Abu Dhabi Developers Aldar, Sorouh Merger Effective

The merged entity, called Aldar Properties, has assets of over Dhs46 billion and a market capitalisation of around Dhs16.7 billion.

Emaar, Meraas Launch Affordable Hotel Brand, Dubai Inn

The new hotels will be located across the city, and aim to support Dubai’s goal of attracting 20 million visitors by 2020.

Al Jazeera Hires Hundreds As It Prepares To Debut In America

Al Jazeera America, with headquarters in New York, plans to launch in late-August this year.

Kuwait Fund Says More Than Doubled UK Investment In Past 10 Years

Kuwait Investment Authority, which has around $342 billion assets under management, has increased investment in Britain to over $24 billion.

Saudi Special Report: Shifting Sands

Facing economic risk from the Eurozone and US, oil price volatility, and regional political uncertainty, will Saudi Arabia continue to make foreign investors wary?

Immolation In Riyadh Exposes Plight Of Arab Stateless In Saudi Arabia

A watermelon seller died after he set himself on fire in Riyadh last month.

Former Qatari PM Drove Bold, Maverick Foreign Policy

Sheikh Hamad was replaced as prime minister and foreign minister in a cabinet reshuffle following the accession of 33-year-old Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani as emir.

Dubai’s Emirates Plans New Aircraft Lease Deal For A380

The airline plans to lease the Airbus A380 aircraft from a finance company that will issue $630 million of bond-type certificates to fund the purchase.

Qatar Lifts 2013 GDP Growth Forecast To 5.3%

The Gulf state upped its forecast from 4.8 per cent, citing changes to its expected output of oil and gas.

Al Jazeera Director-General Resigns To Take Up Government Post

Ahmed bin Jassim al-Thani said he was leaving the network “to serve his country”, without indicating which government post he was taking.

Prince Alwaleed Sued Over Private Jet Sale To Gaddafi

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is expected to give evidence in a London court next week.

Saudi Clerics Approve Call For Fewer Haj Pilgrims This Year

Last year more than three million pilgrims travelled to Mecca for the pilgrimage.

New Qatar Emir Says Will Not “Take Direction” In Foreign Affairs

In his first speech as head of state Sheikh Tamim said he would follow in the “path” of his father, architect of an assertive foreign policy.

Dubai-Based App Wally Receives Dhs1.5m Funding

The personal finance application has 100,000 active users and plans to introduce a new planning and budgeting feature.

Kuwait Cabinet Sets Parliamentary Vote For July 27

This is the sixth assembly contest in seven years in the Gulf country.

Qatar To Change PM, Foreign Minister Under New Emir

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani will step down after Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani handed power to his son.

Baskin-Robbins Opens 650th Middle East Store

The opening also marked the U.S.-brand’s 34th year in the UAE as figures show it occupies 69 per cent of the local market share.

DP World Increases Dubai Port Capacity

The extension of Terminal 2 by one million TEU increases total capacity to 15 million TEUs.

Residential Rents Rise in Riyadh, Jeddah

While rents in Riyadh rose by seven per cent on average, lease rate for villas in Jeddah were up around four per cent, says new report.

Dubai International Records 18.9% Growth In May

Australia was the fastest growing destination with 50 per cent growth following the launch of Qantas flights

Dubai’s Nakheel In Talks To Refinance $2.2bn Loan

The developer almost defaulted on its debts and agreed to a $16 billion restructuring in 2011.

Qatar To Change PM Under New Emir – Reports

The current minister of state for interior affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Naser al-Thani, will succeed the Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani.

The Energy Behind Qatar’s Rising Power

The oil and gas sector generated over half of Qatar’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012.

Dubai Hires C.Suisse For Tunisia Telco Stake

Emirates International Telecommunications is stepping up sales from its telecoms portfolio to help repay Dubai’s debt pile.

Saudi Arabia Labels Syrian War On Rebels “Genocide”

Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal criticised Iran, Russia and Hezbollah for backing and arming Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Can Dubai Truly Become A Global Fashion Hub By 2020?

Experts believe the emirate has what it takes to achieve its ambitious goal.

World’s Largest Construction Firm To Invest In $1bn Dubai Hotel

China State Construction Engineering Corporation will make its first-ever Middle East investment in the Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah project.

Emirates NBD Announces Stan Chart’s Nelson As New CEO

Emirates NBD had previously said Pudner will see out his role until the end of the year when the change of position is expected to happen.

Bahrain Parliament Approves 11% Rise In Budget Spending

Budget expenditure in the small non-OPEC oil exporter is now expected to total 3.62 billion dinars in 2013, up from 3.26 billion actually spent last year.

Etihad Starting Daily Sao Paulo Flights In August

The airline has been quick to increase capacity on the newly launched route.