Australian Apple Users Report Cyber Attack

Cyber attackers have reportedly locked Australian users’ smartphones and demanded payment in return for unlocking them.

Exclusive: Hotel Star Rating System Obsolete, Says Starwood CEO

Brand was already more important than star rating up to a decade ago, according to Starwood’s president and CEO.

Thai Military Rulers Appoint Advisers, Economy In Doldrums

Data on Wednesday showed factory output fell 3.9 per cent in April from a year earlier, the 13th monthly drop in a row.

Economic Slowdown Tied To Rise In Obesity In Richer Nations – OECD

The global recession in 2008 forced many families in harder-hit nations to cut back spending on healthier food, it found.

Google Building Self-Driving Cars With No Driver Seat, Steering Wheels

Google aims to build up to 200 such cars in the near term.

Nearly 400 million Twitter Users Estimated By 2018

The figure is far short of the one billion expected.

Internet Users In the Middle East To Reach 197m by 2017

Internet penetration will increase to 51 per cent from 32 per cent in 2012.

Iran Confirms First Two Cases Of MERS

One of the patients is in critical condition and the other is currently receiving treatment, authorities said.

Roberto Cavalli Approaches Bahrain’s Investcorp For Possible Investment

Founder-owned fashion firm Cavalli has for some time been looking for a partner or a buyer to bring in new funds.

Emirates Eyes A380 Vienna Services

If previous ‘one offs’ are an indicator, it may not be long before Austrian travellers fly on the airline’s A380s regularly.

Five Big Challenges For Modi’s New Government In India

Narendra Modi was sworn in as India’s prime minister on Monday.

MENA M&A Deals Down, But Companies Positive About Volume Growth – Report

Acquisitions are expected to make up a smaller portion of revenue growth value for the current fiscal year, but companies are upbeat about M&A volume growth, according to EY.

Sisi Poised To Win Presidency As Egyptians Vote

Three years after the uprising against Hosni Mubarak, the vote is set to restore a pattern of rule by men from the military.

Apple iPhone 6 Rumours Begin, Expected To Launch In Fall 2014

Apple’s next generation smartphone is anticipated to have a bigger screen and a better processor.

Gulf Carriers Impact United Doha Drop

The US carrier will be dropping Doha from its triangular Washington-Doha-Dubai service from August 30.

Mumbai Tops List For UAE NRI Property Investors – Survey

Bangalore is also emerging as a property investment hotspot for Indian residents in the UAE, finds new survey.

UAE, Egypt Award Deals To Build Two Wheat Silos

The silos project is part of the UAE’s $4.9 billion aid package announced in October.

Abraaj Buys Stake In Thai Education Firm Amid Political Turmoil

Abraaj said it had bought a stake in out-of-school education provider KPN Academy, without disclosing the purchase price.

Former Army Chief Sisi Poised For Victory In Egypt Election

Sisi’s sole competitor is Hamdeen Sabahi, a leftist politician who finished third in the 2012 election.

Etihad-Owned Air Berlin Considers Splitting In Two

Air Berlin could be divided into a unit that offers traditional scheduled flights and another that flies to tourist destinations.

Etihad Launches Freighter Operations To Uganda’s Entebbe

The service is expected to carry large quantities of electronics and textiles to the Ugandan city.

Samsung May Unveil ‘Watch-Phone’ As Early As June

The new smartwatch will be able to make or receive calls without having to be tethered to a mobile phone, say reports.

Etisalat Scraps Buyout Offer To Maroc Telecom Minority Shareholders

Etisalat paid 4.14 billion euros ($5.7 billion) for Paris-listed Vivendi’s stake in Maroc Telecom.

UAE Businessman BR Shetty Buys Forex Firm Travelex

Dr. Shetty is the owner of money transfer service UAE Exchange, which has over six million customers in 30 countries.

UAE To Continue Political, Economic Support To Egypt After Poll

The UAE has welcomed Sisi’s rise and the army’s crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Qatar Fund Commits $2bn Investment To Russia

The amount will be allocated via joint investments with state-backed private equity fund the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

UAE Banks Tap Australian Debt Opportunities

National Bank of Abu Dhabi, First Gulf Bank, Emirates NBD and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank have issued kangaroo bonds this year.

Calling All Telecoms Firms In The Middle East

Regional telecom operators are grappling with new business models and growing competition. Enterprise provider SAP says it can help.

30 Seconds On The Business Of… Electronic Payment Solutions

Gulf Business speaks to Raghu Malhotra, division president, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard.

UAE Calls For Greater Coordination In GCC Economic Integration Plans

The comments were made at the 24th meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Planning and Development in Kuwait.