Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Wins $206m Warehouse Contract

The 25-year arrangement was awarded by state-owned Manateq.

Saudi Arabian Security Man Shot Dead In Riyadh – Police

A gunman holding three labourers hostage shot dead a member of the security forces when police tried to free the captives.

Australia’s Currency Drops As Sydney Hostage Drama Continues

At least one gunman has taken several people hostage at a central Sydney cafe.

Why Are Oil Prices So Unstable?

Deep price cycles are inherent in capital intensive industries like oil and mining, writes Reuters columnist John Kemp.

Kuwait Working To Improve Stock Exchange Conditions

New changes would cover market mechanisms and the operations of market makers.

Kuwait May Cut Planned Spending Next Fiscal Year – Parliament

Officials are estimating budget spending at KD19 billion in the fiscal year starting next April.

Stock News: Qatar Enters Bear Market As Dubai Erases 2014 Gains

Dubai’s gauge wiped out this year’s advances as oil prices plummeted to the lowest level since July 2009.

Abu Dhabi Bourse Approves Temporary Halts On Stocks That Fall 5%

The move comes after days of stock market falls across the Gulf region in response to slumping oil prices.

Dubai-Based Retailer Al Ghurair To Launch 30 New Stores In The GCC

The latest addition will see Al Ghurair’s retail presence in the region increase to 90 shops from the 60 it currently operates in the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.

Syrian Wins Arab Idol Contest, Steers Clear Of Politics

Hazim Sharif steered clear of specific political references in interviews after his victory, which was broadcast to millions of viewers across the Middle East.

Majority Of UAE Residents Say Savings Are Inadequate For Future

Rising cost of living and inflation are the main factors impacting the ability of UAE residents to save, a new survey says.

UAE Says OPEC Won’t Change Output Even If Price Drops to $40

UAE minister of energy ruled out a cut in OPEC’s production or an emergency meeting soon to stabilise the falling oil prices.

OPEC Chief Defends Policy, Says Group To Try To Ride Out Price Fall

OPEC Secretary-General said that Gulf countries should continue to invest in oil exploration despite the decline in oil prices.

Qatar Predicts Booming Economy In 2015 Despite Oil Price Slide

Despite the oil slump, the country’s wider economy is likely to be shielded by its fiscal strength, officials said.

Emaar To Distribute $2.45bn Special Cash Dividend On Dec. 23

The special cash dividend follows the successful IPO and listing of the Emaar Malls Group.

Concrete Work On Abu Dhabi’s Louvre Museum Almost Complete

The museum, anticipated to be ready by December 2015, will encompass 9,200 square metres of art galleries.

Etihad Doubles US Network With New Services to Dallas/Fort Worth

The Abu Dhabi-based airline is expanding its US network as it looks to tap into the growing business and trade links between the US and the UAE.

Stock News: Dubai Tumbles After Oil Hits Fresh Low

The Dubai benchmark tumbled 6.1 per cent to 3,374 points, erasing most of its remaining year-to-date gains.

Saudi’s Tasnee Names SABIC Finance Head As New CEO

Current CEO of Tasnee, Saleh bin Fahad al-Nazha, resigned for personal reasons, the company said.

Dubai’s Aramex Buys South Africa’s PostNet Franchise For $16.5m

PostNet provides courier, printing and copying services, plus stationery and mailboxes, and has 287 stores in South Africa.

Airbus A350 Delivery To Qatar Rescheduled For Dec 22

The handover of Airbus’ first mainly carbon-composite jet was originally scheduled for December 13.

Flydubai Targets European Traffic Flows

The low-cost carrier is launching new routes to Zagreb, Sarajevo and Sofia.

Oman’s Mina Al Fahal Refinery To Resume Operating On Dec. 18

ORPIC had said on Dec. 5 that it had put out a fire at one of the naphtha treatment units at the refinery in Muscat.

Saudi King Gives $35m Grant For Ebola Fight

Under the grant, Jeddah-based IDB will setup treatment centres in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia and Mali.

Bahrain Can Veto Qatar F1 Race, Says Formula One Boss Ecclestone

ahrain became the first Middle East country to host a grand prix in 2004 and Abu Dhabi followed in 2009.

FIFA Committee To Be Asked To Vote On Publishing Garcia Report

So far, only a 42-page statement on the report has been published by FIFA ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert.

Songbird Says Too Early To Know Shareholder Intentions On $4bn Qatari Bid

Songbird Estates is the owner of London’s Canary Wharf financial district.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Looks To Asia For Expansion

It is particularly looking to expand into North Asia and mainland China and also wants to increase its presence in India.

Oil Plunges 3% To New 5-Year Lows After Bearish IEA Outlook

The IEA slashed its outlook for global oil demand growth for 2015 by 230,000 barrels per day to 900,000 bpd.

Saudi Links Dane’s Shooting To Islamic State, Arrests 3

The Danish man was injured after he was shot in Riyadh last month.