MIDDLE EAST 

• Dubai developer's Moldovan citizenship offer sparks criticism
  Kleindienst says those who invest AED5m into its Heart of Europe project in Dubai will be eligible for a Moldovan citizenship-by-investment scheme
• Aldar launches new $460m residential project for UAE nationals
  Launch of Alreeman II follows success of phase 1 which generated AED1.6bn in home sales
• Drake & Scull board to meet to name new chairman
  Former chairman Obaid bin Touq submitted his resignation in May
• Omniyat says Dubai waterfront project set for 2020 handover
  Anwa by Omniyat is a residential project at Dubai Maritime City and expects to welcome homeowners in the second quarter of 2020
• 'Little dinosaur' relocated as part of Expo 2020 Dubai construction
  Spiny-tailed lizard is among the flora and fauna that Expo continues to conserve
• Saudi Arabia approves plans for holy sites development company
  The company will work to create and increase capacity at religious sites in the kingdom
• UK's Atkins looks to double Riyadh workforce by end-2019
  Construction consultancy Atkins says mega projects in Saudi Arabia are driving growth in business
• UAE's Twenty 14 says iconic London hotel to open in Q3
  Revamp of Great Scotland Yard Hotel completed, says company exec at Abu-Dhabi-based Twenty 14 Holding
• Virgin Hyperloop One to start India's Mumbai-Pune route work by Q4 this year
  The new Mumbai-Pune hyperloop route will cut the 140 km journey’s travel time from 3.5 hours to 25 minutes
• Dubai completes project to revive Deira markets in heritage push
  Dubai Municipality aims to revitalise traditional markets and reinforce role as a major cultural and tourism attraction

AUSTRALIA

• Developers would need to prove they can afford to fix defects under proposed law
  Developers would be required to engage in a range of transparency measures designed to stop them avoiding debts and defect bills, and nominate a person to take responsibility for the company’s actions…
• Why is closing a land tax loophole so controversial?
  After a furious backlash from supporters, donors and some of its own MPs, SA’s Liberal Government could rethink aspects of its controversial land tax measures flagged in last month’s budget — but what…
• This small, remote town has a $500m freeway and a $120m airport no-one uses
  

  As Timor-Leste prepares to tap into its oil wealth, critics say the same people who won the nation’s independence fight 20 years ago are playing a dangerous game with the nation’s future.

• Called on to fix the Australian dream turned 'nightmare', building ministers gather
  State and territory building ministers agree to create a nationally consistent approach to reform the industry, but residents of the now abandoned Mascot Towers say more needs to be done to help apart…
• Controversial Kangaroo Island ecotourism project gets the green light
  A contentious ecotourism project on Kangaroo Island has been approved — and could lead the way for similar projects that will open up South Australian national parks currently “under lock and key”….
• Dozens of people feared trapped in collapsed Mumbai building
  

  Television images show people forming a human chain and using their hands to remove rubble from a four-storey building located in a narrow lane in a congested area.

• 'The public has a right to know': Buildings identified in cladding audit kept secret
  

  The South Australian Government refuses to release a list of buildings containing potentially-flammable aluminium cladding following an ABC request under Freedom of Information laws.

• Victoria seeks federal partnership in $600m cladding package
  The Victorian Government has announced a $600 million package to fix hundreds of buildings with dangerous combustible cladding. Premier Daniel Andrews is seeking a partnership with the Federal Governm…
• One of the nation's most congested roads 'forgotten' as Perth races to fix traffic woes
  Governments are spending billions on “congestion-busting” projects in and around Perth, with 29 projects underway across the city. But where is the money actually making a difference to commuters’ liv…
• Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest snaps up iconic Old Swan Brewery site
  Fortescue Metals Group founder Andrew Forrest adds another historic WA building to his property portfolio, with his Minderoo Group agreeing to take over the lease of the Old Swan Brewery heritage buil…

INTERNATIONAL

• Projects losses prompt SNC-Lavalin to quit turnkey contracting
  Canadian construction group SNC-Lavalin, parent company of the UK’s WS Atkins, is restructuring after second-quarter project losses.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• Roll-out begins for 3D printing network
  A French start-up that is pioneering large-scale 3D printing for construction has begun the deployment of its network of connected 3D printing units.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• Ramirent shareholders agree Loxam takeover
  Shareholders of Ramirent have agreed to a takeover offer from Loxam.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• Vinci tasked with £900m Auckland rail challenge
  A Vinci-led consortium has won a contract worth NZ$ 1.66bn (£900m) for package three of the City Rail Link project in Auckland, New Zealand.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• International consultants team up with Chinese contractors
  A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA).Read Full Article: The…
• Tender process begins for JFK hub
  Designers and developers from around the world are being asked for input into one of the major projects in the US$13bn (£10.5bn) expansion of New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport.Read Full…
• Riwal opens new European depots
  Aerial work platform and telehandler specialist Riwal has expanded its European operations by opening four new hire depots, including one in Hertfordshire.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• Vinci to build $400m Canadian LNG tank
  A joint venture of two Vinci Construction subsidiaries has won a CA$400m (£245m) contract to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tank in Canada.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• First breakthrough on $11bn Melbourne metro
  Three roadheaders have met up 30 metres underground in the first major breakthrough on the AU$11bn (£6.2bn) Metro Tunnel project in Melbourne, Australia.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…
• CRH to sell its European distribution business
  Building materials group CRH has agreed to sell all of its European builders’ merchants in a deal worth more than €1.6bn.Read Full Article: The Construction Index…