Qatar Airways threatens to quit oneworld alliance over subsidy row

The airline’s CEO Akbar Al Baker accuses one of his American partners of blocking its expansion

DIFC announces 10-year plan, says will triple in size by 2024

The financial free zone hopes that Dubai’s financial sector will raise its GDP contribution to 18 per cent over the next 10 years

Abu Dhabi airport passenger traffic up 15.5% in April

The busiest routes in April were London Heathrow, Bangkok, Manila, Doha and Mumbai.

Qatar, UAE ranked MENA’s most productive internet economies

New report identifies Sweden as the world’s most advanced and productive internet economy

Tropical storm Ashobaa expected to have indirect impact on UAE

The storm, which could make landfall in Oman, is expected to cause sea levels to rise in the UAE’s east coast

Saudi Arabia summons Iran ambassador after poisoning of Saudis

A group of 33 pilgrims from Saudi was exposed to poison on Sunday while staying at a Mashhad hotel.

UAE leisure market to attract 45m visitors by 2021

The country’s under development theme parks are also expected to attract about 18 million visitors, a new report shows

Dubai’s Access Infra to launch solar plant in Uganda this year

The project is part of the company’s plans to develop electricity projects in 17 African countries, mainly based on renewable energy

Dubai’s non-oil business growth picks up but still weak

Construction was the best performing sector in terms of output and employment growth in May, a new survey shows

Qatar cuts 2015 GDP growth forecast, sees deficit in 2016

Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively

Qatar buys $1.2 bn HK Electric stake from Li Ka-shing’s firms

Power Assets said it sold a 16.53 per cent stake in HK Electric but will remain as the controlling shareholder of the power supplier

Damac awards contracts worth Dhs 2.8bn in five months

Awards include the main works packages of some of Damac’s residential units in Akoya project and its hotel apartment projects

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.

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.

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.

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.

Attacks on Shi’ites create pivotal moment for Saudi state

The government has allowed Shi’ites to set up community protection groups to search people entering mosques and checkpoints to monitor entrances to villages after the attacks.