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Thursday, 2 March 2023

It looks like daylight saving time is coming back

Daylight saving time could make a comeback: A draft law that would reinstate daylight saving time got the greenlight from the Madbouly cabinet at its weekly meeting, according to a statement. The law would see Cairo Local Time (CLT) pushed forward by one hour from the last Friday of April through the last Thursday of October.

The rationale: The move comes “in light of global economic conditions and developments, and the government's efforts to rationalize energy use,” cabinet said. The government last year began rationing the use of electricity — including restrictions on lighting in public spaces at night — in a bid to redirect more natural gas towards exports and increase hard currency inflows.

We can’t make our minds up: The state scrapped saving time in 2011, brought it back in 2014 and then kicked it to the curb again in 2016.

What’s next: The bill will now head to the House where it will be discussed by committees and the general assembly ahead of a final vote.

ALSO APPROVED BY CABINET YESTERDAY- A draft law preventing non-profit colleges from converting into for-profit private universities. Non-profit universities should redirect any additional income into developing their facilities and the quality of their services.

The news got significant attention overseas: Bloomberg | Reuters | ANSA.

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