Collapsed buildings in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey on February 13, 2023. EPA
Collapsed buildings in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey on February 13, 2023. EPA
Collapsed buildings in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey on February 13, 2023. EPA
Collapsed buildings in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, south-eastern Turkey on February 13, 2023. EPA

World

Turkey's construction regulations under scrutiny after earthquake

Regulators under suspicion due to number of new and recently built buildings that collapsed

Stephen Starr

February 13, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest news on the earthquake in Turkey and Syria

The images of horror emerging from south-east Turkey and northern Syria in recent days predominantly feature a background of flattened and mangled buildings.

While some observers say the seismic activity that resulted in last week's earthquake is a once-in-a-thousand-year event, experts believe recent changes in Turkish government construction standards and "zoning amnesties" may have contributed to millions of people living in unsafe buildings.

Since the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power in 2002, the country has undergone an enormous, nationwide urbanisation in which billions of dollars was spent on infrastructure projects such as high-rise tower blocks that drew more and more residents into large metropolitan areas.

The vast construction and modernisation drive, however, may have resulted in corners being cut.

About half of Turkey’s 13 million buildings do not meet construction regulations, the country’s Environment and Urbanisation Ministry says.

In 2018, the government issued a zoning amnesty allowing property owners to register their illegally constructed buildings in return for a fee. About 1.8 million applications were approved, with the government receiving more than $3 billion in taxes and registration charges in return.

The following year, an expert quoted by Reuters said he feared the move would turn Turkish cities “into graveyards and result in coffins emerging from our homes”.

Four years on, these exact scenes are playing out in Hatay, Gaziantep and elsewhere in the south-east, where about 6,500 buildings are thought to have collapsed as a result of the earthquake.

“Municipalities do not audit new buildings very often, it’s the same problem across all Turkey,” says Pelin Pinar Giritlioglu, president of the Istanbul Branch of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects.

“In small cities and small provinces, it is even more of a problem because the relationships [between local authorities and construction companies] are closer than in big cities, so often, public institutions overlook these kinds of deficiencies because of their close connections.”

On Twitter, users posted video clips of apparently new or recently built high-rise buildings partially collapsing as the concrete base cracked and gave way.

“This means that the government deemed them legal,” says Ms Giritlioglu.

Since 1940, Turkey has initiated 10 sets of earthquake regulations and was one of the first countries to adopt such laws.

Efforts have been made to construct earthquake-mitigating buildings, such as Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport terminal. Government figures quoted by Turkish media last year claimed that three million buildings had been “renewed” to withstand damaging seismic activity.

Others say the sheer magnitude of the earthquake February 6 should not be underplayed.

“There hadn’t been an equivalent-strength earthquake in this region for 900 years,” says Mustafa Erdik, president of the Turkish Earthquake Foundation.

“It was comparable with the San Francisco earthquake of 1906", which destroyed 80 per cent of that city.

The ruined city of Antakya after the earthquake - in pictures

Syrians huddled around a fire in a shelter in Antakya, Turkey. AP
Syrians huddled around a fire in a shelter in Antakya, Turkey. AP
Rescuers stretcher away Ece Koseoglu, 25, after being removed from under the rubble of a collapsed building. AFP
Rescuers stretcher away Ece Koseoglu, 25, after being removed from under the rubble of a collapsed building. AFP
A man walks past the rubble of a destroyed building. AFP
A man walks past the rubble of a destroyed building. AFP
Cranes remove debris next to destroyed buildings in Antakya. AP
Cranes remove debris next to destroyed buildings in Antakya. AP
Volunteers cook for Syrians at a shelter in Antakya. AP
Volunteers cook for Syrians at a shelter in Antakya. AP
Rescuers search in the rubble of destroyed buildings in Antakya. AP
Rescuers search in the rubble of destroyed buildings in Antakya. AP
Rescue workers sent by Bern to Turkey pull earthquake victims out alive. AFP
Rescue workers sent by Bern to Turkey pull earthquake victims out alive. AFP
People warm up with fire in front of destroyed buildings. AP
People warm up with fire in front of destroyed buildings. AP
A man uses a lantern to check damaged buildings. Reuters
A man uses a lantern to check damaged buildings. Reuters
A destroyed building in Antakya. AP Photo
A destroyed building in Antakya. AP Photo

Moreover, local and regional conflicts that sprung up over the past decade may also have contributed to the huge loss of life unfolding this week.

In 2015 and 2016, thousands of people were displaced from their homes in cities such as Cizre and Nusaybin, as well as the Sur district of Diyarbakir, as a result of fighting between the Turkish military and Kurdish armed groups. This resulted in an increased demand for accommodation and other infrastructure largely in Diyarbakir, the largest Kurdish-majority city in Turkey.

In the province of Antakya, the Turkish region worst hit by the earthquake, local authorities and communities a decade ago found themselves facing the prospect of adding housing for the hundreds of thousands of Syrians displaced by the conflict across the border.

About 500,000 Syrians arrived in each of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa, adding to the heavy demand for housing and associated infrastructure.

With metro populations of about two million each, Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa and Gaziantep are comparable in size to Copenhagen, Prague or Las Vegas, and now face an emergency response and rebuilding effort of a scale not seen anywhere in the world for perhaps decades.

What’s more, experts say the disaster doesn’t begin and end only in the cities.

“There are 13 million people living in this geography [region]," says Ms Giritlioglu.

“And we know nothing about what is happening in the rural areas yet."

The brother of a survivor Gokhan Ugurlu, 35, who was pulled out of the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, reacts as a rescuer looks on. Reuters
The brother of a survivor Gokhan Ugurlu, 35, who was pulled out of the rubble in Hatay, Turkey, reacts as a rescuer looks on. Reuters
A woman walks past flattened buildings in a street in Hatay province, Turkey. Reuters
A woman walks past flattened buildings in a street in Hatay province, Turkey. Reuters
A member of the army stands amid rubble in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
A member of the army stands amid rubble in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
A man reacts while sitting outside a tent of a temporary accommodation centre set up on a football pitch in Gaziantep, Turkey. Reuters
A man reacts while sitting outside a tent of a temporary accommodation centre set up on a football pitch in Gaziantep, Turkey. Reuters
Earthquake survivors walk on a street in Hatay, Turkey. Reuters
Earthquake survivors walk on a street in Hatay, Turkey. Reuters
A White Helmets volunteer holds a rescued cat in the rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
A White Helmets volunteer holds a rescued cat in the rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
A Syrian boy, who lost his family in the deadly earthquake, stands amid the rubble of his family home in Jindayris. AFP
A Syrian boy, who lost his family in the deadly earthquake, stands amid the rubble of his family home in Jindayris. AFP
Rescuers sit by a bonfire in Hatay, Turkey. AFP
Rescuers sit by a bonfire in Hatay, Turkey. AFP
A Turkish soldier walks among destroyed buildings in Hatay. AFP
A Turkish soldier walks among destroyed buildings in Hatay. AFP
Relatives of Palestinian doctor Yusuf Darabeh, who died when the earthquake hit Turkey, comfort each other. AP Photo
Relatives of Palestinian doctor Yusuf Darabeh, who died when the earthquake hit Turkey, comfort each other. AP Photo
People stand by a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. AP Photo
People stand by a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. AP Photo
A child, injured in the earthquake, is treated at hospital in Bab Al Hawah, Syria. AP Photo
A child, injured in the earthquake, is treated at hospital in Bab Al Hawah, Syria. AP Photo
Vehicles containing aid from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) on the Iraqi side of the Iraq-Syria border. Reuters
Vehicles containing aid from Hashid Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) on the Iraqi side of the Iraq-Syria border. Reuters
Rescuers carry Muhammed Alkanaas, 12, to an ambulance after five days under the rubble in Antakya, Turkey. AP
Rescuers carry Muhammed Alkanaas, 12, to an ambulance after five days under the rubble in Antakya, Turkey. AP
Romanian firefighters load a Turkey-bound train with emergency aid near Bucharest. AP
Romanian firefighters load a Turkey-bound train with emergency aid near Bucharest. AP
Collapsed buildings in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
Collapsed buildings in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
Abdulkerim Nano, 67, is rescued after five days under the rubble in in Kahramanmaras, Turkey
Abdulkerim Nano, 67, is rescued after five days under the rubble in in Kahramanmaras, Turkey
A Turkish rescue worker checks a collapsed building in Adiyaman. AP
A Turkish rescue worker checks a collapsed building in Adiyaman. AP
Rescuers in Adiyaman, Turkey. AP
Rescuers in Adiyaman, Turkey. AP
A resident in front of his collapsed building in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
A resident in front of his collapsed building in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
Syrian refugees shelter in a public market in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, Turkey. AP
Syrian refugees shelter in a public market in the Islahiye district of Gaziantep, Turkey. AP
A family wait for the bodies of their relatives to be recovered in Antakya, Turkey. AP
A family wait for the bodies of their relatives to be recovered in Antakya, Turkey. AP
A woman plays with a sniffer dog in Antakya, Turkey. AP
A woman plays with a sniffer dog in Antakya, Turkey. AP
Collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey. AP
Collapsed buildings in Antakya, Turkey. AP
A Syrian woman takes care of her nephew Hasan Goayid, eight, in Islahiye district, Gaziantep. AP
A Syrian woman takes care of her nephew Hasan Goayid, eight, in Islahiye district, Gaziantep. AP
A Syrian child in a tent in the Islahiye district. AP
A Syrian child in a tent in the Islahiye district. AP
Collapsed buildings in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
Collapsed buildings in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras. AFP
Emirati rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed building in the regime-controlled town of Jableh, northwest of the Syrian capital. AFP
Emirati rescuers sift through the rubble of a collapsed building in the regime-controlled town of Jableh, northwest of the Syrian capital. AFP
Volunteers at the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign at the South Hall, Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. Leslie Pableo for The National
Volunteers at the Emirates Red Crescent 'Bridges of Goodness' campaign at the South Hall, Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. Leslie Pableo for The National
Martin Griffiths, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, in Maras, Turkey. Reuters
Martin Griffiths, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, in Maras, Turkey. Reuters
Rescuers give water to a dog after a rescue operation in Hatay, southern Turkey. AP
Rescuers give water to a dog after a rescue operation in Hatay, southern Turkey. AP
A deadly earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6. EPA
A deadly earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6. EPA
Fissures from the earthquake have crumpled the highway near Islahiyeh in Southern Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
Fissures from the earthquake have crumpled the highway near Islahiyeh in Southern Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
A Kurdish charity's aid convoy enters Syria through the Bab Al Salama crossing with Turkey, in the northern province of Aleppo. AFP
A Kurdish charity's aid convoy enters Syria through the Bab Al Salama crossing with Turkey, in the northern province of Aleppo. AFP
A rescuer with a sniffer dog searches in a destroyed building in Antakya, southern Turkey. AFP
A rescuer with a sniffer dog searches in a destroyed building in Antakya, southern Turkey. AFP
A makeshift camp erected in a stadium in the city of Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. EPA
A makeshift camp erected in a stadium in the city of Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. EPA
A woman mourns Turkish Cypriot victims of the earthquake, during a funeral procession in the Turkish occupied area in north-east coastal city of Famagusta, Cyprus. AP
A woman mourns Turkish Cypriot victims of the earthquake, during a funeral procession in the Turkish occupied area in north-east coastal city of Famagusta, Cyprus. AP
Rescuers carry survivor Rabia Ofkeli, 27, from the rubble in Hatay, southern Turkey. Reuters
Rescuers carry survivor Rabia Ofkeli, 27, from the rubble in Hatay, southern Turkey. Reuters
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad visits Aleppo university hospital. Reuters
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad visits Aleppo university hospital. Reuters
Members of the Swiss rescue team with a four-month-old girl, Abir, who was pulled out from the rubble in Antakya. AFP
Members of the Swiss rescue team with a four-month-old girl, Abir, who was pulled out from the rubble in Antakya. AFP
Survivors at a hospital in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Survivors at a hospital in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Members of the White Helmets during the fifth day of rescue operations in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
Members of the White Helmets during the fifth day of rescue operations in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
Indonesian Muslims perform a prayer for the victims at Istiqlal grand mosque in Jakarta. EPA
Indonesian Muslims perform a prayer for the victims at Istiqlal grand mosque in Jakarta. EPA
Emergency personnel conduct a rescue operation to save Melda, 16, from beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey. AFP
Emergency personnel conduct a rescue operation to save Melda, 16, from beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Hatay, southern Turkey. AFP
The earthquake caused a railbed overpass to collapse in Nurdagi, Turkey. AFP
The earthquake caused a railbed overpass to collapse in Nurdagi, Turkey. AFP
A framed picture on the cracked wall of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, south-eastern Turkey. EPA
A framed picture on the cracked wall of a collapsed building in Kahramanmaras, south-eastern Turkey. EPA
A coastal area of Iskenderun, Turkey, was flooded after the quake. Reuters
A coastal area of Iskenderun, Turkey, was flooded after the quake. Reuters
A sheet of paper lies among the rubble in Elbistan. AP
A sheet of paper lies among the rubble in Elbistan. AP
Relief supplies destined for earthquake survivors in Turkey, at a warehouse in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, Germany. AP
Relief supplies destined for earthquake survivors in Turkey, at a warehouse in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, Germany. AP
Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, three days after the earthquake struck. AFP
Rescuers search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, three days after the earthquake struck. AFP
Rescuers with a child pulled out from under the rubble. Reuters
Rescuers with a child pulled out from under the rubble. Reuters
Rescuers rest on top of rubble as an aircraft drops water over a fire at the port in the quake-stricken town of Iskenderun. Reuters
Rescuers rest on top of rubble as an aircraft drops water over a fire at the port in the quake-stricken town of Iskenderun. Reuters
A rescue worker in Kahramanmaras, three days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck south-east Turkey. AFP
A rescue worker in Kahramanmaras, three days after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck south-east Turkey. AFP
People try to pull out a dog trapped beneath the rubble in Iskenderun, Turkey. Reuters
People try to pull out a dog trapped beneath the rubble in Iskenderun, Turkey. Reuters
Lorries carrying humanitarian aid wait at Bab Al Hawa crossing on the Turkey-Syria border. Reuters
Lorries carrying humanitarian aid wait at Bab Al Hawa crossing on the Turkey-Syria border. Reuters
Syrians warm up by a fire outside a makeshift tent near the rebel-held town of Jindayris in Syria. AFP
Syrians warm up by a fire outside a makeshift tent near the rebel-held town of Jindayris in Syria. AFP
A dam on the Orontes river in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province collapsed after the quake, flooding the neighbourhood. AFP
A dam on the Orontes river in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province collapsed after the quake, flooding the neighbourhood. AFP
The sails of the Sydney Opera House lit with a black ribbon in remembrance and mourning of the earthquake victims. Getty
The sails of the Sydney Opera House lit with a black ribbon in remembrance and mourning of the earthquake victims. Getty
Smoke billows amid an expanse of collapsed and damaged buildings in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Smoke billows amid an expanse of collapsed and damaged buildings in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Reuters
Dogs of the German International Search and Rescue team rest between operations in Kirikhan, Turkey. Reuters
Dogs of the German International Search and Rescue team rest between operations in Kirikhan, Turkey. Reuters
White Helmets volunteers rescue a child trapped beneath the rubble in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
White Helmets volunteers rescue a child trapped beneath the rubble in Jandaris, Syria. Reuters
People gather to collect food and humanitarian aid in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, south-east Turkey. EPA
People gather to collect food and humanitarian aid in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras, south-east Turkey. EPA
The statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, is surrounded by damaged buildings in Adiyaman province. AP
The statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, is surrounded by damaged buildings in Adiyaman province. AP
A plane carrying humanitarian air sent for earthquake survivors lands in Damascus. Mahmoud Rida / The National
A plane carrying humanitarian air sent for earthquake survivors lands in Damascus. Mahmoud Rida / The National
Motorway fractured by earthquake causes car crash near Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
Motorway fractured by earthquake causes car crash near Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Matt Kynaston / The National
A tent camp has been set up at a stadium in south-eastern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras to shelter families whose homes were destroyed in the quake. AFP
A tent camp has been set up at a stadium in south-eastern Turkish city of Kahramanmaras to shelter families whose homes were destroyed in the quake. AFP
A displaced Syrian woman rests under a tree in a field on the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Jindayris. AFP
A displaced Syrian woman rests under a tree in a field on the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Jindayris. AFP
SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)

Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),

Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),

Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm) 

Benevento v Napoli (6pm) 

Parma v Spezia (6pm)

 Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)

Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)

Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs: 2019 Lincoln MKC

Price, base / as tested: Dh169,995 / Dh192,045

Engine: Turbocharged, 2.0-litre, in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 253hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 389Nm @ 2,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.7L / 100km

While you're here
THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card

5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo%20permanent%20magnet%20synchronous%20motors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Etwo-speed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E625hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E456km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh737%2C480%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

While you're here
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMohammed%20Alnamara%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMicrofinance%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E16%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFamily%20offices%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Tell-tale signs of burnout

- loss of confidence and appetite

- irritability and emotional outbursts

- sadness

- persistent physical ailments such as headaches, frequent infections and fatigue

- substance abuse, such as smoking or drinking more

- impaired judgement

- excessive and continuous worrying

- irregular sleep patterns

 

Tips to help overcome burnout

Acknowledge how you are feeling by listening to your warning signs. Set boundaries and learn to say ‘no’

Do activities that you want to do as well as things you have to do

Undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. It releases an abundance of feel-good hormones

Find your form of relaxation and make time for it each day e.g. soothing music, reading or mindful meditation

Sleep and wake at the same time every day, even if your sleep pattern was disrupted. Without enough sleep condition such as stress, anxiety and depression can thrive.

Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani

Rating: 4/5

If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
  1. Steve Baker
  2. Peter Bone
  3. Ben Bradley
  4. Andrew Bridgen
  5. Maria Caulfield​​​​​​​
  6. Simon Clarke 
  7. Philip Davies
  8. Nadine Dorries​​​​​​​
  9. James Duddridge​​​​​​​
  10. Mark Francois 
  11. Chris Green
  12. Adam Holloway
  13. Andrea Jenkyns
  14. Anne-Marie Morris
  15. Sheryll Murray
  16. Jacob Rees-Mogg
  17. Laurence Robertson
  18. Lee Rowley
  19. Henry Smith
  20. Martin Vickers 
  21. John Whittingdale
Teenage%20Mutant%20Ninja%20Turtles%3A%20Shredder's%20Revenge
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 plus rear-mounted electric motor

Power: 843hp at N/A rpm

Torque: 1470Nm N/A rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.6L/100km

On sale: October to December

Price: From Dh875,000 (estimate)

Whiile you're here
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

if you go

The flights

Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com

Seeing the games

Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com

 

Staying there

Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com

 

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
While you're here
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site

The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.

Updated: February 13, 2023, 5:46 PM
TurkeyArchitecture