Breaking News
1 day ago
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Kuwait has announced that electronic registration for the upcoming Hajj season will start from November 3 to November 17 through a dedicated online platform. According to Mohammed Al Saidi, acting director of the Department of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, the new centralised registration system has successfully reduced participation costs by 40%, making it more accessible, especially for low-income individuals. The system also introduces an age group classification that allows participants of all ages to perform the Hajj rituals, with a quota of 8,000 spots available for Kuwaiti pilgrims. The registration guidelines specify that applicants should not have previously performed Hajj. They also permit group registrations of up to three related individuals and allow the inclusion of a resident or a companion of unspecified nationality, provided they are related. Al Saidi further explained that two distinct segments are targeted: Kuwaitis and Bedoon (stateless individuals), each considered separate groups. After registration closes on November 17, screening will occur immediately, with admissions processed according to age groups — a new system designed to ensure representation across all age demographics. The age categories are divided into three groups: those 60 years and older, those between 35 […]
2 days ago
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior, through its criminal security sector, has foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 1.5 kilograms of pure heroin into the country. According to a statement by the Ministry’s Public Relations and Security Media Department, reported by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Friday, the suspect was apprehended in coordination with the General Administration of Customs while attempting to smuggle the drugs into Kuwait via air cargo from an Asian country. The suspect was part of an international drug trafficking network. During the investigation, the suspect admitted that the drugs belonged to him and his associates abroad, intended for sale. The suspect and the seized substances were referred to the narcotics prosecution for legal action.
3 days ago
OPEC+ countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Oman have extended voluntary oil production cuts for a further two months. The OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary cuts in April and November 2023, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, held a virtual meeting on Thursday, September 5. During the meeting, the eight member countries emphasised their collective resolve to ensure full compliance with the voluntary production adjustments. OPEC+ members extend voluntary oil production cuts The group includes Iraq and Kazakhstan, which have overproduced since January 2024, but have strongly reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement and to their compensation schedules submitted to the OPEC Secretariat as agreed under the 53rd meeting of the JMMC on April 3, 2024. In August 2024, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE, Kuwait, Algeria, and Oman, conducted two ministerial discussions with Iraq and Kazakhstan. Both countries were urged to achieve full conformity and compensate for the overproduced volumes since January 2024. Iraq and Kazakhstan committed to engage with secondary sources to outline their plans for production adjustments to achieve compliance and meet the compensation schedules they submitted to the OPEC Secretariat on August 22. Iraq and Kazakhstan reinforced their […]
4 days ago
Kuwait’s top appeals court has confirmed a 10-year imprisonment sentence against the manager of a real estate company on charges of fraud linked to the sale of phantom buildings. The court also ordered the defendant pay a fine of KD3 million. The verdict is final. The case is related to fake real estate deals in Turkey to several Kuwaiti citizens, Ali Al Attar, a lawyer for the victim, said. “This ruling is irreversible. The competent agencies are committed to complying with it to track the money in any account (belonging to the defendant) and pay compensation to the victims,” he told Al Qabas newspaper. Nearly 10,000 fraud and swindle cases have been brought before courts in Kuwait over the past three years amid a warning of a spike in the illegal practice. There has recently been a rise in fraud cases in Kuwait despite repeated warnings from authorities to citizens and expatriates to be on guard against potential fraudsters and their ruses, Al Qabas has recently quoted what it termed as a well-informed source. “The cases heard by courts and set for decisions sometimes reach 10 cases a day, entirely pertaining to swindle and fraud crimes. This means the perpetrators […]
5 days ago
Six crew members have died after an Iranian merchant ship capsized in Kuwaiti waters, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported Tuesday. “The Arabakhtar I ship, whose six crew members were of Indian and Iranian nationality, sank on Sunday,” Nasser Passandeh, head of Iran’s port and maritime navigation authority, was quoted by IRNA as saying. The report did not say what caused the Sunday incident, and an Iranian official said search operations were still ongoing to locate three of the victims’ bodies. Three bodies had been retrieved in a joint effort between Iran and Kuwait, Passandeh said.
5 days ago
The Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday the seizure of about 24 kilograms of various drugs, about 28,500 psychotropic pills, six unlicensed firearms (guns) and ammunition, and a huge sum of money from seven suspects. The General Department of Security Relations and Media at the Ministry said in a press statement that security personnel carried out intensive and continuous campaigns to arrest drug and psychotropic substance dealers as part of ongoing efforts to protect the country and fight drug-related crimes. The suspects have been referred to the competent authorities for necessary legal actions against them. The Ministry of Interior will continue to monitor and follow up on the movements of anyone trying to trade narcotics in the country. It called on everyone to cooperate with security personnel and report any suspicious activities via the emergency phone (112) or the hotline of the General Department for Combating Drugs (1884141). Environment Police In another development, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the Environment Police, announced on Tuesday the arrest of a number of people for violating the laws regulating camel herding. A number of environmental violations were recorded and 22 camels were seized. The Ministry said in a press statement that the […]
1 week ago
Kuwait Airways revises its ticket pricing to become more competitive in the market. This adjustment reflects the board of directors’ commitment to advancing the national carrier and improving passenger services. Abdul Mohsen Al Faqan, chairman of Kuwait Airways, discussed these updates on the Friday Break programme on Kuwait Radio, emphasising that Kuwait Airways is enhancing the overall travel experience. Recent upgrades include luxury amenities, improved entertainment options, and increased onboard comfort. The airline has allocated widebody aircraft to high-demand routes, updated its menu with distinctive Kuwaiti dishes, and maintained punctuality during the busy summer season. Al Faqan announced new offerings, such as special travel packages to Barcelona that include a flight ticket, hotel stay, and a ticket to a Spanish League soccer match. Kuwait Airways is considering expanding its network to new destinations, including Moscow, various locations in China and East Asia, and several European countries. This expansion is planned in conjunction with the opening of the new T2 passenger terminal and the addition of new aircraft to the fleet. The airline will soon introduce a self-service baggage weighing system, allowing travellers to weigh their luggage up to 12 hours before departure. Baggage allowances have been adjusted as well: economy […]
1 week ago
The Saudi Fashion Commission highlighted the cultural dimension and national heritage related to camel products and the extent of their benefits in the world of contemporary fashion. The current potential of the camel leather market in Saudi Arabia stood at approximately $98.7 million annually. Based on the current camel population in Saudi Arabia, 2,800 tons of camel hair can be produced annually worth $2 million, it was revealed in a research paper titled “Camels… contemporary fashion,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. The research paper was prepared as part of the “Future of Fashion” initiative in conjunction with the Year of the Camel 2024. The report revealed that the global market for luxury leather goods was valued at $75.8 billion in 2023, and could reach $92.4 billion by 2028. It noted that given the large camel population in the Kingdom, developing the use of camel products in fashion and other value chains will boost demand for this growing resource. In the research paper, the commission highlighted the role of camel products in the fashion industry, and the opportunities for using camel skins and hair in the fashion industry. It also addressed growth strategies for camel products in the fashion sector, and […]
1 week ago
Kuwaiti traffic authorities said they had arrested two repairmen for illegally tampering with the meters of secondhand cars in return for money. The suspects had worked at an auto repair workshop and meddled with the odometer, a device that shows how far the vehicle has travelled, apparently to boost their market value. The Kuwaiti General Directorate of Traffic said the duo had been apprehended in the industrial area of Alrai south of Kuwait City after the workshop had been found involved in the meter-altering business. Traffic authorities had coordinated with the Department of Combating Counterfeiting and Forgery Crimes, and caught the suspects in the act at the site. During the raid, authorities also confiscated the equipment used in the illegal business and the workshop was shut down by the Ministry of Industry. Kuwait has recently tightened traffic rules and toughened related penalties against offenders. Last year, authorities made obtaining an official permit mandatory for changing a car colour. The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry said motorists who want to change their cars have first to check with the government technical examination office to obtain preliminary approval and sign a pledge to abide by the required colour before going to accredited workshops to […]
1 week ago
The Ministry of Education in Kuwait has implemented new, stricter guidelines for ministry employees submitting termination requests, either due to resignation or retirement. This move aims to safeguard employees from losing benefits out of unawareness, which could negatively impact their retirement pensions. Under the new guidelines, employees seeking to terminate their service must first verify their retirement pension eligibility with the Public Institution for Social Security, accompanied by a recent salary certificate. Termination requests must be submitted at the employee’s work center, approved by an authorised official, and include a specified resignation or retirement date. Requests that are submitted after the designated termination date will not be accepted. Additionally, employees must ensure that their leave balance is accurately recorded and approved before submission. The process requires that termination requests be reviewed with the service termination department at least one month before the desired termination date to allow sufficient processing time. For those eligible for benefits under disability laws or opting for supplemental insurance, electronic requests must be submitted via the Ministry’s website. These requests must include approvals from the Public Authority for Disability Affairs and the Public Institution for Social Security. Employees returning from mission or study leaves must serve […]
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