TOPSHOT - Syrian-Kurds carry portraits depicting jailed founding member and leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan, as they march during a protest in support of Afrin on January 18, 2018, in the northern Syrian town of Jawadiyah.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier in the week vowed to soon launch an operation against towns in Syria held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers "terrorists". / AFP PHOTO / Delil souleiman
Syrian Kurds marching in Afrin, northern Syria, march in support of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. AFP 

Turkey welcomes US offer of rewards for information on PKK members



Turkey takes a positive view of a US move to offer rewards for information on three members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the foreign ministry said on Wednesday, adding it expected to see concrete steps in the fight against the militia.

The US offered the rewards on Tuesday for information on the three senior members of the PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state for decades.

"We expect this step to be supported with concrete actions that will be carried out in Syria and Iraq regarding the fight against the PKK and its extensions," the ministry said.

Turkey has been infuriated by US support for the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers to be an extension of the PKK. The YPG spearheads the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against ISIS in Syria.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the European Union, has fought the Turkish state since 1984.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Turkey would approach Washington's move with caution and it expected the US to sever all ties with the YPG militia.

The US reward announcement comes amid an improvement in ties which began after a Turkish court last month released US pastor Andrew Brunson from house arrest.

Last week, the two countries mutually lifted sanctions on government officials imposed in August over the Brunson case. Washington announced this week that Turkey would receive a temporary waiver from reimposed sanctions on Iran.

On Tuesday, President RecepTayyip Erdogan said talks with the US regarding state-owned lender Halkbank, which might be facing a possible US fine over allegations of evasion of sanctions on Iran, were on a positive track.

US and Turkish troops last week began joint patrols in Syria's Manbij, which the two sides have agreed to clear of militants. Turkey had previously said the US was delaying implementation of the plan.

US President Donald Trump and Mr Erdogan are to meet this weekend at a summit in Paris.

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Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal

Rating: 4.5/5

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Company name: Tuhoon
Year started: June 2021
Co-founders: Fares Ghandour, Dr Naif Almutawa, Aymane Sennoussi
Based: Riyadh
Sector: health care
Size: 15 employees, $250,000 in revenue
Investment stage: seed
Investors: Wamda Capital, Nuwa Capital, angel investors

Company profile

Company name: Hayvn
Started: 2018
Founders: Christopher Flinos, Ahmed Ismail
Based: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sector: financial
Initial investment: undisclosed
Size: 44 employees
Investment stage: series B in the second half of 2023
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Rating: 2/5

The specs

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Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

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Dominic Rubin, Oxford

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UAE fixtures

25 April – Ireland v UAE*
27 April – UAE v Zimbabwe**
29 April – Netherlands v UAE*
3 May – UAE v Vanuatu*
5 May – Semi-finals
7 May – Final
UAE squad: Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Avanee Patel, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kavisha Kumari, Khushi Sharma, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish, Vaishnave Mahesh.

*Zayed Cricket Stadium

**Tolerance Oval

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

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Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

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Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Console: PlayStation 2 to 5
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km