Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here
South Korea’s pavilion will 'come to life' at Expo 2020 Dubai with more than 1,000 spinning cubes making up the facade of the three-storey structure.
The 1,597 multi-coloured cubes on the roof will spin to create patterns and form words.
The East Asian country has truly embraced mobility, one of the sub-themes of this year's fair, with a design that will promise an ever-changing experience for visitors.
Located in the Mobility District, the structure spans 5,200 square metres and is the Expo's fifth-largest pavilion.
It has the theme 'Smart Korea, Moving the World to you’ and will illustrate the country’s culture through architecture, exhibitions and performances.
South Korea is world famous for its pop bands, tech giants, Korean dramas and kimchi, and this and more will be celebrated during the six-month fair.
Ahead of Expo 2020 Dubai's grand opening on October 1, The National had a tour of the spinning cube pavilion.
K-pop concerts
The entrance of the pavilion leads visitors into a spacious courtyard, where daily K-pop concerts will take place. Global K-pop band Stray Kids were chosen as the pavilion ambassador.
Over six months, 1,800 shows will be performed, with ten taking place daily.
Bleacher-style seating will cater for a large number of fans and ‘floating’ LED screens will create light shows.
The Madang, a Korean-style courtyard, will also feature breakdancing and traditional performances.
During Korean National Day celebrations on January 16, several K-pop concerts will take place at the Al Wasl Plaza. The full line-up is expected to be announced in November.
Vertical cinema
Another highlight is the vertical cinema that will illustrate Korea’s smart mobility, culture and lifestyle.
Visitors can lie down on beanbags and watch as the roof and front wall transform into a giant cinema screen.
The experience is almost 3D, with Korean characters “popping out of the walls and walking around the room”.
Climbing the structure
Visitors can go on a walking tour on the actual façade of the building to see the spinning cubes up close and stunning views of the Mobility District and Al Wasl Plaza.
Four ramps have been built on the exterior to create a ‘virtual realm meets reality’ experience.
Several stopping points include an augmented reality experience, where visitors can use their smartphones – provided to them at the start of the tour – to see Korea’s vision of smart mobility.
On the third floor, thousands of flipping screens, identical to the split-flap displays that are found at train stations or airports, represent movement.
Korean restaurant and shopping
A Korean restaurant will serve more than 20 different traditional and contemporary dishes, including bulgogi (marinated beef), bibimbap (rice with assorted vegetables) and buldak noodles (spicy stir-fried noodles).
A souvenir shop will stock 300 Korean products, including traditional arts and crafts, groceries and innovative products.
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
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 specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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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.
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Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
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Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
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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.
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Pharaoh's curse
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Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Director: Alfonso Cuaron
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Rating: 4/5
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Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
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Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
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