KUWAIT: A 28-year-old Kuwaiti used a cleaver to kill his friend at a desert camp in Mina Abdullah. Security sources said the suspect then turned himself in at Mina Abdullah police station with the murder weapon in his hand and the victim’s blood all over his clothes.

The suspect was hysterical at the station and kept repeating that he would kill the victim over and over again if he came back to life. “The suspect was probably under the effect of drugs and further investigations are in progress to determine his motives,” the sources said, adding that a police patrol immediately headed to the crime scene where the victim’s body was found in a pool of blood. – Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday sentenced a senior Kuwaiti municipal official and a Syrian to seven years in prison with labor and fined them KD 740 million. It also ordered them to repay KD 370 million on charges of embezzling public funds by forging licenses of private companies operating in three sites in Subbiya and Salmi.

Case papers indicate the Municipality discovered these sites were illegally used by private companies to extract sand, in addition to setting up illegal warehouses in the north and south of Kuwait, resulting in huge gains. Investigations led to the Kuwaiti official and his Syrian assistant who had given fake licenses to the companies and were taking money from them. – A Saleh

KUWAIT: Human Rights Watch charged Kuwaiti authorities of using legislations to restrict free speech and stifle political dissent, while also failing to provide adequate protection to migrant workers despite recent reforms. On the other hand, the report praised Kuwait for allowing Human Rights Watch access to the country “unlike many of its Gulf neighbors”, noting that Kuwait engaged in dialogue with the organization on a range of human rights issues during a 2019 visit by the rights watchdog.

In its World Report 2020 published recently and detailing events recorded in 2019, Human Rights Watch shed light on the plight of stateless people or ‘bedoons’, saying that they “continue to remain in legal limbo while the government addresses this longstanding issue largely through abuse and coercion.”

“In July, Kuwait’s State Security agency arrested at least 14 activists from the bedoons community after they organized a peaceful sit-in at Al-Hurriya Square in Jahra in response to the death of Ayed Hamad Moudath,” the report points out. “Moudath, 20, died by suicide on July 7 after the government reportedly denied him civil documentation. More than a dozen jailed activists began a hunger strike on August 22 to protest violations against themselves and the bedoons community.”

One of last year’s key events highlighted in the report happened on Oct 23 when “authorities arrested Fahd Al-Khannah, a former lawmaker, after he returned to Kuwait from Turkey”. Khannah was among 16 people convicted by the court of cassation in July 2018 and sentenced to two to three-and-a-half years in prison with labor over storming the parliament and calling for the country’s prime minister to resign during a 2011 protest. On Nov 5, Khannah was released from detention with an Amiri pardon.

In its review of the situation of migrant workers in Kuwait, the report points out the Philippines’ temporary ban on Filipinos seeking to migrate to Kuwait for work issued in January 2018 in the aftermath of reported deaths of domestic workers in the country. The ban was lifted in May 2018 after both countries agreed on additional legal protections for Filipino workers in Kuwait.

“Since then, local media reported at least one case, in May 2019, where an employer allegedly sexually assaulted and beat a Filipina domestic migrant worker to death,” the report reads. It also indicates that a domestic workers’ law that was passed in parliament in 2015 remains largely inactive due to its failure to “set out enforcement mechanisms”.

Meanwhile, the report condemns Kuwait for returning eight Egyptian dissidents “despite the serious risk of torture and persecution they face in Egypt, claiming Egyptian authorities sought them for crimes they allegedly committed in Egypt as members of the Muslim Brotherhood”. The report also argues that women still continue to face discrimination in Kuwait, while the law still falls short of providing protection against domestic violence.

“A 2015 law creating family courts in each governorate set up a national center to ‘combat domestic violence’, but requires the center to prioritize reconciliation over protection for domestic violence survivors. A draft domestic violence bill remained pending in parliament,” the report reads.

By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: The four-day Kuwait Aviation Show opened yesterday at Kuwait International Airport. During the opening ceremony, President of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah said the show represents an opportunity to showcase the latest in the world of aviation.
“This event received wide participation this year by specialized international companies, making the venue an attractive platform for everything related to the aviation industry and airport requirements. This show, in its second edition, coincides with the completion of major state projects to develop the air transport sector and development of Kuwait airport, amid significant investments that aim to raise the efficiency of operations and improve aviation services,” Sheikh Salman said.
The latest military and commercial aircraft, private jets for businesspeople, air ambulances and helicopters are displayed, in addition to equipment related to aviation, engines, navigation and the requirements of civil and military airports. “On the sidelines of the exhibition, several workshops will be held on the latest technologies in the world of aviation,” he added.
Sheikh Salman praised the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for this important event, which confirms the interest of the Amir in the development of the civil and military aviation industry in the region in particular and in the world in general. He appreciated governmental efforts over the past 10 months in preparing for this event, including the ministries of interior, defense, finance, information and health, in addition to the Municipality, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate, General Administration of Customs, Kuwaiti Direct Investment Promotion Authority and Kuwait Oil Company.
The launch of the aviation show witnessed a performance by military and civil aircraft that was admired by the audience. Around 37 countries, 200 companies and more than 70 commercial and military aircraft are participating in the show that will continue till Jan 18, with more than 60,000 visitors expected to attend.
Kuwaiti air force, the Saudi Hawks team, the Emirati cavalry team, Eurofighter Typhoon, Italian air force flight (test wing), C-27J and the US and British air forces, in addition to Qatar’s Skydive team performed shows that drew applause from the attendees. The first aviation show was held in Jan 2018 with 14 local and international companies displaying more than 60 aircraft participated in it. The show is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

KUWAIT: Lawyer Adel Abdelhadi said political analyst and writer Abdullah Al-Nafisi has received a death threat. “I received a warning about an assassination attempt against my client Dr Abdullah Al-Nafisi by placing an explosive device in his car. The threat came in a message posted on the Al-Qabas website of the company that produced the ‘Black Box’ program,” he said.

Abdelhadi said this matter will not be taken lightly, especially since his client had received earlier threats, but this time it was directly against his life. Nafisi is accused of slandering certain people while talking about the Iraqi aggression against Kuwait during an episode of the ‘Black Box’ show. – Hanan Al-Saadoun

The sixth GCC heritage exhibition contains relics that reflect the historical depth of member states, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Tahani Al-Adwani said on Wednesday. Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of opening the event held at Kuwait National Museum, Adwani said the show, which is held on a rotating basis in GCC states, mirrors historical and civilized unity as well as cultural diversity.

NCCAL’s director of the department of antiquities and museums Sultan Al-Duwaish said in a similar statement to KUNA that the month-long exhibition highlights GCC archeological discoveries made between the Stone Age and the Islamic era. He noted that the Gulf region has a common history and its nations share identical hopes and aspirations.

Meanwhile, historian Farhan Al-Farhan expressed his delight over the show, which is displaying examples of monuments existing in GCC countries and civilization of the Arab nation. The event shows the cohesion and unity of GCC member states, he pointed out. The first edition of the exhibition was hosted by the UAE in 2006, while the following editions were held in Saudi Arabia in 2009, Qatar in 2011, Bahrain in 2013 and Oman in 2015. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Living in spacious apartment buildings has been touted as a viable option for Kuwaiti citizens as the demand for housing continues to grow. While the option is virtually available for all citizens willing to live within the boundaries of an apartment, the decision is still governed by personal preferences as well as social status and financial capabilities. The 1993-established Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) is encouraging citizens to live in apartment buildings by displaying the many perks of a spacious apartment with facilities and services catering to the needs of each Kuwaiti family.

Recently, PAHW – which implements government-housing policies – prioritized requests for apartments in Jaber Al-Ahmad City within the 2019-20 budget and this included requests submitted until Dec 31 of last year. Requests for government apartments are on the rise, said PAWH spokesman Ibrahim Al-Nashi in a statement to KUNA. He added that requests for apartments were increasing, especially in Jaber Al-Ahmad City and northwest Sulaibikhat. For example, he indicated that in Jaber Al-Ahmad, there are 520 apartments, while around 610 citizens submitted housing requests.

The cost of a 400-sq-m apartment varies between KD 60,000 and 70,000 (about $198,000 and $230,000), with citizens paying back the government in monthly installments of KD 60 ($198), said Nashi. As PAHW is trying to sell the idea of spacious apartment buildings to citizens, reactions varies amongst Kuwaitis, with some preferring to wait their turn for a government house while others are seriously contemplating the idea.

Head of the youth voluntary team for housing projects quality Khaled Al-Otaibi claimed that Kuwaitis are not too eager to live in apartment buildings, citing the 1980s’ Sawaber apartment project as an example of failure to gain social acceptance. Privacy is a major obstacle to overcome with apartment buildings, said Otaibi, adding this would be the main concern for those trying to sell the solution to the masses.

Ahmad Al-Enezi seconded Otaibi, saying apartments are a fixed deal with no room for improvements construction-wise if residents decided that in the future. Most citizens have increasing needs, whether it is welcoming newborns or trying to expand the space for the sake of expanding, and apartments lack that no matter how good the idea is, he added. Enezi said that with the lack of outdoor spaces and probably noise from neighbors, he failed to see the advantages of apartment buildings.

Enezi’s thoughts are also shared by Bader Al-Nasser, who indicated that most citizens would rather wait for housing or land allocated by the government than live in an apartment building. The only way Nasser saw apartment buildings being successful is that if the government made such structures closer to the center of the city and residential areas and more private for families.

In contrast, Sumayya Al-Ali said apartment buildings are interesting for those unwilling to wait for years to acquire a house, noting that reasonable installment rates paid back to the government and short waiting period are better than high rents in private apartments. Ali added that apartment buildings are adequate to her familial needs at the moment, saying that she did not rule out the possibility of taking this option.

Hashem Al-Mane, also an advocate of apartment buildings, affirmed that the solution was realistic for citizens, saying that units cater to the specific needs of five to six individuals within a family. He also noted that each apartment was built to address the private needs for each family, adding that the idea itself was successful in his eyes. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait will mark the 29th anniversary of the first air strikes of operation “Desert Storm” launched by international coalition forces to liberate Kuwait from the Iraqi Invasion today. Then US President George Bush made the decision to start the military operation on Jan 15, 1991, after a meeting with his senior national security advisers concluded that implementation of the operation should take place after the failure of all diplomatic means to persuade Iraq to withdraw troops.

In the morning of Jan 17, 1991 after the end of the ultimatum set by the UN Security Council, air raids were launched, with the participation of 1,800 warplanes from the US, UK, Saudi and Kuwait. The fighter jets took off from the Red Sea and Incirlik air base in Turkey, and other air bases in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. On the first day, the raids lasted 240 intermittent minutes, in which 400 warplanes participated. The coalition jets conducted 1,200 operations, including 302 by Saudi and Kuwaiti aircraft, destroying almost half of the Iraqi airpower.

Various types of warplanes participated in this operation, under the guidance of AWACS aircraft. The US aircraft carriers fired 100 Tomahawk missiles against Iraqi targets in Iraq and Kuwait. Jaguar warplanes participated in a major role in directing the attacking planes and jamming the counter devices and radars. F-117s warplanes had a primary role in the first strike to destroy and bomb targets in Baghdad, and Iraqi air defense could not shoot down any of them.

The Kuwaiti air force played a heroic role in the war of liberation, striking targets inside Kuwait in order to preserve Kuwaiti properties, in addition to striking airports and Iraqi artillery positions and enemy gatherings. The coalition countries contributed $53 billion for these military operations, with Germany accounting for $6.572 billion, Japan $10.72 billion, South Korea $355 million, Kuwait $16 billion, Saudi Arabia $16.839 billion, UAE $4.88 billion and other countries $30 million.

More than 750,000 soldiers participated, including 500,000 Americans representing ground forces, marines, and air force, 30,000 Britons, and 13,000 French, in addition to some 200,000 troops who made up Arab units that joined the coalition. On Feb 24, coalition forces entered at dawn into Kuwaiti and Iraqi territories. The ground forces were divided into three main groups: The first went to liberate Kuwait City, the second to surround the wing of the Iraqi army west of Kuwait, while the third group was tasked with moving in the far west and entering the south of Iraqi territory to cut off all supplies to the army.

On Feb 26, 1991, the Iraqi army withdrew from Kuwait after setting fire to Kuwait’s oilfields. President Bush announced on Feb 27 the liberation of Kuwait, 100 hours after the launch of the ground operations, saying his famous phrase “Kuwait today is free”. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan yesterday affirmed the need to develop new industrial activities to keep pace with times and establish Kuwaiti industry that can compete in regional and international markets. “We have confidence in the ability of Kuwaitis to succeed and achieve leadership,” Roudhan said in his speech during the fifth edition of the HH the Amir Award for Outstanding Factories.

He explained that numerous factories took the initiative to develop their products and adhere to quality standards in various aspects of the industry, which gave consumer confidence and security for the export of their products and increase their competitiveness in global markets.

The government is keen to support national industrial establishments by rewarding them for their achievements, he added. In addition, Roudhan expressed his goal to increase the participation of the industrial sector in the local economy. The new industrial revolution requires a comprehensive development of all sectors to keep pace with the global stakes in investment in new industries based on knowledge, innovation and sustainability, he pointed out.

Roudhan expressed his appreciation to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his continuous support to the national industry and his patronage of this award. The award is important nationwide in a framework of objective competition and its role in highlighting improvement in the performance of industrial companies by raising their production efficiency and providing job opportunities for national labor, he added.

Roudhan stated that the award is looking to achieve two main goals – the first is to spread the culture of institutional excellence in the industrial sector in Kuwait, while the other goal urges lagging factories to win the award to improve their performance by highlighting their weaknesses. HH the Amir Award for Outstanding Factories was launched in 2002 and achieved success during its past four editions, he noted. – KUNA

TUNIS: An all-girls group of Kuwaiti high school students were taken to several historic cultural and tourist sites in the northern ancient city of Carthage during a trip to Tunisia aimed at showcasing Kuwaiti-funded humanitarian projects worldwide. The significance of the city stems from its historic and cultural significance, the students said, particularly during the centuries-old Carthaginian Empire, and the many grand structures left behind by this civilization, regarded one of the most prosperous of the Ancient World.

The destinations included the historic Carthage Museum, the Carthage Amphitheatre, the Baths of Antoninus along with a separate stop at the touristic northern coastal town of Sidi Bou Said. Carthage Museum is located at the tip of Byrsa Hill, in the center of the northern seaside city. Built in 1875, it houses the largest collection of Carthaginian relics in the world.

The city’s amphitheater is known in modern times for hosting global musicians amid the renowned International Carthage Festival. The 7,500-spectator edifice continues to dazzle onlookers, despite being built in 2nd Century. The Baths of Antoninus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the biggest built by the Romans in the African continent and the second largest in the history of the great civilisation.

The experience was supplemented by a brief stopover at the neighboring town of Sidi Bou Said, with its unique architecture and its perfect white houses, contrasted only by large blue intricately-patterned doors. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Providing better care for the elderly is among Kuwait’s chief objectives, besides being a major sustainable development goal, said its ministry of social affairs yesterday. Through close conjunction with Kuwait’s health ministry, the ministry of social affairs seeks to bring all elderly care plans to fruition, said Abdulaziz Shaaib, the ministry’s undersecretary.

Some 23 medical teams are working nationwide to provide quality healthcare for elder citizens in the confines of their own homes, he said amid a gathering devoted to elderly care. Kuwait’s health ministry is in the process of putting in place a better healthcare plan for elders, according to Dr Amani Tabtabie, the director of the ministry’s elderly care department.

Granting elder citizens ‘priority cards’ allowing them preferential treatment when getting transactions done across various state bodies is among the ministry’s top accomplishments, added the official. – KUNA

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: A six-day ‘Ukraine Week’ kicked off yesterday with a photo exhibit at Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Stadium. Dr Oleksandr Balanutsa, Ukrainian Ambassador to Kuwait, graced the occasion along with an official from the Public Authority for Youth.

“I started my tenure in June 2019. I am here to showcase Ukraine so we can benefit from our strong relationship. We know we can offer more to Kuwait – likewise Kuwait to Ukraine – especially in sports. I am happy that the ban on Kuwait on participation in the Olympics was lifted. Now we are ready to help in anything.

Ukraine is a country full of talents. I have already received many requests for training in gymnastics, football and several other sporting activities. We want good cooperation and promote and share our experiences and the best from our side,” Balanutsa said.

In a short video presentation, Ukraine was presented as a country full of positive people, described as artistic, fashionable, intelligent, progressive, creative, powerful and unique. Attendees at the press conference included a coach from Ukraine and two Kuwaiti citizens who had their own experiences of Ukraine’s hospitality to share.

Events yesterday included fit ball, gym workout and a football match. Events today include a piano concert, photo exhibit and kids expo. Tomorrow, there is a ‘Business Outreach Ukraine’ event. Jan 21: Ukraine arts, fashion and music.

Jan 22: Discussion on medical and tourist potentials in Ukraine and Kiev classical orchestra concert. Jan 23: Tree planting, international students’ conference, diplomatic receptions and Day of Unity of Ukraine. Coach Oleg Andricychuk was flown in from Qatar to join the Ukraine ‘Week in Kuwait’.

KUWAIT: Sadu exhibition, Sadi, hopes to showcase the creativity of Kuwaiti weavers to the world after the success of last year’s event in Dubai. The event, which was launched once again at Kuwait Sadu House on Saturday as part of the Al-Qurain cultural festival, hosted five practitioners of the traditional wool textile art once only common to the country’s desert dwelling Bedouin community.

“The exhibition’s participants have excelled in uncovering the harmony of sadu art and have applied this to their own works, through spinning and weaving in various patterns and rich colors,” honorary president Sheikha Altaf Al-Sabah said. Kuwait Sadu House, a not-for-profit organization, is keen on introducing the event to a wider international audience following its success across several Gulf countries.

Sadi is an “ambitious initiative aimed at encouraging creativity and innovation” amongst local sadu practitioners, she added. “It gives these artists the opportunity to unearth different aspects of this textile heritage and rethink and re-interpret these traditions in a contemporary manner – each artist has their own way of interacting with the fabric,” she said. – KUNA

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday adjourned hearing the so-called Ministry of Interior (MoI) hospitality case till Feb 2 so that the lawyers of 11 defendants can prepare their arguments and set another hearing on Feb 16 for the remaining defendants. The court also ordered the continuation of detaining the accused already imprisoned and refused lifting travel bans of those who had been released.

Meanwhile, speaking before the court, the public prosecution stressed that some of the names included in the ‘MoI hospitality’ case were of Saudi nationals who had applied for Saudi non-security jobs online. “The same names have been used over and over again as MoI guests by changing their ranks each time,” the public prosecution said, showing the actual names of the secret security delegations MoI had hosted as per State Audit Bureau reports.

In another case, the court of cassation upheld a ruling sentencing a Kuwaiti man to death for beating his daughter to death inside a vehicle and sentenced the mother to 10 years with labor. The court of cassation also seconded a verdict sentencing Hamed Bu Yabis to two years imprisonment and suspending the verdict for three years provided he signs an affidavit and pays KD 5,000 bail in a case filed against him by the state security for blaspheming HH the Amir.

Meanwhile, the court of misdemeanor sentenced a blogger to pay a KD 3,000 fine, sign an affidavit and pay KD 200 bail to suspend the verdict passed against him for slandering educating ministry’s assistant undersecretary Faisal Maqseed on social media networks.

Online service
The finance ministry announced launching the online issuance of certificates of refunding the income tax guarantee yesterday. The ministry explained that the new service will enable Kuwait and GCC companies and individuals to refund the sums withheld by government bodies with whom they have contracts to pay for their income tax as stipulated by articles 37 and 38 of the income tax decree number 3/1955 amended by law number 2/2008.

The finance ministry stressed that the new service aims at facilitating procedures and automating them upon direct instructions from the Cabinet. The finance ministry’s assistant undersecretary for tax and financial affairs Aseel Al-Munaifi said the certificate will be delivered via email without having to check in with the ministry.

Jahra campaign
Jahra municipal inspection teams launched a large campaign in Kabd, Suliabiya, Saad Al-Abdullah, Taima and Salmi. Speaking on the occasion, Jahra cleaning department manager Fahd Al-Quraifah said the campaign resulted in removing 29 abandoned vehicles, pasting 25 notice stickers on others, removing 3,586 cubic meters of debris, filing 16 warning notices, confiscating three tons of inedible foodstuff and filing 21 citations for various violations including peddling.

Restaurant robbery
A lawyer yesterday reported that his client’s restaurant in Jabriya had been broken into and burgled by unidentified thieves, said security sources. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Public Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced yesterday referral of two sports personnel, one of them was former sports union president, to the public prosecution for suspected public funds’ misappropriation. In a press statement, Nazaha spokesperson Dr Mohammad Buzber said the Corruption Detection and Investigation sector received a notice on suspicion of offense against public money.

He indicated that the two personnel were suspected of receiving checks from the Public Authority of Sports without submitting bills to cover up these financial allocations fully upon their return from a championship and a training camp. Moreover, the pair have abstained from returning surplus amounts of money. Buzber stated further that Nazaha referred required papers to the Attorney General after completing all procedures, collecting evidence, hearing witnesses and inquiries from government agencies.

He emphasized determination of the Public Anti-Corruption Authority to continue efforts and procedures regarding the investigation, as well as collection of evidence and inquiries needed. He indicated that Nazaha always appreciates role of whistleblowers for assisting the authority that keeps their identity confidential. Nazaha is an independent and neutral body established in 2016 in response to requirements of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah held talks yesterday with the Philippines’ Presidential Advisor on Overseas Filipino Workers Abdullah Mamao, who is on a visit to the country. The discussions revolved around Kuwait’s ties with the Southeast Asian archipelago, in the wake of a labor ban imposed by Manila on its nationals working in Kuwait.

During the talks, the Filipino official praised Kuwait for the legal procedures the country has taken to address the issue, ahead of a meeting between officials from both countries scheduled for next month, he revealed.

Elsewhere yesterday, the Kuwaiti deputy foreign minister met with the UN’s Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance Alice Walpole. Jarallah’s talks with the senior UN official mainly dealt with Kuwait’s missing citizens in Iraq, in addition to the UN’s Assistance Mission for Iraq. – KUNA

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Kuwait after cardiac disease, a Kuwaiti physician warned yesterday, noting that cancer is the cause of 15 percent of fatalities in Kuwait. “Cancer is the second cause of fatalities worldwide, with one out of every six deaths,” Dr Ali Al-Mosawi, Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC) Manager, said yesterday. “It is also the second leading cause in Kuwait after cardiac diseases.”

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Tissues and Cells Conference, Mosawi said: “Breast, colon, thyroid, leukemia, lymphoma and lung cancer cases represent 60 percent of detected cancers in Kuwait.” Mosawi added that KCCC had been established as part of other steps to fight cancer, as it is the only center specialized in cancer diagnosis and treatment using the most up-to-date diagnoses and lab equipment and the best treatment protocols by the most qualified Kuwaiti and foreign medical staff.

Further, Mosawi said KCCC has gained regional fame and reputation with its huge lab and five buildings including over 600 beds, two bone marrow transplant units, 13 operation theatres, various specialized departments and a helipad.

Meanwhile, Head of KCCC labs and chairman of the conference organizing committee Dr Abdullah Akbar stressed 21,000 new cancer patients will be annually diagnosed by 2030. He also noted that breast cancer is the most widespread type amongst women, while prostate cancer is the most widespread amongst men. Akbar added the conference aims at discussing the latest in cancer care and focuses on exchanging expertise between doctors from Kuwait, Cleveland Clinic and from Abu Dhabi National Labs.

Domestic violence
MP Abdullah Al-Kandari proposed establishing a special police unit specialized in receiving grievances concerning violence committed against women and children and acting upon them. Separately, MP Khaled Al-Otaibi yesterday filed an inquiry to the minister of education concerning a professor at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) computer department who has allegedly been treating his female students harshly, especially those with excellent performances.

Otaibi requested detailed information about the grades given by all computer professors, the results of a project for which a certain group of students were honored, yet they failed, and about the measures followed to reevaluate all projects.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday. His Highness Sheikh Sabah also received National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. His Highness the Amir then received His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Moreover, His Highness hosted His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir also received Chairman of Kuwait’s Supreme Judicial Council and the Cassation Court, and President of the Constitutional Court, Justice Yousef Al-Mutawaa.

Furthermore, His Highness received GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif Al-Zayani during his visit to the country. In the meantime, His Highness the Amir received Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Sabah and Kuwait Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen Mohammad Al-Khodhr, accompanied with Kuwait Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt Gen Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah. In addition, His Highness Sheikh Sabah received Iraqi Defense Minister Najah Al-Shammari on the occasion of his visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

Also yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince received at Bayan Palace Speaker Ghanem, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, and Justice Yousef Al-Mutawaa. His Highness Sheikh Nawaf also received Zayani, in attendance of Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and the head of protocol at the Crown Prince Diwan Sheikh Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah.

His Highness then received Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour, Lt Gen Mohammad Al-Khodhr and Lt Gen Sheikh Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah. His Highness the Crown Prince also received Kuwait’s Deputy Premier, Interior Minister and Minister of Cabinet Affairs Anas Khaled Al-Saleh.

In other news, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent yesterday a cable of condolences to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune over victims of the collision of two buses in Still village at El Oued Province, which resulted in deaths and casualties. In the cable, His Highness wished mercy for the deceased and a swift recovery for the injured. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable to the President of the Czech Republic Milo Zeman, expressing condolences over the victims of the fire that broke out at home for people with disabilities. His Highness expressed sorrow over the victims and wished speedy recovery for those injured. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. – KUNA

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: Lawmakers continued yesterday their criticism of Finance Minister Mariam Al-Aqeel over her controversial remarks about the need to cut spending and raise revenues by imposing selective taxes. Aqeel’s remarks were made last week while presenting the budget for 2020/2021, which projected the deficit to increase to well over KD 9 billion after making the deduction for the future generations fund, although spending remained unchanged.

Head of the financial and economic affairs committee MP Safa Al-Hashem said the projected budget is only an estimate and the actual shortfall is expected to be between KD 3 to 4 billion. She said the finance minister has provoked the people when she hinted that the wages bill should be rationalized, adding that speaking about salaries in this way is a “big mistake”. Hashem said she will not blame lawmakers if they decide to grill the minister over that statement.

MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said Kuwait’s economy and financial position are strong, adding that although public revenues do not cover spending, “if we take returns on investments into account, Kuwait will post a surplus”. He warned that the government should not contemplate solutions mentioned by the finance minister like imposing taxes and raising charges on public services because this will lead to grillings.

MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri insisted that the budget deficit is not real, but the government wants citizens to live under fear and anxiety, adding that by focusing on the deficit “lie”, the government plans to privatize education and health services and sell public companies. He also charged that the government is using the deficit as a pretext to borrow and to show that mismanagement of government agencies is because of the shortfall.

Muwaizri also threatened to grill HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah if a top Kuwaiti bank completes the acquisition of another bank. He said four government bodies together own over 48 percent of the bank and the planned acquisition involves suspicions and clash of interests, adversely affecting public funds. MP Adasani also threatened to grill Electricity and Water Minister Khaled Al-Fadhel after he allegedly failed to provide details about a contract at a power station for a consortium of two companies.

MP Adel Al-Damkhi meanwhile sent explanations demanded by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Ghadeer Al-Aseeri over a grilling Damkhi filed against her. In his reply, Damkhi insisted that the grilling is very clear and is based on events that took place after the minister had been sworn in, and accordingly the grilling is in line with the constitution. The grilling is scheduled to be debated tomorrow after a two-week delay.

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: An Ethiopian labor delegation is due to arrive to Kuwait by the end of this month to discuss the mechanism of sending Ethiopian domestic helpers to work in the Gulf state according to conditions to be set and accepted by both countries, said informed sources. The sources added that the delegation briefed Kuwaiti officials about their conditions including a minimum monthly salary of KD 100, a weekly day off, ensuring human rights in terms of living conditions and good treatment, compensation in case of harm, free flight tickets for vacations and a one-way ticket on terminating the contract.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti side conditioned that maids be qualified for the job and be free of any health or psychological disorders, which had caused problems for some Kuwaiti families, including assaults. Further, the sources said both sides might agree on using certain domestic labor agencies or Al-Durra company to recruit the Ethiopian maids after subjecting them to medical tests in Ethiopia under the supervision of Kuwait’s embassy there. “Ethiopia stressed that it has organized special training courses for laborers wishing to work abroad,” the sources added, noting that the ban on Ethiopian maids could be lifted by the middle of this year if both sides manage to reach an agreement.

Iran holds fishermen
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have detained three Kuwaiti fishing boats with 11 fishermen on board over charges of entering Iranian national waters, said Anadolu News Agency. According to the agency, the three boats approached the coast of Mahshahr in Khuzestan province, where the fishermen were arrested and referred to courts after interrogation. In this regard, Kuwaiti diplomatic sources stressed that none of the fishermen is Kuwaiti and that they are all Asians. “Procedures are ongoing according to norms in such cases and both the fishermen and boats will be released soon,” the sources underlined.

‘Unified’ break
Minister of Education Saud Al-Harbi ordered forming a special committee to study synchronizing the midterm vacation for students of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Kuwait University (KU) and the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). The committee headed by Harbi himself includes elements from MoE, KU and PAAET to study the possibility of rescheduling vacations in a bid to facilitate matters for families and help all family members enjoy the ‘spring vacation’ together regardless of the stage of education of their children. Notably, Harbi’s decision comes in response to public and parliamentary criticism for the current holiday schedule, which disrupts family plans to enjoy the vacation together.

MEW budget
Chairman of the parliamentary budgets and final statement committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad said the largest number of remarks made by the State Audit Bureau reports involve the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW). “Most remarks involve public funds and the ministry has to form special committee to investigate these violations” he said, adding that MEW had not been properly cooperating with the Audit Bureau.

Abdulsamad explained that the committee discussed MEW’s final statement for the fiscal year 2018-2019, which indicated that the ministry’s total spending was KD 2.5 billion, while revenues were only KD 382 million. “The committee found that MEW still did not assess its real estate assets despite previous directives demanding so,” Abdulsamad said, noting that the Audit Bureau made 129 remarks about MEW.

“Most remarks involved the ministry’s tenders and projects contracts and the ministry has to protect its rights by fining contractors falling behind schedule,” Abdulsamad added, noting that MEW’s uncollected debts are KD 323 million resulting from inaccurate readings of power consumption meters.