Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan launches campaign to promote the culture of volunteering and loyalty to the UAE
Politics
Thousands stuck as Aleppo evacuation deal hits last-minute hitch
Convoy of 60 buses carrying people desperate to leave the last rebel-held enclave of Aleppo is held up in freezing temperatures
Bahrain ‘to raise housemaid visa fees’ in 2018
Sponsors would be asked to pay $133 per employee to cover health insurance, under new plans
38% of MidEast family firms ‘have no succession plan in place’
PwC survey also reveals that almost two thirds of family businesses have grown this year despite economic challenges
No visa issuance, renewal in Dubai without health insurance, says DHA
Fine of $136 per person per month will be applicable from January 1, says DHA
Qatar 2022
Bangladesh unions join suit against FIFA over Qatar World Cup workers
Lawsuit calls on FIFA to force Qatar to adopt ‘minimum labour standards’ for migrant workers working on 2022 tournament
Washington to check if Russia-Qatar oil deal violates sanctions
Kremlin has presented the $11.3bn deal as a major coup; demonstrates that for foreign investors the lure of Russia’s oil sector outweighs the risks
Outlook remains negative for GCC banks, says Fitch
Ratings agency says continuing low oil prices to pressure bank liquidity and asset quality
Rights group says Doha News blockage ‘sad and disappointing’
Human Rights Watch says move undermines Qatar’s attempts to present itself as a centre for media freedom
UAE co-ordinating with US authorities over fatal shooting of Emirati student in Ohio
Summit County Medical Examiner’s office said Saif Nasser Mubarak Alameri’s death has been ruled as a homicide
Bosnian businesses adopt halal standards to cater for Gulf visitors, investors
Halal market was worth more than $1 trillion in 2015, and growing by about 15 percent a year
Saudi-backed tech fund ‘to invest $50bn in US’, claims Donald Trump
US President-elect Donald Trump says held meeting with SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son
Bahrain authorities ‘block’ Al Jazeera reporter from GCC summit
Ministry of Information said news network was not permitted to cover event attended by British PM Theresa May
Saudi Arabia to form $13bn housing refinancing company
Saudi Refinancing Company said to be part of government efforts to develop mortgage sector in kingdom
Kuwait denies surveillance of private social media accounts
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior calls reports ‘baseless and untrue’; would violate information technology law
Oman said to be looking at spending cuts in 2017 budget
Sources say expenditure is likely to be slashed again next year in move to reduce deficit caused by low oil prices
Saudi central bank sees record $36bn fall in gov’t account in October
Jadwa Investment says slump in funds reflect the resumption of government payments to contractors