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Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai Celebrates Kingdom’s Growth

Saudi and Emirati officials attend the celebration of the Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and Emirati officials attend the celebration of the Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai Celebrates Kingdom’s Growth

Saudi and Emirati officials attend the celebration of the Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and Emirati officials attend the celebration of the Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Day at the Expo 2020 in Dubai on Friday witnessed events and cultural performances celebrating the Kingdom’s growth in all fields under the ambitious Vision 2030.

In a speech at the inauguration ceremony, Saudi ambassador to the UAE Turki Aldakhil underlined his country’s keenness to share its vision towards a prosperous common future.

Pointing to the characteristics of Riyadh that qualify it to host Expo 2030, the ambassador emphasized the available opportunities in the Kingdom, which he said were reflected in the diverse content of the events and activities held on the Saudi Day.

The ceremony began with the Saudi and Emirati national anthems at the Nations Theater in Al Wasl Plaza and featured a performance by the Saudi Orchestra, a sound and light show on Al Wasl Dome, and fireworks on the Expo arenas in the colors of the Saudi flag.

The Saudi Day saw a range of activities and events that were held in several locations within the Expo 2020 Dubai, including a musical evening entitled, “Amjad” (glories), by Arab artist Mohammed Abdo and artist Ayed Youssef at the Jubilee Theater.

A parade toured the Expo and comprised several performance groups wearing traditional and modern Saudi outfits. A music festival and an airshow of the Green Falcons were also held on the occasion.

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Heat Wave Leads to Warnings of Potentially Devastating Wildfires in Southern Australia

This undated handout image received on December 26, 2024 from the State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services shows officials on a road near a bushfire in the Grampians National Park in Australia's Victoria state. (Handout / S State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services / AFP)
This undated handout image received on December 26, 2024 from the State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services shows officials on a road near a bushfire in the Grampians National Park in Australia's Victoria state. (Handout / S State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services / AFP)
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Heat Wave Leads to Warnings of Potentially Devastating Wildfires in Southern Australia

This undated handout image received on December 26, 2024 from the State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services shows officials on a road near a bushfire in the Grampians National Park in Australia's Victoria state. (Handout / S State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services / AFP)
This undated handout image received on December 26, 2024 from the State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services shows officials on a road near a bushfire in the Grampians National Park in Australia's Victoria state. (Handout / S State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services / AFP)

Communities and firefighters across Australia’s second-most populous state were preparing Thursday for potentially devastating wildfires as a heat wave fanned by erratic winds presented the worst fire conditions in several years.

With temperatures in Victoria state reaching 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) and with wind changes expected throughout the day, fire chiefs have issued stark warnings to rural communities to delay travel or leave their homes and seek safety at shelters.

Several fires are currently burning out of control across the state and Victoria deputy premier Ben Carroll said the possibility for further fires in the coming days was likely.

“Dangerous fire conditions are forming today and will go right through to Saturday,” he said at a press conference in Melbourne. “New fires can start anywhere and become dangerous very quickly.

The largest uncontained fire is located in the Grampians National Park and has burnt through 55,000 hectares so far, but no homes have been reported to have been lost.

However, Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said there were many residential properties on the fringes of the fire that could come under threat.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at some point if we do have residential losses,” Nugent said. “Firefighters, I can say, are doing everything possible to protect life and protect property.”

An emergency warning was issued by fire authorities for the small town of Mafeking, 260 kilometers (160 miles) west of Melbourne, on Thursday.

Residents there were told "you are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately, as it is too late to leave.”

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported around 100 personnel from other Australian states are now in Victoria to assist local firefighters battling the blazes. Firefighters are being assisted by scores of water-bombing aircraft.

Parts of neighboring South Australia and New South Wales states are also on high alert due to the heat wave and elevated fire risks.

The hot, dry conditions are being compared to the Black Summer fires that gripped Australia's two most populous states for months in 2019-20 and burned through 104 thousand square kilometers, an area roughly the size of Ohio, and destroyed thousands of homes and killed 33 people.