Oman hikes salaries up to 43%
Sultanate's ruler orders rise in state workers' wages and wheat subsidy to curb impact of rising inflation.

$5.2tn wiped off world equity markets
Fifty of 52 markets end January in negative territory, with only Morocco and Jordan bucking trend.

Tremors continue to shake UAE
Two mild tremors hit Masafi measuring 2.8 on Richter scale, follow five moderate quakes last week.

Iran in $90bn energy privatisation drive
Islamic republic plans to privatise 47 firms and set up a holding company for these assets, official says.

Emaar pulls India IPO as market plummets
Emaar MGF abandons listing after cutting price twice and extending IPO by three days.

NBAD plans $545mn bond
UAE's second-largest lender to list 10-year convertible bonds on LSE to fund overseas expansion.

Opec may ditch dollar and price oil in euros
Secretary-general says switch is an option, but any such move will 'take time'.

Iran begins work on second atomic plant
Construction has started at Darkhovin near border with Iraq, Iran's ambassador to Russia says.

Saudi to invest $3bn in Bangladesh
Kingdom's Hi-Tech International to set up oil refinery with capacity to produce 300,000 bpd.

Pressure mounts on Gulf to hike oil output
G7 finance leaders call on oil exporters to step up production as high prices stoke inflation.

Fuel prices skyrocket as Jordan cuts subsidies
Gov't announces immediate increase in fuel prices, some of which will jump 76%.

Egypt raises rates to tackle soaring food prices
Rising prices cause inflation to jump to 10.5% in January, reversing decline.

Rent relief for Dubai entrepreneurs
Small businesses given 20% discount on commercial leases in move to encourage new talent.

Abu Dhabi gold sales recovering slump
Gold and Jewellery Group chairman says buyers becoming accustomed to current price levels.

Record ANC goal haul as Ghana finish third
Hosts beat Ivory Coast 4-2 in third place play-off as goals continue to flow.

USA, France and Argentina make Davis Cup last eight
Defending champions set to clash with nine-time winners in quarter finals.

Internet in Egypt back to normal by Monday
Telecom Egypt official says repairs on second of two cables cut last month almost finished.

Saudi Telecom inks $23.6bn Oger deal
Operator signs final agreement for 35% stake as it expands its investments overseas.

Anchor blamed for severed Gulf cable
Flag Telecom repair crew finds six-ton anchor near damaged cable 35 miles north of Dubai.