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.
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
