All Emirates flights to Auckland to be operated by A380 from Oct 1; other services improved
Author Archives: Staff Writer
New app tells Muslims when, where to pray during flight
Singapore company develops app for smart phones including in flight reminders
Saudi lingerie shops caught violating women rules
Total of 2,600 stores not meeting new mandatory requirements to hire women
Egypt crisis
At least 30 killed in Cairo protest crackdown
Armoured vehicles move in alongside bulldozers which began clearing away tents
Fifty petitions lodged against Kuwaiti election
Claims July 27 poll was unconstitutional, votes miscalculated
Kuwait axes TV show for instigating hatred
Gov’t caught off-guard by cleric’s radical new series appearing on state TV
World’s highest earning authors 2013
The list is based on global sales between June 2012 and June 2013 and contains many household names
UAE hotelier offers travel agents diamonds in bid to boost bookings
JA Resorts & Hotels’ incentive programme has resulted in a 5.2% rise in business
SMEs
New du product speeds up SME connectivity
du’s latest package offers quick, easy and economical solutions to small businesses’ connectivity needs
UAE gov’t bans private emails at work
New regulation includes use of Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo!
Saudi Arabia to recruit domestic workers from 9 new countries
Recruitment agencies warn kingdom not to give in to exporting countries’ salary demands.
Singapore’s Banyan Tree in talks for more MidEast hotels
Negotiations underway for properties in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
Dubai taxis made 50m trips in first half of 2013
RTA figures show number of trips rose by three percent compared to last year
Talks resume as Israel frees Palestinians, pursues settlements
Diplomacy remained dogged by Israeli plans for more Jewish homes on land the Palestinians claim for a future state
Bahrain protests
Bahrain tightens security ahead of planned protests
Largest opposition group said it was not planning to officially join protests although it supported the right to peaceful demonstrations
Two men given death sentence in Qatar for murder of security guard
Two youths who were involved in the crime were given five year jail sentences and will be deported
Doubts over Dubai Amir Khan boxing match
Plans for December event included building a temporary venue at the base of Burj Khalifa
Egypt crisis
Clashes in Cairo as political crisis drags on
Supporters and opponents of ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi battle in the streets
Saudi stock market gains after Eid holidays
Dubai bourse also closes higher, suggesting its bull run is not yet stalling
UAE expats to be charged $136 for health cards
Cards entitle holders to a discount on healthcare at government facilities
How long before all expats will be told to pay tax?
The US already targets those living abroad. How long before cash-strapped London follows suit?
Abu Dhabi’s Aldar says CEO is stepping down
Developer says Sami Asad will leave on August 15; has been CEO since 2010
Rotana Jet launches flights from Abu Dhabi to Salalah
Charter schedule will operate during August and September for the Khareef Festival
Saudi’s Alkhabeer to seek stock market listing
Islamic investment company also plans to broaden portfolio around the Gulf region
Dubai’s Abraaj invests in Indian healthcare firm
Private equity company invests in Rainbow Hospitals which is looking to expand across India
Construction work starts on Dubai theme park
First rides to be shipped to the UAE later this year for Dubai City of Arabia development
Emirates set to launch fifth Pakistan route
Dubai carrier says it will start four weekly flights to city of Sialkot from November 5
Abu Dhabi-backed Carlyle in $1.39bn deal to sell aerospace firm
Aerospace communications firm Arinc has been sold to Rockwell Collins
Barclays reviews UAE retail business for potential sale
UK banking giant says review is still at a preliminary stage and no decision has been made
Banking & Finance
UAE lifts ban on loan transfers for nationals
The conditions will help avoid abuses and better regulate loan transfers, say bankers
Global Islamic Economy Summit to debut in Dubai
SME development will be among the key issues to be discussed at high-profile summit
Transport
Saudi threatens to ban airlines who leave pilgrims without return flights
A new memo also bans airlines which are blacklisted by European authorities
Irish celebrity chef Rachel Allen expands east
Has signed deals for products in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul
Abu Dhabi doubles capital for development fund to over $4bn
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has supported 325 development projects in 59 countries around the world
Israel names Palestinians to be freed before peace talks
Negotiations due to resume on Wednesday as US urges sides “not to react adversely” to settlements
US eyeing Syrian opposition alliances, chemical weapons moves
Washington to discuss more military collaboration in Jordan
Bahrain protests
Bahrain will “forcefully confront” planned August 14 protests – PM
Government has banned protests and toughened anti-terrorism laws, including imposing longer prison terms and stripping perpetrators of Bahraini nationality
Transport
Etihad and equity partners in talks for group plane order
Abu Dhabi carrier said negotiations with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing are in the “final stages”
Transport
Porsche announces arrival of new Panamera in the UAE
Ten new models landed in the UAE market on August 11th as part Panamera’s new range
Saudi blogger sentenced to 600 lashes not hopeful about appeal – lawyer
Raif Badawi avoided the death penalty but was sentenced to more than seven years for “insulting Islam”
British Michelin star chef to open Dubai venue in 2014
Jason Atherton helped launch Gordon Ramsay’s Verre restaurant
Deutsche, HSBC tussle with Saudi telco on $1.2bn loan
Lenders are looking at potential losses of up to $600 million, banking and industry sources said
Real Estate
Dubai’s Emaar doubles housing and land sales
Developer behind the Burj Khalifa generated revenue of AED1.63bn ($443.78m) in the three months ending June 30
Libya’s two largest oil export terminals closed again
Armed guards who were previously on strike re-impose closure
Al Qaeda claims bombings in Iraq, warns of more
Bombings marked deadliest Ramadan in years and warned government to stop arresting suspected militants
Transport
Infiniti set to reveal new Q30 concept car in September
Japanese automaker to stage the world premiere of its latest concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show
Dubai’s DPG plans eight new mosques
Dubai Properties Group allocates plots in many of its master developments
Egypt crisis
Mursi backers call for marches to foil Egypt crackdown
Supporters of deposed President call for action as action looms to clear protest camps
Top five Euro leagues protest at Qatar 2022 winter switch
Chairman of the European Professional Football Leagues sends letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Bahrain plans country’s first floating market
Site for the plan needs UNESCO approval as it is located at world heritage site
UK law firm picks Dubai for Gulf launch
Fenwick Elliott to open office in UAE in early 2014 after 24% revenue rise in last financial year
Dubai Police log 25,000 emergency calls over Eid
Nearly 1,600 accidents were reported over the holiday weekend
Saudi fund helps set up more than 6,000 SME jobs
Centennial Fund also signs deals to bring funding for new businesses to close to $667m
British shirtmaker to open 26 stores across Gulf
Hawes & Curtis ties up with the UAE’s Korath Holding in $5m deal for shops in GCC