Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, whose supporters are currently camped in the parliament building in Baghdad’s government complex, addressed the country on Wednesday, saying he did not want bloodshed but was “prepared for martyrdom”.
He also called for early elections, despite having gained the largest number of seats in October's national vote.
Mr Al Sadr withdrew his 73 MPs from Parliament last month to protest against what he said was corruption after 10 months of stalled talks to form the next government.
A rival coalition, the Iran-backed Co-ordination Framework, mounted a series of legal challenges against Mr Al Sadr and two allied Kurdish and Sunni parties, stymying attempts to follow the constitutional procedure to select a president, prime minister and Cabinet.
Iraq's Supreme Court later ruled that runner-up MPs could take the Sadrist bloc's seats, boosting the Co-ordination Framework's share of seats by 64.
Iraq’s Shiite elites have been working to de-escalate tension after the Co-ordination Framework organised a counter-protest against the Sadrist demonstrators near the parliament building and the house of caretaker prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi on Monday.
As both Mr Al Sadr and the Co-ordination Framework command powerful militias, the EU and UN have called for immediate de-escalation to avoid an intra-Shiite civil war.
Iraq's regular army is relatively neutral and security services on Monday struggled to keep the two sides apart.
On Tuesday, the UN mission to Iraq called for the country’s political rivals to hold talks aimed at finding a solution to the stalemate.
But Mr Al Sadr said it was not the time for negotiations and called on one of the Co-ordination Framework's leading figures, Hadi Al Amiri, who commands the Iran-backed Badr Organisation, to cut ties with his ally, former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki.
Mr Al Amiri has taken a different path to de-escalating the situation, meeting Mr Al Kadhimi on Wednesday evening and saying there was "no solution to the current crisis except sitting down and calling for dialogue".
On Wednesday, Mr Al Sadr said this "is not a struggle over power, rather a revolution".
He said he organised the recent protests for the sake of reform.
Mr Al Sadr's call for early elections could dismay Iraqis who have shunned national votes in increasing numbers, with turnout falling gradually since 2014.
Elections were held early in 2019, a key demand of a national protest movement against Iraq’s post-2003 political elite.
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
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3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
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3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
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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
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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