Tourism & Hospitality | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 1:05 pm

UAE spa revenues to hit AED 8.3 billion by 2017

By the end of 2015, the UAE’s spa industry is forecast to achieve revenues of AED 5.5 billion, rising to AED 8.3 billion by 2017, making it one of the most valuable tourism-related industries in the Middle East, with the MENA region the second fastest-growing market in the world for spas...

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Business & Money | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 12:49 pm

GCC plastics producers deliver solutions for climate change

Plastics producers in the Arabian Gulf region are taking strides forward in doing their part to contribute to climate protection, says the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, on the sideline of the 21st edition of the Conference of Parties (COP21) climate talks underway in Paris from 30...

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Technology & IT | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 12:44 pm

Gartner Says Smart Cities Will Use 1.6 Billion Connected Things in 2016

Gartner, Inc. estimates that 1.6 billion connected things will be used by smart cities* in 2016, an increase of 39 percent from 2015 (see Table 1). "Smart commercial buildings will be the highest user of Internet of Things (IoT) until 2017, after which smart homes will take the lead with...

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Business & Money | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 9:34 am

Thuraya Supports Crossing of the Empty Quarter Expedition

Leading Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) operator Thuraya Telecommunications Company has announced its support of a re-enactment of the first-ever crossing of The Empty Quarter (Rub' Al Khali), the largest sand desert on earth. To coincide with the 45th National Day of the Sultanate ...

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Tourism & Hospitality | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 9:33 am

Marina Mall Abu Dhabi’s ‘mammoth’ surprise

Giant footsteps were imprinted in Abu Dhabi as Marina Mall unveiled the UAE’s latest historical attraction, a 15,000 year-old Woolly Mammoth. In the presence of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Advisor to the President of the UAE and Chairman of the National...

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Government | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 9:17 am

Plea to give Saudi women passports without consent of male guardians

The Shoura Council is planning to table a proposal for discussion on whether to allow Saudi women be issued passports without the consent of their male guardians, according to informed sources. The Security Affairs Committee of the Shoura Council will soon put forward the proposal for...

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Business & Money | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 5:05 am

Economic development with peace emphasized

The 7th edition of the Riyadh Economic Forum, which enjoys international attention because of its high-level of participation and discussion on important research papers on the growing economy of the Kingdom was inaugurated under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on...

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Business & Money | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 4:10 am

Human rights bodies can observe Dec. 12 civic polls

All preparations have been completed to hold the country’s third municipal council elections on Saturday, according to the committee overseeing the polls. Judai Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the committee, was quoted as saying at a press conference this week that all civil society...

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Government | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 3:59 am

King Salman seeks unified GCC action

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman met GCC Secretary-General Abdul Lateef Al-Zayani on Tuesday to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation among the six member countries and set the agenda for the two-day 36th GCC Summit Council meeting beginning on Wednesday. The king met with...

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Government | Wednesday 9 December, 2015 2:56 am

King honors winners of King Khalid Prize

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman graced the ceremony to honor winners of the 5th edition of King Khalid Prize at Faisaliyah Hotel in Riyadh on Tuesday evening. The King presented the prizes to winners in the three branches — “Excellence among non-profit...

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