Saudi diplomat shot dead in restive Yemen

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Gunmen shot dead a Saudi Arabian diplomat and his bodyguard in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday, Yemeni officials and diplomatic sources said. A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Riyadh identified the victim as Khaled Shubaikan Al-Anazi, the Kingdom’s assistant military attache in Sanaa. The spokesman said Al-Anazi was shot dead along with his Yemeni bodyguard as they were going out of his residence. Nobody so far has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place in Sanaa’s southern district of Hada, where embassies and diplomats’ residences are located.

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Iran Accuses Saudi Arabia of Exploring for Oil in Prohibited Border Region

Source: Oil Price (Read full story)

Political relations throughout the Middle East seem to be worsening on an almost daily basis. One situation of particular concern is the deteriorating relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Shi’ite Muslims of Iran are separated from the Sunni Muslims of Saudi Arabia by just 250km of Gulf waters, and after months of squabbling the latest episode has seen Iran accuse Saudi Arabia of exploring for oil and gas in these prohibited border regions.

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U.S. to overtake Saudi as top oil producer: IEA

Source: Reuters (Read full story)

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it saw a continued fall in U.S. oil imports with North America becoming a net oil exporter by around 2030 and the United States becoming almost self-sufficient in energy by 2035.

“The United States, which currently imports around 20 percent of its total energy needs, becomes all but self-sufficient in net terms – a dramatic reversal of the trend seen in most other energy importing countries,” it said.

The forecasts by the IEA, which advises large industrialized nations on energy policy, were in sharp contrast to its previous reports, which saw Saudi Arabia remaining the top producer until 2035.

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Constitution’s role in building modern Kuwait highlighted

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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In press statements on the occasion of the 50th anniversary (Golden Jubilee) of the issuance of the constitution, Sheikh Sabah Jaber Al-Ali said that Kuwaitis, leadership and people, have accepted the constitution as basis for cooperation to build Kuwait’s modern state. “The Constitution articles, in general, have written to consolidate the foundations and principles of Kuwait since its inception,” he said. He pointed out that Kuwaitis, since their early history, have been embracing consultation, democracy and popular participation as principle for life and joint action.

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Commentary: Saudi Arbitration Court in the UK?

Source: Saudi-US Trade Group (Read full story)

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If this new “court” as it is called in the press will allow parties to easily and efficiently enforce foreign awards in Saudi Arabia, that would be its main and significant benefit.  As it stands now, it is very difficult to enforce foreign judgments and awards in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Courts have procedures for the enforcement of judgments obtained in a foreign jurisdiction to which a party has submitted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia subject to Article 8(1)(g) of Royal Decree No. M/51 dated 17/7/1402 H., corresponding to [11/05/1982 (G)] (the Grievances Board Law).  The Grievances Board Law grants the Grievances Board the authority to accept applications for the enforcement in Saudi Arabia of foreign judgments.

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Opposition urges demonstrators to avoid clash with police – ‘No more cooperation with PM’

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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The opposition insisted that the gathering in which scores of people were reportedly arrested was a peaceful demonstration. Al-Barrak urged his supporters on Friday to take part in the second demonstration planned for tonight, while urging them to maintain peace. “Expose them by avoiding retaliation if you are beaten by special task forces,” Al-Barrak added. Meanwhile, Bin Jame’a addressed a capacity crowd where he criticized the use of violence against demonstrators, but also rejected the sit-ins and marches “that add fuel to the fire and lead to unnecessary confrontations.” Pledging allegiance to HH the Amir, Bin Jame’a called for a return to the old voting mechanism as he reiterated the Awazem’s decision to join the opposition in boycotting the elections.

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Oman traders in Musandam fear Iran strike

Source: The National (Read full story)

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Those risks raise difficult questions for the United States, where Iran has figured at the top of the presidential election campaign agenda. Yet some of the US’s strongest allies – countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait – stand to suffer the most from a military strike. Oman offers just a taste of the impact. Thousands of workers are employed by the trade between Oman Northern Province and Iran, which the office of the governor of Musandam estimates are worth about US$50 million (Dh183.5 million) a year. In addition to products sent towards Iran, return trips carry carpets, livestock, nuts, fruits and vegetables back to Musandam.

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Muslim Brotherhood role in GCC to be debated at summit

Source: Gulf News (Read full story)

The threat of the Muslim Brotherhood will be discussed by the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders at their meeting in Bahrain in December, Kuwaiti media claimed.

The request to include the Gulf role of the Islamist organisation in the summit agenda was made by a GCC country, Kuwait Arabic newspaper Al Shahedreported on Tuesday.

“The country said that the summit should discuss the role of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Gulf countries and that the issue should be given priority because of its serious implications,” government sources told the Kuwaiti newspaper.

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