Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here
Australia will share its love of sport with the world at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Visitors will be able to try their hand at rugby, cricket, football, volleyball, netball and basketball during the six-month long celebration.
International matches between stars from different countries will be an important part of Australia’s presence at the expo, along with classes and events for those exploring the pavilion.
Australia's commissioner general at Expo 2020, Justin McGowan, said visitors would also be able to represent their countries and compete at the custom-made Aussie Sports Park on the site.
“Each country had the opportunity to choose a theme they would be leading on at the expo,” he said.
“We put our hand up and said we wanted to lead on sports and fitness.
“Sports are a key part of Australia’s identity and we wanted to share that with the world. That was the legacy we wanted to leave behind when the expo is over.”
He said sports and fitness events would take place daily at the pavilion throughout the world fair, which got under way on October 1.
A 5,400 square metre sports hub has been built to cater for the sports and fitness events taking part at the site, with Aussie Park a central part of it.
“We want to share all of the values you get playing sport that create healthy individuals with self-esteem and respect for others,” he said.
“It’s our goal to highlight the value of sport to the global community throughout the 180 days of expo.”
Star-studded sporting cast for event
Some of the sporting stars that have already been confirmed for the international extravaganza include heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, Real Madrid and Croatia star Luka Modric and former Wimbledon tennis champion Goran Ivanisevic.
Event organisers confirmed Italian soccer giants AC Milan would be in attendance and that Manchester City footballers were also expected to make an appearance.
The health and fitness activities at the pavilion are not restricted to visitors and sports celebrities, said Mr McGowan.
“Each morning we will have a range of classes for workers at the pavilions from yoga to more high-intensity activities like cross fit,” he said.
“We’ll also have four running sessions a day for everyone to take part in.
“We’re also going to be running five-a-side football games at Aussie Park with tournaments taking place throughout the expo.”
A chance to impress younger generation
Another facet of the Australian Pavilion’s sporting offerings will be projects with schools in the UAE.
“A lot of schools have signed up to visit at least five or six times and take part in activities,” said Mr McGowan.
He said the timing of the expo gives his team the perfect opportunity to show the best of what his country has to offer.
“October is Australian Community Sports Month so we are going to hosting a range of activities to mark the occasion,” he said.
“There’s going to be rugby, soccer, touch rugby and cricket every Friday throughout October.”
Another event sports fans can look forward to is an international match between Australia and Ireland, featuring leading stars from Australian Rules and Gaelic Football.
They will be taking each other on in a match that blends the best aspects of each sport, said Mr McGowan.
The pavilion’s team will also be offering masterclasses for anybody interested in getting involved with coaching.
“We’re also going to be running small sessions in schools and will show teachers professional coaching techniques,” he said.
“Grassroots sport has helped strengthened Australia’s identity and we want to share what we have learned along the way.
“There will also be sessions on the high-performance coaching techniques that Australia used so well at the Olympics.”
UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series
Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
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.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
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