After months of tough endurance tests, more than 4,000 applicants to be the first Emirati in space have been whittled down to one. On Friday the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre announced that Hazza Al Mansouri will plant the UAE flag on the International Space Station later this year, completing a lifelong dream for the 34-year-old military pilot, whose fascination with the cosmos began as a child stargazing on desert trips.
It is the culmination of a series of physical and psychological tests and months of training in Russia – but when he sets off on September 29, that will no doubt feel like a small price to pay. On his shoulders, Mr Al Mansouri will carry the hopes and aspirations of his nation, and the wider Arab world. Equally deserving of praise is his colleague and back-up Sultan Al Neyadi. Both men have approached the mission with much determination and team spirit, in the knowledge that the collective aspirations of the UAE eclipse individual triumph. Only one will go to space but both are heroes.
Since the nation first dreamed of exploring new frontiers in 2006, it has channelled resources and expertise into the space race, where there are many contenders and a fierce competition to stake claim to new records, from missions to satellites. The culmination of this process will be the UAE's bid to build the first human colony on Mars by 2117. Mr Al Mansouri is the face of those aspirations and an entire nation will rally behind him as he embarks on his mission. For a country which is not yet 50, it is an astonishing demonstration of growth and an ability to turn ambition into reality. turn ambition into reality.
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
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Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months