Best Western Opens All-Suite Hotel In Bahrain

The chain is in the midst of an aggressive Middle East expansion with new hotels in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and another property coming up in Bahrain

World’s Top 10 Most Powerful People

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah ranks among the top 10 most powerful people, according to Forbes’ latest list.

Air Arabia Launches Services to Iraq’s Basra

The low-cost carrier will fly three times a week between Sharjah and Basra.

Rivals Clash As Mursi Deputy Seeks End to Egypt Crisis

Five people were killed and 350 injured in clashes outside Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi’s palace.

BofA Names Nomura’s Ghafur As MENA Head

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is looking to improve its regional banking operations.

Qatar Airways Launches Warsaw Flights

The carrier has started four-times weekly services between Doha and Warsaw.

US Investigation Into Saudi Banking Licenses

The US Department of Justice is investigating if the alleged Barclays’ bribes were replicated at other banks.

Dubai Taxis To Apply Salik Charges

People using taxis in Dubai will have to start paying the Dhs4 toll from January.

UAE Bankruptcy Law Changes Not Ready Until Late 2013

The government hopes the new rules will reassure foreign investors and help bring in more cash from overseas.

Qatar Approves Law Establishing Single Regulator

The law provides for an umbrella body to regulate banks, financial services and insurance companies.

Etihad Looks To Buy Air Berlin Loyalty Programme

The Abu Dhabi carrier already owns a 29.12 per cent stake in the German airline.

Top 10 Over-Used Buzzwords On LinkedIn In UAE

“Motivated” topped the list of words used by LinkedIn members in the UAE in 2012.

Qatar Airways Interested In Czech Airlines

Czech Airlines, a member of the Sky Team alliance, lost $12.10 million last year.

Samsung, Apple Continue Billion Dollar Legal Dispute

Samsung says the jury foreman’s past dispute with one of its companies may have influenced the August verdict.

Cigarette Caused Tamweel Tower Dubai Fire

A police report says a cigarette was to blame for causing the fire in Jumeriah Lakes Towers.

UAE’s NMC Unit Signs Deal With Indian Food Producer

Under the agreement, NMC Trading will introduce Radikal’s Basmati rice to the UAE market.

Egypt Slips In Corruption Index Despite Arab Spring

The country fell six places to the 118th spot on the latest index released by Transparency International.

UAE Nov Business Activity Edges Down To 3-Month Low

The surge in new orders reduced in November, according to the HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index.

Chinese Textile Traders Eye Middle East Investment

Around 120 textile and garment suppliers from China are in Dubai to woo regional distributors.

Dubai Property Market Is Top Of MENA’s Real Estate

A report by Jones Lang LaSalle shows increased optimism is returning to the market.

Bahrain Economy Recovers And Grows In Q3

The annual GDP rise of 3.1 per cent was mainly due to non-oil economic activities.

Oil Supply Comfortable Ahead Of OPEC Meeting

OPEC is expected to stick with an output target of 30 million bpd when it meets on December 12.

Dubai’s New Airport Complex Sees Dhs1.5bn Private Investment

Development in Dubai World Central is progressing rapidly with business jet operations set to launch in 2013.

iPhone 5 To Launch In Middle East On December 14

Apple has announced the official launch date for the iPhone 5 in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Prince Alwaleed Backs Fines For Expat Firms

The new policy means companies will be fined if less than 50 per cent of their workforce is made up of Saudi nationals.

UAE Submits Official Bid To Host World Expo 2020

Dubai is competing against four other cities to host the major world event.

ME Will Need 2,370 New Airplanes by 2031

Boeing predicts that the region’s new airplane requirement over the next 20 years will cost around $470 billion.

TAQA, GIB To Price Bonds In Late-Year Gulf Flurry

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co (TAQA) has $1.75 billion in bond maturities next year.

Qatar Reduces NYSE’s Stake In Local Bourse

Qatar Holding now owns 88 per cent of the bourse, with NYSE Euronext holding the remaining 12 per cent.

Kingdom Holding To Sell NY Plaza For $32.9m Profit

Sahara India Pariwar completed its purchase of a 75 per cent stake in the Plaza for $575 million.