HAGUE / AFP Dutch retail giant Ahold and Belgian rival Delhaize have announced that they have finalised their mega-merger after US regulatory authorities gave the union the green light. Both groups said they had inked an agreement to take effect from 2201 GMT after the Federal Trade Commission gave its assent. The FTC had earlier said the sale of ...

  Bloomberg Wizz Air Holdings Plc cut UK capacity-growth plans for the rest of this year by half as Britain’s vote to exit the European Union is set to weigh on fares and demand. Wizz Air will add just two aircraft to serve new UK routes instead of four and won’t increase the number of flights serving existing routes to ...

  Bloomberg United Continental Holdings Inc. rose to its highest value in almost three months after Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz said he is reviewing all aspects of the airline’s operations in an effort to boost profitability. “It is a top-to-bottom, full-scale view on everything that we do,” Munoz said. “It’s something that we have to do and acknowledge, and ...

  Lisbon / AFP Alfama, one of the oldest and most picturesque areas of Lisbon, is becoming a victim of its own charm. Short-term lets to tourists are driving up rents and driving out old residents. “They want to throw me out to rent my home to tourists,” complained retired salesman Antonio Melo, 70. His house has changed owners four ...

  Immokalee / AFP Armed with an orange staple gun and dozens of burlap squares entwined with ratty green roots, Mike Kane wades hip-deep into the swamp to restore what generations of thieves have stolen. The ghost orchid. Once abundant in the Florida Everglades, experts say fewer than 2,000 ghost orchids (Dendrophylax lindenii) are left in the state, where it ...

  Reuters Libya’s hopes to boost crude exports have been dealt a blow after the head of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) objected to a deal between the government and local guards to reopen key ports. In a letter seen by Reuters to U.N. Libya envoy Martin Kobler and a number of oil and diplomatic officials, NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla ...

  Emirates Business One of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent real estate development companies believes its first venture in the UAE can help mould the changing face of Dubai residential property over the next few years. Riyadh-based ARTAR Real Estate Development says a big focus on genuine liveability and a payment plan requiring only a 30% investment prior to completion has ...

  REUTERS The board of Jarir Marketing , one of Saudi Arabia’s largest retailers by market value, has proposed paying a cash dividend of 1.25 riyals per share for the second quarter of 2016, it said in a statement on Sunday. The company paid shareholders a 1.46 riyal dividend for the corresponding period of 2015.

  REUTERS Saudi Arabia’s Alinma Bank reported a 12.1 percent rise in second-quarter net profit on Thursday, in line with the average forecasts of analysts, as expenses dropped. Net profit in the three months to June 30 was 409 million riyals ($109.1 million), compared to 365 million riyals in the same period last year, it said in a bourse statement. ...

  TNS Bracing up to ensure a peaceful and smooth Haj this year, the Ministry of Health has designed several methods such as e-applications and awareness booklets to benefit pilgrims during Haj. This is besides the regular arrangements like wearing bracelets etc. for their location and safe return. Haj preparatory committees held their 22nd meeting in the ministry’s bureau in ...