LIVE BLOG: Latest on Expo 2020 Dubai here
Terence Crea is one of 16 guides at the Seychelles pavilion, all of whom have been in Dubai for only three weeks having flown over especially for Expo 2020 Dubai.
Mr Crea, 39, got the job as pavilion guide because he works for the Blue Economy department – a government body under the Seychelles' Ministry of Fisheries, with a remit to create ocean-based sustainable development.
Two days ago we received about 3,000 visitors in one day. On the first day we had around 900, the day after that 500, so we're very busy
Terence Crea,
Seychelles pavilion
"It's my first time in Dubai, and I was very excited when I was first made aware that I will be coming here to work at Expo 2020. I'm enjoying every moment," said Mr Crea, who is living in Expo staff accommodation adjacent to the site.
"We have a stand here, which is called the Blue Economy Room, where we give information in terms of how people and the ocean can coexist and live in harmony."
The exhibits also focus on the natural wonders of the island destination and the efforts being made to protect the local ecosystem and wildlife, as well as developing the tourism sector.
There is a treasure hunt at the pavilion, with clues hidden all about, but you'll have to visit to find out what the surprise is. A model of the much-loved coco de mer, an endangered palm tree endemic to the islands, also stands proud for visitors to see. Its enormous seed is the biggest of any plant in the world.
Because of the pavilion's popularity, the Seychelles staff have not had much time to explore the Expo, Mr Crea said.
"We do have breaks, but the hours we work here, and the number of visitors we get, at times it's quite tiring, and when you get home you just want to relax, go to bed and prepare for the next day," he said.
"Two days ago we received about 3,000 visitors in one day. On the first day we had around 900, the day after that 500, so we're very busy.
"We will have time eventually to visit the other pavilions, but in due time."
When Mr Crea does get the opportunity to tour the world's fair, he plans to explore the US pavilion on the recommendation of a colleague.
This week, the Americans welcomed veteran astronaut Scott Kelly, who holds the record for the longest space mission by a US citizen. The pavilion also houses a model of the SpaceX rocket, and a real rocks from the Moon.
An official visit
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited the Seychelles pavilion this week, as he toured the Sustainability district.
His tour came a few days after the UAE announced an ambitious initiative to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
Sheikh Mohammed said the country would “play its global role in combating climate change".
The UAE net-zero announcement comes ahead of the crucial Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow next month, which has been described as the most important summit since the Paris Agreement in 2015.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Moonfall
Director: Rolan Emmerich
Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is a rare disease?
A rare disease is classified as one that affects a small percentage of the population. More than 7,000 diseases are identified as rare and most are genetic in origin. More than 75 per cent of rare genetic diseases affect children.
Collectively rare diseases affect 1 in 17 people, or more than 400 million people worldwide. Very few have any available treatment and most patients struggle with numerous health challenges and life-long ailments that can go undiagnosed for years due to lack of awareness or testing.
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Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
- Or try to keep the word count down
- Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into
- That's about it
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Results
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mezmar, Adam McLean (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: AF Ajwad, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
3.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Gold Silver, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel.
4pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m; Winner: Atrash, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez.
4.30pm: Gulf Cup Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Momtaz, Saif Al Balushi, Musabah Al Muhairi.
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Al Mushtashar, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
