Visitors to the British pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai receive a striking, unique welcome that mixes symbolism and technology. At the centre of the building is an interactive poem, where visitors enter words into an electronic tablet that are shaped into an ever-changing poem using artificial intelligence. It is a symbol of a country in flux, which is embracing great changes, both politically and economically, without losing sight of its deeper, cultural identity.
Ever the strong partner for the UK, the UAE is a country also combining modernity and culture as it progresses through the 21st century. Relations between both countries, which are constantly modernising, take on this deep cultural aspect, understandable given the UK has been by the Emirates' side since its foundation 50 years ago.
In a sign of deep, old and new relations between both countries, Prince William, who will one day be Britain's monarch, yesterday arrived in the UAE for his first official visit to the country. It is a moment for him to present how he plans to progress bilateral relations. His itinerary gives clues as to the nature of his priorities. A passionate conservationist, like his father Prince Charles, the Duke of Cambridge visited Abu Dhabi’s unique environmental heritage at the Jubail Mangrove Park with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. There Prince William learned about efforts to protect regional flora and fauna in the million-square-metre area that is home not just to the precious plants, but also unique bird and marine species. Readers interested in this fragile biome would do well to read The National's own Peter Hellyer.
Back at Expo 2020, the Duke of Cambridge turned his mind to modern priorities, basing himself at the UK's pavilion, a focal point for the country's trade and tourism ambitions. On Wednesday, Britain unveiled a £10 million global tourism campaign there, as it seeks to strengthen close trade ties with the UAE, which is a key market for the country, and an important voice in efforts to cement a trade deal with the wider GCC region.
He also carried out the softer side of diplomacy too, interacting at Expo 2020 with the country's diverse residents, presenting a British monarchy that is open and connected to its citizens, many of whom live in the UAE, as well as Emiratis and people from around the world. He did so in the company of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, another future monarch who is known for his engagement with the everyday events and affairs of the country, regularly being photographed with people from all walks of life around the country.
The trip is a sign that however much Britain, the UAE and the world might be changing, friendships can endure. Royal families are able to forge uniquely symbolic relations between countries.
In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II opened Dubai's Jebel Ali Port on her landmark trip to the Middle East. Yesterday, almost 50 years on, the next generation of Britain's Royal Family was back there, observing its culmination into one of the world's most important shipping locations, but also an important donor to the Prince's conservation work. Writing in The National, the Duke of Cambridge praised the port's owner, DP World, for "their unwavering commitment to this work". He went on to call it "a tremendous example of the impact private companies can have in the global effort to protect the planet".
Contrasting pictures from the two visits, the first ones in black and white, today's showing the site's huge expansion, observers can see that however much the world is changing, Emirati-British ties are as close as ever.
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
More from our neighbourhood series:
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 390bhp
Torque: 400Nm
Price: Dh340,000 ($92,579
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
