The Arab world is making a name for itself in the global space race, putting a term coined for explorers from the region back in the spotlight.
The stellar feats of history-makers such as the UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi and Saudi Arabia's Rayyanah Barnawi, the region's first woman in space, could provide fresh momentum to a push to identify them as "najmonauts".
While astronaut remains the most established moniker for space travellers, Russia has its cosmonauts and China its taikonauts.
Dr Al Neyadi recently landed back on Earth after a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station, during which he became the first Arab to carry out a spacewalk.
He followed in the footsteps of Hazza Al Mansouri, who in 2019 became the first Emirati in space and the first Arab in nearly 33 years to blast off into the skies.
Saudi Arabia also sent two of its citizens into space this year, with Ali Al Qarni accompanying Ms Barnawi on an eight-day mission on the ISS.
With both countries planning to send more of its citizens to space in the coming years, should there be a dedicated word to identify these Arab adventurers?
Najmonauts
The Arab word "najm" translates to star and the Greek word "naut" means sailor.
The word "najmonaut" was created by Lisa La Bonte, a space expert, and Emirati scientist Dr Mejd Alsari.
They launched a dedicated website for the name in 2020 to help promote Arab missions and give a specific identification to space explorers from the region.
"A new name for those flying in space representing Arab states, such as "najmonaut", is an individualisation and a remark that they proudly represent states with an ancient history and culture, but also with new, special technological possibilities," the website says, quoting Dumitru Dorin Prunariu, Romania’s first cosmonaut.
"No matter what nation they belong to and how are they named, when they reach outer space they become messengers of the entire planet Earth."
The word has not been adopted legally by any space organisation and is not currently used by the space centres or agencies in the UAE or Saudi Arabia.
However, The Guardian, a newspaper in the UK, used the term in an interview with Dr Al Neyadi published this month, demonstrating it is gaining a foothold in the media landscape.
Astronauts
Those who fly to space are commonly called astronauts, with "astro" meaning star. It is unclear when the term originated.
However, some believe it was inspired by the existing term "aeronaut" that had been in use since the 18th century in relation to balloonists.
Emirati and Saudi space explorers are referred to as astronauts by their space agencies.
The US, Canada, Europe and Japan also refer to their space travellers as astronauts.
Cosmonauts
Russia refers to its astronauts as cosmonauts, as do some countries that were part of the former Soviet Union such as Kazakhstan.
Maj Al Mansouri flew on a Russian Soyuz rocket to the ISS where he then lived mostly in the Russian segment of the station.
Russian space agency Roscosmos referred to him as cosmonaut during his mission.
Taikonauts
Chinese astronauts are called taikonauts. The prefix "taikong" means space.
The term was reportedly coined in 1998, when China first started to train astronauts, and was widely used by 2003 when the first Chinese citizen, Yang Liwei, flew into space.
Today, Chinese media refer to their explorers as taikonauts.
Vyomanauts
There were reports that Indian astronauts would be referred to as vyomanauts but it is not clear whether the word is being widely used by the public.
India hopes to send its first astronauts to space in the coming years.
It is developing a rocket and spacecraft that would carry them into orbit.
India is quickly emerging as a strong player in space, having reached Mars orbit and placed a landing module and rover on the Moon's surface.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The bio:
Favourite holiday destination: I really enjoyed Sri Lanka and Vietnam but my dream destination is the Maldives.
Favourite food: My mum’s Chinese cooking.
Favourite film: Robocop, followed by The Terminator.
Hobbies: Off-roading, scuba diving, playing squash and going to the gym.
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
'Nope'
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• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
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Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
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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).
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Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
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Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Cinema
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana
Rating: 3/5
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Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
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Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
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Day 2 at the Gabba
Australia 312-1
Warner 151 not out, Burns 97, Labuschagne 55 not out
Pakistan 240
Shafiq 76, Starc 4-52
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Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)
Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
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