G20 Growth Pledge Easier In The Making Than The Execution

Each country has until November to come up with its own supposedly “concrete” plans, but there is nothing to enforce their implementation.

Qantas’ Half-Year Losses “Unsustainable” – CEO

The group’s planned capital expenditure, net of operating lease liability, will be reduced to $800 million in the next two years, providing reductions of AD$1 billion.

BlackBerry Launches Two New Smartphones, New Enterprise Service

The Z3 will be launched in Indonesia in April, while the Q20 will have a global launch before the end of this year.

Lenovo To Complete Motorola Buy In 6-9 Months – CEO

Lenovo will acquire Motorola from Google for $2.9 billion.

Expert Warns GCC To Base Public Spending On Oil Prices

The GCC’s public spending has been rising in the last two years, fuelled by an increase in oil prices.

Ghana’s Tema Oil Refinery Close To Deal With PetroSaudi

Ghana is one of Africa’s newest crude exporters after starting production from its offshore Jubilee field in late 2010.

Dubai Hotels Record 80% Occupancy In 2013

Dubai’s market rapidly absorbed an influx of new hotels in 2013 whilst maintaining a healthy occupancy rate throughout the year.

Cathay Pacific To Make Doha Debut

Strategic agreement follows Qatar’s entry into the oneworld alliance

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

WhatsApp To Add Voice Calls To Its Service -CEO

WhatsApp and its competitors have punched a hole in telecom operators’ revenue in recent years by offering a free alternative to text messaging.

Etihad To Launch Daily Phuket Flights

UAE residents and holidaying Europeans now have improved access to the popular Thai destination

Samsung Launches Galaxy S5 At Mobile World Congress

The phone will be available for sale globally from April 11.

WhatsApp Worth More Than $19bn – Facebook CEO

Mark Zuckerberg says WhatsApp is an extremely valuable company.

Sony Launches Four Products At Mobile World Congress

Xperia Z2 and M2 smartphones are designed to enhance connectivity and clarity

Emirates To Start Chicago Flights In August

The windy city will shortly will be served by all three Gulf carriers and becomes Emirates’ ninth US gateway

What Can We Expect At Mobile World Congress 2014?

Samsung is expected to launch the new Galaxy S5, while new releases can also be anticipated from HTC and LG.

France’s AXA To Take Major Stake In UAE’s Green Crescent Insurance

The sizes of the stake and details of the nature of the alliance have not been disclosed.

Egypt’s Ousted Mursi Says Jail-Break Trial Is “Void”

Mursi and his Brotherhood comrades are charged with breaking out of jail during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt Puts Three Al Jazeera Journalists On Trial

The journalists were put on trial on charges of aiding Egyptians belonging to a “terrorist organisation”.

Private Equity And SWF Investments Rising In MENA

The region witnessed a strong rise in deal value and volume, aided by rising business confidence and improved liquidity.

London’s Lord Mayor Concerned Over Lack Of Women In Top Jobs In The GCC

Ambassador for the UK’s financial sector wants to see more women at senior management and board level.

Facebook Acquires Messaging Service WhatsApp For $19bn

The social networking site says the move is aimed at accelerating growth in both the companies.

Saudi Arabia, Malaysia Exchanges To Boost Islamic Finance Ties

An agreement will see the exchanges share expertise and develop human capital.

Iran, World Powers Work Out Details Of Nuclear Talks In Vienna

The negotiations could help defuse years of hostility between energy-exporting Iran and the West and open up major business opportunities for Western firms.

Qatar Airways To Launch Business Class Flights To London

Doha carrier will be first Gulf carrier to operate a purely business class service on the high-density route

Saudi To Lend $57.8m To Pakistan For Hydro Power Project

The Kingdom will also provide Pakistan a credit facility of $125 million for the import of urea.

Iran And US Agree Final Nuclear Deal May Be Unreachable

As part of an interim agreement, Tehran curbed some nuclear activities for six months in return for limited sanctions relief.

Morgan Stanley Appoints New MENA Investment Banking Head

Patrick Delivanis replaces Klaus Froehlich, who is relocating to Frankfurt for a senior investment banking role.

GCC Needs To Invest In Job Creation

GCC governments should reform the education curricula and equip young job seekers to meet the demands of the private sector, a report says.

Egypt’s Deposed President Mursi On Trial On Terrorism Charges

Mursi is on trial in three cases and charged in two others.

Six New Tenants For Qatar’s London Shard

Restaurants Oblix, Aqua Shard and Hutong moved into the tower last summer.