GCC Hospitality Market Records Strong Q1 Performance

Events and established tourist attractions sustain robust performance in the hospitality sector for some Middle East cities.

Dubai Plans New ‘Mini World Park’, Central Library

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed has approved a host of new projects to be undertaken by the Dubai Municipality.

Saudi Grand Mufti Urges Egyptians To Avoid Bloodshed

Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh urged Egypt’s opposing sides to meet to find a solution to the crisis.

Embassies, Businessmen, Workers Welcome Extended Saudi Amnesty

The Saudi government has given a four-month extension to an amnesty for foreign workers with visa violations

India’s BSE Launches Futures Trading On Dubai Bourse

Under an agreement with Indian bourse BSE derivatives exchange DGCX started trading futures for the S&P BSE SENSEX.

Exclusive Interview: GEMS Chairman Sunny Varkey Talks Profits And Philanthropy

In a rare interview, the founder of the world’s largest private schools company takes on his critics, and reveals his ambition to save the world from bad education.

Former Qatari PM Replaced As Head Of Sovereign Wealth Fund

Ahmed al-Sayed has now been appointed chief executive of Qatar Investment Authority

UAE Jails 61 For Coup Plot, Says Trial Was “Transparent And Fair”

Eight men were sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison, 56 were jailed for 10 years and five for seven years.

Bahrain To Study Restrictions On VoIP Services

Since the Arab Spring several Gulf governments have pushed for greater control of VoIP and other hard-to-trace communication tools.

Dubai Court Upholds Prison Sentence For Britons On Drug Trial

An appeals court has upheld the four-year sentence handed down to Grant Cameron, Karl Williams and Suneet Jeerh in April on drug charges.

Damac Launches Serviced Villas With Paramount

The new project will be situated alongside the Trump golf course within the new Akoya development.

UAE Among Top 15 Most Attractive Global FDI Nations

Solid infrastructure and investor friendly policies have helped the country move up in a global FDI rankings list.

Saudi Arabia Extends Foreign Worker Amnesty To November 3

The Kingdom began a stringent crackdown on illegal foreign workers earlier this year.

UAE To Invest $25bn On Gas Projects Over Next Five Years

The country plans to explore new gas fields and increase gas output.

Qatar’s Nakilat Signs $662m Islamic Refinancing Deal

LNG shipper Maran Nakilat will use the proceeds to expand its LNG carrier fleet.

Saudi Prince Alwaleed Faces UK Court Over Gaddafi Jet Sale

The prince is being sued by Jordanian businesswoman Daad Sharab, who says she was not paid a commission for brokering the sale.

The UAE’s Growing Ties With Ethiopia

With so much opportunity for both parties, will the UAE overcome its impasse with Ethiopia over air travel and illegal nannies?

Malaysia Airlines Restarting Dubai Flights

Carrier identifies demand for August resumption, but Emirates provides stiff competition.

New Broadband Internet Service For UAE Firms

Yahclick,launched by Mubadala owned-Yahsat, promises to offer better connectivity and higher speeds.

Saudi Arabia Calls On EU To Arm Syrian Rebels

The European Union lifted restrictions on arming the rebels in May. Britain and France said they would not send weapons before August 1.

Telecom Italia Denies Report On Qatari Talks

Reports suggested that telecoms operator was in talks with Qatari funds to sell a stake in its fixed-line business.

Seven Saudis Jailed For Urging Protests On Facebook – Human Rights Watch

HRW said the men were detained in September 2011 and had spent a year and a half in prison before being tried by a special tribunal.

Bahrain Economic Growth Accelerates Strongly In Q1

Real GDP growth quickened to 4.2 per cent in the first three months of 2013.

Dubai’s MAF Plans Dhs3bn Expansion To Malls, Hotels

Majid Al Futtaim plans to launch two new hotels and upgrade Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre and build a new cinema complex.

UAE’s Dana Gas Says Makes New Discovery In Egypt

The Begonia-1 discovery well produced 9.4 million cubic feet per day of gas and 133 barrels of condensate during initial test drilling.

Saudi Mobily Signs $650m Financing Deal With Ericsson

The operator said the deal would be the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia’s telecom sector and would boost the company’s free cash flow.

Dubai’s ENOC ‘Investigating’ Sri Lanka Diesel Cargo Quality

Sri Lanka returned a 40,000-tonnes diesel cargo shipment from ENOC on Thursday saying it was “not up to the required specifications”.

Abu Dhabi Developers Aldar, Sorouh Merger Effective

The merged entity, called Aldar Properties, has assets of over Dhs46 billion and a market capitalisation of around Dhs16.7 billion.

Emaar, Meraas Launch Affordable Hotel Brand, Dubai Inn

The new hotels will be located across the city, and aim to support Dubai’s goal of attracting 20 million visitors by 2020.

Al Jazeera Hires Hundreds As It Prepares To Debut In America

Al Jazeera America, with headquarters in New York, plans to launch in late-August this year.