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Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah dies

Published

5 months ago

December 16, 2023

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Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday, aged 86, according to the royal court, just over three years after assuming power in the U.S.-allied Gulf oil producer.

The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed. The emir was admitted to hospital late last month due to what the state news agency described at the time as an emergency health problem but said that he was in a stable condition.

Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, 83, who has been Kuwait’s de facto ruler sine 2021, when the frail emir handed over most his duties, is the designated successor.

Sheikh Nawaf became emir in September 2020 following the death of his brother, Sheikh Sabah, who had ruled for more than a decade and shaped the state’s foreign policy for over 50 years.

Sheikh Nawaf was seen by diplomats as a consensus builder even though his reign was marked by an intense standoff between the government and elected parliament, which had hindered key structural reforms in the oil rich Gulf state. In recent months, consensus returned between the government and the parliament.

Kuwait, holder of the world’s seventh-largest oil reserves, borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and lies across the Gulf from Iran.

Since he took over in 2020, Sheikh Nawaf maintained a foreign policy that balanced ties with those neighbours, whilst domestically eight governments were formed under his rule.

Under Kuwait’s constitution, the crown prince automatically becomes emir but assumes power only after taking an oath in parliament. The new emir has up to a year to name an heir.

(Reuters)

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CoPF urges Immigration CG to attend data breach immediately

Published

2 hours ago

May 9, 2024

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Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Chairman – Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the CoPF will meet again on May 14 to continue the discussion on the outsourcing process done with regard to Sri Lankan visa.

The CoPF had summoned the Secretary of the Public Security ministry and the Controller General of Immigration to discuss the matter today (May 09).

“As Chair of the committee this is all we wish to state to the media given the ongoing n sensitive nature of the matter,” Dr. Harsha de Silva had said, taking to X.

“We directed the CG of Immigration and Emigration to immediately attend to the data breach that has been brought to our attention by @TrekTrendy as top priority. They are on it as at now,” he adds.

We directed the CG of Immigration and Emigration to immediately attend to the data breach that has been brought to our attention by @TrekTrendy as top priority. They are on it as at now. pic.twitter.com/oYnvwS7yYs
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) May 9, 2024

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Gazette nominating Mujibur as MP, issued

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2024

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A Gazette notification has been issued stating that Mujibur Rahman has been nominated by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to fill the vacant seat of Diana Gamage as a Member of Parliament.

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Will continue politics – Diana

Published

3 hours ago

May 9, 2024

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Former MP – Diana Gamage has said that she will continue politics.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo today (May 09), she said,”My politics will not stop here. This parliament will be dissolved before long. I will definitely return to politics in the future.”

“I will always support the President. It was he who took up the reins of the country when others backed off,” she said.

Speaking on the Supreme Court decision, she added, “If this is the decision, then that party (SJB) is also annuled. Because it was I who signed the handover. There are many crises within the party. I will reveal these in the future.”