Qatar Airways CEO sees no need for concessions to US airlines

Al Baker said Qatar Airways expects to deliver its rebuttal to the U.S. airlines’ claims in the next few weeks

Kuwait to table corporate tax bill in 2 years – finance minister

The minister expects the rate for international firms to fall and the levy on local companies to rise

Saudi regulator suspends trading in Mobily shares from Tues

The regulator has been investigating Mobily after the firm slashed 18 months of previously announced profits.

Sheikh Mohammed approves housing projects worth Dhs 3.6bn

The projects are part of Mohammed bin Rashid housing establishment and will be built for local families

UAE may give central bank role in setting monetary policy – governor

The government currently takes most decisions regarding the UAE’s monetary policy.

Mobile data traffic in Middle East and North East Africa to grow 14 times by 2020

Mobile subscriptions in the region are expected to grow by 6 per cent between 2014 and 2020 while LTE subscriptions are expected to triple in 2015 alone.

UAE residents spend an average of Dhs 120 per head on eating out – survey

Up to 66 per cent of UAE residents have dinner out at least once in a week, a survey by KPMG has found

Bahrain says it has broken up Shi’ite group involved in terrorism

Last year, Bahrain declared Saraya al-Ashtar and two other anti-government groups terrorist organisations.

Gulf airlines’ standards ‘much better’ than international peers – Dubai Airports CEO

Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are winning the global aviation race because of high standards rather than subsidies, says Paul Griffiths

Qatar may lose 2022 World Cup hosting rights – FIFA official

The head of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee has warned that any evidence of wrongdoing may revoke the Gulf state’s hosting rights.

Oil prices fall as OPEC keeps production high

OPEC agreed on Friday to stick to its policy of not limiting its output, which currently stands above 30 million barrels per day.

Etihad Airways in expanded codeshare deal with Air France-KLM

The two carriers will share codes on more flights starting this year, opening more European cities to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s customers.

Government to retain 75% stake in Kuwait Airways

Under a new proposal, 20 per cent of the airline’s shares will be offered to Kuwaiti citizens and 5 per cent to current and retired employees.

Saudi Supreme Court upholds blogger’s sentence

Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes, a 10-year jail term and a fine of SAR 1 million last year.

Dubai’s IMG awards construction contract for City of Arabia project

The deal to construct the Avenue 353 villa project has been awarded to McFadden International Construction Group.

Saudi-led air strikes kill 44 in attack on Yemeni army compound

More than 100 people, including civilians, were also wounded in the attack, according to reports.

Saudi Arabia arrests 45 suspects in mosque bombing case

The arrests come after the government declared a reward for helping nab the suspects in the mosque bombing case and for providing information about future attacks.

UAE’s National Drilling Co. signs $543m in deals for 14 new rigs

One offshore and one onshore rig will be manufactured in the UAE as part of the deals.

Boeing on track to deliver flydubai’s first 737 MAX in 2017

Testing of the new aircraft is slated to begin in the first half of 2016.

Emirates obtains naming rights for UK’s Spinnaker Tower

The structure, situated in Portsmouth, will be renamed Emirates Spinnaker Tower and rebranded in red.

OPEC+meeting

OPEC agrees to keep pumping as oil glut fears persist

The decision defers discussion of several tricky questions set to arise as members such as Iran and Libya prepare to reopen the taps after years of diminished production.

Scotland fans go easy on Qatar but Amnesty up the heat

There had been widespread calls among Scotland supporters to boycott the match with Qatar because of human rights concerns.

Cheap oil to push UAE into first fiscal deficit since 2009 -IMF

The UAE’s consolidated fiscal balance is expected to swing to a deficit of 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product in 2015 from a 5.0 per cent surplus last year, the IMF said.

Egypt’s EFG-Hermes plans Saudi Islamic fund as market opens up

EFG-Hermes says nearly a third of its $3 billion of assets under management is in Saudi Arabia, with $265 million managed by its Saudi unit.

Mubadala GE joint venture says looks at options for future structure

The joint venture was studying options in the wake of the U.S. conglomerate’s decision to exit most of its GE Capital operations.

Yemen conflict: will the GCC pay an economic toll?

Will Saudi-led military action against Houthi rebels in Yemen have a major impact on oil prices and GCC economies as a whole?

Phone review: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

The S6 Edge is a great looking product but does not do enough to justify its higher price tag.

Etihad-backed Alitalia unveils new cabins, services and livery

Seats and services are now more closely aligned with partner Etihad.

Emirates inks air-rail codeshare with France’s SNCF, adds 19 new destinations

The deal will help boost Emirates network in France and ease connectivity for passengers.

Foreign firms wary of Saudi expansion on opening up of bourse

Regulatory obstacles and uncertainty about the size of fund inflows are deterring foreign firms from undertaking any quick build-up in their staffing and office space in Riyadh.