Were you part of the 15,000 fans that lined up to see the Jonas Brothers at Yas Island last month?
If you shouted an emphatic "no", you missed out on another giant concert here in Abu Dhabi. And if you screamed a shrill "yes", I weep for the future.
Perhaps you who skipped it could say you had an important meeting or a friend was in town or you had to get your car washed, but more than likely you didn't go simply because there was not a chance in a chilled-over netherworld that you'd be caught there. Conversely, the throng of screaming fans that swarmed the concert venue wouldn't have missed it for all the tea in Emirates Palace.
Perhaps you've already guessed what side of that fence I'm on.
My point is, it's the kind of band that polarises people; forget about age groups or demographics - you either love 'em or hate 'em.
And I get that feeling with the Cadillac CTS Coupe. Because I can't remember another car I've tested that has people so squarely divided on its appearance alone.
Whatever you feel about it, the car is most certainly distinctive. It's really like nothing out there on the road, certainly not in its price bracket; BMWs, Mercedes and Audis are aggressive yet much more subtle. The CTS is just mean-looking, what with its huge, gaping grille and tall, muscular haunches. It's got an air of a stealth fighter with its crisp angles and creases and the long, flat flanks. In the back, the neon lights are some of the most attractive to follow behind on the road; I like the entire package.
And inside carries the theme; it's an attractive, modern setup. The materials are, for the most part, high quality, and everything is logically laid out. It might not be up to the standard of some European cars, but it's impressive how far GM has come concerning its interiors. The leather seats are downright huge - perhaps they should be called loveseats instead of buckets - but the sunroof impedes on headroom for the front passengers. It doesn't even slide open! I'd say leave that box unchecked on your order form.
Sunroof or no, rear passengers will be crouching in agony; the rear seats, while offering plenty of leg room, are cramped for headroom; it almost seems sensible to sit upside down if you want to stretch your neck out.
There is no revolution going on inside when it comes to technology, but you've got the usual bells and whistles of a luxury car. The pop-up infotainment screen is actually useful; when down, it still shows pertinent information, and the touch screen is infinitely more useable than a central mouse. When you need more information, such as the sat nav, it simply pops up with the push of a button.
But looks aren't everything, as the less attractive of us might emphasise. On the motorway, while it's comfortable and stable, there's a whiff of disappointment, as it tends to wander and feel just a little jittery on a long, fast straight. It's not like an old Toyota or anything, but when you step out of a rock-solid 3 Series and into the Cadillac, well, you notice a difference.
But take it into the corners and you'll forget all that. It'll dive into a turn faster than many other cars in its class, and its level of grip is surprising, especially for a big car pushing two tonnes. GM has really outdone itself with this world-class handling; no doubt those huge tyres at all four corners do their part in keeping the car square on the road.
The engine is a good match for the handling. No, it's not the 550hp V8 of the CTS-V, but 304hp can get this car moving quickly. Not only that, but it's smooth and still has a nice rumble coming out of the twin rear exhaust. There's not really anything with this power in the CTS's price range, either, so it offers good value.
The six-speed automatic - in normal mode - is definitely set up for comfort and economy, and it just doesn't have the reaction for quick downshifting and sporty behaviour - or even when you need that little extra oomph to pass in an instant. There is an option for a sport mode, which works a lot better when you feel like testing out that handling in the roundabouts. It keeps the lower gears longer for more torque, and shifting comes quicker with throttle response. You can also shift yourself, but it's just too bad that manual gear shifts are left to buttons on the back of the steering wheel, rather than larger paddle shifters; they seem like an afterthought.
But then again, this is a luxury car, not a sports car, and in that realm, it surpasses expectations. Considering the Mercedes E250 in its price bracket has only 204hp, you're getting a pretty good deal with the CTS Coupe - if you like its looks. If you don't, I have a feeling that no amount of horsepower will overcome that.
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Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Fire and Fury
By Michael Wolff,
Henry Holt
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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.”
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Soldier F
“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.
“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.
“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”
Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
