Business Blog

Thursday, Jan 15 - The Islamic Finance Gateway (IFG) Briefing, published from Sunday to Thursday, carries the latest market-moving news and data for institutions offering Islamic financial services.You can view the full IFG briefin http://tmsnrt.rs/1wcU5UW under IFG Briefings Subject.TOP STORIESCIMB, smaller lenders scrap plan to form Malaysia&aposs largest bankMalaysia&aposs CIMB Group Holdings a

* World Bank cuts growth forecasts, deflation fears grow* Stocks, commodities, yields fall* Safe-haven Japanese yen gains ground against dollar* Legal opinion on ECB bond-buying helps trim losses(Updates prices, adds JPMorgan, U.S. futures)By Lionel LaurentLONDON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Financial and commodities markets slumped on Wednesday after the World Bank cut its growth forecasts for 2015 and 20

* US, Iran start preparatory talks on Iranian nuclear work * Zarif: Talks with Kerry help gauge if progress possible * On Charlie Hebdo, Zarif says "sanctities" need respect (Adds background, details) By Arshad Mohammed and Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA,...

* Not able to arrive at a value creating transaction-CIMB * RHB cites current economic conditions to abort merger * Exclusivity agreement entered into by banks terminated (Add details, quotes, update share prices) By Yantoultra Ngui and Praveen Menon...

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, has launched a USD1 billion perpetual capital-boosting sukuk at 6.75%, with the sale set to complete later on Wednesday, a document from lead managers said.

* U.S., Iran kick-off negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme * Zarif, on Charlie Hebdo, says "sanctities" must be respected (adds Zarif comment on Charlie Hebdo cartoons) By Arshad Mohammed GENEVA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister...