Just weeks after the country was shocked to hear about Nujood, the 8-year-old bride, who demanded the court to divorce her from her husband, today comes a much shameful case, as Arwa, a 7-year-old girl got married to a 35-year-old man in Ibb governorate.

 

The world witnessed a 40 percent decrease in the price of wheat, as poor people around the globe got some breathing room, and a chance to improve their living standard.

 

Throughout this week, huge and long lines of citizens waiting in front of gas stations hoping to fill up their vehicle quickly were seen, as the country faces one of its strongest diesel droughts in years.

 

For many reasons ranging from weak security in its waters to its geographical position, Yemen has turned into a hub for drugs coming from southeast Asia on its way to enter other Arab countries in the region, and even to Europe and Africa.

 

Charity organizations claiming to work for the benefit of the poor have also witnessed holes in their  work, making us believe that corruption could also be witnessed in such fields.

 

Not new to the Arab world, this year’s Arab Summit did not come out with anything new. For most observers who watched the summit, it was a complete shame on behalf of all Arab leaders.

 

This week has by far seen the most attacks and oppression against journalism, as media rights have seen strong setbacks so far in 2008.

 

A couple of days ago, journalists were asked to attend a protest. I accompanied them and went early, as I witnessed something that was a shame to our country, which calls its self free and democratic.

 

President Saleh finally spoke out. He indirectly threatened South movements who are asking for the two state solutions. Soon after he finished, he then started his attack on the opposition calling them not qualified as they might lead Yemen to be the next Somalia or Iraq.

 

Sadly, hundreds of innocent citizens have died or have been injured in Gaza over the last week. I will not talk about who is right and who is wrong, but what I want to focus on is the reason for the attack on Gaza.

 

During the previous presidential elections, President Saleh promised people that prices will not increase, and will improve the country's financial situation. He promised that Yemen will be free from poverty in 2008. However, since then prices of basic foods and necessities have increased at a rate between 50 to 350 percent.

 

Once again Denmark takes international criticism for reprinting the cartoons that picture Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) as a terrorist and with inhumane characters. It's sad to see that people still try to hurt others by publishing such pictures.

 

Earlier this week, I met with a governmental official who was not happy with the way citizens in Yemen complain about the sudden price hikes and those who claim that life style in Yemen is very expensive. He started attacking citizens who went to the street and demanding change, as he called them, “People who have too much free time”.

 

The grenade attack that killed and injured nearly thirty near Sana'a University this week  is a strong reason why the government should play a bigger role in banning weapons in major cities. Students were just passing by not knowing what was ahead of them, when suddenly the explosion caused fear for students who were even walking a mile away.

 

Throughout most major cities in Yemen, gas stations have stopped selling diesel to customers, hoping to sell it for more in a week span when prices rise 50 percent. Even in the capital Sana'a, only one gas station sold diesel while others stopped. Al-Tawfik gas station saw lines of over 100 cars waiting to fill up their vehicle.

 

Over the last three months, strong tension has been witnessed when the Ruling Party and the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) express their opinions of one another. Each side tries to reveal the bad of the other, while forgetting the main goal, which is to serve to the best interest of Yemen.

 

For over three years, the Yemeni government has been very careful in avoiding any hand contact with protesters and demonstrators. This was seen as a human rights success and a matter in which all Yemeni's were proud of.