Update: Over 700 pilgrims killed in stampede in worst haj disaster in 25 years

The stampede, in which over 800 others were injured, took place on Street 204 of the camp city at Mina

Fatal disasters at annual Muslim haj pilgrimage

More than 450 pilgrims were killed in a stampeded at haj on Thursday

Saudi to implement new labour reforms on October 8 – report

Under the amended labour law, private sector employees are prohibited from working more than 12 hours a day

Twin suicide attack kills 10 at Yemen Houthi mosque

The attack took place at al-Balili mosque, just outside the Old City of Sanaa

UAE releases hundreds of prisoners to mark Eid

Up to 490 prisoners have been released in Dubai

France urges Saudi Arabia to cancel death penalty for young Shi’ite

Ali al-Nimr, who is 18 now, was given the death penalty after taking part in protests three years ago for democracy and equal rights

Islam’s pilgrims pray for peace in Muslim countries wracked by war

Haj is a duty for all Muslims at least once in their lives if they can afford it

Egypt’s Sisi pardons 100 prisoners, including Al Jazeera journalists

Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste were sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial last month

Qatar to introduce electronic contract system for workers

Under the new system, labour contracts will be published online in the workers’ languages

Moscow sees growing chance for international deal on Syria – source

Diplomacy has so far failed to find a solution to Syria’s crisis, now in its fifth year

UAE allocates $100m in 2015 to support Syrian refugees

The country said that it has already spent $40m to aid Syrians this year

UAE August inflation rises to 4.9%, highest since February 2009

UAE consumer inflation rose 4.9 per cent year-on year in August while it rose 0.9 per cent month-on-month

Gulf countries will stick to currency dollar-pegs, Fitch says

Gulf currencies pegged to the US dollar have come under pressure but Fitch said that the decision to remove the pegs will most likely be political

Yemeni president returns to Aden after 6-month exile

His return is the most concrete sign yet that the Saudi-led military coalition has secured enough territory from the Houthis

Two Saudi soldiers missing in Yemen, presumed in Houthi custody

Evidence suggests they are alive and detained by the Houthi militias, an official said

Ascott opens first serviced residence in Saudi, plans four more

The group is planning to significantly expand its geographic footprint in Saudi Arabia

Qatar’s Ooredoo appoints acting chief commercial officer

Haroon Shahul Hameed has been appointed to the role following the resignation of Cynthia Gordon

Saudi-led air strike kills 20 in Sanaa, medics and local officials say

The attack came a day after similar air strikes killed around 50 people

Lanxess sells 50% in rubber business to Saudi Aramco

Saudi Aramco will buy the stake for around 1.2bn euros in cash

Emirates, Etihad anticipate heavy passenger traffic during Eid

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad expects to carry over 230,000 guests during the Eid Al Adha period

Al Futtaim to open an auto park in Dubai

The 34,466 square metres facility is scheduled to open by 2017 and will be one of the largest automobile parks in the region

UAE’s Emirates NBD says affiliate mulls IPO

Emirates NBD did not provide any more details of the potential offer

UAE’s DAMAC says unit raises $100m via sukuk certificates

The certificates, rated BB by Standard & Poors, were issued by its unit Damac Real Estate Development Ltd

Activists lash out at Saudi’s appointment as UN Human Rights panel head

Critics of the appointment include non-governmental organisation UN Watch and the wife of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi

Demand for Apple Watches expected to rise in UAE – survey

Study shows only 16 per cent of people currently own a wearable device, but many want one

Video: Saudi man narrowly escapes falling glass panel

A huge glass panel fell from above the man and smashed into dust just inches away from him

Dubai property firms can weather current market correction – S&P

The real estate entities rated by S&P have “sufficient headroom in their credit ratios” to handle the slowdown, the agency said

Google Street View expands across UAE into Sharjah and Ajman

Trekker equipment has already captured the Eye of the Emirates wheel

Abu Dhabi’s Al Noor Hospitals Group buys Rochester Wellness

Post the deal, the listed firm is planning to open a new Rochester Wellness unit in Abu Dhabi

Exclusive: UK subsidiary of Nigeria’s Access Bank to open Dubai office

The bank aims to help facilitate investments from the Gulf region into Africa, primarily Nigeria, says CEO