• The world's first John Wick-themed roller coaster has opened at Motiongate, Dubai Parks and Resorts. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The world's first John Wick-themed roller coaster has opened at Motiongate, Dubai Parks and Resorts. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The John Wick: Open Contract ride is a 4D free spin roller coaster set over a 310-metre track and delivers G-force of up to 2.8 Gs.
    The John Wick: Open Contract ride is a 4D free spin roller coaster set over a 310-metre track and delivers G-force of up to 2.8 Gs.
  • Guests begin their journey at the Continental Hotel, a mocked up version of the hotel from the films.
    Guests begin their journey at the Continental Hotel, a mocked up version of the hotel from the films.
  • Scenes from the Keanu Reeves-starring movies are recreated.
    Scenes from the Keanu Reeves-starring movies are recreated.
  • The coaster races down a 4D track that offers forward and backward freestyle spins.
    The coaster races down a 4D track that offers forward and backward freestyle spins.
  • The ride is 10 storeys high.
    The ride is 10 storeys high.
  • The 'Now You See Me' roller coaster has also just opened at Motiongate in Dubai.
    The 'Now You See Me' roller coaster has also just opened at Motiongate in Dubai.
  • It is the world’s fastest single-car spinning roller coaster inspired by the twists and turns of the film franchise 'Now You See Me', which features magicians attempting to pull off massive heists.
    It is the world’s fastest single-car spinning roller coaster inspired by the twists and turns of the film franchise 'Now You See Me', which features magicians attempting to pull off massive heists.
  • Fire dancers perform at the opening of the new rides in Motiongate.
    Fire dancers perform at the opening of the new rides in Motiongate.
  • Riders will reach speeds of up to 70km per hour.
    Riders will reach speeds of up to 70km per hour.
  • There are non-inverted loops and a 500-metre-long track.
    There are non-inverted loops and a 500-metre-long track.
  • The roller coaster’s first drop is almost seven storeys high and includes an underground experience.
    The roller coaster’s first drop is almost seven storeys high and includes an underground experience.

What it's like to ride Motiongate Dubai's 'John Wick' roller coaster: 'It was terrifying'


Andrew Scott
  • English
  • Arabic

I rode the world’s first John Wick roller coaster in Dubai’s Motiongate theme park and it was like getting punched in the stomach and then kicked in the head – but in a good way.

Let me explain.

John Wick: Open Contract, as it's called, is a 10-storey-high 4D free spin roller coaster set over a 310-metre track that delivers G-force of up to 2.8 Gs.

It's just opened at Dubai Parks and Resorts and it is in no way for the faint-hearted.

Riding a roller coaster is supposed to release endorphins. These hormones, released by the brain, are a pain reliever and happiness booster. This ride sent mine wild.

For those unfamiliar, the film franchise is a stylish, ultra-violent action trilogy starring Keanu Reeves that's made mega bucks at the box office.

This ride begins with a journey through the Continental Hotel, a mocked-up version of the property from the movies. Cocooned in safety, accompanied by the paraphernalia of the John Wick franchise, one has little idea of what is to come. It's all about the anticipation.

Just before you see the ride itself, you hear the unmistakable sounds of clanking metal against metal and heavy chains, the massive pistons, hydraulics and Victorian strength open up before you as you come up against a four-seater carousel waiting for you to be strapped into your deep, snug seat.

From there, ride-goers race down a 4D track that features backwards and forwards freestyle spins.

"So you're really going to be one of the first people to ever ride this 10-storey-high, first-of-its-kind, massive machine?" my brain says to me.

"It's all been checked," I say to myself. "Are you sure?" And round and round this internal monologue goes before I switch off my thoughts and brace myself.

How did it go?

It was terrifying. But I loved it.

I never shy away from a thrilling experience, but a roller coaster is almost like a commitment to terrorise yourself, volunteering to be beaten up (without the pain and bruises, of course). We know we're going to be thrilled, shocked and scared, but we do it anyway, taking in every single detail of our surroundings along the way.

When I say rides, I don’t mean like the local funfair, where you pick the chewing gum off the headrest. Dubai Park and Resorts takes the idea of a theme park to another level

Motiongate has also launched another ride based on the film franchise Now You See Me, which follows four magicians as they attempt to pull off major heists, starring the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson.

It's the world’s fastest single-car spinning roller coaster on which riders will reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour with non-inverted loops and a 500-metre-long track. The first drop is almost seven stories high and there's also an underground segment.

When I say rides, I don’t mean like the local funfair, where you pick the chewing gum off the headrest. Dubai Park and Resorts takes the idea of a theme park to another level. Visitors become part of a movie set, with an accompanying soundtrack and ambience. One is encouraged to become a voyeur and participant in whichever zone one finds themselves in.

Suffice it to say, John Wick: Open Contract left me wanting more. While it offers thrills, spills and belly aches, it is all over far too quickly. Next stop, Now You See Me: High Roller.

See photos of Dubai Parks and Resorts' new Legoland Hotel:

  • Legoland Hotel is open in Dubai and offers a brick-themed stay where children are the VIPs.
    Legoland Hotel is open in Dubai and offers a brick-themed stay where children are the VIPs.
  • More than 4.5 million bricks and 2,100 models were used to build the hotel. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP
    More than 4.5 million bricks and 2,100 models were used to build the hotel. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP
  • The hotel is geared towards families with children aged 2 to 12.
    The hotel is geared towards families with children aged 2 to 12.
  • Junior reviewers Aaron, left, and brother Aden check in at Legoland Hotel Dubai.
    Junior reviewers Aaron, left, and brother Aden check in at Legoland Hotel Dubai.
  • A lifeguard Lego model overlooks the swimming pool at Legoland Hotel in Dubai. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP
    A lifeguard Lego model overlooks the swimming pool at Legoland Hotel in Dubai. Giuseppe Cacace / AFP
  • All guests staying at Legoland Hotel get free entry to Legoland Theme Park or Water Park.
    All guests staying at Legoland Hotel get free entry to Legoland Theme Park or Water Park.
  • The four Lego themes – Pirates, Ninjango, Friends and Kingdom – spill over from the hotel rooms to the floor, corridors, lifts, walls and more.
    The four Lego themes – Pirates, Ninjango, Friends and Kingdom – spill over from the hotel rooms to the floor, corridors, lifts, walls and more.
  • A Pirate-themed suite has a separate bunk-bed room for little ones.
    A Pirate-themed suite has a separate bunk-bed room for little ones.
  • Lego brick architecture features all around the hotel.
    Lego brick architecture features all around the hotel.
  • Lego models stand guard outside the adventure-laden Legoland Hotel in Dubai.
    Lego models stand guard outside the adventure-laden Legoland Hotel in Dubai.
  • A Ninjago-themed room at Legoland Dubai.
    A Ninjago-themed room at Legoland Dubai.
  • Breakfast at Bricks Family Restaurant is included in every stay at Legoland Hotel Dubai.
    Breakfast at Bricks Family Restaurant is included in every stay at Legoland Hotel Dubai.
  • The restaurant is filled with fun touches, such as Lego models and placemats children can colour in.
    The restaurant is filled with fun touches, such as Lego models and placemats children can colour in.
  • Lego models in the lobby at Legoland Hotel in Dubai.
    Lego models in the lobby at Legoland Hotel in Dubai.
  • Legoland Hotel opened to guests on January 21.
    Legoland Hotel opened to guests on January 21.
  • Children can learn how to create their own Lego models, or watch master model makers at work.
    Children can learn how to create their own Lego models, or watch master model makers at work.
  • All rooms have a seperate area for children, with bunk beds and their own television.
    All rooms have a seperate area for children, with bunk beds and their own television.
  • A Lego Friends-themed room at Legoland Hotel.
    A Lego Friends-themed room at Legoland Hotel.
  • A room in a Pirates-themed suite at Legoland Hotel.
    A room in a Pirates-themed suite at Legoland Hotel.
  • Children can also enjoy a castle soft play area and temperature-controlled swimming pool.
    Children can also enjoy a castle soft play area and temperature-controlled swimming pool.
The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Disturbing%20facts%20and%20figures
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How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier

Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman

UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah

THE DETAILS

Deadpool 2

Dir: David Leitch

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz

Four stars

So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

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.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

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Updated: January 20, 2022, 12:16 PM