Nancy Ajram will perform at Global Village next month.
The Lebanese singer, known for her hits including Akhasmak Ah and Aah w Noss, will be taking to the Global Village Main Stage at 9pm on December 12.
Ajram is an influential force in the Arab music industry and has previously been named as one of the top female Arab artists by Forbes. In 2009, she was selected by Unicef as the first female regional ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa.
Between 2013 and 2017, she served as a judge on MBC's reality talent show Arab Idol. She also began serving as a coach on The Voice Kids: Ahla Sawt in 2016. This year, she collaborated with Marshmello on the single Sah Sah, proving her music has global reach.
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Lebanese pop star Nancy Ajram performing in Riyadh on August 11. AFP -

Ajram performed her hit single 'Sah Sah' with DJ Marshmello. AFP -

The concert was part of the Gamers8 festival taking place in Riyadh. AFP -

Ajram interacts with the crowd during the show. AFP -

Marshmello is the stage persona of Christopher Comstock, famous for wearing a white helmet that resembles a marshmallow. AFP -

Marshmello revs up the crowd. AFP -

Gamers8 is a massive gaming session taking place in Saudi Arabia. AFP -

'Sah Sah' has become a hit and is the first Arabic-language song to make it into the Top 10 iTunes chart. AFP -

The song topped the iTunes electro-dance category in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. AFP -

Ajram with Egyptian rapper Marwan Pablo. AFP -

Marwan Pablo performs to the crowd. AFP -

Fans cheer for Ajram and Marshmello. AFP -

A view of the arena. AFP
Ajram is the second Arab superstar to be billed for this year's event. Myriam Fares, the Arab "Queen of the Stage", performed at the venue this month.
Global Village opened for its 27th season on October 25 and will be running until April.
Last season, the family-friendly attraction in Dubai welcomed a record 7.8 million visitors during the six months it was operational. The venue is famous for its pavilions, each themed according to a different nation or culture. This year, 27 pavilions representing more than 80 cultures are featured.
More than 400 performers from around the world will be part of the event's entertainment line-up. This includes more than 200 performances each night, such as Puttin' on the Glitz, which brings jazz music to the theme park.
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Global Village reopened for its 27th season on October 25, 2022. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The family-friendly destination returned with various new attractions -
Drum group Aainjaa perform at the reopening of Global Village -
The first of many visitors for the new season -
The team behind Global Village said they worked all summer to improve existing attractions and dream up new ones -
Global Village is one of Dubai's longest-running and most popular attractions. -
Global Village season 27 ran until April 30, 2023 -
Confetti rains on visitors at the opening of season 27 -
Global Village opened from 4pm to midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and 4pm to 1am from Thursday to Saturday. -
The attraction is hugely popular with residents and tourists — especially families with young children. -
The attraction comes alive at night -
Entry to the new Road to Asia. -
Afghan music is played in the country's pavilion -
Joan Capers sells her Vietnamese gifts along the Road to Asia -
Mohammed Ayan sells jackets at his stall in the Afghanistan pavilion -
There are plenty of sights and sounds to take in -
The amusement park at Global Village is popular with people of all ages -
Dancers at the China pavilion -
Preparing halwa, a traditional dessert, at the Oman pavilion -
The fair features performances by singers, dancers, acrobats and many others -
The House of Fear is a fixture for thrill-seekers -
Many pavilions are given makeovers each season -
Preparing traditional Emirati food
London Calling takes music-lovers through nostalgic songs, from 1960s classics and punk rock to the top tunes of today.
V.Unbeatable, a dance crew from Mumbai that won season two of America's Got Talent: The Champions in 2020, will perform on the Main Stage from January 4 for a month.
Filipino troupe Urban Crew, who competed on the latest season of America's Got Talent, will return to Global Village to showcase their acrobatic skills all season.
Another international ensemble back by popular demand is Colombian Aaijaa, a group of young percussionists setting the beat for the evenings, while Global Village favourites making a return this year include The Wonderers — Ozka, Waleef and Zoya, who bring a new production to the Kids Theatre called The Mystery of the Golden Rock.
Throughout the years, Global Village has attracted several big-name acts to its main stage, including American singer-songwriter Jason Derulo, former One Direction member Liam Payne and Pakistani pop star Atif Aslam.
Free for Global Village ticket holders; Dh18 online Sunday to Thursday and Dh20 at the gate; Dh22.50 online and Dh25 at the gate for all other days; free for children under three and senior citizens aged 65 and above, as well as people of determination
Nancy Ajram's fashion evolution in 31 pictures: How the Queen of Arab pop's style has matured
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Nancy Ajram wears a black turtleneck and denim shirt during a TV appearance in Beirut on December 5, 2001. AFP -

Performing in a black dress with lace detail after receiving her 2003 Murrex D'or award in Jounieh on November 29, 2003. AFP -

The singer in a black shirt and jacket with fishnet tights after a press conference in Kuwait on February 2, 2004. EPA -

In a white halter neck dress at the Arabic Music Awards in Dubai on May 15, 2004. EPA -

The singer wears an orange floral dress while performing at the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan on July 28, 2004. AFP -

Sporting a leather shearling jacket and jeans during a tsunami benefit concert at Biel in Beirut, Lebanon on February 1, 2005. EPA -

In a black top and skirt while performing at Al-Behira Theatre in Al-Qarm Garden, Muscat, Oman on January 26, 2006. EPA -

Pretty in a pink top and high-waisted trousers while visiting the Dunniyeh mountains of northern Lebanon on June 26, 2006. AFP -

In a delicate green and orange dress at a concert in Manama, Bahrain on May 18, 2006. EPA -

This yellow gown is her performance outfit at a Manama concert on January 2, 2007. EPA -

Striking in a leopard print gown while performing in Cairo, Egypt on July 24, 2007. EPA -

In a cream gown at Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, Dubai on October 12, 2007. AFP -

Classic white shirt with jeans and a statement metallic belt on the set of the 'Moshta'aa Leek' video in Beirut, Lebanon on November 6, 2007. EPA -

The singer goes casual in jeans and a grey top to perform in Muscat, Oman on December 3, 2007. EPA -

In a bright red strapless dress, Nancy Ajram holds up the Kuwaiti flag while performing in Kuwait on February 29, 2008. EPA -

In a black gown at the Big Ball gala in Dubai, UAE, on June 1, 2008. EPA -

Making an entrance in a silver sequinned gown at the World Music Awards 2008 in Monaco on November 9, 2008. Getty Images -

Sleek in a black velvet sequinned gown at the Miss Lebanon 2009 contest in Adma, north of Beirut, Lebanon on June 26, 2009. EPA -

A purple dress for another performance at the Miss Lebanon 2009 contest on June 26, 2009. EPA -

In a draped one-shoulder grey gown at the Zouk Mikael International Festival, Lebanon on July 31, 2009. EPA -

Going fashionably green at the 15th Cairo Festival for Arab Media on November 15, 2009. EPA -

Quite the picture in a white satin dress with bow detailing, to promote her album 'Nancy 7' in Beirut, Lebanon on December 13, 2010. EPA -

Classic LBD with sheer tights for the Elie Saab show at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week on January 26, 2011. Getty Images -

Cheerful in a cream blouse and red trousers for an appearance at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai on October 9, 2013. Antonie Robertson / The National -

Statuesque in a white Grecian gown for the World Music Awards at Sporting Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on May 27, 2014. Getty Images -

Performing in a panelled black gown during the 50th International Festival of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia on August 12, 2014. EPA -

The singer in a cream gown during the DSF 20th anniversary celebrations in Dubai on January 10, 2015. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National -

Peppy in a black dress with silver polka dots at Live Achrafieh Music Festival in Beirut, Lebanon on June 17, 2017. EPA -

A deep red gown with floral detailing is her stage outfit at the International Festival of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia on August 9, 2017. EPA -

Striking in a sequinned gown at the 2019 Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan on July 20, 2019. EPA -

Nancy Ajram performs in a sequinned dress and fur coat at the German University in Cairo, Egypt on December 14, 2019. EPA
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
COMPANY%20PROFILE
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
More coverage from the Future Forum
• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
While you're here
Maestro
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
- Life in the royal residences with Sheikha Osha bint Nahayan
- Sheikha Mahra and Sheikha Sabha recall their time spent in Al Hosn
- A place where problems were solved
- How the fort's rise tracked Abu Dhabi's development
- Meet Frauke Heard-Bey - the fort's historian for 30 years
- In Pictures: Story of a fort
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
WITHIN%20SAND
Representing%20UAE%20overseas
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
The Farewell
Director: Lulu Wang
Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma
Four stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
While you're here
National Editorial: Donald Trump has left his mark on the Middle East
Con Coughlin: The thorn in the side of Biden's foreign policy team
James Reinl: Biden’s Yemen U-turn gets thumbs-up overseas
Raghida Dergham: Will Biden's 'maximum diplomacy' with Iran work?
Company%20profile
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae


