Author: head dubai

Science & Tech

UAE to announce two more astronauts in January 2021

head dubai March 4, 2020 No Comments

Dubai: UAE will announce two more astronauts under its UAE Astronaut Programme in January 2021, officials on Tuesday revealed at a press conference in Dubai.

The conference featured Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi, the first two Emirati astronauts, and officials from Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), who provided updates on the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme.

Registrations for the second batch had opened in December 2019.

On Tuesday, Yousef Al Shaibani, Director-General, MBRSC, said two more astronauts will be chosen from thousands of applicants, whose number has reached over 3,000 currently – one-third of them women.

The registration deadline is March 31 but it could be extended to May 1.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo medical and other tests and interviews, with final interviews to be held in November.

In January 2021, the two new astronauts will be announced.

Hazzaa said passion, dedication and ability to work in a team were crucial in the selection process.

How it all started

The UAE Astronaut Programme was launched in April 2017 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to prepare an Emirati astronaut corps for scientific space exploration missions.

Entertainment

Priyanka Chopra in Sharjah on bridging cultures and breaking stereotypes

head dubai March 4, 2020 No Comments

Sharjah: Actress and activist Priyanka Chopra Jonas hailed the Oscar glory heaped on the celebrated black comedy ‘Parasite’, a South Korean film, and called it a sign of amazing times that people live in.

Chopra Jonas was a guest speaker on the opening day of the two-day International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2029) being held at the Sharjah Expo on March 4.

“Imagine, a movie like ‘Parasite’, with English subtitles, won the Oscars this time. It shows the world is opening up to foreign languages and that is so important to mutually promote communication among cultures and people… Movies are breaking stereotypes now,” said Chopra Jonas during her session.

The former Miss World and UNICEF activist was on call to speak on the topic ‘Why Does The Screen Have So Much Impact On Public Opinion’.

She took the example of her own wedding with American singer Nick Jonas of how her lavish nuptials triggered a conversation of Indian cultures. She had unwittingly used her celebrity to spark dialogue on cross-cultural exchanges. Playing holi (an Indian festival of colours) with celebrity talk show host Jimmy Fallon on his show had many interested in knowing more about the festival. Governments too can tread a similar path.

“Government leaders can come together and the can cross-pollinate culture, tradition, food, and talk about things that bring the world closer,” she said.

The ‘Quantico’ star also implored governments to work with public figures that enjoy enormous clout and privilege to spread the word about effective communication.

Jack Welch, corporate America’s ‘manager of the century,’ dies at 84

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

Jack Welch, the hard-charging former head of General Electric who transformed his company and corporate America with his ruthless attention to the bottom line, died March 1 at 84.

The cause was renal failure, said family spokeswoman Abby Whalen. She did not say where he died.

The hallmarks of Welch’s tenure during the 1980s and 1990s have become part of the playbook for chief executives everywhere: unflinching layoffs, ambitious expansion around the world, lucrative stock options for high-performing executives and a relentless drive to reward shareholders with stellar earnings quarter after quarterr.

Divisive methods

His methods were divisive. Nicknamed “Neutron Jack” for his massive firings of GE employees, he was hailed in 1999 as “manager of the century” by Fortune magazine.

On paper, the results were undeniable. In his 21 years at the helm of GE, Welch increased annual revenue from $25 billion to $130 billion; profits rose to $15 billion from $1.5 billion; and the company’s total value on the stock market grew 30-fold to more than $400 billion – which at one point made it the most valuable public company in the United States.

His success turned him into a model for middle managers everywhere, who pored over his books on management to learn his methods, or what he called “the Welch Way.”

He was in many ways an unlikely person to lead the buttoned-down General Electric. He was born to working-class Irish American parents without high school degrees.

He had a stutter and began his career at GE as a plastics researcher with a PhD in chemical engineering.

“The odds were against me,” Welch wrote in his best-selling memoir, “Jack: Straight From the Gut,” which was published in 2001 and sold more than 800,000 copies.

Brutally honest

“Many of my peers regarded me as the round peg in a square hole, too different for GE. I was brutally honest and outspoken. I was impatient and, to many, abrasive.”

Welch ran GE as if he were a general who would settle for nothing less than world domination. He spun off units with little sentiment and charged into new industries with bold acquisitions. And he wasn’t afraid to take on more debt to finance the company’s expansion.

Welch’s decisions led — and reflected — the wrenching changes going on more broadly in the U.S. economy as it shifted away from old-line manufacturing toward more services, especially in finance.

He took a company that was making hair dryers and disposable razor cartridges and moved it headlong into commercial banking, high-tech medical devices and television through the takeover of the NBC television network.

His long record of success at pleasing Wall Street was dotted with a number of scandals. In 1992, the company’s aircraft engine division pleaded guilty to defrauding the Pentagon of $42 million and giving the money to an Israeli general to win jet engine orders.

UAE rules out any VAT increase

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

Abu Dhabi: The UAE ruled out any increase the value added tax (VAT to be accordance with recent IMF recommendations.

“We are not concerned about the recommendations to increase the value-added tax,” the UAE’s Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Al Tayer, told Gulf News.

The International Monetary Fund had recommended a doubling of the VAT.

According to economists, before adopting any new IMF recommendation to increase the value-added tax, it is necessary to evaluate the pros and cons of the past two years since VAT was implemented and develop solutions that can make the scheme more effective to economy and society alike.

Al Tayer was questioned at the Federal National Council on the effect of VAT on the economy, more than two years after the levy was introduced. The first deputy speaker, Hamad Al Rahoumi, sought answers on whether the 5 per cent tax on goods and services has had a positive or negative impact.

Al Rahoumi asked whether a study had been conducted to measure VAT’s impact. “Its impact – whether positive or negative – should have been measured by now,” he added.

The UAE introduced VAT on January 1, 2018, to pay for public services and continue the shift away from a dependence on oil as a source of revenue.

Beating forecasts

VAT revenues have reached Dh27 billion, far higher than was forecast in the first year of implementation. Initial projection was for Dh12billion, according to government data published last year.

Al Tayer said only 2018 data on VAT was available, which is insufficient to make a credible assessment of the tax impact. “The UAE introduced VAT on January 1, 2018, [a period] which is insufficient to make in-depth analysis of the VAT impact with reasonable credibility, considering that the 2019 data has not been issued as yet,” Al Tayer told the House.

Al Tayer said 2018 indices were for a very short period, which ctoo annot gauge the VAT impact. “We need at least three to five years to study the impact of VAT on gross domestic product (GDP).

The minister also noted that geopolitical conditions, a drop in oil prices, coronavirus and sanctions imposed on certain countries have to be taken into account when assessing the VAT impact.

Gains to GDP

Al Tayer expected that 2020 will see an increase of nearly Dh37 billion in GDP to Dh1.50 trillion.

Al Tayer said GDP last year was Dh1.46 trillion and inflation at 1.5 per cent, while GDP in 2018 was Dh1.72 trillion and inflation was 3.69 per cent.

“In 2017, GDP was Dh1.41 trillion and inflation 1.97, while 2016 GDP was Dh1.41 trillion and inflation 1.61 per cent,” Al Tayer said.

UAE’s mission to mars: last metal piece of Hope Probe installed

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

Dubai: The installation of the last metal piece of the outer structure of the Hope Probe was witnessed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday.

Accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Mohammad visited the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, where he received the last piece and witnessed its installation to the outer structure of the probee.

The metal piece carries the names and signatures of Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates as well as the signatures of Crown Princes.

It is also decorated with a phrase that reads, “The power of hope shortens the distance between earth and sky”, in an expression of the sublime human message communicated by the UAE for the future of the world.
“The Probe Hope is a testimony of the ability of our youth, a message to Arab youth and a historical stage in the UAE’s journey,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

UAE to announce two more astronauts in January 2021

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

Dubai: UAE will announce two more astronauts under its UAE Astronaut Programme in January 2021, officials on Tuesday revealed at a press conference in Dubai.

The conference featured Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Sultan Al Neyadi, the first two Emirati astronauts, and officials from Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), who provided updates on the second batch of the UAE Astronaut Programme.

Registrations for the second batch had opened in December 2019.

Shortlisted candidates will undergo medical and other tests and interviews, with final interviews to be held in November.

In January 2021, the two new astronauts will be announced.

Hazzaa said passion, dedication and ability to work in a team were crucial in the selection process.

On Tuesday, Yousef Al Shaibani, Director-General, MBRSC, said two more astronauts will be chosen from thousands of applicants, whose number has reached over 3,000 currently – one-third of them women.

The registration deadline is March 31 but it could be extended to May 1.

How it all started

The UAE Astronaut Programme was launched in April 2017 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to prepare an Emirati astronaut corps for scientific space exploration missions.

In 2018, the first two Emirati astronauts, Hazzaa and and Al Neyadi, were handpicked from over 4,000 applicants for the first batch.

Historic mission

In September 2019, Hazzaa became the first UAE astronaut to reach the International Space Station in Earth orbit to conduct six scientific experiments over a week.

Former India cricket star appointed new UAE coach

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

The 56-year-old played one Test and 136 ODIs for India.

Former Indian all-rounder Robin Singh has been appointed as the new coach of the UAE, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday.

The 56-year-old, who played one Test and 136 ODIs, will hold the post of Director of Cricket, which means, he will also oversee junior cricket.

Robin, known for his tight fielding and his batting lower down the order, replaces Dougie Brown, with the Scotland and England international having led the team admirably well over the past three years.

The ECB did not divulge the length of the contract but Robin indicated he hopes to guide the UAE to the Cricket World Cup to be held in India in 2023.

Robin has been a resident of Dubai for over a period of time, having opened his cricket academy here. Apart from that, Robin has been part of the coaching set-up of the Indian Premier League champions Mumbai Indians.

During his time in the UAE, Robin has also had coaching stints in the Abu Dhabi T10 League, first with Kerala Kings and then Northern Warriors. He led both franchises to the title.

Robin will continue to play a part in the IPL this year but has relinquished his other commitments to focus on his new job.

His prime target will be on improving the fitness levels of the team as well as creating a pool of 30 players that can be up and running to do duty for the National team.

UAE captain Ahmed Raza, who too was present during the announcement, with other board members, welcomed Robin’s appointment and also commended the work down by Brown.

Football stars of future set for showdown at Under 13 Dubai Intercontinental Cup

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

Top European clubs like Real, Barcelona, Bayern and Arsenal among 24 teams who will be competing for honours at Dubai Sports City from Feb 13-15

The 4th Under 13 Dubai Intercontinental Football Cup – featuring teams from European powerhouses Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Inter Milan and FC Porto gets underway at Dubai Sports City from Thursday, February 13.

Organised under the aegis of Dubai Sports Council, the three-day tournament will also feature four UAE club teams – Al Nasr, Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli of Dubai, and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda – alongside Zamalek (Egypt), Pyramids (Egypt), Zed FC (Egypt), Al Fateh (Saudi Arabia), Al Ahli FC (Saudi Arabia), Levante Azzuro (Italy), Muscat Football Academy (Oman), Jef United (Japan), Maldives FA, Wakatake (Japan), CAF Canada, and two teams representing Spanish Soccer School (UAE).

The 24 teams have been divided into six groups of four each, and the top two teams from each group will progress to the Round of 16 along with the four best third-placed teams. The eight winners of Round of 16 match will then advance to the Gold Cup and the eight losers will play for the Silver Cup.

Inter Milan and FC Porto have been drawn in Group A, alongside Al Nasr and Wakate FC of Japan, and the Italians will take on the Dubai club in the opening match of the tournament on February 13, with kick-off scheduled for 9.30am.

Two other matches will take place concurrently on adjacent pitches, with Porto taking on Wakatake FC, and Group B’s Levante Azzurro squaring off against Zed FC.

FC Barcelona, who have been drawn in Group B, will open their campaign at 10.30am against Abu Dhabi’s Al Wahda, while the two Group C matches – featuring Celta Vigo against Al Ahli Saudi and Pyramids FC against SSS ‘B’ – will take place on adjacent pitches.

Real Madrid will then follow their Spanish rivals onto the pitch, taking on CAF Canada in the opening Group D match from 11.30am, while the second match of that group will feature Dubai club Al Wasl against Zamalek.

Drawn in Group E alongside SSS ‘A’ and Maldives, Arsenal will open their campaign against Al Fateh of Saudi Arabia at 12.30pm. Bayern Munich will get their Group F proceedings started against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai at the same time, while Muscat Football Academy will clash face Jef United in the other match of the group.

All teams will place twice on the opening day, with the evening session starting at 4.00pm. On Friday, the teams will play their final group matches in the morning session before returning in the evening for the Round of 16 knockout matches.

The quarterfinals, semis and finals of the Gold Cup and Silver Cup will take place on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the start of the tournament, His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: “The U13 Dubai Intercontinental Cup is a really important tournament for us as it is part of Dubai Sports Council’s initiatives to improve grassroots football in the country.

“We are really excited about the start of the tournament, which has attracted 24 teams from 12 different countries this year. The event will see more than 400 players – the cream of under-13 talents from around the globe – showcasing their skills and giving us an exciting glimpse into the future of international football.

“Many of these players will go on to represent their clubs and countries, and win many titles with them. This is why this tournament is so special, because it is the only international tournament of its kind for this age group.”

Dubai Duty Free draw : Two winners take home a million dollars each

head dubai March 3, 2020 No Comments

Dubai: A Sharjah expat working for a construction company has won a million dollars at the Dubai Duty Free (DDF) draw held on Monday, March 3.

Vinod Kocheril Kurian, 49, from Kottayam in Kerala, India won a million dollars (Dh3.67 million). Kurian won with the winning ticket number 2052 in Series 325.

A father of two (11 and 6 years of age), Kurian said he is grateful for the win.

Another lucky winner was Nael Kawar, 64, who hails from Jordan. He took home a million dollars on Monday.

Speaking to Gulf News from Jordan where he is based, Kawar said he will invest the prize money – some into his business, some into growing sectors.Kawar won with his winning ticket number 4858 in series 326. The two winners’ announcement was made at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.

Kawar owns a hardware and software company in Amman. He bought three tickets from this series. Kawar said he is a regular participant of DDF promotions and regularly purchases tickets when he travels.

He told Gulf News that he bought his winning ticket in Dubai when returning home to Amman. “I stayed for three weeks in Dubai with my children as the weather was amazing and just perfect. After spending some quality time with my family I headed home when I bought this ticket. The win has been a fitting finale to my stay with my children in the UAE,” Kawar added. His children work in Dubai.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, two winners of a stylish motorbike were also announced in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise promotion.

“I have not decided what to do with the money. But definitely, quite a bit of this will be reserved for my children’s education,” Kurian told Gulf News in a telephone interview.

A resident of Sharjah for 21 years, Kurian earns a monthly salary of Dh15,000 and said the win was very precious to him. However when Gulf News initially contacted him, Kurian could not believe he had won. “Are you sure I have won,” he asked.

Alfonso Paulo Yap Bruza, a 36-year-old Filipino national based in Dubai won a Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Night Pack (Nero Ruvido) with ticket number 0682 in Series 400.

A resident of Dubai for nine years, Bruza bought his winning ticket in Terminal 3 arrivals after his vacation to the Philippines.

Abderraouf Samir, a 40-year-old Algerian national from Algeria won an Aprilia Shiver 900 (Challenging Red) with ticket number 0360 in Series 401.

Samir is the first Algerian national to win in this promotion since its inception in 1989. Owner of a furniture business, he bought his lucky ticket online and commented, “Thank you Dubai Duty Free. I was delighted to be the first Algerian national to win in your promotion!”

The draw on Monday was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Ramesh Cidambi, COO, Mona Al Ali, Senior Vice President – HR, Michael Schmidt, Senior Vice President – Retail Support and Sharon Beecham, Vice President – Purchasing.