Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Etihad confirms additional flights to eight countries, including India, Egypt and Germany, starting July 16

Outbound passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi airport from other emirates within the UAE do not require to undergo a Covid-19 test to enter the emirate

Dubai Future Laboratories

Video: Sheikh Mohammed inaugurates Dubai Future Labs

Projects currently undertaken at the facility include ventilators, drones and autonomous vehicles

New mega urban development project, Masar, launched in Saudi’s Makkah

The project will see the addition of “tens of thousands” of hotel and residential units in Makkah in later phases

Japan’s SMBC Nikko to open branches in Paris, Abu Dhabi

SMBC Nikko’s overseas operations earned $143m before taxes in the year ended March

UAE aid plane to Iran

UAE has supplied over 1,000 metric tons of Covid-19 aid worldwide

It has assisted over a million medical workers in more than 70 countries to help them combat the Covid-19 pandemic

TRA to shutdown 2G network across UAE by 2022

UAE service providers will provide support to groups that may be affected by the shutdown

Kuwait Airways

Kuwait to restart commercial international passenger flights from August 1

A three-stage plan will see flights operate at 30 per cent capacity in the initial phase

microsoft

Microsoft permanently closes all but four retail stores worldwide

Microsoft’s digital storefronts reportedly reach more than 1.2 billion people every month

Confirmed: Sharjah private schools to reopen campuses next academic year

A health and safety officer will be appointed and trained in each school

Dubai Summer Surprises festival

Dubai Summer Surprises dates announced

The full calendar of events will be announced ahead of the festival, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment confirmed on Monday

Sharjah Municipality fees, fines can soon be paid using Google, Samsung and Apple e-wallets

Only cashless modes of payments will be accepted starting July 15

saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi net foreign assets rise for first time since January

The stockpile climbed by about SAR3bn ($800m) to reach $445bn

Dubai residents planning to travel abroad must get a permit in order to return

Residents do “not need a Covid-19 test or Dubai government approval to leave Dubai”

Emirates announces flights to more cities in July; network grows to 52 cities

Last week, the carrier announced the addition of scheduled passenger flights from seven cities in July

Pakistan Stock Exchange says building under attack by gunmen

The KSE 100 index, which dropped after news of the attack, gained 0.1 per cent at 11.40am in Karachi

Responsible AI

Here’s how regional firms can improve tech operations despite reduced budgets

The pandemic has hastened the digital transformation process for many companies

Oil extends drop with virus milestones spurring demand angst

A surge in cases across the southern and western US is causing states to reinstate measures, threatening the outlook for oil demand

Haj Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah

Haj Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah, founder of Dubai Islamic Bank, dies

Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan paid tribute to the founder of the world’s first Islamic bank

Saudi’s Islamic Development Bank lists $1.5bn sustainability sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The AAA-rated sustainability sukuk is the first Covid-19 related sukuk in the global capital markets

UAE cabinet approves Dh320m budget for national universities

The federal cabinet also approved a national system for sustained agriculture

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE registers 437 cases, 2 fatalities; 3,989 cases, 40 deaths in Saudi

The death toll in Saudi Arabia has crossed 1,550

Sharjah leads list of high-growth ecosystems globally – report

The report cites Sharjah’s commitment to research and innovation, presence of strengths such as education technology and the creative economy, and access to talent as its primary assets

Dubai’s Emirates Islamic offers incentives to UAE healthcare professionals

The bank is offering the Skywards Infinite Card, Etihad Guest Premium Credit Card, and the free for life Cashback Plus Visa Signature Credit Card and RTA Credit Card to healthcare professionals

Dubai builder ASGC group cuts 15% of its workforce

Almost 2,300 employees, including engineers and project managers, were dismissed this month

Saudi says three Iranian boats forced to retreat after entering its waters

Border Guard officials said they were forced to fire warning shots at the boats

Saudi bank NCB plans $15.6bn takeover of rival Samba

The combined bank would have total assets of about $210bn, making it the third largest in the region behind Qatar National Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank

UAE warns of hefty fines for those violating Covid-19 precautions

Penalties will be doubled for those repeating the violation while third time offenders could face imprisonment for up to six months and an increased fine of Dhs100,000

Abu Dhabi resumes indoor sporting activities, gyms can operate for 24 hours

Showers, saunas, changing rooms and prayer rooms are not to be used

An epidemic of contaminated waste is following the coronavirus

Manila in the Philippines produced an additional 280 tons a day of medical trash, while Jakarta generated 212 tons

GCC’s education sector: Paving the way ahead

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, amid a perennial pursuit of digitisation to empower education, how bright is the outlook for the GCC’s education sector?