place in the buildup to the International Day of Happiness.

Dubai’s DP World Posts 11.8% Rise In 2014 Net Profit

The firm made a profit attributable to shareholders of $675 million compared with $604 million in the prior year.

Oman’s Bank Muscat Shareholders Approve $1.3bn Sukuk Programme

The plan comprises issuance in domestic and international markets through public subscription or private placement, a bourse statement said.

EU Blames “Terrorist Organisations” For Tunisia Attack

The attack in Tunisia by unnamed gunmen killed 19 people and injured 17 others.

UAE Recalls Envoy To Sweden Over Minister’s Comments On Saudi

The country also summoned Sweden’s ambassador to the UAE to deliver a formal protest against remarks made by the Swedish foreign minister.

Saudi Food Firm Savola Cuts First-Quarter Profit Forecast

Savola reduced its projection to SAR178 million before capital gain from its previous forecast of SAR360 million.

Kuwait Drops Court Case Over “Plot” Tape

Government investigators determined that the recordings were not authentic and had been edited.

U.S. To Chart New Territory In Gulf Airline Subsidy Review

No international trade rules or precedent by the US exists for addressing airline subsidy claims, presenting a challenge for the administration, sources say.

Kuwait Detains Political Activist Over Tweets Against Saudi Arabia

Tariq al-Mutairi, head of the liberal Civil Democratic Movement was detained on his way home early on Wednesday.

Gunmen Storm Tunisian Museum, Kill 17 Foreign Tourists, Two Tunisians

Security forces are reportedly surrounding two militants who may have taken hostages in a nearby museum.

Dubai World Unit, Port And Free Zone World, Completes $1.1bn Loan

The funds will be used to help the company meet commitments at the group and subsidiary levels.

US Embassy In Saudi Continues To Remain Closed Over Security Fears

Currently no visa or consular services are being provided in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dhahran.

Qatar Undertaking Projects Worth $8.48bn To Boost Tourism – Report

Over $2.5 billion worth of contracts were awarded in Qatar’s hotel and tourism sector last year.

Saudi Crude Exports Up In January To 7.47m Bpd

Production was steady in January at 9.680 million bpd from 9.630 million bpd in December.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Drop As U.S. Oil Hits 6-Year Low

Dubai’s index fell 3.6 per cent by Wednesday’s close to a 10-week low of 3,408 points.

Etihad Rail To Begin Commercial Operations In 2015

The first phase of the network that is currently under testing is scheduled to begin operations soon, an official said.

Qatar Central Bank Governor Says Won’t Review Currency Peg

He declined to elaborate on the reasons for Qatar sticking to its peg.

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Petroleum To Explore Big Morocco Offshore Area

The company has an exclusive licence to carry out a geological survey of the Mediterranee Ouestarea, which comprises 3,433 sqkm.

Lower Oil Prices Boosting Middle Eastern Real Estate Investment

There has been a direct correlation between the drop in oil price and applicants registering to buy residential property, according to Christie’s real estate arm.

Dubai Developer Arady To Handover Units At DIFC Tower From March-End

The Central Park Residential Tower in DIFC consists of 426 apartments.

Three Iraqis Dead In Explosion Near Kuwaiti Border

Police sources in Iraq said the victims were civilians who died in an explosion from a truck trailer.

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

WhatsApp Named MENA’s Most Popular Social Media Site

Around 41 per cent of social media users in the Arab world preferred to communicate via WhatsApp, a report says.

Dubai’s DGCX In Talks With Local Bank For Spot Gold Contract

The exchange, which currently trades gold futures, said last year that the spot contract was expected to be for 1 kilogramme (32 troy ounces) of 0.995 purity gold.

Emirates President Rebuts Resignation Claims

Speaking in Washington, he said discussions with US authorities had been “very constructive”.

Obama Administration Questions U.S. Airlines On Subsidy Claims -Source

The administration asked U.S. airline representatives about 20 questions in writing last week about their method in determining the subsidy allegations.

Etihad Received Loans And Equity Investment From Shareholder – CEO

Hogan said few young companies have operated as transparently as Etihad, which is little more than a decade old.

Bahrain’s BBK Launches $400m 5-yr Dollar Bond

The transaction will have a spread of 200 basis points over midswaps, a document showed.

Tripoli-Based Trader Offers Libyan Oil To UAE Firm In Fraud Attempt

All oil sales in Libya needed to be routed through a state oil firm based in the east.

Emirates Airline Says Will Rebuff U.S. Allegations, Seeks Apology

Emirates airline’s Tim Clark said that some figures in the report are factually wrong and that the airline will set the record straight.

Kuwait Renews $1bn Jet Fuel, Gasoil Supply Deals With BP

The contracts that cover 2015 will see Kuwaiti jet fuel flow through the BP system to Dubai and several European Airports, KPC said.