LOS ANGELES / Agencies SpaceX plans to resume flights as early as next week after finding the cause of an explosion that destroyed a rocket and satellite on a Florida launch pad in September. The Hawthorne, California-based company is aiming for a January 8, flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Los Angeles Times reported. The launch still needs ...

  LAGOS / AP Nigeria’s government plans to close the airport in the capital, Abuja, for six weeks to repair a runway that some airlines have described as dangerous, an aviation ministry statement said. The government plans to close Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the country’s second-busiest, for most of February and March. Work by German construction company Julius Berger would ...

  TOPEKA, Kan / AP Westar Energy is increasing the use of drones for such things as inspecting equipment, navigating remote areas and managing some emergencies, as the utility tries to improve safety and efficiency while also saving money, company officials said. Westar and Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus offer an unmanned aircraft systems program and have one of the ...

  Emirates Business The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, the world’s first Tango-enabled smartphone, is now available on shelves and online, and studios around the world are using the Phab 2 Pro as a working model to develop innovative Tango apps. As a result, the Phab 2 Pro will be delivering on the original Tango experience on a number of new ...

  Tokyo / DPA Visitors landing in Japan often take a while to realize what they haven’t brought enough of in their luggage: presents. Gift-giving plays a huge role in Japan throughout the year, not just at New Year. At weddings and funerals, on holidays or as part of business, presents in the world’s third biggest economy are a courtesy ...

  Worpswede / DPA When a child first announces they want to be an artist, the parents are often aghast – “Why don’t you learn a profession first?” they say. And their scepticism is justified. The vast majority of artists cannot earn a living income from art and most need a more prosaic second job. Even in Germany, where modest ...

  Dubai / WAM Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has dedicated his Accession Day, January 4th, to the launching of the UAE Food Bank, a non-profit charitable organisation committed to distributing food to those in need while eliminating food waste. The UAE Food Bank will collaborate with local authorities as ...

  Dubai / WAM To achieve various health-related goals set in the National Agenda and the UAE Vision 2021, all public and private hospitals in the UAE are to obtain accreditation by fulfilling all national and international standards, ensuring good quality services and an adequate number of medical personnel. The move is in keeping with the directives of Vice President, Prime ...

  Dubai / WAM Under the title, “We ensure security, together we grow”, Dubai Customs is geared up to launch its 2nd “Dubai Customs Week” from January 22. The event will conclude on January 26, the day the world celebrates International Customs Day. It is aimed at enhancing Dubai Customs’ relationship with its clients and to maintain their happiness following the ...

  Dubai / WAM Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) recorded a growth of 36% over 2015. In 2016, the Exchange reached its highest annual volume traded with an aggregate of 19.7 million contracts, valued at US$439.5 billion. The year 2016 saw substantial global volatility triggered by a series of notable events; Brexit- leading to increased volumes in the Euro and ...