Qatar, UAE among top 10 nations with most efficient governments

Qatar emerged as the country with the most efficient government, while the UAE ranked fifth worldwide according to a new report from WEF

UAE military officer dies in Yemen

The official news agency said that the soldier died while in active duty in Yemen

Qatar backs Iran deal, hopes Tehran will take “positive” stance

The deal might make Iran have a “better and positive approach” toward the GCC region, Qatar’s foreign minister says

Deported Australian woman hits back at UAE reports of car owner insults

Jodi Magi has denied that she wrote insulting words about the car owner along with a picture she posted on Facebook

Dragon Oil’s largest shareholder ENOC says no to dividend payment

ENOC, which owns 54 per cent of Dragon Oil, in June offered 750 pence per share to buy out minority shareholders

Etihad signs sponsorship deal with Saudi football club Al Ittihad

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will serve as the preferred airline for the Jeddah-based club

Former Saudi spy chief says Iran nuclear deal will “wreak havoc”

Officials and Saudi media with close ties to the ruling family have privately railed against the recent nuclear deal

Man blows self up planting bomb in Bahrain – ministry

The man was trying to plant a bomb in a Shi’ite village in the country, the ministry said

Saudi transport plans in focus as Talgo says train contract scrapped

The Spanish trainmaker won the $201m contract in February, following a feasibility study into building a high-speed rail line between Riyadh and Dammam

Kuwait seeks death for 11 mosque bombing suspects

State news agency KUNA said on Tuesday 29 people had been indicted on terrorism charges in relation to the attack

Saudi media label Iran deal an assault on Arab interests

A Saudi official said he feared the Iran agreement would make the Middle East more dangerous

UAE deports Australian woman jailed for Facebook post

Jodi Magi, a 39-year old graphic design teacher, was jailed after she reportedly posted a picture of a car parked across two disabled parking spots on Facebook

Dubai’s Mashreq Q2 net profit climbs 11%

For the first half of 2015, the bank reported a net profit of Dhs 1.3bn, up 11.6 per cent from a year earlier

UAE ranked eighth most attractive retail market globally

The UAE’s strong infrastructure and business friendly environment make the country an attractive market to retailers, a new study shows

Seychelles nationals get UAE visa waiver from July 16

The waiver will grant Seychellois visa-free arrival to the UAE for up to 90 days

Dubai Healthcare City implements new health insurance law

Under a new resolution, the authority is solely allowed to register healthcare facilities and approve prices within the freezone

Emirates to resume flights to Iraqi city of Erbil

The Dubai carrier said that it will follow a different flight path to Erbil in order to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Q2 net profit rises 26%

The lender made a profit of Dhs1.65bn in the second quarter of 2015, compared to Dhs1.31bn in the same period of 2014

U.S. concerned by Bahrain moves against opposition

The U.S. State Department said the detention of opposition figures in the country “raise serious concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression in Bahrain”

Iran deal may make region more dangerous – Saudi official

The official told Reuters Iran had destabilised the whole Middle East through its activities in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen

Obama calls UAE, Saudi leaders to discuss Iran deal

Obama noted the United States’ commitment to working with its Gulf partners to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region

Dubai’s Al Maktoum airport expansion to be done by Q1 2022

Al Maktoum International’s capacity is expected to reach 130 million in 2022 from its current capacity of five million passengers

UAE’s Aldar makes Dhs 1.9bn in H1 2015 on new project sales

The sales constituted land plots on Nareel Island and Al Merief developments, as well as unit sales at Meera at Shams Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s high-end residences see rents drop by 6-7% in Q2 2015

Locations such as Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Residences posted a significant quarterly drop in rents this year

Investcorp acquires Saudi testing services company

The value of the deal, Investcorp’s fifth in Saudi Arabia, was not disclosed

Most popular travel destinations for UAE travellers this Eid

Egypt, Turkey, India and Thailand are the most-sought after destinations, says travel website Destinia.com

Bahrain frees rights activist for health reasons

King Hamad issued a royal decree granting Rajab, one of the Arab world’s best-known democracy activists, a special pardon

Saudi militant suspect kills father and is shot dead by police

The suspected militant was shot dead by security forces in an exchange of fire

Bahrain’s Arcapita buys part of Abu Dhabi property project for $200m

The firm acquired phase one of Saadiyat Beach Residences, a residential real estate complex in Abu Dhabi

Stock news: Iran nuclear deal may dampen Gulf by depressing oil prices

The deal might specifically affect Saudi bourse, which is the most sensitive in the Gulf to oil prices due to its heavyweight petrochemical sector