Etihad Opens Sydney Premium Lounge

UAE carrier’s two-level facility offers free wifi and is the airline’s first lounge in Australia

Saudi Telecom Sets Up $1.33bn Sukuk Programme

The operator did not say when it would issue the sukuk.

UAE’s Etisalat Bids For Maroc Telecom Minority Shareholdings

Etisalat bought Paris-listed Vivendi’s stake in Maroc Telecom last week for $5.7 billion.

UAE Receives First Nuclear Energy Reactor Vessel

The country’s first nuclear energy reactor is on track to begin operations in 2017, say officials.

Al Jazeera Warns Life Of Its Journalist Jailed In Egypt Is At Risk

Abdullah Elshamy, one of four reporters being held in Egypt, has been on hunger strike since Jan. 21 to protest against his detention.

Saudi King On Holiday, Crown Prince In Charge – Royal Court

King Abdullah departed the Red Sea port city of Jeddah for Morocco.

Nokia XL On Sale In The UAE, Priced Dhs589

The smartphone is the premium offering within the affordable Nokia-X range.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air Says Losses Fell 52% In 2013 After Restructuring

Losses were cut by retiring aircraft, closing eight routes, reducing staff expenses and renegotiating over 2,000 contracts with suppliers, it said.

Kuwait’s Emir To Visit Iran, Turn “New Page” In Ties

Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah will visit Iran on May 31-June 1 at the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Oman Central Bank Says Stress Tests Find Banking System Resilient To Shocks

If all the applied stressed scenarios materialise, the banking system will need $201.3 million to recapitalise five deficient banks.

Etihad Regional Adds Five European Destinations

European expansion will feed traffic onto Etihad’s daily Zurich-Abu Dhabi flights which start June 1

Global Islamic Banking Assets To Exceed $3.4 Trillion by 2018

Combined profits of Islamic banks broke the $10 billion mark for the first time at the end of 2013

Emirates Could Buy More A380s If Airbus Revamps Jet – Executive

The carrier placed a surprise order for 50 more of the jumbo jets during the Dubai air show in November.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Gets Regulator Nod for Barclays UAE Buy

The lender received approval from the UAE central bank 10 days ago, confirms CEO.

Bollywood Film Bang Bang Completes Abu Dhabi Shoot

The Indian movie, starring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, is scheduled for release on October 2.

Kuwait’s Global Swings To A Profit In Q1 As Fees Grow

The firm saw a rise in fees from its asset management, investment banking and brokerage businesses.

Emaar, Vogue Plan Second Dubai Fashion Event In October

The three-day Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, to be held in Dubai Mall, will include a talent hunt for 20 emerging designers.

Lack Of Mentoring From Female Management Holding Back Women Leaders

The absence of female mentoring is a key barrier to getting more women into leadership roles, says Women In Leadership Economic Forum organiser.

First Look: Motorola Moto X

You can tell the model to find directions, set an alarm or open YouTube

Saudi’s Dar Al Arkan Plans Benchmark Five-Year Dollar Sukuk

The developer said on Monday it would talk with international investors on Tuesday ahead of a potential sukuk.

Etihad Airways Increases Stake In Virgin Australia

The voting powers of the UAE carrier increased to 21.24 per cent.

Stock News: Dubai Extends Drop In Volatile Trade

Dubai’s index fell 5.5 per cent on Monday, its biggest drop in eight months.

World Free Zones Organisation Launches In Dubai

The global NGO, headquartered in Dubai, aims to boost international awareness of free zones.

Qatar Airways To Start A380 Paris Flights

The 577-seat superjumbo will provide 271 more seats than the current A340-600

Airbus Chief Says A380 To Match Boeing’s Latest Jet 777X

Airbus plans to decide later this year whether to upgrade the wide-body jet with new engines.

UAE To Try Nine People For Recruiting Militants To Fight In Syria

Official news agency WAM said members of the cell had “collected funds and channelled them to a terrorist organisation, the al-Nusra Front”.

Saudi Arabia Approves $21bn Five-Year Education Plan

The plan includes building 1,500 nurseries and providing training for about 25,000 teachers.

UAE’s Lulu To Invest $200m On Halal-Only Hypermarkets In Malaysia

The supermarket chain plans to open five outlets across Malaysia in the next two years.

Saudi Arabia Closes Embassy In Libya Due To Security Concerns

Heavily armed gunmen stormed Libya’s parliament on Sunday demanding its suspension.

Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Appoints Acting CEO

Ahmad Abdulla Ali al-Abdulla replaces for former CEO Abdulla al-Subaie, who has resigned.