Monte Carlo
Director: Tom Bezucha
Starring: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy
***
Selena Gomez is the latest in a growing number of teenage sensations to come from the United States, having sold more than a million albums and starred in hit a US television series. Now focusing her attentions on dominating the movie market, she heads an all-star cast in Monte Carlo. Gomez plays Grace, a young woman on a disappointing sightseeing tour of Paris with her sister (Leighton Meester) and her best friend (Katie Cassidy). Their vacation takes a turn for the dramatic when Grace is mistaken for spoiled British aristocrat Cordelia (also played by Gomez). Initially they go along with the mistake hoping for a glimpse into a life of glamour, only for their deception to take them all the way to Monte Carlo. The friends find themselves in too deep before long, with each woman finding love in this new lifestyle, and each having to find a way to escape. Monte Carlo is a prime example of what happens when Hollywood decides to "rework" source material. The novel it is based on, Headhunters, features middle-aged protagonists, and thus by aiming for a younger audience the story loses any resemblance to the book. The film itself, however, is funny in places and while the plot is a rather formulaic take on The Prince and The Pauper, charismatic stars and a brisk pace make the more melodramatic moments forgivable. Gomez is equals parts likeable and repellent as Grace and Cordelia respectively, while Meester and Cassidy are believable in their supporting roles. Light, escapist fluff that may only truly appeal to Gomez's core audience, but its inoffensive charm makes it an easy watch for any age.
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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At Eternity’s Gate
Director: Julian Schnabel
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen
Three stars
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
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Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
