Muhammad Al-Aiban, the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, issued a directive today urging the inspection and supervisory teams to increase their surveillance efforts. By artificially inflating goods' prices, he emphasized their responsibility to impose the maximum penalties on those who violate the law.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce following Al-Aiban's meeting with the Commercial Control and Consumer Protection Sector, employees are the first line of defense against merchant greed. Taking advantage of salary increases for unjust enrichment is prohibited, he said explicitly. This directive is a proactive measure to regulate and monitor unwarranted increases in commodity prices, coinciding with the recent approval of financial increases for retirees.

During the meeting, Al-Aiban engaged in discussions with the heads of the Commercial Control Emergency Department, the Director of the Technical Apparatus for Commodity Supervision, and the Director of the Consumer Protection Department about developments in the work plan of the Commercial Control Department. The purpose was to assess their preparedness to address potential price increases in the upcoming period. Furthermore, Al-Aiban listened to the insights and recommendations of the inspection teams, aiming to address any challenges they might face and empower them to fulfill their duties effectively. In ensuring fair market practices and safeguarding citizens against economic exploitation, the Ministry takes this proactive approach.

The Ministry of Interior has issued a decision to stop transferring the Article 17 residency permits of expatriates working in the government sector to the private sector as Article 18 residency permits.

According to security sources, the decision to stop the transfer will be applied to those whose services ended when they reached the legal age or to those who resigned from their job.

They revealed that there is a trend among state ministries to replace expatriates with citizens due to which employment contracts are not renewed for those who have reached the legal age for work or who have reached the age of 60 years, with the aim of reducing the number of expatriates in these ministries and replacing them with citizens.

Meanwhile, the number of expatriates who were deported during the current year reached more than 40,000, including those who violated the residency law, marginal workers, those who violated public morals, and those bound by judicial rulings.

The Kuwaiti national football team suffered a defeat at the hands of the Indian team, conceding a lone goal in a match held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on Thursday. This match marked the commencement of the joint qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup, where Manvir Singh secured the victory for India with a goal in the 75th minute.

Meanwhile, the Qatar national football team secured a commanding victory over its Afghan counterpart, clinching an impressive 8-1 triumph at Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium. This marked the opening match in the initial group stage of the joint qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup finals.

The Qatari national team dominated the first half, netting six goals compared to Afghanistan’s lone goal. Al-Moataz Ali, a player for the Qatari team, contributed significantly, scoring four of the six goals. The momentum continued into the second half, with Qatar adding two more goals to seal the match with an 8-1 scoreline in their favor.

Guided by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, the Qatari team will continue to compete in the first group of the joint qualifiers, alongside the Kuwaiti and Indian teams.

In a recent announcement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation revealed that a minor fire incident at the T2 passenger terminal of Kuwait International Airport was effectively contained on Wednesday evening.

The impact of the fire was confined to minor material damage, specifically related to certain construction materials. Importantly, the incident did not disrupt air traffic navigation.

The responsive action of the General Fire Force promptly addressed the fire, and ongoing efforts by specialists are focused on determining the root causes of the incident.

Undersecretary of Public Security Sector Major General Abdullah Al-Rajaib reported the closure of several roads. Specifically, Al-Maghrib Road leading to the capital, Surra, Al-Jahra Road opposite Al Tilal, Abdul Karim Al-Khattabi Street next to Hawally Passport office, as well as the Soukh Mubarakiya parking lots in the capital region, have been closed due to rising water levels.

In addition, he stressed the importance of prioritizing safety and urged citizens and residents to avoid unnecessary outings due to water accumulation. During the ongoing rainy conditions in the country, Al-Rajaib advised the public to stay away from water accumulation to ensure their well-being.

In response to reports from the Meteorological Department, the Ministry of Education has announced a shift to remote learning in all government schools. The decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of students and staff in anticipation of an unstable climate and heavy rainfall. On Thursday, the 16th of November, both educational and administrative staff will participate in remote learning.

Ahmed Al-Wahida, the Ministry's official spokesperson, emphasised that this proactive measure underlines the Ministry's commitment to sustaining education and that necessary preparations and arrangements have been made within the educational sector to facilitate this change. As a result, Al-Wahida urged everyone to adhere to the Ministry of Education's instructions and stay informed of the latest official updates through the Ministry's official social media accounts.

Improving the quality of Kuwaiti soil that had largely been contaminated as a result of crude spills caused by the 1990 Iraqi invasion is a significant part of environmental protection, the oil ministry said on Tuesday.

Such a measure will be instrumental in rectifying the damage inflicted on Kuwaiti soil more than three decades ago, the oil ministry’s public relations chief Dr. Tamather Al-Sabah told a ministry-organized panel discussion on future environmental endeavors. Iraqi forces had set more than 700 oil wells ablaze to trigger the “biggest environmental catastrophe” in history, according to Dr. Mohammad Al-Qahtani, who is in charge of the ministry’s soil-related projects, most of which are being carried out in northern and southern areas, he said.

Numerous innovative techniques are utilized in these projects that aim to improve the quality of Kuwaiti soil, he underlined, citing biological treatment as one of many effective cleansing methods that go into such endeavors.

State-run Kuwait Oil Company’s soil-related projects chief Muthana Al-Mumen listed a number of recent programs that have been completed, chief among them a “green cover project” that covers some 30 square kilometers, he said.(KUNA)

The Supreme Committee of the Public-Private Partnership Projects Authority has decided to cancel the Kuwait Metro project, which is part of the Rapid Transport Systems Project. This decision, made in lieu of the Authority’s Board of Directors, was based on the project’s significant administrative and financial burdens on public funds, amounting to 2.152 million dinars, as reported by the Audit Bureau.

Emphasizing the extensive series of procedures and meetings spanning nearly a decade for the project’s implementation, the Bureau highlighted the prolonged period taken for its study and presentation. The Partnership Authority clarified that the decision to cancel the project was based on recommendations from various committees tasked with scrutinizing the outcomes of feasibility studies. These studies led to the project and prepared reports being returned to the public authority for updates and a reconsideration of the offering system. Since there have been no developments related to the project since 2017, the decision to cancel was implemented

The Partnership Authority clarified that the expenses incurred were a result of consulting contracts adhering to legal requirements and were tied to completed work, thus deeming the expenditures beneficial. The “Diwan” affirmed its observation, noting that the Authority’s report conflicts with the jurisdiction of the Supreme Committee, which has the sole authority to approve public entity requests for partnership projects and their studies. According to Clause No. (703) of Article (3) in Law No. (116) of 2014 regarding partnerships between the public and private sectors, failure to communicate developments to the Authority regarding the project does not serve as justification for its cancellation. The public entity must be informed to stay abreast of the latest developments

The stage is set for a monumental clash in the world of football as India gears up to face Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. This crucial match is scheduled for November 16, 2023, at 7:30 PM at the renowned Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.

Key Event Details:

Date and Time: November 16, 2023, 7:30 PM

Venue: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait

Event: FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers

Ticket Booking Information:

Fans can book their tickets by visiting the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium's Official Ticket Booking Website. The tickets are affordably priced at 3 KD for standard seats and 5 KD for premium seats. Early registration is recommended to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting match.

Stadium Location:

For directions to the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, refer to this //www.google.com/maps/place//@29.2637858,47.9713124,15z/data=!3m1!4b1?entry=ttu">Google Maps Link.

Match Highlights:

India's Lineup: The Indian team, featuring talented players like Amrinder Singh and Sandesh Jhingan, is expected to put up a strong fight.

Kuwait's Squad: Kuwait counters with its own formidable lineup, promising a thrilling match.

Why This Match is a Must-See:

This qualifier is more than just a game; it's an opportunity for fans to witness the rising talents in Asian football and support their teams in their quest for World Cup glory

In a letter to the Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, Faleh Al-Raqab, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled, requested that the requirement to have a guarantor for credit bank loans to workers in the private sector registered under Chapters Five and Three be canceled.

As part of the state's efforts to encourage qualified Kuwaiti youth to become entrepreneurs and establish commercial projects, this initiative is being launched.

In order to remove all obstacles facing the national workforce in the private sector and bring them on par with workers in government agencies with regard to documents and procedures for loans granted by the Kuwait Credit Bank, Al-Khaled has requested that the guarantor requirement be removed.

The Ministry of Interior issued a cautionary notice regarding a surge in fraudulent activities orchestrated by individuals residing outside the State of Kuwait. These perpetrators, displaying a lack of ethical judgment, have been posing as security personnel through phone numbers and various electronic communication programs.

In an official press release, the Ministry of Interior urged both Kuwaiti citizens and expats to exercise vigilance and caution when dealing with phone calls. The advisory aimed to prevent individuals from becoming victims of fraudulent schemes and encouraged them to promptly report any suspicious calls to the competent authorities. The statement emphasized that these deceptive communications are under constant surveillance and scrutiny by the relevant authorities within the Ministry of Interior. Appropriate measures will be taken to address and counteract such fraudulent activities.

The Criminal Court has postponed the trial of a current MP accused of forgery in transferring residencies of expatriates to January 7 next year. This delay is to allow the court to address the Parliament for the lifting of his immunity.

During yesterday’s session, the accused representative was present before the judge, but the court did not formally charge him. After the session concluded and the decision was issued, it was revealed that the court refrained from questioning him due to a legal obstacle, represented by the existence of immunity that has not been lifted until now.

A citizen had filed a complaint accusing the deputy of orchestrating the transfer of work permits of employees working for him to another company without his knowledge, and he demanded legal action against the accused deputy.

Sahel App now allows domestic workers to transfer residence from one sponsor to another

- The process begins with the current sponsor initiating the request, followed by a notification sent to the prospective new sponsor.

- In the initial phase, the service will focus on facilitating the transfer of the domestic worker’s residence, with subsequent phases including the domestic worker.

- Eligibility criteria for the new sponsor include being of Kuwaiti nationality, married, at least 18 years old, and facing no obstacles for both the sponsor and the worker.

Starting next week, the Ministry of Health will reinstate the “leave deduction” for non-Kuwaiti employees. According to health sources, this decision is in response to the Civil Service Council’s decision, which confirmed that the leave deductions will be returned to their leave balance.

This comes after the reservations previously made for sale, which were reserved exclusively for Kuwaiti employees, have been lifted.

Kuwait Fire Service Directorate Director Muhammad Badr Ibrahim has urged individuals planning spring camps to adhere to the safety and fire prevention requirements specified by Kuwait Municipality licenses in order to prevent accidents, according to the Director of Public Relations and Media Department.

In his remarks, he emphasized that individuals setting up spring camps with an area not exceeding 100 meters per tent are not required to obtain permits from prevention department departments. The purpose of this is to streamline the camping process for citizens and residents. The Brigadier General Muhammad Badr outlined a few key requirements, including the need to expose and extend electrical wiring in accordance with government regulations. Other stipulations include refraining from using any heat source inside or near the tent, avoiding wooden floors inside the tent, keeping a minimum distance of 6 meters between tents, keeping a distance of one meter between the generator and tents, and keeping a distance of 10 meters between the kitchen and tents.

The Meteorological Department expected the country’s weather over the weekend to be hot during the day and moderate to cold at night, with clouds increasing at times and a chance of light fog in some areas.

Director of the Department, Abdulaziz Al-Qarawi, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that weather maps and numerical models indicate that the country will be affected by northwesterly winds, which leads to instability in weather conditions in general.

Al-Qarawi added that the weather on Friday will be hot and relatively humid in the coastal areas, with light to moderate southeasterly to variable winds, some scattered clouds will appear, and maximum expected temperatures will be between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius.

Regarding the weather at night, he pointed out that it will be moderate to cold and relatively humid in coastal areas, with southeasterly to variable winds, light to moderate speed, and some scattered clouds will appear, and the expected minimum temperature will be between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius.

Al-Qarawi added that the weather on Saturday will be hot and relatively humid in the coastal areas, with light to moderate southeasterly to variable winds, some scattered clouds will appear, and maximum expected temperatures will be between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius.

The weather on Saturday night is expected to be moderate to cold and relatively humid in coastal areas, with variable winds to the southeasterly, light to moderate speed, and some scattered clouds appearing, and the expected minimum temperature is between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius.

Embark on an enchanting journey at Kland, nestled in the heart of Ras Al Salmiya. A realm where fantasy and reality blend, Kland offers a magical adventure for all ages, setting itself apart as a haven for both the young and the young at heart.

Location and Operating Hours:

Kland is situated at the picturesque Balajat Beach, with easy-to-navigate coordinates at 29°20'26.8"N 48°05'48.6"E. Our doors are open from 3:30 PM to 11:00 PM, inviting visitors to experience wonder and excitement.

Ticketing Experience:

Kland offers a unique ticketing experience. For 4 KD, visitors receive entry plus an equal amount in credit. Children aged 0-4 years enjoy free admission, with the requirement to present a government-issued ID for age verification. Detailed terms and conditions are available on Kland's website.

K Dine Bubble Club:

Elevate your Kland visit with a dining experience at K Dine Bubble Club. Operated by DAR HAMAD, this club offers a Mediterranean set menu priced at 20 KD per person, which includes 16 KD for entry and dinner, and 4 KD as wallet credits. The club operates in two slots: 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM, featuring a variety of dishes including condiment and dips platters, soup shots, oriental burgers, chicken shawarma, falafel tray, pasta, desserts, and juices.

Terms and Conditions:

Kland's visitation is governed by comprehensive terms and conditions to ensure safety and enjoyment for all. These include dress code, behavior standards, and specific guidelines for ride and facility use. Visitors are expected to comply with health and safety measures in effect throughout their visit. Full details are available on their website.

According to informed sources in the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, approximately KD 3.5 million were collected from expatriates through various outlets in the month of October, bringing the total collection since the electronic interface with the Ministry of Interior at the beginning of September to KD 8.4 million.

The sources stressed the keenness of the government to collect its records from others in the various sectors and services it provides.

They affirmed that the doors of the Ministry of Electricity and Water are open to everyone, either through its various sites for collecting debts, through the Sahel application, or through the customer service offices spread throughout the country.

On the other hand, the sources revealed the ministry’s intention to launch an electronic interface with the Ministry of Public Works to collect dues for treated water, as well as the launch of the electronic system for collecting its debts for the various other services it provides.

They highlighted that coordination is underway between the Ministry of Electricity and Water and the Ministry of Public Works for launching the interface, indicating that it will take days to finish connecting the systems to each other.

The sources affirmed the keenness of the Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Jassim Al-Ostad to avoid notices of late collection of MPW’s debts from others.

They explained that the collection will begin with those who wish to deliver the quadrilateral water service to farms, pens, or other plots that need treated water. For the receipt, it is required that the service applicant obtain a release of liability to pay his debt to electricity.

For those who already have treated water service, a mechanism will be put in place to continue access to their farms after collecting their debts from the Ministry of Electricity and Water or other state agencies.

The General Authority for Roads and Land Transport, in collaboration with the General Traffic Department, has declared a temporary 24-hour closure of a section of the Second Ring Road.

This closure will affect the road leading from the Gulf Street direction to Al-Istiklal Road (Road 30), situated in front of the Bneid Al-Qar area. The purpose of this closure is to lay the final asphalt layer on the road surface in the specified area.

The largest fancy vivid blue diamond to ever come to auction sold Tuesday for more than $44 million, far outstripping the pre-sale estimate, Christie’s said. The “Bleu Royal” – a ring featuring a fancy vivid blue pear-shaped diamond of 17.61 carats – was one of the standout pieces to go under the hammer at the auction house for Geneva’s Luxury Week. Christie’s had estimated the ring would fetch around $35 million.

The auction house said the sale made the “Bleu Royal” the most expensive jewel sold at auction this year. Christie’s said the gemstone would be handed over to another private collection for the first time in 40 years.

Renting an apartment for expatriate workers is a financial concern that worries them a lot, as the average rent accounts for about 30 percent of the total income, taking into account the varying value of salary, spending, and rental rate.

According to the latest real estate data, the average rent for a room and a hall is about 180 dinars, while for two rooms and a hall, it reaches 230 dinars, and 120 dinars for a studio. These prices are considered expensive if it is known that about 62 percent of expatriate workers receive salaries less than 125 dinars, and 33 percent of them have salaries ranging between 325 and 400 dinars, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

Expatriates with limited income are forced to search for cheap housing options, by heading to narrow spaces that suit their financial ability. Therefore, they resort to living collectively in one room, sometimes at a rate of up to 5 individuals sharing the same room, with the aim of reducing the pressure of rent by distributing it equally among them, while thousands of expatriates live in uncomfortable rooms what is known as “partitions” to save money.

According to a report issued by the Real Estate Union, the number of investment properties at the end of 2021 reached about 12,994 properties in various regions of Kuwait, containing 396,000 apartments, of which 61,000 are vacant, which means that the average occupancy rate is 84.6 percent.

The total number of expatriates reached about 3.29 million, according to the latest statistics issued by the Public Authority for Civil Information, a large segment of whom have a limited income that prompts them to resort to the option of saving on housing.

Real estate agents said that thousands of expatriates live in “partitions” in various regions of Kuwait, where some people resort to renting apartments consisting of two rooms and a hall or three halls and subleasing them with the partition system in order to achieve a double benefit. On the one hand, the profits of the sublessor are doubled according to the number of Participations and rent prices, and at the same time, it works to provide a cheap housing option for this wide segment of expatriates.