Global Village, Dubai's popular al fresco multicultural park, opened on Wednesday. Like previous years, season 29 brings with it a plethora of new pavilions, attractions and dining options. Here are some to watch.
New pavilions
Country-specific pavilions are the USP of Global Village, from the sprawling facades of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and China. This year, visitors can be transported to Jordan, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Each offers an insight into the country's culture and traditions and offers food, souvenirs and other retail items. Think olive oil from Jordan and cinnamon from Sri Lanka.
Food at Global Village
With hundreds of food vendors dotted around the sprawling park, it can be easy to opt for fan favourites from previous years, such as Bosnian kebab and pineapple fried rice.
However, bona fide foodies would do well to check out the newer offerings. These include the new Restaurant Plaza, which is made up of 11 double-storey restaurants and serves cuisines from around the world; Fiesta Street, made up of kiosks, but now extending to two levels; and a transformed Railway Market and Floating Market, redone to incorporate fresh designs and themes.
Interactive attractions
The region's largest House of Fear is making its return just in time for Halloween, but a new attraction to test your skills at this year is Secrets of the Lost City. Open to guests aged 10 and above, this is a treasure hunt and mystery-solving experience rolled into one. Also set to make its debut in a few weeks is Exo City Planet, which promises “adventures for the entire family”.
Entertainment galore
Global Village puts on an estimated 40,000 shows and performances over a seven-month window, from major concerts to roaming performers. New this year is the Cyber City Danger Zone, a stunt show featuring speed-defying tricks.
A 3D projection inside the exit dome of the Gate of the World is also a new addition, while Dragon Lake returns with a beast that is twice the size of last year’s. Children can make their way to the Kids Theatre to meet the Wonderers, PJ Masks, Peter Rabbit and Octonauts among other characters.
Green spaces
Also new this year are a number of green promenades. Offering expanded seating areas and custom-designed benches, the lush but lively promenades are placed right in the middle of all the action.
Global Village is open from October 16 to May 11; tickets start from Dh25 and are available on the website, mobile app or at ticketing counters at the gates
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELECTION%20RESULTS
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