Qatar Bank Al Khaliji Gets Shareholder Assent For Up To $1.75bn Bond Sale

Bond issuance from Qatari borrowers has been rare in the last 18 months.

Emirates President Tim Clark Urges US Govt To Ignore Subsidy Claims

He was responding to allegations made by the three largest U.S. airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Sees 9-11% Loan Growth In 2015

FGB, the third-largest lender in the UAE by assets, reported a 13 per cent rise in Q4 net profit in January.

Lenovo Website Breached, Hacker Group Lizard Squad Claims Responsibility

Although consumer data was not likely compromised by the attack, the breach was the second security-related black eye for Lenovo in a matter of days.

ISIL Seize 100 Iraqi Tribesmen Before Battle For Tikrit

Iraqi soldiers and pro-government Shi’ite militias have been massing for days in preparation for an attack on ISIL strongholds along the Tigris River.

Yemen Ex-President Amassed Up To $60bn, Colluded With Rebels – UN Experts

Ali Abdullah Saleh’s rule from 1978 to 2012 was marred by graft, UN appointed investigators have told the Security Council.

Oil Rises To $59 As Saudis Say Demand Growing

Oil fell on Tuesday after a bigger-than-anticipated rise in U.S. crude oil stocks.

Dubai’s DEWA To Open 100 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In 2015

The authority inaugurated the first station within its main office on Wednesday.

Saudi Mobily Suffers 2014 Loss, Loan Covenant Breach

Mobily’s shares have fallen by 56 per cent since an accounting scandal first broke in November.

Qatar’s Hassad Food Eyes Brazilian Sugar, Poultry Assets

Hassad Food, wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, was set up in 2008 to boost the Gulf country’s food security.

Microsoft Launches Gold Editions Of Lumia 830, 930 In UAE

The 830 will be priced at Dhs1,349, while the 930 will cost Dhs1,799 and both will be available from this week.

Qatar Investment Slowing As Oil Slumps – Investment House CEO

A proposal by Qatar’s Investment House for a QAR750 million IPO of an agricultural firm has been shelved by regulators.

Saudi’s Naimi Says Oil Demand Is Growing As Prices Stabilise

The price of crude rebounded from a near six-year low to around $60 per barrel this month.

Bahrain’s GFH Plans $230m Sukuk Issue In 2015 To Fund Acquisitions

The bank is borrowing from financial markets again as it recovers from a debt restructuring.

Developer Damac Reveals Plans to Create A Rainforest In Dubai

The rainforest, to be created within a dome, will be located in Damac’s Akoya Oxygen project.

Saudi Regulator Suspends Mobily Shares After 2014 Results Revision

Mobily on Wednesday said it had swung to a full-year loss in 2014, according to audited results.

Saudi Arabia’s Mobily Sacks CEO

The sack comes after the launch of an investigation into accounting practices at the telecom operator.

Bahrain Central Bank Chief “Worried” About Banks’ Profitability

Bahraini banks could be affected by an economic slowdown if oil price volatility continues for a longer period, according to the governor.

UAE Firm, Armed Forces In $235m Support Contract For Oshkosh Vehicles

EARTH will provide support for 750 mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles which Oshkosh Corp sold to the Gulf Arab state in 2013.

Firms See Drone Sales In Gulf Surging After US Eases Export Policy

Teal expects a $4.5 billion UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) market in the Middle East over the period from 2014 to 2023.

Saudi’s Mobily Set To Slash Dividends After Earnings Scandal

Tuesday’s price of SAR35.30 per share means around $13 billion has been wiped off Mobily’s market value since May.

US Firm Raytheon Agrees To Equip UAE Armoured Vehicles With Rockets

The firm did not give a contract value or say when delivery will begin.

Gunmen Kidnap French Woman, Yemeni Escort In Sanaa

No further details were immediately available on the identity of the woman or what she was doing in Yemen.

Egypt’s Sisi Issues Decree Widening Scope Of Security Crackdown

The anti-terrorism law gives authorities powers to ban groups on charges ranging from harming national unity to disrupting public order.

Saudi Court Gives Death Penalty To Man Who Renounced His Muslim Faith

The man, in his 20s, reportedly posted an online video ripping up a copy of the Koran and hitting it with a shoe.

Gulf Economies Have Failed To Diversify, Qatar Central Banker Says

GCC economies should rethink their monetary policies and the long-term sustainability of their currency pegs to the U.S. dollar, he said.

FIFA Taskforce Recommends Nov/Dec For Qatar 2022 World Cup

The taskforce suggested that the tournament be moved from June and July to avoid Qatar’s hot summers.

Bahrain Central Bank Chief: Lending To Pick Up After Slump

The plunge in oil prices is not hurting liquidity in the banking system, Rasheed al-Maraj said.

Saudi’s Mobily Says Chairman Quits, Appoints Replacement

Abdulaziz al-Saghyir quit due to health reasons, but will remain on Mobily’s board, the company said.

Ooredoo Kuwait Blames FX Losses, Higher Costs As Q4 Profit Wiped Out

The company’s 2014 annual profit was KD45.7 million, down from KD76.1 million in 2013.