Lasheen Ibrahim, head of the National Electoral Commission in Egypt. AP
Lasheen Ibrahim, head of the National Electoral Commission in Egypt. AP
Lasheen Ibrahim, head of the National Electoral Commission in Egypt. AP
Lasheen Ibrahim, head of the National Electoral Commission in Egypt. AP

Egypt sets date for senate elections in August


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Egypt will hold Senate elections on two days in August, the chief of the country’s election commission said on Saturday.

The Parliament’s lower chamber was dissolved in 2014 and restored more than a year ago.

The body was reconstituted as part of constitutional amendments that also allowed President Abdel Fatah El Sisi to extend his stay in power, possibly until 2030.

Amendments made to Egypt’s constitution last year provided for the creation of the Council of Senators.

The public will elect two thirds of the 180-member secondary chamber, with the remainder appointed by the president.

Lasheen Ibrahim, chairman of the National Election Authority, said in a televised news conference that Senate elections will be held on August 11 and 12, with run-off elections to take place on September 8-9 if necessary. Egyptian expatriates will vote on August 9-10, and on September 6-7.

  • People pray while observing safe distancing at the Al Emam Aly Mosque in Cairo. EPA
    People pray while observing safe distancing at the Al Emam Aly Mosque in Cairo. EPA
  • A waiter carries an order at a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo after authorities relaxed the lockdown measures in place to curb the spread of coronavirus. AFP
    A waiter carries an order at a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo after authorities relaxed the lockdown measures in place to curb the spread of coronavirus. AFP
  • A worker prepares an order at a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo after authorities relaxed the lockdown measures in place to curb the spread of coronavirus. AFP
    A worker prepares an order at a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo after authorities relaxed the lockdown measures in place to curb the spread of coronavirus. AFP
  • A note asking people to follow the instructions of the Health Ministry is pictured on the door of a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo. AFP
    A note asking people to follow the instructions of the Health Ministry is pictured on the door of a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo. AFP
  • A worker disinfects the door of a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo. AFP
    A worker disinfects the door of a cafe in the Egyptian capital Cairo. AFP
  • A customer gets his temperature measured by a worker in a cafe in Cairo. EPA
    A customer gets his temperature measured by a worker in a cafe in Cairo. EPA
  • A waiter serves customers in a cafe after months of lockdown in Cairo. Reuters
    A waiter serves customers in a cafe after months of lockdown in Cairo. Reuters
  • A woman looks at clothes at a store after months of lockdown in Cairo. Reuters
    A woman looks at clothes at a store after months of lockdown in Cairo. Reuters
  • Youth play football at a local sport centre after months of lockdown in Cairo. Reuters
    Youth play football at a local sport centre after months of lockdown in Cairo. Reuters
  • Churchgoers wear face masks and maintain a minimum social distance between each other as they attend a mass at the Armenian Catholic Church in Cairo. EPA
    Churchgoers wear face masks and maintain a minimum social distance between each other as they attend a mass at the Armenian Catholic Church in Cairo. EPA
  • A girl reads a book in a cafe in Cairo. EPA
    A girl reads a book in a cafe in Cairo. EPA
  • People take part in a dawn prayer inside Amr Ibn Al-As mosque in Cairo on June 27, 2020 as Egypt eased restrictions on public prayers, imposed to contain its coronavirus outbreak. EPA
    People take part in a dawn prayer inside Amr Ibn Al-As mosque in Cairo on June 27, 2020 as Egypt eased restrictions on public prayers, imposed to contain its coronavirus outbreak. EPA
  • Worshippers are required to wear masks alongside other safety guidelines such as limited capacity at mosques, the use of personal prayer mats, temperature screening and social distancing. EPA
    Worshippers are required to wear masks alongside other safety guidelines such as limited capacity at mosques, the use of personal prayer mats, temperature screening and social distancing. EPA
  • People pray while observing safe distancing at the Al Emam Aly Mosque in Cairo. EPA
    People pray while observing safe distancing at the Al Emam Aly Mosque in Cairo. EPA
  • Egyptians attend the Fajr prayer inside the Al Rahman Mosque in the Cairo's Maadi neighbourhood. Reuters
    Egyptians attend the Fajr prayer inside the Al Rahman Mosque in the Cairo's Maadi neighbourhood. Reuters
  • A worshipper records the dawn prayer inside Amr Ibn Al-As mosque in Cairo. EPA
    A worshipper records the dawn prayer inside Amr Ibn Al-As mosque in Cairo. EPA
  • Worshippers wait to perform dawn prayers at the Amr Ibn Al-As in Cairo. EPA
    Worshippers wait to perform dawn prayers at the Amr Ibn Al-As in Cairo. EPA
  • A volunteer wearing a face mask sprays disinfectant inside a mosque before it reopens to the public after three months. Reuters
    A volunteer wearing a face mask sprays disinfectant inside a mosque before it reopens to the public after three months. Reuters
  • A volunteer disinfects the entrance to a mosque in Cairo. Reuters
    A volunteer disinfects the entrance to a mosque in Cairo. Reuters
  • A volunteer sprays disinfectant in bathrooms at a Cairo mosque as it prepares to receive worshippers. Reuters
    A volunteer sprays disinfectant in bathrooms at a Cairo mosque as it prepares to receive worshippers. Reuters
  • A volunteer wearing a face mask sprays disinfectant inside a mosque in Cairo. Reuters
    A volunteer wearing a face mask sprays disinfectant inside a mosque in Cairo. Reuters

“Holding elections during the pandemic that has swept the world necessitates that we take several precautionary measures to protect ourselves and society,” Mr Ibrahim said during a televised press conference.

He said all polling stations would observe health guidelines, with all voters and polling staff required to wear masks and social distancing enforced.

Egypt reported 1,412 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday, bringing the total number of infections to 72,711. The figure includes 3,201 deaths.

Mr Ibrahim said “strict preventive measures” would be taken during the vote because of the pandemic.

No gatherings are allowed for political campaigns, which will be mostly limited to social media, he said.

The 300-member Senate was revived as part of constitutional amendments approved in a national referendum in April last year.

The amendments extended a president’s term in office from four to six years and allowed for a maximum of two terms. But they also included an article specific to El Sisi that extended his current second four-year term to six years and allowed him to run for another six-year term in 2024 – potentially extending his rule until 2030.

The constitutional changes also allowed the president to appoint top judges and grant military courts wider jurisdiction in trying civilians.

The amendments introduced the position of vice president and enshrined a 25 per cent quota for women in Parliament’s lower, legislative chamber.

The poll results will be announced on August 19 in the official state gazette, Mr Ibrahim said.

Results

5pm: Warsan Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Dhaw Al Reef, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer) 

5.30pm: Al Quadra Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mrouwah Al Gharbia, Sando Paiva, Abubakar Daud 

6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel 

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel 

7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami 

7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.  

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
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  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

RIVER%20SPIRIT
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeila%20Aboulela%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saqi%20Books%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Under 19 World Cup

Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies

Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE

 

UAE fixtures

Saturday, January 18, v Canada

Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan

Saturday, January 25, v South Africa

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%203-litre%20V6%20turbo%20(standard%20model%2C%20E-hybrid)%3B%204-litre%20V8%20biturbo%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20350hp%20(standard)%3B%20463hp%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20467hp%20(S)%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20500Nm%20(standard)%3B%20650Nm%20(E-hybrid)%3B%20600Nm%20(S)%0D%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh368%2C500%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe


Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km

Match info

Costa Rica 0

Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEjari%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYazeed%20Al%20Shamsi%2C%20Fahad%20Albedah%2C%20Mohammed%20Alkhelewy%20and%20Khalid%20Almunif%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPropTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESanabil%20500%20Mena%2C%20Hambro%20Perks'%20Oryx%20Fund%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20US%20Congress%20explained
%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20one%20of%20three%20branches%20of%20the%20US%20government%2C%20and%20the%20one%20that%20creates%20the%20nation's%20federal%20laws%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20The%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%C2%A0The%20House%20is%20made%20up%20of%20435%20members%20based%20on%20a%20state's%20population.%20House%20members%20are%20up%20for%20election%20every%20two%20years%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20bill%20must%20be%20approved%20by%20both%20the%20House%20and%20Senate%20before%20it%20goes%20to%20the%20president's%20desk%20for%20signature%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%20218%20seats%20to%20be%20in%20control%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20The%20Senate%20is%20comprised%20of%20100%20members%2C%20with%20each%20state%20receiving%20two%20senators.%20Senate%20members%20serve%20six-year%20terms%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20political%20party%20needs%2051%20seats%20to%20control%20the%20Senate.%20In%20the%20case%20of%20a%2050-50%20tie%2C%20the%20party%20of%20the%20president%20controls%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Semi-final fixtures

Portugal v Chile, 7pm, today

Germany v Mexico, 7pm, tomorrow

The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full

1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Racecard:

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah (PA) | Group 2 | US$55,000 (Dirt) | 1,600 metres

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint (TB) | Group 2 | $250,000 (Turf) | 1,000m

7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,600m

8.15pm: Meydan Trophy | Conditions (TB) | $100,000 (T) | 1,900m

8.50pm: Balanchine | Group 2 (TB) | $250,000 (T) | 1,800m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (D) | 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,410m.