Marvel has unveiled its first official trailer for the highly anticipated film Eternals. The superhero flick features a star-studded cast that includes Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden and Gemma Chan and is directed by Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.
The film centres on an immortal alien race who have secretly lived on Earth for more than 7,000 years and are reunited to protect humanity from an evil threat. While the Eternals may not be as recognisable as other superheroes in the Marvel Universe, there's certainly no shortage of star power in the film.
The trailer is only two minutes long and has been viewed more than 11 million times in less than 24 hours, meaning that fans are excited. There's also a lot to unpack. So, for those who can't wait until its release on November 5, here are our five takeaways from the trailer.
Our first look at 'Capernaum' star Zain Al Rafeea
Fans have finally had their first look at Syrian refugee-turned-actor Zain Al Rafeea in the film. Al Rafeea, 16, is most known for his lead role in the 2018 Oscar-nominated Capernaum and he's certainly grown up since. He appears for just a couple of seconds in the trailer.
Things have been kept mum about exactly which role the young actor will be playing, but if the trailer is anything to go by, it is likely he will play a villager who comes across the Eternals as they make their way to Earth.
A diverse and inclusive superhero cast
Eternals does something that other Marvel films have failed to do: showcase a truly diverse and inclusive cast. While the MCU has made plenty of money through its many films, with the exception of Black Panther, there have not been many people of colour featured, especially in lead roles.
However, Eternals provides an impressive ensemble cast that also features Kumail Nanjiani, who plays Kingo, a superhero who leads a public life as a Bollywood star, and Lauren Ridloff who plays the MCU's first deaf superhero Makkari. This diversity is also best captured in a final stunning shot showing all the Eternals standing together.
Chloe Zhao’s directing touch
For anyone who has seen Nomadland, the Oscar-winning film directed by Zhao, it's clear that she's put her touch on Eternals as well. From the sweeping opening shot of the water to the emotional score playing in the background, the trailer has a different feel than past Marvel films and that's likely thanks to the Chinese director. While Marvel films tend to be on the comedic side, Eternals appears to have a far more dramatic direction in comparison.
Don Lee’s American debut
Korean-American actor Ma Dong-seok, who also goes by Don Lee, is a staple in South Korean films. He is most notable for having a breakout role in 2016's Zombie apocalypse hit Train to Busan. With 54 film credits to his name, Lee will make his American film debut with a role as Gilgamesh, a superhero who possesses superior strength and stamina and can project an exoskeleton of cosmic energy.
Who will lead the Avengers?
In continuity with the MCU timeline, towards the end of the trailer, it’s asked: “So now that Captain Rogers and Iron Man are both gone, who do you think is going to lead the Avengers?"
While Madden’s Ikaris says that he can do it, a response that elicits laughter from other Eternals, Marvel fans think this has hinted that Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie) will take over the mantle.
As with everything Marvel, things are always connected. For those who watched the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it's known that Wilson had wanted to take over as Captain America.
Since the question is phrased using “Captain Rogers” rather than “Captain America,” fans have gotten excited that this could mean Wilson will be the one to lead the Avengers going forward.
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Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
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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.
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.”
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
