As if the Jamnagar celebrations in March were not extravagant enough for the forthcoming Ambani wedding, the Indian industrial family are set to host a second prenuptial bash on a Mediterranean cruise.
Anant Ambani, 29, the youngest son of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani – one of the world's richest men – is set to wed Radhika Merchant, also 29, daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant.
About 300 guests, including high-profile personalities such as Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have reportedly been invited on the cruise, which begins in Palermo, on the southern Italian island of Sicily, on Wednesday.
Based on the invitation, seen by India Today, the idyllic trip will cruise the Mediterranean to dock at the Italian Riviera town of Portofino on Saturday. The overall theme of the pre-wedding bash is La Vite e un Viaggio. or Life is a Journey.
Themed nights will take place aboard the ship, with stops in Rome and Cannes.
Ambani cruise itinerary
The trip starts with a welcome lunch on Wednesday in Palermo. The first themed event is called Starry Night, where guests are asked to wear western formal attire. The ship then docks in Rome for an excursion before another themed party on board called La Dolce Far Niente, an Italian saying that translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing”. The dress code is retro.
The next event is a toga party, where guests are to wear Greco-Roman themed costumes and sandals.
A party will be dedicated to Veda, daughter of Anant's brother Akash and his wife Shloka Ambani, on Friday, marking her first birthday. The invitation describes it as V Turns One Under the Sun, and guests are asked to wear a “playful” ensemble. A masquerade party will follows as the ship docks in Cannes.
An after-party themed Pardon my French will be organised for the same day, before the trip ends in Portofino with the La Dolce Vita finale party. A strict no-phone policy is reportedly in place throughout the excursion.
The cruise comes almost three months after the first pre-wedding bash of the much-anticipated Ambani nuptials, which will be held in July.
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Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Defending champions
World Series: South Africa
Women’s World Series: Australia
Gulf Men’s League: Dubai Exiles
Gulf Men’s Social: Mediclinic Barrelhouse Warriors
Gulf Vets: Jebel Ali Dragons Veterans
Gulf Women: Dubai Sports City Eagles
Gulf Under 19: British School Al Khubairat
Gulf Under 19 Girls: Dubai Exiles
UAE National Schools: Al Safa School
International Invitational: Speranza 22
International Vets: Joining Jack
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
