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(CNN)Last month the United Arab Emirates announced it would ease restrictions on foreign business ownership and residency rights in a move to increase investment and attract fresh talent. The changes -- expected to be implemented by the end of the year -- will allow full foreign control of businesses outside of economic free zones and long-term residency visas of up to 10 years for skilled professionals and students. In 2016, Bahrain allowed 100% ownership to certain foreign companies, and in 2017 Saudi Arabia announced a plan for a green card-like program for expatriates and Qatar approved a law granting permanent residency to some skilled workers. "The region is competitive, you need to stay ahead and move with the times," says Tim Fox, chief economist at Emirates NBD, one of the largest banks in the region.

Yemeni forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition say they have captured the airport of the main port city of Hudaydah from Houthi rebels. The military said engineers were now checking the surrounding area for mines. However, the Houthi-controlled Saba news agency denied the airport had been lost and some reports suggest clashes there are continuing. The port is seen as a lifeline for millions of Yemenis at risk of famine. Hudaydah is the only major port controlled by the Houthis. UN special envoy Martin Griffiths arrived in the capital Sanaa on Saturday for emergency talks on the situation at the port, AFP reported. He is expected to propose to the Houthis, who control Sanaa, that they cede control

The US State Department warned Americans on Friday that terrorists may target World Cup venues in Russia, which is hosting the month-long soccer tournament, but it did not point to any specific threat. "Large-scale international events such as the World Cup present an attractive target for terrorists," the department said in a travel advisory. "Although security for the World Cup will be extensive, terrorists may seek to attack event locations such as stadiums and Fan Fest viewing areas, tourist sites, transportation hubs, and other public venues," it said. As with previous advisories, the State Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to Russia in general due to the threat of terrorism, and because of possible harassment and extortion from law enforcement and other officials.

Sheikh Sultan bin Suhaim is the son of Sheikh Suhaim bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Thani. "The 'two-Hamad regime' is leading the people of Qatar to chaos," Sheikh Sultan said, referring to both former Qatar Emir Hamad bin Khalifa and Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber, Qatar’s former foreign and prime minister.

Emirates has launched a new daily service from Dubai to Auckland via Bali, reflecting increased interest in the attractive Indonesian island destination and improving connectivity to New Zealand. The new service offers global travellers a total of three daily services to New Zealand, complementing Emirates’ existing non-stop daily A380 service between Dubai and Auckland and its current daily A380 service between Dubai and Christchurch via Sydney. Travellers will now also enjoy a choice of three daily services between Dubai to Bali in the summer, as the new flight adds to Emirates’ two existing daily services which are currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a two-class configuration. Commenting

Our selection of some of the most striking news photographs taken around the world this week.

FIFA has said it is contemplating legal action against pirate channel BeoutQ, which has been illegally broadcasting the 2018 World Cup in the Middle East. In a statement on Friday, the world football governing body reminded BeoutQ viewers that the pirate channel has not obtained the rights to show the matches, adding that the company is infringing on its copyright. "FIFA is aware that a pirate channel named BeoutQ has illegally distributed the opening matches of 2018 FIFA World Cup in the MENA region," the statement on its website said. "FIFA takes infringements of its intellectual property very seriously and is exploring all options to stop the infringement of its rights, including in relation to action against legitimate organisations that are seen to support such illegal activities," it continued.