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Expat wanderer

Kuwait arrests activists for storming parliament

Holy cow. Reader John Mueller sent me this from Yahoo news. Oh no. Thank you, John.

Kuwaiti police Wednesday arrested at least one opposition activist over charges of storming parliament while other activists began surrendering voluntarily, their lawyer said.

“Police arrested youth activist Yussef al-Shatti at Kuwait Airport this morning,” coordinator of the opposition defence team Al-Humaidi al-Subaie told AFP.

Subaie said that so far the public prosecutor has issued around 50 arrest warrants against opposition activists who stormed the parliament building last week after a rally and clashes with riot police.

Kuwait Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Sunday described the incident at parliament as a “black day” for the oil-rich Gulf state and said that legal action will be taken against some 40 activists.

Subaie expected that more arrest warrants will be issued against other activists but said that a large number of them have decided to surrender to police whether they are summoned or not.

“Right now, I am heading to surrender to police. They have called me for interrogation although I was not involved in storming parliament,” Mohammad al-Bulaihees, a youth leader, told AFP by phone.

“This is a deliberate government policy to arrest opposition youth activists in a bid to silence them,” he said.

Subaie said that around 100 activists plan to give themselves up to police under a campaign “Arrest us all” launched by the opposition to protest the arrests.
The Kuwaiti opposition has been launching a campaign with the aim to change the prime minister and dissolve parliament following an alleged corruption scandal involving around 15 MPs.

The opposition has also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a senior member of the ruling family, of transferring public funds into his overseas bank accounts. The government has denied the charge.

The opposition, which has the support of half of the 50-member parliament, has been holding huge rallies to press their demands. On Tuesday, government supporters staged a rally in support of the prime minister.

OPEC member Kuwait sits on about 10 percent of the global crude oil reserves and currently pumps around 3.0 million barrels per day.

November 26, 2011 Posted by | Kuwait, Political Issues | 1 Comment

Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy on November 20, 2011


Kuwait City, Kuwait
November 20, 2011

Subject: Possible Protest Gathering at the U.S. Embassy on November 20,
2011

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions
immediately to all U.S. Citizens within your area of responsibility.

There are unconfirmed reports of a possible silent protest gathering in front of
the U.S. Embassy on Sunday, November 20 at 19:00. The gathering may take place
near the main Embassy gate. An increased police and security presence around
the Embassy compound is expected.

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in
response to world events or local developments. At times, even demonstrations
intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. Please avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if
within the vicinity of any large gatherings. Please stay current with media
coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal
security awareness at all times.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website:

https://travelregistration.state.gov.

U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for
the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department
of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or,
for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). For further
information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific
Information can be found. In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to
review “A Safe Trip Abroad,” which includes valuable security information for
those traveling or living in foreign countries. You can also follow the Bureau
of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14,
Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in
Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting
the duty officer.

U.S. citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Emergency and
Informational Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this
service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local
holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

November 20, 2011 Posted by | Kuwait | Leave a comment

Protesters Storm Kuwait Parliament

November 17, 2011 Posted by | Kuwait, Political Issues | 2 Comments

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens 2011-17 (Kuwait)

Kuwait City, Kuwait
October 13, 2011

To: All American Citizens
From: U.S. Embassy Kuwait-Consular Section
Subject: Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens 2011-17

Worldwide Travel Alert
U.S. Department of State
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the potential for anti-U.S.
actions following the disruption of a plot, linked to Iran, to commit a
significant terrorist act in the United States. This Travel Alert expires on
January 11, 2012.

An Iranian-born U.S. citizen, working on behalf of the Iranian Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force -designated by the Treasury Department in
2007 for its support of terrorism – is suspected of conspiring to assassinate
the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States. The U.S. government assesses
that this Iranian-backed plan to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador may indicate a
more aggressive focus by the Iranian Government on terrorist activity against
diplomats from certain countries, to include possible attacks in the United
States.

U.S. citizens residing and traveling abroad should review the Department’s
Worldwide Caution and other travel information when making decisions concerning
their travel plans and activities while abroad. U.S. citizens are encouraged to
enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
(STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the
nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it
easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside
the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These
numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday
through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which
contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide
Caution. Follow us
on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
The U.S. Embassy Kuwait is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot
14, Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in
Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting
the duty officer.
American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages
from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an
e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local
holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

October 13, 2011 Posted by | Kuwait, Law and Order | Leave a comment

Jungle Bell Rock in Kuwait :-)

If you remember, the Qatari Cat is a former street cat, a rescue cat. I wish I could be there to support this wonderful event and the good work that K’s Path in Kuwait is doing. They have some illustrious sponsors, and a host of great volunteers supporting their efforts.

October 12, 2011 Posted by | Charity, Cultural, Entertainment, ExPat Life, Kuwait, Leadership, Living Conditions, Qatteri Cat, Social Issues | Leave a comment

Possible Rally on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

(Is it my imagination, or are there more protests when the weather starts getting nice? Egyptian Spring – perfect weather for being outside. Now it’s starting to cool off, lovely evenings in Kuwait, great time for protests?


Kuwait City, Kuwait
October 4, 2011

Emergency Message for U.S Citizens

Subject: Possible Rally on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions
immediately to all U.S. citizens within your area of responsibility.

An anti-corruption rally may take place in the early evening hours at
Determination Square opposite the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 5 in downtown Kuwait City. An increased police and security presence is expected in and around the capital.

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments. At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Do not let curiosity get the best of you; avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings. Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler
Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov.

U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries. These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs

Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14,
Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in
Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.

U.S. citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages from
the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov
Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local
holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

October 4, 2011 Posted by | Kuwait, Living Conditions | 2 Comments

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens 2011-15

Kuwait City, Kuwait
October 2, 2011

To: All American Citizens
From: Consular Section
Subject: Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens 2011-15

Worldwide Travel Alert
U.S. Department of State

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the potential for retaliation
against U.S. citizens and interests following the deaths of key figures in the terrorist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula on September 30. This Travel Alert expires on November 30, 2011.

On 30 September, U.S. and Yemeni government officials confirmed that dual
U.S.-Yemeni citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, the external operations leader of Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), was killed in Yemen. Open source information also indicates that U.S. citizen and AQAP propagandist Samir Khan was killed along with him. Awlaki played a key role in advancing AQAP plots targeting the United States.

The death of Awlaki, in the near term, could provide motivation for
anti-American attacks worldwide from individuals or groups seeking to retaliate against U.S. citizens or interests because of this action. In the past, Awlaki and other members of AQPA have called forattacks against the standing as a preeminent English-language advocate of violence could potentially trigger anti-American acts worldwide to avenge his death.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it
easier for the embassy/consulates to contact them in case of emergency.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which
contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on facebook as well.

For information on “What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis,” please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Emergencies and Crisis link at:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html
The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14,
Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in
Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer.

American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages
from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local
holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html.

October 2, 2011 Posted by | Kuwait, Living Conditions | Leave a comment

Weekend At the Beach

We didn’t go far – just out to the beach, Pensacola Beach, for a weekend. It was so much fun. It rained our entire drive to the beach, LOL all twenty minutes it took to get there:

But it started clearing, and with all the clouds, the sunset was spectacular:

We all have such a good time together. We took a drive out to Fort Pickens and I saw so many butterflies!

We had to watch THE game later in the day, which the Happy Baby calls “buttball,” LLOOLLL!

Here he is at breakfast with his BaBa:

It was a beautiful day, with another beautiful sunset:

AdventureMan asked me if I wanted a house overlooking the Gulf. I said ‘no, it would never be so interesting as Kuwait.’ In Florida, I think I would want a house up high over a bayou, where there are birds and wildlife. High enough to not flood when there is a hurricane or a storm surge. . . It still was a thrill to spend a couple days high above the beach, and watch the sun set. 🙂

It’s funny the things that make a marriage succeed. It’s the little things. We both wanted to go to Barnes and Nobles because the 2012 calendars are out and we like to have calendars we love to look out through the year. You can take a chance on waiting until New Year’s week, and sometimes you get a cool calendar at 50% off, but mostly the one you really wanted is already gone gone gone, woe woe woe.

Besides that, we always like to get what we want, then the other one hides it until Christmas. By then, we’ve forgotten what we picked out, so it is a really good surprise. 😉

I told AM that I was going to have to have a chocolate fix and he said he would have to have a chocolate fix, too. We decided we could share an Oreo cake:

It was a fun idea, but it didn’t taste as good as it looked. We didn’t even finish it, it just wasn’t that great.

September 26, 2011 Posted by | Adventure, Beauty, Entertainment, ExPat Life, Family Issues, Florida, Hurricanes, Kuwait, Living Conditions, Pensacola, Values | 5 Comments

Emergency Message for U.S Citizens: Demonstration Notice 14-2011

Emergency Message for U.S Citizens � Demonstration Notice 14-2011
September 20, 2011
Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions
immediately to all U.S. citizens within your area of responsibility.

An anti-corruption demonstration is planned for the early evening hours at
Determination Square on Wednesday, September 21 in downtown Kuwait City. An
increased police and security presence is expected in and around the capital.

There are also reports of possible demonstrations in support of Bidoon rights on
Wednesday, September 21 in the cities of Jahra, Al-Sulaibyah and Al-Ahmadi. An
increased police and security presence is also expected in these areas.
Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in
response to world events or local developments.

At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Do not let curiosity get the best of you; avoid the areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings. Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad
should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
Internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel
Alerts, as well as the Country Specific Information for Kuwait can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside
the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These
numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also download our free Smart
Traveler App for travel information at your fingertips and follow us on Twitter
and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14,
Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in
Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting
the duty officer.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Kuwait are encouraged to enroll in the
Department�s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that they can obtain
updated information on travel and security. U.S. citizens without internet
access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact
them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe
Trip Abroad”.

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local
holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

September 20, 2011 Posted by | Adventure, Bureaucracy, Civility, Community, Cultural, ExPat Life, Kuwait | 1 Comment

Emergency Message for U.S Citizens – Demonstration Notice 13-2011


Emergency Message for U.S Citizens � Demonstration Notice 13-2011

September 14, 2011

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions
immediately to all U.S. citizens within your area of responsibility.

Youth activist groups have called for a demonstration on Friday, September 16,
2011 in Kuwait City during the early evening hours at Safat Square and possibly
Determination Square located opposite the National Assembly. An increased
police and security presence is expected throughout the day in and around the
capital.

Spontaneous and planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in
response to world events or local developments. At times, even demonstrations
intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. Do not let curiosity get the best of you; avoid the areas of
demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large
gatherings. Please stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware
of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad
should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
Internet website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel
Alerts, as well as the Country Specific Information for Kuwait can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside
the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These
numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through
Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also download our free Smart
Traveler App for travel information at your fingertips and follow us on Twitter
and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14,
Bayan, Kuwait. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in
Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting
the duty officer.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Kuwait are encouraged to enroll in the
Department�s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that they can obtain
updated information on travel and security. U.S. citizens without internet
access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By
enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact
them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe
Trip Abroad”.
This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local
holidays. The current holiday schedule for 2011 is posted on
http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

September 14, 2011 Posted by | Civility, Kuwait, Law and Order, Living Conditions | 2 Comments