Private equity focus shifts to Americas as Europe's austerity and Asia's uncertainty weaken their deal markets, finds Bain & Co

UAE. Private equity showed clear signs of strength in North America and Brazil, South America's largest market, in 2012. Buyout deal value in North America was up 23% in 2012, while deal activity in Europe and Asia-Pacific fell, according to Bain & Company's Global Private Equity Report.

• Political uncertainties overshadow Bahrain's regional hub status, says A.M Best report
• Total assets of the Top 500 Companies in the Arab World stand at US$2.21 trillion, reveals Forbes study
• Emerging economies likely to grow more rapidly but will also face challenges

Thirty Hezbollah fighters killed in Syrian town, say activists

SYRIA. The assault on Qusair appeared to be part of a campaign by Assad's forces to consolidate their grip on Damascus and secure links with their strongholds on the coast.

• Private equity focus shifts to Americas as Europe's austerity and Asia's uncertainty weaken their deal markets, finds Bain & Co
• Freedom is key to sustainable business
• Gerhard Schubert: Another bad week for gold without a single day of rising prices

Barclays appoints Head of Wealth and Investment Management for Abu Dhabi

UAE. Haidar Hammoud will be responsible for driving the Abu Dhabi business and will work closely with office heads in Singapore, Geneva, London and Dubai.

• Boeing delivers 777-300 aircraft to Saudia
• Leading keynote speakers contest social media at Bahrain's capital Club
• UAE-based entrepreneur Hazel Jackson receives award at Fortune Leadership Summit 2013