DUBAI // With celebrations to mark the emirate winning the right to host Expo 2020 still in the minds of many people across the country, we try to answer some of the common questions associated with the event.
What is an expo?
Also known as a world fair, world exposition and universal exposition, the event brings together dozens of nations, allowing them to showcase innovative products, technology, the arts as well as promote their countries.
Are there different types of expo?
Yes. Dubai was awarded the right to host a registered expo. They are held every five years and are also known as major expos.
Alternatively, a recognised expo, also known as a minor expo, are much smaller in scope, usually running for between three weeks to three months. Yeosu, South Korea, held the last minor expo last year.
How long does an expo last?
They range from as little as six weeks to a year, as in the case of the New York World Fair of 1939. Typically in modern times, an expo runs for six months.
Why was the expo concept started and by whom?
The first world fair took place in 1851 in London. Known as the Great Exhibition, it took place at the Crystal Palace, which housed pavilions from 28 countries and was later destroyed by fire. It was done as a way to celebrate modern industrial design and technology and was organised by Prince Albert and members of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.
Which other cities have hosted an expo?
In all, both major and minor forms of the expo have been held 63 times across the globe, with some cities hosting it multiple times, such as Paris hosting the event five times and Liege, in Belgium, three times. Shanghai held the last major expo in 2010 and Milan is hosting it in 2015.
What are pavilions at expos?
Pavilions are split into a number of categories. Shanghai featured pavilions built by the host city to highlight a particular theme for its expo as a whole. Then there are national pavilions, that showcase the products and technology from countries taking part in the expo. Lastly, there are also pavilions to represent companies and international organisations.
Who decides where an expo should be held?
The Paris-based Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) selects the winning city after examining rival bids. The organisation was set up in 1928 primarily to limit the number of world fairs taking place and to provide an official framework for countries to host world expos. It is made up of 167 member states. Signatories agree only to participate in BIE-sanctioned expos.
What are some of the famous landmarks and innovations that have been first shown at previous world expos?
Previous expos led to the commercial typewriter and telephone, first shown in Philadelphia in 1876, the ice-cream cone in 1904 in St Louis, the world’s first mobile phones in Japan in 1970, the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1889, computers and the fax machine in New York in 1964 and the television in 1939 show in New York.
* Nadeem Hanif
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
HAJJAN
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The five pillars of Islam
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
More on Quran memorisation:
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
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