Saudi King Salman begins month-long Asia tour to promote investment

The king is expected to visit Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and China

Why regional businesses must invest in cyber security talent

The demand for cyber security professionals is expected to rise to six million worldwide by 2019

Why regional SMEs should consider flexible benefits for staff

The types of benefits that a particular employee will value most are likely to change throughout their lifetime

Video: Nike sports ad featuring Arab women stirs controversy

The ad attempts to smash stereotypes about women

Saudi Arabia allocates $10bn for Yemen reconstruction

President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has called for reconstruction efforts to focus on power, water, roads, health and education infrastructure

Why Middle East start-ups should consider incubators

Incubators can help mitigate the difficulties of launching your own business

Saudi intercepts and destroys missile from Yemen

The missile was fired towards the city of Khamis Mushayt

Iran President says wants good ties with the GCC states

Rouhani began a one-day trip to Oman and Kuwait on Wednesday

All six GCC nations plan simultaneous VAT adoption in January 2018

The Gulf states are aiming to introduce a 5 per cent value-added tax

Kuwait welcomes Iran’s readiness for dialogue with the GCC

Any talks are likely to help resolve civil wars in Syria and Yemen, says senior Kuwaiti official

Salaries in the Middle East to see slight increase in 2017

The strongest salary growth of 3 per cent is expected in the procurement and supply chain sector

Lower liquidity not driving drop in GCC sukuk volumes

Complexity related to the sukuk issuance process is a major hindrance, says S&P

Corporate governance standards among GCC firms lag global levels

Lagging governance standards can deter international investors from looking for opportunities in the GCC, finds S&P report

White House puts Iran ‘on notice’ after missile launch

Iran confirmed it had tested a new missile but said it did not breach the nuclear accord

US drone strike kills two suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen

A US commando died and three were wounded during a dawn raid on Sunday in Yemen

Airlines at Beirut implement measures in line with Trump travel ban

Trump has banned entry of refugees and nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries

Americans with Iran visas can enter the country – Iran foreign minister

Iran said it would stop US citizens entering the country in retaliation to Washington’s visa ban

UAE Air Force helps destroy Iranian military drone in Yemen

Yemeni forces detected the aircraft during surveillance

US travel curbs decried as ‘unjust, insulting’ in the Middle East

Would-be travellers have reported chaotic disruption to their plans

Trump’s order halting immigrants from seven Muslim countries hits roadblock

A federal judge said stranded travellers could stay in the country

Gulf states slide on Transparency Corruption Index

Annual index indicates growing corruption across the Gulf region

Rights advocates slam Trump plans to stop receiving Muslim immigrants

Trump is also expected to order a multi-month ban on allowing refugees into the United States

Airline

Middle East airlines see strongest growth in passenger demand in Nov

Regional carriers saw a 12.2 per cent increase in international passenger demand

Iran receives Saudi invitation to discuss haj arrangements

Iran boycotted the haj last year after hundreds died in a crush at the 2015 pilgrimage

Iran to expand military spending, develop missiles

The plans could put Iran on a collision course with the incoming Trump administration

Former Iranian President Rafsanjani dies at 82

His death ahead of May’s presidential elections is a blow to moderate president Hassan Rouhani

IranAir gets first passenger jet from Airbus under sanctions deal

The Airbus A321 jetliner is expected to be delivered later this week

Human

Local talent can drive GCC’s cyber security industry

Cyber security companies are now looking to develop talent locally

Top 10 cars in Dubai: How insured are they?

Top 8 predictions for the GCC’s automotive industry in 2017

From VAT to new technologies, several factors will impact the automotive industry this year

Britain’s finance minister Hammond to meet GCC leaders this week

Hammond is aiming to expand economic and investment relationships with the Gulf