Economics
Brent crude hovered near $111 as the Chinese economy showed further signs of recovery, bolstering the outlook for oil demand, although the upside was limited as a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip eased concerns over supply.
The presence of US aircraft carriers in the Gulf region will decrease from two to one for around two months, after a warship that was due to deploy to the area is to undergo unexpected repairs.
Companies
Dana Gas has agreed with the governments of Sharjah and Ajman to develop a gas field off the two emirates’ coasts with production expected to start in the first half of 2014, the company said on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia's Rafal Real Estate Development Company said this week that after an 18-month build period its Burj Rafal project remains on track to be completed in eight months.
The board of directors of Casino du Liban – Lebanon’s only state-run casino – has decided to give 250 contractual employees full-time employment starting in 2015, following two weeks of protests and sit-ins.
Politics
A ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas movement that runs the Gaza Strip appeared to be holding on Thursday.
