"We are not done yet, and we will never be." This was UAE astronaut Maj Hazza Al Mansouri's promise to the world when he touched down from his mission in 2019, having become the first Emirati in space. Maintaining this pledge, at about 7.30pm today, the country's Hope probe will enter Mars's atmosphere, the latest milestone in its exploration of space.
The story of the Arab world’s journey beyond earth's atmosphere began in 1985, when Sultan bin Salman Al Saud became the first from the region to leave our planet’s atmosphere. Two years later, Syrian astronaut Muhammed Faris reached the USSR's Mir station. The Hope probe mission’s tagline, “Arabs to Mars”, affirms that their journey continues farther than even they may have imagined.
Astronomy has been dear to the culture of the Arab world since ancient times, when the planets and stars were waypoints for navigating the deserts and the seas. Five years after the unification of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father , met three American astronauts. In 2014, the UAE Space Agency was created, with the aim of developing a national space sector.
As the Hope probe hurtles towards the Martian atmosphere, so does the UAE towards the realisation of Vision 2021 – its plan to put the country at the forefront of human achievement in economic development, social wellbeing and science, among other areas. The country's monuments are lit up in red in anticipation of what Hope will bring back to Earth.
The Mars mission also teaches us about the nature of success, which is never linear
As it sails through the vacuum and manoeuvres through the harsh environment of the cosmos, Hope reminds us that venture, progress and achievement take preparedness, innovation and resolve. It has been a trying period for us all on this planet. Covid-19 has plunged us into the unknown, with the virus still limiting our lives. As with an extra-terrestrial voyage, the solution to Covid-19 comprises science, collaboration, ambition and commitment.
The Mars mission also teaches us about the nature of success, which is never linear. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb, is famously said to have failed thousands of times before he secured his historic invention. Each attempt was an opportunity from which to learn, not a reason to give up. Likewise, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, reminded us of the difficulty of the mission's next phase, tweeting that the probe has a "50 per cent success rate in entering Mars' orbit".
Editorials from The National
Even if the full scope of the mission is not realised, the attempt will have advanced science, and it will have done so from the heart of the Arab world. A new generation of space scientists now see that they can pursue their ambitions from the region. On Sunday, it was announced that 10 young Arabs have been selected for the UAE's Space Pioneers Programme, which offers them scholarships and training in fields related to space.
Exploring beyond the boundaries of our planet has always been about more than just mission specifics. It is about humanity's pride and wonder as it bears witness to its own ambition.
As Sheikh Mohammed puts it, even before the Hope probe reaches its destination, the UAE has achieved "90 per cent of its goals in building new knowledge".
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
Civil%20War
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'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
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
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EXPATS
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
FA CUP FINAL
Manchester City 6
(D Silva 26', Sterling 38', 81', 87', De Bruyne 61', Jesus 68')
Watford 0
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Masters%20of%20the%20Air
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
