GTA V Gunrunning Update 1.40 By: (Lahiru Thilakarathne)

“Time flies never to be recalled” Two months done with one month go. I hope all our readers are having a splendid vacation partying all day long. With that said, if you got no clue on what to do, go ahead and read our previous article on interesting things to do if you are still stranded in UAE.

To all GTA V fans on which ever console your playing, its been an amazing month or so with the release of GTAs latest gun running update (1.40v) along with the one of my ultimate favorite “Overtime rumble advisory mode” (I’m leaving it for a later review)

Weaponised APC (PCgamer.com Photo)

As the name suggest, Gun running is all about illegal arms trade. Players steal supplies and the business manufactures high value weapons, and you then deliver it across Los Santos for millions of dollars. Its quite similar to the Motorcycle club update where the player had to put in hard hours to steal supplies.

Staff working in the bunker (VG247.com Photo)

Initially a player has to be either a CEO, MC Club president or a VIP to purchase a bunker from the amazing bunkers located all across the map with prices ranging from $1,165,00 to $3,900,000. The bunker is a large and vast underground base, complete with a living quarter, shooting range, a gun locker and a storage location for your MOC.

Los Stantos Airbase Bunker (GTA.wiki.com Photo)

The gunrunning business are broken down into setup, resupply and sell. The Setup is a one-time mission where you get your staff supplies required for manufacturing. Next on resupply (the most time consuming one) where you have to access the Disruption Logistics website from your bunkers laptop and either steal the supplies or buy them. (I highly recommend you steal) Finally once manufacturing is done its is pay day. These delivery missions are extremely dangerous and difficulty will vary with how many associates you got and how many your selling. The most interesting feature is where you can also use your stolen supplies to unlock parts for your vehicles and weapons. (The staff does the research)

Mobile Operation Center (Rockstar.com Photo)

As always, there’s a host of new military themed vehicles available at Warstock.com ranging from a million to 3.5 million. Much like the import/export update, each of these vehicles will have a trade and stock price. You will be able to unlock trade price by completing missions in your MOC. Wonder what a MOC is? Keep reading to find out more.

Military Themed Vehicles Lineup (Rockstar.com Photo)

Along with the bunker update came bunker missions and one of my favorites, the Mobile Operation center (There you go that is what MOC stands for). I’m not going to talk about the bunker missions because if I do this article will have no end. MOC on the other hand is a customizable huge oversized truck which not only allows you to start new mission but fit it with a command center, a living area and a weapons/vehicles workshop. Unfortunately, all these fixtures will cost you money and the MOC starts from $1,225,000 with the high end one costing $2,790,000.

Along with the gunrunning update rockstar also released the following:

• 750 new clothing items
• 30 new tattoos
• 2 new hair styles
• 7 new Bunker Series Adversary game modes
• Hood: up/down option
• Jacket: open/closed option
• Ballistic Equipment added
• VIP requirement only $50,000 (previously $1,000,000)
• New MC and CEO outfits
• Multiple new Special Race props added
• 110+ bug fixes across Xbox One, PS4, and PC

Personally would I consider this the best update? Definitely not because it’s the exact copy of the MC update. With prices crossing the million mark, I would say its more of a shark card ploy update than player experience. But then again GTA did release amazing updates such as CEO work, Heists and even the import/export update.

Overall Rating: 5/10

Feel free to comment and put your rating based on experience on our social media pages.

Featured Image Credit: (Rockstar.com Photo)

Sources used: IGN.com; Rockstar.com

Iftar Spots (By: Badria Nassir)

Ramadan Kareem, everyone! I hope you all have had a blessed month.  

Not only is Ramadan a holy month where forgiveness and blessings are in abundance, it’s also the month of giving. 

& Restaurants are doing well when it comes to giving us some pretty rad deals for iftar. 

We’re approaching the end of Ramadan now and I wanted to share a list of places you should check out if you’re thinking of going out for iftar with your friends or family. 

Papa John’s:

Papa John’s Iftar Meal (DubaiSavers.com Photo)

Unlimited pizza for AED 32. 
Enough said. 

Now I can vouch for that, the last time I went we had unlimited amount of pizza slices coming at us as well as drinks and appetisers. It was one of the greatest nights. 

Russo’s New York Pizzeria: 

Russo’s New York Pizzeria Iftar Deals (AlWahda-Mall.com Photo)

Dates, soup, salad, pizza, water or soft drink starting from AED 45. 

I am so going for that this week. Russo’s pizzas never disappoint so I cannot wait to break my fast with a lovely pie. 

Pizzaro:

For AED 50 you can get dates, soup of the day, penne arrabbiata or margharita pizza or mushroom risotto, dates ice cream, soft drinks or water. 

The restaurant also has a more expensive version (i.e. AED 89) which includes fancier items on the menu such as linguine frutti mare and salmon in crosta etc. 

I’m also planning on visiting Pizzaro before Ramadan ends just to take advantage of their delicious pizzas. 

Rosa Mexicano: Dubai Mall

Special menu iftar for AED 89. 

They weren’t very specific with their offerings but Rosa Mexicano cannot possibly fail at providing a lovely Mexican meal. 

Eggspectation: JBR

One starter, one main course and one dessert for AED 95. 

Considering how price-y the menu is at that restaurant, AED 95 for a full three-course meal sounds pretty darn good to me. 

Zahr El Leymoun: Souq Al Bahar

A range of cold mezzes, one hot mezze that can be chosen from the menu, three main dishes that change on a daily, a bunch of desserts, one cold drink and one hot drink as well as shisha all for AED 95.

My oh my, did I enjoy that iftar deal. I practically had to be carried out because of how stuffed I was. It is definitely worth it. 

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the three main dishes that they served on that day but by the time I finished the cold and hot mezzes, I didn’t even have space for a main dish. 

Shakespeare and Co: Souq Al Bahar and Emirates Hills 

A four course meal with dates and water for AED 99.

Shakespeare and Co Iftar Menu (www.shakespeare-and-co.com Photo)

I am so down.

Sugar Factory:

For AED 100, you get to break your fast with traditional dates, nuts and juice then you’re provided with the main course which includes a mixed grill, fatoush salad, hummus and freshly baked bread. Options such as fried macaroni and cheese as well as chips on fish are also available. Then to end the dinner on a sweet note, a butterscotch bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream. 

I don’t know about you but I’m kinda drooling at the moment. 

 

Yes, the iftar deals can be a little price-y but if you consider the amount of items you’re getting within the deals then it’s almost kinda worth the hole in your wallet.

Think of it as a “end Ramadan with a bang” kind of reason to splurge because I don’t know about you but I’m pretty tired of all the home-cooked traditional meals. 

Eid Mubarak in advance to you all! 

 

Sources Used: GulfNews.com, LovinDubai.com
Featured Image Credit: (TimeOutBahrain.com Photo)

 

Taking off Greener: Meeting the environmental challenge for sustainable commercial aviation. (By: Meghraj Suhas Patil)

Much has been written about making aviation Greener in our previous editions, but this time we wanted to take a step forward and go into the uncharted areas of the cost-climate tradeoff i.e. how much money are air passengers willing to spend today to make aviation greener tomorrow through schemes like the carbon-offsetting; that has been introduced by the KLM-Air France Group. In addition to this the article will also cover briefly about the design, energy (fuel), Carbon Calculators, re-designing the airspace system etc.

• Aircraft fuel efficiency: A report from ICCT (International Council on Clean transportation) reveals that the average fuel burn of new aircraft has fallen by approximately 45% from 1968 to 2015. To cite an example, here is a look at fuel efficiency comparison between the 737NG of 1997 and 737 MAX of 2017.

Boeing 737Max (Boeing.com Photo)

As one can see from the above table, the remarkable changes that a Boeing 737-800 NG has gone to become a 737-800 Max by reducing fuel consumption by around 15% in a span of twenty years. To build over this legacy of cutting fuel consumption and increasing the range we might see a whole new range of aircrafts in the DESIGN section below-

1. Slimmed down aircraft wings- Every section on an aircraft increases the fuel, money and emissions to put it in the air.NASA and Boeing have been developing a new whole type of wing that requires a brace to provide the wing an extra support. Below is an image of the prototype that further cuts down fuel use by another 50% as per NASA’s section on new ideas for greener aircrafts.

   

   (Nasa.com Photo)

2. Changes in the fuselage- The fuselage will no longer be a simple tube but it will be curved and shaped to provide more internal space for various cabin configurations as shown below in one of Airbus’ concept plane that has a different empannage as seen on Airbus’s website in the Concept planes section.

   

   Airbus Concept (airbus.com Photo)

3. The double-bubble: This concept aircraft is designed by NASA with collaboration with students from MIT, based on a modified wing and tube, it has a very wide fuselage that provides extra lift; its low sweep wing reduces drag and weight; the embedded engines sit aft of the wings as seen below in an artist’s impression of the aircraft.

   

   Double- bubble (Nasa.com Photo)

4. Boom- This a startup based in Denver, California that has been targeting an airspeed of Mach 2.2, a 0.2 Mach faster than the Concorde.(Mach number refers to the ratio of the speed of a body to the speed of sound in the surrounding area). The tagline of the aircraft manufacture is “Supersonic Speeds- Mainstream Fares”. The Company’s website mentions that a one way fare from NYC to London costs around $ 2500. Test flights are expected to start later this year; and EYAS hopes that the regulations will favor the climate component rather than cost (economic) aspect of it.

   

   Boom (Cnn.com Photo)

To wrap it all, As of today, Air France-KLM have come up with the novel concept of the carbon calculator that helps you calculate your carbon footprint before booking a flight and taking part in their cabon off-setting program. Finally we at EYAS hope that this article helped you to look at aviation and sustainability in a kaleidoscopic manner and readers will continue further research into it as to “predict the future is to create it through hard work and collaboration”.

Sources Used: Nasa.com; Boeing.com; Cnn.com; Airbus.com 

Featured Image Credit: (Blog.adbsafegate.com Photo)

The Insurer and the (Plastic) Sea: Jeremy Rowsell Flies on a Jet Fuel/Recycled Plastic-Made Diesel Mix

Aviation gets a great deal of value from the sea: nautical miles; offshore-extracted crude oil-based jet fuel and; now, specifically as Jeremy Rowsell suggests, dumped plastic waste.

Mr. Rowsell – a British-born, Australia-based insurer – used recycled plastic-made fuel to fly from Wollongong and Melbourne, Australia in a Vans RV-9A airplane. The above 435 nautical miles (500 miles) were flown using a 90:10 jet fuel/recycled plastic-based diesel mix.

Mr.Rowsell (TheAustralian.com Photo)

The plastic-made fuel – made from recycled plastic melted without oxygen to form petroleum-esque carbon compounds, by Spanish company, Plastic Energy – was used to show plastic’s reusable value, as a fuel.

Such recyclable plastic can be found – as Mr. Rowsell saw during a charity transpacific flight in 2011 – in suspended plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean. This waste is accumulated by circular, swirling ocean currents called gyres from plastic dumped at the seashore. “The eight million tons of plastic dumped into the oceans,” as said by Mr. Rowsell, “each year can be put to good use.”

Plastic dumped to the Ocean ( Newsmax.com Photo)

‘On Wings of Waste‘ – the program established by Mr. Rowsell and Tony Loughran, a risk management consultant – intends to start recycling plastic for jet fuel use in Australia; get airlines to use the same 90:10 jet fuel/recycled plastic-made diesel in their airplanes and; stop, eventually, the dumping of plastic waste in oceans everywhere.

(Juliefelix.co.uk Photo)

The 90:10 fuel mix, part of Mr Rowsell’s ‘ten percent solution’, came from earlier plans to fly from Sydney to London – stopping in Asia and the Middle East – in 2012 and 2013, using only recycled plastic-derived fuel in a single-engine Cessna 172.

The jet fuel/recycled plastic mix further came to be from a 2016-set San Francisco to Anchorage, USA, flight in a Vans RV-9A airplane, which also did not happen.

Vans RV-9A Airplane (Kicksplane2.com Photo)

Nevertheless, Mr Rowsell has suggested that future flights may be flown to demonstrate that recycled plastic is a valuable item. One that, by implication, may help airlines fly greater (nautical) mileage with less crude oil-derived jet fuel burnt.           

sources used: aerospace-technology.com, australianaviation.com.  

Featured Image Credit: (NewAtlas.com Photo)                                                            

Creative Writing Feature: My Future (By: Maha Jammoul)

My future is bright, peaceful and accomplished

It looks at the past without forgetting to focus on the present

My future is exciting, adventurous and furbished

It holds glorious harvests after all the growing it underwent

---

My future is wise, open and free

It has learned how to be unchained by anything or anyone

My future is brave, kind and full of glee

It knows how to be solely accountable when things come undone

---

My future is creative, intuitive and full of embrace

It wholeheartedly welcomes learning and growth every day

My future is compassionate, altruistic and full of grace

It respects, supports, and loves people come what may

---

My future is patient, passionate and witty

It feels deeply while staying composed in the face of adversity

More than anything, my future is me

It’s the collection of all I was, all I am, and all I will ever be

Side note: As this is my last post and contribution as the Editor-in-Chief of EYAS, I would like to thank all of my team members, readers, and supporters. This has been an interesting ride and I’m taking all of the precious lessons and memories with me on my way to the future that is awaiting! 

Featured Image Credit: (Konbini.com Photo)

Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 (By: Talha Naeem)

There’s something about watching movies in IMAX. Maybe it’s the insanely immersive experience, or the thirty five minutes drive to the cinema, or maybe it is the company (it probably is the company, yes): regardless of what the factor is, if a movie is shot using IMAX cameras, please go and watch it in an IMAX cinema. Yes, it will be a little costlier than a standard ticket price but it is worth every single extra dirham.

Vol.2 of this Sci-Fi adventure flick was no different than its predecessor: in short, it was a blissful experience that guarantees to raise your mood. James Gunn gives it his all and is clearly a fan of  the work: his love for the script shows throughout the movie. The one thing that stands out in Vol.2 when compared to its predecessor is the concentration on character development. It heavily concentrates on building team dynamics and their relationships with each other: this enriches the movie’s universe. If you happen to miss out on some of the plot, you will very easily be distracted by the excellent humour (I have not laughed this much in a movie since The Nice Guys).

Star Lord (Pinimg.com Photo)

The plot is well written and because of the addition of character development, the stakes and our attachment to the characters during the action sequences increases. Speaking of action sequences, these are visually breathtaking – even more so in IMAX 3D – and the entire universe is colourful and beautiful to behold. Drax – played by Dave Bautista – is brutally honest and is by far the most hilarious character in the movie. Baby Groot – voiced by our very own Dominic Toretto aka Vin Diesel – is the most adorable animated character on screen.

Baby Groot (Srcdn.com Photo)

As the credits rolled on the screen and I looked on my right to check up on my favourite person with six eyes (thanks to her spectacles ft the 3D glasses), I realised that it was past 9PM and I just might have liked Vol.2 more than the first one. To sum up, it is an extremely enjoyable ride for everyone.

On a personal note,  this is my last movie review for Eyas’ WordPress page. Route and fleet palnning makes zero sense and idiopathic urticaria isn’t going away anytime soon: therefore, I have decided to quit the newsletter in order to focus on my studies and health. Thanks to my team and to you – readers – for sticking with me from the very beginning. Adios.

Talha Naeem
senior editor of Eyas

Featured Image Credit: (Srcdn.com Photo)

 

 

 

Game Review: Call of Duty: WWII (By: Lahiru Thilakarathne)

We finally have a new release of Call of Duty. This time, it wont be an addition to a series but an entirely new story that will bring back history to life. Activation in collaboration with Sledge hammer introduced Call of Duty World War 2.

COD’s latest instalment will take players to a variety of historical battle locations set across the second world war. The solo campaign will follow the US 1st Infantry Division as they fight their way across Europe during the height of the bloody conflict.

Call of Duty (Store.SteamPowered.com Photo)

You will primarily play as an inexperienced Private Daniel. Mission will span out from the D Bay Landings to the Battle of the budge. For the first time you will be put into the shoes of a woman fighter. The Single player will feature a lot of other characters to give you a in-depth and accurate info regarding the infamous historical events.

During the release, Activation made the following statement “Call of Duty: WWII tells the story of heroism on a global scale, through the unbreakable brotherhood of common men fighting to preserve freedom in a world on the brink of tyranny. Players enlist in a gritty, intense campaign through the harrowing battlegrounds of war, facing overwhelming odds and hostile terrain across Europe, in a gripping experience that honours the history of World War II,” Those words definitely impressed me and I definitely thought I had to quote it in my review so you guys will get a view on this amazing game.

Call of Duty (Store.SteamPowered.com Photo)

When it comes to multiplayer we know a little about it with more about it not coming out until until the E3 in June. But according to the released trailer, players will partake in brutal boots on the ground combat across some iconic World War 2 locales. One big new feature is Headquarters, an all new social tool allowing for creative modes of multiplayer interaction with your PS4, Xbox One and PC buddies.

Zombie mode? Activation didn’t mention anything about it yet, (It will surely not be left out) but with time to come we shall find out more.

Call of Duty (Store.SteamPowered.com Photo)

Call of Duty World War 2 will definitely be the game of the year. But its competitor Battlefield also has a release this year so we shall wait for this battle. Activation has already started its pre-order of COD WW2 starting at AED249 on steam with the game unlocking on November 3^rd. Finally Call of Duty has been my ultimate favourite (over battlefield as well) and I am definitely dying to get my hands on it.

Tank (Store.SteamPowered.com Photo)

Featured Image Credit: (Store.SteamPowered.com Photo)

Restaurant Review: Enab (By: Badria Nassir)

Enab is a Lebanese restaurant located in a slightly hidden spot in City Walk. We heard a lot of talk about how this restaurant is so amazing and how the Dubai branch is much better than the Beirut branch.

Once we got there, we noticed that the decoration was brilliant, it felt so homey and comfy; especially the seats we were given. Since we went for a birthday, we occupied a large table to seat 8 hungry people ready to order.

Enab Decoration (CityWalk.ae Photo)

My friend and I decided to order hummous from the cold mezze section, potato cubes from the hot mezza section and a 350g mixed grill for our main course.

The hummous and the potato cubes came first. The potato cubes did not taste at all like it should, it wasn’t spicy like it should be and it was lacking in lemon and salt. We were not at all impressed by that. As for the hummous, we were given the bowl but without any bread. We called the waiter and asked if the hummous came with bread to which he replied with a yes and went on to find some for us. He came back with a basket of bread so I tried to grab the basket but he wouldn’t let go then he asked us to take the bread from the basket because they’re not allowed to give it. We looked at each other then at him and asked him where he expected us to place the bread. A friend of ours gave us his extra plate and we had to pile a tower of bread; the guy did not even have any shame at how he handled everything.

The mixed grill was also quite disappointing; one kebab, five pieces of chicken cubes and five pieces of lamb cubes. I didn’t like the chicken at all, it was lacking in flavour which made it very difficult to eat. It was insanely ridiculous for AED 68. We were still hungry by the time we finished our meal. 

Mixed Grill (CookingWithRalph.com Photo)

The whole experience was a disappointment, the one in Lebanon must have been really bad for people to think this was better.

Plus the waiters were rude at times and were barely helpful. Reem Al Bawadi definitely trumps this restaurant. Hopefully with more months of experience here, the better they become. 

Featured Image Credit: (CityWalk.ae Photo)

Revolutionizing Your Ways: The Editor’s Message (By: Maha Jammoul)

As you may already know, our world is continuously changing and we, the humankind, are at the forefront of it all. Technology, science, and engineering, are among the important levers of change.

I’m not certain if you’re familiar with the industrial revolutions but you must know that we have already entered its 4^th stage or phase. The first industrial revolution was shaped by mechanization, the second by mass production, the third by computer and automation, and the fourth by cyber physical systems.

What does this imply? Industries will be more reliant on cyber physical systems to effectively and efficiently run business operations and activities. To ensure a working spot in this highly-innovative future, we must learn ‘how to learn’, adapt, and continuously develop our skills and competencies.

Relatively, we at EYAS, strive to continuously improve the quality of the contents we post for you.

Monday will see us reviewing Enab in our Restaurant Review of the Week.

(CityWalk.ae Photo)

We get to soar high on Tuesday as we present some interesting aviation-related facts in our Aviation Feature of the Week.

(IAS-EU.com Photo)

Call of Duty WWII will be reviewed on Wednesday in our Game Review of the Week.

(GamesGeek.com Photo)

Thursday is all about space action as we review Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in our Movie Review of the Week.

(HollywoodLife.com Photo)

Finally, Friday will see us getting all futuristic with our Creative Writing Feature of the Week. Tune in!

(Andrei Verner artwork via Behance.net)

Notwithstanding the above-mentioned, I wish you all a happy, productive, and revolutionary week ahead!

Kind regards,

Maha Jammoul

Editor-in-Chief

EYAS

Featured Image Credit: (Allswalls.com Photo)

Movie Review: The Truman Show (By: Talha Naeem)

I remember growing up being heavily addicted to watching TV shows, cartoons and movies. Fast forward 15 or so years, having watched almost every great movie, I am now sometimes referred to as “IMDB boy”. The reason I am telling you this is because I regret not having watched The Truman Show when I was younger: I did hear a lot about it but I just could not get my eyes off Castle, The Mentalist and Harry Potter! Please read on, regardless of whether you have watched the movie or not.

The Truman Show is an excellent thought provoking movie that is just 17 minutes shy of a runtime of 2 hours. It is a deep movie which was bound to become an art film. Jim Carrey did an extraordinary job playing the lead role of Truman Burbank and was criminally underrated by the Academys: he failed to score an Oscar nomination. The movie has a bunch of powerful scenes that truly makes the viewer think. An example of such a scene is when a lady rides on the footpath on a bike with a basket and a dog follows her: this reminded me of how repetitive life seems at times. The creator of Truman’s world was playing the role of God: making sure everyone and everything was in place and maintaining the illusion that his world is “perfect”.

(Bp.blogspot.com Photo)

This may come off as being brutally honest but our world does conform to the same pattern, it is just a matter of perception. The audience watching the Truman Show in the movie wanted to be entertained no matter what the cost to Truman: this hits home seeing as how we have this urge to keep up with celebrities and how this could potentially lead to the death of someone (such as Princess Diana).

(Bp.blogspot.com Photo)

If you have ever wondered about your existence or even wondered about whether everybody thinks the same shade of red when you say red, purchase the DVD and watch it as many times as you can. You will not regret it.

Featured Image Credit: (Pinimg.com Photo)