It is not every day that people get the chance to applaud the accomplishments of one of their own for a breakthrough in science. Indeed the honour of winning the 'science Oscar', bestowed on Emirati physicist Ahmed Al Mheiri for his research on black holes, is a matter of pride for the UAE and the wider Arab world. For its young people especially, for children newly back at school, navigating a tumultuous year, the recognition is profoundly meaningful in a number of ways.
Mr Al Mheiri along with Netta Engelhardt, Henry Maxfield and Geoff Penington won the prize for New Horizons in Physics “for calculating the quantum information content of a black hole and its radiation”.
Undoubtedly, parents and teachers will be brushing up on their own science knowledge to explain to children what black holes are so that they understand the significance of this momentous discovery.
Schools would do well to engage pupils in understanding the foundations of the work of Mr Al Mheri and his colleagues at the Institute for Advanced Study
It becomes, in fact, the duty of every good educator to elaborate not just to curious-minded pupils but to all in class, in an engaging and understandable manner. This is the sort of rare event that needs to be harnessed so to whet the intellectual and scientific appetite of all pupils across grades, and indeed of all aptitudes, be it science or the arts, so that they may acquire an interest that can sustain them for a lifetime.
It is events like these can that can be turning points in the early lives of those with even merely a nascent interest in the workings of the universe. It can pivot their imaginations and nudge them to pick up an encyclopedia and learn more about the vastness of science. At that age especially there is great scope for learning more about these fields and sowing the wish to perhaps some day make as worthy contributions that would make the nation proud.
That Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, referred to Mr Al Mheiri as "the son of the Emirates" is symbolic of the pride the UAE feels at the accomplishments of one of its own. Much like the inspiration the nation's youth derives from the Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri, who became a household name and triggered interest in space studies.
Similarly, schools would do well to engage pupils in understanding the foundations of the work of Mr Al Mheri and his colleagues at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey and encourage young minds to cultivate a genuine engagement with physics and indeed all STEM subjects.
With the distinction Mr Al Mheiri has carved for himself, an entire generation of Emiratis, Arabs and indeed young people all over the world have a new role model in the field of science and engineering.
Earlier this month, closer home, we heard of another feat in science. Dr Ingyin Zaw, an associate professor of physics at NYU Abu Dhabi, found a rare black hole at the centre of a small and distant galaxy. Her research was funded by Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal. These are the sort of developments that inspire teenagers and young students, and crucially – add to the mantle of women role models.
Minister of State for Advanced Technology Sarah Al Amiri is a role model for especially young Arab women who might consider pursuing a career in science. She is an example, one among several accomplished Emirati women in scientific research who are leading the way unhindered by the pandemic, as Hend Al Otaiba wrote in these pages "be it going to Mars or commissioning the Barakah nuclear power plant".
Propelled by Mr Al Mheiri's example, it is only a matter of time before more young Emiratis soar to similar peaks. With the country investing heavily in its youth and educational infrastructure, laurels like these can soon become the norm.
The editorial has been amended on September 14. The following change was made: Mr Al Mheiri works at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, not the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton University.
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
New schools in Dubai
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Qualifier A, Muscat
(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv)
Fixtures
Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final
UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
West Indies v England ODI series:
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.
Fixtures:
1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown
2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown
3rd ODI - February 25, St George's
4th ODI - February 27, St George's
5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
