The finalisation of the new york stock exchange Euronext buy-in to the Doha Securities Market (DSM), calculated at $250m for a 25% stake, marks the end of a complicated round of global back-and-forth which saw the market being pursued by suitors from all of the big international exchanges.

The Labour Fund's Human Capital Development (HCD) initiatives have, to date, invested in excess of $75m (BD28m) to provide over 11,000 Bahraini nationals with world class training over the next four years.

IRIS, one of the leading property developers in the region officially announced the launch of their Dhs2.5bn residential development, IRIS Mist in the iconic Maritime City.

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) announced sealing a private placement via Al-Nebras 2 fund, which caters to VIP clients, to finance Alexander City project in Jahour province in Malaysia.

A statistic revealed by Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) that the number of passengers commuted by motorized abras across Dubai Creek during the first quarter of 2008 hit 7,574,121 passengers ferried in 387,706 trips, showing a 10% increase over statistics of the same period last year.

The UAE says it is cancelling the entire debt owed to it by Iraq, a sum of almost $7bn (£3.5bn) including interest.

Syrian authorities blame prisoners for provoking clashes with guards that human rights groups say resulted in several deaths.

DFM down, ADX up slightly... Emaar properties introduces new standards system for associates... Euronext buy-in to Doha marks end to complicated round of global back and forth... Saudi Arabian Mining Company launches IPO... OPEC inceased oil production by 1% in June, Saudi output rose to 2 year high.

Mubadala Development Company PJSC (Mubadala), Waha Capital PJSC, A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC and Fullerton Financial Holdings Pte Ltd (FFH) today announced that they have signed an agreement to incorporate a new finance company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to be called 'Dunia Finance LLC'.

Unexpectedly, Dubai's Financial Market fell sharply today, losing 1.5% and pushing the index below 5.500 points, while Emaar registered its lowest price since the beginning of the year, closing at Dhs10.55. Beside DFM, three other Gulf markets fell today including Doha's market which fell by 0.78%, KSE by 0.71% and Bahrain by 0.14%. Saudi's Tadawul Market rose strongly today going up by 1.1%, Muscat rose by 0.63% and Abu Dhabi market by 0.14%.