The launch of UAE military satellite Falcon Eye 2 was called off nearly four minutes before lift-off. Screenshot
The launch of UAE military satellite Falcon Eye 2 was called off nearly four minutes before lift-off. Screenshot
The launch of UAE military satellite Falcon Eye 2 was called off nearly four minutes before lift-off. Screenshot
The launch of UAE military satellite Falcon Eye 2 was called off nearly four minutes before lift-off. Screenshot

Latest UAE satellite to launch on Tuesday after lightning delays first attempt


Sarwat Nasir
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The UAE's latest satellite, Falcon Eye 2, is scheduled to launch on Tuesday after bad weather caused the launch on Monday to be postponed.

Launch provider Arianespace said it would target a 5.33am lift-off UAE time from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

The risk of in-flight lightning caused the first launch attempt to be called off, officials said during a live stream.

Falcon Eye 2 is the twin version of Falcon Eye 1, which was lost last year when the Italian-made Vega rocket carrying it failed six minutes after lift-off.

The satellite will orbit Earth for the next 10 years and will provide high-definition images from around the world for military and civilian use.

“We have to monitor the weather until the last minute and we have risk of in-flight lightning,” said Stephane Israel, chief executive of Arianespace, which has its headquarters in France.

“Unfortunately, because of this risk it is not possible to fly tonight. No problem – we are going to wait until tomorrow at the same hour. The satellite will be put on safe mode.”

The launch was called off three minutes and 54 seconds before lift-off.

A Russian Soyuz rocket will be carrying the satellite into space.

The Falcon Eye satellites project is overseen by the UAE Space Agency. Both were built by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia, in Toulouse, France.

After the Vega rocket failed to deliver Falcon Eye 1 into space last year, the UAE Space Agency opted to use the Soyuz – which sent Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri to space last year – for the second satellite.

Emirati engineers pictured with the Falcon Eye 2. Courtesy: Wam
Emirati engineers pictured with the Falcon Eye 2. Courtesy: Wam

500 People from Gaza enter France

115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

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”

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

How to come clean about financial infidelity
  • Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
  • Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help. 
  • Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
  • Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
  • Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported. 

Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Results
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Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

What to watch out for:

Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways

The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof

The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history

Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure

Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used

england euro squad

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5