BlackBerry Launches BBM For Android, iOS Users

The service will be rolled out in a phased manner to ensure a “smooth” customer experience, said the company.

Qatari Poet Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Insulting Emir

Muhammad Ibn al-Dheeb al-Ajami praised the Arab Spring revolts that toppled four authoritarian leaders.

Qatar’s Ooredoo Eyes Major Bourse Listing

Ooredoo shares listed on the Qatar Exchange are up 34 per cent this year, but remain 8.6 per cent below a 2005 peak.

Saudi Firm Plans $200m Education Fund For Middle East

Itqan Capital is eyeing up to $200 million for the fund that it plans to launch with Bahrain-based school consultancy firm D3 Consultants in 2014.

Airbus Says A350 Tests Going Well, Delivery On Track

The A350 is designed to compete with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the larger Boeing 777.

Emirates and Virgin America Enter Frequent Flyer Partnership

Emirates becomes the fifth airline to join Virgin America’s frequent flyer program.

Etihad Sets Stage For $50bn Of Jet Deals From Gulf

The provisional Etihad order for dozens of Boeing jets could be worth $18 billion at list prices.

Restaurant Review: La Serre Bistro

When it comes to offering a perfect dining experience with indulgent food, fantastic service and d�cor to match, La Serre Bistro makes the cut.

Cloud Computing In Middle East ‘Here To Stay’

Valerio Romano, managing director of Technology Consulting at Accenture, speaks exclusively to Gulf Business.

UAE To Allow Mobile Number Portability By December – TRA

Number portability would allow customers of Etisalat and du to switch providers and keep the same phone number.

UAE Residents See Rise In Financial Cyber Threats

Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting bank accounts of individuals since they get direct access to the money.

New $2.9bn Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal To Open In July 2017

The 700,000 square metre terminal is designed to boost the capacity of the airport to 30 million passengers annually

Saudi Arabia Under Fire At UN Over Women’s Rights

Critics accused the Kingdom of jailing activists without due process and abusing the basic rights of Saudi women

Qatar Airways To Launch Miami Route

Doha carrier will become the first Gulf carrier to fly to the Florida city.

Kuwaiti Conglomerate Buys Red Bull Distributor In UAE

Mezzan is buying Unitra Mets Group (UMG) from Abu Dhabi-based Invest AD

Bahrain’s Ahli United Says IFC Fund Buys 167m Shares

The lender said the shares were converted at a price of 74.8 US cents per share

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan To Oversee Smart City Project

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed has also appointed a senior 10-member committee to work on the technology project.

Kuwait Gives Egypt 5 Years To Repay $2bn Deposit: Egyptian PM

Egypt’s central bank received the $2 billion deposit from Kuwait on Sept. 26.

Qatar Islamic Bank Misses Q3 Forecasts As Profit Drops 12.4%

The bank made a net profit of $94.8 million in the three months to Sept. 30.

Etisalat, Google Partner to Launch Tutorial Videos In UAE

Duroosi tutorial videos will facilitate smart learning through social media tools.

Rents Rise In Dubai’s Cheaper Communities

Communities like International City and Jumeirah Village Circle are seeing a rise in demand.

Abu Dhabi Launches Arabian Nights Village

Authentic desert retreat has no in-room TVs and phones can only be used in an emergency

Saudi PetroRabigh Says Shuts Ethane Cracker After Water Leak

PetroRabigh estimated the financial loss due to the outage at around $22 million.

Apple’s New iPad 5 Expected to Launch In UAE By Year End

The California company is launching the device on October 22 and local retailers say the official UAE launch may take place either by the end of this year or by early 2014.

Four Etihad Executives To Join Jet Board – Reports

Top-table move would take partnership to a new level

Dubai Duty Free Rakes In Dhs4.65bn Sales

Terminal 3 sales alone grew by 17 per cent in the last three quarters, accounting for 63 per cent of total sales turnover.

LIVE: Updates From Gitex 2013

Gulf Business brings you all the news from the region’s biggest ICT event.

Dubai Smart Government Launches Several New Apps During Gitex

The new launches form part of the new Smart City initiative announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed.

Dubai’s Ruler Announces New ‘Smart City’ Plan

The new plan aims to make government services quick and efficient through the use of hi-tech smart devices.

Freed Lebanese, Turkish Hostages Fly Home After Deal

The nine Lebanese hostages were seized by Syrian rebels in May 2012