Kuwait's Winter Wonderland project has received over 100,000 visitors since its opening last December, according to Fadhel Al-Dosari, CEO of Tourism Enterprises Company.

It increased to 10,000 visitors on weekends Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and to 6,000 on normal weekdays, he said. Earlier the number of visitors per day was limited to control the crowd. Public can book tickets online through the official website of Winter Wonderland Kuwait (www.winterland.kw).

There are about 40 different games in the project and more than 100 opportunities for Kuwaiti entrepreneurs.

Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) for Residency Affairs, Fawaz Al-Masha’an, has ordered that all expatriates whose residence permits have been lapsed for six months by the end of this month will have their permits automatically cancelled. According to the statement, their residence permits will be automatically revoked on that date and they will not be able to re-enter the country until completely new procedures and approvals have been taken.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior has announced that it will not extend the campaign to allow family visa holders who have been outside the country for more than six months to rejoin their families beyond 31 January.

The Ministry of Interior took the humanitarian decision to renew residence permits online during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This privilege is set to end on 31 January.

The cancellation of residency by electronic means for workers who have been outside the country for over six months will apply to workers who are covered by Article 17 (government sector), Article 18 (private sector), Article 19 (partner in the private sector), Article 22 (joining a family), Article 23 (student), and Article 24 (self-sponsored).

According to the ministry, the period of an expat's presence outside the country will be calculated, particularly for family visa holders, from 1 August, 2022 until 31 January 2023, and then their residency will be canceled automatically, as outlined in Article 12, paragraph 3 of the Foreigners' Residence Law.

Crowds of people waiting in long queues at labor examination centers a few months ago, have become a thing of the past, after the Mishref Examination Center entered service in mid-2022, with a capacity of 1,000 cases per day, reports Al-Qabas daily. Health sources told the daily the increase in blood and X-ray examination rooms in the various centers dedicated to examining employees has led to a reduction in the results of the examination results to only 4 days, instead of a month in the past, in light of the expansion of working hours and the opening of new points for registering visitors.

During the past summer the scenario was chaotic and people waited for their turn during the summer season which sometimes reaches more than 50 degrees Celsius but the Ministry of Health was able to eliminate this scenario after increasing the number of service centers months ago, according to health sources. Regarding the rates of visitors to these centers during this month, the sources pointed out that they vary from day to day, and stated that the approximate rates indicate that the centers at the Capital and Mishref are recording increasing numbers then the rest of the centers, at a rate of about 500 visitors per day in each center, while the Jahra Examination Center receives about 300 visitors per day, the same number in the Ali Sabah Al-Salem centers (formerly Fahaheel) and Sabhan.

Suffering
The sources pointed out that the previous suffering of citizens has ended, represented in the delay in conducting medical examinations for workers or obtaining their results, which had several negative effects on the company or the sponsor, especially in the event that the expatriate’s entry visa expired without the results of his examination being issued, in addition to the failure of the examination result to appear in the system.

The sources noted that the electronic link between the Ministries of Health and the Interior Ministry saved a lot of time and effort, as all appropriate and unsuitable cases are recorded directly in the automated system, after the results of the examinations appear from the examination centers.

The sources indicated that the reception of domestic workers with their sponsors in the centers is during the morning, while the evening period has been allocated for company delegates and Visa 18 workers, noting that the previous period witnessed an increase in blood examination rooms in the centers by 20 percent and raising their efficiency, in addition to an increase in the efficiency of the x-ray rooms to prevent recurrence of congestion.

A local newspaper reports that dozens of local bank account holders have had their credit cards forged in the last two weeks by hackers. The banks informed the Cybercrime Investigation Department about the customers’ complaints and exposure to fraud, which were processed through e-mail and remote access through mobile applications. The fraudulent operations have become widespread, in which the aim is to steal bank data through phone calls and text messages.

The sources pointed out that all financial fraud operations registered with banks were sent in email addresses, claiming to come from the Ministry of Communications or the courier companies DHL and Aramex. The fraudulent message says that the recipient’s shipment has arrived, and that this must be processed by clicking on the notification link and paying a fee of 1.5 dinars, explaining that customers who coincidentally await the arrival of a shipment by express mail are more likely to fall victim to this fraud. Once the customer clicks on the bank account data, especially the information that comes by mail to accept payment, the real withdrawal process would begin, which may exceed the value of the specified fee a thousand times.

According to the report, the banks took technical steps to recover the withdrawn amounts. Based on the complaints, the amount withdrawn by hackers varied between a minimum of 300 dinars and a maximum of 1500 dinars. The banks of the victimized account holders are recovering about 80 percent of the amounts that were stolen, after coordinating with the Visa and MasterCard companies to stop the completion of payment operations as international rather than local payments.

Also, the report noted that if the fraud took place without the customer providing all of his account information, the bank would be able to recover the stolen money within 10 to 45 days. Nevertheless, it may be difficult for the bank to recover the stolen amounts or classify them as valid payment processes carried out at the full will of the customer when the verification code is sent for credit cards, commonly known as "OTP".

The banks warned customers to use caution when downloading suspicious apps and clicking on electronic links, warning that downloading these apps or clicking on these links exposes the customer's confidential banking information to theft. According to the source, banks are doing efforts to confront the rapid increase of phishing operations, and spending millions annually in order to fortify their systems through strong cyber security programs and systems to protect customers and electronic payment operations, while customers are required to protect their banking data and mobile devices.

The hackers use cunning tricks to gain access to customer data, such as promoting malicious applications that promise attractive profits and returns, or imitating apps of famous major companies to entice customers to divulge their banking data and passwords. DHL and Aramex have previously warned of attempts to defraud online shoppers through the unauthorized use of their names and trademarks in email communications and graphics that appear to come from them. In both traditional and electronic mail, the companies confirm that they will not ask for personal information or payment data.

 Kuwait’s Interior Ministry on Tuesday urged conventional and social media to refrain from false reporting and to instead obtain news from official sources, explaining it held a mock exercise at the Mishref International Fairgrounds on Tuesday evening using ammunition and stun grenades.

This exercise is part of drills aimed at raising the efficiency, coordination and in-field cooperation amongst staff. It will also boost the policemen’s management of urgent security situations, said a ministry statement. The ministry’s media and public affairs department stands ready to respond to any queries related to security, the statement added. (KUNA)

Minister of Social Affairs and Community Development, Minister of State for Women and Childhood Affairs and President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Mai Al-Baghli recently issued ministerial resolution number 4 of 2023 on the formation of the National Committee for Protection from Domestic Violence for a period of one year, reports Al- Jarida daily. The daily obtained a copy of the resolution, stating that the committee chairman and members should be from the seven concerned government agencies — ministries of Interior, Justice, Social Affairs, Education, Health and Information, as well as the Supreme Council for Family Affairs; in addition to two civil society representatives.

The committee’s tasks are as follows:

■ Lay down a general policy for the protection of the family;

■ Strengthen family ties;

■ Address all aspects of domestic violence;

■ Approve executive plans and monitor their implementation;

■ Review the relevant national legislation;

■ Submit proposals and recommendations to amend or cancel provisions that contradict Protection from Domestic Violence Law number 16/2020;

■ Coordinate with public institutions and civil society organizations concerned with domestic violence;

■ Conduct training programs for all concerned employees and those in charge of implementing the law;

■ Prepare public awareness and educational programs on domestic violence, particularly the ways to expose domestic violence crimes, protect victims and inform them about their rights;

■ Present an annual report on violence, including complaints received by the concerned departments and authorities and action taken in this regard

Committee
The committee should select a deputy chairman as soon as possible, while meetings should be called by the chairman or his deputy. It will take decisions based on the vote of the absolute majority of attendees. It may ask for the assistance of whomever it deems appropriate among the experts to carry out its tasks, but they are not allowed to vote. It will specify the annual reward for its members in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Meanwhile, sources revealed that Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs Dr Maryam Al- Azmi has submitted a proposal to form a child protection team to the minster. Sources said this is to activate Article 77 of Child Rights Law No. 21/2015, indicating the article has not been implemented since the issuance of the decree on the recognition of the council.

Sources explained the current practice is that the Child Protection Office in the Ministry of Health caters to children who are victims of violence, while the council follows up their cases and supervises them. Sources disclosed the proposed team’s tasks include receiving reports about children in danger – whether the report is submitted by the victim himself, his caregiver, one of his parents or one of the professionals whose work is related to the child. The team will be in charge of the rehabilitation of children exposed to any kind of harm and the parents who caused such harm.

Kuwait is predicted to see cold weather with foggy conditions and light scattered showers today, according to a meteorologist.

Visibility is expected to drop below 1000 meters later this evening into the early morning hours on Wednesday, said Amira Al-Azmi to KUNA.

Low temperatures are expected to drop to 8-11 degrees Celsius while the highs to reach 17-20 degrees Celsius, she concluded.(KUNA)

 The government resigned Monday — a day before the ordinary sessions slated for Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss certain bills and the grilling motions against two ministers. HH the Crown Price Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah accepted the resignation of the 42nd government just a few months after its formation on Oct 16, 2022. It is believed that the resignation is due to disagreements between the two authorities, as well as the grilling motions.

The government is said to have been uncooperative with the National Assembly regarding bills that the latter has been pushing for approval such as the proposed ‘purchasing’ of citizens’ loans. MP Soud Al-Asfour said the government “was born dead and it failed to communicate with the National Assembly. The resignation could be a good chance for the next prime minister — Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf or another — to tread the right path by appointing ministers with the ability to execute the government’s program.” He pointed out the program is ready and all that remains to be done is to choose competent ministers. “As per the Constitution, the new government should be formed within two weeks after the acceptance of the resignation of its predecessor,” he added.

MP Hamad Al-Obaid praised the decision of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah to submit the resignation of the government, as well as the suspension of the exceptional salaries for ministers. He affirmed the latter decision is a way to rectify a wrong action — the inappropriate implementation of Article 80 of the Social Security Law. MP Jenan Bu Shehri asserted the decision to suspend the exceptional salaries for ministers proves that she was right in submitting a grilling motion against former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Barrak Al-Sheetan. She believes the decision is a step in the right direction.

MP Mubarak Al-Tasha said he is not concerned about the resignation of the government, as the most important move now is to form a government that is capable of fulfilling its promises and addressing the citizens’ demands. He thinks the government had been confused about many things like the selection of ministers, setting priorities and dealing with the Assembly. He also disclosed that he advised Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf to change some ministers to ensure harmony within the ministerial team, but the latter did not respond. He added the government insisted on continuing the same approach until it reached the point of resignation despite receiving the full support of the political leadership, lawmakers and citizens.

He stressed the need to immediately appoint the new prime minister and form the new government in the interest of citizens. He urged the next premier to follow in the footsteps of HH the late Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad who was devoted in combating corruption. He emphasized the next period is critical; hence, the need for a government that truly serves the citizens and cooperates with the legislature. The government, which is appointed by the ruling family, has been in a prolonged power struggle with the elected assembly.

They had recently clashed over the assembly’s advancement of populist measures that the government deems too costly, as well as requests to grill two ministers over alleged economic mismanagement, local media reported. Kuwait has the freest and most active assembly in the Arabian Gulf, but political power is still concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, which appoints the prime minister and Cabinet, and can dissolve the assembly at any time. In September, voters sent conservative Islamist figures and two women to the assembly in the second election in less than two years. The election results were seen as a mandate for change amid a prolonged period of gridlock between the Cabinet and the 50-member assembly. Kuwait’s Islamist opposition accuses the government of graft and mismanagement, frequently grilling ministers over their involvement in the

-Arab Times

 Head of the Kuwait Union of Delivery Companies Ibrahim Al-Tuwaijri revealed that the delivery market witnessed a significant decrease in the number of delivery orders from July 2022 to the end of December 2022 by 60 to 70 percent, reports Al- Rai daily. In a press statement, Al-Tuwaijri explained that this significant decrease in the number of delivery orders is due to a change in the consumption pattern of citizens and residents, as the focus is now more on basic needs in light of inflation and high prices. Since the implementation of the Ministry of Interior’s new requirements, the number of delivery companies has increased by seven percent, as the number of delivery companies in Kuwait is now about 610.

Almost 70 percent of these companies belong to the small and medium enterprises sector. The salaries of their drivers range between KD 160 and KD 190, and the salaries of the drivers from the remaining 30 percent of delivery companies range between KD 180 and KD 250. The number of cars and motorcycles belonging to all delivery companies in Kuwait is 12,000. These companies increased their prices by 20 percent during the last period due to high costs, the most important of which are salaries and the requirements of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, and Kuwait Municipality.

The Ministry of Interior had not renewed about 3,000 delivery cars since the beginning of the current year, which put them out of service because they did not meet the condition of the life span being less than seven years for cars and four years for motorbikes. The services of delivery companies are not limited to restaurants, but also includes online markets, flower markets, fabrics, sweets, perfumes, and apps that sell their products online.

While Al-Tuwaijri praised the Ministry of Interior’s efforts to control the delivery market in accordance with the recent requirements it imposed in the interest of the public and the delivery companies at the same time, he stressed that some delivery companies are still employing workers who hold article 20 visas, and workers under article 18 visas under different job titles that have nothing to do with delivery, but they work as delivery workers. Al-Tuwaijri indicated that about 400 violations of delivery companies have so far been recorded since the implementation of the Ministry of Interior’s new requirements.

The head of the Kuwaiti Astronomical Society, astronomer and historian Adel Al-Sa’adoun, said the country is witnessing these days with the (Al-Azraq) cold, which is within the Shabt season and is considered the coldest day in the winter season, reports Al- Rai daily. Al-Sa’adoun told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the cold of Al- Azraq usually falls on January 24 and lasts eight days until January 31, indicating that (Al-Azraq) is characterized by extreme cold, as the faces and limbs turn blue due to the severity of the cold and is also responsible for cattle and camels bleeding from the nose.

He mentioned that the cold of Azraq is characterized by cold northwesterly winds of medium speed, and sometimes their speed increases as a result of the concentration of an air elevation on the Caspian Sea, which drives the cold northwesterly winds to the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula, including Kuwait. He added that the temperatures sometimes reach about degrees Celsius or below zero at the end of the night and not during the day, as the sun affects the temperatures, indicating that the areas most affected by the cold are open areas, deserts and farms.

It was removed within a week after the bus stop was subjected to a torrent of criticism for various reasons, including the primitive manner in which it was posted by an activist on social media. The exhibition opened in Hawally on Sunday, January 15, and was removed the following Sunday, January 22.

In just one week, the model bus stop was removed

There was criticism of what was referred to as a "model project" that did not deserve all this media attention, especially since it is the only one modernized in the governorate, and the road on which the bus top was originally built required rehabilitation and was the first to be reconstructed.

To Al-Rai, informed sources in the Hawalli Governorate explained that the station was an initiative of the governorate and was opened in cooperation with Kuwait public transport and some other parties. As a model for passengers waiting at bus stops, the station has comfortable chairs, air conditioning, lighting and surveillance cameras, in addition to protecting passengers from the bitter cold during the winter and from the scorching sun during the summer.

Moreover, the initiative aims to encourage cooperative societies, companies, and philanthropists to donate to build bus stops in all governorates, adding that the governorate administration ordered its removal within one week of its opening due to the ridicule, mockery, and frustration experienced by those in charge of the work.

Mexican authorities have warned of the dangers of a popular challenge on the Tik Tok platform. This challenge caused the poisoning of a number of students after they took some kind of medicine.

According to Al-Rai daily quoting AFP, the "last sleeper wins" challenge involves keeping people awake after taking clonazepam, a drug commonly used to treat epilepsy, panic attacks, and excessive anxiety.

The Public Safety Authority in Mexico City reported Thursday that ambulances treated five minors who were poisoned inside a school in Mexico City due to the drug's side effects. These side effects included drowsiness.

Authorities in the northern state of Nuevo León reported three similar cases. No students developed serious symptoms.

Nuevo Leon Alma Rosa, Minister of Health, said challenges spread through social networks often endanger others' health. Several videos spread on TikTok showing people filming themselves taking the drug and waiting for results.

Some users, however, posted videos warning of the challenge's seriousness, which has already spread to Chile.

A huge surprise has emerged as a result of ongoing investigations into leaking high school exam papers. The initial information, the statements of the accused, and the Ministry of Interior records revealed that about 40,000 students of the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades were involved in cheating. The cheating case has taken on a new legal dimension, according to informed sources. A number of evidence was submitted to the Public Prosecution, including in-ear phones seized from students, and conversations between employees of the Ministry of Education, who facilitated the leaking of exam papers for some secondary subjects, and those who administered “collective fraud groups” for profit.

According to the defendants' confessions, they had gained about KD 3 million from "cheating groups" and secondary school exam paper leaks within two weeks. Each student who entered the “group” paid KD 60 to KD 70 in advance to those in charge of the leakage. There are other groups that got about KD 150 for one subject.

The Public Prosecution ordered the arrest and arraignment of six new suspects, bringing the total number of defendants to 26, with crimes attributed to them ranging from fraud facilitation to money laundering by illegally obtaining funds. The sources stressed that the entry of millions of dinars into the balances of the test takers during this short period requires a decisive pause, as it confirms the presence of huge numbers of the new generation who have mastered cheating.

The Ministry of Education is also continuously coordinating with the Ministry of Interior, the Public Prosecution, and the judicial authorities. Those authorities requested that the Ministry of Education provide them with a mechanism for conducting tests, which includes working in the secret printing press and transferring the question papers for each subject to the examination committees. All details and the mechanism used for setting tests, printing questions, and transferring them were provided to the Public Prosecution by the ministry.

The source indicated that the Ministry of Education is awaiting an official letter from the Public Prosecution and the Ministry of Interior with the names of those accused in the case of cheating and leaking high school exam papers, which is considered a "national security" issue because it affects future generations.

The students involved in cheating and dealing with the groups will be summoned to give testimony. This situation can be handled in five steps:

- Keeping cheaters at bay requires coordination between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior

- Test questions must be protected from leakage by a strict mechanism

- Cheaters should face stiffer penalties

- Examining the final grade holders despite their poor performance

- Students and parents should be educated about the seriousness of cheating and imaginary success

According to sources, the Ministry of Education will scrutinize any student suspected of cheating or achieving imaginary excellence. The university is also considering issuing a new regulation to prevent cheating during the second semester exams. Penalties will be toughened for students involved, teachers who facilitate cheating, committee supervisors, or anyone else involved in the educational process who facilitates the crime. Sources revealed that the accusation circle in the case of cheating and leaking tests has expanded significantly, indicating that new defendants may be summoned for their involvement in leaking test questions and helping cheating students and those seeking easy success.

The CEO of the Kuwait Public Transport Company (KPTC) Eng. Mansour Al-Sa’ad announced a comprehensive change in the public transport network system through a new strategy, reports Al-Anba daily. During a recent visual presentation by KPTC at the Municipal Council about its future strategic plans, in the presence of a number of Municipal Council members, Eng. Al-Sa’ad highlighted the expansion of the network to link all areas of Kuwait, indicating that there will be a different system within a period of five years. He explained that an electronic application for the transportation network will be released soon. It displays accurate details about transportation in terms of routes and the bus schedule in a live and direct manner. It also has a service for booking tickets among others.

The current routes are not practical and take a long time. Currently, there are only 25 routes but 20 new routes will be added. The new system called “Feeder” will serve residential areas. Regarding the possibility of including the metro within the future strategy, Eng. Al-Sa’ad said the company has been working in the field of transportation since 1962, but it was not assigned the metro or train project and was not placed within its jurisdiction. He affirmed the company’s ability to manage such projects in the event that it was assigned to follow up its implementation. Regarding the target groups, he said, “The company has prepared statistics for all groups that use transportation in Kuwait and for each area separately. Citizens have a convenient alternative to using public transportation, but in the future, it will be realized that public transportation is more rapid.”

Eng. Al-Saad highlighted the most prominent projects that it includes, including the Truck City project, BRT routes for public transport buses, and the smart mass transit system, in addition to the launch of special routes for electric buses. Meanwhile, Head of the Municipal Council Abdullah Al-Mahry stated that, in light of the presence of buses within the areas, a solution to the problem of traffic congestion must be found. He also stressed the need to set up an ambitious and long-term plan, especially in the Capital Governorate and the other governorates. Al-Mahry presented his request for the company to develop an implementation plan to be submitted to the Municipal Council in the coming days, taking into account the residential structure. He indicated that there is no transport in Kuwait dedicated for tourism, due to which it is necessary to communicate and coordinate with the structural plan department in Kuwait Municipality to discuss the matter

. Al-Mahry insisted on the need to provide sites as bus stops in various governorates. He highlighted the need for the company to continue employing national cadres to work with the approximately 200 Kuwaiti employees currently in the company. Al-Mahry said the company requested to be invited to the meetings of the specialized committees of the Council. In addition, a member of the Municipal Council Eng. Hassan Kamal stressed the importance of public transportation in Kuwait of both types – sea and land. He said the visual presentation made by the KPTC officials illustrates the company’s ambitious strategy and plans to develop public transport in Kuwait.

Eng. Kamal affirmed that the performance in the past was not at the level of ambition. In a press statement, Eng. Kamal explained that the company’s plan calls for optimism, especially with traffic congestion, urban expansion and population density. Part of the traffic problem is public transportation. The solution is to not only open new routes for public transportation, but also encourage people to travel through them. The company’s strategy requires a clear time plan and budget. The personnel in the company have a vision not only of transportation, but also of school buses, sea transport, sea buses, and transport on the Jaber Bridge, especially as it is a state-owned company that provides services at nominal prices, and that the municipality supports its plans.

 The Ministry of Communications (MoC) is working to carve out part of the land for the ministry’s warehouses in the Shuwaikh Industrial Area for investment in order to develop its financial resources by establishing complexes and shopping malls, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting sources. The same sources revealed that the Ministry of Communications has informed one of the concerned authorities to set apart a piece of the land for the ministry’s warehouses, referring to the Ministry of Finance Circular No. 5 of 2018, regarding the preparation of estimates for the budgets of ministries, government departments and subordinate institutions, and the principles and rules that should be followed in preparing them according to the budget classifications (the cash basis), which are the most important current financial and economic foundations and directives in the main lines, as mentioned in paragraph 3 of those foundations, including working to reform the economic structure, develop nonoil revenues, and revitalize the national economy.

The sources said that the ministry has made it clear in its speech that, based on the job responsibility to develop the financial resources of the ministry, which reflects positively on the public treasury, and in implementation of the state’s policy to develop non-oil sources of income, a large area has been allocated to the Commerce Ministry by the Ministry of Finance as unexploited warehouses, located in a commercial area. It is very vital, and it is considered the backbone of the state (Al-Shuwaikh Industrial Area), so when that area was allocated by the state, its aim was investment and commercial activity in the first place.

The sources emphasized that the location of the ministry’s stores is ideal for investment in establishing commercial stores on the front of the stores overlooking the main street, which are opposite to complexes and commercial stores owned by companies or individuals, noting that the ministry decided to establish commercial stores on the side of the parallel street along the stores, which exceeds its length by 300 meters, provided that an area of 10 meters is cut out with a depth of warehouses, to construct complexes and commercial stores that are rented through public bidding or direct rental to companies or individuals wishing to rent them, and to generate additional income for the Ministry, which positively reflects in the public treasury, noting that this area is one of the desirable areas to rent, and the cost of the rent due on it is considered one of the highest areas in the State of Kuwait.

The Ministry of Education has completed the tender procedures for the supply, installation, operation and maintenance of attendance proof devices with a fingerprint and the programs attached to it for government schools, reports Al- Qabas daily. It is scheduled to be enforced and officially activated at the beginning of the 2023-2024 scholastic year, specifically next September in all schools without exception. Educational sources revealed that the Ministry of Education has obtained the final approval from the Audit Bureau to award the contract to the concerned company and thus all the required regulatory approvals have been completed, and the contract is being signed with the company by the concerned departments.

Contract The sources indicated 2,770 fingerprint devices worth 350,000 dinars are to be supplied and distributed to schools, and once the contract is signed in the coming days, the supply and installation procedures will begin, especially since the education ministry is in dire need of this tender, for what is in the interest of work. The sources stated that the new fingerprint device, which will be introduced in schools at the beginning of the new academic year, supports different types of registration methods. The sources explained that the ministry is keen to apply the fingerprint attendance considering it the only approved method to prove the attendance of teachers and all school workers. The sources pointed out that the oversight authorities have been recommending for years the necessity of applying the fingerprint in order to keep in check many violations that are recorded in schools, in addition to its importance in ending the case of neglect by some teachers and school administrations, and preventing tampering with records.

Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) signed an agreement with the UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat) to finance the adaptation and resilience project for cross-border sand and dust storms coming from southern Iraq and address the dust problem affecting Kuwait and Gulf states. KISR’s Director General Dr Manea Al-Sudairawi said in a statement on Thursday that the project will be implemented in two areas in the south of Iraqi territory, with an area of 8,212 sq km, as they are major sources of dust storms.

Both regions were identified after scientific studies carried out by KISR were published in scientific journals, through which the locations and number of dust storms that reach Kuwait from 2020 until the end of 2022 were determined, Sudairawi added. The project aims to identify the causes of sand and dust storms from the climatic and geological aspects, protect and increase the skills of adaptation and resilience in storm areas and absorb their negative effects in order to reduce their occurrence, while achieving a set of sustainable development goals and produce measurement mechanisms and indicators to mitigate the effects of storms, he said.

Annual losses resulting from sand and dust storms were estimated at KD 190 million, while the project, which will be implemented through the UN program at a value of KD 4 million, will target specific areas located 250 km north of the Kuwaiti border, Dr Sudairawi mentioned. He referred to the direct impact of those areas, which amounts to 40 percent of the total storms that Kuwait, southern Iraq and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and parts of UAE are exposed to.

Dust storms caused the closure of ports and roads, causing huge economic losses, in addition to health and environmental damage, as cross-border sandstorms that lead to the accumulation of dust increased from 60 tons per square kilometer in 2006 to over 500 tons per square kilometer in 2022, he indicated. The project will work to stabilize the soil in the regions of northern Iraq and thus reduce cross-border dust, Sudairawi said, noting that building barriers inside the country without addressing the main source will not suffice, especially since the path of dust starts from those areas, passing through Kuwait to Qatar and UAE.

Groundbreaking infrastructure will be designed to rehabilitate areas affected by sand and dust storms and mitigate their harmful effects through several methods, he said. The project will be carried out through the use of heavy machinery such as excavators and soil dumpers to place a heavy clay layer, as the consistency of the clay layer when it rains gives an opportunity for natural plant growth and the cultivation of drought-resistant fungal trees in windbreaks to help stabilize the soil and increase plant density, Dr Sudairawi added.

Head of Office at UN-Habitat for Arab Gulf States Dr Ameera Al-Hassan said this agreement was a result of the deal signed with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which aims to treat dust from its sources. Dr Hassan underlined the significance of the agreement, which addresses the problem from its sources in a sound scientific manner that will result in improving the public health of the population and dusty areas, as well as improving the economies of the affected countries. KFAED signed on Oct 27 with UN-Habitat a grant agreement worth KD 4 million ($13.2 million) to finance the project for cross-border sand and dust storms between Iraq and Kuwait to reduce the chances of these storms. – KUNA

Twin explosions rocked Jammu city in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in India's north on Saturday morning, injuring at least seven people. Additional Director General of Police (Jammu) Mukesh Singh said that the blasts occurred in the Narwal area of Jammu.

The entire area has been cordoned off and further investigations are being conducted. The injured have been rushed to the hospital, reports PTI news agency.

Seven people were admitted to the hospital with splinter injuries, and all of them are stable, according to hospital sources. 

The twin explosions took place in Yard Number 7 of Transport Nagar in the Narwal area.  

Six people were injured in two blasts that occurred in the Narwal area of Jammu. Visuals from the spot. Police personnel are present at the spot. pic.twitter.com/eTZ1exaICG

The first blast occurred at around 10.45 am, followed by another explosion, an official in Jammu told the news agency PTI, adding that the whole area was cordoned off and a search operation is underway.

Jaswinder Singh, an eyewitness, said the first blast occurred in a vehicle that was sent to a workshop for repairs, reported PTI. “Fifteen minutes later, another explosion nearby littered the area with damaged parts and garbage,” said Singh, chief of the Motor Spare Parts Association.

Five people were injured in the first blast and two more in the second, he added.

Senior officials of the Army and Security Impact Analysis (SIA) teams reached the spot and  sanitisation operation was carried out. Teams of forensic experts, bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were also pressed into service and collected samples.

The Narwal area of Jammu city is a commercial hub and remains crowded throughout the day. It has a fruit and vegetable market besides many shops of tyres, spare parts, junk dealers and car accessories.

Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant-General Manoj Sinha has strongly condemned the blasts in Narwal, Jammu. Senior police officials briefed the LG about the blast and the ongoing investigation. He called for urgent steps to identify the culprits and take action against them.

Such dastardly acts highlight the desperation and cowardice of those responsible. Take immediate and firm action. No efforts should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice,” Sinha told officials.

Additionally, the LG announced a relief of Rs 50,000 for each injured in the explosions. He added that the administration would ensure best treatment to the injured and extend every required help to their families.

The blasts have taken place even as security has been beefed up across the Union territory in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra has entered the state.

The yatra has been given massive security cover, with both police and paramilitary forces ring-fencing Gandhi and his followers while jammers have also been deployed. It was reported that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been instructed by security agencies not to walk certain stretches during his yatra in Kashmir.

A 29-foot-long mobile tower in Patna's Sabzibagh was uprooted and taken off by robbers posing as telecom company employees. The incident has left cops red-faced and local residents in worry, TOI reported. 

In the course of a survey of mobile towers and 5G services, technicians of the telecom company discovered that their network and equipment were missing. 

The tower worth thousands of dollars was installed on the roof of a four-storey house belonging to a man named Shaheen Qayoom.

Police filed a case against the unknown group after Mohammad Shahnanawa Anwar, GTL's area manager, reported a missing mobile tower. The case was filed under Section 379 of the IPC. 

As of now, no clear ground regarding the culprits has yet been established. 

Sabihul Haque, the SHO, said that Aircel installed the tower in 2006, but that it was sold to GTL in 2016.

In addition, GTL failed to pay rent to the house owners for some time, since it was not working. The owner asked the company to remove the tower. 

In the course of the investigation, Qayoom informed me that a group of men came and dismantled the tower. According to the house owner, he said that the fake technicians said that the tower is experiencing some technical glitch, and a new one will be placed soon.

The investigation is underway. 

In India, a similar group dismantled an entire iron bridge in Rohtas and a train engine in Begusarai last year.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has warned against marketing or selling any product or publication bearing the image of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince or state emblem of Kuwait.

“Article 16 of the ministerial resolution No. 216 of 2014 bans exhibiting, selling, or marketing any product or publication putting a printed photo of His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince or the state emblem,” the ministry Undersecretary Mohammad Al- Enezi told KUNA. He affirmed that the ministry would not hesitate in taking legal actions against violators. Al-Enezi cautioned that the ministry inspection teams were carrying sudden raids on stores to catch violators. He added that the inspectors had already registered a number of violations in this regard. (By Salem Al-Methen – KUNA)