• An exact replica of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket welcomed guests into the US pavilion at the Dubai Expo. All photos by Reem Mohammed / The National
    An exact replica of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket welcomed guests into the US pavilion at the Dubai Expo. All photos by Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Organisers with the US pavilion are trying to find a new home in the UAE for the Falcon 9 booster model.
    Organisers with the US pavilion are trying to find a new home in the UAE for the Falcon 9 booster model.
  • Space and technology was a major focus at the pavilion.
    Space and technology was a major focus at the pavilion.
  • John Rakolta Jr, US ambassador to the UAE, during the handover ceremony of the pavilion, where he said Moon rock samples and a Mars rover replica would be on display during the world's fair.
    John Rakolta Jr, US ambassador to the UAE, during the handover ceremony of the pavilion, where he said Moon rock samples and a Mars rover replica would be on display during the world's fair.
  • Mr Rakolta said historic artefacts like US founding father Thomas Jefferson's Quran, which dates back 200 years, would be shown, as well.
    Mr Rakolta said historic artefacts like US founding father Thomas Jefferson's Quran, which dates back 200 years, would be shown, as well.
  • The pavilion has a star-covered facade
    The pavilion has a star-covered facade

Expo 2020 Dubai: Giant SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket replica to welcome visitors into US pavilion


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A 43 metre-tall SpaceX rocket model will wow visitors to the US pavilion at Expo 2020 next year.

Pieces of Moon rock and a Mars rover will also reinforce the space theme.

A US delegation on Wednesday received a first look at the Falcon 9 booster mock-up and the pavilion’s star-covered facade during a handover ceremony.

John Rakolta Jr, United States ambassador to the UAE, and US Department of State counsellor, Ulrich Brechbuhl, placed the final star on the structure as part of a celebration for meeting the pavilion’s handover deadline, ahead of the expo’s official opening on October 1, 2021.

The pavilion, spanning 3,344 square metres, will present the breadth of American achievements - from its space triumphs to historic artefacts such as the US founding father Thomas Jefferson’s Quran that dates back 200 years.

A replica of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Dubai Expo's US pavilion. Reem Mohammed / The National
A replica of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Dubai Expo's US pavilion. Reem Mohammed / The National

“Our ... pavilion here is going to be able to showcase our values and to help drive global change, prosperity and quality of life for all. [The] United States’ pavilion’s theme is life, liberty and the pursuit of the future,” said Mr Rakolta.

“We're going to showcase the brilliant architecture, including the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and we're going to be combining that with exhibits, artefacts, like pieces of rock from the moon and our Mars rover.”

Human spaceflight launches have returned to the US, thanks to Nasa’s partnerships with private companies such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

This week, a Falcon 9 rocket took an international crew of astronauts to space.

Other country pavilions are also going to highlight their achievements in space during the world fair.

The Italian pavilion will show a drill that will dig through the Martian soil. It will be launched on board the ExoMars rover in 2024.

Tech, culture, food and arts are also going to be a focus at the US pavilion.

The UAE contributed $60 million (Dh220m) to help complete the structure.

Mr Brechbuhl said “substantial construction” of the pavilion has now been completed.

“The World Expo is unlike any other event in the world. Millions will come to Dubai to experience in one place all that the world has to offer,” he said.

“It's an opportunity to connect people in the world with one another, create bonds between our nations that will serve as the foundation of friendship truly for generations to come. There is no better example of that than the UAE’s historic efforts to normalise relationships with Israel and sign the Abraham Accords.”

The Expo 2020 Dubai site - in pictures 

  • A statue in the Mobility Pavilion. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    A statue in the Mobility Pavilion. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • The UAE pavilion with Al Wasl Plaza in the background seen from above at the Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    The UAE pavilion with Al Wasl Plaza in the background seen from above at the Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • Al Wasl Plaza, seen behind new buildings at the Expo site. Dubai Expo 2020
    Al Wasl Plaza, seen behind new buildings at the Expo site. Dubai Expo 2020
  • The Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    The Sustainability Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • The Expo Entry Portal at the Sustainability District at Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    The Expo Entry Portal at the Sustainability District at Dubai Expo 2020 site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • The Children and Science Centre with Al Wasl Plaza in the background. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    The Children and Science Centre with Al Wasl Plaza in the background. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • Al Wasl Plaza's dome, where the opening ceremony will be displayed next year. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    Al Wasl Plaza's dome, where the opening ceremony will be displayed next year. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • Al Wasl Plaza, the centre of the expo site and where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    Al Wasl Plaza, the centre of the expo site and where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • Inside the Mobility District at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    Inside the Mobility District at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • Inside the Opportunity Pavilion at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    Inside the Opportunity Pavilion at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • Inside the Opportunity Pavilion at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    Inside the Opportunity Pavilion at the expo site. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
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Cricket World Cup League Two

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

 

Fixtures

Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia

Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
​​​​​​​

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
The biog

Name: Mariam Ketait

Emirate: Dubai

Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language

Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown

Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
History's medical milestones

1799 - First small pox vaccine administered

1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery

1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases

1895 - Discovery of x-rays

1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time

1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin

1953 - Structure of DNA discovered

1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place 

1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill

1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.

1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla

Verdict:  Three stars 

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding