Brian Coones spends most of his days working as a fitness coach for Regime Fitness in Dubai. But the outdoors enthusiast is also an avid climber and can often be found scaling slabs of rock or boulders and hanging from cliffs in the UAE and Oman.
In addition to fitness training, you also work as a climbing coach. How did you get started?
I started climbing on indoor walls when I was a teenager. My love has grown from there … to the military, where I learnt more about rope and safety techniques. After the military, I completed [climbing courses].
How often do you take exploratory excursions off hours?
Just about every weekend you can expect to find me somewhere in the mountains climbing something with friends. Even in the summer months we don't let the heat stop us. During Eid I even took a week off to go to Thailand for climbing and every trip I have taken for the past few years [has] been to go climbing or caving.
Do you use a harness when climbing for fun?
There are several different types of climbing. I practise five of them in the UAE and Oman, two of which I do not use a harness or ropes for.
Isn't this kind of climbing dangerous?
With every sport there are certain dangers and risks of injury. This is why the use of proper personal protective equipment (rope, harness and anchors) and proper safety techniques is crucial to reduce the risks. With bouldering and deep-water soloing, where falling and landing on a mat or in water are going to happen, it is as important to practise proper falling techniques as to land properly. There is an art to falling.
How have you used your off hours time to start a mini-business guiding others in climbs?
On the weekends I organise carpools to climbing areas. I also organise boat trips for deep-water soloing. These outings are open to anyone with an adventurous spirit and wants to get away from the city; however, anyone who does come out does so at their own risk. Due to all of my activity and influence in the climbing community I have picked up semi-professional sponsorship for climbing, caving and other activities on ropes. I am also part of an initiative to promote safe climbing in the region.
What's your goal in the future within the climbing business?
My goal is to operate an indoor climbing, training facility with a gym and to work as a role-model for promoting safe climbing. I am currently developing business plans and working with a few organisations to make my goals a reality. I [am also] working on the Middle East Caving Expeditionary Team … to build a safe caving community. We are training with a group of individuals on proper rope, safety and rescue techniques to launch independent and self-sustained expeditions on the weekends to further explore the caves in Oman over the next several months.
* Neil Parmar
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs
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Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1580kg
Price: From Dh750k
On sale: via special order
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The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
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57%20Seconds
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
