Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid ordered legal charges to be dropped against parliamentarians who attended gatherings in breach of coronavirus measures.
Prosecutors had summoned 38 MPs on Tuesday, including former National Assembly speaker Ahmad Al Saadoun, which caused a wave of anger among opposition supporters.
Current Speaker Marzouq Al Ghanim was among the MPs charged with breaking the safety rules, sources close to the matter told The National.
Speaking before the prime minister’s order, Mr Al Ghanim admitted flouting laws on social gatherings.
“I was just informed that I will be referred to the Public Prosecution for some gatherings and parties that were held after election results were announced,” Mr Al Ghanim said.
"I will be the first to be present [in court] and to ask for the removal of parliamentary immunity to demonstrate that Kuwait is a nation [built on the] constitution and the law and that nobody is above the law."
Although he said at the time that he had not received an official notification from prosecutors, Mr Al Ghanim admitted he held a gathering in his diwan, or office, in breach of the restrictions.
On Monday, Kuwait recorded 1,332 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, bringing the total to 210,855, and seven new deaths, taking the toll to 1,179.
Mr Al Ghanim was elected speaker in 2020.
Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Nawaf, who succeeded Sheikh Sabah after his death in September, suspended parliament sessions for one month on February 18 after an impasse between the MPs and the elected Cabinet that led to its resignation in January.
Earlier this month, Kuwait reimposed a curfew, which would last for a minimum of one month, including a ban on social gatherings after a surge in coronavirus cases. Non-citizens have been barred from entering the country.
People who break the rules can be fined up to $16,000 and face up to three months in jail.
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
