• There will be several national pavilions at Expo 2020 that will have space-themed displays. Pictured is a replica of a Falcon 9 booster rocket at the USA Pavilion. Courtesy: USA pavilion
    There will be several national pavilions at Expo 2020 that will have space-themed displays. Pictured is a replica of a Falcon 9 booster rocket at the USA Pavilion. Courtesy: USA pavilion
  • The replica is 43 metres-tall and is placed at the entrance of the pavilion. Reem Mohammed / The National
    The replica is 43 metres-tall and is placed at the entrance of the pavilion. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • The US pavilion will also display Moon rock samples at Expo 2020. In 1970, the US displayed a 3.2 billion-year-old Moon rock brought back from the Apollo 12 mission at the Osaka Expo. Courtesy: Nasa
    The US pavilion will also display Moon rock samples at Expo 2020. In 1970, the US displayed a 3.2 billion-year-old Moon rock brought back from the Apollo 12 mission at the Osaka Expo. Courtesy: Nasa
  • A chess set that was carried to space on the Soyuz 3 and Soyuz 4 spacecraft from 1968 and 1969 will be on show at the expo. Reem Mohammed / The National
    A chess set that was carried to space on the Soyuz 3 and Soyuz 4 spacecraft from 1968 and 1969 will be on show at the expo. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • To celebrate Emirati achievements in space, a Mars corridor in the Mobility Pavilion will display the journey of the Hope probe to the Red Planet. Pictured is an image taken by Hope. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission
    To celebrate Emirati achievements in space, a Mars corridor in the Mobility Pavilion will display the journey of the Hope probe to the Red Planet. Pictured is an image taken by Hope. Courtesy: Emirates Mars Mission
  • The US pavilion will also display a replica of one of its Mars rovers, although it is not yet known which one exactly. Nasa landed its most advanced and expensive Mars mission, Perseverance (pictured), on the surface of the planet this year. Nasa
    The US pavilion will also display a replica of one of its Mars rovers, although it is not yet known which one exactly. Nasa landed its most advanced and expensive Mars mission, Perseverance (pictured), on the surface of the planet this year. Nasa
  • The Russian pavilion will also celebrate the country’s space history. There will be a display of a replica of the first satellite in space, Sputnik, launched by the former Soviet Union. Courtesy: Roscosmos
    The Russian pavilion will also celebrate the country’s space history. There will be a display of a replica of the first satellite in space, Sputnik, launched by the former Soviet Union. Courtesy: Roscosmos
  • A 'space drill' that will dig through the Martian soil will be on display at the Italian pavilion. Manufactured by Italian aerospace firm Leonardo, the drill will be launched in 2022 on board the Rosalind Franklin rover. Courtesy: Leonardo
    A 'space drill' that will dig through the Martian soil will be on display at the Italian pavilion. Manufactured by Italian aerospace firm Leonardo, the drill will be launched in 2022 on board the Rosalind Franklin rover. Courtesy: Leonardo
  • The world’s largest 360° projection screen at the expo site, Al Wasl Dome, will feature a space-themed show. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
    The world’s largest 360° projection screen at the expo site, Al Wasl Dome, will feature a space-themed show. Courtesy: Dubai Expo 2020
  • There will be a week dedicated to space during the expo from October 5 to October 6. It will be one of the 10 thematic weeks to take place. The virtual space event will highlight some of the brightest stars in space exploration. AFP
    There will be a week dedicated to space during the expo from October 5 to October 6. It will be one of the 10 thematic weeks to take place. The virtual space event will highlight some of the brightest stars in space exploration. AFP
  • Emirati astronauts will be visiting the expo site. Pictured are Mohammed Al Mulla (left), Nora Al Matrooshi (right), Hazza Al Mansouri (second to right) and Sultan Al Neyadi. Courtesy: Mbrsc
    Emirati astronauts will be visiting the expo site. Pictured are Mohammed Al Mulla (left), Nora Al Matrooshi (right), Hazza Al Mansouri (second to right) and Sultan Al Neyadi. Courtesy: Mbrsc

Five things to do at Expo's Space Week, from meeting astronauts to touching a Moon rock


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here

Space Week at Expo 2020 Dubai is promising a stellar experience, from meet-and-greets with astronauts to a chance to look through powerful telescopes providing a peek into the cosmos.

From Sunday, October 17 to Saturday, October 23, astronauts from Nasa, the UAE, Italy and Japan will meet visitors and field questions about life in space.

It is the perfect event for space enthusiasts, especially young people who are considering careers in the Stem subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Scientists, engineers and space leaders will also participate in several conferences during the week.

On October 17, the first gathering by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre will be held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre South Hall 2A, from 10.15am to 5.15pm. To attend, visitors must register online.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks to visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai's Al Wasl Dome live from the International Space Station. Victor Besa / The National.
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet speaks to visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai's Al Wasl Dome live from the International Space Station. Victor Besa / The National.

Titled ‘The People’s Mission: Citizens in Space Exploration’, the conference will feature Emirati, Swedish and Russian astronauts.

On October 19, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, will address the Space Business Forum.

Ms Al Amiri will also speak on October 20 at the Space: Where the World Comes Together for Progress conference.

The forums will also be live-streamed online.

The National highlights some of the out-of-this-world activities visitors can expect during the week.

Meet astronauts and ask questions

On October 17, the UAE’s first astronaut Maj Hazza Al Mansouri and his colleague, the Arab world's first female astronaut, Nora Al Matrooshi, will meet the public.

They will speak from 2pm to 3.15pm at the Dubai Exhibition Centre – near the metro station at the Expo site – at a conference that is open to the public once they register online.

Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang and Russian cosmonaut and rocket scientist Sergei Krikalev will also be interacting with the public.

  • The UAE's new astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall in Dubai. All pictures by Chris Whiteoak
    The UAE's new astronauts Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall in Dubai. All pictures by Chris Whiteoak
  • Emirati astronaut Nora Al Matrooshi said the opportunity to travel into space would be the realisation of a childhood dream
    Emirati astronaut Nora Al Matrooshi said the opportunity to travel into space would be the realisation of a childhood dream
  • Mohammed Al Mulla will join an elite list of Emirati astronauts
    Mohammed Al Mulla will join an elite list of Emirati astronauts
  • Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
    Mohammed Al Mulla and Nora Al Matrooshi. Chris Whiteoak/ The National
  • Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager, speaks during a press conference introducing the country's newest astronauts to the world
    Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager, speaks during a press conference introducing the country's newest astronauts to the world
  • Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager, at the press conference in Dubai
    Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager, at the press conference in Dubai
  • Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager (L), Salem Al Marri, UAE Astronaut Programme manager and Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of MBRSC (M). with the UAE's new astronauts, Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall in Dubai
    Saeed Al Kormastaji, UAE astronaut office manager (L), Salem Al Marri, UAE Astronaut Programme manager and Yousuf Al Shaibani, director general of MBRSC (M). with the UAE's new astronauts, Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammed Al Mulla at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall in Dubai

Emirati astronauts Dr Sultan Al Neyadi and Mohammed Al Mulla are also attending the conference.

Throughout the week, many other astronauts will be attending different forums, including Soichi Noguchi, from Japan, who flew on SpaceX Crew-1 mission.

Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano, who survived a water leak in his helmet during a spacewalk in 2013, will be at the Italian pavilion on October 19, from 4pm to 6pm.

Peek into deep space using telescopes

Visitors can observe galaxies and nebulae in the deep-sky using a powerful telescope available in the France pavilion.

The telescope has been provided by Unistellar and offers vivid colours and details.

It will be on show from October 20 to October 23.

Learn about UAE’s Mars mission

The UAE made history this year when its Hope probe arrived on Mars. The spacecraft has sent back a wealth of data, with 110 gigabytes of it already released online for free.

Omran Sharaf, the mission director, will be speaking to the public on October 17, sometime between 12.15pm to 1.30pm at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.

The Mars satellite reached orbit on February 9 to study the planet’s atmosphere.

Touch a rock from the Moon

At the US pavilion, a rock brought from the Moon will be on display.

Visitors can not only look, but also touch the space object and take photos of it.

The mare basalt is estimated to be about 3.75 billion years old and is older than nearly all Earth surface rocks.

It was collected during one of the Apollo missions.

A Martian meteorite sample found during the 2012-2013 season in Antarctica is also on display.

Hear from UAE space chief Sarah Al Amiri

Minister Al Amiri will give opening remarks for the Space Business Forum, taking place on October 19 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.

The forum will bring together leaders in the private and public space sector to discuss economic potential from exploring space resources, such as Moon mining.

For those interested in learning about careers in the space sector and developing space technology, this forum is recommended.

The specs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm

Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

The bio

His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard

Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece

Favourite movie - The Last Emperor

Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great

Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos

 

 

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.

 

 

Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

The biog

Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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.

Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

 

  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
  • Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
  • Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
  • Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
  • Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
The biog

Name: Marie Byrne

Nationality: Irish

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption

Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston

Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams

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%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
About Krews

Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: January 2019

Number of employees: 10

Sector: Technology/Social media 

Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support

 

RESULT

Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg

Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 3 (Suarez (50', 73' pen), Varane (69' OG)

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km

Price: from Dh94,900

On sale: now

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RACE CARD

6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200

7.05pm Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m

9.25pm Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m

 

The National selections:

6.30pm Underwriter

7.05pm Rayig

7.40pm Torno Subito

8.15pm Talento Puma

8.50pm Etisalat

9.25pm Gundogdu

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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World%20Food%20Day%20
%3Cp%3ECelebrated%20on%20October%2016%2C%20to%20coincide%20with%20the%20founding%20date%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20Food%20and%20Agriculture%20Organisation%2C%20World%20Food%20Day%20aims%20to%20tackle%20issues%20such%20as%20hunger%2C%20food%20security%2C%20food%20waste%20and%20the%20environmental%20impact%20of%20food%20production.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

Stree

Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m

Updated: October 16, 2021, 3:00 AM