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Saudi Astronauts Make History As They Lift Off Into Space
Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali AlQarni arrived at the International Space Station today at 19:45 UAE time.
Rayyanah Barnawi has made history by becoming the first female Arab astronaut to enter space after blasting off from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A with Arab teammate Ali AlQarni.
The pair were joined by astronaut Peggy Whitson, along with business pioneer and pilot John Shoffner on the sixteen-hour journey to the International Space Station (ISS). They were welcomed aboard in a ceremony at 19:45 UAE time today, Monday, May 22, 2023.
The astronauts became Saudi Arabia’s first citizens to leave earth in nearly 40 years, after Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman became the first Arab to go to space in 1985.
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The pioneers will spend eight days on the ISS alongside fellow Arab Sultan Al Neyadi from the United Arab Emirates — aka the Sultan of Space — who is embarking on a longer six-month-long space mission.
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The Petshop Launches UAE’s First Pet Care Super App
Dubai retailer folds shopping, bookings and pet records into one mobile hub that features reminders, personalization, and more.
The Petshop has introduced a “Super App” that pulls together shopping, service bookings and pet records into a single platform, pitching it as the first integrated pet care app of its kind in the UAE.
The release turns the company’s stores, services and e-commerce operation into one connected system. Instead of juggling calls, WhatsApp chats and paper notes, customers manage everything from one account.
Each pet gets a dedicated profile. Age, diet, medical notes and behavioral traits sit in one place and update over time. For households with multiple animals, it’s a practical fix: fewer lost details, fewer repeat explanations at the counter.
That data feeds the app’s personalization. Reminders, recommendations and service options adjust to the specific pet rather than defaulting to broad prompts.
Grooming, boarding, relocation, aquatics and wellness services are booked through the same flow. Users can check availability, lock in appointments and see past visits without hopping between tools. All of the key services can be accessed and booked with a few taps.
The company says records and documents are stored with added safeguards, including verified digital paperwork for sensitive information, while usage signals trigger timely prompts without exposing private data.
“Over the past fifteen years, we’ve grown alongside the pet community in the UAE and seen how pet ownership has evolved,” said Amr Hazem Youssef, CEO of The Petshop. “For pet families, care now depends on continuity, accurate information, and services that match real life, not isolated transactions. This app brings those elements into one place with a structure that supports reliable care”.
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He added: “Pets have individual needs that change over time, and those needs shape daily decisions around routines, health, and wellbeing. By keeping information organized and connecting services within one system, we can reduce friction for pet families and deliver greater consistency across the experience.”
Founded in 2011, The Petshop now operates 11 outlets across the United Arab Emirates, including megastores in Dubai Investment Park and Abu Dhabi’s Al Reem Island, plus an online catalogue of more than 12,000 products.
The Petshop Super App is available on both the App Store and Google Play.
