Saudi to offer residency permits to Yemenis

The kingdom recently granted a six-month extension to Yemenis holding visitor IDs

Indian priest kidnapped in Yemen released after 18 months

Father Tom Uzhunnalil was abducted on March 4, 2016 in Aden

PR firm Bell Pottinger’s Middle East arm to split from London parent

The London-based PR agency has put itself up for sale after running a racially charged campaign in South Africa

Egypt signs memo with China for $739m rail link to new capital

The new Egyptian capital is under construction in the desert some 45km north of Cairo

Abercrombie & Fitch to launch first store in Saudi Arabia

American retailer enters Saudi market as part of franchise deal with Majid Al Futtaim

TCL’s Alcatel eyes boost in mobile sales as GCC consumers tighten wallets

The TCL-licensed brand is focussing on the “premium affordable” segment

Dubai Municipality distributes ‘cool collars’ to labourers

As hot temperatures linger, Dubai Municipality hands workers a novel accessory

Millennium Hotels to hire 4,000 in MENA region by 2018

The company has 10 new hotel openings planned within the next year across the region

Saudi teen released after arrest for dancing on a Jeddah street

The boy was described as a ‘hero’ after he was detained for dancing to the Macarena song

Iran, Saudi to exchange diplomatic visits – Iranian minister

The visits could take place after the hajj pilgrimage ends in the first week of September

Saudi teen arrested for dancing to ‘Macarena’ on Jeddah street

The 14-year-old was questioned for showing “improper public behaviour” and disrupting traffic.

Fire breaks out at construction site in Dubai’s Jumeirah district

No injuries were reported in the blaze at the under-construction shopping centre.

Saudi installing cranes at Yemen ports to boost aid delivery

The cranes are being installed at the ports of Aden, Mukalla and Al-Mokha

Revealed: Top 10 entrepreneurs in the GCC 2017

For centuries the Gulf region and entrepreneurship have gone hand in hand. We take a look at some of today’s entrepreneurs who are making waves in the business world

Egypt raises drinking water and sewage charges by up to 50%

In July, Egypt raised fuel prices by up to 50 per cent

Social commerce and opportunities for regional businesses

Your customers want to buy in social media channels, so why aren’t you selling to them there?

US Navy ship fires warning shots near Iranian vessel

The US Naval Forces said the warning shots were fired after the Iranian vessel ignored radio calls, flares and the ship’s whistle

GCC states will find it hard to diversify away from hydrocarbons – S&P

Dubai is the only exception, and has managed to implement a successful diversification policy

Turkey’s Erdogan visits Saudi, Kuwait in bid to defuse Qatar row

The Turkish President is scheduled to visit Qatar to conclude the two-day trip

GCC drones market to reach $1.5bn by 2022 – report

The booming drones market offers lucrative business for the region’s telecoms operators

US ends controversial laptop ban on Middle East carriers

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was the last of 10 airports to be exempted from the ban

Different Arab money

Almost half of GCC businesses not ready for VAT- survey

Officials say lack of necessary preparation is cause for concern

Iraqi PM congratulates armed forces for Mosul ‘victory’ over ISIL

ISIL’s defeat in Mosul comes three years after the militant group took the city

How HR departments in the GCC can bring more value to businesses

HR departments must shift from a reactive to a proactive function

UAE’s Abraaj to fully acquire African coffee chain Java House

The acquisition was made from private equity firm Emerging Capital Partners

Egyptian court sentences 20 to death for killing policemen

The case from 2013 involves 156 people on trial and is known as the “Kerdasa incident”

Egypt raises fuel prices by up to 50% under IMF deal

Government officials say spending cuts will help revive the economy

Two Saudis injured in missile attack from Yemen

A projectile launched from Yemen landed in the Saudi city of Najran on Tuesday

Trump claims ‘clear victory’ after US Supreme Court revives parts of travel ban

The March 6 order called for a 90-day ban on travelers from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen and a 120-day ban on all refugees

Egyptian tycoon jailed for killing pop star in Dubai has been freed

Hisham Talaat Moustafa was sentenced to 15 years in jail for the murder of Suzanne Tamim