China Overtakes US To Become World’s Top Crude Oil Buyer

China’s crude oil imports hit a record of almost 7.4 million barrels a day last month.

Moroccan F-16 jet From Saudi-Led Coalition In Yemen Goes Missing

The pilot of a second jet in the same squadron could not see if the pilot had ejected from the jet.

Saudi King Sending Crown Prince To Summit With US President Obama

The summit coincides with the start of a five-day humanitarian truce in Yemen.

Top Egypt Medical Firm Sees London IPO 11 Times Oversubscribed

Integrated Diagnostics Holdings priced its offering of 65.2 million shares at an $4.45 per ordinary share.

Different Arab money

With Oil Prices Low, GCC States Agree To Push Value-Added Tax Plan

However, officials did not give any time frame for VAT to be introduced or specify the likely tax rate.

Houthis Accept Five-Day Truce In Yemen Proposed By Saudi Arabia

A statement issued by the Houthis also asked for a political dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations to resume in order to resolve the conflict.

US, Gulf Allies Seek Agreement On New Security Measures -Kerry

The Obama administration faces a formidable challenge to allay Gulf Arab fears over a nuclear deal with Tehran.

Regional Crises Push Turkey, Saudi Closer Despite Ideological Rift

The rapprochement between two of the Middle East’s biggest powers already appears to be paying dividends in Syria.

Saudi-Led Strikes In Yemen Break International Law – UN

Scores of civilians were reportedly killed and thousands forced to flee their homes after the coalition declared the entire governorate a military target.

Will Gulf Carriers Triumph Over US Airlines In The Subsidy Row?

Dto Gulf airlines really get unfair assistance from their governments, or are US carriers looking to stifle the competition?

Low Oil Prices, Weak Euro Impact Middle East Hotel Revenues

The decline in the number of tourists, especially from Russia, has pushed down the revenue per available room across the hotels in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia Considering Five-Day Yemen Truce

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is visiting Riyadh, welcomed the proposal.

EU Visa Waiver Agreement For Emiratis Takes Effect

Officials from the European Union and the UAE signed the final agreement, validating visa free travel for Emiratis to the EU region.

Saudi Arabia Mulling Land Operations On Yemen Border

US Secretary of State John Kerry began negotiations in Riyadh on Thursday to pause the campaign of airstrikes launched by a Saudi-led coalition on March 26.

United Kingdom Votes In Most Unpredictable Election In Decades

Final opinion polls showed PM David Cameron’s Conservatives and Ed Miliband’s opposition Labour Party almost in a dead heat.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Says $104m Rights Issue Oversubscribed

In total, shares worth OMR53.28 million were bid for under the capital increase, which saw 228.8 million new shares sold to investors.

Will Low Oil Prices Impact Middle East Hotels’ Performance?

CBRE Middle East’s Associate Director Phil Rist talks about the impact of oil price volatility on Middle East’s hotels.

Houthi Shells Kill Five In Saudi Border Town

One shell landed near security forces patrolling near the prison in Najran, killing an officer, while another killed four Saudi civilians.

Kerry Pushes For Pause In Yemen Fighting In Saudi Meetings

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States was deeply concerned with the worsening humanitarian conditions in Yemen.

Starwood To Double Its Middle East Portfolio In 5 Years

The group’s mid-market brands represent nearly 50 per cent of the company’s pipeline in the region.

MasterCard Doubles Card Numbers In Middle East, Africa

Partnerships with governments have helped the company boost card numbers in the region, a senior official said.

Yemen Conflict Opens Door To Al Qaeda, Says Top EU Diplomat

A Saudi-led Arab alliance has been conducting air strikes against Houthi fighters in Yemen since late March.

Doha Says German TV Team Probing Qatar Labour Rights Lacked Permit

Reporter Florian Bauer as well as a cameraman and a sound engineer were detained as they filmed migrant workers in the capital Doha.

No Place For Military Threats In Nuclear Talks, Says Iran’s Khamenei

Khamenei repeated his cautious support for the nuclear talks, saying that the country’s “red lines” should be respected by the Iranian negotiators.

King’s Changes Make Saudi Policy Less Predictable

Since inheriting the throne, King Salman has embarked on a war in Yemen, restructured the oil sector and shaken up the line of succession.

Saudi’s Khodari Expects Government Compensation For Labour Fees

In 2012, the Saudi goverment introduced a levy of 2,400 riyals ($640) a year for every foreigner whom a company employs above the number of its Saudi workers.

Houthi Missiles Hit Saudi Border Town; Airforce To Retaliate

The projectiles struck a girls’ school and a hospital in Najran, which is only two miles from Yemen’s border, officials said.

Officials Call For Open Skies Policy, Single GCC Visa To Improve Regional Tourism

With parts of Middle East in turmoil, industry officials look optimistically at intra-regional tourism.

Saudi Finance Minister: Our Position Is Very Strong Despite Cheap Oil

The minister was also optimistic that the global economy was emerging from its slump, but that one couldn’t expect a return to growth levels of 10 years ago.

Saudi Hardware Retailer SACO’s IPO Meets Strong Demand

SACO, a popular supplier of building tools and mechanical equipment in the kingdom, offered 2.88 million shares to individual investors.