From a radio telescope capable of detecting alien life to a poem beamed into the sky as a message from Earth, interstellar content will play a big part at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Space exploration has been a theme of the world fair for decades and next year, in Dubai South, that tradition will continue.
Visitors queued to see a moon rock brought back by Apollo astronauts on display at the 1970 world expo in Osaka. More than a decade earlier, replicas of Sputnik satellites drew curious crowds to the Soviet pavilion at the 1958 Brussels exposition.
Hazza Al Mansouri's historic achievement in becoming the first Emirati in space sets new heights for our nation's achievements
The 'Man in the Space Age' theme of the 1962 Seattle world fair is believed to have inspired space research and technological advancement.
Closer to home, a global poem will be beamed into space from the British pavilion at the expo site next year. The mastermind of the project was inspired by physicist Stephen Hawking's final project to prepare a message from Earth to advanced beings in space.
The mobility section of the expo, one of three main themes that include opportunity and sustainability, will also document the UAE’s space plans.
"Hazza Al Mansouri's historic achievement in becoming the first Emirati in space sets new heights for our nation's achievements," said Marjan Faraidooni, chief pavilions and exhibitions officer at Expo 2020 Dubai.
"Space exploration is set to be a key focus throughout Expo 2020 ... Our exciting space ambitions are the next stage of this journey, with preparations already well underway to chart a course to Mars.
"This demonstrates the UAE’s ambitious, progressive vision and technical excellence – ideals that also underpin Expo 2020 Dubai."
Pavilions designed by other countries will also engage visitors with space-related attractions and encourage them to conjure up visions of future societies.
The UK pavilion will invite visitors to submit words that will be projected on to LED screens from a sculpture that resembles a splintered cone.
UK designer Es Devlin conceptualised a constantly changing poem in English, Arabic and Chinese created by expo visitors from all walks of life.
She said the idea drew directly from one of Stephen Hawking's final projects, the Breakthrough Message.
Hawking and his colleagues invited people around the globe to participate in a competition in 2015 to consider what message they would want to communicate as a planet should Earth one day encounter advanced civilisations in space.
“What if the UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 became a place where visitors from all over the world choose to take part in a collective global project that showcases British expertise in AI technologies and poetry while transcending national identities?” Ms Devlin said.
China's pavilion will explain how a giant satellite dish in the south-west Guizhou province listens for radio signals from outer space to detect alien life.
The size of 30 football fields, the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is the world's largest single-dish radio telescope.
Exploring space, hunting for extra-terrestrial life and a better understanding of the origin of the universe are its high-reaching aims.
Luxembourg will also feature space content at its pavilion. The country has agreed to work with the UAE on space exploration and its pavilion will be re-purposed as a permanent space centre after the expo.
The Canadian and Belarussian pavilions will also play up aerospace innovation and space research.
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Why are you, you?
Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
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For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
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A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
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Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
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Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.
Ben Okri,
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
All or Nothing
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The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
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Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
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Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Rawat Al Reef, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Noof KB, Richard Mullen, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: UAE Arabian Derby – Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Dergham Athbah, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Daggash
7.30pm: Emirates Championship – Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
8pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Irish Freedom, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
