As the world celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Friday, here are just a few of the pioneering women making discoveries and opening up science to the masses in the Gulf.
Dr Sarah Al Amiri
Minister of State for Advanced Sciences and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency Dr I Sarah Al Amiri has overseen a number of the UAE's biggest achievements.
Ms Al Amiri has spearheaded the UAE's mission to Mars, worked on the country's first satellite — DubaiSat-1 — and chaired the UAE Council of Scientists.
A graduate from the American University of Sharjah in computer engineering, she was snapped up by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre in 2009.
Her most recent focus is on how space exploration will fit into the UAE's economy in future, including fostering a private sector for space technologies.
“Today, we're talking about a space sector that has an indirect impact to the economy. In five years, we want to see a space sector that has both an indirect impact on the economy, society, and also a direct impact on the economy,” she told The National in April 2021.
Dr Habiba Al Safar
Dr Habiba Al Safar is director of the Khalifa University Centre for Biotechnology, whose work focuses on identifying genomic structures of individuals of Arab descent to try to find genes which predispose people to disease.
During a pre-medical bachelor's, she fell in love with genetics and went on to study in the UK and Australia, before returning to the UAE to build up the nation's molecular biology capabilities.
She told Friday Magazine in 2019 that her passion for science was born as a child, when she asked endless questions of her parents, finding answers in books.
Ms Al Safar is passionate about passing on her knowledge and empowering young scientists, running mentorship programmes and conducting research. She has made crucial breakthroughs in controlling diabetes.
“I have always been fascinated by science,” she told the British Council. “The human body is a remarkable machine. Yet, while I always knew it would be a tough career I wanted to contribute to the UAE and realised that there were very few geneticists — so this is where I specialised.”
In 2014, she was one of a handful of Arab women to win the International L'Oreal-Unesco Fellowship for Women in Science. She has also been awarded at home in the UAE, receiving the UAE First Honour Medal from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, for her pioneering research.
Dr Hend Alqaderi
Kuwaiti Dr Hend Alqaderi specialises in dentistry research. She studied in Egypt, Ireland and the US before working in Kuwait on public health research at the Dasman Diabetes Institute. She is also a part of the Kuwait Healthy Life Study team — joint research between DDI and the Forsyth Institute, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US.
Her recent research includes looking for biomarkers in saliva to indicate future risk of inflammatory diseases in children and research into Covid-19.
As well as her academic work, Dr Alqaderi has volunteered to train community health workers in Lebanese refugee camps in preventive dental health care for children.
This week Dr Alqaderi won one of 14 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents awards, for "her research on the use of oral fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis and disease management of Covid-19 and other inflammatory diseases."
Dr Majda Abu Rass
Environmental scientist Dr Majda Abu Rass was the first woman in Saudi Arabia to specialise in research into treating oil-contaminated soil.
Born in Makkah, she studied has a master's from the department of microbiology in King Abdulaziz University, which she followed with another master's and a PhD in biotechnology from the University of Surrey in the UK.
Her work, which includes playing a role in setting up the Supreme Authority for the Environment, National Recycling Centre and the Saudi Clean Cities initiative, has been celebrated at home and abroad.
Ms Abu Rass has also done work for Nasa.
“As a leading global oil producer, Saudi Arabia is furthering its ambitions to combat climate change,” she told a in a virtual discussion on the environment. in April 2021. “We look forward to a brighter and greener future.”
Rumaitha Al Busaidi
Omani marine scientist Rumaitha Al Busaidi is the definition of a multi-hyphenated career woman. Scientist, activist, athlete and explorer are just some of the titles she holds — showing women can achieve great heights in the Gulf.
She also serves as manager of business innovation at Fisheries Development Oman, a post she took up after completing a master's in aquaculture management at Sultan Qaboos University.
A passionate advocate for women and girls, she founded WomeX, a platform teaching negotiation skills to Arab women to foster entrepreneurship in the region.
“I want to show my fellow Arab women that anything is possible, that being a woman should not be the end to your dreams, that you are so much more than what you are conditioned to be,” she told a TED talk released in May 2021.
Ms Al Busaidi believes women and girls are key to the battle against climate change.
Dr Reem Al Mealla
Bahrain's first female marine and conservation biologist Dr Reem Al Mealla conducts fieldwork in the seas around the kingdom. She is a strong voice for protecting the environment and acting to stop climate change and is a member of the Women and Gender Constituency, a group of organisations ensuring women's views are heard in the climate debate.
Dr Al Mealla told a blog at the University of Essex in the UK that she first hit upon the idea of becoming a marine biologist when watching the film Free Willy in English class.
Since then she has gained a master's from Imperial College London and a PhD from the University of Essex, where she undertook her bachelor's degree.
Since then, she has been at the forefront of Bahrain's marine research movement, even creating the country's first online platform to share documents related to Bahrain's ecology, contacts for different ministries and groups and other useful information. She said in 2017 that Bahrain was facing a generation gap in certain scientific fields.
“Most scientists on the island are pioneers in their field of science in Bahrain, however, there aren’t many successors to carry on the work,” Dr Al Mealla said.
“This needs to change and young Bahrainis should be given an opportunity to explore the option of taking up scientific research as a career.”
The major Hashd factions linked to Iran:
Badr Organisation: Seen as the most militarily capable faction in the Hashd. Iraqi Shiite exiles opposed to Saddam Hussein set up the group in Tehran in the early 1980s as the Badr Corps under the supervision of the Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The militia exalts Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but intermittently cooperated with the US military.
Saraya Al Salam (Peace Brigade): Comprised of former members of the officially defunct Mahdi Army, a militia that was commanded by Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr and fought US and Iraqi government and other forces between 2004 and 2008. As part of a political overhaul aimed as casting Mr Al Sadr as a more nationalist and less sectarian figure, the cleric formed Saraya Al Salam in 2014. The group’s relations with Iran has been volatile.
Kataeb Hezbollah: The group, which is fighting on behalf of the Bashar Al Assad government in Syria, traces its origins to attacks on US forces in Iraq in 2004 and adopts a tough stance against Washington, calling the United States “the enemy of humanity”.
Asaeb Ahl Al Haq: An offshoot of the Mahdi Army active in Syria. Asaeb Ahl Al Haq’s leader Qais al Khazali was a student of Mr Al Moqtada’s late father Mohammed Sadeq Al Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric who was killed during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
Harakat Hezbollah Al Nujaba: Formed in 2013 to fight alongside Mr Al Assad’s loyalists in Syria before joining the Hashd. The group is seen as among the most ideological and sectarian-driven Hashd militias in Syria and is the major recruiter of foreign fighters to Syria.
Saraya Al Khorasani: The ICRG formed Saraya Al Khorasani in the mid-1990s and the group is seen as the most ideologically attached to Iran among Tehran’s satellites in Iraq.
(Source: The Wilson Centre, the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation)
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
}Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
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The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')
Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')
Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA
Twenty20 International series
Thu Oct 26, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
Fri Oct 27, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
Sun Oct 29, 3rd T20I, Lahore
Tickets are available at www.q-tickets.com
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULTS
Bantamweight:
Zia Mashwani (PAK) bt Chris Corton (PHI)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) bt Mohammad Al Khatib (JOR)
Super lightweight:
Dwight Brooks (USA) bt Alex Nacfur (BRA)
Bantamweight:
Tariq Ismail (CAN) bt Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Featherweight:
Abdullatip Magomedov (RUS) bt Sulaiman Al Modhyan (KUW)
Middleweight:
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) bt Christofer Silva (BRA)
Middleweight:
Rustam Chsiev (RUS) bt Tarek Suleiman (SYR)
Welterweight:
Khamzat Chimaev (SWE) bt Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA)
Lightweight:
Alex Martinez (CAN) bt Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR)
Welterweight:
Jarrah Al Selawi (JOR) bt Abdoul Abdouraguimov (FRA)
Racecard
7pm: Abu Dhabi - Conditions (PA) Dh 80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.30pm: Dubai - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
8pm: Sharjah - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.30pm: Ajman - Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,200m
9pm: Umm Al Quwain - The Entisar - Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 2,000m
9.30pm: Ras Al Khaimah - Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm: Fujairah - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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