The Emirates Publishers Association, EPA, has announced that it has begun accepting applications for the Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund launched by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Founder and Former President of EPA, to support and finance UAE publishers impacted by the coronavirus, COVID-19.

The AED1 million fund was launched by the EPA this June in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, MCKD, Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, and Sharjah Publishing City, SPC.

Publishers need to submit their applications in Arabic or English, available on the organisation’s website:
https://www.epa.org.ae, to avail of the fund’s provisions.

All applicants must be active members of the EPA from 2018 to 1st June, 2020, and ought to be working in the publishing, printing or distribution sectors. They also have a valid commercial licence from either the Economic Development Departments or free zones across the UAE. Only publishing houses that have not received any form of financial support since the start of 2020 will be considered by the Fund, while only one publishing house will be funded in case the owner has multiple outfits.

To avail the monetary benefits, publishers must present proof of the amount of loss incurred as a result of the cancellation of contracts, book fairs or other cultural engagements between February and June 2020.

Publishers will also be evaluated based on their efforts to sustain their business and ensure continuity of work through the pandemic. Additionally, only those businesses which did not terminate the contracts of their employees since the beginning of 2020 will be considered.

Outlining the objectives of the "Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund", EPA President Ali Obaid Bin Hatem emphasised that the fund reflects Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s commitment to supporting the sector.

Extending his gratitude to Sheikha Bodour, he also noted that the EPA has chalked out key strategies to offer additional supporting to its membership.

Speaking on the subject, Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA, commented, "We are looking forward to having publishers come up with innovative solutions to maintain the growing status of an energetic Emirati publishing industry. Although the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak have been multilayered, they have signalled new opportunities. EPA thanks its partners, MCKD, SBA and SPC, for joining hands with us."

EPA was founded in 2009 by Sheikha Bodour to develop the publishing sector in the UAE, and provide support and training to Emirati publishers.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is organising the 8^th Future Engineer Summer Camp online, in collaboration with Emirates Science Club. Around 30 DEWA staff children are attending the camp, ranging in ages between 12 and 15 years old. The camp takes place from 5 to 26 July 2020. It covers several areas, such as electronics, cyber-security, robotics, 3D printing and augmented reality.

The online camp prepares the students for a promising career by strengthening their technical skills, promoting scientific research, innovation, and creativity among the participants. It also encourages the next generation to learn science and technology, and direct more youth towards scientific specialisations.

“DEWA believes that youth are the leaders of tomorrow. It strives to launch several initiatives and programmes throughout the year for school and university students to develop their skills, experiences and inspire them to innovate. This helps them keep up with rapid changes and future demands. It also enhances the UAE’s position as a global hub for the Fourth Industrial Revolution for a competitive, knowledge-based economy. We are committed to organising the Future Engineer Summer Camp every year in line with words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who said, ‘Youth are the strength of any nation and its hope for a better future.’ The camp is an opportunity to strengthen the technical skills of the next generation. This is in accordance with DEWA’s objectives to consolidate an advanced environment of knowledge and science and its vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation. As a socially responsible organisation, we strive to develop a passion for knowledge, learning science and technology among the next generation and help them realise their potential and talents. We also encourage them to study scientific and engineering specialisations. This is done scientifically according to the best global practices and standards, to establish a knowledge environment supportive of national aspirations, most notably in preparing the next generation of creative and innovative minds,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“DEWA attaches special importance for its employees and their children and provides the students with a motivating environment to learn science and technology. The Future Engineer Summer Camp takes into account the cognitive abilities and age requirements of the students. It ensures they gain the knowledge and experience in the most appropriate way for them, and brings science and technology closer to the new generation through practical experiments and applications for the next generation of scientists and creative minds. It also encourages young people to study scientific disciplines, and choose technical jobs to provide the future labour market with the necessary competencies and expertise. Over the past seven rounds, the camp has achieved significant and encouraging results. It has attracted more than 125 students who have presented 94 promising and specialised projects in the rational use of electricity and water,” added Al Tayer.

In the month of Ramadan the consumption of gas is probably at its highest, so there is no better time to emphasise the safety measures that should be taken when keeping a gas cylinder in the house, argued Emirates Gas, a gas supplier in the UAE.

Accidents do happen, and not everybody is aware of the different factors that should be taken in consideration when keeping a gas cylinder in the home, said Ravindran Samaya Muthu, EHS and Business Excellence Manager at the company.

“One of the most common mistakes is that people use a lighter to inspect a leak. If there is indeed a leak and it is big enough, this can result in a fire.”

Along with ENOC and EPPCO the gas supplier this month launched the ‘Safe Cylinder, Safe Family’ campaign to strengthen awareness on the proper procedures in handling, storing and usage of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) cylinders at home.

Emirates 24/7 sums up some of the tips for a safe keeping of a gas cylinder at home.

Where to keep your cylinder?

Proper storage of the cylinder in your home is paramount. Whether it concerns the cylinder connected or stored cylinders, there are some actors to be taken in consideration.

The cylinder should be placed in a well-ventilated location and not exposed directly to the sun or other heat sources. It should not be placed near an electrical socket or flammable substance, points out the company.

Further, the cylinder should be placed vertically on a firm and level surface, where good access to cylinder, valve and regulator is ensured.

When keeping the cylinder outside, place it in a cabinet which has wire mesh provided at the bottom to allow LP gas to escape into the air in case of a leak.

When you suspect a leak

When you observe the smell of gas, there might be a leak in the LPG equipment. This is dangerous as it can lead to fire or explosion.

It is important not to use a match a lighter to detect the leak, because this may induce a fire. Instead, use a soap water solution instead.

When using this solution, a leak can easily be detected by the appearance of a bubbly substance, whereas a good connection will see the soap leak away in fluid form, explains Ravindran.

Further, it is important not to operate any electrical appliances either by switching the button on or off. If the cylinder is safe to approach from upwind, the regulator or valve should be closed.

Windows and doors should be opened for the dispersion of the leak. If the leak persists, remove the cylinder to a safe and open/ventilated place.

Where to get your cylinder?

Every emirate has a list of approved providers and only these providers should be contacted for the distribution of a gas cylinder, explained Ravindran.

When you first order a gas cylinder, be sure to check whether your provider has the approval to provide gas in your emirate. When the cylinder is empty, call the same distributor to replace the old cylinder with a new one, and take the old cylinder away.

“It happens that people refill their cylinder in another emirate, although the refilled gas may not be of the same origin as the previous filling. It is very important to know the origin of the gas you are using,” stressed Ravindran.

A new cylinder should always be sealed, he tips.

Maintenance

If there is something wrong with a part of the LPG equipment, you could not find out soon enough. “Accidents occur due to compromised cylinder integrity,” says Ravindran. Regular check-ups are therefore recommended.

Check if your cylinder s not damaged, dented or rusted. Check for cylinder validity based on manufacturing and retest dates inscribed on the cylinder stay plate.

When maintenance work is required, a duly authorised company should be contacted. This company should be authorised by Civil Defense.

Any accesoires that need to be purchased must be obtained from authorised gas distributors.

Other tips

A common mistake made is the way of transporting the cylinder, explains Ravindran. “Some people tend to roll the cylinder from one place to another. A cylinder should never be rolled or dropped flat on the ground. Instead, the valve should always face upwards.”

Easy to neglect is also the recommendation to turn of the regulator or valve when leaving the house. However, this is an important safety measure to avoid unexpected accidents.

Further, do not connect more than one cylinder to one cooking appliance.

When using a regulator, use an approved low pressure domestic regulator that suits the stove and never tamper with it.s-vip-service-2014-07-30-1.557948

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. 04 of 2020, outlining the regulations governing drone activity in Dubai.

The Law aims to reduce risks associated with drone activity and specifies the duties and responsibilities of relevant authorities. The new Law also seeks to help Dubai promote itself as a hub for drone manufacturing, smart transportation and innovation in the sector, and enable public and private entities to use drones and provide drone-related services.

The Law applies to the activity of all types of drones across Dubai and its free zones. Drones that are used for military purposes are exempted from this Law. However, they should coordinate with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to ensure safety and avoid endangering civil aviation operations.

According to the Law, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Law and managing all related operations and activities in line with federal legislations and international treaties and conventions. This also includes monitoring and controlling drone activity in their designated airspace and outlining the conditions and procedures for issuing permits and conducting trials.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is also tasked with identifying and approving the designated areas and heights within which the operations and trials of drones can be conducted.

Dubai Air Navigation Services is tasked with streamlining the activity of drones within Dubai’s airspace and demarcating the airspace within which they can operate in order to support Dubai Civil Aviation Authority in monitoring drone activity.

Dubai Air Navigation Services is also tasked with providing air navigation services and air traffic movement and meteorological information to drone operators so that they can operate safely.

Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects is tasked with setting specifications, standards and conditions for ‘Drone Airports’ and presenting them to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority for approval. Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects is also tasked with ensuring the design and plans of ‘Drone Airports’ are aligned with urban plans and transportation regulations in the city.

The Law tasks Dubai Police with managing all the security aspects of drone activity and coordinating with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to put in place security measures to prevent the illegal use of drones and crimes committed by using drones, as well as measures to deal with the loss of control of drones, especially when they are flying outside their designated areas and not complying with regulations.

According to the Law, all drone-related operations require a license from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. The Law outlines the conditions for the use of drones and various permitted drone activities including those that are related to government operations, commercial activity, scientific and research activities, leisure, or activities specified by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s Managing Director. The DCAA Managing Director is also in charge of listing the permitted categories for drone operations in Dubai. Anyone who possesses a drone should register it with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, in coordination with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, is tasked with outlining the procedures for the use of radio frequencies for drones and their systems and remote-control stations.

As per the Law, a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is required for developing infrastructure for the operation of drones. The permit will be issued in coordination with the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and other relevant authorities, in accordance with relevant regulations and conditions.

The Law prohibits any person from establishing or operating airports for drones or making any modification on such facilities before obtaining a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. This permit will be issued in coordination with the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and other concerned authorities. When using airports and airstrips, drone operators must comply with the rules and safety standards set by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

In accordance with the Law, a permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is required to supply drones with fuel or power. This permit will be issued in coordination with the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and other relevant authorities. Prior to operating drones, its systems and airport strips, operators are required to obtain an operational safety certificate.

The Law specifies the guidelines that operators, pilots, supervisors and crew members should comply with including safety requirements and procedures, manufacturer's instructions, and security requirements set by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority in coordination with the Dubai Air Navigation Services and relevant authorities.

The airspace and areas designated for drones will be determined by the Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. The Dubai Air Navigation Services is responsible for determining the air routes in which drones may fly according to pre-planned and approved procedure set out by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

In accordance with the Law, all individuals, other than authorised personnel, are prohibited from operating drones in controlled airspaces designated for civilian or military aircraft. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority may allow select drone operations in controlled airspace in accordance with specific regulations, provided they do not affect civil aviation.

All individuals are prohibited from operating drones in restricted and dangerous areas. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority in coordination with Dubai Police may allow government agencies to use drones for security, rescue, firefighting, surveillance or other purposes that are in the public interest. Subject to the approval of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, government authorities may use drones for providing public services, control and inspection processes, data collection and statistics, ambulance services, firefighting, traffic monitoring, conducting monitoring required for environmental, health, planning and construction compliance, infrastructure, ports, beaches, sea ports, air surveys, and search and rescue operations, in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

According to the Law, acts of unlawful interference, which endanger the safety of civil aviation and air transport include illegal seizure of drones, illegal control of their operating systems, any act that is deemed illegal as per regulations, and installation of any weapon, device or dangerous substance or prohibited materials on drones. Any individual who carries out any of these acts is subject to legal action.

According to the Law, anyone who uses a drone must take all necessary measures to avoid violating the privacy of individuals, as well as the privacy of private property and commercial assets and maintain the confidentiality of legally protected data.

Using recording, photography or remote sensing equipment to violate the freedom and privacy of individuals or families, as well as photographing facilities, buildings and restricted or prohibited areas without authorisation from concerned entities, and installing any equipment to collect information and data illegally, are strictly prohibited by Law.

Without prejudice to any other legislation, tough penalties including imprisonment and/or fines, could be applied to anyone who endangers the safety and security of the airspace, or designs, manufactures, assembles or modifies drones and its systems, and develops simulation and training systems, or imports or sells drones, parts or systems in the Emirate without permission from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, as well as anyone who operates drones in violation of the provisions of the new Law.

Any individual causing damage due to drone operations shall be responsible for damage compensation and removal of the cause of damage during the period determined by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. In case of delay, the Authority is authorised to remove the cause of damage, in addition to charging the person or party responsible for the damage 20 percent of the cost of removing the damage.

Anyone with a grievance may submit a written appeal to the Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, DAA, against the decisions, procedures or measures taken against him or her in accordance with this Law, within 30 days of the date of the actions. The grievance will be reviewed within 30 days of its submission by a committee formed by the Director-General of the Authority.

Apart from decisions made by the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai in accordance with the provisions of this Law, the Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority shall issue the decisions required to implement the provisions of this Law. Any provisions of other legislations that conflict with or contradict the provisions of the new Law shall be considered void. The Law will be published in the Official Gazette and is effective from the date of its publication.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Saturday, visited several youth-owned model farms in Al Bahia area of Abu Dhabi.

He was accompanied during his tour by H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court and Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Board Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Airports Company; Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, Minister of State for Food Security, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said he was delighted to see such ambitious projects by the country's youth, using the latest technologies to provide high-quality agricultural products and contributing to the drive to achieve sustainable food security in the UAE.

He was briefed by Hamed Al Hamed, owner of "Gracia Farm" and Dr. Khalid Al Shamsi and Ahmed Khalfan Al Shamsi, who own organic farms, on the products grown there, irrigation methods, marketing as well as the challenges facing the local farming sector.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed stressed the importance of employing advanced technology in the country's agricultural sector, taking into consideration the highest standards for sustainability, quality and competitiveness. He also called for developing innovative solutions to produce and manage food crops and to overcome challenges facing the sector.

"Supporting the agriculture sector is consistent with the UAE's strategy for sustainability, environmental protection and preserving natural resources," he added.

Agriculture, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed continued, is a very vital sector and comes at the heart of the national security. It is the key pillar in the country’s strategy to ensure food security and build a sustainable economy. These farms contribute to maintaining self-sufficiency and minimising dependence on external products.

"The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan attached great importance to agriculture. He supported it and did not listen to those who thought agriculture had no future in the UAE. He was a visionary and always believed that agriculture is the backbone of any society. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has continued that approach and is providing full support and incentives to the farmers to develop their agricultural projects."

He wished the young farmers success in their projects and expressed the leadership's keenness to support the farmers and to encourage national products.

He urged the farmers across the UAE to invest in these farms and to use innovative ways to turn them into a source of support to the country's agriculture sector.

The farm owners expressed their pleasure over Sheikh Mohamed's visit and praised the leadership's unlimited support to the youth working in the agriculture sector.

The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Tourism, hosted a virtual forum for stakeholders and partners to share its industry outlook ahead of the city’s reopening to international tourists on 7th July. The forum provided a first-hand insight into current and post-pandemic strategies that will help accelerate tourism momentum and position Dubai as a safe global destination.

The online forum is part of Dubai Tourism’s efforts to further enhance collaboration with stakeholders through regular top-level industry engagements, which are crucial to accelerate the revival process, highlight the city’s world class health and safety standards, and encourage travellers to make Dubai a must-visit destination.

Presided by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, the forum was attended by nearly 2000 key executives from the aviation, travel and hospitality sectors and across tourism touchpoints.

The forum discussed plans for reopening the city to foreign tourists, the local and global impact of the pandemic, future industry trends, global marketing initiatives, business events in Dubai, domestic tourism, and Dubai’s summer events that form part of its annual Retail Calendar.

Helal Almarri, commented: "Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and based on the follow up by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, a robust strategy was developed to manage the pandemic with the key priority being to safeguard the health and wellbeing of citizens, residents and guests. Now, as we get nearer to reopening the city to tourists, we are encouraged by the success of the strong procedures deployed across sectors that have reinforced Dubai’s commitment to the health and safety of visitors when they start arriving from 7th July, a development that will be a turning point in the tourism sector’s road to recovery.'' "The effective management of COVID-19, our three-phase programme to revive the sector and the citywide reopening of tourism facilities including hotels and airports, as well as the resumption of flights by our leading carriers are testament to the significant efforts made to welcome tourists back to Dubai. However, the city could not have made such positive strides without the tireless efforts of our public health authorities and the continuous cooperation between government entities and our stakeholders that supported the resumption of activity in various sectors without compromising on health and safety protocols," Almarri added.

The forum highlighted the preventive measures taken so far against COVID-19 that have further elevated the UAE’s standing as one of the world’s safest countries. The UAE is globally ranked No.3 in testing per million of population. It was also ranked No.3 in an international survey that assessed satisfaction with governments’ response to the pandemic.

Dubai’s tourism sector remains optimistic due to positive factors and indicators including the gradual reopening of borders; the lifting of travel restrictions in other countries; and the resumption of passenger flights by our key partners Emirates, which will operate flights to over 50 cities this month, and flydubai, which has resumed services to several destinations. Dubai remains top of mind for travellers and ranks high in global internet search rankings for tourist destinations. The city hopes to further consolidate its position by forging links with more countries that will be opening up over the course of the summer.

The stakeholders were also briefed on the extensive marketing and outreach programmes launched by Dubai Tourism in key international markets. These campaigns seek to ensure the city continues to be front of mind among travellers so that they choose to visit Dubai when it is safe to travel. Programmes launched by Dubai Tourism include a series of digital activations #Till We Meet Again and the recently launched #We Will See You Soon campaign. Dubai Tourism is also rolling out initiatives with social media and technology partners to sustain interest in Dubai as the destination of choice. These include a Discover Dubai VR Hub, a collaboration with Google that provides prospective travellers the opportunity to obtain a cardboard headset to view 360-degree videos of Dubai via their mobile phones. The Discover Dubai VR Hub also allows travellers to explore select attractions in Dubai from every angle through the Google Street View feature.

Over 350 influencers were also deployed to take the Dubai story in 14 different languages to a global audience spanning 18 markets, which yielded over 21 million engagements across multiple social media platforms. The marketing activities are designed to convey positive messages about travel in today’s environment, Dubai’s preparedness, high standards of quality and safety, the unique experiences that await visitors and also address traveller concerns across every touchpoint in their journey.

Another topic that was widely discussed was the in-city activations and campaigns, particularly those that benefit the retail and hospitality sectors during the summer period such as the Dubai Summer Surprises, which kicks off on 9th July. It was pointed out that the retail sector is gearing to provide exciting new experiences to residents and visitors. With malls now allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity with no age limitations on visitors, and more residents expected to spend their summer vacation in Dubai, footfall at malls is set to increase.

The virtual gathering also discussed the economic stimulus package to ensure business continuity and sustainability, as well as detailed procedures for welcoming tourists to Dubai. It was emphasised that tourists must present on arrival at Dubai airports a valid COVID-19 negative certificate based on a PCR test they have done four days prior to travel or undergo testing on arrival in Dubai.

At the end of the forum, Almarri answered a wide range of questions related to anti-COVID-19 measures, the process that tourists must follow on arrival in Dubai, testing procedures, quarantine measures, reopening of other commercial activities, city excursions, weddings and business events.

Hilary Duff has joked she's "running for President" after Kanye West announced his plans to join the 2020 race for the White House.

The 43-year-old rapper tweeted over the weekend that he intends on running for President of the United States in the upcoming November election, and in response, Hilary has quipped that she too will be running.

Hilary made her joke after slamming those who have been refusing to wear masks amid the coronavirus pandemic, as she called America's handling of the health crisis "embarrassing".

She wrote on Instagram: "We took two walks today. Took a family nap. Took a drive. Drove by a raging house party on Mulholland. A**holes. No masks (of course). Girls in bathing suits and louboutins waiting to get in like a line at a club

"After @matthewkoma and I told Banks she's too cool to ever need to do that we were steaming...California is in bad shape (in so many ways) but doesn't everyone think we all want to go out freely and travel and enjoy summer

"It really seems like Americans just don't care about each other...somehow this pandemic has turned into a political stance between parties...that's a head scratcher for me.

"Other countries have come together in a beautiful way to contain or be Covid free. It's embarrassing that we are worse than ever because people need to party and Karens won't wear masks! Oh and I'm running for President. (sic)"

The 'Younger' star's post came after Kanye announced he would be throwing his hat in the ring for the 2020 election.

He tweeted: "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States [US flag emoji]! #2020VISION (sic)"

However, it remains unclear whether Kanye seriously intends to run for political office in November, as he reportedly is yet to officially sign up as a candidate.

Ithra Dubai’s iconic One Za’abeel development has achieved a major milestone with The Link accomplishing its final slide at ground level.

This part of the structure is now extended to its ultimate length of approximately 189 metres, bracing The Link for its show-stopping engineering feat where it will be lifted 100 metres above ground level to its final position connecting One Za’abeel’s two towers.

A cantilevered structure will be later added, giving the Link its final shape as a cantilevered sky concourse. Currently, The Link is safely positioned over The Happiness Bridge in Dubai’s Financial District and is undergoing its final technical preparations for its epic ascent later this year.

The Link began to take shape in a series of slides to elongate the structure to its final position before its lift. It is at its heaviest in its current position, weighing a total of 7,100 tonnes. Made from a composite material of steel, it required a significant 500 tonnes of force and a team of experts in the fields of construction, engineering and contracting to carry out this last slide.

While still under development, One Za’abeel has earned its reputation as an iconic structure within Dubai’s world-class skyline, with the construction itself having garnered international attention.

When complete, One Za’abeel will redefine the mixed-use offering in the region through its three-building structures that include The Link, and house the finest residential spaces and the world’s first urban resort. The sky concourse will make the bucket list of any jet-setting traveller for its views, ambience, world-class restaurants, and panoramic photo opportunities.

The cast of 'Friends' will be tested for coronavirus before the reunion special takes place in August.

Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer are all set to reunite next month when they film HBO Max's one-off reunion special of the hit sitcom, in which they all starred as a group of friends living in New York City.

But amid the coronavirus pandemic, the stars - who will reminisce on their time on the show in a roundtable style special - will have to undergo testing and quarantine measures before being allowed on set, to make sure they're not carrying the virus.

A source told The Sunday Mirror's Watts the Goss column: "Everyone is really hoping production and filming can resume next month.

"It's full steam ahead right now, but there are going to be very strict guidelines and that includes no live audiences. That's a big blow because bosses were desperate to create an authentic atmosphere. "All of the cast will be tested for Covid-19, and asked to quarantine in isolation after they've had the tests."

The news comes after Martha Kauffman, who co-created 'Friends', said the crew were hoping to film in August.

She said: "We are hoping to be able to shoot in August, if all is well and there is no early second wave and the studio is open. If everything is in place and we understand all the protocols and we can still make a good show, we'll be shooting it some time, mid-to-late August."

However, contrary to the latest reports, WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer chairman, Bob Greenblatt, previously insisted a 'Friends' reunion won't take place until a studio audience can be present for its taping.

Bob shared: "At first we thought, shows will be delayed for a month or two at the most, and now it seems like it's going to be far longer than that. We're holding out for being able to get this special done hopefully by the end of the summer, if the stars align and hopefully we can get back into production. We do think there's a value to having a big, raucous live audience to experience these six great friends coming back together and we didn't want to just suddenly do it on a web call with, you know, six squares and people shooting from their kitchens and bedroom ... But at the moment, we're trying to look to the future and get this thing done in a more conventional way, and I think it's worth waiting for. We would have loved to have had it on [HBO Max on] day one, but at the same time, if we can get it launched in the fall, I think it'll be something that we can have the audience really looking forward to as well."

Sonam upset with social media site for noT removing death threat posts
Perhaps Mark Zuckerberg and his team do not read Hindi. That is one reason why producer Rhea Kapoor, daughter of Anil Kapoor and sister of Sonam Kapoor has been receiving a slew of death threats on Instagram.

While the following posts were reported, Instagram has not taken any action!
Instagram’s standard messages to the reporting has also left Sonam and her family fuming as they did not remove the death threat comments at all.

"We found that this comment likely doesn't go against our community guidelines. If you think we made a mistake, please report it again... If you don't want to see this user on Instagram, you can unfollow, mute or block them to hide their posts and comments from your feed,” came the customised answer from their bot! An enraged Sonam Kapoor wrote, "Of course, I will block this individual but are you doing your part to keep this 'community' safe?"

“Instagram doesn’t think death threats are a violation? Or their India team cannot read Hindi,” fumed Sonam after the staid reply from the social media platform.

Rhea has produced films like Aisha, Khoobsurat and the superhit Veere Di Wedding till date, all starring her sister.

Sonam Kapoor herself has around 29 million followers on the platform as opposed to Rhea who has 1.6 million followers.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved the new structure of the UAE Government.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, after consultations with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, announced the new ministerial structure through several tweets published on his official twitter account. He also praised the support given by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the new structure.

The new structure includes the closure of 50 percent of government services centres and their transformation into digital platforms within two years, and the mergers of around 50 percent of federal authorities with other authorities or ministries, in addition to the appointments of new ministers of state and CEOs of specialised sectors.

The new structure revealed today is in line with the announcement of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at the end of the UAE Government meeting held remotely in May, under the title, "The Preparations for the Post-COVID-19 Period," which witnessed the participation of 100 government officials, as well as international experts and researchers.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed then stated that the government’s size and structure will be revised, changes will be made and some ministries will merge, noting that the post-COVID-19 world requires more flexible and proactive governments that are capable of adapting, in addition to the need to ensure readiness, reassess national priorities, develop a comprehensive proactive approach that foresees the features of this era, and innovate solutions to address future challenges.

The new ministries include the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which will develop the country’s industrial sector. Three ministers will also be appointed under the Ministry of Economy, as well as a Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications while a UAE Government Media Office will be established.

The new structure of the government includes the merger of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Infrastructure to become the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the merger of the National Media Council, NMC, and the Federal Youth Authority to the Ministry of Culture, the merger of the General Pension and Social Security Authority and the Ministry of Community Development, the merger of the National Qualifications Authority and the Ministry of Education, and the merger of the Insurance Authority and the Securities and Commodities Authority.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed posted a series of tweets that stated, "Brothers and sisters, after consultations with my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who approved the new government structure and directed those concerned to harness all resources to preserve our achievements and accelerate the process of national development, and after the approval of my brother, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, we announce, today, the new structure of the UAE Government. Our objective is to create a government with faster decision-making capacities that is capable of keeping pace with the latest developments, making the most of opportunities, and addressing this new era of our history, and a flexible government that aims to continue the nation’s achievements."

"Today, my brothers and sisters, we announce the mergers of ministries and authorities, the re-allocation of powers and responsibilities, and the restructuring of the UAE Government. We are closing 50 percent of government service centres and turning them into digital platforms within two years, merging 50 percent of federal authorities with other authorities or ministries, and appointing new ministers of state and CEOs of specialist sectors," he added.

Sheikh Mohammed then highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which will aim to develop the national industrial sector, and its merger with the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, ESMA, explaining that the Minister of State for Advanced Sciences will work under its umbrella. He also announced the appointment of Sultan Al Jaber as Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and the establishment of the "Local Content Centre" to help local businesses follow the ministry.

He noted the transfer of the "Quality of Life and Happiness" portfolio to the Ministry of Community Development, the transfer of the Federal Human Resources Authority to the UAE Cabinet Office, and the appointment of Ohoud Al Roumi as Minister of State for Government Development and the Future.

Sheikh Mohammed announced the merger of the Ministry of Energy with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development to become the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, with the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme and the Federal Transport Authority - Land and Maritime being assigned to this new ministry, as well as the appointment of Suhail Al Mazrouei as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

He also announced the merger of the National Media Council, NMC, and the Federal Youth Authority to the Ministry of Culture to become the Ministry of Culture and Youth, which will have two ministers, Shamma Al Mazrui as Minister of State for Youth and Noura Al Kaabi as Minister of Culture and Youth, noting that the Emirates News Agency, WAM, will be transferred to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, while the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, the Emirates Post Group, the Emirates General Transport and Services Corporation and the Emirates Real Estate Corporation will be attached to the Emirates Investment Authority, EIA, as well as the drafting of a new government investment strategy.

The new government structure also includes the merger of the National Qualifications Authority to the Ministry of Education, and the merger of the Insurance Authority to the Securities and Commodities Authority, to be chaired by the Minister of Economy, and the appointment of Sultan Al Jaber as President of the Emirates Development Bank.

''Merging the General Authority for Pensions and Social Security within the Ministry of Community Development .. and forming a sector within the Ministry to provide modern services for pensioners .. and the establishment of the National Social Security Fund to manage security funds under the supervision of brother Obaid Al Tayer and under the umbrella of the Emirates Investment Authority.'' "Appointing three ministers within the Ministry of Economy: Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, was appointed as Minister of Economy, along with Ahmed Belhoul as Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs; Thani Al Zeyoudi as Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Our national economy is an absolute strategic priority."

"The creation of the portfolio of Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Teleworking Applications and appointing brother Omar Al Olama to be responsible for this portfolio.

''The future work environment in medicine, education and trade will change dramatically. We seek to be at the forefront of these changes and to be the best model globally,'' His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said.

"The appointment of brother Hamad Al-Mansoori as head of the digital government in the UAE . The goal is to have one digital window for the government .. and a comprehensive and complete digital transformation. Recent changes have proven that digital government is an indispensable strategic option .. and economic security for business continuity in any circumstances."

''Brother Ahmed Jumaa Al Zaabi appointed Minister of Supreme Council Affairs .. Appointment of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak as Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Minister of State for Food and Water Security, sister Mariam Hareb Almheiri, to Presidential Affairs Ministry,'' His Highness tweeted.

His Highness said, "Brother Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi appointed as Minister of Climate Change and Environment ... and Sarah Al Amiri appointed as President of the Emirates Space Agency. Sarah has led the scientific mission of the Mars probe so diligently ... We wish her success in her new assignments. She will start duties at the beginning of August.'' His Highness also announced the establishment of the media office for the UAE government, affiliated to the Council of Ministers, and chaired by Saeed Al-Attar. It included the Public Diplomacy Office, the Government Communication Office and the Media Identity Office for it. It supervises internal and external media communication for the government of the UAE.

"Food security will remain a priority through two ministers .. The Minister of State for Food and Water Security to follow up on our national food stock and invest in food technology and international relations in this field .. and the Minister of Environment in supporting farmers and caring for and developing our fish and animal wealth,'' His Highness added.

"The appointment of brother Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti as head of cybersecurity in the government of the UAE .. The security of our digital government is an essential part of our comprehensive national security .. and the protection of our digital national borders is an integral part of protecting our entire national soil.'' ''Sister Hoda Al Hashemi has been appointed as the head of government strategy and innovation in the UAE government .. Hoda has been part of my team for more than 10 years and my trust in her is high .. and the appointment of brother Mohammed Bin Taleya as head of government services to lead the federal service system to be among the best in the world."

Mohammed Sultan Al Obaidli was appointed as head of legal affairs and Mariam Al Hammadi as secretary-general of the Cabinet and Ahmed Majed Al-Badawi as assistant secretary-general.

"They have a mission to develop the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers... My confidence in them is great,'' Sheikh Mohammed said.

''The new government has one year to achieve its new priorities. Continuous changes will be the headline of the new phase until we achieve the best governance model for the new era; and until we achieve a government that fulfils the ambitions of the Emirati people," Sheikh Mohammed said in conclusion of his tweets.

The new UAE Government structure 1. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense 2. H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior 3. H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs 4. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Cabinet Member and Minister of Finance 5. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 6. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence 7. Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future 8. Ahmed Juma Al Zaabi, Minister of Federal Supreme Council Affairs 9. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Cabinet Member, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs 10. Dr. Anwar bin Mohammad Gargash, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs 11. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Financial Affairs 12. Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for International Cooperation 13. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Cabinet Member and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure 14. Dr. Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Climate Change and the Environment 15. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Cabinet Member and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology 16. Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Justice 17. Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Education 18. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Defence Affairs 19. Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Culture and Youth 20. Jameela bint Salem Al Muheiri, Cabinet Member and Minister of State for Public Education 21. Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Cabinet Member and Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation 22. Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Cabinet Member and Minister of Community Development 23. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member and Minister of Economy 24. Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State 25. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs 26. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade 27. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and The Future 28. Shamma bint Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs 29. Zaki Nusseibeh, Minister of State 30. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security 31. Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology 32. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications 33. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State CEOs of UAE Government Mohammed Sultan Al Obaidli, Head of Legal Affairs Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security Saeed Al-Attar, Head of Government Media Office, Hoda Al Hashemi, Head of Government Strategy and Innovation Hamad Al-Mansoori, Head of the Digital Government Mohammed Bin Taleya, Head of Government Services.

The National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority denies the false information circulated on social media sites regarding the closing of shopping mall and commercial centres in the country for a renewable period of two weeks, and obliging restaurants to provide delivery services only.

The Authority has stressed the importance of obtaining news from the official authorities and called on all members of the public to ensure the authenticity of the information before circulation.

Failure to do so exposes individuals to legal repercussions and fines will be applied to anyone who spreads rumors and incorrect information.

Wizz Air and Abu Dhabi Airports have celebrated the arrival of Wizz Air’s first scheduled Wizz Air Hungary flight to Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Marking a great milestone in Wizz Air’s history and further strengthening of Abu Dhabi’s connectivity and accessibility as a destination of choice for business and leisure travel, the first Budapest-Abu Dhabi flight landed in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on 1 July 2020.

The inaugural Wizz Air route from Bucharest will be followed in September by flights from Sofia, Katowice and Cluj-Napoca. With these services, Wizz Air will connect these exciting European cities with Abu Dhabi and will provide countless opportunities for travellers to visit the exciting Emirate of Abu Dhabi and discover its rich array of cultural, historic, culinary and entertainment-oriented tourist attractions.

George Michalopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer of Wizz Air, said: "I am delighted to celebrate the first scheduled Wizz Air flight to Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air is committed to growing the airline’s network to the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Our new sanitising protocols will give our customers the confidence that they can safely rely on Wizz Air’s ultra-low fares to visit Abu Dhabi on board one of the world’s greenest fleet. Wizz Air’s ultra-low fares and route network will contribute to the further growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector."

Khalil Lamrabet, Senior Vice President of Aviation Development at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: "We are pleased to welcome Wizz Air’s first flight to the UAE’s capital at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The arrival of Wizz Air is a testament to the strength of the Abu Dhabi market and a reflection of the success of our investments in transforming Abu Dhabi International Airport into a strategically positioned global hub for airlines from across the world."

"Abu Dhabi Airports has implemented comprehensive health and safety measures across its facilities and is committed to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all passengers and employees. As commercial flights resume and the international aviation industry continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, we are looking forward to introducing visitors to everything the UAE’s capital and the surrounding Emirate of Abu Dhabi have to offer," added Lamrabet.

The celebration coincides with a new dawn of intensified sanitisation measures, which have recently begun at Wizz Air. The airline introduced a range of enhanced hygiene measures, to ensure the health and safety of its passengers and crew. As part of these new protocols, throughout the flight, both cabin crew and passengers are required to wear facemasks, with cabin crew also required to wear gloves. Wizz Air’s aircraft are regularly put through an industry-leading disinfection process with an antiviral solution and, following WIZZ’s stringent daily cleaning schedule, all of the airline’s aircraft are further disinfected overnight with the same antiviral solution.

Sanitising wipes are handed to each passenger upon entering the aircraft, onboard magazines have been removed from the aircraft, and any onboard purchases are encouraged to be made by contactless payment. Passengers are requested to follow physical distancing measures introduced by the local health authorities and are encouraged to make all purchases prior to the flight online (e.g. checked in luggage, WIZZ Priority, fast security track), to minimize any possible physical contact at the airport. Click here to view Wizz Air’s new health and safety video, for more information.

Ducab Group, one of the UAE’s largest manufacturing businesses has taken a significant step towards increasing its sustainability with the official opening of its solar plant, which was inaugurated by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, in the presence of Dr Ahmad bin Hassan Al Shaikh, Chairman, Ducab, Board members and senior officials from both parties.

The solar plant, a 2MWp (megawatt peak) renewable generation project located at Ducab’s head office site in Jebel Ali, Dubai, was developed in partnership with Etihad Energy Service Company, Etihad, ESCO, in alignment with the UAE’s ambitions to harness the potential of solar power. Comprising of both rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV, the combined plant can produce 3.5GWH (gigawatt hours) annually, which is enough to meet the energy needs of 500 homes, or sufficient enough to run the Ducab PVC plant on site.

Energy generated by Ducab’s solar plant will lead to savings of approximately 660 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide – equivalent to the quantity of carbon dioxide processed by 40,000 trees over 10 years.

Saeed Al Tayer said, "I am pleased to commission Ducab’s photovoltaic solar plant. It also underlines Ducab’s role as a leading organisation that supports the vision of our wise leadership to reduce carbon emissions, and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to make Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world and provide 75 percent of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources by 2050. DEWA also encourages individuals and organisations to install solar photovoltaic solar systems in buildings as part of the Shams Dubai initiative, which supports the Smart Dubai initiative to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world."

Dr Ahmad Al Shaikh said, "Ducab Solar Plant represents our continued efforts towards making our business more sustainable, in line with the vision of the UAE’s leadership and our commitment towards the environment. We would like to thank Saeed Al Tayer, DEWA, and Etihad ESCO for their partnership in making this project a reality, which will lead to considerable emissions savings, as well as valuable financial savings."

Designed to last the 25-year design life, over 150kms of Ducab’s specialist UL certified SolarBICC* range of wires has been supplied for the solar plant, that also includes 300 sq.mm low voltage copper cables which have been an integral part of this power plant construction.

The project utilises the latest smart technology applications including DEWA Smart Metering, remote monitoring of power output using a web or mobile app, and automated self-cleaning solar panels using solar-powered cleaning robots.

In his capacity as Ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued Law No. 7 of 2020, which partially amends Law No. 21 of 2015 on judicial fees in Dubai courts.

According to Article 7 of the new Law, 50 percent of applicable court fees should be paid on registering a dispute with the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes. The remainder is due when the case is referred to the competent court in the event of no settlement. The 50 percent fees will be refunded if the dispute is settled under the mediation of the Centre for Amicable Settlement of Disputes.

The amended Law obligates those who appeal against penal action, other than public prosecutors, to pay a AED500 non-refundable deposit for misdemeanours and a AED200 non-refundable deposit for any contravention committed at the Court’s treasury.

The new Law will be published in the Official Gazette and considered valid from the date of publication.

The National Centre of Meteorology, NCM, announced that it has carried out 219 cloud seeding operations across the country in the first half of 2020, using a total of 4,841 flares produced by NCM's Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory, as well as 419 ground generator flares.

"NCM’s cloud seeding operations demonstrate the importance placed by the UAE on providing sustainable water resources through encouraging research and innovation in water-related technologies," NCM said in a statement on Monday.

With an average rainfall of 100 mm per year, the UAE is ranked among the water stressed countries, and the it's ambitious rain enhancement programme aims to increase the annual precipitation levels in an effort to enhance the country’s water security through augmenting its strategic groundwater resources.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director of NCM and President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of World Meteorological Organisation, WMO, said, "In line with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to ensure the safety and sustainability of our water resources, NCM plays a prominent role in carrying out cloud seeding operations using the latest scientific and technological methods."

He added, "The UAE has been a forerunner in adopting rain enhancement technologies in the region. To achieve the objectives of UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, UAEREP, NCM has developed a wide network of local and international partners. Furthermore, our state-of-the-art infrastructure, coupled with excellent research and development capabilities have helped the programme cement its prominent position in cloud seeding research, and attract top global scientists and research institutions specialised in this important scientific domain.

"Moreover, the Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory has allowed the Centre to produce high-quality flares to use in its cloud seeding operations."

NCM said its cloud seeding operations rely on a sophisticated network of radars that monitor the country’s atmosphere around the clock and provide data on clouds. A team of pilots and technicians based at NCM’s dedicated operations room analyze this data, and carry out cloud seeding operations with high accuracy and efficiency if they detect seedable clouds.

The UAEREP articulates the UAE’s sustained efforts to bring about a profound change in the way we address water stress challenges through leading scientific and research efforts and leveraging innovative technologies. As the rain enhancement science continues to evolve through innovation and effective international collaboration, the UAE demonstrates its inspiring vision and commitment to ensuing global sustainability and water security.

NCM provides crucial support for UAEREP awardee projects through providing advanced technologies and facilities including a network of radars, weather stations and aircrafts, and ensuring support from subject matter experts. It also facilitates testing and practical application of research projects in the UAE, enabling the awardees to achieve the objectives of their research.

The success of cloud seeding requires an advanced statistical operations and procedures, whereby cloud’s seedability is evaluated through analyzing data from at least 150 cumulus clouds. These clouds are seeded using a randomised statistical method which involves the study of physical and dynamic changes occurred in the cloud before and after seeding process by specialised experts. The study was carried out in the country in 2004, and indicated that rain enhancement can stimulate clouds in varying degrees depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

As the countdown begins to the launch of the ‘Hope Probe’, scheduled to liftoff at 00:51:27 UAE time on Wednesday, 15th July 2020, from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan, the young Emirati team continues the monitoring, tests and final checks to prepare the Probe for launch, capping six years of scientific and logistical efforts to complete the Emirates Mars Mission.

The Emirati team is working round-the-clock to complete the preparations according to a strictly defined schedule, and a set of related test tasks over 50 working days, which the team members multitask and accomplish to adhere to the launch date, overcoming all logistical and technical obstacles including a scare due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On schedule While the launch date of has been set on 15th July, the launch window for the Hope Probe runs till 3rd August, 2020, after accurate scientific calculations of the Earth and Mars orbits, in order to facilitate the successful arrival of the Probe on the Mars orbit in the shortest possible timeframe and the lowest energy consumption.

Since the arrival of the Probe at the launch station in Japan, the UAE team has continued to test all the spacecraft’s functions, including communication, software, navigation, remote control and driving systems, as well as power and probe propulsion systems.

COVID-19 impact As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine and health regulations in place, the Emirates Mars Mission, EMM, team working on the Mission is divided into three sub-teams – considering the challenges on transportation, travel, logistics and adhering to the health procedures. While the first set of team members reached Japan on 6th April and underwent the mandatory quarantine and health checks, the second team arrived on 21st April. The third team is still in the UAE, offering the necessary back-up support to the Mission.

Cadres The UAE team, currently stationed at the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan, is led by Eng. Suhail Buti Al Dhafri Al Muheiri, EMM Deputy Project Manager and Spacecraft Lead at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. The other team members include Ahmad Al Yamahi, Mahmoud Al Awadi and Mohammed Al Ameri, who are mechanical systems engineers and responsible for mounting the Probe on to the launch vehicle.

The team also includes Issa Al Muheiri, who is responsible for charging the probe batteries and spacecraft monitoring, and Youssef Al Shehhi, responsible for closing the multi-layer insulation of the fuel tank, MLI, and the Arming Plugs. Omar Al Shehhi, who is the Head of Assembly & Integration Unit, is responsible for the Aliveness Test & spacecraft monitoring, with Khalifa Al Muhairi, who is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the safety of the probe.

Integrated team Talking about the mission, Eng. Suhail Al Muheiri said: "We are an integrated team of engineers within the inspection, integration and systems engineering team. As the deputy project manager, it is my responsibility to ensure that the launch vehicle is ready and all communications systems with the ground control are in place. We are working on the project with a unified team spirit and unlimited ambition and passion. The Hope Probe is a testimony to the capabilities of the UAE and the Arab world to accomplish mega projects and important scientific missions."

Suhail joined MBRSC soon after its foundation as the Emirates Institute for Advanced Sciences in 2006 as a Research Engineer in the Space System Development Department, working on the development of Payload Electronics of DubaiSat-1 and going on to become a Payload System and Electronics Design Engineer.

In 2013, he became the Space System Section Head, managing four engineering units: system engineering; mechanical manufacture; assembly and integration and electronics manufacture. These teams worked on the development of KhalifaSat.

In 2014, he became EMM Deputy Project Manager and Spacecraft Lead, responsible for the spacecraft technical design and development as well as engineering teams. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the American University of Sharjah in 2006 and his Master’s in Aerospace Engineering (Space Systems) from the University of Daejeon in South Korea in 2013.

Multitasking Mohamed Al Ameri, Senior Space Mechanical Systems engineer in the Space Mission Department at the UAE Space Agency, said that the eight-member Emirati team in Japan bring together multiple engineering disciplines and a multitude of skills. "We meet every morning and share tasks according to a schedule. Each of us works on a set of tasks according to the diversity of responsibilities approach that we have trained on and which qualified us to deal with a wide range of tasks in different disciplines. "

He added: "After we received the probe from the Nagoya Station and then transferred it by sea to the Tanegashima Space Center, where we reached the island after about 44 hours, we started the basic inspection procedures to ensure the safety of the satellite. Each member of the team performed his duties to achieve this historic mission which today constitutes the center of hope for hundreds of millions of people across the 56 Arab and Islamic countries."

Eng. Mohamed Al Ameri’s main responsibilities range from design of spacecraft components structure to withstand the space environment with a focus on strength, stiffness, thermal stability, and manufacturability requirements. Eng. Al Ameri is also the Spacecraft lead for the Arab Cooperation Satellite 813 (Hyperspectral Satellite). Al Ameri has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in the US, in Mechanical Engineering.

Testing Engineer Omar Al-Shehhi from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, said: "From the onset of the project, we began working on the designs of electrical and mechanical ground equipment, starting with planning tests on the satellite, and the environments that the Probe faces at different stages, such as the vibrations resulting from the launch environment, high and low thermal environment in space, and the assembly and installation of the probe in coordination with different teams.

He added: "After receiving the Probe in Japan, the first thing we prepared was the ground testing equipment to ensure that it was not affected as a result of the shipping process. We continue to test the ground control to ensure that the Probe can communicate with the station and exchange data and coordinates, especially as the project plans to share the information to more than 200 scientific institutions and research centres."

Omar heads the assembly and integration unit at MBRSC, planning, evolving and conducting test procedures and plans for complex systems in spacecraft development. He previously worked as an Avionics engineer with Emirates Airline, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering management from Dubai Men’s College, and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from Abu Dhabi University.

Renewable Energy For his part, Engineer Issa Hareb Al Muheiri, Energy Systems Engineer, said: "My responsibilities include installing the solar panels that collect renewable and solar energy and powers the batteries. We test those panels and batteries and make sure they comply to the design and multiple tasks of the mission till it reaches Mars’ orbit."

He added: "The challenge lies in storing the solar energy when the Probe reaches and starts orbiting the Red Planet when the sun disappears at certain times. The importance of these batteries becomes vital then. I will also be tasked with ensuring that all the Probe’s batteries are fully charged before the launch date."

Protection Engineer Ahmad Obaid Al Yammahi, Assembly and Mechanical Systems Engineer, said: "I provided support to the team during the shipping operation of the satellite. I was with the team at the Nagoya Airport in Japan to receive and transport the satellite and surround it with nitrogen gas to protect its stability and systems. Unlike many satellites orbiting in Earth, the Probe will use propellant fuel due to its long journey. I have utilised my installation and mechanical assembly experience that I gained from my previous work on the KhalifaSat project to support my colleagues today in the Hope Probe team and ensure best preparations."

Design Mahmoud Al Awadi, Mechanical Systems Engineer, said: "I worked with the team to design a probe structure that meets all the requirements and visions of all departments scientifically and practically. We then started installation and assembly and moved to tests to ensure the safety of the probe and its scientific equipment. I also work as a propulsion system engineer to provide the probe with fuel in Japan. We ran many tests to ensure the safety and readiness of the fuel tank and make sure that there are no leaks in the propulsion systems network since we use hydrazine as a fuel for the probe, which is a very sensitive material."

Insulation Youssef Al-Shehhi, Thermal Systems Engineer, said: "The project's thermal systems are a challenge because the Probe will go through very hot temperatures at the launch to very cold temperatures when it reaches Mars. So, we designed the thermal systems and tested them under extremely low and high temperatures."

He added: "After arriving at Tanegashima Island, my mission was supposed to last no more than two weeks, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to stay and support the team in receiving and moving the probe and testing the devices to ensure their safety and help install the thermal insulator that protects the probe from the space environment. "

Weight, Mass and Movement Mohammad Omran Al Ameri, Ground Support Engineer, said: "I joined the Probe Hope project in 2016 with a task to make sure that the probe’s systems are correctly integrated and assembled. I also helped design and make ground support equipment, such as the equipment that help integrate scientific devices on the probe to control its movement and direction accurately."

He added: "We moved the probe after receiving it in Japan and installed mechanical equipment. We then measured its weight and central mass before and after refueling to make sure it’s ready. I also helped prepare the solar panels on the mechanical level and how they can be correctly folded in low and high temperatures since the probe will face both types of temperatures."

Always-On Khalifa Al Muheiri, Satellite Telecommunications Engineer and Communication Subsystem Lead, said: "I worked since 2016 within the Probe communications design group to ensure the integrity of communication throughout its journey from Earth to Mars. This is important for receiving all information from the Probe and sending orders to it from the earth station."

He added: "The frequency and the communication wave must be calculated precisely along with the electromagnetic radiations especially since the process of sending or receiving communication data with the Probe takes anywhere from 13 to 20 minutes due to the distance. We designed communications systems that make the data work within the correct frequency and at the correct speed to comply with the international standards approved by the International Telecommunication Union."

Khalifa joined MBRSC as a Satellite Telecommunications Engineer, going on to head the Communications Unit of the space engineering department at MBRSC in 2018. He was involved in the design and analysis of the communications subsystem, developing test procedures and scripts for performance testing and issues analysis and management on the probe. Khalifa graduated from the American University of Sharjah with a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering.

Dreams, Ambition and Dedication Heyam Alblooshi, Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test, MAIT, and Quality Assurance Engineer, said: "The Hope Probe is more than its scientific goals; it’s a testament to the UAE’s readiness to tackle challenges and proves to be the ideal incubator for youth by inspiring them to follow their dreams. The Hope Probe project was developed by a group of diligent and enthusiastic Emiratis who achieved it in record time, and our wise government has provided opportunities to excel in all fields. It represents an Emirati contribution to benefit all humanity."

Heyam graduated from Khalifa University in 2011, she was one of eight female students to graduate from mechanical engineering department with honours. Heyam received a research fellowship after graduation from NASA at the Ames Research Center in California where she worked for five months on the development and improvement of grey water filtration system used in space and earth applications. Upon her return to the UAE, she joined GASCO to work in the Ruwais Fractionation Plant as a Planning Engineer. This made her the first female engineer alumna to work full time in an The Hope Probe The Hope Probe is a national project that achieves the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to build an Emirati space programme that reflects the country’s commitment to international cooperation and partnership and finding solutions to global challenges for the better of humanity. The Hope Probe, which is the first Arab interplanetary mission, carries a message of hope for all the people of the region to revive a rich history of Arab and Islamic achievements in science and embody the UAE’s ambition and its continuous drive to challenge and overcome the impossible and nurture this culture in the country’s citizens. It is also the UAE’s contribution to shaping and making a promising future for humanity.

The probe is expected to reach Mars’ orbit in February 2021 to coincide with the UAE’s celebrations of its golden jubilee.

Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, GDRFA, in Dubai, stated that the return of flights to Dubai’s airports is an important step in supporting the aviation sector and reinforcing the position of the UAE, especially Dubai, as one of the world’s leading aviation centres.

He added that the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to return flights to Dubai will herald a new phase of supporting economic activities.

The directorate will start receiving returning residents through Dubai’s airports starting from tomorrow, in line with the highest security standards, he further added, noting that they will be greeted under the slogan "Welcome again in your second home."

Brigadier Talal Ahmed Al Shanqeeti, Deputy Director-General of Airports Affairs, stated that the directorate in Dubai is always ready to receive visitors and offer distinguished services to passengers travelling through Dubai airports, in line with the country’s precautionary measures, to ensure their safety and the health of employees, in cooperation with strategic partners.

He also noted an increase in the number of passengers visiting Dubai since the resumption of flights, represents a positive boost to foreign investment and the tourism sector.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) was awarded a certificate of acknowledgement from US-based NVIDIA Corporation for being the first UAE government organisation to adopt NVIDIA GPU Computing Technology among government entities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data processing. This is a new step that enhances DEWA’s leadership as an incubator for creativity and innovation.

DEWA has been utilising NVIDIA GPU to enhance its AI initiatives since 2019. DEWA also uses it to improve its services in areas such as training and inferencing of AI and Deep Learning models,  with utility-focused applications of Network Design & Area Planning, Smart Response, along with ongoing initiatives such as Advanced Image Recognition, Smart Grid Big Data & Analytics Applications, and Verification of Engineering Drawings.

“We are proud to pioneer this achievement which aligns with the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031; the UAE Strategy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution; and the Dubai 10X initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to make Dubai a city of the future, putting it 10 years ahead of other global cities. This meets our ambition to anticipate and shape the future. DEWA pursues an integrated futuristic strategy, as well as innovative plans and frameworks aimed at achieving continuous development in all its administrative and operational services,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“This pioneering achievement aligns with our vision to become a globally leading sustainable innovative corporation. We will harness the huge potential of this advanced technology to enhance our initiatives and projects in AI and Data Processing. Through Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA, we are redefining the concept of a utility to create a new digital future for Dubai, and disrupt the entire business of public utilities by becoming the world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage. Through Digital DEWA we are also expanding the use of AI and digital services, improving performance and efficiency, enhancing the quality of our services, and creating a brighter and happier future for generations to come,” added Al Tayer.

“We work on sharing experiences and best practices with prominent local and international companies in innovation, disruptive technologies, smart grids, digital transformation, automation, cloud platforms and AI. We have several strategic partnerships with global leading IT companies around the world. Our partnership with NVIDIA aligns with our usage of the latest technologies to accelerate data processing,” said Al Tayer.

Several programmes and initiatives by DEWA use AI. These include Rammas, its virtual employee that uses AI to answer customers’ enquiries in English and Arabic. Rammas is available on DEWA’s website, smart app, Facebook, Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, robots, and WhatsApp Business platform. DEWA is the first government organisation in the UAE to have a verified WhatsApp Business account. Rammas is able to learn and process customers’ needs, analyse and evaluate as per given data, and respond accurately to facilitate transactions. 

The cost of the Hope Mars Mission reached US$ 200 million, which is considered among the lowest in the world when compared with similar programmes, said Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.

Addressing a media briefing in Dubai on Tuesday, Al Gergawi detailed the achievements of the Emirates Mars Mission team, including development of 200 new designs, manufacturing of 66 pieces of the probe components in the UAE, publishing 51 research papers on the project, in addition to benefitting over 60,000 participants through the Mission's scientific and academic programmes.

He praised the support given by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to the project.

"Today, the mission also reached another milestone, when the spacecraft was positioned on to the rocket that will send it into space," he said.

The Mission's success, Al Gergawi continued, is concurrent with the UAE's successes in containing the coronavirus.

"Commitment to deadlines is an approach that the UAE is following in all its plans and projects," he said.

The Hope Probe is set to liftoff on 15th July 2020 at 00:51:27 UAE time from the Tanegashima Space Centre. The probe is anticipated to enter the Mars orbit in February 2021, coinciding with the UAE's Golden Jubilee celebrations to mark the historic union of the Emirates.