The National

Elisabetta Gucci may be the daughter of the late fashion mogul Paolo Gucci and the great-granddaughter of the founder of the company, but the prospective launch of her eponymous hotel in Dubai has reignited a long-running feud between the family and the global fashion house of the same name.

Emaar plans to swap penthouses for affordable housing as the developer of the Burj Khalifa looks to capitalise on the need for 3.5 million affordable homes in the Middle East. Known for its luxury master-planned developments, Emaar has launched a division to focus on building low-cost homes in the region.

With branches in 7 cities — including Mexico City, Tokyo, Jakarta, Lisbon and Koshien — KidZania’s latest outlet, which opened in the Dubai Mall on January 10, is the first in the Middle East, and helps children acquire financial skills in an interactive world. Walking down its make-believe streets, Will Edwards, the governor of KidZania Dubai, marvels at the excitement of this land’s “new citizens”.

To promote the group's work, Ms Lemack helped produce the documentary Killing in the Name, which was screened at the Pavilion in Downtown Burj Khalifa last month.

A man contacted Dubai Police headquarters and threatened to blow up the Burj Khalifa unless US$1 million (Dh3.7m) was paid to him, a court heard this morning. The 38-year-old Indian businessman JF sent a text to a Dubai Police major on February 5 saying, "tomoro burj kaleefa blast arange no arrange 1oooooo dollar take", prosecution records show.

The tower, which if built would eclipse Dubai’s 818-metre Burj Khalifa, is being planned by Kingdom Holding, the business conglomerate owned by the Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

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.

After all, Fashion TV will be up against the likes of the new Burj Khalifa Armani hotel, not to mention plans afoot for hotels in Dubai from Elie Saab and Karl Lagerfeld, the latter on Isla Moda, with uniforms designed by Victoria Beckham.

Launched two weeks ago, the service connects five destinations within the 500acre development that includes the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, but some bus drivers are struggling to navigate through tight spots designed for cars. The shuttle service is made up of three bright red 25-seater buses.

An architect who meticulously designed and built a 141,971-piece Lego sculpture of the Burj Khalifa wants the model to serve as an inspiration to others. The 2.7m tower of unglued plastic bricks went on display yesterday at Dubai Mall.