The Joy Awards were a hive of activity both in and outside the Baker Al Sheddi Theatre in the Boulevard in Riyadh.
With the event forming one the biggest gatherings of the Arab world's entertainment industry, more than 100 actors, singers and cultural personalities strolled the lavender carpet before meeting the regional press to share their career updates.
One person that was not at the ceremony to play around was Ahlam Alshamsi. In trademark fashion, the Emirati singer was bullish when it comes to her thoughts on the Joy Awards.
“I came here hoping to win, of course,” she remarked when it came to her nomination as Best Female Artist. “I worked really hard last year and I hope I can win the trophy. There is nothing wrong with saying that, as competition helps us create even better work.”
While losing out to Syrian singer Assala Nasri, Alshamsi was seen having a great time as she sat in the front row alongside fellow non-winning nominees Elissa and Nancy Ajram.
Here are four other things celebrities said in the run-up to the 2022 Joy Awards:
1. Nadine Njeim will not appear on the small screen in Ramadan
Ramadan television won’t be the same this year with Nadine Njeim bowing out of this year’s offerings to focus on her burgeoning fashion career.
After starring in back-to-back ratings hits since 2017, including last year's Salon Zahra and 2019's Khamsa w Nos, Njeim said she is taking a step back to launch her own line of lipsticks.
“No, I am not taking part in any productions this year,” she said. “I do want to use the opportunity to work on my production which will hopefully launch by the end of the year.”
Njeim offered a preview the coming product, yet to be named, on Monday on her Instagram, with a lipstick tutorial using a peach-nude shade. The move comes after her successful 2020 collaboration with Mac cosmetics for a collection including lipsticks, mascara, highlighter and eyeshadows.
2. Actor Ahmed Zaher is back with two topical dramas
After a relatively quiet 2021 where he only appeared in the stage show Ailat Lasi'at Jiddan (A Very Crazy Family) Egyptian actor Ahmed Zaher is picking up the pace this year with two major roles in the pipeline.
"Right now, I am working on a film called Fares and that deals with a simple person who goes through everyday struggles just to make ends meet," he said. "I am always drawn to roles that people can identify with."
He is particularly excited about his coming role in the drama series Social, also out later this year.
“I am looking forward to seeing how this will be received, as it’s about the role that social media plays in Arab society,” he said. “While it has amazing benefits, there is also a darker and unjust side to it and this series will hopefully take a good look at that.”
3. All roads lead to Dubai for Melhem Zein
After a sold-out performance at Sharjah’s Al Majaz Amphitheatre in December, the Lebanese crooner confirmed he will return to the UAE with a Dubai show “in the future.”
The reason for the delay is that he is taking the scenic route with a tour of North America and a show in the Bahamas before landing in the emirate.
In the meantime, UAE fans will have time to get acquainted with his new single Rah Halfek, which will surely feature in the show in Dubai.
4. Walid Toufic wants to sing with up and comers
Lebanese singer and actor Walid Toufic wants to work with the new generation of pop stars. The 1980s crooner said veteran artists should step out of their comfort zone and observe the latest trends in popular music.
“A good way to do that is to collaborate with younger artists because I think we can learn from each other,” he said. “I am interested in doing it at any time.”
Toufic also praised the importance of large scale events such as Riyadh Season in bringing people together.
“As musicians, we don’t get a chance to play as we used to, owing to the current situations with the pandemic,” he said. “So large festivals are important because the shows become more impactful and instead of travelling, you get to perform in a multicultural environment.”
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
Specs
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Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Power: 420 bhp
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
