Saudi Arabia Jails Human Rights Activist Walid Abu al-Khair For 15 Years

Abu al-Khair had been on trial on sedition charges that included breaking allegiance to King Abdullah and showing disrespect for authorities.

Dubai’s CBD Arranges Dhs200m For Movenpick Hotel Acquisition

The financing was arranged for BMJBR Properties Limited, a company owned by the private equity arm of Bank Muscat, the lender said in a statement.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air Increases Summer Services To Beirut, Bangkok And Amman

Gulf Air’s services to all three destinations were reduced recently due to instability in those regions.

Dubai’s Finances Stronger But Still Vulnerable, IMF Says

Dubai’s government debt is expected under a baseline scenario to fall gradually to 41.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 2019 from 60.2 per cent in 2013, the IMF said.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Q2 Net Profit Jumps 28.1% On Higher Income

The lender cited higher operating income – which increased 17 per cent year-on-year – for the increase in net profit.

Saudi’s Emaar EC Says Port Unit Agrees Capital Hike To Fund Expansion

The port, which began operating on Jan. 6, currently has an annual capacity of 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units.

Etihad Starts Flights To Armenia

The new Abu Dhabi – Yerevan route will offer a total of 1,088 seats per week.

Kuwait’s Americana Says No Knowledge Of Any Suitors

Last week, Bloomberg reported private-equity firms KKR & Co LP and TPG Capital were among groups looking to buy a majority stake in the food retailer.

UAE Visitors Spent $1.145m In First Two Weeks Of FIFA World Cup- Visa

Middle East travellers have spent around $2.7 million on their visa cards since the start of the tournament, the payments provider said.

Stock News: Property, Banks Lift UAE Markets

Dubai’s main index climbed 2.4 per cent as shares in Arabtec jumped 5.4 per cent in early trade.

Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan Opens Its Doors

Accor’s largest regional apartment-hotel property targets long-stay guests in UAE capital.

Pictures: Dubai’s New Mega Mall Of The World Project

The development will include the world’s largest mall and a range of leisure, retail, cultural, wellness and hospitality options.

Saudi Electricity To Be Paid SAR2.7bn In Debt Owed

The payment will have a significant impact on earnings, the company said.

Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Q2 Net Profit Rises 8.8%

The company said rising costs had crimped its half-year profit due to a rising wage bill associated with localisation efforts.

Dubai Launches Project To Build World’s Biggest Mall

The eight million sq ft mall will be connected to a theme park, theatres, medical tourism facilities and 100 hotels and serviced apartments.

Nakheel Awards Dhs44m Contract For Al Furjan Community Centre

Construction is scheduled to begin in Q4 2014, and the centre is slated to open in March 2016.

GDF Suez Signs Agreement For $1.5bn Mirfa Project In Abu Dhabi

The french utility company signed a 25-year power and water purchase agreement with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company.

Airbus Lags Boeing In Order Race Despite Busy June

The European planemaker posted 515 orders between January and June, or 290 when adjusted for cancellations.

Bahraini Policeman Dies Of Bomb Blast Wounds – Ministry

The explosion occurred near the village of East Eker, south of the capital Manama.

Kuwait Warns Against Violent Protests

The government accused demonstrators of setting fire to tyres and garbage containers and destroying a restaurant last week.

Iraq Oil Shock To Lift Safe-Haven Currencies Before Those Of Crude Exporters

Any setback to the government in Southern Iraq could lead to greater demand for the more liquid currencies like the yen, the dollar and the Swiss franc.

Islamic Banks Rebrand In An Attempt To Go Mainstream

Aiming for growth in new territories and demographic groups, Islamic banks look to drop the “Islamic” from their moniker.

More People, Less Water Mean Rising Food Imports For Egypt

Even as Egypt wrestles with dwindling water from its only major source, the Nile, it pushes farmers to grow more to supply the country’s costly subsidised food programme.

Dubai World Repays $300m Early To Creditors – Sources

The payment came from the proceeds of asset sales completed by the firm and follows an initial sum of $284.5 million returned in March to creditors.

Applebees Adds 20 More Outlets To Its Middle East Portfolio

The American chain already has 34 outlets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and the UAE.

Iraq Denies Border Forces Withdrew From Saudi Arabian Frontier

An Iraqi spokesman said that the frontier was “fully in the grip” of Iraqi border troops.

Bahraini Bank ABC To Raise $500m Loan, Picks Arrangers

The facility will pay an interest rate of 120 basis points above the London interbank offered rate (Libor).

Dubai’s Drake & Scull Wins Dhs304 Million Contract In India

The contract incudes the construction of a 400 kilovolt (kv) power transmission line in the northern state of Uttarakhand.

GCC To Spend $150bn On Education – Report

The number of students in the GCC region is expected to grow at a 3% annually between 2013 and 2020 to reach 13.7 million, a new study says.

Etihad Becomes Official Airline Of England Cricket Board

England’s national squads will fly with the UAE carrier and the airline will benefit from a range of commercial rights