• Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Stunning fireworks display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Stunning fireworks display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Actress Mira Singh and dancers perform at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA
    Actress Mira Singh and dancers perform at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA
  • Musician Yo-Yo Ma performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
    Musician Yo-Yo Ma performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
  • Artists perform during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
    Artists perform during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
  • Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrives at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
    Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrives at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony in Dubai. AP
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony in Dubai. AP
  • A visitor take photos during the closing ceremony. EPA
    A visitor take photos during the closing ceremony. EPA
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony. Reuters
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony. Reuters
  • Dancers perform during the official closing ceremony. EPA
    Dancers perform during the official closing ceremony. EPA
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo Dubai 2020. Reuters
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo Dubai 2020. Reuters
  • Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Norah Jones performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony on Thursday night. Getty Images
    Norah Jones performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony on Thursday night. Getty Images
  • An artist performs in the spectacular Al Wasl Dome during the ceremony. Reuters
    An artist performs in the spectacular Al Wasl Dome during the ceremony. Reuters
  • Christina Aguilera was among several international artists who performed on Thursday night. Getty Images
    Christina Aguilera was among several international artists who performed on Thursday night. Getty Images
  • Christina Aguilera lights up Al Wasl Dome. Getty Images
    Christina Aguilera lights up Al Wasl Dome. Getty Images
  • Artists perform during the ceremony. Reuters
    Artists perform during the ceremony. Reuters
  • A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers brought the curtain down on the world's fair. Reuters
    A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers brought the curtain down on the world's fair. Reuters
  • A full orchestra was among the performers in Al Wasl Dome. Reuters
    A full orchestra was among the performers in Al Wasl Dome. Reuters
  • The stunning stage for the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai is set. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The stunning stage for the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai is set. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Thousands of visitors enjoyed Expo's farewell night. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Thousands of visitors enjoyed Expo's farewell night. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Organisers pulled out all the stops for a memorable finale. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Organisers pulled out all the stops for a memorable finale. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The show could be seen from around the Expo site. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The show could be seen from around the Expo site. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A big screen showed the spectacle to visitors around the site. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A big screen showed the spectacle to visitors around the site. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Musicians perform before the closing ceremony. Reuters
    Musicians perform before the closing ceremony. Reuters
  • People visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
    People visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
  • The interactive floor at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AP
    The interactive floor at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AP

Christina Aguilera and Norah Jones keep it high and low at Expo 2020 Dubai


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Christina Aguilera and Norah Jones were a study of contrasts when it came to their Expo 2020 Dubai performances as they gave the world a send-off to remember during their closing concerts.

Both delivered crowd-pleasing sets showcasing why both are viewed as the finest voices of their generation in their respective genres.

In what was her first major public concert of 2022, Aguilera was raring to go with a series of greatest hits.

Flanked by dancers, backup singers and a live band, Aguilera delivered the kind of spectacle fit for the occasion.

Taking the Jubilee Stage with a pyrotechnic show, she marauded across the stage and tore into 2002 hit Dirrty followed by signature 1999 anthem Genie in a Bottle.

But it was in the slower numbers that she shined, particularly in the exquisite power ballad The Voice With In.

Jones channelled those intimate vibes throughout her earlier set at the Jubilee Stage.

Performing solo on the piano, the Grammy Award-winner delivered a lovelorn set of tunes, including It Hurts to Be Alone and I’ve Got to See You Again.

Aided by the surprisingly cool breeze that wafted throughout her 9pm show, Jones provided a much-needed respite in what for many was a long and thrilling day.

Ugandan visitor Kevin Lyto, right, at Expo 2020 Dubai. Saeed Saeed/The National
Ugandan visitor Kevin Lyto, right, at Expo 2020 Dubai. Saeed Saeed/The National

Admiring the performances was Kevin Lyto.

The Ugandan tells The National this was his first visit to Expo 2020 Dubai and, like for many others, it was an opportunity to mix business with pleasure.

“Well, for one thing, I wanted to see Christina Aguilera because she is legendary and really the soundtrack to many of us growing up,” he said.

“At the same time I am also an event promoter back in Uganda so I came to Expo to see some of the artists performing and generally understanding how things work here.”

And what is the verdict?

“Oh man, it is great,” he says. “The cool thing about the Expo for me is that there is a lot of things to experience and learn from. So I've been checking out the different pavilions and seeing how they are organised. I will definitely come back home with some sense of inspiration.”

Stefan and Innes Vlad with eight-month-old baby Nour. Saeed Saeed / The National
Stefan and Innes Vlad with eight-month-old baby Nour. Saeed Saeed / The National

As for couple Stefan and Innes Vlad and eight-month-old Nour, seeing the triple-header of Aguilera, jazz singer Jones and the midnight set by Dutch DJ Tiesto was a great to finish to their Expo 2020 Dubai holiday.

“We came here on March 13 and we already visited the Expo five times,” Stefan said.

“We really explored everything from the big and small pavilions and tried all the different food.

“This is really a great family holiday because when you go with a young child, you want everything to be clear and organised and this is exactly what happened.”

With Nour only two months older than the Expo itself, Innes recalled the decision to use the event as the family’s first international trip.

“I was a little bit afraid how she would handle all the activities and people around her. But she took it on like an absolute pro,” she said.

Stefan hopes the Expo’s immersive cultural experience will rub off on his daughter creatively in the future.

“Maybe she will see Tiesto tonight and that will be the memory that makes her decide that she wants to be superstar DJ,” he said. “If that happens, then she already has the perfect name: DJ Vlad.”

Expo 2020 Dubai on the final day — in pictures:

  • Air show display on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Air show display on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Nearly 23 million visits had been made to Expo by the start of this week after the more than one million visits recorded from Friday to Sunday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Nearly 23 million visits had been made to Expo by the start of this week after the more than one million visits recorded from Friday to Sunday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Expo has hosted 30,000 events, including government summits and 5,000 sporting fixtures. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Expo has hosted 30,000 events, including government summits and 5,000 sporting fixtures. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A spectacular closing ceremony will be 'end of a beautiful journey' for Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    A spectacular closing ceremony will be 'end of a beautiful journey' for Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Green spaces and architecture at day of Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • It's a party atmosphere for the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    It's a party atmosphere for the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Some funky costumes to mark the end of the hugely successful event in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Some funky costumes to mark the end of the hugely successful event in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Big screens put up on the last day of the world's fair in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Big screens put up on the last day of the world's fair in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • People flock to the merchandise outlet on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    People flock to the merchandise outlet on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Kids enjoying the dance class at the Sustainability pavilion as Expo 2020 Dubai nears its conclusion. Pawan Singh / The National
    Kids enjoying the dance class at the Sustainability pavilion as Expo 2020 Dubai nears its conclusion. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai could watch the closing ceremony on more than 20 giant screens across the site, including at the Jubilee Stage, Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre and Festival Garden. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai could watch the closing ceremony on more than 20 giant screens across the site, including at the Jubilee Stage, Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre and Festival Garden. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors enjoy the water feature on the last day. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors enjoy the water feature on the last day. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors arrive for the expo's final day. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Visitors arrive for the expo's final day. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Crowds on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Crowds on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Visitors arrive at the world's fair for the last time. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Visitors arrive at the world's fair for the last time. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Preparations going on for the closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Preparations going on for the closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Reem Al Hashimy, centre, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, on the final day of the Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Reem Al Hashimy, centre, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo 2020 Dubai, on the final day of the Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Ms Al Hashimy opens the Sustainability Portal on the Expo's final day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Ms Al Hashimy opens the Sustainability Portal on the Expo's final day. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors queue to enter the site on the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors queue to enter the site on the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Expo staff at the site entrances faced a busy start to the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
    Expo staff at the site entrances faced a busy start to the final day. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors queue at the security gate. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors queue at the security gate. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Early arrivals on the final day of the world fair. Pawan Singh / The National
    Early arrivals on the final day of the world fair. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors taking selfies to record their presence on the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors taking selfies to record their presence on the final day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dubai police prepare for the final day at the world's fair. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai police prepare for the final day at the world's fair. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors approach Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors approach Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A rare opportunity to capture a quiet moment at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A rare opportunity to capture a quiet moment at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors on the last day at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors on the last day at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

Anna and the Apocalypse

Director: John McPhail

Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton

Three stars

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.

“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”

Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

TWISTERS

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEquestrian%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdullah%20Humaid%20Al%20Muhairi%2C%20Abdullah%20Al%20Marri%2C%20Omar%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Suwaidi%2C%20and%20Ali%20Al%20Karbi%20(four%20to%20be%20selected).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EJudo%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EMen%3A%20Narmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20(66kg)%2C%20Nugzari%20Tatalashvili%20(81kg)%2C%20Aram%20Grigorian%20(90kg)%2C%20Dzhafar%20Kostoev%20(100kg)%2C%20Magomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20(%2B100kg)%3B%20women's%20Khorloodoi%20Bishrelt%20(52kg).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ECycling%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3ESafia%20Al%20Sayegh%20(women's%20road%20race).%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESwimming%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EMen%3A%20Yousef%20Rashid%20Al%20Matroushi%20(100m%20freestyle)%3B%20women%3A%20Maha%20Abdullah%20Al%20Shehi%20(200m%20freestyle).%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAthletics%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaryam%20Mohammed%20Al%20Farsi%20(women's%20100%20metres).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Roll of honour 2019-2020

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership

UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes

UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II

UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby

Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket
The%20specs
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THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

The finalists

Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho

Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson

Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)

Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid

Coach of the Year: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta), Hans-Dieter Flick (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

Agent of the Century, 2001-2020: Giovanni Branchini, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola

Updated: April 01, 2022, 1:57 AM