This startup wants to turn Dubai’s desert into farmland

With the help of technology, vegetables can grow in unlikely places
In the Dubai desert, Norwegian startup Desert Control is working on an innovation — made from just water and clay — that turns desert sand into farmland. Scroll through to see more state-of-the-art farming technologies. At the beginning of March, a team traveled to Dubai and planted watermelon, zucchini and pearl millet in a plot of desert.

Five months later, the arid land is filled with rows and rows of green leaves, punctuated by freshly grown fruits and vegetables.

This unlikely feat was made possible by Liquid Nanoclay– a new innovation produced by Norwegian startup Desert Control. Made with just water and clay, Liquid Nanoclay is designed to be sprayed on sand or sandy soil. It soaks in and attaches to sand particles, boosting water retention and enriching the soil with plant-essential nutrients.
According to Desert Control, the mixture increases the fertility of nutrient-poor sandy soils and can reduce water usage by more than half. What’s more, Liquid Nanoclay can turn arid land into arable land in just seven hours, says the company. Invented in the mid 2000’s by Norwegian scientist Kristian Olesen, Desert Control’s technology turns thick clay into a liquid “nearly as thin as water,” explains CEO Ole Kristian Sivertsen. When sprayed onto sand, this runny consistency allows it to “trickle down and percolate out,” he says.

The company has reduced the size of the clay particles, so they are as small as possible, says Sivertsen.

“You can apply (Liquid Nanoclay) using any known irrigation technique,” he says. “You could even use a sprinkler.”

YEDESS

Maxime YEDESS, is a very promising young bodybuilder in his category Classic physics. 1m82 for 115kgs his nickname is the «GRIZZLY» Born on 18 October 1991 in Bobigny, in the Paris suburbs, sport has always been part of his life. Soccer, Handball, Gymnastics, Muay Thai, Rugby, Foot US, Basketball are many sports that Maxime practiced in his youth. The most sporty of his family, with 1 big sister and 2 little brothers. Strength training has always been part of his complementary sport with the group and individual sports he played, it is in 2017 after his career as a semi-professional basketball player that he decides to launch in the bodybuilding.

His coach/trainer Ehsan NAJAFI sees in him a great potential, and decides to integrate him in his Team which is called Team NFC. It is then that he deviates from having him ride on the stage of MUSCLEMANIA in Paris at the end of 2017 with another athlete of the Team after a follow-up of several months. And there’s no lack of it Maxime arrives 2nd in the bodybuilding -80kgs and 1st in his favorite Classic physical category and after that, he wins all categories and passes MUSCLEMANIA PRO. For a first competition, it’s the jackpot. In need of greater challenge, his coach decides to prepare him for an NPC competition in the IFBB Pro League federation, one of the best bodybuilding federation in the world.

Following events the NPC competition in NICE could not take place. It’s a bad thing but for good because his coach Ehsan decides not to throw in the towel and take him to Denmark in Copenhagen for another NPC competition. One of the toughest competition in terms of preparation that Maxime had to do, but his physique makes us talk about him. He arrives 1st and wins once more his category, then he also wins all categories which allows him to obtain his PRO card in the most prestigious federation IFBB Pro league and become IFBB Pro. His 1st Professional competition was to take place in the USA more precisely in San Diego and Savannah but due to the closing of the American borders (cause: epidemic) he could not participate in his 1st professional competition.

Its preparer, not wanting to finish the year 2020 without getting Maxime on a professional stage, they are currently in preparation for two competitions, in Alicante in Spain (October 2020) and Bucharest in Romania (November 2020). Considering its start, the results for the Pro will be very promising. Maxime is currently sponsored by the famous French food supplement brand ERIC FAVRE, and the London Fitness clothing brand VANQUISH. His motto: Rome was not made in a day, every day do a little action that will allow you to take one more step towards your goals.

tiffsbass

Popular for her non-traditional approach to artistry concerts, she was the bassist for the off Broadway Play “For Colored Girls” from September 2019 – December 2019. At present she endorses 5 manufacturers, one of which she is the first USA based endorser – GRBass Amps.

She served as a motivational speaker at
KIPP Ujima Village Academy in September 2015 and as a panelist speaker at Howard University Career Panel in March 2013.

In recent years she’s featured on different shows across the globe and been part of several live performance, to name a few are

WBGR Real Talk Radio Show in March 2018

WUSA9 Great Day Washington – with Band December 2017

WPFW 89.3 FM Live @ 5 – performance with Kim Jordan October 2017

WUSA9 Great Day Washington – appearance with band March 2017

WPFW 89.3 FM Live @ 5 performance with Kim Jordan November 2016

WUSA9 Great Day Washington with Kendall Isadore November 2015

Radio One WOLB Talk 1010 – appearance with band October 2015

WEAA Radio The Baltimore Blend – appearance with band July 2015

Apart from this, she’s participated in various concerts such as

August 2019
Solo Artist Concert
at The City Winery DC
Washington, D.C.

January 2019
Solo Artist Concert
at Blues Alley Jazz
Washington, D.C.

June 2018
Solo Artist Concert
at Blues Alley Jazz
Washington, D.C.

Michele Messiah MSPA, PA-C

Michele G. Chahine, PA-C is a Board Certified Physician Assistant specializing in dermatology and medical aesthetics. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Physician Assistant studies at Western University of Health Sciences and holds a degree in Psychology-Biology from UCLA.
Her specialties include administering medical grade injectables such as neurotoxins, dermal fillers, PDO threads in a very natural way. As she trained and still works in Beverly Hills, CA she has injected many celebrities. She had to learn the fine art of using medical grade injectables in a natural way that is undetectable under the harsh high definition lights on camera. As she became an aesthetic trainer in 2017, she mastered her craft at a superior level. She went on to train numerous physicians and nurses in the aesthetic field. After using specialized techniques she gained over the last 10 years, observing other master injectors and attending numerous aesthetic conferences; she was able to offer the best of the natural look with injectables to her celebrity clientele. She was also largely responsible for the clinic she worked for, winning the prestigious nomination of “Best Medical Spa of the year 2019” both in the U.S. and globally. As she was the main injector in the clinic in 2019, she takes great pride in that accomplishment. Currently, Michele resides in Ann Arbor, MI and is opening up a clinic and training site in the area while traveling back to Beverly Hills, CA to attend to her California patients. Lastly, with her extensive dermatology background, she also specializes in treating acne, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, melasma and many other dermatological conditions of all skin types. Growing up, Michele was encouraged and learned a holistic and natural lifestyle. She now incorporates this element into her anti-aging Method of Beauty. ‘Beauty begins from within first’; this is the mantra she follows. Michele is fluent in Spanish and conversational in French. She is a wife, a mother and she strives to provide high-quality, personalized care for all her patients. Michele truly enjoys the art of aesthetic medicine and connecting with all people.

Expertise in

● Advanced Neurotoxin Injector
● Master Filler Injector with all dermal fillers amd advanced techniques
● Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments for face and hair restoration
● Full Face Restoration Specialist
● Skin Care Expert
● Sculptra treatments
● Microneedling
● Laser Treatments
● Chemical Peels
● Acne, Acne Scarring & Sun Damage Treatment and Prevention Specialist
● Anti Aging Lifestyle Advisor utilizing holistic remedies.
● PDO Threads Expert for full face and neck
● Non surgical neck rejuvenation expert

ketchupcero

My name is Andrea Cerofolini, I am from Florence and I have always had a talent for photography. Since he was a child he already took pictures.
He graduated in photography at the University of Florence in 1999. Then in 2000 he did a master’s degree in portrait and fashion photography at the Marangoni school.
An internationally famous portrait painter who has also collaborated with Oliviero Toscani, Steve McCurry, Ivan Troyanovsky.A photographed models such as Yana Sinner, Martina Tosi, Miluniel, haidi Romanova, Angelina Petrova, Sadie gray etc.
Great photographer of reportage and Street photography.
I’m mainly involved in portrait photography, storytelling, advertising and book/cd covers. Before viewers’ eyes, an ordinary fence becomes a vital piece of his visual puzzle, casting a distinct shadow across his model’s face.
To incorporate additional drama in his photographs,the artist uses various elements of nature – grass, plants, trees, and wildflowers – to create an improvised shadow, silhouette, or frame.
While his model’s faces are partly obscured by any given element in each respective shot, Albi makes it so each shot offers a unique way of hiding and revealing his beautiful subject.
This impressive technique is the cameraman’s way of adding an additional creative dimension to his work.


Albi also believes that a woman’s long, colorful hair can work as an extra prop on a shoot. He utilizes the ability of each strand to swerve, curl, and wrap around their faces,like an organic frame.Despite his penchant for visual drama,
the gifted artist never overdoes it.His portraits appear simple and refined,
yet intriguing at the same time. The women in his shots are not merely pretty faces.
“They add value to each portrait through the emotions they convey “.

Dubai maid’s suicide attempt fails; charged with theft

A Dubai maid who attempted to commit suicide inside her employer’s villa, went on trial after being accused of stealing jewellery, clothes and watches from her employer.

According to Dubai Court of First Instance, the Filipina maid tried to commit suicide by having 14 paracetamol pills at one go, but she was rescued and admitted to hospital. Her employer went to the maid’s bedroom to collect her passport when she found the stolen items stored in a travel bag.

The 34-year-old Emirati employer testified that the 25-year-old maid was employed at her house in the Al Qusais area of Dubai since last December. In March 2020, the maid tried to commit suicide.

“She [tried to] commit suicide, but was rescued and admitted to hospital. When Dubai Police asked for her passport and I went back to the house to get the passport. That was when I discovered that she had hidden the stolen items in her bag,” said the Emirati employer on record.

The maid had stolen eight gold necklaces, earrings, ring, three mobile phones, a charger for Apple products, clothes, three hand bags, five wallets, six watches and seven bras.

Dubai’s alcohol licence process simplified with launch of smart card

A quicker and more efficient way for Dubai residents to apply for their alcohol licence has been launched.

The new smart card application process is paper-free and no longer requires tenancy agreements, NOCs, or letters from employees, now all you need to do is take your valid Emirates ID into any A+E or MMI store.

Non-Muslim residents, above the legal drinking age of 21 years, will be able to apply for their alcohol licence which allows them to consume, purchase, or transport alcohol in Dubai.

Residents who currently hold the existing red card licence will need to replace it with the new black smart licence by August 31, with the older licences no longer valid for in-store or online purchases from September.

Card replacement will be subject to a AED25 fee which is redeemable on in-store purchases, or customers can apply to process their annual licence renewal early and the remaining months left on the red card will be added to the new black card.

Mike Glen, managing director MMI – UAE & Oman, said: “Getting a licence has now become so much easier. By transitioning to the new system, the amount of paperwork involved has been dramatically reduced. We’re always looking for new ways to make the shopping experience as simple as possible and keep our customers on the right side of the law. There is always a great range of promotions in-store and on LegalHomeDelivery.com, so our customers will always have access to authentic and legal products that are underpinned by a quality guarantee.

“Everyone who wants to transport and consume alcohol, at home, in a bar or restaurant, needs to abide by the law and make sure they have a licence.”

The cost of the licence is unchanged and remains at AED270.

UAE expat: ‘I missed the Air India flight from Dubai to Kozhikode because … of a 5 minute delay”

Being late by 5 minutes probably saved UAE expat Afzal KP from the jaws of death – he missed the fateful Kerala-bound Air India Express flight. For once in his life, the Abu Dhabi resident was grateful for being fined.

At 1:35pm on Friday, 26-year-old Afzal stood at the Dubai International Airport feeling awful that he had missed his flight, because he was late by five minutes to pay an overstay fine. He was supposed to board the Air India Express Flight IX1344 from Dubai to Kozhikode.

The Abu Dhabi resident told Gulf News: “I was supposed to leave UAE by July 10, after my work visa with Royal Dates, where I worked, expired in June. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, I was unable to travel back. At first, I thought of remaining in the UAE till December with a visa extension. But, as flights opened up for repatriation, I decided to apply to return on a Vande Bharat mission.”

After days of waiting, he finally received a ticket for August 7.

He said: “I was happy I was going to return to Mattannur in Kannur, my hometown, after more than a year, I would get to see my mother. I am also engaged, and our families were planning to set a wedding date, after I completed quarantine.

Afzal added: “On August 6, I reached Sharjah and stayed there, before heading out to Dubai next morning. At 8:30am, I was in the airport, excited and ready. I gave my blood test at the counter. I got my boarding pass, my seat number was 18C.

Good news: No more ICA travel permit for UAE residents landing in Abu Dhabi from August 11

Great news for UAE residents who are stranded abroad and waiting to come back to the UAE.

Abu Dhabi International Airport has informed the airlines that UAE residents stranded abroad are not required to get mandatory ICA travel permit if they land in Abu Dhabi. The revised travel rules come into effect from August 11.

“UAE residents with valid visas arriving at the Abu Dhabi International Airport are now not required to get travel permit from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), says a notification sent to airlines on Monday.” Sources told Gulf News that an official announcment regarding the travel permit is expected to be released soon. When contacted by Gulf News, Mazhar Abbas, Regional Manager of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the new development. “Yes, we have got an email notification that UAE residents travelling from abroad to Abu Dhabi are no longer required to have ICA travel permits.” he said. Abbas said that this would a huge relief for expatriates stranded outside the UAE waiting for approvals to come to the UAE. “We are now expecting huge rush on inbound flights from Pakistan,” he noted.

Jorge Perez

Mr Jorge Perez, an enterprise administrator was born in Santo Domingo on 29 January 1984, this man needs no introduction.
With his hardwork and entrepreneurial skills , he is now the CEO of Oasis rent a car. He has show that with sheer determination and hardwork all goals can be achieved. He has left no stone unturned in order to become the owner of Oasis.
With the utmost dedication towards his work , he has become an icon for many youths who aim at becoming an entrepreneur.
Mr Perez has always been keen on learning new skills so to be on the same path as the world is moving forward.


He shows no hesitation what so ever in enduring his passion. He is a role model for many young entrepreneurs so as to how to build an environment and achieve great heights. He has the potential to reach many more milestones.