• Coldplay performs at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 15. All photos: Reuters, unless noted otherwise
    Coldplay performs at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 15. All photos: Reuters, unless noted otherwise
  • Chris Martin and crew rocked Al Wasl Dome as part of the Infinite Nights concert series.
    Chris Martin and crew rocked Al Wasl Dome as part of the Infinite Nights concert series.
  • Kicking off the gig right on time at 9pm, Coldplay launched directly into 'Higher Power', the uplifting hit from their ninth and latest album 'Music of the Spheres'.
    Kicking off the gig right on time at 9pm, Coldplay launched directly into 'Higher Power', the uplifting hit from their ninth and latest album 'Music of the Spheres'.
  • As part of the concert, the 'sky' of Al Wasl Dome also teemed with butterflies, rainbows and oversized BTS holograms.
    As part of the concert, the 'sky' of Al Wasl Dome also teemed with butterflies, rainbows and oversized BTS holograms.
  • Al Wasl Dome came alive with laser projections and holograms as part of the concert.
    Al Wasl Dome came alive with laser projections and holograms as part of the concert.
  • Chris Martin went around the circular stage a number of times, greeting the audience.
    Chris Martin went around the circular stage a number of times, greeting the audience.
  • Despite the smaller crowd, Chris Martin’s energy was infectious as he stomped back and forth between the centre stage and the outer circles.
    Despite the smaller crowd, Chris Martin’s energy was infectious as he stomped back and forth between the centre stage and the outer circles.
  • Chris Martin of the band Coldplay performs at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Chris Martin of the band Coldplay performs at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • Coldplay played several hits including 'Paradise' — performed under a kaleidoscope of butterflies and rainbows. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Coldplay played several hits including 'Paradise' — performed under a kaleidoscope of butterflies and rainbows. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Chris Martin takes a seat at the piano to croon along to a song.
    Chris Martin takes a seat at the piano to croon along to a song.
  • Chris Martin was at his best, traipsing around the stage and pulling electrifying poses as he swung his arms and pointed his fingers.
    Chris Martin was at his best, traipsing around the stage and pulling electrifying poses as he swung his arms and pointed his fingers.
  • Guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion provided a solid support team to lead vocalist Chris Martin for the night.
    Guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion provided a solid support team to lead vocalist Chris Martin for the night.
  • With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, Coldplay are one of the most successful bands of the 21st century and one of the bestselling music acts of all time.
    With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, Coldplay are one of the most successful bands of the 21st century and one of the bestselling music acts of all time.
  • Typically found headlining stadiums around the world with upwards of 100,000 fans, it was a rather intimate affair at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Typically found headlining stadiums around the world with upwards of 100,000 fans, it was a rather intimate affair at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland of Coldplay perform at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland of Coldplay perform at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai closes in on 15-million visit milestone


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Expo 2020 Dubai is approaching a milestone 15 million visits after enjoying its biggest week yet.

More than 1.2 million visits were recorded over the past seven days, buoyed by top attractions such as a highly-anticipated performance by chart-topping British band Coldplay at Al Wasl Dome.

Other attractions included a star-studded tennis tournament featuring famous names such as John McEnroe and Kim Clijsters as well as a visit to the Serbian pavilion by the sport's top-ranked player, Novak Djokovic before his return to action in Dubai this week.

As of Monday, visit numbers stood at 14,719,277 — up from 13,457,400 the previous week.

  • Young visitor Jhaequan Stewart shows his Jamaica stamp at the Jamaica pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    Young visitor Jhaequan Stewart shows his Jamaica stamp at the Jamaica pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • A statue of sprinting legend Usain Bolt at the Jamaica pavilion. Victor Besa / The National
    A statue of sprinting legend Usain Bolt at the Jamaica pavilion. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors to Jamaica's pavilion can learn about the country’s famous Blue Mountain coffee. Victor Besa / The National
    Visitors to Jamaica's pavilion can learn about the country’s famous Blue Mountain coffee. Victor Besa / The National
  • A visitor at the Jamaica pavilion. The Caribbean island celebrates its nation day at the Expo on Friday, February 18. Victor Besa / The National
    A visitor at the Jamaica pavilion. The Caribbean island celebrates its nation day at the Expo on Friday, February 18. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Jamaica pavilion showcases the spirit of a spontaneous street party, allowing Expo visitors to feel the 'riddim' that moves and connects the world, say organisers. Victor Besa / The National
    The Jamaica pavilion showcases the spirit of a spontaneous street party, allowing Expo visitors to feel the 'riddim' that moves and connects the world, say organisers. Victor Besa / The National
  • Situated in the Mobility District, the shipping container-shaped Jamaica Pavilion showcases the country's rich culture. Victor Besa / The National
    Situated in the Mobility District, the shipping container-shaped Jamaica Pavilion showcases the country's rich culture. Victor Besa / The National
  • This includes a celebration of Jamaica's iconic musicians, artists and producers. Victor Besa / The National
    This includes a celebration of Jamaica's iconic musicians, artists and producers. Victor Besa / The National
  • Chef Wenford Simpson serves up delicious Jamaican dishes, including ackee and saltfish and jerk chicken, for the country's national day at Expo 2020. Victor Besa / The National
    Chef Wenford Simpson serves up delicious Jamaican dishes, including ackee and saltfish and jerk chicken, for the country's national day at Expo 2020. Victor Besa / The National
  • Signature ingredients, Jamaican jerk seasoning and ackee fruit. Victor Besa / The National
    Signature ingredients, Jamaican jerk seasoning and ackee fruit. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Music Studio celebrates Jamaica's rich musical heritage. Victor Besa / The National
    The Music Studio celebrates Jamaica's rich musical heritage. Victor Besa / The National
  • Artwork inspired by Jamaica's annual international reggae poster competition. Victor Besa / The National
    Artwork inspired by Jamaica's annual international reggae poster competition. Victor Besa / The National
  • Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and managing director for Expo 2020, Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, left, and Najeeb Mohammed Al Ali, executive director, Commissioner General Office, Expo 2020, are given a tour of the Jamaica pavilion. Expo 2020 Dubai
    Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and managing director for Expo 2020, Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith, left, and Najeeb Mohammed Al Ali, executive director, Commissioner General Office, Expo 2020, are given a tour of the Jamaica pavilion. Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A dancer takes part in Jamaica's country day ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, at the world's fair. Expo 2020 Dubai
    A dancer takes part in Jamaica's country day ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza, at the world's fair. Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A group representing different cultural areas in Jamaica perform at Al Wasl Plaza, taking visitors on a journey of the island’s rich musical heritage through dance. Expo 2020 Dubai
    A group representing different cultural areas in Jamaica perform at Al Wasl Plaza, taking visitors on a journey of the island’s rich musical heritage through dance. Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and managing director for Expo 2020, and Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson-Smith are given a tour of the Jamaica pavilion. Expo 2020 Dubai
    Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and managing director for Expo 2020, and Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson-Smith are given a tour of the Jamaica pavilion. Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Celebrating Jamaica national day at Al Wasl Dome, at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    Celebrating Jamaica national day at Al Wasl Dome, at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Getting a selfie at Jamaica national day celebrations at Al Wasl Dome. Victor Besa / The National
    Getting a selfie at Jamaica national day celebrations at Al Wasl Dome. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dancers celebrate Jamaica national day at Al Wasl Dome. Victor Besa / The National
    Dancers celebrate Jamaica national day at Al Wasl Dome. Victor Besa / The National
  • A high-flying dancer at Jamaica national day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    A high-flying dancer at Jamaica national day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • A performer at Jamaica national day celebrations at Al Wasl Dome, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    A performer at Jamaica national day celebrations at Al Wasl Dome, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors flying the flag for Jamaica national day at Al Wasl Dome, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    Visitors flying the flag for Jamaica national day at Al Wasl Dome, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Domestic visits have increased by 128 per cent in the past weeks, with international numbers up 19 per cent in the same period.

The introduction of the Dh50 Season Finale Pass to coincide with the Expo's final 50 days has already proved to be a hit.

It is the second week in a row that more than a million visits have been made to the mega event as the public make the most of the opportunity explore the sprawling site in its final weeks.

Expo will commemorate passing the 15-millon visit milestone by issuing a special stamp for its popular passports, saying “I am one of 15 million visitors”. The stamp will be available from Wednesday.

Organisers had initially set a target of 25 million visits before the start of the Expo.

The six-month extravaganza will close its doors on March 31 after an impressive run of crowd-pleasing concerts, guest appearances and memorable daily performances.

The international celebration of cultures, customs and innovation has offered a platform for countries to share their talents with the world.

The vast world's fair site is home to more than 200 pavilions, including 192 belonging to participating countries.

Some pavilions have clocked up more than one million visits alone, including the Indian and Saudi offerings.

Visitor numbers are expected to enjoy an even greater surge in the weeks to come, organisers believe.

"I think typically you do see expos get busier towards the end," said Sconaid McGeachin, senior vice president of communications following the release of last week's high visit numbers.

"We obviously have so many different activities that we expect to have high visitation for the remainder of the expo."

Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule

Thursday December 27

Men's quarter-finals

Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm

Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm

Women's exhibition

Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm

Friday December 28

5th place play-off 3pm

Men's semi-finals

Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm

Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm

Saturday December 29

3rd place play-off 5pm

Men's final 7pm

RESULTS
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Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

RACECARD
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The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make

When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.

“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.

This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).

Age

$250 a month

$500 a month

$1,000 a month

25

$640,829

$1,281,657

$2,563,315

35

$303,219

$606,439

$1,212,877

45

$131,596

$263,191

$526,382

55

$44,351

$88,702

$177,403

 

if you go

The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip 
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles. 

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”.

Updated: February 22, 2022, 7:17 AM