Apple’s Smartwatch To Have NFC Technology

Apple is also expected to add NFC, which is used for making wireless payments, to the next version of its iPhone.

Egypt Charges Ex-President Mursi With Leaking State Secrets To Qatar

The public prosecutor said Mursi’s aides leaked documents which detailed the country’s foreign and domestic policies.

Bahrain Postpones Trial Of Prominent Human Rights Activist

Maryam al-Khawaja has been charged with entering the country illegally, assaulting a policewoman and insulting King Hamad.

Review: HTC Desire 816

The mid-market offering from HTC feels well balanced and solid, but battery life is limited.

Top Dubai Refiner Kaloti Obeying Conflict Gold Rules, Audit Finds

Reports by UK media in February alleged the group had failed to examine suspicious deals.

Dubai’s Population To Grow 5% In 2014

Males constitute 75 per cent of Dubai’s current population, indicating a gender imbalance in the emirate, a new report says.

Qatar National Bank Says Buying 12.5% Stake In Ecobank

The stake will consist of current outstanding ordinary shares and the conversion of QNB’s convertible preference shares.

Bahrain Ranked GCC’s Leading Islamic Finance Market – Report

GCC and South Asian countries dominated the Islamic Finance Development Indicator list.

Microsoft Launches Affordable Lumia Phones 830, 730 And 735

Unveiled at the IFA in Berlin, the new phones run on the Windows Phone 8.1 OS and include apps such as Skype, Microsoft Office and OneDrive.

Saudi Steps Up Ebola, MERS Monitoring Ahead Of Haj

The Kingdom has stationed health officials at all entry ports to monitor the health status of pilgrims coming to perform Haj, officials said.

Kuwait Petroleum Eyes Stake In Indian Refinery

India, the world’s fourth largest oil consumer, imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs.

Oman Oil Signs $1.85bn Two-Part Loan Facility

The cash raised is expected to be used for general business purposes.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Says Receives Approval For Stake Increase In Burgan Bank

A bourse filing by KIPCO added that its direct and indirect stake in Kuwait’s Burgan Bank currently stands at 57.94 per cent.

Saudi’s Advanced Petrochemical To Invest In $1bn Plant In South Korea

The project will be financed 40 per cent equity and 60 percent debt, the company said.

UAE-Based Namshi To Be Part Of New Global Fashion E-Commerce Group

Rocket Internet group and Sweden’s Kinnevik are combining five international fashion e-commerce firms including Dafiti, Jabong, Lamoda, Namshi and Zalora.

Dubai Holding Unit In Talks To Raise Up To $1.1bn Loan -Sources

The unit, TECOM Investments, is expected to use the proceeds for its growth plans, while some of the cash would also be diverted to its parent company.

UAE Calls For “Unified Effort” Against Militancy In Region

The UAE’s foreign ministry called for cooperation and coordination against what it called the global scourge of terrorism, especially in Iraq and Syria.

Middle East Airlines Record Strongest Traffic Growth Globally In July

Globally, passenger traffic demand was up 5.3 per cent in July compared to the same period last year, IATA said.

Sony Mobile Unveils Z3 Device Lineup

The manufacturer has announced two additions to its premium smartphone range, one to its mid-range, a new tablet and two new wearables.

Saudi Court Jails 24 Men On Terrorism Charges

The court said charges ranged from “the establishment of a terrorist cell planning to targeting oil pipelines,” having weapons, and planning attacks and at home and in Bahrain.

Saudi Religious Police Issue Rare Apology For Beating Briton

The Briton was in a women-only checkout aisle at a supermarket in Saudi Arabia when the officers approached him.

Apple’s iPhone 6 – What Will It Feature?

A round-up of five key features that Apple’s new smartphone – launching next week – is expected to have.

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Note 4 With Extras, But No Breakaway Features

The new Galaxy Note 4 features a crisper, 5.7-inch display in a metal frame.

Obama Says Will “Degrade And Destroy” Islamic State

Islamic State released a video on Tuesday showing the beheading of journalist Steven Sotloff, the second American hostage to be killed within weeks.

New Massive Lagoon Planned For $4bn Megaproject In Saudi

The lagoon, to be built by Crystal Lagoons, will be situated at the centre of a 240-hectare mixed project being developed by the Prince Sultan Cultural Centre.

Dubai’s Amlak Shareholders To Meet Sept 21 On Restructuring Plan

Creditors of the company approved a plan to restructure debts worth around $2.7 billion last month.

UAE’s Cinema Ad Spend Rises 31% In H1 2014

The growing number of moviegoers in the UAE has driven the rise in cinema ad spending.

UK Not Ruling Out Airstrikes Against Islamic State, Says Hostage Video Genuine

IS released a video on Tuesday showing the beheading of American hostage Steven Sotloff, and issued a threat against a British hostage.

Oman To Issue $1.3bn Of Bonds, Sukuk In Early 2015 -Banker

The issuance would be in local currency and would apparently be separate from an international, U.S. dollar-denominated sovereign bond issue which Oman has said it may conduct.

VoIP Services Such As Skype, Viber Illegal In UAE, Clarifies Regulator

The TRA has issued a brief statement saying only Etisalat and du are licensed to provide VoIP services in the country.