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China denies its missiles being used by Middle East militants

Experts said that lightweight man-portable air defence systems had been looted from Libya or otherwise acquired by the militants, posing a threat to commercial flights.

Are the US and the GCC states good pals again?

Obama sought to reassure GCC nations at last month’s Camp David summit in the US but were they all convinced?

Dubai hotels saw revenues drop between Jan-Apr – EY

The recent drop in oil prices along with a decrease in travel from Russia and Europe caused the slump

Different Arab money

Sovereign wealth funds turn to internal fund management

Sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East have the highest return expectations of sovereign funds globally

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.

Gulf governments agree on gradual reduction of telecom roaming fees

Cuts to fees on calls and text messages would be introduced from April 1, 2016

GCC countries need to slash public spending – World Bank

Budgets have been buckling under the pressure of bloated public sectors and lavish welfare spending since oil prices dropped last year.

Israel concerned about U.S. arms to Gulf states to deter Iran

Israel says that it has to maintain the qualitative edge in the regional arms race as Gulf states build up their defense capabilities.

U.S. and Middle East airlines trade accusations on subsidy claim

Three major US airlines are trying to persuade their government to alter the “Open Skies” agreements with the UAE and Qatar

Mobile data traffic in Middle East and North East Africa to grow 14 times by 2020

Mobile subscriptions in the region are expected to grow by 6 per cent between 2014 and 2020 while LTE subscriptions are expected to triple in 2015 alone.

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.

OPEC+meeting

OPEC agrees to keep pumping as oil glut fears persist

The decision defers discussion of several tricky questions set to arise as members such as Iran and Libya prepare to reopen the taps after years of diminished production.

OPEC+meeting

Core Gulf OPEC members in ‘consensus’ on oil ceiling -delegate

A source within the group said the outlook for the oil market is positive, especially in the second half of this year.

Egyptian court adjourns Al Jazeera journalists trial to Thursday

The journalists were arrested in December 2013 and originally sentenced to between seven and 10 years in prison.

France says Yemen hostage video is genuine

The video shows Frenchwoman Isabelle Prime, who was taken hostage in Yemen, appealing to President Francois Hollande to help her.

Emaar Misr cuts price of its Egypt IPO to $353m

The company had previously aimed to price the shares at 4.70 Egyptian pounds.

GCC’s construction sector to boom despite oil price drop

The Gulf’s construction sector is estimated to reach a value of $172 billion in 2015, a new study said.

Yemen may never emerge intact from civil war

Secessionist sentiment in the south, stoked by what southerners see as marginalisation by the north, is deepening as result of the damage inflicted upon Aden by the northern Houthis.

Almost 41% of UAE users downloaded paid apps in last 30 days

A survey, which polled smartphone users in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon and Egypt, found that more than 50 per cent of users downloaded more than five apps in the last month.

Saudi designates two senior Hezbollah officials as terrorists

Khalil Youssef Harb and Mohammed Qabalan have been banned from any dealings with Saudis.

Air strikes kill at least 80 in deadliest bombings of Yemen war

Arab warplanes and ships also hammered Yemen’s largest military port in the Red Sea city of Hodeida at dawn on Wednesday.

Lenovo to bring Motorola brand to Middle East later this year

The move will see Motorola smartphones available in the region for the first time.

Iran, Oman discuss Yemen war, settle maritime borders

Foreign ministers from both the countries discussed implementing a ceasefire in Yemen.

GCC says air strikes against ISIL have not failed

Officials say that air strikes need to be complemented with other steps to effectively silence the Islamic militant group.

Egypt denies Arabtec project to build a million homes has stalled

Egyptian officials have said the entire project will cost about 280 billion Egyptian pounds ($36.7 billion).

Different Arab money

With oil cheap, public pressure grows on Gulf sovereign funds

With most of the funds publicly disclosing little information, lawmakers in some states are looking out for poor performance or even wrongdoing.

GCC, EU plan joint aviation agreement

Officials from both the regions held extensive talks recently to discuss an agreement based on liberated skies.

Kuwait’s Al Ahli Bank buying Egyptian unit of Greece’s Piraeus Bank for $150m

The transaction, which requires approvals from the central banks of Kuwait and Egypt, stands to benefit both lenders.

Saudi shells hit Yemen aid office, killing five – local official

Artillery fire and air strikes hit the town of Maydee along Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia in Hajja province.

US regulators decline to curb expansion of Gulf airlines over subsidy row

The regulators refused to take any action while they review whether the Gulf carriers received unfair subsidies.