The United States is back on track to complete the main construction on its Expo pavilion in two months after getting $60 million (Dh220 million) funding from the UAE.
The project was temporarily derailed due to financial constraints.
John Rakolta Jr, the US ambassador to the UAE, said in an online media briefing on Tuesday that the country was grateful to the UAE and hoped to attract additional funding over the coming year.
We have benefited greatly from the gift of the UAE to the United States
“We have benefited greatly from the gift of the UAE to the United States,” he said.
“The first $60 million was provided by the UAE.”
A private organisation had been set up to raise further funds from businesses and foundations.
“What we are trying to do right now is to attract private-sector companies to come and get involved,” he said.
“One is to come and attend the Expo and another is to choose one of the multiple programming opportunities that are out there. Companies can talk about their products, services, the technology they are employing.”
American participation in the world fair was in jeopardy last year after a private consortium failed to attract sufficient funds.
Most pavilions at Expos are either fully financed by governments or use a combination of state and private sponsorship to build and maintain the temporary structures.
The US began construction of the pavilion earlier this year after the UAE stepped in to bail it out in January.
The UAE's contribution of $60 million (Dh220m) towards the structure is line with the initial estimates when the pavilion plans were revealed in 2018.
Its design has since changed completely and will now be enveloped by a star-covered facade.
The earlier model had slated supports to give visitors a feeling that the structure was in motion.
“The star motif brings the whole pavilion and the connection to the United States to life,” Mr Rakolta said.
“It is something you will see woven into our entire pavilion as we inspire visitors to reach for the stars.”
The core message is of life, liberty with a focus on the future.
“You will see a lot more messaging along those lines of innovation, entrepreneurship, a level playing field, the protection of intellectual property,” he said.
“This is to showcase a society in the US that is incredibly inventive, able to create a culture of innovation.”
The embassy aims to bring on board companies related to space and technology.
Space will be a key theme, with moon rock memorabilia picked up by US astronauts and a towering rocket model installed outdoors.
Youth will be another feature, with 75 young ambassadors who will also act as guides.
The embassy has partnered with an American company to recruit young people who are bilingual and speak Arabic.
The US is keen to participate in cultural performances on stages across the Expo venue from small arenas for 250 people to the Al Wasl Plaza, which can hold more than 8,000 people.
“We will feature more than 300 performances by American artistes, musicians, dancers, speakers and writers and bring in the best of America to Expo 2020,” Mr Rakolta said.
“Our goal is to present a cultural programme that represents the geography and culture of the US to a diverse audience and tell the American story.”
The US had begun recruitment for the cultural programmes, with details and information available at usapavilion.org.
Mr Rakolta recently returned from Washington, where he witnessed the diplomatic accords signed between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel at the White House last week.
He said the signing reflected renewed prospects for peace in the region.
“We have indeed entered a new era of cooperation in the region led by the USA and the UAE,” he said.
“We are moving to a much more inclusive society here that has all kinds of additional benefits. The biggest one is trade, job opportunities, prosperity and peace –, that is what it represents.”
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20synchronous%20electric%20motors%20%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E646hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E830Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETwo-speed%20auto%20(rear%20axle)%3B%20single-speed%20auto%20(front)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh552%2C311%3B%20Dh660%2C408%20(as%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
