US-Chartered Flydubai Plane Reaches Dubai After Being Diverted To Iran

The aircraft, carrying about 100 Americans from Afghanistan, was diverted to Iran because of issues with its flight plan.

Saudi Awards $1.8m Deal For Study Into High-Speed Rail Line Between Riyadh, Dammam

Transport consultancy Consultrans said it had been awarded a 10-month contract to conduct the study.

Egypt Charges Ex-President Mursi With Leaking State Secrets To Qatar

The public prosecutor said Mursi’s aides leaked documents which detailed the country’s foreign and domestic policies.

Bahrain Postpones Trial Of Prominent Human Rights Activist

Maryam al-Khawaja has been charged with entering the country illegally, assaulting a policewoman and insulting King Hamad.

Saudi Arabia Cushions Labour Reform With New Hours, Subsidies

A draft law limiting working hours is among measures to limit the impact of labour reforms in the Kingdom

Saudi Bristles As Turmoil Looms Large In The Middle East

The Kingdom is wary of the growing influence that the Islamic State is wielding across the region.

Interview: Lady Gaga On Music And Critics Ahead Of Dubai Concert

Lady Gaga will perform in Dubai on September 10 as part of her artRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball show.

Top Dubai Refiner Kaloti Obeying Conflict Gold Rules, Audit Finds

Reports by UK media in February alleged the group had failed to examine suspicious deals.

Dubai’s Population To Grow 5% In 2014

Males constitute 75 per cent of Dubai’s current population, indicating a gender imbalance in the emirate, a new report says.

Qatar National Bank Says Buying 12.5% Stake In Ecobank

The stake will consist of current outstanding ordinary shares and the conversion of QNB’s convertible preference shares.

Saudi Steps Up Ebola, MERS Monitoring Ahead Of Haj

The Kingdom has stationed health officials at all entry ports to monitor the health status of pilgrims coming to perform Haj, officials said.

Kuwait Petroleum Eyes Stake In Indian Refinery

India, the world’s fourth largest oil consumer, imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs.

Oman Oil Signs $1.85bn Two-Part Loan Facility

The cash raised is expected to be used for general business purposes.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Says Receives Approval For Stake Increase In Burgan Bank

A bourse filing by KIPCO added that its direct and indirect stake in Kuwait’s Burgan Bank currently stands at 57.94 per cent.

Saudi’s Advanced Petrochemical To Invest In $1bn Plant In South Korea

The project will be financed 40 per cent equity and 60 percent debt, the company said.

UAE-Based Namshi To Be Part Of New Global Fashion E-Commerce Group

Rocket Internet group and Sweden’s Kinnevik are combining five international fashion e-commerce firms including Dafiti, Jabong, Lamoda, Namshi and Zalora.

Dubai Holding Unit In Talks To Raise Up To $1.1bn Loan -Sources

The unit, TECOM Investments, is expected to use the proceeds for its growth plans, while some of the cash would also be diverted to its parent company.

UAE Calls For “Unified Effort” Against Militancy In Region

The UAE’s foreign ministry called for cooperation and coordination against what it called the global scourge of terrorism, especially in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi Court Jails 24 Men On Terrorism Charges

The court said charges ranged from “the establishment of a terrorist cell planning to targeting oil pipelines,” having weapons, and planning attacks and at home and in Bahrain.

Saudi Religious Police Issue Rare Apology For Beating Briton

The Briton was in a women-only checkout aisle at a supermarket in Saudi Arabia when the officers approached him.

New Massive Lagoon Planned For $4bn Megaproject In Saudi

The lagoon, to be built by Crystal Lagoons, will be situated at the centre of a 240-hectare mixed project being developed by the Prince Sultan Cultural Centre.

Dubai’s Amlak Shareholders To Meet Sept 21 On Restructuring Plan

Creditors of the company approved a plan to restructure debts worth around $2.7 billion last month.

UAE’s Cinema Ad Spend Rises 31% In H1 2014

The growing number of moviegoers in the UAE has driven the rise in cinema ad spending.

Oman To Issue $1.3bn Of Bonds, Sukuk In Early 2015 -Banker

The issuance would be in local currency and would apparently be separate from an international, U.S. dollar-denominated sovereign bond issue which Oman has said it may conduct.

VoIP Services Such As Skype, Viber Illegal In UAE, Clarifies Regulator

The TRA has issued a brief statement saying only Etisalat and du are licensed to provide VoIP services in the country.

Abu Dhabi Fund ADIA Names Tipple As Head Of External Equities

Prior to joining ADIA, Brian Tipple held the position of chief investment officer at U.S.-based Key Private Bank.

MAF Announces $70m Phase 2 Expansion For City Centre Muscat

The new expansion project, which will begin later this year, will see the introduction of 60 new shopping and dining options.

UAE Named 12th Most Competitive Nation Globally, Qatar Falls Three Ranks

The UAE was named the most competitive country in the Middle East and North Africa region while Qatar and Saudi Arabia fell in their rankings, a report from the World Economic Forum shows.

Saudi August Non-Oil Business Growth Fastest Since July 2011

The seasonally adjusted SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers Index rose to 60.7 points last month – the highest level since July 2011.

UAE Business Activity Growth Hits Record High In August

The HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index climbed to 58.4 points in August from 58.0 in July and the highest since the series began in August 2009.