Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has over the years proved to be an indefatigable campaigner. And true to form, he has overseen a major rollout seemingly every day since kicking off his campaign for the May 14 election a few weeks ago.
He drove Turkey’s first electric car and christened its first aircraft carrier. He marked the launch into orbit of Turkey’s first domestic-made high-resolution observation satellite, the long-awaited opening of Istanbul Financial Centre, and the start of natural gas production from the biggest energy field in the Black Sea. This week, he is set to visit Trabzon province to open the longest road tunnel in Europe.
But all this activity may have worn down the president, as he was nowhere to be seen when Turkey’s first homemade attack helicopter and fighter jet made their first public voyages last Tuesday. That same evening, in fact, he cut short a live TV interview as the reporter looked concerned and started to get up from his chair to come to Mr Erdogan’s aid.
The president later cited a nasty stomach flu and said he would take Wednesday off to recover, on doctor’s orders. Following widespread speculation on his health, he was back at it again on Thursday, joining Russian President Vladimir Putin online to inaugurate Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, built with Russian guidance.
Also on Thursday, Turkey’s largest defence sector event, Teknofest, kicked off in Istanbul, with activities for children and high-profile speeches and product demonstrations. The industry’s pride and joy is Baykar Technology’s Bayraktar TB2 unmanned drone, which costs a reasonable $5 million and has shaped conflicts in Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine, and been praised by global heavyweights such as Francis Fukuyama.
Turkey is building a TB2 production plant in Ukraine, where a police dog, a Kyiv zoo lemur, a Lviv crepe, a catchy war song, and more have been named for the drone. The TB2 led the way as Turkey’s defence exports increased more than a third last year, to $4.4 billion (Baykar delivered a quarter of that total).
Bayraktar has gathered significant social and political capital, along with a measure of celebrity
Just last week, Romania agreed to buy 18 TB2s, underscoring how Turkey’s defence and industrial achievements have emerged as a campaign issue. Main opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu last month argued that Turkey’s defence sector should be nationalised.
But after Baykar expressed displeasure with this view, the candidate walked back his remarks. “The stronger Turkey’s defence industry,” Mr Kilicdaroglu said last week, “the more it sits at the table, the more it becomes a state that demonstrates strength."
Apparently it was too little, too late. Selcuk Bayraktar, chairman of the board at Baykar and Mr Erdogan’s son-in-law, seemed to issue a warning to Mr Kilicdaroglu during a rare public speech at Teknofest. “He who thinks he has closed the door on the landlord stays outside,” said the handsome 43-year-old.
Thanks in part to a troubled stint as finance minister by Berat Albayrak, Mr Erdogan’s other son-in-law, Mr Bayraktar has quietly emerged in recent weeks as the Turkish president’s potential successor. Like Mr Erdogan, he grew up in Istanbul in a family with roots in Turkey’s conservative Black Sea region. He was offered a scholarship at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a master’s in manoeuvring unmanned systems.
Returning home to work in his father’s aerospace firm, he soon designed the affordable drone that “changed the nature of warfare”, according to The New Yorker. Mr Bayraktar has since gathered significant social and political capital, along with a measure of celebrity. He is wildly popular in Turkey, with more than 5.2 million followers on Twitter and Instagram.
In a series of Instagram posts from Turkish cities devastated by February earthquakes, he seemed to play the part – embracing children, giving comfort, pitching in at displacement camps and vowing to rebuild thousands of homes.
His social media is also filled with Islamic greetings, support for education initiatives, and photos with officials such as Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Mr Bayraktar’s father, Ozdemir, was a close friend of Mr Erdogan’s mentor and former prime minister Necmettin Erbakan – to whom the TB2 prototype was dedicated.
All the pieces seem to fit, which is yet another reason – in the year of Turkey’s centennial, with nationalist votes in great demand – the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) has put industrial and defence achievements front and centre. Mr Erdogan also visited Teknofest at the weekend, appearing with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev before highlighting Baykar’s achievements and announcing that the first-ever Turkish astronaut would soon visit the International Space Station.
As his main challenger shoots videos in his home office, Mr Erdogan’s regular attendance at major events and rollouts underscores the advantages of the incumbent. The president is not only a symbol of the Republic, and its leader, he is able to take credit for the achievements of Turkish businesses and occasionally offer handouts. When he opened the spigot on Turkey’s Black Sea gas field, for instance, Mr Erdogan promised Turks a month of free heating.
But the campaign focus remains nationalist pride. On the last day of Teknofest, Baykar announced that Turkey’s first unmanned fighter jet, Kizilelma (“Red Apple”), will begin production next year.
On Monday, Mr Erdogan changed his Twitter profile photo to a confident, more defence sector-friendly Top Gun-style picture. Yet, Turkey’s longtime leader has made clear that, if he does win, it will be his last term. With this in mind, the AKP may quietly want voters to know that, if Mr Erdogan were to fall ill, Turkey’s leadership would be in capable hands.
“In this day and age, the biggest change in our lives is driven by technology,” Mr Bayraktar said in an interview last year. “Who drives the changes? The ones who create technology.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
New Zealand 57-0 South Africa
Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
- Andrew Bridgen
- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
- Philip Davies
- Nadine Dorries
- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
THE SPECS
BMW X7 xDrive 50i
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission
Power: 462hp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh600,000
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 366Nm
Price: Dh200,000
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
Results:
6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres
Winner: AF Al Sajanjle, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m
Winner: Blue Point, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Muntazah, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
8.15pm: Meydan Trophy Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m
Winner: Art Du Val, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Poetic Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Lava Spin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m
Winner: Mountain Hunter, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
Opening Rugby Championship fixtures:Games can be watched on OSN Sports
Saturday: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney, 1pm (UAE)
Sunday: South Africa v Argentina, Port Elizabeth, 11pm (UAE)
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
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By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
UAE SQUAD
UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
Who is Ramon Tribulietx?
Born in Spain, Tribulietx took sole charge of Auckland in 2010 and has gone on to lead the club to 14 trophies, including seven successive Oceania Champions League crowns. Has been tipped for the vacant New Zealand national team job following Anthony Hudson's resignation last month. Had previously been considered for the role.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
