Bahraini Islamic Bank Al Baraka Q4 net income climbs 23%
Al Baraka says it plans to add 81 branches to its network in 2014, in countries including Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt
G20 vows to add $2tn to world economy to lift growth
US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew stressed at a press conference that the G20 had left the austerity debate behind and was fully focused on growth.
France’s insurance giant to take major stake in UAE’s Green Crescent Insurance
Reuters – French insurance giant AXA Group and its partner in the United Arab Emirates, Kanoo Group, plan to become major shareholders in the UAE’s Green Crescent Insurance Co (GCIC),…
Saudi ‘seeking Pakistan arms for Syrian rebels’
Pakistan makes its own version of Chinese shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles, known as Anza, and anti-tank rockets– both of which Riyadh is trying to get for the rebels
Ukraine ushers in new era, president’s whereabouts unknown
On Kiev’s Independence Square, where many people were killed this week, life creaked back to normal as onlookers filed through giant, makeshift barricades set up to keep security forces at…
Ceasefire, aid proposed in mooted Sudan-rebel deal
AFP – Sudan and rebels in South Kordofan would adopt an immediate ceasefire and allow aid to reach more than one million people, says a proposed agreement issued as peace…
Iran says expert nuclear talks to be held ‘next week’
Araqchi said the talks would take place on the sidelines of a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors “next week.”
Lebanon army ‘paying price in blood to fight terror’
Three people were killed and 18 wounded, the official National News Agency said.
Explosives found outside Banha courthouse
Bomb squad diffused seven grenades; courthouse and security camp thought to be intended targets
Coach blast knocks back Egypt’s tourism recovery
Tour operators had been nursing hopes of better days after a dire 2013, when the ousting of former president Mohamed Morsi and the killing of hundreds of his supporters tipped…