Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, on Monday met Sultan Haitham of Oman at Al Baraka Palace in Muscat.
The meeting focused on building relations between the countries, with discussions focused on strengthening co-operation across key sectors, particularly in the economic, commercial, tourism, cultural and knowledge fields, Dubai Media Office reported.
Sheikh Hamdan said the visit had been fulfilling, emphasising that it serves to highlight the depth and strength of relations between the UAE and Oman. He also said both countries were in agreement about reinforcing strategic priorities and expanding Gulf co-operation.
Looking to the future
He later held talks with Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs, in a meeting focused on development goals, particularly in the economic, political, scientific, and cultural fields.
Sheikh Hamdan also met Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, to discuss strengthening co-operation and joint efforts between the armed forces on either side. They also highlighted the need for greater international co-operation to achieve lasting peace in the region and around the world.
The Crown Prince of Dubai then witnessed the signing of an agreement to develop and operate the first phase of Oman's Al Rawdah Special Economic Zone. He described it as "a key milestone in advancing our economic partnership and collaboration".
Concluding his visit, he attended a lunch at Al Bustan Palace hosted by Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Oman’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed held high-level talks with Sultan Haitham in Abu Dhabi, where the two nations struck deals to bolster ties in sectors such as renewable energy, technology and rail infrastructure.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral relations as part of Sultan Haitham's state visit. The deals also covered investment, sustainability and education.
Last month, Sheikh Hamdan held high-level talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi as part of an official visit. The Crown Prince met senior officials for talks aimed at furthering partnerships between the UAE and India.
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
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Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
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