We count down to the 20th edition of Dubai’s much-loved family fair by rounding up the things we’re most looking forward to this year.
Essential info: Global Village is on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Dubai, and starts on November 3. It's open Saturday to Wednesday, 4pm to midnight, and Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays, 4pm to 1am. Monday is family day. Admission costs Dh15 per person. Entry is free for children under the age of 3, those with special needs and their companion, and guests above the age of 65. For information, visit www.globalvillage.ae
1. Arabic jewellery
Adorning everything from chunky pendants on freshwater pearls to delicate friendship bracelets made from braided neon-coloured threads and gold-plated knuckle rings, Arabic calligraphy jewellery from Lebanon make pretty additions to your jewellery box, not to mention great gifts for loved ones.
2. Moroccan lights
These ornately carved, sometimes bejewelled, hanging lanterns help set an intriguing ambience. Find them at the Morocco pavilion or at stand-alone kiosks throughout Global Village. But be warned – once you set up the first Moroccan light in your home, you’ll see one wasn’t enough, and you may find yourself returning for a whole set.
3. Indian slippers
Traditional rounded-toe slippers from India are comfortable (as long as you buy the ones with cushioned insoles), as well as the perfect way to jazz up an outfit. Called “khussas”, they come in beautiful jewel tones, often embellished with metallic embroidery or sequinned designs. Some ethnic versions even feature colourful mirror work and pompoms.
4. Tea sets
Shabby-chic lovers should hold on tight to wallets and willpower, because you’re likely to splurge when you see all of the tea sets on offer at the Turkey pavilion. Some are hand-painted with vintage flowers, while others are emblazoned with icons such as burqas and evil eyes.
5. Corn dogs
Americans, rejoice. The beloved corn dog is available at select food kiosks in Global Village. Fundamentally a sausage, like that in a hot dog, with deep-fried batter covering it completely, a corn dog is put on a stick, then eaten with mustard or ketchup. It’s a tasty, though sometimes stomach-turning snack, typical of American fairs and carnivals.
6. Flash tattoos
Followers of the flash-tattoo craze will be happy to learn that the shimmering gold and silver temporary tattoos are widely available at the China pavilion. From feathers, birds, infinity signs and Hamsa hand motifs, the flash-tattoo packets are significantly cheaper than retail prices in stores. There are even some UAE-exclusive designs, featuring the country’s flag and Arabic quotes.
7. Iranian sweets
When entering the Iran pavilion, you’ll notice that visitors often flock to the concession area, where large barrels and crates filled with spices and candies line an entire wall. Pashmak, a cotton-candy-like sweet, is sold in boxfuls here – you can even ask to taste the different flavours before making a purchase.
8. Antique silver
With tribal influences strongly influencing current fashion trends, what better way to sport the style than with authentic silver jewellery from Yemen? The chunky necklaces are sometimes decorated with beads and coins, and the bracelets and anklets have chirpy bells. You may even be tempted to pick out a silver dagger as an antique decor piece.
9. Afghani dresses
Dresses and tunics in bright reds, oranges and greens hang by the dozens in the Afghanistan pavilion. They feature tiered layers, multicoloured panels, bold embroidery details and embellished accents, and many are one-of-a-kind pieces.
10. Thai soup
Indulge your Thai cravings with some authentic tom yum soup. When you pass by the Yahya Tom Yam Kung restaurant, you’ll notice lines of visitors waiting to place their orders – but make sure to satisfy your stomach towards the beginning of your trip, because the restaurant is known to sometimes run out of soup later at night.
11. Karak chai
Tea-lovers and Eastern natives yearning for a taste of home needn’t buy a plane ticket or attempt to brew their own, because karak chai is readily available all around Global Village. Known as “masala chai” in South Asia, this tea is laced with spices like fennel, cinnamon and cardamom.
12. Egyptian talismans
From paperweights in pyramid shapes to turquoise wall-hangings decorated with traditional Hamsa hands, evil eyes, or complete with engravings of Arabic prayers, these Egyptian trinkets are must-buys for tourists.
13. Emirati desserts
Live demonstrations are always a nice touch, and this one is particularly heart-warming. Watch as Emirati women sit inside majlis tents near the main entrances, and make delicious pastry balls, covered in date-flavoured syrup.
14. Pakistani leathers
Known for creating quality leathers, Pakistan houses a variety of jackets, coats and vests among more ethnic accessories and textiles in its Global Village pavilion. Find deluxe beige motorcycle jackets or longer trench-like designs in blacks and dark browns.
15. Spanish espadrilles
The espadrille-footwear fad is still in vogue, and rather than getting your fix from the high street, look for some authentic pairs handmade in Spain. The soles are crafted from jute rope, and the canvas portions feature solid, printed and embroidered designs.
16. Dance performances
From dance sequences from the latest Bollywood films to traditional African tribal numbers, the centre stage at Global Village is a great spot to enjoy these cultural performances, while snacking on chocolate crepes, fresh kebabs or salty popcorn from nearby kiosks.
17. Side tables from Syria
If you’re looking for unique ways to decorate your home, pass by the Syria pavilion and take a look at the side-tables. Some are made from white perspex with unique laser-cut designs, and others are carved from wood, creating a unique balance between traditional geometric pairings and contemporary design.
18. Chocolate-covered fruit
Strawberries, pomegranates, bananas and melons dipped in Nutella make for extremely mouth-watering snacks. These snacks, available at food kiosks near the main entrances, will be very hard to resist. Take a cheat day if you’re dieting, or share with a friend, but don’t miss out on the chocolatey bliss.
19. The rides
Though they’re a bit pricey, we see the charm in taking a ride on the Ferris wheel for an elevated view of the massive fair and surrounding desert landscape.
20. Phone cases
From gigantic Hello Kitty silicone covers to smaller, plastic versions with funky prints, encase your mobile phone in one of the hundreds of kitschy designs available at country pavilions including China, Singapore and the Philippines.
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Afghanistan squad
Gulbadin Naib (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicketkeeper), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
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.
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
The biog
Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages
Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”
Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”
Favourite film: “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”
Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Company%20Profile
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Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP%204
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
