Expo 2020 Dubai's latest visit numbers are nearing the 11 million mark, organisers said on Tuesday.
The world's fair recorded 10,836,389 visits since its opening on October 1, 2021, up until Monday, January 24.
Numbers in the past week were boosted by the opening of Why? The Musical, a 45-minute show directed by Bafta-winner Shekhar Kapur, with music by Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.
Starring Australian theatre actress Shubshri Kandiah and Indian actor and comedian Jaaved Jaaferi, the show features more than 100 performers as well as stunning visuals projected on Al Wasl Dome, the world’s largest 360-degree projection screen. The show runs four nights a week until February 27.
Visits to Expo 2020's virtual site reached 72.5 million, up from 65 million last week, with Global Goals week helping to increase the number significantly.
Senior guests programme
Expo today announced a new programme that allows guests aged over 60 to pre-book certain services to improve their access and mobility around the site.
The Senior Guests Programme gives visitors access to dedicated parking spaces within each district, a buggy drop-off to the arrival plaza and private buggies for up to five people for 90 minutes, from 9am to 1pm each day.
The programme, which is open to any visitor with a free Expo Senior Citizen Pass, also offers guests a meet-and-greet concierge, a welcome pack that includes recommended journeys, based on particular themes, details of fast-track entry to selected pavilions, and a 30 per cent discount on lunch at select restaurants across the site.
Guests can book the Expo Concierge service on WhatsApp (+971 50 141 3453) or via email at seniorbookings@expo2020.ae.
Full details of the Senior Guests Programme can be found here.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
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2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
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Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
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The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Huroob Ezterari
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Three stars
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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
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Tony Booth, professor of education
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Dr Mark Mann, scientist
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SPECS
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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