OSN Acquires Pehla, Taps Into South Asian TV Content

OSN has announced full ownership of Pehla for an undisclosed amount while it awaits update on an IPO.

Saudi Arabia Buys 720,000 Tonnes Hard Wheat

The accepted origins are from the European Union, North and South America and Australia.

World’s Largest Holiday Inn To Open In Saudi’s Makkah

The 1,238-room Holiday Inn Makkah is slated for completion in 2016.

Increased Job Creation Leads To Rental Hikes In Dubai

Rents rose by 11.3 per cent across Dubai during the first half of 2013, says a Cluttons report.

Boeing Unveils First B787-9 Dreamliner

With the second and third airplanes in final assembly, Boeing will be hopeful the second version will have a smoother entry to market than the first.

Gold Hits 11-Week High, Briefly Tops $1,400

The precious metal was buoyed by weak U.S. data and political tensions in Syria.

Muslim Brotherhood Leaders, Mubarak Face Trial In Egypt

More than 1,000 people have died in violence across Egypt since the removal of President Mohamed Mursi.

Oman’s Qaboos Visits Iran, US-Tehran Mediation In Focus

The Sultan’s visit is the first by a foreign leader since moderate President Hassan Rouhani took office in early August.

New Luxury Resort Planned For Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat

The Bin Otaiba Investment group has bought a 91,000-square-metre land plot on the island to develop a five-star hotel.

Bahrain: The Long Road Ahead

The island’s once vibrant economy was paralysed by violent pro-democracy protests which deterred foreign investment and crimped tourism. Where does it stand today?

Dubai’s Okku Owner To Launch Fast-Food Concepts

Markus Thesslef also reveals plans to launch a new Spanish restaurant and additional openings for Okku and Sophie’s.

ME Employees Prefer To Work For Socially Responsible Companies

Almost 90 per cent of those polled said the corporate sector has a moral responsibility to partake in CSR projects.

Government Spending Sustains Saudi’s Office Rental Rates

Despite a strong supply of office units in the market, increased demand is boosting rents in the Kingdom.

Nakheel Repays Dhs197m To Lenders

The Dubai-based developer has $2.2 billion debt maturing in 2015.

HSBC Names New Head Of Debt Capital Markets MENA

The lender also named a new chief executive of the Middle East and North Africa.

Dubai’s DFSA, EU Regulators Tie Up To Hike Investment Flows

The regulators will supervise fund managers operating between the Dubai International Financial Centre and Europe.

Dubai Islamic Bank To Offer 100% Mortgages

The UAE lender seems to be ignoring impending regulations by the Central Bank to cap mortgages at 80 and 75 per cent.

New UAE Telco Will Cost Incumbents Profits And Jobs ­– Analysts

As the latest network sharing agreement flops, is now the time to end the UAE telco duopoly?

Britain Operates Secret Monitoring Station In Middle East

The station is part of a $1.56 billion global eavesdropping project, say reports citing leaked documents from Edward Snowden.

Thousands Of Bahrainis March Peacefully For Democratic Reforms

Police stayed away from the march, which was organised by the country’s main opposition parties.

Western, ME Defence Chiefs To Meet To Discuss Syria

The meeting, planned two months ago, is the third that the top military officers have held on Syria this year.

Airbus Heralds Middle East Growth

Top executives from the European manufacturer praise GCC airlines for their use of the A380 and launching the new A350.

In Search Of New India

New India, long buried since the crash, may see 2013 as its resurgent year. Can India overcome corruption and political hurdles to embrace greater global liquidity and a pick up in investor sentiment?

Dubai’s F&B Sector Warned It’s In A Bubble

Markus Thesleff, owner of new restaurant Claw, is concerned the saturated industry is going to leave a lot of people with headaches.

More Flights To Operate Between UAE, China

Authorities have signed an air transport agreement to allow more flights on the UAE-China route as demand rises.

Two Qatari LNG Tankers To Head To Egypt Thursday – QNA

The fifth and last LNG shipment from Qatar is expected to be loaded next month.

Anantara Partners With Dubai Firm, Launches First Hotel In Africa

Minor Hotel Group has tied up with Dubai-based Rani Investment to expand in Africa.

Online Retailer Mumzworld Launches ‘Women-Only’ Investment Round

The region’s online mother and child website aims to attract female investors to online retail through the women-only investment round.

Oman Development Bank Considers Islamic Window

Oman became the last country in the GCC to adopt Islamic finance in December 2012.

Global Property Standards To Increase Transparency In ME Markets

Upcoming international regulations will ensure uniformity in Middle Eastern property markets, says Jones Lang LaSalle Middle East CEO.