New Indian channel launches in Middle East, targets South Asian expats

Senior executive at Rishtey Asia confirms content has been curated for the local market

Star Trek Beyond begins filming in Dubai

The movie will be filmed over 13 days across the city

Google Street View expands across UAE into Sharjah and Ajman

Trekker equipment has already captured the Eye of the Emirates wheel

Falling oil prices will shrink MENA advertisement spending – Zenith

Agencies have imposed stronger spending restrictions in anticipation of lower consumer demand, the agency says

PR agency Edelman acquires Dubai-based DABO & Co

The transaction sees the launch of a new co-branded entity – Edelman DABO – with a combined client base of 50 entities

Dubai pay-TV firm OSN signs $400m five-year loan with 11 banks

The facility is split into two parts – a $255m term loan and a $145m revolving credit facility

Twitter launches self service ad platform in the UAE

The service, now available in 200 countries, targets small and medium-sized businesses

Egyptian court sentences 3 Al Jazeera journalists to prison

The journalists were accused of operating without a press license and broadcasting material harmful to Egypt

Dubai continues push to become global design hub by 2020

The recently developed Dubai Creative Clusters Authority is investing heavily in the design sector

Emirates signs $5m advertising deal with Jennifer Aniston

The actress has already completed filming of an advertising campaign for Emirates

Saudi media label Iran deal an assault on Arab interests

A Saudi official said he feared the Iran agreement would make the Middle East more dangerous

Starz Play inks content deal with CBS for MENA region

As per the deal, Starz will stream premium content from Showtime and CBS for its Middle East and North Africa audience

Star Trek 3 to be filmed in Dubai

The filming of the movie in Dubai is scheduled to begin in October, the Dubai Film and TV Commission said

Experiential events: leading the future of media communications

The experiential event industry is well placed to lead media communications, writes Prisme International creative director George Collier

Saudi satire star Nasser Al Qasabi receives death threats from ISIL

His comedy show ‘Selfie’ which debuted last week on MBC, has won praise for daring to mock the hardline militant group

Germany frees Al Jazeera journalist despite Egypt’s request

Ahmed Mansour was released after Egypt was unable to dispel concerns about the extradition process

Al Jazeera journalist says surprised by arrest in Germany

Ahmed Mansour, a talk show host on the channel’s Arabic service, was detained in Germany after an international police warrant was issued by Egypt.

Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed, Forbes settle libel case

The Prince and Forbes have been embroiled in a dispute ever since the magazine’s annual billionaires list was published in 2013

Egyptian court adjourns Al Jazeera journalists trial to Thursday

The journalists were arrested in December 2013 and originally sentenced to between seven and 10 years in prison.

New Bollywood movie ‘Dishoom’ to film in Abu Dhabi

The movie, starring John Abraham and Varun Dhawan, is scheduled to film in the emirate in late 2015.

BBC journalist jailed in Qatar when reporting on labour conditions

The BBC’s crew was invited to Doha to film improved accommodation for migrant workers in the country, ahead of 2022 World Cup.

Abu Dhabi’s Image Nation To Finance Tom Hanks Thriller, The Circle

The movie has been written and will be directed by James Ponsoldt, and will start shooting in August 2015.

Al Jazeera Journalist Under Trial In Egypt Sues Employer For Negligence

Mohamed Fahmy spent more than 400 days in an Egyptian jail on charges of aiding a terrorist organisation.

US Online Video Service Starz Play Launches In UAE At $13.99 Per Month

Available now in 17 countries across the MENA region, Starz Play currently has a bank of 3,000 Hollywood movies and TV series.

MENACOM Chairman And CEO Joseph Ghossoub Resigns

Roy Haddad, WPP’s director of MENA, has been appointed as an interim chairman for the media and advertising group.

Bahrain Arrests Activist Nabeel Rajab Over Tweets

Rajab, founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, is appealing after being convicted in January of publicly insulting two state institutions.

Five Minutes With.. Fadi Mroue, Founder, République

Fadi Mroue discusses the Darwinian future of advertising and Beirut vs Dubai as a media hub, following République’s crowning as Independent Agency of the Year at the Dubai Lynx Awards.

Egyptian Court Adjourns Trial Of Al Jazeera Journalists To March 25

Mohamed Fahmy, a naturalised Canadian who has given up his Egyptian citizenship, and Egyptian Baher Mohamed were released on bail last month.

Etihad, Universal Unveil Fast & Furious Branded Boeing 777 Airplane

The luxury aircraft will be used to promote the upcoming action flick, ahead of its launch in April.

Kuwait Detains Political Activist Over Tweets Against Saudi Arabia

Tariq al-Mutairi, head of the liberal Civil Democratic Movement was detained on his way home early on Wednesday.