ABU DHABI // The UAE flag is set to be unfurled at the edge of space this weekend as part of extended celebrations to mark the country’s 43rd National Day.
J P Aerospace, an independent US-based space programme, was commissioned by Al Hilal Bank to develop a custom helium balloon that would lift the ft by 4ft flag to the edge of space above Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert on Saturday.
It will mark the culmination of the bank’s “Raise your voice, raise your flag” campaign celebrating the foundation of the UAE.
“A patriotic project of this kind has never been done before in the Middle East,” said Mohammed Jamil Berro, the bank’s group chief executive.
Mr Berro said the bank was aiming for a target altitude of 90,000 feet but the height at which the flag would fly would depend on the number of voices and hashtags collected through social media, booths in various locations and a dedicated website, itsallabout.ae.
Emiratis and expatriates can visit the site, where they will be instructed on how they can recite and record the national anthem in support of the campaign.
“We urge the public, especially the youths representing the country’s bright future, to visit our microsite and express their great pride for the UAE and their joy in being part of its rich history and prosperity,” Mr Berro said.
“We will be one with the nation in lifting our dreams and ambitions as the UAE flag proudly streaks across the sky come December 13.”
Al Hilal hoped to get the country’s youths to lend their voices and participate on social media by sharing the hashtag #itsallaboutUAE.
For more on National Day, visit thenational.ae/topics
newsdesk@thenational.ae
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Brief scoreline:
Al Wahda 2
Al Menhali 27', Tagliabue 79'
Al Nassr 3
Hamdallah 41', Giuliano 45 1', 62'
Results
2.30pm: Park Avenue – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Rb Seqondtonone, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
3.05pm: Al Furjan – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Bosphorus, Dane O’Neill, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm: Mina – Rated Condition (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Royal Mews, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Aliyah – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,900m; Winner: Ursa Minor, Ray Dawson, Ahmad bin Harmash
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5.25pm: Riviera – Handicap (TB) Dh2,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Al Madhar, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
MATCH INFO
Group B
Bayern Munich v Tottenham, midnight (Thursday)
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ATP RANKINGS (NOVEMBER 4)
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,585 pts ( 1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8,945 (-1)
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,190
4. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,025
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,000 ( 1)
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,945 (-1)
8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,670 ( 1)
9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 ( 1)
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11. David Goffin (BEL) 2,335 ( 3)
12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290
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14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 ( 1)
15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 ( 13)
16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000
17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1,840 (-9)
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19. John Isner (USA) 1,770 (-2)
20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,747 ( 7)
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Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)