DUBAI // Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020 has almost 100 per cent support from residents, a survey has revealed.
Dubai Statistics Centre (DSC) questioned 65,000 residents earlier this month and found that 98.94 per cent of Emiratis, and 98.61 per cent of non-Emiratis were aware of Dubai’s bid to host the World Expo in 2020.
Moreover, 99.41 per cent of Emiratis and 98.67 per cent of non-Emiratis supported the city’s bid.
Reem Al Hashimy, the Minister of State and managing director of the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee, welcomed the news.
“It is sincerely gratifying to learn that the data reinforces the outpouring of support we’ve seen from across the UAE, and indeed, the world,” she said.
“As the Dubai Statistics Centre’s campaign ‘We Deserve It’ has proved, an overwhelming majority of the population surveyed believes that we do indeed deserve to host Expo 2020 in Dubai. Inshallah, we hope the member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions agree on Wednesday.”
The other cities in the running are Yekaterinburg on Russia, Sao Paulo in Brazil and Turkey’s Izmir.
The survey found that 99.57 per cent of Emiratis, and 99.12 per cent of non-Emiratis felt that Dubai was a strong candidate for hosting the Expo 2020.
Arif Obaid Al Mehairi, the DSC’s chief executive, said the authority had felt the need to play a role in supporting the UAE’s bid.
“DSC is very grateful for the positive support and reaction of different government and private entities, schools and universities, as well as community and public reaction towards the initiative and would like to take this opportunity to thank all supporters and respondents,” he said.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
GROUPS AND FIXTURES
Group A
UAE, Italy, Japan, Spain
Group B
Egypt, Iran, Mexico, Russia
Tuesday
4.15pm: Italy v Japan
5.30pm: Spain v UAE
6.45pm: Egypt v Russia
8pm: Iran v Mexico
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million