Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Q4 Net Profit More Than Doubles, Hikes Dividend

The firm earned QAR2.8 billion for the full year, compared with QAR1.4 billion in the prior year.

Solar Impulse 2 Begins Round-The-World Flight From Abu Dhabi

The zero-fuel airplane is flying from the UAE capital to Oman in the first leg of its journey.

Saudi Builder Khodari Says Rights Issue Proposal To Regulator By End-June

The builder announced it November it planned a SAR500 million rights issue to help expand its business.

Omantel Seeks Approval For Debut Islamic Bond

Until now there has been only one issuer of sukuk in Oman, a OMR50 million private placement from Tilal Development Co.

Badri: OPEC Shouldn’t Cut Output To “Subsidise” Shale

The OPEC secretary general also said that the oil market would return to balance in the second half of 2015.

UAE Airlines Suspend Flights To Erbil On Security Woes

Emirates, flydubai and Etihad Airways have suspended flights to Erbil as ISIL destroys ancient cities in Iraq’s north.

Oman Jails Rights Activist Who Wrote Letter To Obama

Said Jadad found guilty of “undermining the prestige of the state”, was fined and sentenced to three years in jail.

Saudi Commerce Ministry Refers MMG Board Members To Investigations Body

Saudi contractor Mohammed Al Mojil Group has not traded on the Saudi bourse since July 2012.

Snapchat Management Holds Talks With Saudi’s Prince Alwaleed

Prince Alwaleed has previously made investments in technology brands including Twitter and Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com.

Dubai’s Drydocks World Floats Second Debt Restructuring

The firm will ask creditors to amend the terms of its $2.3 billion restructuring deal originally signed in 2012, sources said.

Revealed: Western Publishing Editors In UAE Earn 82% More Than Asian Peers

Overall, salaries in the UAE have risen by 9.97 per cent year-on-year to around $11,224 per month, finds 2015 Gulf Business salary survey.

Bahrain To Investigate Alleged Waste Of $1.1bn Of Public Money

The National Audit Court (NAC) produced the figure in its 2013/14 report, a local daily reported.

Saudi Arabia, UAE Among Top Five Defence Importers In 2014 – IHS

The Kingdom overtook India to become the world’s biggest weapons importer in 2014, research company IHS said.

Gunmen Kill More Than 12 ISIL Militants In Eastern Syria

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

GCC’s Rich Confident About Local Economies Despite Oil Price Fall

The Gulf’s wealthy prefer to invest in the region with 83 per cent of the high net worth individuals wanting to keep their assets closer to home, a survey said.

Egyptian Court Adjourns Trial Of Al Jazeera Journalists To March 19

A court last month released Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed on bail after over a year in detention.

Revealed: Gulf Expat Salaries Up Nearly 8%

Significant pay increases at C-level were among the factors driving overall salaries up over the last year, according to the Gulf Business 2015 Salary Survey.

Dubai’s Plans For Affordable Housing Will Help Market Mature – Cluttons

Rents in the emirate have surged more than 50 per cent in the last two years, prompting calls for affordable units in the market.

Chinese Firm Wins Dhs150m Contract For Falcon Island Project In RAK

China Harbour Engineering Company will carry out the marine and infrastructure works for the luxury project.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Neutral To Negative After Oil’s Slide

Brent crude slid 1.2 per cent to $59.73 a barrel on Friday and posted its biggest weekly loss since January.

Almost 45% Of MENA Working Women Say Paid Less Than Male Peers

The majority of working women in the region (77 per cent) currently work for a male manager, finds new survey.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Cuts Proposed Cash Dividend On Central Bank Advice

The lender said it had revised its proposed cash payout to four per cent from six per cent.

Drop In Shale Output Caused Oil Price Rebound – Kuwait Oil Minister

He said projections showed prices might improve this year, but added that they might also stay between $50 and $60 a barrel.

Saudi Arabia Rejects Rights Criticism After Flogging Of Blogger

A statement said the Kingdom’s constitution ensured the protection of human rights because it was based on Islamic Sharia law.

FIFA President Blatter Calls On Iran To Allow Women Into Stadiums

Iran is bidding against the UAE to host the 2019 Asian Cup and the ban on women is expected to damage their chances.

10 Foreigners Missing After Libya Oilfield Attack

Islamist militants attacked the Al-Ghani field last week, killing 11 guards.

Louis Dreyfus Ships Big US Ethanol Cargo To Middle East

Dreyfus is sending about 280,000 barrels of ethanol from the Port of New York to Jebel Ali in the UAE.

“Jihadi John” Link Deepens Security Unease In Kuwait

Security officials acknowledge that youths from Gulf Arab states have trekked in their hundreds to fight for ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Apple’s Rivals Hope Its Watch Will Boost Their Own Wearable Tech

Apple’s new Watch is expected to be launched at an event announced this week.

Egypt No Longer Sees Full Tourism Recovery In 2015

Tourism accounts for 11.3 per cent of Egypt’s economy and 19.3 per cent of its foreign currency revenues.