World's tallest building stars in world's biggest blockbuster.

Fourth installment of $2bn franchise being shot in the UAE to be called 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'

Dubai’s efforts to be taken seriously as a venue for film production have received a shot in the arm as filming begins on the fourth installment of the $2 billion Hollywood franchise “Mission Impossible” this week.

The film is to be called "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol", producer and lead actor Tom Cruise told a press conference at the emirate’s Armani Hotel on Thursday. "All I wanted is not to have a number ... I always thought we should have a title aside from 'Mission Impossible'," he said.

As a producer, Cruise said it was hard to find places that appeared fresh on screen but that Dubai offered exactly that opportunity.

"Dubai is very cinematic. We are looking forward to present that on film," he said.

"Dubai is a city I always wanted to shoot in. It's a very challenging film and people here have been extraordinary in helping us get this project going. I would like to thank Sheikh Mohammed," he added, referring to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shooting is expected to take place all around the city and definitely in the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Vital action scenes would be shot at the iconic tower and the Armani Hotel, which occupies eight floors of the building. Filming began on Thursday.

The cast include Jeremy Renner, nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 2009 war film "The Hurt Locker". Other actors include Simon Pegg and Paula Patton.

Live in Burj Khalifa - for just Dh80,000 a year

Renting an apartment in Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, is now more affordable as studios are being leased for Dh80,000 a year compared to Dh110,000 in August.

"As property rentals have declined in the UAE, Burj Khalifa is no exception. However, units owners are hanging on to their investment and preferring to lease than sell at lower prices," Adam Farani, Burj Khalifa specialist, Better Homes, told Emirates 24|7.

The Dubai-based real estate consultancy is offering studios on rentals of Dh80,000 per annum; one-beds from Dh120,000, and two-beds from Dh190,000.

Dubai makes world's longest sandwich

Enters Guinness Book of World Records with the effort

The record for the longest sandwich has been finally broken. Dubai on Thursday witnessed the making of a 2.667kms long sandwich that entered the Guinness Book of World Records.

The effort to make the world’s longest sandwich started at 9am and was completed two hours ahead of schedule at 12noon, just in time for distributing the lunch packets to the employees of three labour camps.

Vishal Tikku, Managing Director, Saudi Arabia and Middle East Shared Services, Kraft Foods, told Emirates 24|7 that about 250 volunteers were involved in the effort. “There was a sort of competition between the 20 teams which enabled us to complete the task at 12, much before the 2pm deadline.”

“But it all ended well. We managed to break the earlier record, made in Italy of a 2kms long sandwich,” he added.

According to him, it took almost 600 jars of cream cheese spread weighing 550 kilos, 900 kilos of vegetables, 525 kilos of tomatoes, 265 kilos of cucumbers and more than 100 kilos of olives.

“In fact we ran out of olives as our volunteers were more than generous in adding the ingredient. Finally we had to order for additional quantity,” he said.

This is second record-making initiative this year following a January 2009 effort by Kraft Foods Mexico that set a new world record with its brand Philadelphia Cream Cheese for the largest cheesecake spanning 56cm in thickness and 2.5 meters in diameter.

The event was held in partnership with UAE Red Crescent Society, Dubai Outlet Mall, and Advanced Baking Concept. “We had to lay three rows of tables across the mall to match the 2.7kms length,” added Tikku.