SHARJAH / WAM Bank of Sharjah, reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2015, showing a continued growth of its loan book while maintaining the solid structure of its balance sheet, with high levels of both liquidity and equity. Total assets reached AED 27,587 million, an increase of 10 percent over the corresponding December 31, 2014 figure …

Dubai / WAM Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has developed its use of drone technology as part of its Sirb (Arabic for fleet) initiative, which contains a fleet of high-end drones used to support Dubai’s infrastructure and contribute to providing efficient and easy-to-use services. The initiative supports national efforts to use modern technologies to serve humanity. DEWA has improved …

Ritika Sharma / emirates business Cybercrime is the second most reported economic crime affecting 30 percent of the Middle East organisations, indicates ‘Global Economic Crime Survey 2016: Middle East’ report by pwc. In the wake of this alarming situation, Dubai Customs and General Directorate of Dubai Police Al Ameen Service organised a workshop themed around cyber extortion and the effect …

DUBAI / WAM HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, has approved Executive Council Resolution No (9) of 2016 on the amendment of the fee schedule related to licensing of professionals working in the field of ambulance services.

DUBAI / WAM The International Centre of Islamic Economy headquartered at the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority ( DAFZA ) officially launched the digital portal of the ‘Oasis of Innovation in Islamic Economy’ concurrently with the groundbreaking of the first global oasis dedicated to incubating creative ideas and entrepreneurial projects in support of the international Islamic economy.

Netherlands / AFP UN war crimes judges on Thursday acquitted radical Serb leader Vojislav Seselj on all nine charges of committing atrocities in the 1990s Balkans wars, in a surprise judgement which was swiftly denounced by Croatia. “The chamber by majority holds that the prosecution has not provided sufficient evidence to establish that the crimes were committed” by Seselj, Judge …

Belgium / AFP Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam wants to cooperate with French authorities once he is extradited from Belgium, his lawyer said on Thursday, as Belgian police carried out a raid linked to a foiled French terror plot. Soldiers and police could be seen taking part in the operation near a busy motorway in Courtrai in northwestern Belgium, the …

South Africa / AFP South Africa’s top court on Thursday delivered a damning verdict against President Jacob Zuma, saying he flouted the constitution over public funds used to upgrade his private residence, sparking immediate calls for him to be impeached. Zuma “failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution as the supreme law of the land,” Chief Justice MogoengMogoeng said …

Bloomberg The Hong Kong government threatened to bar formation of a political party advocating independence from China, adding to tensions over Beijing’s control of the city before legislative elections in September. Hong Kong is an “inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China” and any movement that advocates independence violates the city’s stability and the Basic Law, the city’s de-facto …

Myanmar / AFP Aung San Suu Kyi’s party moved on Thursday to make her a special state adviser, giving her access to every tier of government and cementing her control over Myanmar’s first civilian administration in decades. Hopes are growing the newly sworn-in government can accelerate the country’s economic and political rejuvenation after nearly half a century of military repression. …