IFA 2013: Panasonic Launches First HDMI 2.0 TV; Sony Unveils Xperia Z1

Tech showcase acts as global launch pad for new products.

Radisson Blu Kuwait Reopens After KD15m Renovation

Well-established property sports chic new look, larger Presidential Suite and enhanced F&B options.

Dubai’s Arabtec CEO Boosts Personal Stake Above 8%

Hasan Abdullah Ismaik’s stake in the construction company is worth about $159 million based on Wednesday’s closing share price.

Abu Dhabi’s ADPC Awards Dhs2.5m Delma Port Contract

Construction firm Parsons will develop 300 metres of concrete wharf and new floating pontoons that will accommodate more than 280 boats.

U.S. Senate Panel Passes Authorization For Military Force In Syria

Barack Obama is asking Congress to back his call for limited U.S. strikes on Syria to punish President Bashar al-Assad.

Emirates Starts Stockholm Services

Emirates will be looking to funnel Swedes onto its Asian, Indian and African network.

Booming Saudi Retail Market Fuels Alhokair Expansion Drive

Alhokair net profit rose nearly 37 per cent year on year in the three months to June 30.

Dubai Duty Free Names Banks To Arrange $750m Expansion Loan

The facility will be arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD and Standard Chartered.

Youth Unemployment Costs Arab Countries $40bn Annually

Vocational training should be encouraged to address employment and reduce the skills gap in the Arab countries, says expert.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2014 To Start January 2

The biggest shopping extravaganza in the Middle East attracted 4.66 million visitors last year.

Air Seychelles’ First Half Revenues Climb Upwards

Airline benefits from equity partner Etihad, international expansion and improved cargo performance

Egypt Says Ready To Repay $2bn Qatari Loan In Days If Necessary

The funds were supposed to be converted into three-year bonds.

India Approves Deal To Increase Airline Seats To UAE

The agreement allows the nations to add 50,000 additional seats per week for the next three years.

LinkedIn Crosses One Million Members In Saudi

Private and public sector firms in the Kingdom are increasingly using LinkedIn for recruitment, the company said.

No Bubble In Dubai’s Property Market – Stan Chart

The emirate’s real estate market is being driven by fundamentals rather than speculation, said the bank.

Dubai’s Stock Market Touches 8-Week Low On Syria Fears

The index fell 3.7 per cent to close at 2,397 points, its lowest finish since July 11.

UAE’s Coffee Planet Secures European Partnership

The popular local brand will begin selling its coffee bags through 340 Jumbo supermarkets in the Netherlands.

McAfee Opens First Cyber Defence Centre In Dubai

The centre aims to reduce the response time in the event of a cyber crisis in the Middle East.

Obama Wins Backing For Syria Strike From Key Figures In Congress

Leaders of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said they reached an agreement on a draft authorization for the use of military force in Syria.

Egypt’s El Sewedy Q2 Net Income Up 159%

Revenue increased by 12 per cent to 4.1 billion pounds, of which El Sewedy’s wire and cable segment accounted for 3.1 billion.

Saudi Q2 Annual Growth Picks Up, Non-Oil Expansion Is Firm

In a quarter-on-quarter comparison, Saudi GDP fell 1.1 per cent in April-June 2013, the first such decline in a year.

Saudi Prince Buys 50% In Sheffield United

Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has promised to invest substantial new capital into the club.

Barclays Decides To Sell UAE Retail Bank After Review

The potential sale may impact up to 280 employees, a source said.

Microsoft Acquires Nokia’s Phone Business For $7.2bn

The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014.

Ex-Merrill Lynch Banker Sets Up Boutique Consultancy In Dubai

Ziad Awad, a veteran investment banker with nearly 20 years of experience, is setting up Boardroom Metrics Arabia.

Majid Al Futtaim To Raise $1.5bn Loan To Refinance Debt

The mall operator will use the $1.5 billion facility to replace revolving loans totalling $1 billion.

Aramco Extends Bidding For Ras Tanura Clean Fuels Project

Bids are now due by Oct. 20, pushed back from Sept. 8, for the multi-billion-dollar project.

Qatar Airways Starts Chengdu Flights

The Chinese city’s large industrial development zone is likely to funnel in corporate travellers

Hilton Opens Second Hotel In Abu Dhabi

Hilton Capital Grand will aim to attract business and leisure travellers in the upcoming peak season

Dubai Shares Fall On Syria Ballistic Object Report

The index, which fell as much as 5.2 per cent is now down 2.6 per cent.