EDITOR'S CHOICE

1. Villa prices fall by up to 45% amid real estate slump »
2. UAE 'likely to see budget deficit in 2009' »
3. Saudi economic cities unaffected by falling oil, says CEO »
4. Free healing for job losers  »
5. Internet services fully restored in Qatar - Qtel »

Banking & Finance

1. Abu Dhabi bank chief resigns
2. Arab banks set to see 2009 profits fall by up to 40%

Construction & Industry

1. Meydan confident of hitting 2010 World Cup deadline
2. Construction chief predicts many firms will go bust

Culture & Society

1. Female suicide bomber kills 35 in Baghdad
2. Expats receive leeway over ID card deadline

Education

1. First Gulf signs $323mn Sorbonne campus loan
2. New university students to face Arabic test

Energy

1. Oil price rises above $50 to one-month high
2. New Bahrain energy services firm to create 250 jobs

Healthcare

1. UAE healthcare sector bucks economic trend
2. Bird flu flutters closer to Gulf countries

Islamic Finance

1. Noor Investment's global expansion plans 'on hold'
2. Saudi Hollandi completes $207mn sukuk sale

Media & Marketing

1. GCC's Apprentice show set for TV debut
2. First Emirati feature film set to start production

Personal Finance

1. Consumer pain as banks tighten lending rules
2. Bank makes pledge on lending amid financial crisis

Politics & Economics

1. Moody's cuts outlook on Bahrain sovereign rating
2. Fighting rages in Gaza as Israel rebuffs truce calls

Real Estate

1. Sweet Homes awards three-tower contract
2. Dubai rental index awaits roll out

Retail

1. Fashion retailer plans GCC expansion in 2009
2. Abu Dhabi gold jewellery sales fall 40% in Dec

Sport

1. Meydan confident of hitting 2010 World Cup deadline
2. Beckham set for AC Milan debut in Dubai

Technology

1. Shrinking Apple CEO reveals illness details
2. Internet services fully restored in Qatar - Qtel

Transportation

1. Transport chiefs reject idea of Dubai taxi fare rise
2. Dubai set to triple bus service amid Metro fears

Travel & Hospitality

1. Airport approval set to cut Abu Dhabi fog delays
2. Dubai hotels slash rates by up to 40%