Iraq’s parliament on Thursday elected senior Sunni politician Mahmoud Al Mashhadani as its new Speaker, nearly one year after the dismissal of Mohammed Al Halbousi.
After the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Mr Al Mashhadani, 76, a former physician, emerged as one of the most prominent Sunni politicians. In 2004, he was a founding member of the National Dialogue Council, an umbrella group for Sunni parties.
The Islamist legislator took part in drafting Iraq’s constitution. He served as the country’s first speaker after the adoption of the constitution in 2005, starting from 2006 until his resignation in December 2008 amid widespread complaints about perceived erratic behaviour.
Mr Al Halbousi’s removal in November last year created an impasse and divisions among Sunni political factions over the choice of candidates for the post, as well as between the Shiite political factions as they sought to support candidates who would be close to them.
Then, the parliament terminated the membership of Mr Al Halbousi after a ruling by the country’s top court. He was accused by another Sunni politician of forging his signature and date on a resignation letter, prompting a rule by the Federal Supreme Court to remove him.
Under the country's power-sharing system, set up in 2003 to avoid more sectarian conflict after Saddam's regime was toppled in 2003, the post of speaker is held by a Sunni Arab, the President is Kurdish and the Prime Minister a Shiite Arab. But disputes between ethnic blocs often delay appointments to these posts.
Thursday's session was the third attempt to elect a new speaker after two failed sessions in January and May. In the first round of voting, none of the four candidates won the needed 166 votes, while in the second round, Mr Al Mashhadani received 182 votes, winning over Salem Al Issawi, acting speaker Muhsin Al Mandalawi announced.
Mr Al Mashhadani was supported by Mr Al Halbousi and the Shiite political factions, while Mr Al Issawi was backed by some Sunni political parties.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani congratulated Mr Al Mashhadani on his role and the Council of Representatives “for finalising this important constitutional milestone”.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering its service-orientated and developmental programme with the legislation and oversight of the Council of Representatives, Mr Al Sudani said.
He said the government renews its legal and constitutional commitment to supporting the oversight role of the Council of Representatives, which complements the government’s work and reinforces its priorities in battling corruption and implementing reforms.
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
Mobile phone packages comparison
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
