The Expo 2020 Dubai site captured in a satellite image. All photos: MBRSC
The Expo 2020 Dubai site captured in a satellite image. All photos: MBRSC
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre.
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre.
Manama City in Bahrain.
Manama City in Bahrain.
KhalifaSat captured the Ain Dubai, the world's biggest and tallest observation wheel, on Bluewaters Island.
KhalifaSat captured the Ain Dubai, the world's biggest and tallest observation wheel, on Bluewaters Island.
The King Fahd Causeway in Bahrain. These are a series of bridges that connect Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The King Fahd Causeway in Bahrain. These are a series of bridges that connect Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Abu Dhabi photographed from space.
Abu Dhabi photographed from space.
KhalifaSat's first image was of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, taken in 2018.
KhalifaSat's first image was of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, taken in 2018.
The Holy Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The Holy Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
The Kuwait Towers, a popular tourist attraction that includes three tall structures, captured from space.
The Kuwait Towers, a popular tourist attraction that includes three tall structures, captured from space.
The Museum of the Future, which is expected to open this year, is visible from space.
The Museum of the Future, which is expected to open this year, is visible from space.
Sharjah Mosque, the largest mosque in the emirate.
Sharjah Mosque, the largest mosque in the emirate.
Kuwait, which has a population of more than 4.5 million people, seen from space.
Kuwait, which has a population of more than 4.5 million people, seen from space.
The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured in a satellite image.
The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured in a satellite image.
Al Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi.
Al Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi.
The Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman captured by KhalifaSat.
The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman captured by KhalifaSat.
Muscat, the capital of Oman, seen from space.
Muscat, the capital of Oman, seen from space.
Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest summit at about 2,000 metres, in Ras Al Khaimah.
Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest summit at about 2,000 metres, in Ras Al Khaimah.
Jeddah Flagpole in Saudi Arabia.
Jeddah Flagpole in Saudi Arabia.
Another view of Muscat.
Another view of Muscat.

UAE

Striking views of Arab countries from space in 20 KhalifaSat images

From Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to Oman, the first Emirati-built satellite has photographed many Arab nations

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

January 11, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The first Emirati-built satellite has been capturing stunning views across the Arab region since its launch in 2018.

From photos of Dubai’s artificial islands and skyscrapers to the unique landscape and architecture in Saudi Arabia, KhalifaSat has shown how remarkable these structures look from space.

It is the UAE’s third Earth-observation satellite, but is the most advanced one so far. The first two were DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2.

Since launching into space on a Japanese rocket, the 330-kilogram satellite has captured tens of thousands of images, including of landmarks, disaster-struck areas and ones for commercial use.

The National highlights some of the most impressive photos KhalifaSat has captured over the years of the UAE and other Arab countries.

Read more

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Incredible images of Abu Dhabi and Dubai landmarks from space

Its lifespan was designed for five years, but the engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre plan to use it for as long as possible.

An even more advanced version is set to launch next year, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The MBZ-Sat satellite is expected to be the region’s most powerful Earth-observation satellite.

Named after Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the satellite weighs about 800 kilograms.

KhalifaSat will remain operational even after the launch of MBZ-Sat and will continue supplying images.

30 stunning images of the UAE from space — in pictures

The UAE (centre-right) is well-lit during the night and is very visible from space. This image was captured from the International Space Station. Nasa
The UAE (centre-right) is well-lit during the night and is very visible from space. This image was captured from the International Space Station. Nasa
Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir shared this image of Abu Dhabi two months after Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri returned to Earth from the space station. Jessica Meir Twitter
Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir shared this image of Abu Dhabi two months after Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri returned to Earth from the space station. Jessica Meir Twitter
A stunning image of Downtown Dubai taken in 2012 by the Pleiades satellite. The Burj Khalifa is visible. European Space Agency
A stunning image of Downtown Dubai taken in 2012 by the Pleiades satellite. The Burj Khalifa is visible. European Space Agency
The largest mosque in Sharjah captured by Emirati satellite KhaliafSat. Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
The largest mosque in Sharjah captured by Emirati satellite KhaliafSat. Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
An image of Al Ain in 1984, when there was not a lot of greenery. Abu Dhabi emirate is now considered a green oasis with a major focus in agriculture. Nasa's Earth Observatory
An image of Al Ain in 1984, when there was not a lot of greenery. Abu Dhabi emirate is now considered a green oasis with a major focus in agriculture. Nasa's Earth Observatory
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre counted 45,000 palm trees in Al Ain. The satellite images are helping to monitor the quantity and health of thousands of trees. MBRSC
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre counted 45,000 palm trees in Al Ain. The satellite images are helping to monitor the quantity and health of thousands of trees. MBRSC
Umm Al Quwain, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, seen from space. The emirate is on a peninsula and has many attractive sites, including ancient forts. Zoom Earth
Umm Al Quwain, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, seen from space. The emirate is on a peninsula and has many attractive sites, including ancient forts. Zoom Earth
The Corniche Park in Umm Al Quwain (top) and Municipal Park on the bottom side of the image. Zoom Earth
The Corniche Park in Umm Al Quwain (top) and Municipal Park on the bottom side of the image. Zoom Earth
KhalifaSat captured Jebel Jais, the highest summit in the UAE which is about 2,000 metres above sea level. It also has the world’s longest zipline. MBRSC
KhalifaSat captured Jebel Jais, the highest summit in the UAE which is about 2,000 metres above sea level. It also has the world’s longest zipline. MBRSC
Fujairah is on the east coast of the UAE and is known for its beaches and the Hajar mountains. The mountainous areas are visible in this image, as well as the Fujairah International Airport and the Port Fujairah on the top right. Zoom Earth
Fujairah is on the east coast of the UAE and is known for its beaches and the Hajar mountains. The mountainous areas are visible in this image, as well as the Fujairah International Airport and the Port Fujairah on the top right. Zoom Earth
Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island captured from space in 2010. The island is a major tourist attract with a mix of wildlife, archaeological sites and luxury hotel retreats. Nasa
Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island captured from space in 2010. The island is a major tourist attract with a mix of wildlife, archaeological sites and luxury hotel retreats. Nasa
Dubai seen from the International Space Station. Nasa
Dubai seen from the International Space Station. Nasa
The Strait of Hormuz separates the UAE and Iran. Nasa
The Strait of Hormuz separates the UAE and Iran. Nasa
The UAE captured from space in 2013. Nasa’s Earth Observatory
The UAE captured from space in 2013. Nasa’s Earth Observatory
Hazza Al Mansouri took this photo of Umm Ghafa in Al Ain from the space station in 2019. It is the village where his colleague and reserve astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi grew up. Sultan Al Neyadi twitter
Hazza Al Mansouri took this photo of Umm Ghafa in Al Ain from the space station in 2019. It is the village where his colleague and reserve astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi grew up. Sultan Al Neyadi twitter
The Dubai Expo site captured by KhalifaSat in 2019. The much-anticipated event is set to begin on October 1, 2021. MBRSC
The Dubai Expo site captured by KhalifaSat in 2019. The much-anticipated event is set to begin on October 1, 2021. MBRSC
The man-made Love Lake in Dubai’s Al Qudra desert. MBRSC
The man-made Love Lake in Dubai’s Al Qudra desert. MBRSC
Dust blows over the Arabian Gulf in 2013. The UAE is on the right side of this image and Saudi Arabia is on the left. Nasa’s Earth Observatory
Dust blows over the Arabian Gulf in 2013. The UAE is on the right side of this image and Saudi Arabia is on the left. Nasa’s Earth Observatory
A dust plume over the UAE in 2009. Nasa
A dust plume over the UAE in 2009. Nasa
The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured by KhalifaSat. It features a magnificent dome, which measures 86 metres in diameter. MBRSC
The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured by KhalifaSat. It features a magnificent dome, which measures 86 metres in diameter. MBRSC
The Copernicus Sentinel 2 mission captured this striking view of Abu Dhabi from space. The dark green patch of land is the Mangrove National Park. Ferrari World can be seen in the centre-right of the image. European Space Agency
The Copernicus Sentinel 2 mission captured this striking view of Abu Dhabi from space. The dark green patch of land is the Mangrove National Park. Ferrari World can be seen in the centre-right of the image. European Space Agency
An incredible view of the UAE captured by Hazza Al Mansouri in 2019. Hazza Al Mansouri twitter
An incredible view of the UAE captured by Hazza Al Mansouri in 2019. Hazza Al Mansouri twitter
An image of Abu Dhabi taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 423 kilometres above Oman. Nasa
An image of Abu Dhabi taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 423 kilometres above Oman. Nasa
Planes can be seen parked at Dubai International Airport during the Coronavirus Pandemic in May 2020, when travel was restricted. MBRSC
Planes can be seen parked at Dubai International Airport during the Coronavirus Pandemic in May 2020, when travel was restricted. MBRSC
KhalifaSat captured this stunning image of Abu Dhabi in 2020. MBRSC
KhalifaSat captured this stunning image of Abu Dhabi in 2020. MBRSC
Another view of the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi from space. MBRSC
Another view of the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi from space. MBRSC
One of the most recent photos of Dubai taken in 2020 from space, showing the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and the World Islands. MBRSC
One of the most recent photos of Dubai taken in 2020 from space, showing the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and the World Islands. MBRSC
Mangroves, salt domes, salt flats and coral reefs on the south-west coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi, captured in 2001. Nasa’s Earth Observatory
Mangroves, salt domes, salt flats and coral reefs on the south-west coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi, captured in 2001. Nasa’s Earth Observatory
The first image captured by KhalifaSat in 2018. It is the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. MBRSC
The first image captured by KhalifaSat in 2018. It is the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. MBRSC
A manufacturing site on the Arabian Gulf coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi. Nasa
A manufacturing site on the Arabian Gulf coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi. Nasa
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

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 

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

UAE v Ireland

1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets

2nd ODI, January 12

3rd ODI, January 14

4th ODI, January 16

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

Company Profile

Company name: Yeepeey

Started: Soft launch in November, 2020

Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani

Based: Dubai

Industry: E-grocery

Initial investment: $150,000

Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Afro%20salons
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Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Naga
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2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
  • Parasite – 4
  • 1917– 3
  • Ford v Ferrari – 2
  • Joker – 2
  • Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
  • American Factory – 1
  • Bombshell – 1
  • Hair Love – 1
  • Jojo Rabbit – 1
  • Judy – 1
  • Little Women – 1
  • Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
  • Marriage Story – 1
  • Rocketman – 1
  • The Neighbors' Window – 1
  • Toy Story 4 – 1
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Updated: January 11, 2022, 5:08 AM`
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