Kuwait: Sheik Dissolves Parliament

Kuwait’s emir dissolved Parliament and called for early elections after disputes between the government and lawmakers led to the resignation of the prime minister’s entire cabinet. The emir, Sheik Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, left, said in a televised address that his directives for “fruitful cooperation” had not been heeded. The government and the 50-seat Parliament have been at loggerheads over many issues, including a raise for civil servants and a bill that requires the state to pay off consumer debts of private citizens. State television said new elections would be held on May 17.