Italy Sees Etihad-Alitalia Deal Decided Soon

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways is in talks to acquire 40 per cent of Italy’s struggling flag carrier.

Qatar Buys Stake In Derby Winner Ahead Of World Cup Tilt

Sheikh Joaan’s Al Shaqab Racing stable will partner the colt’s original owner, Coolmore Ireland, a multi-million euro operation by Irish business magnate John Magnier.

Abu Dhabi’s Hilal Bank Reports 2013 Net Profit Up 42%

The lender attributed the profit rise to growth in assets and improvement in asset quality and liability mix.

UAE Residents Say Expo 2020 Will Increase Cost Of Living

Almost 16 per cent of respondents said that they doubt if the event would deliver any benefits once completed, a new survey shows.

Oman Sets Up Committee To Ensure Financial Stability

The committee includes the CEO of the Capital Market Authority and officials from the finance ministry.

Video: Hands On With The New Nokia X Range

Nokia launched its new range of Nokia X smartphones, based on Android open source, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Etihad Airways To Raise $2bn For Deliveries In 2014

Etihad will take delivery of 18 aircraft this year that include 10 Airbus aircraft and eight Boeing planes.

Arab States Pledge To Work To End Rifts

Saudi, the UAE and Bahrain recalled their ambassadors from Qatar three weeks ago, accusing it of interfering in fellow Arab states’ internal affairs.

Nakheel Evaluating IPO, Plans Another New Development

Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah confirms that the developer will seek a public listing once it has paid up all its debts.

Nakheel To Launch 94 Plots For Sale On Deira Islands Project

The developer is launching 15 resort beach plots and 79 waterfront hotel plots across two of the development’s four islands.

Facebook To Buy Virtual Reality Goggles Maker For $2bn

The acquisition comes soon after Facebook’s $19 billion deal for messaging service WhatsApp.

QIB In Talks For Bank Asya Stake

The Qatari lender is looking to finalise the transaction in the next few months.

Bahrain’s Batelco Plans Further Buy-Back Of 2020 Bonds

The company has offered to buy back up to $200 million in principal amount of its 4.25 per cent, $604.4 million guaranteed notes maturing in 2020.

Oman’s ORPIC Awards Two Contracts For Plastics Complex

The $3.6 billion Liwa Plastics Project will be built in Oman’s northern industrial city of Sohar.

Dubai To Host Largest Incentives Group

Up to 14,500 delegates from Nu Skin Enterprises in China will visit the emirate between April 6-16.

Qatar Dismisses Iraqi Charges That Doha Funds “Terrorism”

The comments by Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, were the first official Qatari reaction after Iraq accused Doha and Riyadh of funding insurgency.

Pictures: HTC Unveils New Flagship Phone, HTC One M8

HTC’s latest handset boasts a new dual camera lens on the rear of the device.

Occidental Middle East Asset Sale Delayed Due To Regional Disputes

The firm said last year that it planned to sell a minority stake in its regional operations as a part of a restructuring program to lift its valuation.

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, France’s CDC Launch 300m Euro Investment Fund

The investments will mainly target equity stakes in private companies as well as other asset classes including real estate or infrastructure.

Gulf Capital To Sell Rest Of GMS Within Two Years

Gulf Capital floated approximately 40 per cent of its holding in Gulf Marine Services on the London Stock Exchange earlier this month.

Policemen Injured By Bomb On Highway In Bahrain

Bahrain has experienced unrest over the past three years by majority Shi’ite Muslims demanding political reform.

Qatar Regulator Reprimands RBS For Insufficient Staff Training

Qatar Financial Centre said it has accepted an enforceable undertaking from RBS to establish a “remedial action plan.”

Etihad-Air Serbia Deal Gets Regulator’s Nod

Etihad’s chief executive confirmed that the initial loan of $40 billion to Air Serbia will be converted to equity.

Kempinski Checks Out Of Bahrain Mall

Majid Al Futtaim plans to introduce a brace of brands in the two towers which connect with the shopping centre

Obama Aims To Soothe Saudi Fears With Riyadh Visit

Washington’s preliminary nuclear deal with Iran last year caused tensions between the US and Saudi.

Nakheel Announces Two New Shopping Malls In Jumeirah Village

A one million sq ft mall in Jumeirah Village Triangle will feature a 15-screen cinema, a hypermarket and entertainment options.

Saudi’s Labour Reforms Push 50% Of Contractors Out Of Business

Labour shortage has led to a surge in wages, making it unsustainable for small and medium firms to survive in the market.

Deutsche Bahn Joins Etihad Rail In UAE Railway Venture

The JV, Etihad Rail DB, will manage operations for the first stage of the railway.

Saudi Arabia Hanco Consortium Buys Rental Firm Byrne

Saudi Arabia’s Hanco and Bahrain’s Venture Capital Bank bought Byrne for around Dhs600 million.

Exclusive: Founder Of Islamic Cartoon ‘THE 99’ Denies Knowledge Of Saudi Ban

Reports claimed that a Saudi religious body issued a fatwa banning the popular cartoon series.