On the Dubai Metro, you have silver and gold class for commuters. Depending on your balance, the customer service you receive will differ at the bank. And when taking to the skies, travellers are neatly divided into classes based on the price of their tickets. But would you pay a premium for a more comfortable seat at the movies? In recent years, going to see a film has evolved well beyond the packed theatre, the sticky floors and that noisy neighbour barking into his mobile phone. A new breed of cinema has emerged that offers luxuries such as fully reclining seats, tiered rows for unobstructed viewing and a more intimate, private theatre. Moviegoers can even have food delivered to their seat, with popcorn, burgers and hot dogs silently delivered to your private table. Of course, all of these perks come with a price. For those who are serious about movies, Jeffrey Todd reviews three theatre experiences.
CineStar Gold Class
The set Although the company operates 50 screens across the UAE, only five are classified as Gold Class, or "the ultimate cinema experience". Located in a separate area of the movie complex, viewers are led through a separate entrance and into a private lounge area and concession stand.
The props Gold Class moviegoers are escorted to their assigned seats by ushers with tiny flashlights. Each one is spacious, tiered and distinct, so you're in no danger of bumping legs or straining to see over someone's head. The term "seat" should be used loosely, as it reclines entirely with an elevated foot rest. There's also a table with a small button, allowing you to ring servers if you wish to order popcorn, or perhaps a gelato.
The big picture There are only a handful of seats in this exclusive cinema. So if you want to separate yourself from the crowd and ensure a quiet, comfortable movie experience, Gold Class is the ticket. Keep in mind, however, that only specific films can be seen in these theatres and there are fewer time slots.
Dh100
Reel Cinemas
The set Relatively new on the movie scene, Reel is "the first boutique cinema in the UAE", marketing itself as a business-class theatre. Unfortunately, it's only available in Dubai at the moment, with venues in Dubai Mall and Marina Mall.
The props There is a comfortable lounge and ushers will escort you to your seat as if you're attending a stage performance. The seats are much larger than in a conventional theatre. But it's important to note that, while they do recline, they will not stay there if you're not putting weight on it. There is also no elevated foot rest. You can have food brought to your seat, but there is no button on your table to summon a server. You'll have to do it the old-fashioned way.
The big picture Reel offers many of the merits of Gold Class, with a very comfortable seat and far fewer people in the theatre. If price is an issue, the business-class cinema could be a more reasonable option. Want more? Check out the Platinum Movie Suites, available only at the Dubai Mall location. For extra charge, you'll have access to larger, more comfortable leather seats and full butler service.
Dh50
Grand Cinemas
The set As the largest chain of cinemas in the Middle East, Grand Cinemas has 19 multi-complexes in the region, housing more than 165 screens, with plans to bump that number up to 212 by the end of 2011.
The props The venue is what you might expect in a conventional theatre - without all the bells and whistles. The screen is large and the seats are adequate. And because it appeals to a wider audience, there are plenty of deals out there for avid moviegoers. VIP cardholders at Mashreq Bank, for example, benefit from a buy-one-get-one-free promotion at the box office. The bank also offers a MasterCard, whereby you receive a 50 per cent discount on all tickets, up to a maximum of eight tickets a month.
The big picture If luxuries aren't important to you, or your main criteria is price, then the standard movie experience is the way to go. Plus, unlike the more exclusive cinemas, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the variety of films and show times.
Dh30
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Results
Final: Iran beat Spain 6-3.
Play-off 3rd: UAE beat Russia 2-1 (in extra time).
Play-off 5th: Japan beat Egypt 7-2.
Play-off 7th: Italy beat Mexico 3-2.
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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MATCH INFO
Karnataka Tuskers 110-5 (10 ovs)
Tharanga 48, Shafiq 34, Rampaul 2-16
Delhi Bulls 91-8 (10 ovs)
Mathews 31, Rimmington 3-28
Karnataka Tuskers win by 19 runs
The five pillars of Islam
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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