Microsoft Plans To Launch Smartwatch Within Weeks

The wearable gadget’s battery life will exceed two days of regular use, Forbes reported.

Trial Of Prominent Bahraini Activist Starts In Manama

Nabeel Rajab went on trial over remarks published on his Twitter account that were critical of state institutions.

StanChart Readies To Close Thousands Of UAE Accounts

As part of a US settlement in August, the bank was given 90 days to end high-risk relationships with SMEs in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi’s Gulf Capital $750m Fund To Invest In 10-12 Firms

The company’s chief executive said that the fund is looking to invest in sectors such as power and water, oil and gas, healthcare and education.

Stock News: Markets Rebound As Global Bourses Rally On Earnings, Sentiment

Worries about weak earnings report on growth and business had sent Middle East bourses tumbling, with Dubai’s index down 13.6 per cent last week

Saudi Contractor MMG Says Board Approves Recovery Plan

Under the plan approved at a board meeting on Thursday, MMG’s capital will be cut from SAR1.25 billion to SAR125 million, creating one share for every 10 shares currently possessed.

Christie’s Launches Dubai Real Estate Unit – Targets Property Starting at $3 Million

Christie’s will not be taking an equity stake in the new affiliate but will provide marketing and PR support.

Saudi’s SAFCO Q3 Net Profit Rises 24% As Sales Increase

The company, a unit of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), said it made a profit of SAR913 million ($243.5 million) in the third quarter, up from SAR734 million in the year-earlier period.

Dubai’s Marka Partners With Chef Heinz Beck To Launch New Restaurant

The restaurant is among the first of five food and beverage outlets that Marka is planning to open by next year.

Saudi-Kuwait Oilfield Halted Due To “Environmental Issues”

The field, whose production is around 280,000 bpd-300,000 bpd, will be brought offline “immediately”.

Kuwait’s Gulf Bank Q3 Net Profit Gains 11.2%, Beats Estimates

The bank made a net profit for the three months to the end of September of KD10.9 million ($37.8 million), compared to KD9.8 million in the year-earlier period.

Dubai’s Rents Drop Over 2% Q-On-Q In Q3, Signalling Stabilisation- Asteco

While average rents dropped in Q3 compared to Q2, rental rates recorded double digit increases on a year-on-year basis.

Saudi Retailer Jarir To Invest $293m In Doubling Stores Over Five Years

The Kingdom’s largest listed retailer aims to open six new stores on average each year.

Dubai Gold And Commodities Exchange Says CEO To Step Down

Gary Anderson is stepping down due to ill health and will be temporarily replaced with COO Gaurang Desai.

Up To 75% Of Middle East Employers Say Hiring Up Over Last Year – Study

However, majority of regional firms struggling to attract and retain skilled talent, finds Towers Watson study.

Dubai Judge Approves Liquidation Of Local Espirito Santo Unit

Portugal’s largest listed lender, Banco Espirito Santo, was rescued by the state in August.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank Plans KD21.6m Rights Issue

Burgan said it plans to issue 216 million new shares and that the rights issue will raise its paid-up capital to KD197.18 million.

Sharjah Launches New Real Estate Project Tilal City

The project will be spread across a total area of 25 million square feet and will be located along Emirates Road.

Dubai Ranks Most Expensive On UK List Of Value For Money Holiday Destinations

Jumeirah in the emirate came bottom on a list ranked by the cost of a basket of travel essentials.

Stock News: Dubai Jumps After Global Markets Rebound; Arabtec Surges

Middle East bourses tumbled last week, with Dubai taking the biggest hit and losing 13.6 per cent.

Saudi’s Al Khodari Q3 Net Profit Rises 23.1%

The firm attributed the rise to a 5.6 per cent rise in revenue and a reduction in costs and marketing expenditure.

UAE’s Arabtec To Launch Phase 1 Of Mega Egypt Housing Project By Year-End

In March, Arabtec said it would build one million homes in Egypt in a $40 billion project backed by the Egyptian and UAE governments.

Palestinian Businessman Said Khoury Dies Aged 91

Khoury founded the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), one of the region’s biggest construction firms.

Saudi Oil Pipeline Briefly Set Alight After Shots Fired At Patrol

An industry source said there was no impact on oil operations in the world’s top crude exporter.

Airbus To Cut A330 Production Rate In 2015

A spokesman said the cut in production would not result in job losses.

Apple Launches iPad Air 2, World’s “Slimmest” Tablet; New Mini Version

The larger tablet includes new features such as an anti-reflective screen and the “Touch ID” sensor.

New GCC Projects To Hit $180bn This Year Despite Oil Price

Brent crude oil sank to a four-year low below $83 a barrel last week because of ample supply and the prospect of a weak global economy.

Dubai’s Atlantis Resort Signs Increased $1.1bn Loan Deal

Atlantis refinanced an $880 million loan to take advantage of favourable market conditions, ICD confirmed.

Will Al Sisi Help Bring Egypt Back On Track?

Political stability has returned to Egypt under President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi but it yet to be seen if the former Army man be able to command its faltering economy back to life.

Saudi British Bank Q3 Net Profit Rises 25.2%

The bank attributed the rise in quarterly profit to higher operating income, which increased 12.1 per cent.