By B Izzak

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem yesterday issued a very stern warning to those who try to breach the constitution and the assembly internal charter, saying he will continue to face them and will stop them. Ghanem told reporters that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is aware of what happened and he asked him to convey his greetings to the majority of lawmakers who complied with the constitution and the law.

Ghanem accused what he called a “small minority” in the assembly of attempting to repeat the “black Wednesday” when hundreds of opposition lawmakers and activists stormed the National Assembly building in 2011, insisting that this will never happen again in Kuwait.

The speaker reiterated that it was one opposition MP – he previously named as MP Mohammad Al-Mutair – who started the chaos and problems in the assembly and called on the opposition MPs to be brave enough to criticize him. He reiterated that no pardon will be granted except from the one who grants pardons, in a clear reference to His Highness the Amir.

Ghanem also insisted that “we will not bow to intellectual and media terror” from any side. But leading opposition MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri still held Ghanem responsible for the clashes and chaos that took place in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Muwaizri described the incident as unprecedented in Kuwait’s 58 years of parliamentary life and called on the speaker to investigate the incidents by watching all videos that were taken.

The lawmaker charged that crowds sat at opposing sides of the gallery and supporters of the speaker sat on one side and they hurled insults at opposition lawmakers and the speaker did not make any attempt to stop them.

Muwaizri also asked the prime minister if the newly-appointed minister of electricity and water Mohammad Bushehri will continue in his post after the court of cassation convicted him in a case and ordered him to pay a fine of KD 3,000.

Meanwhile, MP Saleh Ashour said yesterday that a special panel formed by the National Assembly to probe suspected irregularities at Kuwait Airways has been entrusted to carry out a comprehensive investigation into all the deals with the national carrier.

The lawmaker said the panel elected MP Bader Al-Mulla as its chairman and Ashour as the rapporteur and will commence its investigation immediately following the national holidays. He said the investigation will include the deal to purchase 25 aircraft from Airbus amid suspected kickbacks and also reported financial and administrative violations and irregularities in appointments. The panel will also investigate other deals struck by Kuwait Airways.

The National Assembly on Wednesday formed the investigation panel and also asked the Audit Bureau to launch a comprehensive investigation into the deal and report to the assembly within one month. The investigation was ordered by the assembly after the names of Kuwait and several Kuwaiti personalities were mentioned in a ruling by a British court last month which covered a settlement with Airbus which agreed to pay $4 billion in relation to charges of paying bribes.

Similar actions were taken by some countries over similar allegations. MP Riyadh Al-Adasani, who first raised the issue, said yesterday that records related to the Airbus aircraft deal must be examined and necessary procedures must be taken to refer the whole issue to the public prosecution.

By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Housing Affairs Rana Al-Fares said she received a report from a committee investigating a fatal accident that left a number of construction workers dead at the Mutlaa City project, noting that the report is currently being examined to prepare another more detailed report explaining the circumstances behind the incident and identifying those who caused it.

Speaking to reporters during a ceremony to inaugurate a smart home project in Jaber Al-Ahmad City which was developed by National Technology Enterprises Company – a subsidiary of Kuwait Investment Authority – in partnership with the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, Fares said “the government is keen on holding those who caused the accident accountable regardless of their positions, and is continuing efforts to complete the project and hand housing units to citizens in the shortest time possible”. She said those involved in the incident will be dealt with decisively to safeguard the rights of the country and people.

About the smart home project, Fares said it is considered the “most modern project” the authority has worked on to date, adding that it includes more than 20 smart applications that contribute to reducing energy by more than 40 percent. She indicated that the project is being implemented according to the instructions of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to harness technology to preserve energy. Fares said the public will be allowed to see the project in preparation for it to be applied in many cities and areas without any additional cost.

Meanwhile, CEO of NTEC Anas Mirza said the ‘smart homes’ included in the project use efficient energy generation systems, high quality air conditioning, and water recycling that help save 40 percent of energy and 50 percent of water consumption. He added that the cost of construction and introducing technology systems will not exceed the cost of building traditional homes.

Enertech CEO Abdullah Al-Mutairi said the house includes many solar energy technologies and smart thermostats with several sensors placed in rooms to control temperatures. Air conditioning is automatically controlled to save energy, while the house is supported with lighting systems to illuminate any corner the resident approaches, which turn off after they leave.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Joint mobilization exercise – Arabian Gulf Security 2 – concluded on Thursday in the UAE in the presence of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoom, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai ruler, in addition to GCC interior ministers. Kuwait security forces completed their preparations to participate in the exercise out of the interior ministry’s keenness to strengthen joint Gulf police action and increase coordination and cooperation with member countries.

Kuwait’s participation is a strong message to all about the shared goal and destiny of the Gulf, and that its security is an indivisible part of the Gulf security system. Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Anas Al-Saleh said preparations for the Arabian Gulf Security 2 exercise reflected unity and security coordination with the presence of Gulf security forces in one place, adding the exercise contributed to raising the level of field coordination and cooperation between participating Gulf forces.

Body found
Sea fire teams recovered a body, believed to be that of a fisherman who has been missing for 10 days. Police received a call about a body floating near Souq Sharq, so Shuwaikh sea fire station responded and handed the body to concerned authorities.

KUWAIT: The wild rabbits’ presence largely multiplied in Al-Ritqa area along the border region between Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, especially after enforcing environmental laws that criminalize poaching. Head of the Kuwaiti Environmental Lens team Rashed Al-Hajji said Sunday that in the early 1970s, Subbiya area was full of rabbits, porcupines and honey badgers, then poaching and overgrazing spread in most of Kuwait’s desert and without regulation, which led to extinction of the furry creatures.

Currently there are rabbits in Kuwait thanks to the Ministry of Interior, as they took care of this region and prevented hunters from tampering with the land, causing the number of rabbits to rise annually, he explained. In nature, they are constantly tense, with tightening nerves and muscles ready to speed off as soon as their long ears and big eyes pickup on the sound of any moving object.

As a form of camouflage, color of the rabbits’ fur is similar to the one of the earthy environment, which helps get rid of enemies through sharp eyesight and a strong sense of smell that allows them to determine the source of danger and escape at a speed of 30 kmph.

The female rabbit gives birth to 1-3 babies throughout the year and can reproduce after four months, reaching the peak of fertility in winter, where pregnancy period lasts 42 days, he said. Hajji added that few live over a year given wild conditions due to the lack of adequate protection from enemies in nature. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, the first to launch innovated digital services in Kuwait successfully concluded its sponsorship of ‘Made in Qatar 2020’ exhibition as the telecom sponsor. The exhibition was held in Kuwait from February 19 until February 22 at the Kuwait International Fairground with the participation of over 220 companies and factories from Qatar with the attendance of Ooredoo Kuwait Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulla Al Thani and the company’s top management.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Al Thani said that the exhibition demonstrates the close brotherly relationships between Qatar and Kuwait and we are pleased to participate in one of the largest events in the Gulf region. “This platform brought together innovations and high technologies of Qatari companies and factories under one umbrella in the state of Kuwait,” said Al Thani.

Al Thani pointed out that the exhibition offered a good opportunity for the Kuwaiti community and young businessmen to meet with Qatari manufacturers, businessmen and investors to learn more about Qatar’s various industries. “The exhibition provided an optimal platform for both parties to review establishing new alliances and partnerships that help enhance Qatari industries, particularly those that depend on modern technologies,” he added.

Stressing the company’s role in social responsibility, Sheikh Mohamed said that Ooredoo’s participation in the exhibition “emphasized our social responsibility strategy that is based on many values including communicating with all segments of the society, caring for them and enriching their digital lives, as well as manage all the challenges that might hinder the progress of our societies.”

Organized by the Qatar Chamber in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Industry, the ‘Made in Qatar’ Exhibition is the largest industrial expo in the country. Since its inception in 2009, the event is held under the kind auspices of Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and supported by a bevy of leading industrial companies and factories, banks and institutions supporting industry in the country.

It represents a major industrial platform that brings together local companies and factories under one umbrella. It also offered a brilliant opportunity for manufacturers, businessmen and investors to discover the locally-manufactured products and the demands of the Qatari market. The main purpose of the exhibition is to support and promote the Qatari products in the pursuit of achieving the self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on imported items.

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Al-Salam Society for Humanitarian and Charitable action dispatched yesterday, in cooperation with the International Islamic Charity Organization, 203 trucks loaded with relief aid to Syria and Yemen. The move is part of the Kuwaiti charities’ 2020 relief campaign, dubbed ‘let us join hands and break the number.’

Amiri Diwan Advisor and the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr Abdullah Al-Maatouq praised all in a press statement efforts exerted to make this campaign a success, including the gathering and dispatching of the 203 trucks in a few days for refugees in Syria and Yemen. Maatouq, who is also the president of the International Islamic Charitable Organization (IICO), expressed appreciation and thanks for Al-Salam Society for their humanitarian and charitable work, and to all those who donated to this campaign.

Meanwhile, the President of the Board of Directors of Al-Salam Society Jassem Al-Aoun said in a statement that ‘Al-Salam’ is keen to bring joy to refugees in Syria or in Yemen. He noted the humanitarian initiative comes in implementation of His Highness the Amir’s directives and guidelines.

In the meantime, the general manager of the society, Dr Nabil Al-Aoun said in a similar statement that “108 trucks were allocated for our brothers in Syria and 95 trucks for our brothers in Yemen.” Aoun noted that this campaign is part of the pledges of the State of Kuwait and Al-Salam Society to the United Nations in support of Syrian people. – KUNA

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Chairman of Kuwait Fishermen Union Thaher Al-Suwayyan once again called for supporting local products and fish catches through resolving the problems fishermen are facing, so that local fish can provide food reserves in case foodstuff imports are stopped for any reason.

Suwayyan also hailed the decisions made by the civil aviation and the ports authorities banning fishing boats from neighboring countries because of coronavirus cases in Iran. Suwayyan called for stricter measures and scrutinizing health and origin certificates of all imported fish in order to prevent importing them from infected countries via third countries.

Kuwait Ports Authority had announced on Sunday suspending ships coming from Iran in Shuaiba, Doha and Shuwaikh ports, due to the spread of Coronavirus in the neighboring country. This is a precaution measure taken to prevent the virus from entering Kuwait, and is part of the country’s plan to fight the virus, the authority’s Director General Sheikh Youssef Abdullah Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah said in a press statement.

Mass absence
Schools featured an increased level of mass absence of students in many public schools, where some schools had zero attendance, something that an education source described as a regular phenomenon before the national celebrations. The source added that school administrations will impose absence regulations on all students absent without due excuse.

In another educational concern, the Ministry of Education (MoE) suspended interviewing heads of departments being promoted to supervisors until further notice pending CSC’s decision on approving the technical supervision structure.

In this regard, educational sources said Education Minister Saud Al-Harbi addressed the Civil Service Commission (CSC), urging the approval of the supervision organizational structure and job descriptions, which authorizes supervisors to visit schools, evaluate the performance of department heads and report back.

Amiri pardon
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced 1,390 central prison inmates will benefit from the Amiri pardon annually given on the occasion of the national anniversaries, including 839 who will have their time cut and 551 who will be exempted from fines and bails.

The ministry also said 151 of the pardoned inmates will be released tomorrow morning, gradually followed by the rest until the end of 2020. The ministry explained that the pardoned inmates include 13 expats suffering from dangerous infectious diseases and two others who had spent the longest time at the central prison – 29 years.

In addition, MoI explained that citizens and bedoons who had their times cut short will be allowed to travel until their time is over, but warned they will be returned to prison and have their amnesty cancelled if they commit the same crimes again. Finally, MoI pointed out that the first group of released expat inmates will leave for their home countries at noon tomorrow.

Arrest warrant
The public prosecutor yesterday ordered the arrest of a lawmaker’s son for insulting a policeman, driving without having a license and escaping arrest. The same order also included detaining two of the lawmaker’s secretaries for insulting a policeman, helping to release his detained juvenile son from a police patrol by force and helping him escape.

Fight at popular salon
A female Lebanese hairdresser working at a popular salon in Salmiya fought with a Syrian coworker and threw hot tea at her, causing her first degree burns. Security sources said both women were arrested pending further investigations.

KUWAIT/TEHRAN: Iran’s confirmed death toll from the new coronavirus rose to eight yesterday, the highest outside China, sending neighboring countries scrambling to contain the outbreak. Kuwait Port Authority announced a ban on the entry of all ships from Iran, while Turkey said it would “temporarily” shut its border with the country. Pakistan also said it was closing its frontier with the Islamic republic and Afghanistan banned all ground and air travel between the two nations.

The moves come amid growing regional concerns about the spread of the virus. Lebanon on Friday confirmed its first case – a 45-year-old Lebanese woman who had travelled from Qom in Iran – and Israel yesterday quarantined at home nearly 200 school pupils who came into contact with South Korean tourists who contracted the virus.

Well-informed sources said all Kuwaitis returning from Iran have been sent home after filling questionnaires and health cards and after all tests and specimens taken proved they are free of any coronavirus infections. The sources added that returnees will be subjected to home quarantine during the virus incubation period under health ministry supervision.

“Most cases did not have to be quarantined in the first place and they only filled in the needed forms, gave specimens and were subjected to tests before they were allowed to be quarantined at their homes,” the sources explained. Meanwhile, MoH’s official spokesperson Dr Abdullah Al-Sanad announced the arrival of six more flights carrying citizens returning from Iran, noting that all passengers did not show any symptoms nor were there any suspected cases.

Iran yesterday reported three more novel coronavirus deaths among 15 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total number of fatalities to eight and infections to 43. Four new COVID-19 cases surfaced in Tehran, seven in the holy city of Qom, two in Gilan and one each in Markazi and Tonekabon, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said. Authorities have ordered the closure of schools, universities and other educational centers in 14 provinces across the country from yesterday as a “preventive measure”.

Art events, concerts and film shows have been banned for a week. “We are on the frontlines, we need help,” the head of Qom’s medical sciences university, Mohammadreza Ghadir, said on state television. “To prevent the spread of the novel #coronavirus and protect the public, Afghanistan suspends all passenger movement (air and ground) to and from Iran,” the office of the National Security Council of Afghanistan said in a statement posted on Twitter.

A provincial official in Pakistan and the nation’s Frontier Corps also confirmed the country had sealed the land border with Iran. Both Afghanistan and Pakistan share long, porous borders with Iran that are often used by smugglers and human traffickers, while millions of Afghan refugees live in the Islamic republic – raising fears that the virus could easily spread over the border.

China – the epicenter of the outbreak – reported another 97 deaths in its daily update yesterday, taking its total to 2,442, plus 648 new infections. Nearly 80,000 people have been infected worldwide, the vast majority in China. But official figures indicate the death rate is proportionately much higher in Iran than China, standing at nearly one in five of the confirmed infections.

Iran’s health minister, Saeed Namaki, said the treatment of COVID-19 cases would be free. “In every city, one hospital will be dedicated to treating coronavirus cases,” he said, adding that this number would be greater in bigger cities like the capital. Tehran’s city hall has ordered the closure of snack shops and water fountains in metro stations, officials said. Tehran municipality spokesman Gholamreza Mohammadi said buses and underground trains were being disinfected. Mohsen Hashemi, head of Tehran’s municipal council, said, “If the number of infections increases in Tehran, the whole city will be quarantined.”

Posters were also being put up across the sprawling city yesterday, asking people not to shake hands as part of a coronavirus prevention campaign. Iran’s cyberpolice meanwhile warned that anyone putting “fake clips” online related to the virus would be punished. Iran has yet to confirm the origin of the outbreak, but one official had speculated that it was brought in by Chinese workers. But academics expressed concern over the ability of Iran -currently grappling with a major economic crisis and hit by swingeing US sanctions – to contain the outbreak.

“It is unlikely that Iran will have the resources and facilities to adequately identify cases and adequately manage them if case numbers are large,” said Paul Hunter, a medical professor at the University of East Anglia in Britain. He also noted that the “situation in Iran has major implications for the Middle East,” in a context where the region is grappling with multiple conflicts. “During armed conflicts borders between countries become porous… and healthcare facilities are often targeted and destroyed.”

Other regional countries yesterday also took major precautionary measures to counter the virus potentially spreading from Iran. Jordan said it would bar entry to citizens of China, Iran and South Korea and other foreigners travelling from those countries. Jordan’s minister of state for media affairs, Amjad Adayleh, said the decision was part of “preemptive measures… following the rise in cases of coronavirus” in the three countries. He said the ban would be “temporary” and imposed on all non-Jordanians. – Agencies

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Manpower’s domestic help department has started distribution of the new unified contract for recruiting domestic helpers. Head of domestic help offices Khalid Al-Dakhnan said the new contract is now valid, and offices can start recruiting according to its rules and conditions. He said there were two contracts previously – one for the offices and another for the Philippine Embassy.

Sources at the manpower authority said the new contract was the result of several studies by the authority, which approved it recently. The sources said the contract commits the employer to provide suitable residence equipped with appropriate living means for helpers, feed them, provide them with clothes, treat and nurse them, register them for health insurance and pay them at the end of every month, provided the salary is not less than what is mentioned in the contract, in exchange of a receipt signed by the worker.

Sources added that among the general rules in the new form is not to make the helper work for more than 12 hours a day, with five hours of work followed by one hour of rest, eight hours of nightly rest, a weekly day off and paid annual leave. The contract gives the worker the right to an indemnity equal to one month’s salary per year, while the employer should not keep any documents or IDs that belong to the helper.

The helper’s residency cannot be transferred during the initial period, while committing those involved in a dispute to settle it at the domestic help department at the manpower authority. Commitment to the contract should be by the employer and their family members too.

Meanwhile, deputy director of the manpower authority Abdullah Al-Motoutah said labor offices in all governorates continue accepting renewal applications for expats’ work permits in the private sector regardless of the worker’s age. Motoutah said as long as the worker is able to do the job, there will be no restriction on renewing their residency even if they are over 70, adding that the manpower authority has not set a certain age for not renewing expats’ work permits. – Al-Jarida

Kuwait: World’s favourite jeweller, Joyalukkas, has announced its grand National & Liberation Day promotion with bigger and better offers.  During the 12-day promotion period, shoppers will be delighted with three exciting offers, applicable across all Joyalukkas showrooms in Kuwait.

From 20^th February to 7^th March, shoppers will receive 10% cashback on purchase of Diamond, Polki and Pearl jewellery.  During the same period, customers can exchange their old gold for brand new Joyalukkas jewellery with no loss in rate or value. For 2 days, i.e. 25^th and 26^th February, shoppers will receive a free gift on every purchase. 

Mr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman & MD, Joyalukkas Group quoted during the launch of the promotion, “Kuwait has played an instrumental role in our success and expansion across the GCC region.  We are humbled by the love of our patrons in the region, and I invite everyone to celebrate it with great joy with our exclusive offers.  I wish everyone a happy and prosperous National and Liberation Day.”

Joyalukkas has unveiled an exclusive new collection of jewellery to celebrate National & Liberation Day.  The new line of fashionable jewellery reflects the pride and honour of the country.  Apart from that, patrons can explore from over a million jewellery designs, showing a mix of traditional, ethno contemporary and international influences.

About Joyalukkas Group:

Joyalukkas Group is a multi-billion dollar global conglomerate, with varied business interests. The group operates its various business operations across UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, UK and India. The group businesses include Jewellery, Money Exchange, Fashion & Silks and Malls. Joyalukkas employs over 8,000 professionals across the world and is one of the most awarded and recognized Jewellery retail chains in the world.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health announced that the preliminary tests conducted for people coming from Mashhad, Iran have resulted in three cases bearing confirmed results of being infected with the emerging coronavirus (COVID19). The Ministry indicated that the first case is for a Kuwaiti citizen who is 53 years old, and the second is for a Saudi citizen who is 61 years old, as the health status of the injured people until now is normal and they did not show any symptoms of the disease, while the third case is a 21 year old, nationality not identified. All three cases are under constant observation by the medical staff.

In its statement, the Ministry confirmed that the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the relevant bodies and authorities in the country, took the necessary precaution, in accordance with the scientific recommendations, conditions and standards approved by the World Health Organization.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health has conducted surveys to detect the virus using approved viral reagents to detect the Corona virus (COVID19). #KuwaitTimes #Kuwait #News #KuwaitNews #coronavirus

Kuwait’s Cabinet has canceled celebrations scheduled for the National & Liberation Day holidays as a precautionary measure.

Three cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Kuwait today by the Ministry of Health.

It is not immediately clear if this will include all gatherings on the Gulf Road.

#KuwaitTimes #Kuwait #coronavírus #KuwaitNews

Kuwait has sequestered an unknown number of people returning to the country from neighboring Iran after 3 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the country.

The people have been quarantined at the Kout Beach Hotel in Mangaf which is surrounded by health officials and ministry of interior special forces.

Earlier arrivals were checked and allowed to go to their homes.

Photos by @yasseralzayyat / KuwaitTimes

#KuwaitTimes #KuwaitNews #Kuwait #coronavírus

CAIRO: The Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ) condemned the US Middle East peace plan that was announced by President Donald Trump under the name “Deal of the Century,” and said it is a flagrant encroachment on Palestinian rights, homes, property and freedoms. This came in the closing statement of the secretariat general and permanent bureau of FAJ following a two-day meeting in Cairo.

The federation said the American plan gives legitimacy to the Israel occupation of Palestinian territory contrary to all international laws and principles of international peace, and actual participation in aggression and crimes committed by the Zionist occupier against the Palestinian people. The federation said the American administration, in view of the dangerous stands it took with total bias in favor of the Israeli enemy, shed all the specifications and conditions of mediation because it can never be a judge and an antagonist at the same time.

It called upon unions and the Arab elite to make Arab people aware of the dangers of this deal on the Palestinian cause and the Arab world, which gives Jerusalem to the Israeli occupation as a unified capital and instills the legitimacy of its occupation of the Palestinian territories, “and there is no presence of the name of a Palestinian state in reality in this deal.”

It said the “deal” represents encroachments on Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese and Jordan borders, and appreciated the positive reactions by the honest Arab and world people. The federation urged media organizations in the Arab world to hold activities and programs to face this Zionist plan and be keen to intensify messages and calls to face normalization, which represents a breach of popular and professional steadfastness.

The federation appealed to its colleagues in unions, federations and journalism societies to open means of cooperation with Palestinian journalists, support and coordinate with them over what they face in the form of naked aggression against their rights. It confirmed its adherence to the unity and sovereignty of Arab countries and rejection of fragmentation, separation and foreign interference.

It expressed its conditions and criminalization of any attack against journalists, and condemned the treatment of journalists in Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon, in addition to targeting of Syrian journalists during the “Turkish aggression against Syria.” The federation asked Arab governments to deal with the journalism profession in light of the recent developments, and the necessity to review legislations that restrict freedoms, and issue legislations that allow the Arab media to practice a wider horizon of freedoms.

The federation expressed its full support to the Sudan Journalists Federation against the “direct attack against freedom of unions,” calling for coordinating efforts with the International Journalists Federation in order to find solutions to support Sudanese journalists and their legitimate right to choose their representatives. It also expressed its intention during its next conference to follow issues in a way that serves journalism and journalists.

The federation said the freedom of journalism and expression is under the worst form of attack and restrictions, and that is in jailing journalists, use of the judiciary to convict them and deliberate killings, in addition to other means of restriction and discrimination that limit this freedom. The federation renewed its extreme condemnation of all these regressive practices and demanded the immediate release of all journalists and to activate the principle of not escaping punishment for those who commit crimes of murdering journalists.

It called for immunizing the freedom of journalism with legal guarantees so media can carry out its role in supervision and publishing news and information, in addition to hosting general discussions of various important issues that are of interest to the Arab people and provide a suitable environment to get a new generation of political, social and economic reforms. It said this will not materialize without reconsidering legislations regulating freedom of journalism and expression so they become void of punishments that take freedom away.

FAJ members agreed to hold their next conference in Lebanon during the first week of April and accepted membership of the Djibouti journalists union, in addition to welcoming the return of the Jordanian Journalists Union. The federation’s meetings were attended by Kuwait Journalists Association Secretary Adnan Al-Rashed in his capacity as Vice-president of the Federation, KJA Treasurer Jassem Kamal, Member of Freedoms Committee Dhairan Aba Al-Khail and KJA member of the board Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan.

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: The ‘Kuwait in Our Hearts’ volunteer group, in cooperation with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), organized a tour of Al-Qurain Martyrs House Museum (Bait Al-Qurain) yesterday. Twenty-eight volunteer teams participated in this tour, in addition to some school students, to commemorate the martyrs who died during the battle at Bait Al-Qurain.

Head of the group Al-Anoud Al-Dhafiri said for the past four years, the group conducts a tour of Qurain Martyrs House to commemorate this occasion. “This is the house of martyrs and we are holding this activity to commemorate them. We aim to highlight the great role of the martyrs who gave their lives to defend Kuwait during the invasion and teach the new generations of the braveness of these martyrs, their sacrifices and their love for Kuwait,” she told Kuwait Times.

“We will keep organizing this tour every year to teach the kids about this memory. We also organize other national activities during the year on other occasions. This museum represents part of our history, and is a live picture of Kuwait’s resistance and fight against the aggressor,” added Dhafiri.

Salman Boland, Supervisor of Museums at NCCAL, said this house witnessed the fight of the Messila Group of resistance fighters who defended the country with simple guns, while the Iraqi army was fighting them with heavy weapons that destroyed a great part of the house. The group resisted for 10 hours until they were overwhelmed by the invaders, he added.

“The late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ordered to preserve Bait Al-Qurain and transfer it into a museum in the early 1990s to be a witness of an important part of Kuwait’s history. Since then, every year on the same days – February 24, 25 and 26 – we cooperate with volunteer groups to visit this place along with students.

And we hope that more people come to visit this museum during the whole year to see the heroic role of the Kuwaiti nation,” Boland said. The museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm except Friday. On National and Liberation Days, it’s open the entire day.

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading digital service provider in Kuwait, held a special event for its staff to celebrate Kuwait’s national holidays in the company’s main headquarters in Shuwaikh. The celebration, which featured the presence of the company’s top executive management and the stars of Zain’s latest televised national production TVC, witnessed the broadcasting of a live episode of the Diwaniya radio show from Zain’s main HQ over 90.4 Marina FM.

The event, held in Zain’s main headquarters in Shuwaikh, witnessed the presence of Zain Kuwait Chief Executive Officer Eaman Al-Roudhan, the company’s top executive management, as well as some of Zain’s national TVC stars; actress Mariam Al Saleh, Kuwait National Football Team’s star Jasem Yaqoub, historian Fahad Al Abduljalil, as well as Marina FM hosts Ali Khajah, Bashar Al Jazzaf, and Ali Najim.

The annual national holidays celebration is one of Zain’s main social events held for its employees during the month of February every year. The event brought together staff and senior executive management together, further strengthening the links between members of the Zain family, and renewing the spirit of teamwork it enjoys being the leader in the Kuwaiti telecom market.

The event featured many exciting recreational activities that centered around Zain’s new national TVC, where the company’s employees gathered together in a family atmosphere filled with national pride. The event also witnessed many competitions and valuable prizes over the radio for Marina FM listeners, while a traditional band played wonderful traditional Kuwaiti pieces throughout the celebration.

Zain has long considered itself a key partner of the Kuwaiti society, especially in such national celebrations. The company launched this national production to show its commitment in sharing the joys of Kuwait as a leading national company, and will spare no efforts in being an integral part of the many occasions that are of interest to the local community.

As part of its social contributions during the national holidays season, Zain recently organized a number of social visits to Zain Otolaryngology Hospital and the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Care Centers to share the joys and happiness of Kuwait’s national holidays, reflecting the family spirit and noble values of the Kuwaiti people.

The social visits, which were conducted by Zain’s volunteers, embodied a special family spirit filled with national pride and joy. Zain’s team distributed gifts and toys to children, their families, and the medical staff taking care of them in Zain Otolaryngology Hospital. The team also distributed gifts and toys to orphans, the elderly, and people with special needs who reside at the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Social Care Centers.

Through such annual social visits during special occasions, Zain aims at enriching its commitment to celebrating Kuwait’s national holidays through ongoing social activities that generate a sense of generosity and caring. As a responsible telecommunications company, Zain looks to improve the lives of the people within the communities it serves.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday congratulatory cables marking the 59th National Day and 29th anniversary of the Liberation Day from His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

His Highness the Amir received cables from National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, Chief of the Kuwait National Guard His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Deputy Chief of the Kuwait National Guard Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. They expressed loyalty to the beloved homeland, praying to His Almighty Allah to protect and preserve Kuwait under the wise leadership, whom they wished and prayed for long lasting health and prosperity.

In return, His Highness the Amir expressed his appreciation and sincere prayers for well-wishers and Kuwaiti people. His Highness the Amir also received cables from GCC leaders. In addition, His Highness the Amir replied in a cable expressing deep appreciation for the GCC leaders and wishing good relations between Kuwait and brotherly countries for further development and growth.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah exchanged yesterday greetings with local officials on the advent of the 59th National Day and 29th Liberation Anniversary. His Highness the Crown Prince received a cable from Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem and MPs who congratulated His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the national occasions.

The cable wished the Kuwaiti leadership and people ever more progress and success. His Highness the Crown Prince sent a cable in return, thanking Speaker Ghanem and MPs on their sincere wishes. Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf exchanged national days greetings with Kuwait National Guard (KNG) Chief Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

His Highness Sheikh Nawaf also exchanged cables with Deputy Chief of KNG Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as ministers, governors, diplomats, in addition to a number of citizens and expatriates.

Kuwait celebrates today the 59th National Day, which coincides with the 14th anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah assumption of office as the ruler of Kuwait amid celebrations of patriotism and loyalty. Kuwait celebrated its first national day back in 1962, one year after gaining independence in June 19, 1961.

The first national day celebration also coincided with the first steps Kuwait took to establish its political system with a constitution that would organizes the governmental work based on democratic principles compatible with the reality of Kuwait and its goals. The draft constitution was the most prominent achievements of that historic phase approved by the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in November 1962, announcing the start of the constitutional legitimacy stage with the first legislative elections that took place on January 23, 1963.

Balanced foreign policy
Since its independence, Kuwait has endeavored to pursue a moderate and balanced foreign policy, taking into account a number of principles, including communication with other countries, friendship and peace, human development, economic prosperity, cooperation with regional and international organizations, and support efforts aimed at bringing security and stability to the world. Kuwait was able to establish strong relations with brotherly and friendly countries due to its pioneering policy and its distinguished role towards developing cooperation.

It had a distinguished role in strengthening the work of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as supporting international peace and security efforts. Kuwait also committed to principles of the regional cooperation and international legitimacy through the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Organization of Non-Aligned Countries.

On the humanitarian level, Kuwait has been keen, since its independence, to provide humanitarian assistance and remove injustice from those in need, the humanitarian action has become a feature of its foreign policy that granted His Highness the Amir the title ‘Leader of Humanitarian Action’ by the UN in September 2014.

Manifestations of the national holiday’s celebrations, it went through many stages throughout history, but all have embodied memories and beautiful days started since the 1960s until the present day. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the celebrations used to be held along the Arabian Gulf Street with the participation of various state and private institutions, schools, sport teams, and governorates. In 1985, the Flag Square was set up on the occasion of the 25th years of independence, located near the seashore with an area of 100,000 square meters, and a 36-meter-high flagpole.

Currently, Kuwait celebrates its national day under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Kuwait is working to develop a plan to build vital projects that would help make the country an international financial and commercial center.

These projects include Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City, both Abdullah Al-Salem and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centers, Kuwait Motor City, Jahra Medical City, and the new passenger Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport, in addition to Jaber Al-Ahmed Hospital and Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway, and others. – KUNA

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: Chairman of Kuwait Farmers Union Abdullah Al-Dammak said the union’s board of directors fully approves the measures taken by the government to ban imports of fruits and vegetables from Iran after detection coronavirus infections there.

He added that the ban also includes a number of other Asian countries and others around the world were the disease has been detected. Dammak stressed that Kuwaiti farmers are ready to make up for any agricultural products’ supply shortages and dedicate their farms to serve the country, noting that Kuwaiti farmers always work hard to provide local quality products.

KUWAIT: In early 2020, a new kind of virus began generating headlines all over the world because of the unprecedented speed of its transmission. From its origins in a food market in Wuhan, China in December 2019 to countries as far-flung as the United States and the Philippines, the virus (officially named COVID-19) has infected tens of thousands, with a rising death toll now over 2,500.

What are the symptoms?
Doctors are learning new things about this virus every day. So far we know that COVID-19 may not initially cause any symptoms. You may carry the virus for 2 days or up to 2 weeks before you notice symptoms. Some common symptoms that have been specifically linked to the 2019 coronavirus include:

• feeling short of breath
• having a cough that gets more severe over time
• a low-grade fever that gradually increases in temperature

When to seek help
If you experience any of the symptoms above and have traveled to China or been exposed to someone in a country where COVID-19 has been detected in the past 14 days, or have been in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 within the last 14 days, call your doctor right away.

What causes coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are zoonotic. This means they first develop in animals before developing in humans. For the virus to pass from animal to humans, a person has to come into close contact with an animal that carries the infection. Once the virus develops in people, coronaviruses can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets. This is a technical name for the wet stuff that moves through the air when you cough or sneeze.

The viral material hangs out in these droplets and can be breathed into the respiratory tract (your windpipe and lungs), where the virus can then lead to an infection. The 2019 coronavirus hasn’t been definitively linked to a specific animal. But researchers believe that the virus may have been passed from bats to another animal – either snakes or pangolins – and then transmitted to humans. This transmission likely occurred in the open food market in Wuhan, China.

Who’s at increased risk?
You’re at a high risk for developing this virus if you come into contact with someone who’s carrying it, especially if you’ve been exposed to their saliva or been near them when they’ve coughed or sneezed. Washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces can help decrease your risk for catching this or other viruses.

Older men seem to be especially susceptible to the virus. A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that the median age of people testing positive for this coronavirus was around 45 years, and that over two-thirds of those people were male.

What treatments are available?
There’s currently no treatment specifically approved for the 2019 coronavirus, and no cure for an infection, although treatments and vaccines are currently under study. Instead, treatment focuses on managing symptoms as the virus runs its course.

Seek immediate medical help if you think you have COVID-19. Your doctor will recommend treatment for any symptoms or complications that develop. Other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS do have vaccines and treatments. Some treatments for these similar viruses include:
antiviral or retroviral medications
breathing support like mechanical ventilation
steroids to reduce lung swelling
blood plasma transfusions

How to prevent coronaviruses
The best way to prevent the spread of this virus is to avoid or limit contact with people who are showing symptoms of the virus and have traveled to infected countries in the past 14 days. The next best thing you can do is practice good hygiene to prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading. Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds at a time with warm water and soap.

Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth when your hands are dirty.
Don’t go out if you’re feeling sick or have any cold or flu symptoms.
Cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow whenever you sneeze or cough. Throw away any tissues you use to blow your nose or sneeze right away.
Keep any objects you touch a lot clean. Use disinfectants on objects like phones, computers, utensils, dishware, and door handles.

Other types of coronaviruses
A coronavirus gets its name from the way it looks under a microscope.
The word corona means “crown,” and when examined closely, the round virus has a “crown” of proteins called peplomers jutting out from its center in every direction. These proteins help the virus identify whether it can infect its host. The condition known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was also linked to a highly infectious coronavirus back in the early 2000s. The SARS virus has since been contained and found to be successfully treatable.

COVID-19 vs SARS
This isn’t the first time a coronavirus has made news – the deadly 2003 SARS outbreak was also caused by a coronavirus. As with the 2019 virus, the SARS virus was first found in animals before it spread to humans. The SARS virus is thought to have come from bats and then was transferred to another animal, and then to humans. Once transmitted to humans, the SARS virus began spreading quickly among people. What makes COVID-19 so newsworthy is that a treatment or cure hasn’t yet been developed to help prevent its rapid spread from person to person. SARS has been successfully contained and treated.

What’s the outlook?
First and foremost, don’t panic. You don’t need to wear a mask or be quarantined unless you’ve been diagnosed with this coronavirus. Following simple hygiene guidelines may help prevent you from developing this and other viruses. The 2019 coronavirus probably seems scary when you read the news about new deaths, quarantines, and travel bans.

But in context, the coronavirus is much less severe and widespread than more common and more threatening infectious conditions, like the flu. Stay calm and follow your doctor’s instructions if you’re diagnosed with a coronavirus infection so that you can recover and help prevent it from spreading.

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Director of the Chest Diseases Hospital Dr Reem Al-Assoussi stressed all returnees from Iran and those who had contact with them in their respective homes, including domestic helpers, should be re-quarantined, and those who refuse should be legally held accountable. In a tweet, Assoussi stressed the need for what she described as “an immediate decision to set things right” instead of allowing home quarantine.

Pharmaceutically, informed sources noticed an increase in demand on N95 facemasks, which pushed its prices to KD 2.5 per piece at one point yesterday before the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) set the price back to KD 1.320 per piece to prevent a further increase because importers are already finding difficulty in obtaining them at current prices. In the meantime, government sources reassured the public that all needed requirements and facemasks were abundantly available as the ministry had already prepared an emergency plan for the situation.

MoCI undersecretary Abdullah Al-Afasi stressed that in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), the ministry inspectors had already started inspecting local markets to make sure all foodstuff and medical goods are available and reasonably priced. He also warned of any unjustified price hikes made to profit from the situation at the expense of citizens and residents’ food and health security. “All statistics show that prices are so far stable,” Afasi stressed, urging the public to report any violation by calling hotline 135.

Further, in an attempt to placate public fears of facing short-term food shortages, Afasi stressed quantities and prices of food and medical supplies are being checked hourly, adding that MoCI had already met the Kuwait Supplies Company and customs department to facilitate increasing imports and speedy customs release of goods. “Our strategic reserves of supply goods are enough for 6 to12 months,” he reassured.

Flights suspended
In the meantime, Kuwait International Airport deputy director Saleh Al-Fedaghi issued a directive to all airlines operating at the airport to suspend all flights to Iraq and prevent passengers arriving from there from entering Kuwait, including those who hold residency or entry visas. The directive also includes transit passengers arriving from Iraq. Meanwhile, Kuwait Ports Authority Director Sheikh Yousef Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah yesterday banned all ships arriving from Iraq to Kuwaiti ports until further notice.

Kuwait’s General Administration of Customs also said it has taken stringent precautionary measures after the country reported its first new coronavirus case. Kuwait’s customs has put in place protective measures to make sure its staff members are not at risk of contracting the pneumonia-causing virus, its director general Jamal Al-Jalawi said in a statement. Among the measures taken is a seminar to raise awareness on the disease, in addition to previous actions including suspending the movement of people to and from Iran until further notice because of concerns about the coronavirus outbreak in the country, he added.

Head of the custom department’s registration and member of the supreme committee of implementing international health regulations in customs Anwar Al-Jabah said that the custom department asked MoH to provide its inspectors with prevention gear including facemasks, gloves and attire so that they can avoid being infected while doing their duties. Jabah added that the customs department had organized a public awareness seminar for its employees on the ideal way to handle inspection of goods and individuals.

KOC staff examined
KOC has implemented special precautionary measures to fight the spread of coronavirus by cancelling a festival that had been planned to celebrate the national anniversaries, cancelling special receptions at Kuwait airport and subjecting all its field staff members, namely Chinese nationals, to medical tests to make sure they are free of the virus, said oil sources.

In the meantime, Chairman of the Ministry of Social Affairs employees syndicate Yahya Al-Doussary said after detecting three infected cases amongst returnees from Iran, which included a ministry employee, the syndicate contacted Minister Mariam Al-Aqeel, who granted employees a two-week leave pending subjecting them to further medical tests.

In another preventive measure, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs for Social Care Affairs Mislem Al-Subaei issued a decision cancelling all ceremonies, visits, activities, excursions and the entry of foods cooked outside all social care sector departments and houses so as to protect inmates. Subaei added that in collaboration with MoH, special isolation rooms have been prepared for possible cases.