Angsana Hotels and Resorts has pulled out of the management of the luxury Eastern Mangroves resort in Abu Dhabi.
The resort, which is being developed by Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), is still on track to open this year.
"Due to Tourism Development and Investment Company's decision to reassess the Abu Dhabi Angsana Eastern Mangroves resort's strategic direction and project's vision, the management of Angsana Hotels and Resorts has reached a preliminary agreement with TDIC to discontinue the role of hotel operator for the project," Banyan Tree said.
The Angsana brand is managed by Banyan Tree.
TDIC confirmed Angsana would no longer manage the project, saying it "was a mutual decision between the operator and TDIC".
The developer says the Eastern Mangroves resort is still scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of this year, adding it was "currently reviewing options for the appointment of a new hospitality operator to manage this unique development". The five-star hotel is under construction and is due to have 224 rooms and a residential component with 220 apartments, according to a project update released by the developer this week.
Banyan Tree and TDIC said they would still study opportunities to work together on projects in the emirate.
"Banyan Tree Holdings and TDIC remain optimistic on the region's tourism potential and will continue exploring other opportunities to open Banyan Tree and Angsana branded resorts in Abu Dhabi," Banyan Tree said.
The luxury operator, based in Singapore, had faced a series of difficulties with many of its projects in the Gulf region.
Banyan Tree lost out on a contract with Meydan, the Dubai property developer, to manage a luxury hotel and resort as part of the Dh10 billion (US$2.72bn) Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
An agreement had been in place, but weeks before the hotel was scheduled to open, Banyan Tree announced it had initiated arbitration proceedings against Meydan, citing "various breaches of the hotel management agreement".
In 2009, a hotel being managed under the Angsana brand on Sheikh Zayed Road, owned by Damas Hotels, closed its doors.
It was sold by the former Damas executives Tawhid, Tawfiq and Tamjid Abdullah as they raised money to pay back shareholders in the jewellery company following a series of "unauthorised" investments.
Banyan Tree said in 2006 it had signed an agreement with Damas Hotels to operate the 117-room Angsana Resort and Spa in Fujairah, which was due for completion two years ago.
A progress report issued early last year on the Singapore stock exchange for the last quarter of 2008 said the project had "stalled due to owner financing" and the management company said it was removing the project from its pipeline.
Last year, Banyan Tree stopped managing a resort in Bahrain after a dispute with Al Areen, the owner, amid claims it was owed more than $1 million.
Banyan Tree opened a luxury desert resort in Ras al Khaimah last year.
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
If you go
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m
8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m
8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m
9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m
MATCH RESULT
Liverpool 4 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Liverpool: Salah (26'), Lovren (40'), Solanke (53'), Robertson (85')
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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War and the virus
Simon Rushton: War vet raises £12m for health workers
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
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Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
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Investment stage: Pre-seed
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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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.
MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
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Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
World Mental Health Day
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Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
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Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
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