UAE salaries to rise 4.6% in 2017, down from 4.9% in 2016

New report says employees in Saudi, Qatar and Kuwait can expect higher wage hikes next year

Etihad Flight College adds new trainer aircraft to fleet

Etihad Flight College will be the world’s first flight school to use the Phenom 100E in the initial phase of training

Two killed in UAE helicopter crash during Yemen mission

The pilot and co-pilot were among the UAE forces taking part in the Saudi-led operations in Yemen

UAE online platform TV.ae to help boost Arabic talent

Marwan Saab, chief creative officer of the newly launched platform TV.ae, is hoping to bring to bring a new generation of Arabic talent to the regional and international stage

Saudi cabinet approves land tax, foreign investment rules

Foreign investors will be able to own 100 per cent of retail and wholesale businesses

Dubai’s Nakheel awards Dhs 4m contract for Deira Islands

The contract is for work on a sewage treatment plant at the Deira Islands development

Emirates stowaway teenager sent back to China without charge

The boy allegedly made the journey after hearing that beggars can make a lot of money in Dubai

Dubai airport passenger traffic climbs 7.2% in April

Double-digit growth in traffic to and from Eastern Europe and Asia led to the rise

Dubai-based pay TV network OSN appoints new CEO

Martin Stewart replaces David Butorac, who served as OSN’s CEO from 2010.

First Avani hotel in the Middle East to open in Dubai in July

Minor Hotels brand taking over the management of Movenpick Deira

Qatar convicts Dutch woman arrested for reporting rape

The woman was given a one-year suspended sentence and will be deported

UAE, Saudi condemn deadly terror attack in Orlando

The attack at the Pulse club on Sunday left 49 people dead

Saudi Arabia implements strict anti-smoking laws

The kingdom bans smoking in public areas and regulates tobacco sale

ENOC group CEO appointed Gulf Energy Maritime chairman

Saif Humaid Al Falasi takes over the post from IPIC’s Khalifa Al Romaithi

Saudi Electricity invites global bids for two solar plants

Each plant will generate up to 50MW using photovoltaic technology

Qatar’s Ooredoo mandates banks for US dollar bond issue

The bond is expected to be launched after investor roadshows in US, Asia, the Middle East and Europe

Emirates’ dnata acquires stake in Destination Asia

The acquisition marks dnata’s first foray into Asia’s inbound travel market

Dubai’s Meydan raises Dhs 1bn Islamic financing

The money will help strengthen Meydan’s capital structure and support new projects

Qatar Investment Authority acquires $2.5bn Singapore tower

The acquisition of Asian Square Tower 1 marks the largest single tower real estate transaction in Asia Pacific

Pilot, co-pilot die in UAE military helicopter crash

The helicopter crashed over international waters during a routine flight

Riyadh Metro project now 36% complete

Tunneling excavation work completed on the $2.27bn Green line

Dubai’s ruler approves Dhs 335m RTA Expo 2020 control centre

The new five-storey building will help manage public transport systems required for Expo 2020

New SaudiGulf airline gets licence to begin domestic flights

The new airline will be awarded a national carrier licence on June 22

Oman dismisses expats’ income tax fears

Ministry confirms it has no plans to immediately follow Saudi Arabia’s lead to raise revenue

Dubai briefly shuts airspace after unauthorised drone activity

The shutting of the airspace around noon on Saturday caused several flight disruptions

Dutch woman arrested in Qatar after reporting rape

The 22-year-old is facing charges of having an extramarital affair

Saudi may begin privatising postal system by 2017

Authorities are still studying how much of Saudi Postal would be sold

Landmark Saudi bond takes step forward

The kingdom is expected to raise at least $10bn as it seeks to tackle its burgeoning fiscal deficit

Sandstorm warning issued for the UAE

Motorists cautioned as northwesterly winds are expected to stir up dust clouds across the country

Manchester City group ready to add more clubs to roster

City Football Group chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has discussed the company’s future aspirations