Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has joined the cast and crew of Dishoom in Abu Dhabi to shoot his cameo role in the movie. The upcoming action-adventure film, directed by Rohit Dhawan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, stars actor John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandez and Varun Dhawan, who have been filming in the capital since mid January. It won't be the first time Abraham and Kumar have shared screen-time – they teamed up for hits including Housefull 2, Garam Masala and Desi Boyz. Kumar, who has been spotted riding a bike in Abu Dhabi, is no stranger to the emirates, having filmed Baby in the capital two years ago and Airlift in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah in 2015. "It's always nice shooting in the UAE," he told The National last month. "Plus, you just can't shoot like this in Mumbai. They won't close a part of the street for you – they'd rather close down the shoot." – The National staff
Sagar Sarhadi to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
Veteran scriptwriter Sagar Sarhadi will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the second edition of the International Film Festival of Prayag this month. The 82-year-old will be honoured for his contribution to Hindi cinema at the event, which will be held from February 26 to 28. Born in Abbottabad, Pakistan, Sarhadi is well known for his work in Bollywood films including Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Chandni and Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai. The film Bazaar, which he directed and starred Smita Patil, Farooq Sheikh and Naseeruddin Shah, was particularly well received and drew critical acclaim. "We are very charged-up with the second edition of the film festival after the response we had received." said Hasan Haider, founder-director, of IFFP and owner of Z and Z Media. "We can confidently say that this year it will be better, bigger and grander." Veteran actor Om Puri was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award last year. – IANS
Ranveer Singh shoots upcoming movie in Paris
Actor Ranveer Singh has travelled to Paris to film his upcoming movie Befikre, the brainchild of filmmaker Aditya Chopra. The 30-year-old star took to Twitter to share his excitement about his project in the French capital. "Paris bound... !#Befikre," he wrote. Actress Vaani Kapoor, who made her acting debut in 2013 with the film Shuddh Desi Romance, will star alongside the Bajirao Mastani actor. Singh's career owes much to Aditya Chopra, as it was his family's production company, Yash Raj Films that launched him in 2010 in the film Band Baaja Baarat. Befikre is set to be released on December 9. – IANS
Farhan Akhtar announces his band’s first US tour
Indian actor, film director and musician Farhan Akhtar has announced the first tour dates for his band, Farhan Live. The six-day US tour will start on May 20 in Dallas, Texas and conclude on May 29 in Washington D.C. The Wazir star, who will next be seen on screen in the upcoming film Rock On 2, took to social media to share news of the tour with fans. "Pleased to announce our first-ever US tour. Dates and cities listed below. Details to follow...shine on," he tweeted. The 42-year-old also shared a tour poster on his band's Facebook page. – IANS
Actor Adam Baldwin quits Twitter
Hollywood actor, and controversial Twitter figure, Adam Baldwin has announced he is leaving the social-media platform in a protest against censorship. The actor, who is no relation to the Baldwin brothers and is best known for his roles in the Vietnam War movie Full Metal Jacket and Josh Whedon's cult sci-fi TV show Firefly, said, "I've had enough. Twitter is dead to me ... I'm going to find greener pastures elsewhere and I'm not coming back." The latest tweets from his @AdamBaldwin feed included: "In short, I will no longer voluntarily participate in a social media platform that fancies itself some sort of global online Oberlin campus" and "Any honest reporter who wants to ask honest questions about this, you can find me. As for Twitter 'Bye bye birdie'." On February 23, Baldwin's Twitter page contained just one tweet from the previous day: "Hi @Twitter: Fire @jack and disband the 'Trust and Safety' Council. Here's why," he said, in an apparent reference to Twitter's chief executive, Jack Dorsey. He linked to an article published in the online magazine The Federalist about Twitter suspending the account of Robert Stacy McCain, a conservative blogger and critic of feminism. In February, Twitter said it was creating a Trust and Safety Council to ensure people felt secure expressing themselves. Critics have suggested the council is a vehicle for censorship, and some have protested McCain's account suspension. – Reuters
Ahead of Oscars, fashion labels crave Hollywood spotlight
Celebrities might be crowding to the front rows of this week’s London Fashion Week shows, but some designers are swapping the runway for Hollywood’s awards-season red carpets. Ahead of the Oscars on February 28, the most-watched entertainment event around the world, Hollywood has been the setting for numerous fashion events. British designer Stella McCartney threw a party showcasing her latest collection at famed music store Amoeba, while Saint Laurent Paris took over The Palladium music venue for its menswear show, Gucci announced a celebrity ambassador and Kenzo debuted a new short film. “It just feels like a moment when music, film, fashion, the arts, it’s all just come together for LA,” designer Stella McCartney said at her presentation, which was attended by stars including Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow. Celebrities and fashion have long had a symbiotic relationship, from Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy to Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Dior. But Los Angeles traditionally is not regarded as a trendsetting city, as the year-round sunny weather doesn’t allow seasonal clothing changes as much as seen in fashion capitals New York, Milan, Paris and London. – Reuters
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
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.”
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
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
