DUBAI: The Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing fountain in the world, has added a song of K-pop boy band EXO to its playlist which premiered today with the Korean boy band members in attendance.
The song chosen is “Power,” and it marks the first time that the Dubai Fountain has added a K-pop artist to its hugely popular repertoire.
EXO made their debut on the K-pop scene in 2012 and have enjoyed phenomenal success as a boy band in Korea as well as across Asia, selling millions of records. The song “Power” is EXO’s newest hit, released in September 2017.
The event was attended by EXO members, and it witnessed by a huge international turnout that included key media representatives from the UAE, GCC, China, and South Korea, and influencers and fans coming together for these artists.
K-pop is a growing genre of music around the world, especially in the Middle East, but the artists were caught off guard by their own fame in the region.
EXO members told Arab News: “We were surprised by the number of fans that came to receive us at the airport, and we’re more surprised to hear that our music is popular in the region. We definitely would like to plan out performances and concerts in Dubai and other cities in the region.”
Ahmad Al Falasi, executive director of group operations at Emaar Properties, said: “Dubai is home to over 200 nationalities and serves as a vibrant business and leisure hub. Our goal with the Dubai Fountain, one of the most-visited attractions, is to engage every visitor and offer them a memorable time through spectacular performances set to world-famous songs. Given the popularity of K-pop, ‘Power’ served as a perfect fit.”
The fountain show commenced at 5:30 p.m., and fans cheered at the top of their lungs to the beats of “Power” with the rhythmic swaying of the fountain delighted all in attendance.
One of the young fans holding cutouts of the band members told Arab News: “I feel crazy, I never thought I’d see EXO members in Dubai. I memorized all fan chants before coming.”
K-pop song by boy band EXO added to the Dubai Fountain’s playlist
K-pop song by boy band EXO added to the Dubai Fountain’s playlist
Christmas Eve winner in Arkansas lands a $1.817 billion Powerball lottery jackpot
- The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19
- The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve was in 2011, Powerball said
ARKANSAS, USA: A Powerball ticket purchased at a gas station outside Little Rock, Arkansas, won a $1.817 billion jackpot in Wednesday’s Christmas Eve drawing, ending the lottery game’s three-month stretch without a top-prize winner.
The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. The winning ticket was sold at a Murphy USA in Cabot, lottery officials in Arkansas said Thursday. No one answered the phone Thursday at the location, which was closed for Christmas. The community of roughly 27,000 people is 26 miles (42 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.
Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot higher than previous expected, making it the second-largest in US history and the largest Powerball prize of 2025, according to www.powerball.com. The jackpot had a lump sum cash payment option of $834.9 million.
“Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize,” Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, was quoted as saying by the website. “We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak — every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.”
The prize followed 46 consecutive drawings in which no one matched all six numbers.
The last drawing with a jackpot winner was Sept. 6, when players in Missouri and Texas won $1.787 billion.
Organizers said it is the second time the Powerball jackpot has been won by a ticket sold in Arkansas. It first happened in 2010.
The last time someone won a Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve was in 2011, Powerball said. The company added that the sweepstakes also has been won on Christmas Day four times, most recently in 2013.
Powerball’s odds of 1 in 292.2 million are designed to generate big jackpots, with prizes growing as they roll over when no one wins. Lottery officials note that the odds are far better for the game’s many smaller prizes.
“With the prize so high, I just bought one kind of impulsively. Why not?” Indianapolis glass artist Chris Winters said Wednesday.
Tickets cost $2, and the game is offered in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
