Award-winning rapper Wyclef Jean will perform on Thursday at the official grand opening of Billionaire Mansion, a newly opened party spot in Dubai’s Taj Hotel. The former Fugees member will appear from 11pm to 3am, and the night will also include a meal of Italian food or Japanese bites to choose from. The Taj Hotel is in Business Bay. Tickets cost Dh350 per person. Call 04 348 3000 for more information. — The National
Gabriel Iglesias coming to Dubai
Stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias — also known as "Fluffy", and one of the most recognisable comedians in America — is coming to Dubai as part of a three-city tour of Asia this summer. He will appear with his #Fluffy Breaks Even show at the Dubai World Trade Centre on June 3, before moving on to the Star Theatre in Singapore on June 6 and the Asia Expo in Hong Kong on June 8. The show is based on his reality-TV show of the same name, which also features fellow comedians Martin Moreno, Rick Gutierrez, G Reilly and Alfred Robles, and has been picked up for a second season by US cable channel Fuse TV. Visit www.117live.com to register for tickets. — The National
Row over Salman Khan Olympics role
Salman Khan's appointment as an Indian goodwill ambassador for the 2016 Rio Olympics, announced on Saturday, has not been well received by some of the country's Olympians. 2012 Olympics wrestling bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, champion athlete Milkha Singh and hockey legend Dhanraj Pillai were among those who criticised the Indian Olympic Association's decision. It has been denounced by many as a PR gimmick to promote Sultan, Khan's upcoming film in which he plays Sultan Ali Khan, an Olympic wrestler from Haryana. However, some athletes supported the IOA decision: Olympic medallists Vijender Singh (boxing) and Abhinav Bindra (shooting) were among those who welcomed the appointment, saying that Khan's popularity would gain attention for lesser-known sports. The IOA said it would be appointing other representatives from sports, arts and culture. — Sonali Kokra
Soul singer Billy Paul dies
Billy Paul, a star of the Philadelphia soul scene who won fame with the song Me and Mrs. Jones before attracting controversy with his racially charged politics, has died. He was 80. Known for his uplifting, mellifluous voice, Paul won a Grammy Award and helped shape the course of modern R&B. A message on his website read: "We regret to announce with a heavy heart that Billy has passed away today at home after a serious medical condition." Paul topped mainstream charts in 1972 with Me and Mrs. Jones, a song about an extramarital affair that has been covered by a range of artists including Hall & Oates and Michael Bublé. Artist and producer Questlove, best known as the percussionist of The Roots, said that Paul should be considered the forerunner of soul icons Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Questlove said: "Billy Paul, in every aspect of his presentation, was the first person to bring reality" into the music. — AFP
Michael Douglas pays tribute to Prince
Michael Douglas honoured Prince at the closing of the Tribeca Film Festival with a distinctive outfit — a matching purple shirt and pullover V-neck sweater. Douglas said: "He was such a private man; protected his work so much. But he was an extraordinary talent, just an extraordinary talent. I really feel a loss." Besides being a fan, in 1995 Douglas presented Prince with the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song Score for Purple Rain. — AP
Prequel to Angry Indian Goddesses announced
Bollywood film Angry Indian Goddesses is getting a prequel that will explore the characters' pasts. Touted as India's first female-buddy film — with an ensemble cast including Sarah-Jane Dias, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anushka Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul, Rajshri Deshpande and Adil Hussain — the movie earned good reviews in India and was well received at international film festivals. — IANS
Roshan-Ranaut row heats up
Amid the legal battle with actress Kangana Ranaut, actor Hrithik Roshan has posted a cryptic tweet about troubled times. He wrote: “When people call you names, the universe is not testing whether you can prove them wrong. It’s testing your own belief in your own name. #knowUrName.” Issues between the stars began when Ranaut hinted at Roshan being her ex-boyfriend. She said during an interview that she fails to understand “why exes do silly things to get your attention”. The controversy between the two actors, who were rumoured to have dated, took another turn for the worse after they slapped legal notices on each other. Roshan, meanwhile, has been celebrating the 45th wedding anniversary of his parents, Rakesh and Pinky Roshan. He shared an image of the family celebrations, along with a post that read: “When love is a commitment, the commitment can create more love. 45 years! #laughterBestwithFamily thank you all for your wishes.” – IANS
Zaha Hadid’s first project after death inaugurated
One of the final works of Zaha Hadid, the acclaimed Iraqi-British architect who died suddenly last month, was posthumously inaugurated in Italy yesterday. Inspired by an oyster, the new maritime terminal at the southern port of Salerno features a hard shell above a soft, fluid interior and the wavy lines that were Hadid’s signature. It is her first major project to come to completion since her death from a heart attack at age 65. Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi said, “This extraordinary work adds to everything Salerno is doing to transform itself and I think it is marvellous. It is also a way of remembering the great architect that Zaha Hadid was. If Salerno is undergoing a transformation, it is also thanks to the contribution of this architectural star.” Hadid’s practice is now being run by German architect Patrik Schumacher, who worked alongside her for 28 years before her death. The studio had more than 30 projects at the design stage or under construction when Hadid died at a hospital in Miami, where she was being treated for bronchitis. Major works in the pipeline include a 2022 World Cup stadium in Qatar, a New York skyscraper and a new parliament for Iraq. -AFP
Prince tops US charts
On Sunday, Prince soared to number one on the US chart after his sudden death, with three of his albums entering the top 10. The Very Best of Prince, a greatest hits collection released in 2001, topped the weekly chart and his classic 1984 album Purple Rain came in at number two of the Billboard chart. A three-disc collection from 1993, The Hits/The B-sides, re-entered the latest chart at number six. The strength of the compilations indicates the renewed popularity of Prince's hits such as Let's Go Crazy, When Doves Cry, 1999, Raspberry Beret and Kiss. In one factor that likely increased outright sales, fans looking for Prince's music were unlikely to find it through streaming, which is factored into the chart through its own formula. Prince, whose relationship with the internet swung between love and hate, only streamed his music on Jay-Z's Tidal service, through which he released his last two albums. Prince, a champion of artists' rights against labels, aggressively took down unauthorised versions of his music from the internet, including YouTube. Prince released 39 studio albums during his life, selling more than 100 million records. -AFP
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sofia%20Boutella%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Sir%20Anthony%20Hopkins%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
Results
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.
6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m
Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
The Programme
Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: now
How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.