• A protest in Baghdad's Green Zone on February 28 against plans to amend electoral law. AFP
    A protest in Baghdad's Green Zone on February 28 against plans to amend electoral law. AFP
  • Flag-waving protesters near parliament in the Iraqi capital. Reuters
    Flag-waving protesters near parliament in the Iraqi capital. Reuters
  • Hundreds took to the streets to voice their dissent. AP
    Hundreds took to the streets to voice their dissent. AP
  • The draft law would increase the size of the country's electoral districts. AFP
    The draft law would increase the size of the country's electoral districts. AFP
  • Protesters on the march near parliament. AP
    Protesters on the march near parliament. AP
  • Security forces watch as slogans blare from loudspeakers. AP
    Security forces watch as slogans blare from loudspeakers. AP
  • Iraqi protesters shout slogans during a protest near the green zone area in central Baghdad, Iraq, 27 February 2023. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Baghdad to denounce the draft elections law that would increase the size of the country's electoral districts, which critics claim it would undermine independent candidates, while Iraq's parliament has failed to convene to discuss the key provisions of election law. The demonstration took place amidst an intense security presence around the gates of the governmental area of green zone. EPA / AHMED JALIL
    Iraqi protesters shout slogans during a protest near the green zone area in central Baghdad, Iraq, 27 February 2023. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Baghdad to denounce the draft elections law that would increase the size of the country's electoral districts, which critics claim it would undermine independent candidates, while Iraq's parliament has failed to convene to discuss the key provisions of election law. The demonstration took place amidst an intense security presence around the gates of the governmental area of green zone. EPA / AHMED JALIL
  • Iraq's parliament has failed to convene to discuss the key provisions of the law. EPA
    Iraq's parliament has failed to convene to discuss the key provisions of the law. EPA
  • There was an intense security presence around the gates of the Green Zone. EPA
    There was an intense security presence around the gates of the Green Zone. EPA

Iraqis protest against push to return to voting system that benefits large parties


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Iraqis staged a protest in Baghdad on Monday in opposition to changes to the country’s parliamentary and provincial elections law that would bring back a voting system that benefits large parties.

The Demonstrations Committee, a group in Iraq that co-ordinates anti-government protests, attempted to rally demonstrators on Facebook, “calling for major unified Iraqi protests in Baghdad for all the provinces in front of the House of Representatives on Monday to reject the notorious Sainte Lague law”.

The group said the Sainte Lague law, which was replaced in 2021, would ensure “the removal of emerging powers and independents”.

Protest movement demand

After massive protests that erupted in October 2019 and persisted until the spring of 2020, forcing the administration of former prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to resign, the government agreed to hold early elections, which it did in 2021.

Iraq’s elites were shaken by the protests, the largest demonstrations in Shiite-majority provinces in the country's modern history, while a harsh security clampdown left at least 600 dead.

The 2021 elections were held under a new law to replace the Sainte Lague system, with numerous small electoral districts in each province, a move that gave new independent parties — many of which were supported by protesters — a stronger chance of winning seats.

The Sainte Lague system involved a complicated formula used to apportion seats in favour of established parties.

It was replaced a simple policy to apportion seats to parties with the highest number of votes.

Voters could also vote for individual candidates, rather than party lists, further boosting independent politicians.

Combined, the three changes ensured that about 30 candidates who claimed to be independent won seats in 2021.

The Iran-backed Co-ordination Framework and leading Sunni and Kurdish parties now want to return to a voting system known as Modified Sainte Lague that benefitted larger parties between 2014 and 2021.

The system would also apply to provincial elections, which have not been held since 2013. The delay has been blamed on disputes between Baghdad and Kurdish authorities, and severe insecurity that arose during the conflict against ISIS.

However, the provincial elections are due to be held in October.

Last week, parliament debated the draft, which would also return Iraq to having one electoral district per province.

Independent politicians who objected to the proposal walked out of the session, which ended early after it lost its quorum.

Parliament was set to discuss the proposed law again during its session on Monday but MPs voted to postpone the discussion until Saturday.

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
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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”

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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Name: Brendalle Belaza

From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines

Arrived in the UAE: 2007

Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus

Favourite photography style: Street photography

Favourite book: Harry Potter

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Creator: Mike White

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Updated: February 28, 2023, 1:07 PM