German soldiers landing from a helicopter on a Turkish cargo ship on November 23, 2020 in the east Mediterranean Sea. AFP PHOTO /DEMIROREN NEWS AGENCY
German soldiers landing from a helicopter on a Turkish cargo ship on November 23, 2020 in the east Mediterranean Sea. AFP PHOTO /DEMIROREN NEWS AGENCY
German soldiers landing from a helicopter on a Turkish cargo ship on November 23, 2020 in the east Mediterranean Sea. AFP PHOTO /DEMIROREN NEWS AGENCY
German soldiers landing from a helicopter on a Turkish cargo ship on November 23, 2020 in the east Mediterranean Sea. AFP PHOTO /DEMIROREN NEWS AGENCY

Flight data suggests ongoing Turkish military air bridge to Libya


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Flight-tracking services appear to confirm allegations from a Syrian focused war-monitoring group that Turkey recently shipped large quantities of weapons to Libya in possible breach of arms embargoes.

Over the past year, Turkey has reinforced the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord with militia forces recruited in Syria, sent military trainers and shipped large quantities of hardware to prop up the administration. The United Nations has called on all sides in the conflict to expel foreign militias and comply with embargoes to cease resupplying the country’s many militias.

According to the UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a non-partisan tracking group, Ankara appears to be continuing regular shipments despite a ceasefire being called for by the GNA and its rival House of Representatives in the east. Both sides have been sitting for reunification talks aimed at ending the division and halting the fighting.

Last month, Operation Irena, the UN mission to enforce an arms embargo on the conflict-riven nation, authorised the German navy to search the Turkish cargo ship Rosaline A.

Turkey managed to stop German commandos from boarding the ship, claiming that it was simply an aid shipment.

However, ships appear to be just one of the ways Turkey may be sending additional arms.

Flight tracking service Flight24 shows that Turkish military airlifts are ongoing to the Tripoli government, overflying and avoiding naval Operation Irena. On December 4, an Airbus A400M Atlas – a large cargo plane capable of carrying 116 fully equipped soldiers, landed at Tripoli airport.

While it’s not possible to confirm whether the aircraft was carrying men or equipment, open-source satellite imagery analysis account Observer IL has suggested that Turkey may have used the A400 to fly “MRAPs,” or Mine Resistant Armoured Personnel carriers, to GNA forces.

Internationally supported peace talks, held remotely, are ongoing and there are now plans to hold national elections, which could herald a lasting political settlement.

But the recent evidence of Turkish arms transfers to the GNA will raise fears that rival groups are preparing for the possibility that talks will fail. On Monday, there were reports that GNA forces were manoeuvring near the city of Sirte, located on the war's now frozen front line.

According to the Libyan National Army's west Sirte liberation operations room, local forces were on maximum alert and all leave had been cancelled, in anticipation of renewed hostilities.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E299hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E420Nm%20at%202%2C750rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12.4L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh157%2C395%20(XLS)%3B%20Dh199%2C395%20(Limited)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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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.

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

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
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The biog

Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer

Marital status: Single

Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran

Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food

Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish

Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com