Symantec Split Will Positively Impact Gulf Markets – Official

The recent split will drive more focused investments to the sector, company executives say.

Kuwait’s Agility Says Unit Wins $82.5m British Defence Ministry Contract

The contract, secured by Agility Defense and Government Services, will run from October 2014 to April 2016, the company said in a statement.

British Parliament To Hold Symbolic Vote On Palestine Status

The motion due for debate in Britain’s lower house of parliament will ask parliamentarians whether they believe the government should recognise the state of Palestine.

Privately, Saudis Tell Oil Market: Get Used To Lower Prices

The Saudis now appear to be betting that a period of lower prices will be necessary to pave the way for higher revenue in the medium term.

Kerry Pushes For Mideast Peace, Donors Pledges $5bn For Palestinians

Among countries offering reconstruction aid for Gaza, Qatar offered $1 billion, Kuwait and UAE promised $200 million each and Turkey pledged $200 million.

Kuwait Says OPEC Unlikely To Cut Output To Support Prices

Kuwait’s oil minister Ali al-Omair said that cutting output would not necessarily prop up prices.

Panasonic Aims To Double Middle East, Africa Business By 2018

The Japanese electronics company aims to grow its overall business in MEA to over $1 billion.

Oman Plans $125m Wind Farm Project

The wind farm at Harweel will have a capacity of 50 megawatts, and is expected to begin operating early in 2017.

Qatar National Bank Q3 Net Profit Jumps 21%

In a statement, the bank said its net profit for the first nine months of 2014 was 8 billion riyals.

Saudi, UAE Stocks Fall Sharply On Global Cues

Markets fell globally after a raft of weak indicators from Europe and China collided with concerns about the U.S. Federal Reserve’s plans to reduce monetary stimulus.

Accor Announces Three Jeddah Properties

Today’s trio takes the French Group’s Middle East portfolio to 100 hotels

Stock News: Saudi Arabia Shares Tumble, Dubai Extends Drop

Dubai plunged 6.7 per cent, Abu Dhabi slid 2.1 per cent and Qatar dropped 2.7 per cent.

Saudi Arabia’s Almarai Q3 Profit Rises 13.4%

Almarai made a profit of SAR539.4 million ($143.8 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, up from SAR475.6 million in the year-earlier period

Live: Updates From Gitex 2014

All the news and views from the region’s biggest ICT event.

U.S. Defense Secretary Sees Long-Term Fight Against Islamic State

The U.S.-led coalition escalated air strikes on Islamic State in and around Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, last week.

United Nations $1bn Ebola Appeal Severely Underfunded -UN Officials

A UN official has said a “20-fold increase” in the global response is needed to combat the spread of Ebola compared to efforts at the end of August.

World Economies Warn Of Global Risks, Call For Bold Action

The IMF has flagged Europe as the top concern, a sentiment echoed by many policymakers, economists and investors gathered in Washington for the Fund’s fall meetings.

Egypt Has Paid Back $500m To Qatar – Central Bank Governor

Qatar has provided around $7.5 billion in loans and grants during ex-president Mohammed Mursi’s year in power.

Air Berlin Dealt Blow As Germany Rejects Some Etihad Codeshare Flights

Etihad and Air Berlin have in the past shared codes on flights to around 60 destinations, meaning their number of shared flights will more than halve.

Saudi Arabia Tells OPEC It Raised Output In Sept Despite Oil Drop

The lack of a Saudi cut could add to perceptions of traders and analysts that the Kingdom is looking to defend market share, not prices.

Airbus Says Still Plans To Deliver First A350 In Q4

After gaining European safety approval for the A350 last month, Airbus is now working to get the cabin furnishing ready for Qatar Airways.

UAE Retailers Go Omni-Channel Amidst Tough Competition

As the UAE’s shifts to omni-channel retail, industry players will have to innovate to keep pace.

Threat To Syrian Town Tests Patience For U.S. Strategy

The current strategy requires Western patience that grows thinner with each headline of gruesome Islamic State atrocities or videos depicting beheadings of American or British hostages.

Bahrain Activist To Stand Trial On Defamation Charge

Rajab is accused of “insulting the the Interior and Defence Ministries” through his social media account.

Dubai’s Meraas Says Hollywood Theme Park Will Have DreamWorks Animation Zone

The upcoming mega Dubai Parks and Resorts project features five theme parks including Hollywood and Bollywood-inspired parks.

Emirates Airlines Says New Plane Tracking Systems Unnecessary

Tim Clark told the German online magazine that modern planes already had the necessary equipment but measures should be taken to ensure pilots can’t turn off tracking devices.

Nakheel Awards Dhs35m Contract For Badrah Pavilion Community Centre

Badrah Pavilion is Nakheel’s sixth neighbourhood retail centre and will serve 800 homes at the developer’s Badrah and Veneto communities.

ENOC Signs Dhs50m Contract With Emirates Transport Company

Emirates Transport has been meeting the staff transportation needs of ENOC’s group of companies for the last seven years.

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

Facebook Has No Near-Term Plan To Monetise WhatsApp: CEO

Facebook’s final WhatsApp acquisition price tag has risen an additional $3 billion because of the increased value of Facebook’s stock in recent months.

At Least 20 Killed In Suicide Bombing In Yemeni Capital

The attack occurred just hours after a showdown between the Houthis and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour led to the resignation of PM Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak.