
Gurugram : A cyber crime team of the Gurugram Police has arrested a Malaysian national who allegedly duped a man of Rs 2.81 crore on the pretext of investing in the stock market, police said. Police said on Sunday that they received a complaint regarding cheating of about Rs 2.81 crore for investing in the stock market. On the complaint, a case was registered under the relevant sections in Police Station Cyber West, Gurugram. During the investigation, a cyber crime police team led by Priyanshu Diwan, ACP (cybercrime) nabbed the accused from Tamil Nadu on Friday. The accused was identified as Mohammad Jameel bin Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Malaysia. "During the probe, the investigation team found that the mother of the accused is from Tamil Nadu and he is also married in Tamil Nadu, due to which he knew the Tamil language. The above accused had come to India with another Malaysian partner, and he had taken the Indian SIM card used in committing the fraud from another accused, Devkaran. Some other SIM cards provided by the accused have also been used in the fraud cases," Priyanshu Diwan, ACP (cybercrime), said. Police then circulated a lookout notice against the accused, and the accused had come to Tamil Nadu to attend a wedding ceremony, after which the accused was arrested by Gurugram Police. Four accused have already been arrested in this case, he said. The investigation team has recovered a Malaysia passport, an international driving licence, a Malaysia identity card, a health card, a debit card, a Malaysia driving licence, a mobile phone, a SIM card, a ring and foreign and Indian currency from the possession of the accused. Further action will be taken in the case as per the rules. The case is under investigation, he added. Diwan said the Gurugram Police cyber crime teams are constantly taking necessary action against cyber criminals. It may be noted that the Gurugram Police have recovered Rs 83.41 crore from 1,658 cyber fraudsters, including 22 bank officials from different banks, in just 11 months from January to November 30 this year. The ACP said that the Gurugram Police are closely working with other agencies and organisations to counter these frauds.The Philippines once again failed in the pass-or-fail corruption benchmark needed to secure grant assistance from the United States aid arm Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC). MCC's fiscal year 2025 Country Scorebook released on Nov. 21, which listed down the possible compact and threshold program beneficiaries for next year, showed that the Philippines passed 14 out of the 20 annual indicators across three categories. In particular, the country garnered green marks in the following indicators: inflation, regulatory quality, trade policy, gender in the economy, land rights and access, access to credit, and employment opportunity (in the area of "economic freedom"); political rights, civil liberties, government effectiveness, and freedom of information (in "ruling justly"); as well as health expenditures, girls' lower secondary education completion rate, and child health (in "investing in people"). However, the Philippines' garnered red marks in fiscal policy (in economic freedom); control of corruption and rule of law (in ruling justly); and also in education expenditures, natural resource protection, and immunization rates (in investing in people). Under MCC's rules, a compact or multi-year funding can only be extended to countries that passed at least half of the yearly indicators, which the Philippines did, as well as pass what are regarded as "hard hurdles" for eligibility—the civil liberties and political rights (that both measure democratic rights), and control of corruption indicators. As in recent years, the country continued to fail in the control-of-corruption indicator, which, alongside the rule-of-law indicator that also got a red mark, is based on both the Washington-based multilateral lender World Bank and non-profit Brookings Institution's latest Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). The Philippines landed in the 41st percentile for controlling corruption, whose passing score must be above the 50th percentile. In MCC's fiscal year 2024 country scorebook that came out last year, the Philippines actually garnered fewer green marks—in only 11 indicators, and similarly got a red mark in control of corruption. Still, the Philippines had been chosen by MCC for a smaller threshold grant together with Tanzania, as these two countries "experienced set-backs, but are now on a positive governance trajectory." Threshold programs are being developed with countries which "demonstrate a significant commitment to meeting the eligibility criteria but do not qualify for MCC compact assistance." In the case of the Philippines, MCC had noted that the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier "committed to advancing critical reforms, pledged to increase transparency, and strengthened judicial independence and the prosecution of human rights violations." "By selecting the Philippines for a threshold program, MCC can support the government to undertake policy and institutional reforms to address the country's development needs while also encouraging further progress on advancing labor and human rights and combating corruption," the aid agency said in December 2023. The Philippine program is aimed at "supporting the government's efforts to reduce poverty and encourage economic growth, while continuing to strengthen just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and social investment" through institutional and policy reforms, MCC subsequently said last February. MCC chief executive officer (CEO) Alice Albright likewise visited the Philippines in February 2024, during which she met with Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, as well as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go. Last September, Manila Bulletin already asked for updates on this MCC threshold program for the Philippines, but Department of Finance (DOF) officials did not provide any. It was also in September when the Philippines was included among MCC's 62 candidate-countries for its 2025 fiscal year. The Philippines joined 58 other candidates in the low-income country category, while three countries were short-listed as potential lower middle-income beneficiaries. Following a $20.7-million threshold program from 2006 to 2009, the Philippines in 2011 received its maiden MCC compact grant worth $434 million, which funded the construction of roads in Samar island, reformed revenue administration, and supported social services delivery to the poor. After the first compact in ended 2016, the MCC deferred a new one for the Philippines as the country had been "subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties" under then-US president Barack Obama, who had been critical of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte's deadly war on drugs. As such, the Philippines in 2017 also withdrew from the planned second MCC grant to build roads along the coast of Eastern Luzon.Twitchy has told you about Jaguar, the car company, that looked at the way Bud Light blew up its brand and said, 'No, hold our beer' before releasing an ad that looked like something out of a theater major's fever dream . It also didn't help that after the fact, the PR geniuses behind the Jaguar X account got snobby with critics and said we'd soon see things their way. LOL, not a chance. These decisions have an impact on their business, and Jaguar stocks are reflecting the fact this rebranding isn't going the way Jaguar hoped. Not at all: Jaguar stock price tumbles amid 'woke' ad ‘backlash’ https://t.co/r21TFYG2jR More from Finbold: The famed British – though Indian-owned – luxury car company, Jaguar, recently caused a social media storm on X as it unveiled its latest ‘Copy nothing’ commercial. Many commentators, including billionaire Elon Musk, quickly mocked the firm over the ad’s strange and apparently disconnected nature. Musk, for example, simply asked if the company even sells cars in his comment. Furthermore, due to the advertisement featuring vivid colors, flamboyantly dressed actors, and gender non-conforming individuals, some have seemingly taken it to be part of the ‘culture war’ and threatened to will the ‘go woke, go broke’ slogan into existence by threatening a boycott. The notion that the new direction would lead to Jaguar’s downfall was seemingly confirmed by the fact the car maker’s parent company, Tata Motors (NSE: TATAMOTORS), experienced a price drop in the 24-hour charts in the Indian national stock exchange and the BSE. Oh well. Jaguar: “We got people talking about our brand!” Normal people: “What did it cost?” Jaguar: pic.twitter.com/1WmXZkVFo6 Perfect use of the Thanos meme. I chose the best-looking model from their commercial. I would have included a Jaguar, but it seems they forgot it was a car ad. pic.twitter.com/RY71ZFHUSO If you showed that ad to someone not on X, there's no chance they'd now it was for a car. These brands are out of touch with reality and it’s catching up with them Five years ago, this would've been a blip on the radar. But the cultural winds have shifted. This is an excellent point. They made Bud Light cheap enough to where people had to start buying it again. I don't think that would work for a luxury car brand like Jaguar. pic.twitter.com/XmE5r2hdQw Hard to do that with a luxury car. I've never been threatened by a car company before.🤣 pic.twitter.com/3qYbYs0PDr Neither have we. Well deserved response https://t.co/BTlfYiEe2s They deserve all the backlash they get. I am going to say it.....I TOLD YOU SO. #BoycottJaguar https://t.co/WTwLZzkmzx We all knew this would happen. Well, everyone except Jaguar's marketing department. Can't imagine why. https://t.co/3IS5bPdpxz pic.twitter.com/JNvVYchyxg Total mystery. The overton window is shifted. Reject the woke mind virus. Now is the time to PUSH. Everyone fights, nobody quits https://t.co/CBj8PAtus1 Reject the woke mind virus soundly.
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MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich fans protested against Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the teams’ Champions League match on Tuesday. The supporters held up several banners making clear their opposition to the Qatari businessman. One banner showed Al-Khelaifi’s face with a line over it, another accused him of being “plutocratic” with an expletive, and more banners read: “Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA ExCo member & ECA chairman all in one?” The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is unpopular among the Bayern fans for his influence on European soccer as chairman of the European Club Association, Qatar Sports Investments — the owner of PSG — and the Qatari state-owned BeIN media group. Bayern fans had long protested against their own club’s sponsorship deals with Qatar, which was accused of human rights abuses before it hosted the 2022 World Cup. The fans eventually got their way last year when Bayern’s long-running sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways was not renewed. The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported at the time that the decision came from Qatar, whose emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani , was unhappy with the Bayern fans’ constant criticism and the club’s failure to distance itself from their protests. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham all on target in Real Madrid's 3-2 win over AtalantaNoneAS the phone started to ring, dread flooded through me. I knew who would be calling. “There’s been an incident and we are suspending Josh again,” said a familiar voice. “How soon can you collect him?” I had only dropped my seven-year-old son at school an hour before, but taking him home early had become a regular occurrence. Over the previous year, he had been suspended ten times, missing more than 40 days of learning as a result. As his mum, I am well aware of how challenging Josh can be. His misdemeanours are serious and usually involve lashing out at others. On one occasion he hit a staff member with a piece of wood, and he stabbed another one with a fork at lunchtime. He also set off the fire alarm. READ MORE ON ADHD AND AUTISM But his actions were also a child crying out for support and help. Football-loving Josh has ADHD , autism , pathological demand avoidance and sensory processing disorder. It means he struggles emotionally with the rigid rules in a busy school and can be overwhelmed by all the noise and people. We aren’t the only family dealing with this. Most read in Fabulous Last week it was revealed that suspensions in England’s state primary schools have more than doubled in the past decade. There were 37,700 in autumn term 2023-24, according to the Department for Education — almost as many as in the whole of the 2012-13 academic year. Permanent exclusion rates have also gone up by almost 70 per cent in the same period. I suspected Josh had additional needs from the time he was a toddler, but it took until November last year to get official recognition and an Education, Health and Care Plan to set out the support he needs. Devastating consequences His mainstream primary school was unable to provide this or manage his behaviour, even after introducing a one-to-one teaching assistant and reducing his timetable to a couple of hours a day. Josh’s young age and his neurodiversity meant he didn’t understand what he’d done wrong and why he wasn’t welcome at school The suspensions left me at breaking point. As a solo mum, I was struggling to deal with the fallout of Josh missing so much school. He has regular meltdowns at home and can get aggressive. He also struggles with his sleep . I fretted he would never get an education if he was rarely in lessons and struggling to engage when he did attend. He was only in Year 2 and it felt like society was giving up on him already. As a former prison officer, I strongly believe my son is going to end up behind bars if he doesn’t get the right support now Josh’s young age and his neurodiversity meant he didn’t understand what he’d done wrong and why he wasn’t welcome at school. Like Josh, 97 per cent of those suspended or excluded from primary school over the past five years also had special educational needs, according to analysis carried out by children’s charity Chance UK. The consequences of these decisions by schools are devastating. I believe they send a terrible message to children who already have great difficulties in their young lives. It tells them: You don’t belong. You are not welcome. Then there’s the academic impact and the long-term consequences for individuals and society. That should be a worry to everyone, not just their parents. Chance UK says 90 per cent of children excluded at primary school fail to pass GCSE English and maths. As a former prison officer, I strongly believe my son is going to end up behind bars if he doesn’t get the right support now. I’m not being overly dramatic — I’ve seen first-hand the impact of school absenteeism. I worked for four years at a Category-A, all-male jail. Many of the prisoners I worked with were neurodivergent and fell into crime after missing school and being failed by an education system that didn’t provide for them. I was a key worker for five inmates and part of my job was taking them to weekly meetings, like appointments at an ADHD clinic, but also reading to them. Many didn’t have a basic reading level because they had missed so much of their education. I got to know their back stories well and whenever I asked how they ended up in prison, it was almost always the same starting point — they had been expelled from school. Their stories resonated with me because one of my relatives dropped out of school aged 11 and ended up in jail, barely able to read and write. I was also expelled at 15, for being disruptive, smoking and truancy. Luckily, I was allowed by the local authority to take my GCSEs as I was bright. It was only when I got a diagnosis for Josh that I realised I also had ADHD and understood why I had struggled with the school regime. I wasn’t “naughty” — I needed extra support. Instead of building more prisons, why aren’t we building more specialist schools? It’s only now I’m in my forties that I have managed to follow my dream of going to university to study for a degree in forensics and criminology. But it’s extremely difficult to make this work with caring for Josh, especially when he is constantly being sent home. There are tens of thousands of parents in a similar position. The We Can Learn campaign, led by charities SEND Reform England , The Disabled Children’s Partnership and Let Us Learn Too, says 80 per cent believe their children are not getting enough support to go to school, while almost four in ten have had to leave employment as a result. I don’t blame the schools. Teachers are under tremendous pressure to get good marks and ensure other pupils can learn without disruption. But I do blame successive governments who are failing SEN children with a lack of investment and an obsession with league tables. Given that almost all primary school exclusions are SEN students, surely helping them access education in an appropriate and safe way would benefit everybody? That means quicker diagnosis, more support within mainstream schools, more specialist classes and more SEN schools for the neediest cases. I believe we would see a massive reduction in crime further down the line — and fewer people in jail. Instead of building more prisons, why aren’t we building more specialist schools? Heartache along the way It makes financial sense. It costs £65,000 to imprison someone once police , court costs and all the other steps are taken into account. Then it’s £40,000 a year for the duration of their sentence. An SEN school place costs £10,000 a year. The system is broken and soaring suspension figures are a symptom of that. Families are being completely let down and the treatment of these kids is inhumane, pushing them into the margins at a young age. Josh finally moved to a SEN school in September. But it took me three years of fighting to get him this specialist provision — and a lot of heartache along the way. Missing so much school time means Josh has struggled to maintain friendships and not been invited to parties. He feels rejected and thinks everyone is talking about him, which has damaged his self-esteem. I’ve had many times when I’ve felt judged, too, mostly by other parents or strangers when we are out. I am trying my best, but it does make you feel like a bad mum. I don’t have any help and when I asked for a carer’s assessment, I was told I don’t meet the criteria. Even now, after moving Josh to the SEN school, problems persist. READ MORE SUN STORIES He is only accessing school about half of the time because of all the trauma he has gone through. My son — and all of our children — deserve so much better. UNMET needs and pressure to get top academic results are driving suspension rates up, according to Beth Prescott from think tank the Centre for Social Justice. Beth, the CSJ’s programme lead on exclusion and absence, says: “Exclusion should be a last resort, but one that is available for schools in order to ensure safety and a fair education for all. “But the most common reason for suspension and exclusion is persistent, disruptive behaviour – and often that is a result of unmet needs, with the impact of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, mental ill health and an increase in the level of SEN contributing to this.” The CSJ is calling for a national parental participation strategy to improve the relationship between school and home. It also wants a national inclusion framework to support vulnerable pupils and additional extra curricular activities such as sport to help children re-gage. “It’s important that action is taken now,” says Beth. “A child who has been previously excluded is less likely to end up in education, employment and training, and has a higher risk of ending up in the criminal justice system.”
AMMAN — This year, Dubai proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of its iconic annual Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) from December 6 2024 to January 12 2025. The monumental 30th edition of DSF is the city’s most incredible, most memorable, and out-of-this-world celebration, with an action-packed calendar of 38 wonder-filled days brimming with non-stop, day-in-day-out moments for everyone, every day, in every corner of the city. This year's not-to-be-missed season of DSF pays an epic tribute to three decades of welcoming the world to celebrate everything that makes Dubai extraordinary. DSF’s eagerly anticipated experiences bring together the very best that the city has to offer, including A-list stars, unique-to-Dubai attractions, exceptional hospitality, a thriving gastronomy scene, ever-popular outdoor pop-up community experiences, the biggest-ever shopping deals and incredible chances to win life-changing prizes. Plus, some of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations, as well as joyful festive experiences and free enchanting immersive displays of lights, fireworks, drones, and pyrotechnics, promise endless excitement for everyone - all set against the backdrop of the city’s perfect weather for the season. The region’s first ME by Meliá is located in The Opus – the only hotel in the world designed by legendary architect Zaha Hadid. It’s a masterpiece that redefines aesthetics, from the exterior as well as once you step indoors. Hadid’s signature avant-garde look and artistic flair can be seen in every element of ME Dubai, from the lighting to the furniture and beyond. Hadid has been called “the queen of the curve”, and a creator of ambitious wonders inspired by nature, with shapes and designs where the laws of physics appear suspended. A pioneer of unique aesthetics, managed to meticulously intertwine natural organic forms with the precision of mathematics. ME Dubai is an immersion in architecture, design, gastronomy and art that few can match, let alone mimic. The hotel features signature restaurants including The Maine, Roka, Salmon Guru, Sienna Clubhouse and more. For all things relaxation, the property features Wellness by ME Spa, an exclusive health club and a pool with luxurious Loro Piana sunbeds and breathtaking views of Dubai’s skyline. SIENNA presents a fusion of Mediterranean taste and urban sophistication inspired by the warmth and comfort of the town of Siena, Italy. A combination of timeless traditions with a spark of innovation, alongside an excellent presentation, recreate the communal spirit of Mediterranean dining in this venue. Dubai welcomed the world's first Museum of Candy earlier in October, an immersive, interactive attraction designed to celebrate the art, joy, and nostalgia of candy. Since its inception, the Museum of Candy has delighted visitors of all ages by transforming the simple love of sweets into an extraordinary, sensory-filled adventure. With a mission to blend creativity, education, and fun, the museum offers a series of themed rooms that encourage exploration, play, and wonder. Visitors can take home exclusive T-shirts, collectible candy jars, and signature sweets. Additionally, the venue features a dedicated area for VIP experiences and private events. Born in Southeast Asia, CÉ LA VI celebrates the popular French saying that translates to “This is life”. Contemporary Asian dining and world-class entertainment come together with exceptional hospitality and magnificent vistas of the glistening Dubai skyline. The landmark location is situated in the heart of Downtown Dubai, boasting one of the cities highest rooftops with a Restaurant and Pool Deck. Join CÉ LA VI for a spectacular celebration and countdown magic for 2025 featuring Britain’s Got Talent stars Jack Pack, along with a curated menu by the Executive Chef, all set against breathtaking views and the iconic Burj Khalifa fireworks. The iconic annual Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is celebrating its monumental 30th anniversary edition with a 38-day festival. A highlight is DSF Nights at Dubai Festival City Mall, a spectacular free-to-attend concerts every weekend at 9:30pm featuring iconic artists like Yara on 21 December, Hams Fikri on 4 January, and Ibrahim Al-Sultan on 11 January. Experience the thrill of live X Factor shows, engaging family activations, incredible raffles, delectable dining pop-ups, endless shopping offerings, dazzling free fireworks, and unmissable entertainment throughout the season. Every evening of DSF Nights, two brand new IMAGINE shows at Festival Bay will deliver a breathtaking spectacle with mesmerising light-mapped visuals, synchronised water screens, vibrant projections, and dazzling lasers. Twice daily, the theme “Ya Salam Ya Dubai” lights up the waterfront at 6:30pm, while “Dubai Kawkab Akhir” adds extra sparkle at 9pm with its awe-inspiring fireworks display, by Al Zarooni Group. Joe's Backyard, Dubai’s ultimate BBQ hotspot offers a laidback day-to-night unpretentious vibe with boasting views over the city’s skyline from 19th floor of The Holiday Inn, Dubai Festival City. The menu features a wide array of flame-grilled delicacies such as braised and slow-cooked meat, amongst other classics. Top Golf Dubai is a premier entertainment destination located in Emirates Golf Club that combines golf, food and drink, music and allows people of all ages and abilities to experience golf in a technology-driven and entertainment fuelled environment. Covering more than 60,000 square feet, Top Golf Dubai offers 96 bays set across 3 floors, 3 restaurants, an Academy, and opportunities to hang out with friends, spend time with family, or host marvellous celebrations. Swing into 2025 with style and excitement at Top Golf Dubai’s epic New Year’s Eve bash feautring a live DJ, buffet, and unlimited beverages. Enjoy a dazzling fireworks display that will illuminate the stunning Dubai skyline, as the clock strikes midnight. Located in the heart of Umm Suqeim with views of Dubai's expansive skyline, the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant - 21grams offers a Balkan dining experience, where age-old family recipes meet Dubai’s multicultural spirit. Using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, the chefs here bring the essence of the Balkans alive on every plate. Each dish is a love letter to home, served with generous warmth and an authenticity that resonates deeply with Dubai’s food lovers. The bistro’s relaxed, all-day ambiance makes it a sanctuary for genuine moments. With accolades from MENA’s 50 Best to Time Out Dubai, 21grams has woven itself into the fabric of the city, inviting guests to rediscover the warmth of home. Book your table for the morning after brunch on 1st January and enjoy limitless food and drinks from their lovingly curated grazing table, accompanied by live soul music. Once an industrial area in the centre of Dubai, Alserkal Avenue became a popular parade of gallery exhibits and displays of modern artwork, seasonal events and open-air community days. Visitors can also stop by for independent movie screenings at arthouse theatre Cinema Akil. The debut award-winning restaurant and female-led concept by celebrity Iranian-American chef Ariana Bundy is a fresh, modern take on Iranian cuisine, serving Persian classics spun with a refreshingly modern twist in terms of textures, ingredients, and presentation. Ariana’s vision brings to life the untold stories of Persian culture through plentiful, homemade, and beautifully presented dishes. Colourful, stunningly complex flavours in a stunningly beautiful setting designed to replicate Ariana’s actual home in Kashan – welcome to Ariana’s Persian Kitchen. The stunning restaurant will serve a specially created New Year’s Eve five-course sharing menu to ring in 2025. The perfect place to celebrate with family and friends and enjoy breathtaking views of the midnight fireworks display. Dubai Mall, located next to the Burj Khalifa, is the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, covering over 1 million sqm—equivalent to 200 football pitches. It features over 1,200 retail stores, two major department stores, and hundreds of dining options. Fashion enthusiasts can explore more than 70 high-end outlets, including Bloomingdale’s and Galeries Lafayette. Dubai Mall has introduced its own Chinatown on the first floor, featuring vibrant retail, dining, and wellness offerings. Visitors can enjoy themed aesthetics, including classic red lanterns, neon lights, and the Dubai locations of Haidilao hotpot and Singapore's famous Hawker Chan food stall. If you're in town for only short visit, head straight to Time Out Market Dubai for a taste of the city's favourites. Inspired by Time Out Market's other international locations in New York, Lisbon, Montreal and beyond, the market takes pride of place at Souk Al Bahar and offers a terrace with enviable views of the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain. Spanning 43,000sqft, the Time Out Market Dubai line-up features 17 renowned homegrown eateries, including MASTI, BB Social Dining, Cafe Isan, Pickl, Pitfire, Reif, Slab Cocina, Scoopi and Long Teng. Don't miss the chance to try other fresh concepts such as Mattar and Liban by Allo Beirut. Plus, the little sister of popular Asian restaurant Jun's, Italian concept Onda by Alici and authentic Peruvian spot Fusion Ceviche. Time Out Market Dubai will be hosting a grand celebration this New Year's Eve with with a Great Gatsby-themed celebration. Each ticket includes a pre-loaded event card worth 50 per cent of its value to choose from over 250 exclusive creations. Enjoy an exclusive front-row view of the Burj Khalifa laser and fireworks show. Whether seated indoors or outdoors, all guests will have special access to a reserved space, ensuring they can capture every moment of the celebration. Global Village, the region's premier multicultural family destination for shopping, dining, entertainment and attractions, opened its gates earlier in October, for its 29th season. A major highlight on Dubai’s annual calendar of events, Global Village serves as a central hub for major activations and performances, while also playing a key role in enhancing the emirate’s cultural experiences. The current season, running until 11 May 2025, is the largest to date with 30 pavilions representing over 90 cultures from around the world. This season features more than 3,500 shopping outlets, over 250 dining options, more than 40,000 shows and 200 rides, games, and attractions—all carefully curated to enhance guest experience. Global Village is gearing up to host the New Year’s Eve celebrations on 31 December 2024, featuring seven dazzling fireworks displays, aligning with different time zones, alongside entertainment shows, presented at the Main Stage and throughout the destination, including a DJ performance. Global Village is offering extended hours to fully experience the countdown excitement from 4:00PM to 3:00AM.End-of-year shopping offers will be available at the Global Village’s 16 retail shops, located at the World Avenue, and the 30 cultural pavilions, all featuring over 3,500 outlets.