Kanye West is reportedly set to the return to the Middle East this March to shoot a film project. According to sources quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, the rapper has had teams scouting Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha over the past week.
"They did a full round of meetings, speaking with various government agencies, institutions and private investors. They toured each area and met with all the major players," the source said, adding that there was a "pretty intense bidding war" currently in progress.
The film is said to be around 30 minutes long, between a music video and short film, which sounds similar to the arthouse film Runaway starring Selita Ebanks that was launched in the build up to West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album in 2010.
The story of the film was apparently conceived by West to be set explicitly in the region, and is designed to showcase its natural beauty while remaining culturally sensitive and embracing customs and traditions. To keep the authentic feel, he will reportedly be moving a creative team to the region "for a few weeks", claims the source, and plans to use "as much local talent and crew as possible".
Stories suggest West's love for the region grew after he played at the Abu Dhabi F1 on Yas Island in 2010. His most recent trip is believed to be in December last year when he played a private party in Dubai with Jay-Z.
There has been no confirmation from West, but one member of his team revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he had been in the Middle East "last week".
aritman@thenational.ae
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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 specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
