蜜芽传媒

Insight, wit and analysis from 蜜芽传媒 correspondents, journalists and writers from around the world, introduced by Pascale Harter. In this edition:

The darkened corridors of power

In Yemen - the Arab world's poorest, driest and most heavily-armed country - the prospects for change after the Arab Spring seemed bleak. A nightmarish array of threats - from al-Qaeda forces to desertification to tribalism - faced any possible government the nation might allow to lead it. And it wasn't at all clear if former President Ali Abdullah Saleh would ever really give up the reins of power.

This year, the new post-Saleh administration has made some gains on security. The Yemeni Army even declared 'victory' over al-Qaeda in June - but as Natalia Antelava found on a recent visit to Sanaa - that may have been a little over-confident. And the very tactics being used to crush the group might actually be winning it new recruits.

A lobster industry gone to pot?

The harbours of Maine, along the Atlantic coast, are the source of most American lobsters. June and July are usually especially busy months for the industry - but this summer it's the fishermen who are finding themselves caught in a trap. To fish, or not to bother? That is the question - and in answer, many of the 300 or so boats in one town Bob Doran knows well have been tied up all summer.