The theme of Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020, left, and other visions for the city were displayed in The Cube, which was a huge hit with delegates at the emirate’s symposium. Courtesy Expo 2020
The theme of Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020, left, and other visions for the city were displayed in The Cube, which was a huge hit with delegates at the emirate’s symposium. Courtesy Expo 2020
The theme of Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020, left, and other visions for the city were displayed in The Cube, which was a huge hit with delegates at the emirate’s symposium. Courtesy Expo 2020
The theme of Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020, left, and other visions for the city were displayed in The Cube, which was a huge hit with delegates at the emirate’s symposium. Courtesy Expo 2020

Dubai’s Cube wows visiting Expo 2020 delegates


Ramola Talwar Badam
  • English
  • Arabic

DUBAI // A display called The Cube wowed the visiting Expo 2020 delegates during the symposium last month.

A short clip of what the emirate would look like in 2020 was projected on to the walls when groups of about 20 delegates from the BIE (Bureau International des Expositions) entered a specially-set up room in the theme symposium area on October 22 and 23.

Photographs on Instagram captured the floor-to-ceiling visuals using different angles to give the BIE members a glimpse of Dubai in the future.

Details about the emirate as a transport hub, its multicultural population and building projects in the pipeline were beamed on to the walls.

Another 3-D architectural masterplan showcased the mobility theme, with different sections such as the main Expo plaza, transport, the Metro, and the ambulance and emergency services lit up when delegates clicked buttons.

“It is like living the experience,” said one comment on Instagram.

Other posts included “Creating the future”, “I really want to see this”, “Perfection” and “We all support you, Dubai”.

rtalwar@thenational.ae

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5