$450 mln spent on Kuwait parliament election campaignJanuary 26, 2012 - 18:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Candidates running for Kuwait's parliamentary elections have spent a total of around 450 million dollars campaigning, broadcaster Al Arabiya reported on Thursday, January 26 citing poll monitors. The money has been spent on canvassing and rallies, advertisements in media outlets and lavish banquets for potential voters in the oil-rich Gulf country. Around 276 parliamentary hopefuls, including 22 women, are contesting elections set for February 2, according to figures from the Higher Election Commission. The Interior Ministry said on Wednesday it was investigating allegations of vote buying by some contenders, according to DPA. The new 50-seat parliament will be the conservative emirate's fourth in six years. In December, Kuwait ruler Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved parliament following an opposition outcry over an alleged bribery scam. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |