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.

9-year-old Emirati clears IELTS exam

A nine-year-old Emirati becomes the youngest child to clear the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

IELTS is the world's leading assessment of English communicative ability required especially for higher education, immigration and employment.

Mohammed Salih Al Amri, studying if Grade five in Liwa Private School, Al Ain, scored 5.5 points, reported Al Ittihad newspaper.

Fouad Charlie Estaiban, Director of IELTS Center of the admission requirements unit at the UAE University, said: "This is an unprecedented global achievement by a child to obtain such an international certificate."

The center has encountered some difficulties in awarding the certificate to the child, because of his age. And the procedures required some amendements before Al Amri was honoured for his acheivement.

Charlie said: A score of 5.5 is incredible, as students applying for medical and engineering colleges manage to score only up to 5 points and the admission requirement to arts colleges is 4.5."

He could recite some parts of the Holy Quran when he was just two years, said the boy's father and added that he was excellent at school, too.

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.

Bu Tinah - On of the Wonders

OFF THE WESTERN COASTLINE OF ABU DHABI LIES A UNIQUE WONDER OF NATURE, WILD AND UNDISTURBED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY, KNOWN AS BU TINAH ISLAND.

Imagine an island with shallow sparkling blue waters and sandy beaches, visited by critically endangered animals, musical with birdsong and remote from the bustle and noise of human habitation. Add colourful coral reefs and seven metre high mangrove trees to that picture and you'll start to get an idea of the peace and beauty of Bu Tinah Island.

Bu Tinah’s thriving habitat is a unique living laboratory, with key significance for climate change research. This distinctive natural habitat with its shallow waters, seagrass beds and tall mangroves, set amid extensive coral reefs, hosts rare, beautiful and globally endangered marine life. Seabirds such as the flamingo and the osprey, diverse species of dolphins, and the rare hawksbill turtle are to be found in Bu Tinah. The island’s waters are also home to the planet’s second-largest population of dugong, a large marine mammal that is globally threatened.

This precious natural resource is part of the largest protected area in Abu Dhabi. Its continued survival and protection must be ensured.

Bu Tinah Island is one of the 28 official finalists for the “New7Wonders of Nature”. Vote now and bring Bu Tinah Island into the final seven. It’s your opportunity to be part of history. And the future!

Bu Tinah in 3 Minutes (English) from Bu Tinah Island on Vimeo.