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

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

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

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:

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

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

Ticket prices

Golden circle - Dh995
Floor Standing - Dh495
Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
Upper Bowl standard - Dh295

Types of bank fraud

1) Phishing

Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

2) Smishing

The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

3) Vishing

The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

4) SIM swap

Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

5) Identity theft

Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

6) Prize scams

Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

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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

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Banned items

Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:

Drones
Animals
Fireworks/ flares
Radios or power banks
Laser pointers
Glass
Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
Sharp objects
Political flags or banners
Bikes, skateboards or scooters