Lebanon’s Hezbollah takes aim at Saudi Arabia on Ashura

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah condemned what he called the “US-Saudi aggression” against Yemen

Germany defends export of tanks to Qatar, says arms will not be used in Yemen

The shipment is controversial because Berlin is seeking to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East

Germany approves Etihad-Air Berlin code shares until Jan 15

Etihad owns 29.2 per cent of loss-making Air Berlin, which is currently working on a new restructuring plan

APICORP, QIB sukuk issues show Gulf bond market power shift

Fund managers say there is still substantial latent demand for Gulf debt but investors would no longer accept tight pricings that prevailed just six months ago

Revealed: Worst countries for expats to live and work in

Kuwait was ranked the worst country for expats to live and work in, a new survey showed

Saudi appoints former investment chief as new US ambassador

Prince Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki Al Saud served as governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority from 2000-2004

Russia overtakes Saudi Arabia for second time in China crude supply

China bought 983,590 bpd from Russia last month, up 42 per cent year-on-year, while imports from Saudi were down 16.5 per cent at 961,710 bpd

Revealed: Top 10 countries with the most number of millionaires

The United States tops the list while the UAE and Saudi Arabia feature among the top 15

Dell to hire extensively in Dubai as it expands Middle East presence

The company is increasing manpower within its healthcare, security and IoT businesses

Iran returns Saudi accusations of cross-border meddling

Saudi’s foreign minister said this week that Iran’s military role in Syria disqualified it from playing a role in peacemaking efforts there

Low oil prices continue to hurt GCC economies, more subsidy reforms expected– Moody’s

The agency has downgraded its oil price forecast and expects brent to average $53 per barrel in 2016 and $60 in 2017

PineBridge Investments to close Middle East business -sources

The company’s Middle East headquarters in Bahrain will close and a process is underway to wind down the business, the sources said

Egypt in second day of “election without voters”

Sunday and Monday’s voting levels were extremely low, a in sharp contrast to the long lines of the 2011-12 election

United Arab Emirates soldier, aid worker killed in Yemen

It was not immediately clear whether there was any link between the killings of the aid worker and the soldier

Middle East banks facing rare domestic currency drought

With oil prices, governments are having to shore up their finances by borrowing in the capital markets and investing less money in their banking systems

Yemen Houthis say fire missile in retaliation for Saudi “war crimes”

Scuds have been launched at Saudi Arabia from Yemen several times during the nearly seven-month-old war

Arab coalition slowing aid efforts in Yemen – U.S. Navy report

The Arab coalition denied the allegation and said it was keen for ships to take in relief

GCC’s insurance industry to reach $62.1bn by 2020

Oil price volatility and a slowdown in economic growth could hit the GCC insurance industry’s growth this year, a new report shows

Middle East’s first 7-Eleven store opens in Dubai, more planned

The new 2,000 square foot store is located near Downtown Dubai and a second is planned for Marina

Saudi foreign minister: No future for Bashar al-Assad in Syria

Adel al-Jubeir said that Riyadh’s position on Syria had not changed

UAE, Germany plan talks over Air Berlin-Etihad code share

Air Berlin and Etihad are still awaiting approval for this winter’s flight schedule

Twitter to cut up to 8% of global workforce

Twitter said it expected to incur about $10m-$20m in severance costs and $5m-$15m in restructuring costs

gender gap 2022

GCC family businesses generate $100bn in annual revenues – report

Almost 70 per cent of Middle East businesses are family-owned, a new report shows

UK seeks release of Briton facing 350 lashes in Saudi Arabia

Karl Andree, 74, was jailed for 12 months in August last year after being caught with homemade wine in Saudi

Iranian parliament passes bill approving nuclear deal

The bill will now be submitted to a clerical body for final approval and passage into law

Airline subsidy row: US Justice Dept says limiting GCC carriers will hurt consumers

US carriers are embroiled in a row over government subsidies with Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Russia’s Putin discuss Syria, Yemen

Sheikh Mohamed met the Russian President in Sochi on Sunday

Russia’s Putin, Saudi defence minister agree to cooperate in Syria

Russia’s intervention in Syria has infuriated Syrian President Assad’s regional foes, including Saudi Arabia

Lufthansa launches premium economy on Gulf flights

New lounge earmarked to open at Concourse D and Eurowings gears up for December launch

Iran judiciary says verdict issued in Rezaian case

The official did not say whether Rezaian had been convicted or acquitted, nor give any further details