Kidnapped Indian priest in Yemen pleads for help in video

Father Tom Uzhunnalil was abducted in March 2016

Youth media brand Vice to launch in the MENA region by October

The initial launch will be an Arabic website, with a mixture of video and written content

War in Yemen ‘not an option but a necessity’ – senior Saudi official

Saudi’s ambassador to Yemen says kingdom and its allies are seeking a political solution to Yemen’s crisis

GCC finance ministers to discuss unified VAT regulations in Bahrain

All the six GCC states are anticipated to introduce a 5 per cent VAT simultaneously from January 2018

Seven GCC hospitality projects worth $1.1bn put on hold in March

The total value of hospitality projects in the GCC exceeded $148.4n in Q1

Japan’s ASICS eyes $75m share of Middle East’s running market

The company has opened a regional subsidiary in Dubai

Top tips for background checks when hiring in the Middle East

The basic steps you should take to ensure you’re making the right hire for your company

China’s Alibaba likely to eye Middle East market for acquisitions – expert

Following Amazon’s acquisition of Souq, the region will see more interest from global players, says Fadi Ghandour

Iran needs ‘no one’s permission’ to build missiles – President

Iran says its missile tests are not covered by the nuclear deal

World’s top 10 richest Arabs – Forbes

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal once again topped the list

Virgin Mobile MEA appoints new Dubai-based group CEO

Alan Gow’s appointment comes even as the brand prepares to launch operations in the UAE

Iran’s Rouhani condemns US attack on Syria, criticises GCC support

Rouhani has called for an impartial investigation of the suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria

Bombings at Egyptian Coptic churches kill 44

There was no immediate claim of responsibility

Saudi coalition in Yemen found responsible for bottle factory attack

An investigation found the coalition was not responsible or had legitimate targets in several other incidnets

Egypt court overturns block on islands transfer to Saudi

A court in January rejected a government plan to transfer the two uninhabited islands to Saudi

Vice Media launches in the Middle East with Dubai HQ

Vice will launch a website and digital channel this summer in the region

Saudi intercepts four missiles fired from Yemen

The missiles were launched towards the cities of Khamis Mushait and Abha

Man with knife arrested trying to enter Tunisian parliament

A parliamentary official said it was not immediately clear why the man was attempting to enter the building

GCC states push for UK free trade deal after Brexit

Trade between Britain and the GCC totals about $37.5bn annually

Nearly 65% of GCC expats do not have a pension

GCC expats are far behind their counterparts in North America, Europe and Asia when it comes to retirement planning, finds survey

UAE army denies targeting civilian boat off Yemen

The attack killed an estimated 42 civilians

Saudi-led coalition calls for UN supervision of Yemen port

The Red Sea port near the Bab al-Mandab strait is under the control of Yemen’s armed Houthi movement

Saudi coalition says Houthi missile intercepted, mosque hit by another

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said the missile targeted the southern coastal city of Jizan

Middle East airlines post strongest passenger demand growth in Jan

Regional carriers saw year-over-year demand growth of 14.4 per cent in international passenger traffic

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim opens $700m Mall of Egypt

The shopping centre is said to include North Africa’s first artificial snow ski slope

New digital network aims to boost business between GCC and UK

The network will connect 5,000 UK graduates from across the GCC

GCC states to discuss regional rail project in April

Last year, the six countries agreed in principle to delay the 2018 completion date until 2021

Microsoft appoints new head for Middle East and Africa

Samer Abu Ltaif, the regional general manager for the GCC, will take on the new role

US State Department tweets, then deletes congratulations for Iran Oscar win

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi boycotted the Oscars ceremony to protest Trump’s ban

Iran’s President Rouhani says he will seek re-election

Iran will hold a presidential election on May 19