Archive of the News from the Region.
LATEST NEWS
15 februari 2012
ArabNet Digital Summit 2012
The region’s largest digital event just got bigger! This year’s summit will go on for 5 action-packed days featuring cutting-edge panel discussions, specialized workshops, exciting competitions, focused networking sessions, social activities and more.
Over 100 globally renowned speakers will share their expertise in the latest topics in the field. Plus the summit’s Ideathon and Startup Demo Competitions will introduce the top 20 entrepreneurs and startups in the region, exposing the latest in digital entrepreneurship.
15 februari 2012
Statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on the anniversary of the unrest in Bahrain
On the eve of 14th February, High Representative Catherine Ashton calls upon all parties in
Bahrain to exercise calm and restraint, especially during the planned demonstrations
15 februari 2012
Qatar EU parliament Exchange of views
Qatar EU parliament Exchange of views with Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani Mofa Qatar, 1 March 2012 Room Paul-Henri Spaak 1A002 Brussels
15 februari 2012
Bahrein EU parliament Exchange of views with Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa
Bahrein EU parliament Exchange of views with Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa 29 February 11.15 Room: Paul-Henri Spaak 1A002 Brussels
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews
Workers' confusion about wages triggered Muscat Airport Project site strike
In a statement issued by the BEB Consortium (Bechtel-Enka-BEC) spokesperson, Fawziya Al Mashyki, the company has attributed the blockade by Omani employees last Sunday to confusion about their wages
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Sunil K. Vaidya
Three Sohar activists released from prison
Three activists from Sohar were released late on Tuesday night after serving six months prison, while prisoners at Sumayil Central Prison have suspended their 46-day-long fast
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Sunil K. Vaidya
Omani employees go on strike at the Muscat Airport project
After intervention from the Manpower Ministry and Indian embassy the workers were given ultimatum to either join work with the conditions offered or leave
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Sunil K. Vaidya
Striking Omani airport project workers end blockade
Last month, around 2,000 workers went on strike demanding overtime according to their original agreement
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Samir Salama,
UAE Moves under way to recover more than Dh1b of siphoned public funds
The annual study from Transparency International, a Berlin-based monitoring organisation, awarded the UAE a score of 6.8 out of a possible 10 last year.
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/by Jumana Al Tamimi
Youth unemployment in Mena region disturbingly high UN
We need to pull the UN system together like never before to support a new social contract of job-rich economic growth
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Bahrain to skip Arab League summit
Country's foreign minister cites Manama's displeasure with Iraqi interference
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toum
Bahrain medics' trial put off to February 27
Bahrain's Court of Appeals on Monday postponed the trial of 20 medical staff to February 27 to hear witnesses and form a neutral medical panel that will look into the allegations of the defendants they had been ill-treated
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toum
Bahrain torture case trial postponed to February 26
The trial of five security men on charges of torturing two people to death and not reporting the case to the competent authorities was on Monday postponed to February 26
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Ray of hope amid statements about national solution
A ray of hope could be glowing in Bahrain after the crown prince, the parliament speaker and a prominent lawmaker referred in different statements to a national solution to the crisis that has hit Bahrain
7 februari 2012 - The peninsula
Symposium to tackle GCC security on Wednesday
Plan includes studying the latest developments in political and economic fields, on both the regional and international levels
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toum
Arab media research needs to be expanded
The bureaucratic restrictions and outdated practices that have stalled the development of teaching and researching Arab media for decades should be shrugged off, a paper has urged
7 februari 2012 - AFP
Islamist-led opposition wins majority in Kuwait parliament
Kuwait's Islamist-led opposition has won a landslide majority in Kuwait's snap polls by securing 34 seats in the 50-member parliament, officials results released on Friday showed
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Islamist gains in Kuwait at expense of women and liberals
Kuwait has become the fourth Arab country in as many months to see overwhelming gains for Islamists and dismal losses for liberals in parliamentary elections
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Kuwait braces for turbulent times
Islamists achieve major gains in elections; Experts foresee repeated confrontations in parliament; Women fail to find foothold and liberals fall from grace
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Not a single woman makes it to Kuwaiti parliament
Four incumbents among 23 candidates who failed to secure enough votes
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Veteran politician says negative phenomena impacted election outcome
The emergence of sectarianism as an important factor to be elected to parliament
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Habib Toumi
Kuwait’s parliament to convene on February 15
Kuwait’s newly-elected parliament will hold its first session on February 15, the cabinet said following its weekly meeting
7 februari 2012 - AP
Saudi women push challenge to driving ban
Courts urged to take up lawsuits demanding the right to drive
7 februari 2012 - Gulfnews/By Asma Alsharif
Saudi artists test limits of freedom of expression
Rare exhibition in kingdom affords them opportunity for social commentary through art as region's political landscape continues to change
7 februari 2012 - Kuwait Times -
Opposition blocs open to join Kuwait cabinet, Lawmakers plan to amend Article 2
The new Cabinet seeks active participation from opposition bloc figures to create balance in the political scene
7 februari 2012 - Saudi Gazette
Women are now a subject of 'financial abuse'
Despite progressing and being open-minded, women are succumb to some sort violence and abuse at home or at work
24 januari 2012 - Foreign Policy/By Nathan J. Brown
Why won't Saudi Arabia write down its laws?
The most influential religious scholars in Saudi Arabia would object even to such an attempt to codify Islamic legal principles. It is not so much writing them down that would bother them; it is obliging the individual judge to follow those texts. The binding nature of codes, not their written nature, provokes the strongest objections.
24 januari 2012 - New York Times/By THOMAS W. LIPPMAN
Saudi Women Shatter the Lingerie Ceiling
A SOCIAL revolution began in Saudi Arabia this month, and it has little if anything to do with the Arab Spring. Women are going to work in lingerie shops.
24 januari 2012 - The Telegraph
Saudi female driver who defied ban dies in fatal accident
Women in the kingdom who have the means hire drivers while others must depend on the goodwill of male relatives.
23 januari 2012 - Times of Oman
Kuwait's Majlis Al Umma 'Parliament', the focus of the world
In an era when democracy across the globe is finding fresh and renewed lease of life, Kuwait offers to this chequered legacy a script of political reformation written with extreme passion.
23 januari 2012 - Kuwait Times
I dream of party politics
The aim of party politics would not be to strengthen social divisions, rather it would come as a blender, bringing people together based on ideological backgrounds – and most important, on political platform agendas
23 januari 2012 - Saudi Gazette
The specialist penal court resumed terror trial
The Specialist Penal Court resumed Sunday the trials of 49 men
23 januari 2012 - Arab News
Crackdown on Saudis employing runaways
The Ministry of Labor has started cracking down on people employing housemaids who have run away from their original sponsors
23 januari 2012 - Oman Daily Observer
Role of labour unions, members in focus
labour confederation is to address the manifestations that may hamper production in an objective and transparent manner to ensure meeting the public and social interests and enhancing the union in the national development process
23 januari 2012 - deutsche Press agentur
Bahrain spirals into escalating violence
The death toll from protest-related also continued to mount, surpassing 50 so far since February 14th, with many in the opposition now vowing to re-ignite the large protests by the first anniversary if the demands of political reform are not met
23 januari 2012 - BBC news
Bahrain pushes reform agenda
The government of Bahrain has had a busy few weeks, pushing ahead with a reform agenda against a backdrop of continuing unrest.
23 januari 2012
Saudi Activists Rebuff the Government's Rejection to Register their Center
A group of Saudi human rights activists filed a complaint to the Minister of Social Affairs after its rejection to grant them a permit to establish a center for defending human rights in the country.
21 december 2011 - Associated Press
Bahrain Police Fire Tear Gas After Funeral
Police in Bahrain on Sunday fired tear gas at thousands of demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans
21 december 2011 - jadaliyya.com
Pioneer Bloggers in the Gulf Arab States
Today the number of Twitter and Facebook users in the Gulf is estimated to be in the millions. Many are outspoken and critical of Gulf Arab regime policies, religious establishments, and the stagnation of social and political reform
21 december 2011 - Gulf Daily News
Time for the opposition to prove its credibility
What is needed in Bahrain is trust and belief, across the political and religious divide
21 december 2011 - Al Hayat/Jameel Theyabi
The Riyadh Summit and the Arab Spring
Gulf citizens have become sick and tired of this broken record, and want to hear decisions rising up to the level of the GCC states’ history,, geography and the relations of their people, in order to uphold the acquisitions and political, economic and strategic status of these countries whose lands are filled with oil and gas.
21 december 2011 - Oman Daily Observer
Panel to study laws, amendments in Oman
The committee viewed its statement which was raised to the Majlis's Office in respect to arranging the priority topics that the Legal Committee intends to list in its action plan during the 1st annual sitting
21 december 2011 - Gulf Daily News
Bahraini MP storms out over protest crackdown
An MP stormed out of parliament yesterday in protest against police tactics when dealing with protesters
21 december 2011 - Gulf Times
Bahrain female blogger released pending trial
The public prosecutor decided to release Khawaja and Maasuma al-Sayed
21 december 2011 - Khaleej Times
Kuwaitis register for polls seeking change stability
The change in this election will be huge thanks to the young generation who will play a pivotal role in the poll
1 december 2011 - Gulfnews/ by Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi
McCarthyism in Gulf social media
People should realise the risks of long-term damage that petty accusations may cause, not only to individuals but also to the fabric of society
1 december 2011 - Doha Centre for Media Freedom/ by Anealla Safdar
The UAE Five are free, but is the media?
On November 28, four Emiratis and one stateless resident of the United Arab Emirates were jailed for threatening state security by insulting the country's leaders. They had called for a boycott of September's Federal National Council elections and were charged in connection with anti-government demonstrations.
29 november 2011 - Gulfnews/By Sunil K. Vaidya
Qaboos: Free expression is vital
Sultan of Oman tells government to use full force of law to root out corruption
29 november 2011 - BBC news
Qatar elections to be held in 2013
Qatar will hold elections for its advisory council in 2013
28 november 2011 - Associated Press/ By BARBARA SURK and BRIAN MURPHY, AP
Bahrain hints at evidence of Iran protest links
in a 500-page report detailing widespread abuses in Bahrain's crackdowns, it's a brief section on Iran that has brought the strongest pushback Thursday in the Gulf kingdom
28 november 2011 - AFP
20 detained Kuwaiti activists go on hunger strike
The announcement came in a statement posted on Twitter by the activists' supporters immediately after the public prosecutor extended the detention of 31 activists until Saturday for further investigation.
28 november 2011 - AFP
Gulf states advise nationals to leave Syria
Arab Gulf states plan to cut commercial ties with Syria
28 november 2011 - Reuters
Bahrain pledges to act on criticism of crackdown
The National Commission will study the recommendations and put forward proposals including with regards to the recommendation on necessary amendments in laws and regulations and how the recommendations can be implemented," a statement on the official BNA news agency said late on Saturday
28 november 2011 - Reuters/ By BARBARA SURK
UAE security court sentences 5 political activists
A state security court in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday sentenced five activists who have campaigned for political freedoms in the oil-rich Gulf federation to prison terms of up to three years
28 november 2011 - AFP/ By Omar Hasan
Three Kuwaiti ministers plan to quit
Health minister Helal al-Sayer, justice and social affairs and labour minister Mohammad al-Afasi and state minister for development Abdulwahab al-Harun plan to resign
28 november 2011 - AFP
Kuwaiti emir to dissolve parliament
The latest developments appear to have been triggered by the reported resignation of three ministers of the 16-member cabinet of the oil-rich Gulf state in protest over the strained political situation
28 november 2011 - Reuters/ by Mahmoud Habboush
UAE pardons activists sentenced for insulting leaders
Ahmed Mansoor, a communications engineer, was accused of running a website that gave bin Ghaith and three other defendants a venue to express anti-government views
28 november 2011 - Reuters
Kuwait cabinet submits resignation
The Kuwaiti government quit on Monday, parliamentary sources said, to resolve demands from protesters and opposition deputies that the prime minister step down over corruption allegations
24 november 2011
REPORT OF THE BAHRAIN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF INQUIRY PRESENTED IN MANAMA BAHRAIN ON 23 NOVEMBER 2011
Based on more than 5,000 interviews with protesters, Bahrain residents and foreigners, the inquiry represents perhaps the most comprehensive look at any of the uprisings and crackdowns that have roiled the Arab world this year. In its sheer breadth it runs to 489 pages the report appeared to mark a first for the Arab world, pulling the shroud back from the inner workings of secretive security forces.
24 november 2011 - EUROPEAN UNION
Statement by EU High Representative on the publication of the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry Catherine Ashton
calling upon all sides in Bahrain to do their utmost to implement the recommendations of the report, in a timely and complete fashion
21 november 2011 - Kuwait Times
opposition's and prime minister's supporters plan to stage rallies opposite the National Assembly at the same time today
The interior minister has beefed up security preparations by mobilising almost all its forces as the opposition's and prime minister's supporters plan to stage rallies opposite the National Assembly at the same time today
21 november 2011 - Gulf News
Parliament panel calls for suspending controversial MP
A parliamentary committee has recommended suspending a lawmaker for 20 sessions for allegedly verbally abusing two other MPs
21 november 2011
Protester dies during rally in Bahrain
The protester's uncle says his 16-year-old nephew, Ali Youssef Bagdar, died after a police vehicle ran over him
21 november 2011 - Gulf News
Bahraini teenager killed in freak accident
Ali Yusuf Ali Hassan Ebrahim, 16 next month, died from the injuries he sustained after the police car crashed him into a wall
21 november 2011 - Gulf News
Qatar to restructure foreign ministry, set up diplomacy institute
Qatar is to set up a diplomacy institute within its foreign ministry, a local daily reported
21 november 2011 - Gulf News
Reforms best way to avoid uprisings, Qatar premier says
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are not immune to popular uprisings
21 november 2011 - Gulf News
All eyes on Nayef's strategy
Seen as a hardliner, Crown Prince may reveal inclusive side as heir to Saudi King
16 november 2011 - Gulfnews
Dr Amal Al Qubaisi being elected as the first deputy speaker of the House and also to represent Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country
Dr Amal the first woman to be elected to the House in 2006 has returned for her second term
16 november 2011 - Kuwait Times
Kuwaiti MPs file request to grill PM over graft
Several opposition MPs warned the government that popular anger was growing rapidly
16 november 2011 - Gulf Daily News
Terror suspects face life in jail: Bahrain
A top lawyer with experience of defending suspects with alleged links to Al Qaeda said jail sentences of up to 25 years could be handed down under Bahrain's anti-terrorism laws
16 november 2011 - Reuters
UAE leader promises more political rights to citizens
The president of the United Arab Emirates promised greater political rights to citizens at the opening session of the country's partly elected assembly Tuesday
13 oktober 2011 - Brendan O'Neill, The Telegraph
Saudi women getting the right to vote
Granting of the vote to Saudi women is a potentially brilliant development is because it implicitly recognises that these women are political beings.
11 oktober 2011 - Gulf Daily News
New political force for Bahrain's unity
The Bahrain Bloc, consisting of five Sunni and four Shi'ite members, is now the second largest group in parliament and Bahrain's first cross-sect parliamentary alliance
11 oktober 2011 - Saudi Gazette
Anti-graft commission sets up office in Riyadh
Strengthening relations with citizens and to facilitate their communication with the commission.
11 oktober 2011 - Arab News
Kuwait oil shipments halted due to strike: Shipping sources
Kuwait customs union went on a strike.
26 september 2011 - Saudi Gazette
Women can now vote, join Shoura as member
In a historic announcement Sunday, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said that he was giving Saudi women the right to vote and run in municipal elections as well as the right to join the Shoura Council as members.
26 september 2011 - Kuwait Times
Kuwaitis go to court to demand disclosure of MPs' finances
Around 100 Kuwaiti citizens yesterday submitted formal legal complaints at a local court demanding that MPs be compelled.
21 juli 2011 - Kuwait Times
Minister questioned over staff's dodgy expenses
MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri said that Kuwait is not and should be treated as a feudal estate owned and run by several individuals according to their whims.
21 juli 2011
Oman Tribune
An international rights group called on Bahrain to stop harassment and intimidation of reporters critical of the government, which crushed weeks of protests earlier this year.
21 juli 2011 - Arab news
Defendant says didn't fund Iraq insurgency
The prime suspect among the 16 defendants facing trial in a special court in Jeddah for supporting terror activities said Wednesday charges made against him were false.
20 juli 2011 - Kuwait Times
Kuwaiti MPs question ministers
MP Walid Al-Tabtabaie has submitted a number of parliamentary questions to Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr. Mohammad Al-Afasi concerning the implementation of disability rights legislation introduced last year.
12 juli 2011 - Arab News
UAE expands voter list to head off protest
The United Arab Emirates will increase the number of citizens eligible to vote for a national advisory council to 129,000 from a previously planned 80,000, the state news agency announced on Monday, the latest move to give them a bigger say in government.
12 juli 2011 - Nissar Hoath, Khaleej Times
129,274 to vote in FNC polls: UAE
An electorate of 129,274 citizens from seven emirates will vote in the country's second Federal National Council elections to choose 20 representatives of a 40-member house on September 24. The other 20 seats will be nominees of the the Rulers of the Emirates.
12 juli 2011 - Kuwait News Agency
Iran FM says no problem with Saudi Arabia
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said here Sunday his country has no serious problem with Saudi Arabia and the two countries just take different points of view on regional developments.
12 juli 2011 - Reuters
Turkish foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia
A revival of Turkish influence in the Middle East and North Africa is a changed dynamic in a region cast into turmoil by the "Arab Spring" popular uprisings.
12 juli 2011 - Arab News
Women’s driving a nonevent?
The call for Saudi women to drive on June 17 as a form of protest for not being permitted to drive was a nonevent. It did not generate a huge response on the streets despite the wide support it had on virtual space.
12 juli 2011 - Arab News
Violence against children on the rise in Saudi
Violence against children is on the rise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The local media has given prominent coverage to a spate of such incidents following the death of the Taif boy Ahmad last week. The four-year-old boy was allegedly murdered by his stepmother.
12 juli 2011 - Arab news
Improvements in women's rights: Kuwait
UN Women launched its first global report. Entitled 'Progress of the World's Women: In Pursuit of Justice,' the new report examines women's rights worldwide and highlights the injustices women suffer at home, at work, in politics and under different justice systems.
7 juli 2011
GCC solidarity pledge by Bahrain and Kuwait
Security is a unified mission for the GCC, it was declared.
9 mei 2011 - Ravindra Nath, Khaleej Times
Oman to decentralise power, implement reforms
Pressing ahead with reforms, triggered by the recent public demonstrations demanding jobs, higher wages and an end to corruption that rocked the country, Oman is embarking on a major move to decentralise power.
9 mei 2011 - Habib Toumi, Gulf News
Qatari woman confident of winning municipal polls dominated by men
Fatima Al Gazal, one of four women running in Qatar's municipal elections next week, said it would be better to create awareness in the society for recognising Qatari women's abilities and providing them a level playing field for winning membership in the Council through free and fair elections.
