Minor Hotels is the latest hospitality group heading to Saudi Arabia.
The international hotel chain will open Anantara in Trojena in Neom as part of the megacity's snow-capped mountain district, which will be home to the first outdoor ski resort in the Gulf.
The five-star resort will be set in the Water Village, part of the Valley Cluster of Trojena.
Currently under development, the valley will be home to three developments centred on a 2.8km man-made freshwater lake. All rooms and suites at Anantara in Trojena will offer travellers lake or mountain views.
Known for creating resorts and hotels that reflect their location and blend harmoniously with nature, Anantara's latest offering will include two speciality restaurants and an all-day dining venue with a show kitchen. It will also have a rooftop majlis cafe and a high tea lounge.
An activity pavilion will allow travellers to take part in a wide range of activities including padel tennis, camel riding, horse riding and guided walks around the lake and mountain area.
The Anantara Spa will be a luxury haven with male and female wet areas and treatment rooms, plus traditional Arabian hammams and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The hotel's infinity pool will be Instagram-worthy thanks to its mountain backdrop and views over Trojena Lake.
There will also be a stargazing deck and outdoor cinema.
Designed to cater to all travellers, the hotel will have supervised children and teenagers clubs to cater for families, and its own on-site helipad.
“Trojena redefines the understanding of year-long ultra-luxury hospitality and mountain tourism,” said Philip Gullett, executive director and region head at Trojena. "With the addition of the Anantara in our iconic Water Village, we will be elevating the travel experience for discerning guests.
“The Anantara will serve as a luxurious sanctuary along the edge of Trojena’s new lake, situated in a region that will offer the Gulf's first outdoor ski resort and where world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals will be staged.”
As well as luxury hotels, the Water Village at Trojena will be home to upscale residential, hospitality and commercial experiences including many retail and dining outlets.
Located in the highest mountain range in Saudi Arabia, Trojena is part of the $500 billion megacity Neom in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia.
First unveiled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2017, the futuristic destination spans 26,000 square kilometres and when complete will be home to smart cities, trade ports, research centres, sports and entertainment venues, luxury resorts and tourist attractions.
Several other hotel groups have already announced plans to open hotels in Neom including Marriott, Four Seasons, Ennismore, Collective Retreats and GHM Hotels.
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2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
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A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Maestro
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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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.
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Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
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BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
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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.
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Monday, 1st 50-over match
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MATCH INFO
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