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#ThanksToExpo, say Expo 2020 Dubai’s guests; visits soar to 20.8m

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Expo 2020 Dubai visitors are saying #ThanksToExpo, with visit numbers soaring to 20,819,155, after crossing the 20-million threshold earlier this week.

From Expo 2020 Dubai’s crown jewel, Al Wasl dome, to water feature Surreal, the stellar entertainment line-up and fascinating pavilions of the 192 participating countries, visitors have been moved by how the largest global gathering of its kind, since the start of the pandemic, has brought together people from across the world at one place.

Indian resident Sera Rachel Jacob said, “Having learnt about the Sustainable Development Goals in theory during undergrad, I never got to see them being implemented by world nations. At Expo 2020 Dubai, I got to see how all countries contribute and plan to achieve these goals.”

South African resident Dr Aloysia Ogle said, “[Expo] has really opened my mind to the possibilities for the future. I was so pleasantly impressed with the accommodations made for people of determination. I have visited with my father-in-law in a wheelchair, my son with autism and my small daughter in a stroller, and still managed to have an amazing experience.”

DUBAI, October 23, 2021. Children visit the Water Feature, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Expo 2020 Dubai)

Austrian tourist Dr Karin M Strasser said, “For me, Expo 2020 Dubai has motivated me to travel as much as I can. I believe knowledge and understanding of other nations and ethnic groups contributes to world peace.”

Expo’s School Programme for Young Stars, which ran across Expo 2020 Dubai’s six months, gave exposure to young performers and a platform like no other, showing off their talent on the Al Wasl stage. Suhaila Khomais, mother of student Mira Faisal El Naqbi, said, “It has been incredibly exciting to see my daughter present a segment for the first time at Expo’s Al Wasl Plaza for the whole world to see – it’s an indescribable feeling.”

Expo 2020 Dubai is currently hosting Water Week, the 10th and final Theme Week as part of the Programme for People and Planet. Running until March 26, and with a wide range of programming focusing on how we can protect our most precious resource, there will be a strong focus on the global community’s collective responsibility to better manage and preserve water in the face of threats such as climate change, plastic pollution and over-fishing.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet offers an exchange of inspiring new perspectives to address the greatest challenges and opportunities of our time, including climate and biodiversity and the Global Goals. In doing so, the programme has generated meaningful conversations and collaborations that will positively impact lives long after Expo 2020 Dubai closes its doors on March 31, 2022.

A number of countries are still to celebrate their National Days, including Pakistan on March 23, Namibia on March 24 and India on March 29, while the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the organisation that oversees World Expos, will mark its Honour Day on March 30.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation numbers have passed 197 million, driven by the diverse entertainment available via Live@Expo, as well as extensive coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet.

Expo 2020 Dubai looks forward to hosting visitors for more special events that are coming up, including the spectacular closing ceremony on March 31, which will feature top entertainment and honour teachers and school pupils.

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Norway Chess launches Total Chess World Championship Tour with FIDE approval

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Norway Chess, the prestigious organiser of elite international chess tournaments, has officially launched a new World Championship series approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Dubbed the Total Chess World Championship Tour, the initiative aims to identify the player who excels across three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

“We are looking for ‘The Total Chess Player’, a versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who seamlessly adapts to multiple time controls,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and the new championship.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments annually, held in different cities worldwide. A pilot tournament is planned for fall 2026, with the first full championship season kicking off in 2027. The overall winner at the final stop will be crowned the official FIDE World Combined Champion.

Tour Structure and Prize Pool

Each of the first three events will carry a minimum prize pool of $750,000, while the Finals, featuring the top four competitors, will award at least $450,000, in addition to performance bonuses for top scores at individual events and across the tour.

The Fast Classic format, featuring 45 minutes plus 30-second increments per move, will receive a classical chess rating, giving players the chance to demonstrate strategic skill in a faster-paced environment.

A New Era for Chess Fans

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed strong support for the initiative: “Chess is already a global phenomenon, but the Total Chess World Championship Tour will bring a new title, faster formats, and engaging broadcasts to captivate both existing fans and new audiences. This complements the traditional World Chess Championship and represents a long-term collaboration with Norway Chess.”

Norway Chess is now inviting host cities, investors, and partners to join discussions about the tour, which promises cutting-edge technology, innovative broadcasts, and an exciting format aimed at broadening the global appeal of chess.

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UAE cracks down on unlicensed training centre: Parents warned to verify before enrolling

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The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has permanently closed a training centre in the UAE after discovering a series of serious violations, including running an unlicensed nursery and promoting unaccredited educational programmes. Authorities said the facility operated illegally, putting students and young children at risk.

The crackdown followed thorough inspections that revealed multiple offences, from operating without proper educational licences to employing unqualified staff. The centre also failed to meet safety standards, according to the Ministry.

“This action underscores our zero-tolerance approach to unlicensed educational operators,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Parents and students must verify an institution’s legitimacy before enrolling to protect themselves and their children.”

Illegal Operations Uncovered

Investigators found that the centre:

  • Operated without mandatory licences
  • Ran unaccredited courses with no official recognition
  • Maintained an unlicensed nursery
  • Employed unqualified teachers and trainers
  • Violated basic safety regulations

Legal Action Taken

The Ministry has permanently shut the centre, referred its administrators to the Public Prosecution, imposed financial penalties, and blocked its online platforms to prevent further enrolment. Social media accounts promoting the centre’s fake programmes have also been flagged.

A Warning to Parents

Authorities emphasised that unlicensed operators often use professional-looking websites, social media ads, or fabricated reviews to appear legitimate. Parents are urged to check official licences, programme accreditation, and staff qualifications before paying fees or signing contracts.

Red flags include unusually low fees, pressure to enrol immediately, vague answers about accreditation, and absence of a verifiable physical campus.

How to Verify Institutions

  • Ministry Website: Check the database of licensed institutions and accredited programmes.
  • Customer Happiness Centre: Call 800511 to confirm licence status, programme recognition, and any complaints.

Enrolling in unlicensed institutions can result in invalid certificates, wasted fees, and career setbacks, the Ministry said.

“Legitimate institutions welcome verification. If an operator hesitates or provides vague responses, it’s a major red flag,” the statement added.

Parents and students are reminded: take two minutes to verify licences before enrolling. It could save years of wasted time and thousands of dirhams.

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India’s BCKIC 2025 Conclave to unlock $10–50 billion green market access for UAE and GCC leaders

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The stage is set for one of the most significant India–Middle East business dialogues of the decade, as the Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) 2025 Conclave prepares to open in India this November, offering, according to organisers, a $10–50 billion sustainability and investment opportunity for Gulf-based leaders.

Scheduled for November 21 and 22 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the two-day conclave will bring together senior representatives from government entities, sovereign funds, and the private sector across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC region. 

The event is organised by the BCKIC Foundation, supported by the Government of Odisha’s Department of Energy, under the aegis of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

Themed around The Next Wave of Sustainability Policy and Investment Flows”, the summit seeks to bridge India’s rapidly expanding green economy, valued at over $165 billion, with the Middle East’s capital, innovation and policy frameworks under Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071.

“This is not just another global summit, it’s a strategic inflection point for India–Middle East collaboration,” said Dr Mrutyunjay Suar, Chairman of the BCKIC Foundation.

“From green hydrogen and water security to circular economy and AI-driven sustainability, the synergies between India’s innovation scale and the Gulf’s execution capacity are unparalleled. Missing this window could mean losing the first-mover advantage in shaping global sustainability frameworks.”

A New Era of India–Middle East Sustainability Partnership

The conclave comes at a pivotal moment for both regions. Following India’s G20 presidency in 2023 and the UAE’s hosting of COP28, both nations have emerged as global voices in sustainability transition and climate finance.

Dr. Suar noted that the conclave will act as a strategic platform for Gulf leaders to consolidate their role within the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), while also gaining access to India’s technology, research, and policy innovation ecosystem.

“Gulf sovereign funds now control over $2 trillion in assets and are increasingly looking for sustainable, high-return projects,” he said. 

“India’s innovation and affordability, combined with the Middle East’s capital and implementation speed, make this partnership an unprecedented opportunity to move from commitment to concrete outcomes.”

Access to Proven Technologies and MoU-Ready Projects

Middle Eastern delegates will gain direct access to Indian policymakers and experts from NITI Aayog, DST, and the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office, with discussions focused on green hydrogen, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The event will also unveil a pipeline of over 50 proven Indian technologies relevant to Gulf market needs, ranging from water management systems to digital smart-city solutions, many of which have demonstrated cost efficiencies of 30–50% compared to Western alternatives.

The BCKIC Foundation confirmed that the conclave is structured to deliver tangible outcomes, with more than 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) already in advanced stages of preparation. The targeted projects are expected to offer internal rates of return (IRR) between 15% and 25%, appealing to investors seeking both profitability and environmental impact.

Odisha: A Live Model for Sustainable Urban Innovation

The conclave will take place in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, one of India’s fastest-growing hubs for renewable energy and smart cities. The venue itself will serve as a live showcase of sustainable urban development, featuring zero-waste hospitality, circular economy practices, and local sourcing models.

Organisers say the event is designed to foster lasting bilateral frameworks that will drive long-term cooperation between India and the Middle East across sustainability, technology transfer, and impact investment.

“This is the decade of decisive climate action and cross-regional collaboration,” Dr Suar added. 

“The BCKIC 2025 Conclave will not just discuss ideas but catalyse partnerships that define the global sustainability roadmap for years to come.”

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