Since President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday, the White House has offered an evolving series of rationales for the decision. Trump himself offered a new one on Thursday — several, actually — but he didn’t exactly clarify things. In an interview with NBC News, after making the implausible claim that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had …

The US banned in March laptop and tablets in cabin baggage on flights originating from eight countries, impacting global hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul. It applied also to any electronics devices larger than smartphones. The action affected major carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. The measure includes 10 international airports in seven Middle Eastern countries …

Just about everybody assumes that China will overtake the US as the world’s indispensable economy. One factor, however, could slow its seemingly relentless march and cast doubt on China’s prospects for becoming an advanced economy: faltering productivity. Sure, China is advancing daily in wealth, technology and expertise. But nothing is inevitable in economics. As costs rise and the labor force …

Greece is considering tapping the capital markets for the first time in three years. Let’s hope its second attempt to regain market access goes more smoothly for investors than its first. A bond sale in July or September is being considered — if a deal on debt relief is reached, and the European Central Bank adds Greek debt to the …

Strolling through the bustling construction zone of Amazon’s urban campus in Seattle, you instantly recognize the charm offensive the company has aimed at its hometown. ‘Banistas’ at two outdoor stands offer bananas to employees and passers-by — a visual cue to Amazon’s smiley logo. Most American cities would do backflips to have a jobs juggernaut like Amazon.com Inc. in their …

Dubai / WAM His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday visited Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, where he announced the launch of ‘Marsa Al Arab’. Marsa Al Arab is a comprehensive tourist destination that aims to elevate family tourism in Dubai, as well as provide …

Dubai / WAM The Department of Finance for the Government of Dubai (DOF), the Investment Corporation of Dubai and Dubai Aviation City Corporation, have announced the successful signing of Airport Financing Company FZE, FINCO, US$3 billion credit facilities. The facilities represent the debut financing for FINCO as part of the long-term funding platform established for Dubai Airports. HSBC acted as …

Dubai / WAM The Board of Directors of the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF) held its first meeting on Sunday in Dubai, where members discussed internal regulations, future strategic directions, plans, and work programmes for the coming period, which will contribute to further regional and international outreach. Its objectives are to expand the trade of halal products through multilateral recognition …

Dubai / WAM Following the directive of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and as a step to reduce exorbitant wedding costs, the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, PCFC, is holding its sixth mass wedding for 100 staff members under the theme “Emirates of Happiness” at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on May 25, with the participation …

Bloomberg Red tape, rising costs and declining crude prices are throttling exploration in Indonesia, the former OPEC member that now produces less oil than it uses. Only 20 percent of the 287 onshore rigs operated by contractors for local and foreign explorers are at work, compared with 60 percent in 2012, accor- ding to Wargono Soenarko, chairman of the Indonesian …