Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here
Tens of thousands of volunteers are preparing to welcome visitors to the first World Fair in the region, which opens in less than two weeks in Dubai.
Citizens and expatriates are collecting cream-coloured uniforms and having training to get ready for Expo 2020.
Abeer Al Hosani, director of Expo 2020 volunteers, said 30,000 UAE nationals and expatriates were hired from more than 180,000 people who applied.
We encouraged people to be part of the magic
Abeer Al Hosani,
director of Expo 2020 volunteers
“We want them to be energised and welcome people with a big smile. We want them to learn a lot from this experience,” Ms Al Hosani told The National in an interview.
The initial target was 100,000 applications and organisers were overwhelmed by the sheer number who applied to guide millions of visitors expected when the site opens on October 1.
About 10,000 volunteers have taken part in Expo-related events.
“I love to say our volunteer programme is like opening a gate for everyone to participate from different and diverse groups,” Ms Al Hosani said.
“We encouraged people to be part of the magic.”
She described volunteers as the "face and heart of the Expo," and said they were key to spreading information about the World Fair.
“We needed to build a rapport, reach out to the community members, be it employees from the private or government sector, people of determination, homemakers, students or retirees,” said Ms Al Hosani, who has been with the Expo since 2016.
“We wanted to invite our community to be part of Expo.”
The Emirati with a background in human resources is responsible for developing and managing the programme strategy for Expo 2020 Dubai.
She said excitement was mounting with the opening weeks away.
“I’m excited to show all the beautiful buildings on site and the experiences that have been created by teams working for years,” she said.
“I have mixed feelings. It’s something you are super excited about and want to share with the world but you don’t want to have an end date.
“I want to see how friends, family and visitors will react. But it’s bittersweet because I will miss the experiences with my colleagues and the volunteers when all this ends.”
She explained the selection process and the role the volunteers would play.
Who was eligible?
The volunteer programme was open to all citizens and residents from the age of 18. The oldest volunteer is 79 and the youngest is 18. The 30,0000 volunteers are from more than 135 nationalities.
UAE nationals make up 45 per cent and expatriates 55 per cent. There are 54 per cent men and 46 per cent women volunteers. The proportion of volunteers aged under 30 is 39 per cent and over for 30s it is 61 per cent.
What sort of jobs does this cover?
There are more than 30 jobs.
Those assigned to country pavilions will be responsible for delivery and management of daily activities.
Volunteers will support school teams on group visits during the week. Others have been placed in protocol, IT and event ceremonies.
Team leaders have been appointed to manage volunteers and will be given extra training to support this additional work.
Will applications be reopened?
Online applications were closed in March this year. There are more than 180,000 people in the Expo database. The Expo currently does not have any plans to hire more people. The focus is to get the existing pool of volunteers ready. If further opportunities arise, this will be announced.
How much time does a volunteer need to commit?
Ten consecutive shifts for employees from the government and private sector.
For the general public, the 10 shifts do not have to be consecutive and can be completed according to the person’s preference.
The Expo schedule was broken up into three phases, with each phase covering a two-month block.
Volunteers list their preference of day or night shifts.
Students have been taken on board for a six-week internship programme to complete university credits.
In many cases, their course and work placement have been matched so media students will be placed at the Expo media centre.
Emiratis completing UAE national service are committed to work for six months.
What activities have been held?
Orientation sessions have helped to define volunteers' role and the type of training required. Volunteers have been sent information on collecting their uniforms and details of their schedules.
A newsletter keeps them up to date with progress on site.
What are the perks?
Meeting people from across the world and guiding them to make their experience at the Expo memorable.
Volunteering is unpaid but transport to the site will be offered. Free parking is provided but not encouraged as volunteers are asked to use public transport in line with Expo’s sustainability goals. Meals will be provided during shifts.
A reward and recognition programme will give motivational gifts to show appreciation for a job well done. Completion certificates will also be handed out to all volunteers
Top five qualities
Committed, welcoming, respectful, energetic and must have a big smile.
“Respect is among main values because the UAE respects people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups,” Ms Al Hosani said.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We want people to really learn, make friends, learn new skills, create memories and have fun.”
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Company%20profile%20
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Company%20Profile
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Napoleon
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The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
We Weren’t Supposed to Survive But We Did
We weren’t supposed to survive but we did.
We weren’t supposed to remember but we did.
We weren’t supposed to write but we did.
We weren’t supposed to fight but we did.
We weren’t supposed to organise but we did.
We weren’t supposed to rap but we did.
We weren’t supposed to find allies but we did.
We weren’t supposed to grow communities but we did.
We weren’t supposed to return but WE ARE.
Amira Sakalla
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring statistics in the Premier League
Season/club/appearances (substitute)/goals
2011/12 Chelsea: 8(7) - 0
2012/13 West Brom (loan): 35(15) - 17
2013/14 Chelsea: 2(2) - 0
2013/14 Everton (loan): 31(2) - 15
2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
2016/17 Everton: 37(1) - 25
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Nations League
League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
