Iran did not send any of its citizens to the haj, accusing Saudi Arabia of failing to guarantee safety after hundreds died in a crush at the 2015 pilgrimage
Politics
Saudi Arabia said to be mulling cancellation of $20bn projects
Gulf kingdom has reportedly hired PwC to review $69bn of gov’t contracts with a view to cutting about a third of them
Four Jaw jailbreak suspects arrested, hunt continues for escaped prisoners
Suspects aged 22 to 28 years old used drones to take footage of the prison and surrounding areas
New health service charges increase by 500% for expats in Kuwait
Health minister says fees of the services and medical examination provided by the MoH will be 20% less than that prevailed in the private sector
Impact of the UAE’s bankruptcy law remains ambiguous: Al Tamimi
While the law has been welcomed with optimism, there will not be a flood of applications, and debtors will continue to skip the country
UAE sets up legal system for venture capital funds
Economy Minister says it will promote competitiveness of SMEs
Malaysia looks to Qatar for investment in tourism, infrastructure
Ambassador says Qataris view Malaysia as a key holiday destination
GCC banks and petrochemicals likely to outperform in 2017
Value and improving market fundamentals could produce a turnaround in sentiment for the two sectors, but equity investors take a long term view
Three high-ranking prison officials suspended over jailbreak
Move was made as part of an investigation into the attack on Jaw prison which saw a policeman killed and several inmates freed
SaudiGulf employs women at airport customer service
SaudiGulf Airlines has selected 10 females to work as “airport movement employees” where they help guide passengers
Dubai eyes zero food waste status with launch of UAE Food Bank
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed announces plan to distribute food to those in need while eliminating food waste
22 projects ‘worth millions of dinars’ to be scaled down in Bahrain
Municipal projects were deemed “too expensive” by government officials
Policeman killed, inmates freed in attack on Bahrain prison
An armed attack on the Jau reform and rehabilitation centre resulted in the death of policeman Abdul Salam Saif and the escape of a number of inmates, according to interior ministry
Oman 2017 state budget projects smaller deficit, continued austerity
Government plans changes to income tax, new taxation of goods such as tobacco and alcohol, and changes to fees charged for hiring foreign workers
Saudi Arabia invites Iran to talks to resolve haj dispute
Iranian pilgrims did not attend this year’s Haj due to an escalating row between Tehran and Riyadh
Saudi Arabia launches campaign to collect funds for Syrians displaced by war
More than 11 million Syrians – around half of the population – have been displaced by the fighting, which began in 2011
UAE’s Year of Giving will bring ‘spirit of co-operation’, says Dubai Ruler
Sheikh Mohammed publishes New Year address to the nation, says 2017 will usher in positive change