Emirati yola dancers and a parade of quirky clowns, plus gold streamers, confetti and drummers setting a celebratory vibe – Global Village reopened in emphatic form on Wednesday amid jubilant cheers from waiting crowds.
New this year are three pavilions featuring four countries, plus a stunt show on a dedicated stage, redesigned lounging spaces, adrenalin-fuelled attractions and family-friendly entertainment. The popular seasonal attraction, which had more than 10 million visitors last season, is scheduled to remain open for seven months.
Here's everything you need to know about Global Village's season 29.
When does Global Village open?
Global Village opened on October 16 and will remain so until May 11 next year. The family-friendly park typically shuts during the summer months. Closing dates have changed over the years due to popular demand, however. Last year, for example, Global Village was meant to close on April 28, but remained open until May 8.
What pavilions and attractions will be there?
The highlight of the multicultural park is its 30 pavilions, each themed as per a country or culture. New this year are arenas for Iraq, Jordan and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in a shared slot.
Other pavilions in the mix include UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and Russia. Pavilions offer cultural shows, dining kiosks and a rich shopping experience for visitors. At the Jordan pavilion, for instance, jugs of Levantine olive oil are on offer, while the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pavilion sells a variety of spices. Food items aside, the pavilions also have vendors of fabrics, jewellery, home decor and other trinkets.
Many Asian countries that aren't represented with individual pavilions are clumped together at the returning Road of Asia spot, which houses vendors from Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Pavilions aside, Global has family-friendly attractions, which are returning this year such as the Carnaval, which houses more than 200 rides and games, as well as the popular haunted House of Fear.
Attractions unveiled for this year include a dedicated theatre for the returning Cyber City stunt show. Called the Danger Zone, the area is unmissable with a humungous robot at the entrance and LED lights that hone in on the futuristic theme. Three daily shows are hosted here, except on Mondays, with tickets starting at Dh20 per show.
Other new family-friendly attractions include Secrets of the Lost City, a treasure hunt set in a Mayan world where visitors aged 10 and above can go on a journey to find a mystical artefact. The experience is created by Cave Entertainment, which is also behind the UAE's BlackOut escape rooms. The adventure-filled Exo City Planet is also one to watch out for, but the attraction is yet to open.
What shows can visitors see this season?
Global Village has a packed line-up of live performances, which will surpass more than 40,000 throughout the season. The main stage, at the centre of the park, typically hosts concerts and other shows by groups from all over the world.
Dance troupe Urban Crew will be back this year, as well as the circus performers for the Merry-Go-Round show. Other returning acts include PJ Masks, Octonauts, Circus Circus and Amazing Clowns at the Kids' Theatre.
New acts this year include The Legend of The Staff, a family-friendly musical featuring Global Village mascots Ozka, Waleef and Zoya, in search of the truth about a legendary staff that is said to allow its owner to teleport anywhere.
Another newcomer is Aainja, a street drumming group from Bogota, composed of 30 high-energy drummers, who gave visitors a sneak peek during the opening ceremony parade. Watch out for roaming entertainers, too, such as the Bollywood Flash Mob dancers.
Cultural shows also frequent the main stage, featuring traditional routines from Palestine's dabke to South Korea's samgomu.
How much do Global Village tickets cost?
Tickets cost Dh25 from Sunday to Thursday, and Dh30 on Friday and Saturday. Entry is free for under-threes and ages 65 and above, as well as people of determination. Tuesdays are reserved for ladies and families, except for public holidays.
What are the opening hours?
Global Village opens daily at 4pm, and closes at midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, and 1am from Thursday to Saturday.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Global Village is by car via Exit 37 of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (311) in Dubailand. About 20,000 parking slots are available, with the P1 and P2 areas designated as free general parking. There are also paid and VIP parking spaces from Dh120 per day.
For those taking public transportation, there are five bus routes to the park, scattered across Dubai, which run daily from 3.15pm to 11.15pm.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
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Guadalajara 2 (Zaldivar 03’, Pulido 90')
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Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations
Edited by Sarah Cleave, Comma Press
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%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Results
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Match info
Uefa Nations League A Group 4
England 2 (Lingard 78', Kane 85')
Croatia 1 (Kramaric 57')
Man of the match: Harry Kane (England)
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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.”
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Scorebox
Sharjah Wanderers 20-25 Dubai Tigers (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries Gormley, Penalty
Cons Flaherty
Pens Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons Caldwell 2
Pens Caldwell, Cross
