Egypt begins voting to elect a new parliament

Cairo: Polling opened in Egypt today to elect a new parliament that will tighten President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's grip on power after he crushed all opposition since ousting his Islamist predecessor in 2013.

The much-delayed vote for the 596-member parliament is being held in the absence of any opposition, and will be staged in two phases ending on December 2, with Egyptians abroad casting their votes for the first round from Saturday.