Audi Middle East Reports 16.3% Record Rise

Its Q7 model was its best-selling vehicle with a year-on-year rise of 36.8 per cent.

US, Gulf Arab States Pledge $1bn In Fresh Syria Aid

An international donor conference in Kuwait is intended to help the UN reach a $6.5 billion aid target.

Another Boeing 787 Dreamliner Grounded After Battery Problem

Japan Airlines was forced to ground one of its 787 aircraft after detecting smoke outside the plane.

Middle East Online Job Postings Rise 13% In December

Job openings in the banking, financial services and insurance industry grew 42 per cent year-on-year in December, recording the highest growth among industries in 2013.

Bank Muscat Meets Q4 Forecasts With 42% Profit Hike

Results were boosted by the $38.8 million payout from insurers after the bank was the victim of a major cyber fraud case.

Bahrain’s GFH Agrees Part Sale Of Leeds United Stake

GFH bought Leeds United in December 2012 through its Dubai-based subsidiary, GFH Capital.

Abu Dhabi To Give Foreigners Freehold Property Titles

The capital of the UAE has designated areas for property investment by foreigners.

Islamic Banking Evolves

Sharia-compliant lenders are growing but non-core assets will become less visible.

Nakheel Launches New Plots For Sale At Jumeirah Village Circle

Prices start at Dhs10 million and the plots can be used for residential, hotel or commercial development.

Dubai Ruler: Private Sector Emiratisation To Increase 10-Fold By 2021

Sheikh Mohammed launched the UAE National Agenda for the next seven years on Tuesday.

Qatar’s QNB Q4 Profit Up 13.7%

The bank reported a net profit of 2.4 billion riyals ($659 million) for the final three months of 2013.

First Jubail Diesel Cargo Adds To Pain For Europe’s Refiners

Saudi Aramco is set to ship the first cargo of diesel to the Mediterranean for January 23 loading.

10% Of UAE’s Mobile Users Switched Operators Since MNP – Survey

The UAE recently introduced mobile number portability (MNP), which allows users to switch operators while retaining their number.

97% Of UAE’s HNWIs Use Social Media

A study shows 73 per cent of them prefer LinkedIn over Facebook or Twitter.

ADNOC Cuts Prices Of LPG Cylinders In Northern Emirates

The price of a 25 lbs capacity cylinder has been reduced to Dhs54 from Dhs61.

Dubai Duty Free To Launch Online Shopping

Executive vice chairman Colm McLoughlin said the company will focus on the new Al Maktoum International airport.

Saudia Restarts Jeddah-Manchester Route

The airline will resume services to Manchester after a seven-year gap and will fly thrice a week.

Kuwaiti Government To Keep Reviewing Subsidies

The government said last November that it would form a special committee to review its sometimes wasteful spending.

Asian workers take a break at Friday Market in Kuwait City

Saudi Arabia Signs Labour Deal With Sri Lanka

The deal provides Sri Lankan domestic workers in the Kingdom the right to retain their travel documents.

Hong Kong Exchange CEO: “We Are Not Ready For China’s Boom”

Dr Li Xiaojia urges Hong Kong to boost its capabilities before it loses out to other international finance centres.

Dubai’s Arabtec Wins $705m Abu Dhabi Contract

The project on Al Reem Island will house a five-star hotel and a residential tower, and will be built within three years.

Online Banking Users Warned About New Threat

A new malicious Trojan called Neverquest is designed to steals usernames and passwords to online bank accounts, says Kaspersky.

German Diplomats Survive Shooting Attack In Saudi Arabia

The incident took place in the town of Awamiya on Monday evening.

UAE Sees Keen Interest For Largest Oilfields On Revised Terms

Several companies are interested in joining the project with revised terms, UAE’s oil minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said.

Godolphin Door Permanently Shut For Tainted Trainer, Zarooni

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) banned Zarooni for eight years after finding him guilty of administering anabolic steroids.

Dubai’s Drydocks World Signs $730m North Sea Rig Deal

The order was part of a package of contracts which could be worth a total of $1.4 billion to Drydocks by the third quarter, its chairman said.

Etihad Chief Says Will Not Be Rushed On Alitalia Decision

Alitalia is in talks with Etihad to sell the UAE carrier a large stake.

Swatch Group Reports Sales Rise Of 8.3%

The Swiss group, which owns 20 brands, saw its watches and jewellery segment grow by more than 10 per cent.

UAE PM Says Treatment Of Jailed American Was Unsatisfactory

Shezanne Cassim was detained in April and sentenced to a year in prison for making a 20-minute “mockumentary”.

Saudi Arabia Replaces Public Sector Expat Workers

All jobs previously occupied by expats will be considered vacant until qualified Saudi citizens can fill them, the ministry said.