Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed, Forbes settle libel case

The Prince and Forbes have been embroiled in a dispute ever since the magazine’s annual billionaires list was published in 2013

Egypt court sentences Mursi, Brotherhood leaders to death

The court last month sought the death penalty for Mursi after he was convicted of killing and kidnapping policemen

Etihad starts daily flights to Hong Kong

The new service will offer a total of 3,620 seats per week between Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi

Qatar Airways places $4.8bn order for 10 Boeing 777-8Xs, four 777 freighters

The orders were placed on the first day of the Paris Airshow

Dragon Oil agrees to ENOC’s increased takeover bid

Dubai-based ENOC’s offer values Dragon Oil at around $5.75bn

Airbus in talks to sell up to 50 planes to Saudi Arabian Airlines

The deal could include 30 A320neo planes and up to 20 A330 aircraft, sources said

Open skies with GCC crucial for US economy – senior Boeing official

Three US carriers are calling for an end to the US’ open skies agreement with the UAE and Qatar over a subsidies row

Egypt says New Suez Canal to open Aug 6, eyes economic boost

The army began work 10 months ago on the $8 billion canal in order to expand trade along the fastest shipping route between Europe and Asia.

US sends six Yemeni prisoners from Guantanamo to Oman for resettlement

The six men sent to Oman were identified as low-risk detainees cleared years ago for transfer.

Egyptian court jails 23 men over killing of Shi’ite Muslims – sources

The four victims, one of whom was a prominent cleric, were killed in June 2013 when a mob stormed a house in a small village near Cairo.

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

Emirates airline sees more opportunities to fly in Europe

CEO Tim Clark says governments, airports and organisations in Europe frustrated with local airlines have asked Emirates to start offering international service

France nears $1.1bn Kuwait deal to sell Airbus helicopters

The contract is for the sale of 24 Airbus-built military helicopters to Kuwait

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

Video: flydubai’s latest 737 takes shape in Boeing’s Renton factory

Boeing’s 737 manufacturing facility in Renton produces 42 airplanes every month

Emirates signs codeshare deal with Europe’s Flybe

The deal, due to be implemented in July, provides the Dubai carrier with greater access to the UK and Europe

Buyout firm Arcapita sells $640m US real estate portfolio

The portfolio includes 16 facilities and 4,000 residential units for continuing senior care, the company said in a statement.

Qatar Airways threatens to quit oneworld alliance over subsidy row

The airline’s CEO Akbar Al Baker accuses one of his American partners of blocking its expansion

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.

Dubai’s Access Infra to launch solar plant in Uganda this year

The project is part of the company’s plans to develop electricity projects in 17 African countries, mainly based on renewable energy

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

Qatar Airways CEO sees no need for concessions to US airlines

Al Baker said Qatar Airways expects to deliver its rebuttal to the U.S. airlines’ claims in the next few weeks

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.

Oil prices fall as OPEC keeps production high

OPEC agreed on Friday to stick to its policy of not limiting its output, which currently stands above 30 million barrels per day.

Etihad Airways in expanded codeshare deal with Air France-KLM

The two carriers will share codes on more flights starting this year, opening more European cities to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s customers.