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Gulf States Call For U.N. To Prevent Homs Massacre

Sunni Muslim Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia and Qatar have backed the rebels with arms and money in a fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Saudi Arabia Calls On EU To Arm Syrian Rebels

The European Union lifted restrictions on arming the rebels in May. Britain and France said they would not send weapons before August 1.

Protesters Ransack Egypt’s Ruling Brotherhood Headquarters

Medical and security sources said that at least eight people had been killed in the violence at the besieged building.

Kerry Squeezes In More Talks At End Of Mideast Mission

The top U.S. diplomat has met both Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Anti-Bribery And Corruption Legislation In The Middle East

Are international anti-bribery and corruption laws relevant to MENA companies? Two experts debate the issue.

Mobile Advertising Calls For Profits

With many GCC consumers now owning two handsets, mobile advertising represents a golden untapped opportunity.

Gulf’s Corporate Banks At Peak Levels

Corporate lenders in the GCC are falling behind their global counterparts in other areas however.

ME Airlines Will Need Almost 2,000 New Aircraft By 2031

Regional carriers are expected to see passenger traffic rise by 6.2 per cent annually over the next 20 years, says Airbus.

Mursi Says Polarised Politics Threatens Democracy

The president blamed unspecified “enemies of Egypt” for sabotaging the democratic system.

Baskin-Robbins Opens 650th Middle East Store

The opening also marked the U.S.-brand’s 34th year in the UAE as figures show it occupies 69 per cent of the local market share.

Middle East Companies Must Use Mobile Sites – Google

Businesses are relying too much on apps and are not capitalising on the region’s high levels of internet and mobile penetration.

Saudi Arabia Labels Syrian War On Rebels “Genocide”

Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal criticised Iran, Russia and Hezbollah for backing and arming Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Kempinski Gears Up For ME Expansion

But work on its long-awaited Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai remains ongoing and it is unlikely to open until late 2015.

Palestinian “Arab Idol” Victory Unleashes Outburst Of Joy

Gazan singer Mohammed Assaf endeared millions of viewers with his Palestinian patriotic anthems and folk songs.

Middle East HNWIs More Confident In Increasing Wealth

A study by Barclays Wealth shows a growing confidence of increasing fortunes compared to other global markets.

Germany’s DEG To Invest $188m In MENA Firms

DEG has a current portfolio of 160 million euros in the MENA region but has not been very active since 2011.

Local, Global Trends Boost Gulf Banks As Foreign Rivals Retrench

Gulf economies have ridden out the global financial crisis of the past five years more smoothly than many economists expected.

Deadly New Coronavirus A “Serious Risk” In Hospitals

Middle East researchers have said the respiratory syndrome (MERS) is easily transmitted from the transfer of sick patients to other hospitals.

Islam, Ramadan Apps’ Popularity To Soar

This year’s holy month will be the ‘most mobile-enabled’ yet as Middle East penetration rate hits 109 per cent.

Emirates’ A380s “Make A Lot Of Money” – Airbus CEO

Fabrice Brégier told reporters he was “very pleased” with the company’s relationship with Middle East airlines.

Saudi King Congratulates Iran’s New President Rohani

Ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran are tense over many issues, notably the war in Syria.

Arabs Put Slim Hopes In New Iranian President

Hassan Rohani, who replaces Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is known for a conciliatory approach and is backed by reformists.

Regional Political Tension Seen Hitting GCC Stock Markets

Saudi Arabia’s stock market, the region’s largest, dropped 4.3 per cent on Saturday.

EgyptAir Plane Diverted After Threatening Note Found

A note written in English and reading “This flight will be on fire” was found in one of the plane’s toilets by a woman passenger.

Iran’s New President Hassan Rohani Hails “Victory Of Moderation”

Rohani will take up the presidency in August, replacing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was legally barred from seeking a third consecutive term.

Turkey’s History Of Military Coups Hangs Over Protests

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has whittled away the army’s power and even holds up his executed predecessor as a political model.

Open Books For Bonds – GCC Companies Must Bare All

The mandatory practice is unfamiliar to many local businesses but must be complied with in order to tap the growing markets.

EU To Levy 4.7% Duty On Jet Fuel Imports From Middle East

The new duty comes after the European Union removed the Gulf states from its generalised scheme of preferences.

Two Canadian Reporters, Detained In Turkey, Now Released

The two were detained since they reported on the protests that have been taking place in Turkey for almost two weeks.

Mideast Jet Demand To Offset Western Cuts – BAE

Saudi Arabia and Oman have so far signed up to buy Typhoon jets and the plane is also vying for a UAE deal.