Standing at the entrance of the interior ministry building in Mishref, Abdullah Saad, an Egyptian expat, could not contain his frustration as he narrated his ordeal over the ban on family visas. “This is really frustrating. We (Saad and two of his friends) come here every month to check if the ban has been lifted, but we always get the same answer – no,” he said in dismay. On June 27, 2022, the Kuwait government announced and implemented a temporary ban on issuing family visas for expatriates.

The ban applies to all nationalities, including those who have been residing in the country for many years. The decision was made to reduce the number of foreigners living in Kuwait and address the country’s demographic imbalance. The ban applies to all types of family visas, including those for spouses, children and parents. Officials have defended the decision, stating that it is necessary to address the country’s demographic challenges. The ban prohibits the issuance of family visas for expatriate family members.

This means that those who are currently residing in Kuwait cannot bring their family members to live with them in the country until the ban is lifted. “The ban is preventing family members (especially non-Westerners) from reuniting, thereby causing emotional distress and family strain. I really need my wife to be with me. It has not been easy with me. The separation is affecting our relationship. If I had known, I wouldn’t have sent them home after COVID,” Saad said regrettably. The family visa ban can have a significant impact on families, both emotionally and financially.

“This ban has caused emotional distress for families who are unable to reunite, especially those of us who have young children. I only have 30 days of vacation annually. This is not enough. I wish I can bring my wife and my son here. According to Kuwait’s family visa rule, I am qualified to bring my family here. I have a monthly salary of KD 700. It is more frustrating to know that you can, but you actually can’t because of the ban. My wife feels emotionally tortured every time I called her,” Raph Davis, an African expat, told Kuwait Times

The ban has also had financial implications for families, as they are now forced to bear the costs of living in two separate locations. “Apart from the emotional torture, the financial burden is much too. I have to pay rent here and (there) for my family in my home country, coupled with the high cost of living now. This ban has triggered emotional stress and financial difficulties for many expats who are struggling to cope with the separation,” Davis added. “The ban on family visas has a significant impact on the social and emotional well-being of expatriate families.

It also makes it challenging for expatriates to manage their work and family responsibilities, as they will have to travel back and forth between Kuwait and their home countries. The ban also has economic effects. It may discourage skilled expatriates from coming to work in Kuwait. Many skilled workers prefer to bring their families with them when they move abroad, and the ban on family visas may make it less attractive for them to work in Kuwait. The ban has led to a decrease in consumer spending, which could affect various sectors of the economy,” explained Ahmed Zaki, a sociologist.

Amir Hassan, an Indian expat, explained the difficulty in renting a flat without a family. “It is hard to find a decent flat in Kuwait unless you have a family. Most building owners and harises (caretakers) prefer to rent flats and houses to families. They always ask for marriage certificates and the wife’s civil ID copies. We are still sharing a flat with another family even though we can afford to pay for a flat,” he said, as his friend nodded in confirmation.

“We are appealing to the government to review this decision so that we can reunite with our families,” Hassan’s friend Vihaan added, as he thanked Kuwait leaders for their wisdom, wishing them Ramadan Kareem. It is important to note that the ban only applies to new applications for family visas. Expatriates who already have family members living with them in Kuwait are not affected by the ban. 

According to the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI), Kuwaitis increased by 28,700 on average in 2022 compared to 2021, a percentage estimated at 0.019%. According to PACI, whose report was obtained by the daily, the total number of citizens in Kuwait rose to 1.5 million until 2022, an increase of 28,700 over last year, while the total population reached 4.7 million. A report shows an increase in the number of children of 17 communities living in Kuwait, compared to a decrease in only three nationalities - Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Kuwait's non-Kuwaiti population reached 3.229 million people, of whom 2.99 million belong to 20 nationalities. The Indians topped the list with 965.7 thousand people, followed by the Egyptians with 655.2 thousand, followed by the Philippines, Bangladesh, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka.

In the report, 35 percent of Kuwaitis over 15 are students, full-time houseworkers, or retirees with income, while only 32 percent are in the labor force. According to a comparison of the number of nationalities living in the country and the size of their contributions to the labor market, 87 percent of the Indian population is employed. The percentage of Filipino and Bangladeshi workers increased to 97 percent of their total number in the country, followed by Egyptians with 74 percent of their workers joining the labor force. The percentage of Syrians working in Kuwait was 40 percent, while the percentage of Saudis was 52 percent, and the percentage of Sri Lankans was 94 percent.

Kuwait has a total of 2.05 million workers, 24 percent of whom work in the government sector, with the exception of the domestic sector "domestic labour". In the public and private sectors, Kuwaitis occupy the third place with 22 percent of the workforce, ahead of Indians and Egyptians. Kuwaitis make up 78.2% of the government sector's workers, which is the highest percentage. Meanwhile, they come in fourth place in the private sector with 5 percent of the total number of workers, behind "India, Egypt, and Bangladesh", who account for about 68 percent of the total number of workers in this sector. The total population of Kuwait is 4.7 million, of which 1.5 million are Kuwaitis and 3.2 million are non-Kuwaitis. In total, there are 2.05 million workers in the labor market, of which 492,300 are government employees, 772,700 are domestic workers, and the remainder are expatriates.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Engineers Society (KES), Faisal Al-Atl, said cases of forgery of engineering certificates continue to be monitored, indicating that all of them have been referred to the investigation committees and the competent legal authorities to take the necessary action, reports Al-Jarida daily. He added, the KES must harness all its capabilities to overcome obstacles to those who are eligible to practice engineering professions.

Al-Atl revealed, in a statement, a new project to develop the capabilities of workers in the engineering sector, both citizens and residents, noting that the project will give a financial advantage to Kuwaiti engineers only who are able to develop themselves and pass the relevant exams, which will be conducted every two years. He explained that this step is equivalent to professional advisory certificates granted by the United States and Britain, hoping that it will be implemented in Kuwait with the support of the Civil Service Commission.

Regarding the employment of Kuwaitis in the oil sector, Al-Atl said, “There is a huge shortage of workers (500 engineers and 1,000 technicians) in the oil sector which can be covered through national manpower, which the Kuwait Engineers Society will work to rehabilitate. He pointed out that raising the volume of employment of Kuwaitis in the oil sector can be achieved through benefiting from those who passed the tests saying they will be hired directly, instead of wasting public money in holding new tests and forming committees.

In Kuwait, there are two primary allergy seasons: April-May and September-October. During these periods, the combination of dust storms, pollen from specific plants, and increased air pollution can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. It is crucial to be aware of these factors and take appropriate precautions to minimize discomfort and potential health risks.

Main Points:

1. Common allergy symptoms: Allergic reactions during these seasons can lead to various symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, throat irritation, itchy eyes, and skin allergies.

2. Causes of allergies: The main factors contributing to these allergies are dust storms, pollen from certain plants, and increased air pollution.

3. Precautions: To minimize the risk of allergic reactions, individuals should:

• Stay informed about local weather conditions and pollen counts.
  • Limit outdoor activities during high pollen and dust storm days.
  • Keep windows and doors closed to reduce the infiltration of allergens.
  • Use air purifiers and maintain a clean living environment.
  • Consult with healthcare professionals for appropriate allergy medications or treatments.

Conclusion:

During Kuwait's peak allergy seasons, it is essential for sensitive individuals to be aware of potential triggers and take necessary precautions. By staying informed and adopting preventive measures, individuals can effectively manage their allergies and maintain their health and well-being.

1 Kuwait allergy seasons

2 Managing allergies in Kuwait

3 Dust storms and allergies

4 Pollen-related allergies in Kuwait

5 Air pollution and allergic reactions

6 Allergy prevention tips during dust storms

7 Allergy symptoms and treatment in Kuwait

8 Seasonal allergies in Kuwait

9 Coping with allergies in Kuwait's climate

10 Outdoor activities and allergy risks in Kuwait

Credit: Kuwaitlocal.com

Meteorologist Issa Ramadan said that the country is currently witnessing the Sarayat season, which will end on the April 14, which sometimes lasts until the end of May, reports Al-Qabas daily. He explained that the Sarayat season was marked this year by rainfall, which was followed by a relatively cold wave unprecedented in years, during that period.

In a statement to the daily, Ramadan indicated that the temperatures will begin to rise gradually next week, especially from Sunday, expecting the continuation of sporadic rain opportunities, sometimes accompanied by thunder, starting next Wednesday and continuing until Saturday. He pointed out that the expected rainfall is light, medium and heavy in some areas.

 The private housing sector is still witnessing stagnation, as evident in the continuation of the decline in residential real estate prices in some areas during the first quarter of 2023, reports Al-Qabas daily. The global economic crisis, increasing interest rates and other factors played a major role in the decline of real estate prices, which reached unprecedented levels in previous years. As per the data of Al-Hesba Real Estate Company, private housing prices continued to decline at a slow pace in different parts of the country, starting from the fourth quarter of 2022 — four percent lower than the third quarter of 2022 when prices reached the peak. The decline continued in the first three months of this year, which recorded a decline of six percent.

The data indicated that the decline in the first quarter of 2023 ranged from one percent to 10 percent depending on the areas: One percent to five percent in Faiha, Kaifan and Qadisiyah; five percent to six percent in South Surra; six percent to seven percent in East Qurain, Ishbiliya and Andalus; and eight percent to 10 percent in Saad Al-Abdullah and Khairan residential areas.

Market
Also, during the first quarter of 2023, the private housing real estate market witnessed a significant decrease in the value of transactions amounting to KD 224.29 million — 38.3 percent lower than KD364.02 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, and also lower by 49 percent compared to KD439.54 million in the first quarter of 2022.

The total number of private housing deals decreased to 432 in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 694 in the fourth quarter of 2022 — a decline of 37.7 percent, while it decreased by 52.4 percent compared to the same period last year, when it reached 908 deals. The aforementioned data include only real estate properties sold at a rate of 100 percent and Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City— Coastal Strip System was excluded. Several factors contribute to the continuation of the real estate stagnation in the country as follows:

1- High interest rates, which reduced the demand for real estate purchase and negatively affected the investor’s ability to provide liquidity.

2- The repercussions of the global economic crisis and the geopolitical situation that led to anticipation and caution among dealers in the real estate sector.

3- The decline in the purchasing power of citizens with the stability of salaries of a large segment in light of the rising inflation rates.

4- Some citizens prefer to keep cash in light of the uncertainty of the economic conditions in general.

5- The decline in the attractiveness of real estate investment in light of the migration of capital owners towards bank deposits with high and guaranteed returns.

With regard to internal areas, residential real estate prices in most of the internal areas close to the capital, or what is known as the ‘Golden Square’ that includes Shuwaikh Residential Area, Dahiya, Shamiya and Nuzha, are still steadfast in general despite the repercussions of the global economic crisis and the accompanying successive rises in interest rates.

The consistency of real estate prices in the internal regions is due to the scarcity of land in exchange for an increase in demand for housing units, as well as the lack of new housing cities that are similar to specifications that are attractive to citizens. This is in addition to the fact that those wishing to buy properties in internal areas among the affordable category usually depends on personal financing, not on borrowing from banks.

These areas often witness deals at record rates. It is worth mentioning that Al Hesba Real Estate Company (Kuwait Limited Liability Company) was established in 2016 by a group of specialists (18 years experience) in real estate, in order to provide real estate services with the required transparency through the use of the best modern technology solutions to facilitate access to information and analysis in the local real estate market and provide innovative ideas to all stakeholders.

The Supreme Committee of the Insurance Regulatory Unit (IRU) has issued a decision to regulate the issuance of a civil liability insurance policy arising from traffic accidents (“compulsory vehicle insurance policy”), whereby the qualified insurance company and the contracting broker are obligated to issue the unified insurance policy, reports Al-Rai daily. It is not permissible to amend the standard insurance policy form or add any appendices to it except if it is for the benefit of the insured or the beneficiary.

According to the decision, the unit will review the price tariff periodically — at least once every fiscal year — or whenever the market needs it, in accordance with the actuarial principles in force in this regard.

According to the decision, the value of the basic insurance premium for private vehicles for individuals will amount to 32 dinars annually, in addition to an amount of 2 dinars for each passenger, and 2 dinars for the value of supervision and control fees. The qualified insurance company will not accept payment of the value of the unified insurance policy from the insured (participant) in cash, and collection of the value is limited to electronic payment methods, with the exception of the unified insurance policy issued under Article (8) of this decision.

The unit will establish an approved list that includes data of insurance companies eligible to issue the unified insurance policy, and their qualifications will be reviewed periodically or when any regulatory decisions are issued.

The qualified insurance company must undertake not to accept granting or collecting a commission for the issuance or marketing of the standardized insurance policy by the broker in excess of 10 percent of the value of the basic insurance premium of the standardized insurance policy shown in Appendix No. (2) of this decision.

Subject to the international agreements ratified by Kuwait, the competent authority may authorize a Kuwaiti company or more of the insurance companies qualified according to the approved list to issue the unified insurance policy for the benefit of non-Kuwaiti vehicles coming across the borders of Kuwait, according to the price tariff mentioned in Appendix No. 3 of this. The decision provides that the period of insurance coverage for this policy does not exceed one year.

In this case, the provisions of Article (4) of this decision do not apply. According to the decision all insurance policies and their appendices issued prior to the implementation of this decision shall remain valid, including the rights, obligations and guarantees they contain, and the companies issuing these policies shall continue the administrative and technical work related to them; qualified insurance companies and contracted brokers are allowed to issue the unified insurance policy through the paper track and compensation resulting from documented damages or expenses incurred by third parties/the injured due to damage or loss of property, with a value not exceeding one million dinars, regardless of the number of those whose property was damaged.

 The Health Ministry is still working on implementing its three-tiered plan to increase health service fees for expats, with the aim of keeping pace with the government’s approach to maximizing public treasury revenues. According to plan, the cost of health insurance for domestic workers will initially remain unchanged, as they continue to get treatment at government-run healthcare facilities.

But it’s expected to increase slightly in the future, according to sources. The ministry said it will keep the increase minimal, taking care not to burden citizens who are liable for covering the insurance cost for their workers. The end goal of the plan is to limit receiving health care at government hospitals to Kuwaitis only. Phase one stipulates that about two million expats who work in the private sector or hold family residence permits will only be able to receive care at Dhaman hospitals.

Expats who work in the public sector will still be able to receive care at government hospitals at the beginning, but will be restricted to Dhaman hospitals as the ministry moves forward with the second tier of the plan. The ministry is also planning on making health insurance mandatory for those on a visit visa.

General Directorate of Civil Aviation Eng. Saleh Al-Fadaghi revealed that so far 700,000 passengers criss-crossed the Kuwait International Airport during the month of Ramadan aboard 7,800 flights.

On the sidelines of the Ramadan Ghabka organized by the Union of Kuwaiti Travel and Tourism Offices, Al-Fadaghi said he expected 220,000 passengers to travel during Eid Al-Fitr, which is April 20 to 25 on 1,800 flights. As reported by Al-Qabas daily, Dubai, Istanbul, Jeddah, Cairo and Doha are the top travel destinations during the Eid holiday.

Most prominently, Al-Fadaghi says, are rationing vacations for employees and supervisory leaders, so that they do not exceed 30% of the total workforce during summer travel season.

As he continued, "We are also in the process of forming a support team consisting of operations, engineering, security organization, and public relations members so we can facilitate passenger movement and resolve any problems that may arise."

According to Al-Fadaghi, coordination meetings will be held after Eid Al-Fitr with many government agencies and ground service providers to address all negatives to avoid them in the upcoming summer season. He stressed that passenger traffic is expected to touch 13 million passengers in 2023.

Actions that will be taken to deal with the summer season

- Regulating vacations for employees and supervisors

- Formation of a support team for rapid intervention in solving problems

- Allocating rewards for outstanding employees

- Saad Al-Abdullah Airport for charter and private flights

- Coordinating meetings with the competent authorities to prepare field plans

In an effort to enhance Kuwait's insurance landscape, the country's Insurance Regulatory Unit has recently approved several decisions that will impact private vehicle owners. Among these changes is an increase in the annual insurance for private vehicles, taking effect from April 16, 2023. The updated insurance premiums aim to provide more comprehensive coverage and better protection for vehicle owners and road users in Kuwait.

Under the newly approved system for mandatory vehicle insurance for traffic accidents, the annual basic insurance premium for privately-owned vehicles and vehicles owned by entities will see a significant increase. The premium will rise from the current KD 19 to KD 32 for private vehicles, while the premium for vehicles owned by entities will jump to KD 53.

These changes come as part of Kuwait's continuous efforts to improve the insurance sector and safeguard the interests of both consumers and insurance providers. The Insurance Regulatory Unit has thoroughly reviewed the existing policies and structures, identifying areas where improvements could be made to better serve the market's needs.

The increased annual insurance premiums are expected to lead to a more stable and robust insurance market in Kuwait, ensuring a higher level of protection for vehicle owners in case of accidents or other unforeseen incidents. As a result, motorists and insurers alike can expect greater peace of mind and financial security.

In conclusion, the recent decisions by Kuwait's Insurance Regulatory Unit, including the hike in annual insurance premiums for private vehicles and vehicles owned by entities, demonstrate the country's commitment to strengthening its insurance sector. As these changes take effect from April 16, 2023, private vehicle owners and other stakeholders should prepare for the new insurance landscape in Kuwait.

The Ministry of Interior, Public Authority for Manpower, the Public Authority for Civil Information and health insurance, in partnership with the Central Administration for Statistics, helped 1.4 million expatriates to renew their work permits in the private sector during the past year, reports Al-Qabas daily. These expatriates paid approximately 109 million dinars, in addition to 2.7 million dinars paid by 22.2 thousand expatriates who joined the business last year. Workers in the family sector, “domestic workers,” also paid 15 million dinars for renewing their annual residency and health insurance, and another 28.6 million dinars were paid by 520,000 residents who joined the family.

The value of financial payments decreased for those who obtained Article 24 (self sponsor) residency, and those who obtained an investor’s residence according to Article 19 paid approximately 200 thousand dinars. The state bears paying 6.3 million dinars to the 97,880,000 residents working in the government sector, the majority of whom work in medical services, health and education, at a rate of 76.5%. Annual residency revenues decline by 3.5 million dinars due to the presence of violators of the residency law, whose number exceeds 133,000.

A single resident in Kuwait annually costs approximately 70 dinars, in exchange for renewing a work permit, health insurance, residence and civil card, if he is registered in the labor market, and it decreases for domestic workers to an annual value of 20 dinars and between 55 and 65 dinars for those who join a family, sponsor himself, and investors.

The volume of the latest heavy rainfall exceeded 106 mm per day, Al-Ojairi Scientific Center said on Monday. Director General Yousef Al-Ojairi said in a statement the volume of torrential rain throughout Kuwait exceeded the amount of rain that fell in a day during the notorious “Al-Haddama” rainfall in 1934, as well as the unprecedented torrential rainfall in 1997, 2013 and 2018.

Ojairi said rainfall in some areas of Kuwait reached 61 mm daily, higher than the record in 2018 of 58 mm, with a total of 126.8 mm throughout the season. The 1934 Al-Haddama rain swamped Kuwait and inflicted heavy damage, affecting 18,000 people. – KUNA

Kuwait is preparing to become a transit station for nationals of many countries wishing to perform Umrah and Hajj in coordination with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

The Al-Qabas daily reported that a meeting will be held after Ramadan to discuss the most important points of the project, which aims to receive 1 million pilgrims annually via Kuwait from several countries.

According to sources, several countries, including Iraq, Iran, Bosnia, and Chechnya, will be able to send their citizens into Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah if the project is approved.

It is believed that this project will have a great economic impact on the country, and that a mechanism will be approved for the passage of pilgrims only, or allowing them to enter and reside in the country for a specified period if they pay visa fees.

Once the project is approved, the Ministry of Interior will determine the mechanism for Umrah performers and pilgrims to enter the country.

To meet the needs of the citizens and residents on the occasion of the approaching Eid Al-Fitr, Kuwait's Central Bank announced it would provide new Kuwaiti currency notes in different denominations to all local banks.

It has been stated by the bank that individuals who wish to obtain new currency notes can do so during the bank's official working hours.

Also, the Central Bank will install ATM machines at various commercial complexes, including Avenues, 360 Mall, Assima Mall, and Al-Kout, starting from the middle of this month until the second day of Eid Al-Fitr.  

 A total of 154 million dinars was collected by the state budget in 2022 from expatriates renewing their annual residency or obtaining residency for the first time, according to a government report jointly issued by the Ministry of Interior, Manpower, Civil Information and Insurance, and the Central Administration for Statistics.

The report revealed that 1.4 million expatriates working in the private sector renewed their residency during the year, contributing approximately 109 million dinars, while 22.2 thousand expatriates who joined the workforce paid 2.7 million dinars for their residency.

Domestic workers in the family sector paid 15 million dinars for the renewal of their annual residency and health insurance, while 520,000 expats who came on family visa paid an additional 28.6 million dinars, according to the government report, reports Al Qabas. According to a government report, the financial payments for residency renewal from expats have decreased who obtained residency under Article 24, “self sponsorship,” and Article 19, “Company Partners.” The number of expats under Article 24 was 2352, and under Article 19, it was 773. The state paid 6.3 million dinars for the 97,880,000 expats working in the government sector, with the majority working in medical services, human health, and education, at a rate of 76.5%. The presence of residency law violators, totaling more than 133,000 residents, caused an annual decline of 3.5 million dinars in residency revenues.

Renewing work permits, health insurance, residency, and civil cards for a registered worker in Kuwait costs around 70 dinars per year, while domestic workers pay a reduced annual fee of 20 dinars. The cost for family residence permit, self sponsorship, company partners is between 55 and 65 dinars per year.

 The State of Kuwait will implement a voluntary cut of 128,000 barrels per day from the month of May till the end of 2023, in coordination with some OPEC and non-OPEC Participating Countries in the Declaration of Cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister Bader Al-Mulla said in a press release Sunday. This voluntary cut is a precautionary measure in addition to the reduction in production agreed at the 33rd OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting on October 5, 2022, the minister added. Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister Dr. Bader Al-Mulla said that the voluntary reduction of production from the countries participating in the OPEC+ agreement is a proactive move to bolster the stability of oil markets amid developments in global economic conditions and their accelerating effects.

This was in Al-Mulla’s statement, which was conveyed through a statement by the Ministry of Oil, after he headed Kuwait’s delegation participating in the 48th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), which was held Monday via videoconference. Among those developments is the rapid pace of rising global interest rates, global debt levels, the banking crisis and geopolitical developments, Al-Mulla said, noting that OPEC+ focuses on supporting the stability of oil markets. OPEC+ continues the policy of reducing production by two million barrels per day until the end of 2023, as decided at the 33rd ministerial meeting of OPEC+ on the fifth of October 2022, he mentioned.

He commended the initiative of the countries participating in the voluntary reduction under the OPEC+ agreement, which will be implemented from next May to the end of 2023. The Kuwaiti delegation participating in the meeting, in addition to Al-Mulla, included Kuwait’s Governor to OPEC Mohammad Al-Shatti, and the National Representative of Kuwait to OPEC Sheikh Abdullah Sabah Salem Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also said that Moscow would extend a voluntary cut of 500,000 barrels per day until the end of 2023, reports Al-Jarida daily.

The UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Algeria said they would voluntarily cut production over the same time period. The UAE said it would reduce production by 144,000 barrels per day, and Kuwait announced a reduction of 128,000 barrels per day, while Iraq said it would reduce production by 211,000 barrels per day, and the Sultanate of Oman announced a reduction of 40,000 barrels per day.

Algeria said it would cut its production by 48,000 barrels per day. The Saudi Ministry of Energy said in a statement that the Kingdom’s voluntary reduction is a precautionary measure aimed at supporting the stability of the oil market. Meanwhile, oil prices soared nearly 6% on Monday after Saudi Arabia and other major oil producers said they will cut production by 1.15 million barrels per day from May until the end of the year. Shares in Asia were mixed.

U.S. benchmark crude oil rose $4.24 to $79.91 per barrel, or 5.6%, in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It rose $1.30 to $75.67 per barrel on Friday, ahead of the weekend meeting where members of the so-called OPEC+ group of oil exporting countries decided on the cuts, which are in addition to a reduction announced last October that infuriated the Biden administration. Brent crude, the pricing basis for international oils, gained $4.35 to $84.24 per barrel, or 5.4%.

The cuts in oil output immediately pushed prices higher and were expected to boost gas prices, adding to strains in many countries where high fuel prices are a heavy burden. Higher oil prices also will complicate the efforts by central banks to rein in inflation. “This will create both political waves across Europe and even higher general inflation in the USA, leading to renewed pressure on the Federal Reserve to keep hiking rates aggressively,” Clifford Bennett, chief economist at ACY Securities, said in a report.

 After receiving several complaints about cooperative societies banning expatriates from entering to shop and buy products during the holy month of Ramadan, Kuwait Times found expats are allowed to enter co-ops in many areas, but several Police Co-operative Societies are denying people entry unless they are Kuwaitis or working for the interior ministry.

Security guards are stationed at all entrances of Police Co-ops to check people’s civil IDs. Kuwait Times tried to speak with the co-op’s administration, but they refused to talk. One of the employees, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Kuwait Times the rule has been implemented since the beginning of Ramadan. Head of the Consumer Protection Association Meshaal Al-Mane told Kuwait Times this is an illegal decision, even if it is only applied at the interior ministry’s cooperative societies, affirming that banning expatriates from entering and limiting products to citizens only is against the law.

Mane explained cooperative societies are businesses with a commercial license from the commerce ministry, and they are also subject to the same market laws as other businesses. “The law must be implemented. As a representative of consumers in Kuwait, whether expats or citizens, we are obligated to protect their rights to enter any facility in the country and have the privilege to buy and shop,” he said. “Let us assume the opposite had happened, and a Kuwaiti was denied from entering a supermarket abroad. Is not that considered against the law?” Mane pointed out.

“This decision is against the laws of consumer protection and the ministry of commerce and industry and human rights. Let’s assume that their claims that the co-ops are crowded is true. This is an administrative matter and must be organized administratively and not by random decisions, especially by preventing a consumer from buying their needs in the month of Ramadan,” he said. Mane revealed he has informed the undersecretary of the ministry of commerce about the incidents faced by expats and informed him about Consumer Protection Association’s objection to such behavior.

Citizen Ali Wahabi expressed his anger at the decision that prevents expatriates from entering cooperative societies, pointing out it violates the constitution and is discriminatory. “Kuwait is a humanitarian country. It has sufficient stocks, so there is no reason to prevent expatriates from entering. This decision must be canceled immediately, because it has negative repercussions at the local and global levels,” he said. Nada Maged, an expat who used to buy from the Police Co-Op in Zahra, said: “This started three days before Ramadan, when the Police Co-op denied entry to expats. They checked the IDs and prevented anyone from entering except Kuwaitis and interior ministry personnel.”

Acting Deputy Director General of Farwaniya and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorates Eng Nawaf Al-Kandari said a field tour was carried out recently in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh to remove everything that distorts public view or encroachments on State properties; resulting in the closure of seven shops for not adhering to the conditions and controls set by Kuwait Municipality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, reports Al-Jarida daily. Al-Kandari indicated in a press statement that the inspectors continue their field tours to monitor those violating the rules and regulations of the Municipality, and then take legal measures.

On the other hand, the Municipality confirmed taking the necessary measures regarding the video clip posted on social media showing the removal of a container from its designated area and placing it in the middle of the street in Khaitan.

All individuals behind the violation will be held accountable. The Municipality said the oversight team rushed to the place and after investigating, it was found that containers were removed from the places allocated for them. It added that removal stickers were placed on vehicles, which blocked the parking of the garbage truck to empty the containers, in preparation for impounding them if the owners do not cooperate.

The WhatsApp instant messaging application is still being used by scammers today, but they have advanced to a higher level.

Al-Jarida daily reports that it has returned to the fore in terrifying and dangerous ways, so users should be careful and pay attention and delete it immediately.

Internet experts have received reports that fans of chat apps are once again being targeted by the dreaded 6-digit code texts.

Despite the fact that hackers have used this fraudulent technique in the past to gain full access to devices and personal data, they are warning now of its seriousness.

According to them, the trick starts when you receive a message from a real friend that seems like a normal conversation with you, but at the same time you receive a 6-digit code.

According to Mirror, the friend will say that the code was accidentally sent to your device. Please forward it to him.

You must stop and end the conversation immediately if this happens to you, as your friend's phone is definitely hacked.

Additionally, they explained that the scam works because WhatsApp will not allow a new device to access an account without a random 6-digit code.

These are the numbers hackers need to access your account through the green app. It is noteworthy that once you send them the code, WhatsApp believes that it is a real attempt to log into your account and because of your action, the platform will also enable hackers’ smartphone chat.

And if hacked, it means that hackers will access your calls and messages, and they can target friends and family and request money via Paypal links.

There are some vital tips that all WhatsApp users should know to avoid falling victim to this attack, the most important of which is setting up two-step verification. To give an extra layer of protection to your account: Tap Settings > Account > 2-Step Verification > Enable.

According to an official at the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM), news about suspending 16,000 work visas for expatriates in the private sector pending validation of their academic certificates is inaccurate; citing sources, Al-Qabas daily reports that the authority works continuously to verify the integrity of certificates issued by private sector workers according to procedures and laws.

According to sources, there is no plan to suspend 16,000 work visas to ensure their procedures remain fair, stressing that the authority continues to suspend those whose papers or academic certificates are invalid, and each case is audited separately. The authority is working hard to organize the labor market, facilitate procedures for young Kuwaiti business owners, and continue demographic changes.