Airline KLM Royal Dutch to resume services to Iran

The airline will operate four weekly services between Amsterdam and Tehran

Turkey opens one of the world’s biggest suspension bridges

The bridge creates a new link across the Bosphorus Strait, which divides Asia and Europe

How GCC states can transition to knowledge-based economies

GCC countries can leverage their core strengths to accelerate their transition

Briton killed in mine-filled Iraqi city of Ramadi

A US company is clearing mines left by ISIL in Ramadi

Iraq hangs 36 people sentenced to death for 2014 killings

As many as 1,700 soldiers were killed two years ago after they fled Camp Speicher

Regional IPO market sees 80% year-on-year drop in values in Q2

The MENA region recorded six IPOs in the second quarter of 2016

Saudi citizen killed, six injured in Yemeni missile attack

The attack took place in the southern city of Najran on Saturday

Turkey wedding blast: 22 people confirmed dead, 94 injured

The attack is believed to have been carried out by a suicide bomber

Kyrgyzstan president says Islamic dress radicalises women

“Our women have been wearing miniskirts since 1950s, and they never thought about wearing an explosive belt,” Almazbek Atambayev was quoted saying

Saudi soldiers in Yemen to receive one-month bonus

Ministry employees on the front line will also be awarded the bonus

The GCC view: Brexit – a blessing or a curse?

The UK’s decision to leave the EU has created exciting new possibilities for trade relations with the GCC region

Burger chain Wendy’s plans rapid MENA growth under new partner

Wendy’s plans to open 150 outlets across the MENA region over the next 10 years

Twelve premature babies killed in Baghdad hospital fire

Firefighters and hospital staff took about three hours to put out the blaze

Egypt closes 48 forex bureaus in black market crackdown – sources

Egypt devalued its currency by nearly 14 per cent in March in an effort to close the gap with the black market rate

Fire breaks out at petrochemical complex in southern Iran

The fire has not disrupted operations at the plant, said officials

Why ME public relations agencies must seek strategic partners

PR agencies must form strategic partnerships for their own good as well as that of their clients

GE eyeing Olympic connection with the GCC

GE helped create infrastructure for the Rio Olympics and is confident it can contribute to the GCC’s upcoming mega events

Oil price rebound may lift bourses in Gulf

Brent oil futures have risen 0.6 per cent on Thursday morning to $43.34 per barrel

Iranian oil minister: Crude market ‘oversupplied’

Supply from OPEC rose to 33.41 million barrels per day in July

Over 50,000 schools to be set up in the GCC by 2020 – report

The population of school going children is estimated to reach 15 million in the region by 2020

Seven Saudi troops, many Houthis killed near Yemen border

The UN-sponsored negotiations had been on the verge of collapse after a new row erupted last week

US allows American-made planes to be flown to Iran

A new licence allows US-made planes to have “temporary sojourn” in Iran

Rixos, Emaar open mega Turkish theme park ‘The Land of Legends’

Located in Antalya, the new destination claims to be the biggest leisure park in Turkey

HSBC says in talks to sell Lebanese business to Blom Bank

The bank employs around 200 people in Lebanon

What’s the future of payments in the Middle East?

Verifone MENA vice president and general manager Ozgur Ozvardar on what’s next for the industry

Suspects in Saudi embassy attack in Tehran appear in Iranian court

Protesters stormed Saudi’s embassy in Tehran following Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Saudi Shi’ite cleric

Iran will issue visa on arrival to all but 9 countries

Italy expects to sign $1.1bn Iran high-speed rail deal in Feb 2017

The contract is for the roughly 100 km-stretch between Qom and Arak

Different Arab money

Brexit will not have major impact on GCC sovereigns – Moody’s

UK bank financing to the GCC may slow, but impact will be minimal

Iran expects fire-hit petchem plant back online within weeks

The fire broke out at the complex in the city of Bandar Mahshahr on Wednesday but caused no fatalities

Iran missile tests ‘not consistent’ with nuclear deal spirit – UN

Most UN sanctions on Iran were lifted in January after it was confirmed that Tehran fulfilled commitments under its nuclear deal