• Kids interacting with one of the Opti robots in the Opportunity District. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Kids interacting with one of the Opti robots in the Opportunity District. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Cosmos Projection Show at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Cosmos Projection Show at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors enjoy the Expo 2020 Water Feature area. Victor Besa/The National.
    Visitors enjoy the Expo 2020 Water Feature area. Victor Besa/The National.
  • The Mission Shared Room at the Opportunity pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. All pictures by Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Mission Shared Room at the Opportunity pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. All pictures by Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors enjoying the ride in the Expo Explorer train. Pawan Singh/The National.
    Visitors enjoying the ride in the Expo Explorer train. Pawan Singh/The National.
  • School kids visiting Expo 2020 pavilions. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
    School kids visiting Expo 2020 pavilions. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors interacting with one of the robots at Expo. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors interacting with one of the robots at Expo. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Ohrtmann children from Germany at Expo 2020 Dubai on a Sunday morning. Victor Besa/The National.
    The Ohrtmann children from Germany at Expo 2020 Dubai on a Sunday morning. Victor Besa/The National.
  • Children play outside the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Children play outside the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020. Image: Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020

'Packed schedule' at Expo 2020 Dubai for public holiday weekend

Sami Yusuf and A R Rahman’s all-female Firdaus Orchestra among the musical highlights

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  • Arabic

Read More: Best pavilions and things to do for children at Expo 2020 Dubai

Organisers say there is a “packed schedule” for visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai over the holiday weekend.

Highlights of the three days include British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf, who is playing on Friday and Saturday at Al Wasl Plaza and A R Rahman’s all-female Firdaus Orchestra, who will close Expo 2020 Dubai’s Space Week on Saturday.

The scores of pavilions across the vast Expo site will have plenty of events and activities to keep all the family entertained.

There are also plenty of outdoor activities, such as cricket and football, taking place at the Sports, Fitness and Well-being hub next to the Alif Mobility pavilion.

The National has put together a guide on how you can make the most of your time at the world fair during the next three days.

Thursday

The Al Fursan aerobatics demonstration team perform on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai.
The Al Fursan aerobatics demonstration team perform on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai.

On Thursday morning there is a special event focusing on how women from the Arabic and Islamic worlds helped shape space exploration through the ages.

This takes place at the Women’s Pavilion from 11am to 1pm on October 21.

Later in the day, you will want to look up to the sky between 4pm and 4.30pm to catch a display from Al Fursan, the UAE military’s aerobatic display team.

This is followed by a performance from the Saudi Falcons, the Saudi Arabia equivalent, from 4.30pm to 5pm. Both these displays are best viewed from Jubilee Park.

From 5pm to 9pm, visitors will get the chance to interact with “five silly birds” that will come to life in Al Wasl Zone of the Expo site.

Water will come to life in the form of female performers at the Mobility Pavilion for the Moving Water show from 5.30pm to 8pm.

Fans of fables will not want to miss the Saudi Signature Performance Group, who will be presenting a dance routine to highlight the folklore from their country. There are daily shows at the Saudi Arabian pavilion at 7pm, 7.40pm, 9pm and 9.40pm.

Fans of live music are going to want to get themselves down to the Jubilee Stage at 8.30pm for a concert by singer Ali Azmat and his band Junoon that celebrates 50 years of Pakistan-UAE brotherhood.

Latin Grammy-winning ska-rock-fusion band Los Rabanes take to the stage at 10.30pm for a Panama Music Performance, supported by Panamanian artists Idania Dowman and Margarita Henriquez.

Friday

Expo mascots Rashid and Latifa on stage at Al Wasl Plaza for their Mr Scrap Returns show. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo mascots Rashid and Latifa on stage at Al Wasl Plaza for their Mr Scrap Returns show. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Friday has an equally busy schedule.

If you fancy something a bit different there is an electronic fantasy opera to mark Lithuania’s National Day from 1.30pm on Friday, at the Sun Stage in the Opportunity Zone.

There is bound to be plenty of buzz about the Bloom Bees show at 2.30pm in Al Wasl Zone, as beekeepers keep us informed about the vital role the insects play in keeping our planet healthy.

The Saudi Falcons and Al Fursan will take to the skies for another aerobatic display at 4pm.

The Jubilee Stage will be at the centre of the action when Hosny’s Band perform at 6.15pm, the group will be playing Arabic melodies mixed with western chords to create new twists on old favourites.

The Family Show is at 6.30pm with a specially commissioned performance of music, puppetry and audience participation courtesy of Saudi Arabia at the Earth Stage in the Sustainability Zone.

Poetry fans will be delighted to hear there is a special event starting at 7.30pm in the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre. Emerging poets from the Arabic-speaking world will be on stage for a two-hour poetry slam mixed with music from the KSA house band.

Visitors can also check out the Gala Concert on Friday evening from 8pm on the Jubilee Stage for a mixture of classic and contemporary opera and electronic music.

Sami Yusuf will take to the stage at Al Wasl Plaza for an hour-long musical extravaganza called Beyond the Stars at 8.30pm. He will be joined by musicians from around the world for what promises to be a memorable show.

Saturday

  • Reemaz Oqbi (C), from Saudi Arabia, on flute.
    Reemaz Oqbi (C), from Saudi Arabia, on flute.
  • Noura Sulaiman, spokeswoman for the Firdaus Orchestra during rehearsals at the Gems Wellington International School in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Noura Sulaiman, spokeswoman for the Firdaus Orchestra during rehearsals at the Gems Wellington International School in Dubai. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Practice makes perfect.
    Practice makes perfect.
  • Nerissa Lobo playing the piano as the musicians tune up.
    Nerissa Lobo playing the piano as the musicians tune up.
  • The percussion section of the Firdaus Orchestra.
    The percussion section of the Firdaus Orchestra.
  • Yasmina Sabbah, the conductor who comes from Lebanon.
    Yasmina Sabbah, the conductor who comes from Lebanon.
  • AR Rahman, an award-winning composer, will premiere original music.
    AR Rahman, an award-winning composer, will premiere original music.
  • Elham Marzooqi (C) from UAE playing cello during the rehearsing of Firdaus Orchestra at the Gems Wellington school in Dubai.
    Elham Marzooqi (C) from UAE playing cello during the rehearsing of Firdaus Orchestra at the Gems Wellington school in Dubai.
  • Jo Cathrine (C) playing bassoon.
    Jo Cathrine (C) playing bassoon.
  • Firdaus Orchestra is an all-women ensemble featuring 23 nationalities.
    Firdaus Orchestra is an all-women ensemble featuring 23 nationalities.
  • Hanan Halwany at the rehearsal.
    Hanan Halwany at the rehearsal.
  • AR Rahman has said of the orchestra: ‘I’m proud to say that the Firdaus Orchestra is a world-class collective of musicians.’
    AR Rahman has said of the orchestra: ‘I’m proud to say that the Firdaus Orchestra is a world-class collective of musicians.’
  • Elham Al Marzooqi, from the UAE, on cello.
    Elham Al Marzooqi, from the UAE, on cello.

Saturday is the European Union's honour day, with opera performances taking place at various times during the day at the Sea, Sun and Earth stages. The gala show of classical music at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre at 6pm features the work of Vivaldi, Bach, Paganini, Schubert and Beethoven.

Moroccan dance is the heart of the country's culture and society and you can experience a captivating display at Wadi Circle (2pm).

For the younger visitors, there's an episode of Expo mascots Rashid and Latifa's adventures on the big screen at Jubilee Park, with some surprise guest appearances planned.

The all-female Firdaus Orchestra will take to the Jubilee Stage at 7pm for their highly-anticipated show, following their performance at the opening ceremony.

The Earth Stage is hosting a Malaysia Truly Asia Cultural Showcase that will include traditional music, dance and cuisine at 7.30pm.

Sami Yusuf will again take to the stage at Al Wasl Plaza at 8.30pm for his spectacular show under the dome.

Fans of musicals will want to go see the medley of show numbers at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre from 9.30pm to 10.30pm.

Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten

Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a  month before Reaching the Last Mile.

Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

 

The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

Five famous companies founded by teens

There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:

  1. Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate. 
  2. Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc. 
  3. Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway. 
  4. Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
  5. Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
The bio

Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions

School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira

Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk

Dream City: San Francisco

Hometown: Dubai

City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala

Results

6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar

7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson

8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson

9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe

10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

On Women's Day
A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

Result

Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2

Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)

In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

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%20specs%20
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

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IF YOU GO
 
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
 
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info

 Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Updated: November 17, 2021, 11:51 AM
Expo 2020 DubaiDubai