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
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
The%20Roundup%20%3A%20No%20Way%20Out
The specs
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Griselda
Company%20profile
While you're here
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Sholto Byrnes: Robert Mugabe and Lee Kuan Yew: two leaders with very different legacies
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: UAE and Singapore can be partners for a world in transition
Nick March: Singapore and UAE are on the move – in airport development
While you're here
Ed Husain: The far left is trying to hijack Muslim minds in the West
Sulaiman Hakemy: Why it is very important to lose elections
Rashmee Roshan Lall: US race relations in three words
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
Brown/Black belt finals
3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
SPEC%20SHEET
Read more
Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
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
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
Richard Olson: Why Afghanistan will be very wary
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
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
While you're here
Nasser bin Nasser: Is US-China conflict in West Asia inevitable?
Sholto Byrnes: Time for an uninhibited China to lead Asia
Damien McElroy: BRI has changed the rules of the game
Barbie
More from our Neighbourhood series:
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants


