Priyanka Chopra to host Global Citizen Festival 2022 with Mariah Carey, Metallica and more

Advocacy group Global Citizen has announced a star-studded line-up for its next festival, to be held in Central Park, New York, on September 24, hosted by its ambassador Priyanka Chopra.

Known for its star-studded fundraisers, Global Citizen said the event, which also marks its 10th anniversary, will feature some of the world’s biggest artists, leaders and "change-makers".

"It’s going to be a festival unlike any other," it said on social media.

Performers confirmed so far include heavy metal band Metallica, as well as Mariah Carey, Charlie Puth, Jonas Brothers, Maneskin, Mickey Guyton and Rosalia.

James Hetfield of Metallica performing at the Lollapalooza Music Festival in Chicago last month. AP

A simultaneous concert will also be held at Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana, with performances by Usher, SZA, Stormzy and H.E.R. They will be joined by Ghanaian music stars Gyakie, Sarkodie and Stonebwoy, as well as Nigerian singer Tems.

The Ghana event is also meant to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the country's independence.

More performers are expected to be announced soon for both concerts.

"It has been 10 years since the first #GlobalCitizenFestival and this year will be very special," Chopra said, sharing the news on Instagram.

Actor Hugh Jackman was one of the first to react to the announcement.

Prince Harry and Meghan speak at last year's Global Citizen Live concert in Central Park, New York. Reuters

"Ten years later … and the commitment to take action to end poverty, for the planet and for girls, has never wavered. An incredible line-up of performances hosted by the amazing force that is Priyanka Chopra," he commented.

Last year, Global Citizen held one of its biggest events ever, a “once-in-a-generation” 24-hour virtual live show, to raise funds for global recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.

With musical performances streamed from across six continents — Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America — performers included The Weeknd, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, BTS, Coldplay, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Lizzo, Andrea Bocelli, Metallica, Lorde, Doja Cat, Keith Urban, Usher, H.E.R., Duran Duran, Femi Kuti, Lang Lang, Demi Lovato and Ricky Martin.

Scroll through the gallery below for pictures from Global Citizen Festival 2021

The first Global Citizen Festival was held in Central Park in 2012 with 60,000 people in attendance. It featured live performances by Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, Band of Horses and K’Naan.

Global Citizen Festival is timed to coincide with the UN General Assembly every year.

The concerts are free to attend, but tickets are awarded through points earned by taking action to fight extreme poverty, such as signing petitions and participating in challenges.

The shows will also be streamed live on various platforms and networks, including YouTube.

More information is available at globalcitizen.org

24 concerts and events coming to Dubai, from Lewis Capaldi to Coke Studio — in pictures

School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

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Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri

Rating: 1/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The biog

Name: Timothy Husband

Nationality: New Zealand

Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney

Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier

Favourite music: Billy Joel

Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface