The independent investigation team assessing complaints against the Arab-led coalition in Yemen has ruled in favour of international forces in a number of recent cases lodged by UN bodies and rights groups.
Mansour Al Mansour, the spokesman for the Joint Incident Assessment Team in Yemen, ruled in favour of the Arab coalition in seven cases submitted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding an explosion on July 2015 on Al Wahat Mosque that it said killed 10 people and wounded 15 others.
He said that satellite imagery showed the mosque had been destroyed two months prior to the attack and questioned the details of the incident in question.
In a separate case brought by UNHCR, Mr Al Mansour said there was no evidence that coalition forces had intentionally targeted a wedding in the Bani Qais Area in Hajjah governorate. He said that video footage of the strike showed no wedding tent and instead the strike was carried out against a military target in a building.
The target was confirmed as a Houthi missile expert and although the footage showed that the building’s roof collapsed there was no indication of a wedding.
Mr Al Mansour said UNHCR and other bodies were welcome to oversee the evidence and be briefed on the reports issued by the JIAT.
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Read more:
Mukalla: The Yemeni city that defeated Al Qaeda and now needs the world's help
UN Yemen envoy to visit Sanaa, Riyadh and Muscat after Geneva talks setback
Yemen pro-government forces cut major Houthi supply route
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In a case brought by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the JIAT said that a single strike had been carried out on a vehicle transporting explosive material. The ICRC had accused the coalition of hitting a welding workshop and a higher institute of medical sciences.
The investigation into a case brought by Human Rights Watch that claimed coalition forces had hit a busy market showed that no air raids had been carried out near the village of Zabid at the time of the reported incident. HRW reported that 60 civilians had been killed and 155 injured in an explosion at Shaja’a market.
Mr Al Mansour also said that a claim by Human Rights Watch that coalition forces targeted a cultural centre in Saada with three bombs that killed 28 people and injuring three others was carried out against a military target with two missiles.
The spokesman said the coalition clearly had "the courage" to admit mistakes made in the war, pointing to the recent acceptance that civilians including children had died after a strike in Saada on August 9.
“The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition expresses regret over the mistakes, extends its sympathies, condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims and announces its acceptance of the results and findings of (JIAT)”, a coalition statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency said about the incident on September 1.
Mr Al Mansour said the JIAT, which is based in Riyadh, did not base decisions on speculation and that it enjoys independence from any political agendas.
The JIAT reviews battle reports, flight logs, intelligence, satellite images and flight footage to assess claims made against coalition forces in Yemen and presents reports on the findings to the force commanders as well as concerned parties.
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
Company%20Profile
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If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
