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Khalaf Al Habtoor, the chairman of Al Habtoor Group.  Satish Kumar / The National

Best of US-style resort luxury for Dubai

The Metropolitan Hotel in Dubai is to be knocked down to make way for a Las Vegas-inspired luxury hotel project. The US$1.33 billion (Dh4.8bn) development on Sheikh Zayed Road is to include three luxury hotels with a total of 1,616 rooms and a theatre big enough to seat more than 1,000, Al Habtoor Group announced yesterday.

Alia Saeed Mohammed won gold at the Arab Games and is looking for a repeat at the Dubai Marathon.  Courtesy of Dubai Marathon

UAE pair look for 10km success at Dubai Marathon

Alia Saeed Mohammed and Betlhem Belayneh Deslagn will be to looking to build on their success at the Arab Games when the compete in the 10,000 metres at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon later this month. A 3km Fun Run is also being staged during the Dubai Marathon event, which get underway from outside The Pavilion Downtown Dubai, opposite the Burj Khalifa.

Draw of Burj Khalifa sees organisers extend $1m Dubai Marathon entry deadline

Draw of Burj Khalifa sees organisers extend $1m Dubai Marathon entry deadline

“The Burj Khalifa is a global icon and I think many runners would love to say they have taken part in a race that takes place in the shadow of such an international symbol,” said Ahmed Al Kamali, president of the UAE Athletic Federation, IAAF council member and general co-ordinator of the region’s first IAAF Gold Label race.

FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2010

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo cancels Dubai Mall trip

Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s visit to Dubai Mall was cancelled today without explanation, leaving fans angry and disappointed. The player is due to visit a special needs centre tomorrow. In the evening, he will help to present an auction in aid of Save the Children at the Dh5,000-a-ticket Audi Football Night gala dinner at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa.

Illustration by Chris Burke for The National

Giorgio’s hotel a fashion statement

On a bright autumn day in Milan last month, Giorgio Armani spent hours walking around a hotel, meticulously inspecting every last detail. The first Armani hotel opened last year in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in Dubai. But Mr Armani says he feels much more of an “emotional” connection with the Milan property.

A date with the film star Scarlett Johansson will go to one lucky bidder. AFP

Big names on block in charity auction

A Picasso painting, a date with the film star Scarlett Johansson and a private yoga class with the actor Alec Baldwin will be auctioned for charity tomorrow. The auction will be held at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa as part of the Dubai International Film Festival to raise funds for projects led by Oxfam GB and Dubai Cares in areas including Yemen and the Palestinian territories.

Crew members stand by as Tom Cruise hangs off the Burj Khalifa during filming. Pawan Singh / The National

Behind the scenes of Mission Impossible

But although Tom Cruise’s antics on the Burj Khalifa might – quite understandably – be the headline grabbers, the Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol shoot in Dubai didn’t simply revolve around one, rather impressively reckless Hollywood A-lister.

Tom Cruise poses in Mumbai. Divyakant Solanki / EPA

Today’s entertainment news: Tom Cruise makes an impression in India

The highlight of the fourth sequel of the Mission Impossible franchise is a breathtaking stunt by Cruise atop the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The actor will attend the premiere of the film at the Dubai International Film Festival tomorrow night.

Balancing artist Eskil Ronningsbakken

Stuntman aims to balance on Burj Khalifa

In the 23 months since it opened, the world’s tallest building has been a magnet for base jumpers and free climbers. Now, an extreme balancing artist wants to perform a death-defying handstand on its summit. Eskil Ronningsbakken, a former circus performer from Norway, has asked the owners of the Burj Khalifa for permission to perform the stunt, which he hopes to be “contrary to all physical laws”.

"For me, music is therapy," says AR Rahman, an Indian music composer, at Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa.  Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Rahman promises a musical therapy

The Indian music maestro, AR Rahman, says music is therapeutic, and has promised his fans a celebration of songs at a concert scheduled for next month. The famous music composer was at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa yesterday to promote the event, which will take place on December 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai Sports City.