Fast Retailing tops Dubai bid for Barneys
Japanese firm raises its bid for the luxury retailer to $950mn after Istithmar matches an earlier offer.

Oman sets late reporting fines
Stock market regulator will fine listed companies up to $3,897 for late reporting of results.

Dubai water bus to sail August 16
RTA announces official launch date for first water bus, to link Al Sabkha and Bur Dubai stations.

Abu Dhabi firm eyes $500mn fluorides complex
Planned 70,000 tonnes a year complex will be first of its kind in the Gulf Arab region.

Sustainable: what's in a word?
There's a word in the dictionary that's in danger of being banished to the 'over-used' bin.

Ahli United Qatar talks stall
International Bank of Qatar says negotiations have hit stumbling block; could spell an end to takeover.

Kuwait inflation unchanged at 5.34%
Inflation at end of May remained almost unchanged from April after central bank revaluation of dinar.

IPRA to host Bahrain conference
Gulf chapter of the International Public Relations Association aims to raise standards and awareness of PR in the region.

Carrefour plans four new Saudi stores
The supermarket group will open four new KSA hypermarkets over the next year, with a further 20 planned.

du looks to meet new customers
UAE telco operator ties up with greeting service.

Lufthansa joins all-business bandwagon
Lufthansa is the latest airline to leverage demand for all-business class travel.

ADSB wins Bahrain coast guard refit
Abu Dhabi Ship Building has won a contract to refurbish ten of Bahrain's cost guard patrol boats.

Australia's popularity just keeps growing
There are strong signs Australia will witness its largest influx of Middle East visitors ever this summer.

Gulf Air confident despite Dose departure
Gulf Air has claimed the resignation of its president and chief executive, Andre Dose, will not jeopardise the airline's future.

OUA Travel back in business post-Gonu
Muscat-based OUA Travel is back in business after damage caused by Cyclone Gonu forced its entire workforce to flee the office.

Week in Pictures