A nurse celebrated for her dedication to helping people outside the bounds of her normal duties walked home with $250,000 on Thursday.
Anna Qabale Duba from Kenya won the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award after a panel of judges championed her work in helping to protect vulnerable women and children in Africa.
The mother-of-two, 31, who is the only graduate from her village in Kenya, beat off the competition from nine other nurses who were nominated for the prize. The awards ceremony took place in Dubai.
On the shortlist were six women and four men working in seven countries – India, the UAE, the UK, Australia, Afghanistan, Kenya and the US.
I am happy and proud because growing up in a rural village in Kenya, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be celebrating on a global platform like this
Anna Qabale Duba
Ms Duba, who comes from a family of 19 siblings, has worked for more than a decade to reduce crimes against women and children, including female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
“I am happy and proud because growing up in a rural village in Kenya, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be celebrating on a global platform like this,” she said.
“I come from a place where illiteracy levels are very high. I am the only graduate in my village and in my family.
"I do not discount boys and men but I focus my efforts on women and children, because in my country we do not get equal opportunities.
“Through my organisation, I have built a unique school in my village that teaches both children and their parents, because for me education is key to a better future.”
More than 24,000 applicants were put forward for the global nursing award and on International Nurses Day Ms Duba became its first recipient, with the prize-giving in Dubai.
She is the founder of the Qabale Duba Foundation in Kenya, which opposes harmful cultural practices against women and children and advocates girls' education.
The centre trains women and children and equips them with skills to enter the working world. While the foundation been open for only five years, she said she hopes it leads to more of her graduates entering the field of nursing.
Ms Duba said: “With the money, I plan to open a boarding school, so more children have access to education as they won’t need to travel for hours to get there.
"I also want to start a maternity shelter.
"In my region, 99 per cent of women still deliver at home due to lack of services, so I want to bridge this gap.”
Award celebrates caregivers
Indian mother-of-two Jasmine Mohammed Sharaf, who lives in the UAE, was also picked from the thousands of international applicants to be in with a chance of winning the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.
Although she did not win the top prize, the judges said she went above and beyond the call of duty at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, moving patients to and from hospital in her own car.
Speaking on Thursday, she said she was honoured to be nominated and would continue to put others before her.
Among the other nominees was Afghan nurse Wais Mohammad Qarani.
Overcoming the cultural barriers that pervade the nursing profession in Afghanistan, Mr Qarani has been working in the medical field for more than two decades.
On August 15 last year, when the Afghan government collapsed leading to immediate conflict, Mr Qarani decided to stay behind at the hospital to help patients and staff, while many other fled for safety.
The hospital remained open throughout the conflict, while many of the country's healthcare facilities closed.
Mr Qarani was the first person to complete a nursing degree in Afghanistan. He was unable to travel to Dubai due to the continuing conflict in his home country.
UAE's hero nurse - in pictures
Rachel Joseph, 65, who has been working in the US since 1998, said to be nominated for the honour was a win in itself.
Her friend of 40 years had encouraged her to apply for the award.
“The fact that this competition honours nurses in such high regard is the most important thing to come from today,” she said.
“In my opinion, even though only 10 of us were given the spotlight today, this awareness proves that all nurses are heroes.
“To be a caregiver takes a special kind of soul and today I think all nurses around the world were honoured for their hard work.”
Ms Joseph, originally from India, has worked in Oman and Jordan, as well as the US.
With a keen interest in research, she has had a hand in studies about genetics as well as continuing research into mental health well-being as a result of the fallout from the pandemic.
'More nurses needed globally'
Handing the award to the winner, Dr Azad Moopen, managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, said the award was launched to honour the unsung heroes of health care globally and encourage more people to enter the profession.
“There is a huge lack of nurses in the world as they are underpaid and overworked," Dr Moopen said. "They’re not getting the recognition they deserve.
“Nurses are the heart and soul of the healthcare system and we wanted to recognise them with this award.
“We also want to encourage younger generations to join the nursing profession in the future.”
He called on governments and the private sector to offer more incentives for people to enter nursing, including better pay and accommodation.
During the pandemic, Aster offered monetary support to the families of its nursing staff who died as a result of Covid-19.
The organisation pledged to pay families of the deceased a basic salary for 10 years.
The World Health Organisation says there is a shortage of 6.5 million nursing jobs in the world and this is set to rise to 12.5 million by 2030 if the rate of employment in the profession does not change.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
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Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
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What is a portfolio stress test?
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What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
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How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
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Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Crime%20Wave
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The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'Joker'
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix
Rating: Five out of five stars
Results:
Women:
1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) 322.95 points
2. Lysanne Richard (CAN) 285.75
3. Ellie Smart (USA) 277.70
Men:
1. Gary Hunt (GBR) 431.55
2. Constantin Popovici (ROU) 424.65
3. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 392.30
Scores
Wales 74-24 Tonga
England 35-15 Japan
Italy 7-26 Australia
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
T20 World Cup Qualifier A, Muscat
Friday, February 18: 10am - Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm - Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am - Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm - UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am - Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm - Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm – semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm – final
UAE squad: Ahmed Raza (captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv