Iraq's prime minister recommended two candidates to head the education and justice ministries on Monday in an attempt to take one step towards ending months of political deadlock over the formation of a new government.
Adel Abdul Mahdi on Monday addressed a letter to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Al Halbousi, calling on the speaker to present the two candidates to parliament for a vote of confidence, according to a copy of the letter seen by The National.
The proposed candidates have been vetted by The National Security and Integrity Commission, a government body tasked with fighting corruption, the letter said.
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Read more:
Persistent political infighting is risking Iraq’s hard-won gains
Plight of Iraqi man refocuses spotlight on country's slow reconstruction
Barham Salih: The political survivor propelled to Iraq’s top office
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Parliament is expected to convene on Tuesday to discuss the federal budget, but it remains unclear whether parliamentarians will vote on the new candidates.
The premier nominated Savana Al Hamdani as Minister of Education, after his previous candidate, Shaima Al Hayali, submitted her resignation a week into her ministerial role, due to allegations that her brother was a senior ISIS figure.
Ms Al Hayali, an academic from Mosul, denied that her brother, Laith Al Hayali, was affiliated with the group. "ISIS forced everyone in Mosul to work for them, threatening those who refused to join," she said on Twitter.
She was the only woman in Mr Abdul Mahdi's cabinet.
She said that she would leave it up to the premier to either accept or reject her resignation. By naming a new education minister, Mr Abdul Mahdi has clearly decided to replace her, in light of the accusations.
For the post of justice minister, Mr Abdul Mahdi named Arkan Bibani, a judge who presides over Kirkuk's court of cassation.
Judge Bibani, 44, said on Tuesday, that he is an independent figure that is not affiliated to any political party.
Both the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have opposed his nomination.
The Kurdish parties claim that one of their members should be named to the post which they say is part of their quota in government.
Mr Abdul Mahdi has failed to form a 22-minister cabinet since he was named prime minister in October.
He has yet to nominate candidates to head the defence and interior ministries. Both posts remain vacant as Iraqi officials continue to disagree over who should be nominated to the two posts.
The lack of appointments is due to political infighting and horsetrading.
The delay in forming a government raise concerns about the stability of a country that has emerged from a bitter battle against ISIS and internal armed conflict.
Baghdad faces staggering domestic problems, including high unemployment, corruption, poor public services and rebuilding after a devastating battle against ISIS.
Lack of good governance has been central to Iraq's dire problems, with international bodies routinely ranking the country poorly on lists of failing states.
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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The%20specs
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Company%20Profile
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Company%20profile
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RESULTS
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m
Winner: Dirilis Ertugrul, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer)
2.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,400m
Winner: Kidd Malibu, Sandro Paiva, Musabah Al Muhairi
2.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,000m
Winner: Raakezz, Tadhg O’Shea, Nicholas Bachalard
3.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,200m
Winner: Au Couer, Sean Kirrane, Satish Seemar
3.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
Winner: Rayig, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
4.15pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
Winner: Chiefdom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m
Winner: King’s Shadow, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
CREW
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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Pathaan
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Siddharth%20Anand%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shah%20Rukh%20Khan%2C%20Deepika%20Padukone%2C%20John%20Abraham%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Hot%20Seat
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The%20Super%20Mario%20Bros%20Movie
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Company profile
Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
The Cockroach
(Vintage)
Ian McEwan
Teenage%20Mutant%20Ninja%20Turtles%3A%20Shredder's%20Revenge
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE%20SPECS
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AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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