Opposition threatens to boycott polls if law changed – Amir accepts resignation of Cabinet, to start talks

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

…

The government has said that it submitted its resignation in a bid to rectify the flawed procedures and to open the way for the formation of a new government that will fulfill all constitutional requirements in a bid to prevent similar flawed procedures from happening again. The Amir is scheduled to open traditional consultations today with former premiers and former and present Assembly speakers in addition to leading political figures ahead of asking the prime minister to form a new Cabinet.

…

Continue reading »

Amir has right to dissolve or reinstate parliament

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah has the sole power to dissolve or reinstate the 2009 parliament, Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi said. He underlined that the Constitutional Court ruling on dissolving 2012 parliament and reinstating the former one has to be respected. “The recently-submitted government’s resignation is the first step towards the enforcement of the ruling,” Al-Khorafi said in a press conference at the National Assembly headquarters.

…

Continue reading »

Experts to Obama: Yemen Policy Must Change

Source: POMED (Read full story)

On Monday, 27 leading experts on Yemen, U.S. foreign policy, and security signed onto a letter to President Obama urging a fundamental shift in American policy towards Yemen. Coordinated by the Yemen Policy Initiative, the letter argues for a more balanced policy approach that elevates support for long-term economic and political development in Yemen alongside counterterrorism efforts.

…

To see the full text of the letter, click here.

Continue reading »

Kuwait government submits resignation

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

The Kuwaiti government submitted its resignation to the country’s ruler on Monday, a government source said, deepening a political crisis in the major oil exporter and US ally.

The government’s move came just days after a court ruling annulled a February parliamentary election and restored the previous assembly.

At least seven governments have stepped down in recent years amid a persistent political deadlock.

…

Continue reading »

Yemen army says seizes Qaeda bastion in major advance

Source: Reuters (Read full story)

…

At least 23 Islamist fighters were killed during overnight clashes near gas facilities in Belhaf in Shabwa province, one military source said.

Military planes bombed a convoy of vehicles carrying militants fleeing Shaqra, killing about 30 Islamists, said a second.

Tribal sources said a number of chiefs from Shabwa were attempting to persuade the Islamist militants to surrender without a struggle.

Many of the al Qaeda militants and leaders belong to major tribes in Abyan and Shabwa provinces, the sources said.

Yemeni officials said many al Qaeda fighters had fled Shaqra to a mountainous region to the west of it or went to Azzan.

…

Continue reading »

Dubai Police bust human trafficking gang

Source: Gulf News (Read full story)

The Dubai Police Criminal investigation Department has dismantled a European criminal gang for human trafficking in the UAE, arresting its members and hunting for the rest of the ring internationally.

Brigadier General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri Director of Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department said that the criminal web includes four European women who alternate roles in attracting girls from Europe to work in night clubs for high salaries, a chauffeur, and accommodation in five-star hotels.

…

Continue reading »