l o c a l
MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2012
KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait’s Regional Director Lina Darwish (left) hands over a check to Al-Rumaithiya Co-operative Society’s Chairman Ali Al-Faili and Vice Chairman Khalid Jermen over the weekend to fund a project to improve the area’s walkway.
KUWAIT: Firefighters in action after fire broke out in Salmiya and Shuwaikh yesterday. —Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun
KUWAIT: Through its decline in peacefulness the Middle East and North Africa is now the least peaceful region globally, says the 2012 Global Peace Index which was published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an interna- tional non-profit research organization dedicat- ed to shifting the world’s focus to peace as a positive, achievable, and tangible measure of human well-being and progress. The report which was published last week gauges ongoing domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society, and militarization in 158 countries by taking into account 23 separate indicators.
Kuwait fell one place to 47 following the United Arab Emirates (46). Bahrain has dropped drastically in the latest edition of the Global Peace Index “as a result of months of unrest” to 118th place out of 158 covered after being placed 62nd back in 2007. Qatar ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa region and among the top 20 most-peaceful countries on 12th place. Saudi Arabia was placed 106th.
According to the report, Iceland is the coun- try most at peace for the second successive year and Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time is not the least peaceful region. Syria tumbles by largest margin dropping over 30 places to 147th position. Somalia remains world’s least peaceful nation for second year running.
According to the report, improvements in the Political Terror Scale and gains in several indica- tors of militarisation arising from austerity-dri- ven defence cuts were the two leading factors making the world more peaceful in 2012. This reverses two consecutive years where the GPI has shown a decline in global peace. If the world had been completely peaceful, the economic
benefit to the global economy would have been an estimated $9 trillion in the past year (equal to the size of the German and Japanese economies combined.)
The GPI is the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). All regions apart from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) saw an improvement, with Sub-Saharan Africa lifting off of the bottom spot for the first time since the GPI was launched in 2007. Madagascar, Gabon and Botswana experienced notable improvements over the past year and the region also shows the largest improvement in ‘Relations with Neighbouring States’ from 2009 to 2012.
Through its decline in peacefulness the Middle East and North Africa is now the least peaceful region globally. The drop largely reflects the upheaval and instability driven by the Arab Spring. Indeed the five indicators that deteriorated the most across the GPI last year were measures of safety and security in society, and appear to reflect turbulence that has shak- en the Arab world since December 2010. Syria’s descent into civil war caused it to fall by the largest margin, followed by post-revolution Egypt and Tunisia respectively.
“What comes across dramatically in this year’s results and the six year trends is a shift in global priorities. Nations have become external- ly more peaceful as they compete through eco- nomic, rather than military means. The results for Sub Saharan Africa as a whole are particular- ly striking - regional wars have waned as the African Union strives to develop economic and political integration.” said Steve Killelea, founder and Executive Chairman of the IEP.
“Peacefulness has returned to approximately
the levels seen in 2007, but while external measures of peacefulness have improved, there has been a rise in internal conflict. This is partic- ularly noticeable in the rise in fatalities from ter- rorist acts which have more than trebled since 2003.”
According to the report, the Asia Pacific region’s overall score improved by the largest extent from last year and included three of the top five risers. Sri Lanka experienced the great- est improvement in its overall peacefulness fol- lowing the ending of its civil war. Bhutan showed robust gains to enter the top 20 for the first time mainly as tensions eased sur- rounding ethnic-Nepali refugees. The Philippines also showed a robust rise across a number of indicators.
For the sixth consecutive year, Western Europe remains markedly the most peaceful region with the majority of countries ranking in the top 20. While Norway dropped out of the top 10 for the first time to 18th position, three Nordic countries stay ranked in the top 10, with high levels of safety and security indicating broadly harmonious societies free from conflict.
North America experienced a slight improve- ment, continuing a trend since 2007. Canada jumped three places in this year’s rankings as a result of fewer casualties among its troops sta- tioned in Afghanistan. The United States’ overall score also improved slightly thanks to reduc- tions in the percentage of jailed population, although it slipped a number of places as a result of larger gains made by other countries.
Latin America also experienced an overall gain in peacefulness, with 16 of the 23 nations seeing improvements to their GPI scores.
— www.visionofhumanity.org
Kuwait is less peaceful than last year, shows new report
Global Peace Index ranks Kuwait 47th
KUWAIT: Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to a female citizen being gravely injured. She was found bleeding from a neck injury. Police reached the Mubarak Hospital after the victim was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. Her husband told officers that he found his wife in this state after return- ing to their Hawally apartment. Preliminary investigations indicate that the woman attempt- ed to end her life. Police are trying to determine if she was attacked.
Suicide attempt
Police successfully coaxed a domestic worker out of her suicide plan. She was then safely escorted from the top of an Al-Oyoun building.
Major Ghunaim Al-Thufairi, Head of the Taima police station counseled the Sri Lankan woman for an hour and a half after threatening to leap from her employer’s roof top. The woman was taken to the area’s police station for investiga- tions. Al-Rai. Meanwhile, an Ethiopian woman in a comatose was hospitalized after a suicide attempt at her employer’s home in Al-Qadsiya.
Medical tests revealed that the domestic worker suffered poisoning after ingesting a highly toxic substance, likely to be cleaning bleach. Police are waiting for the woman to regain conscious- ness so that investigations can be launched.
Two in custody
A junior officer was arrested along with a
stateless resident (bedoon) in connection with stealing thousands of dollars from an insurance company. Salwa police launched a probe after being approached by an insurance company’s legal representative and requested an investiga- tion into an alleged car accident for which his company was to pay the owner KD 18,000. The company reportedly grew suspicious when it discovered that no case was filed on the acci- dent, based on which the claim amount was paid. The owner only provided a document stamped from the police station authorizing the insurance payment. However, regulations stipu- late that the company be provided with a copy of the accident’s investigation report which can be used to demand a compensation from the other driver involved in the accident through legal action. A forgery case was confirmed after the chief investigator whose stamp was used on the document denied knowledge of the acci- dent. Police summoned the owner of the dam- aged car for investigations, during which he eventually confessed of working with a junior officer to forge a document stating that his luxu- ry car was completely damaged. The suspect reportedly decided to buy the damaged car upon learning that it is fully insured. His accom- plice, the officer, explained that he stealthily entered the detective’s office during a prayer break and stamped a blank paper which he later filled with the desired information. The two remain in custody pending legal procedures.
Car vandalized
A police officer faces arrest after admitting to vandalizing a vehicle owned by a woman he is romantically involved with. The incident took place after he entered into an argument with the middle -aged woman. She repor tedly caught her ‘lover’ cheating on her. According to a security source, the woman approached offi- cers at a police station in the Hawally gover- norate, reporting that the suspect damaged her car after an altercation. “The woman, a widow with a huge fortune, was very generous to her boyfriend during their relationship and trusted him until a friend approached her and divulged details about his infidelity,” the source said.
Following his arrest, the man in his twenties did not deny the accusations, but argued that he grew desperate after trying to get rid of her “as she refused to stay away from him since they met six years ago.” The officer, who was stripped of his badge, remains in custody pend- ing legal procedures
Illegal residents
At least 31 expatriate residents were arrest- ed in Maidan Hawally and Salmiya during a recent four-hour campaign that targeted illegal residents. According to a security source, many detainees were caught working illegally in local markets. All detainees remain in custody pend- ing deportation procedures.— Al-Rai, Al-Qabas
Foul play suspected in woman’s injury
Two held in insurance scam
By Hanan Al-Saadoun
KUWAIT: Two bedoons were arrested in connec- tion with alcohol sale. Case papers indicate that narcotics detectives were tipped off concerning the suspects’ activities. An undercover agent struck a deal with them to purchase a bottle of liquor.
While delivering the contraband, one of them was arrested at a parking lot in Al-Rai. After raiding his house, the second suspect, his brother, was arrest- ed and detectives confiscated 60 more bottles. A case was filed and the suspects were referred to relevant authorities.
Fire incidents
A huge fire broke out at a sponge factory in Shuwaikh. Four firefighting teams from Shuwaikh, Al-Shohada, hazardous materials squad were dis- patched to the scene. The fire engulfed a ware- house that covered an area of 700 square meters where paints, plastic materials, sponge and other flammable materials were stored. Firemen tackled the fire to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the factory.
Another fire broke out at dawn in a Slamiya building near the Marina Mall. Firefighters respond- ed to the report in a record time of three minutes.
The fire began at the building’s yard, the ground and the first floor, necessitating the evacuation of all residents. Four residents were administered
treatment on the site. Furthermore, investigations are in progress to determine the cause.
10,377 citations
Traffic police held an inspection campaign all over Kuwait that resulted in 10,377 citations being issued, including 361 for using mobile phones while driving. Sources explained that 2,473 tickets were filed in the capital and 150 vehicles were impounded. Atleast 1,134 tickets were filed in Ahmadi and seven vehicles were impounded; 621 tickets were filed in Mubarak Al-Kabeer and 27 vehicles were impounded; 1,494 tickets were issued in Far waniya. Also, 37 vehicles were impounded and 477 tickets were issued in Jahra and 29 vehicles were impounded.
Hit and run case
A 40-year-old citizen suffered multiple bruises after being run over by a speeding vehicle in Al-Rai near the Iranian market. A 40-year-old Fillipino suf- fered chest and shoulder injuries after being run over by a vehicle in Sabhan. He was admitted to Adan hospital for treatment. A 29-year-old Bangladeshi fractured his right leg after being run over by a speeding vehicle in Hawally, noting that the man was admitted to Mubarak hospital.
Car accidents
Two citizens (aged 33 and 21) sustained
minor injuries in an accident that took place in Sulaibikhat. They were admitted to Al-Sabah hospital.
In another car accident, a 41-year- old Syrian fractured his right knee and thigh and an 18-year- old citizen fractured his right thigh bone and suf- fered a head injury. They were admitted to Adan hospital for treatment.
Two bootleggers in police custody
KUWAIT: The two bedoons who were arrested for liquor trading yesterday.
KUWAIT: Abdullah Al-Qaissy, the head of Kuwait Airways’ marketing and sales, said that the airline dedicates special attention to its external branches as they are impor- tant channels for increasing revenues.
Al-Qaissy said in a statement yesterday that the of marketing and sales team held
their annual meeting Dubai in attendance of managers of the KAC branches, stations and external sales, for revision and consul- tation regarding means of overcoming hur- dles.
The corporation holds such meetings twice a year for the external sales stations, which are major channels of income. The meetings aim to improve the promotion of services and bolster the corporation status among international companies, he said.
Participants in the meeting discussed marketing plans to enhance services and preserve the accomplishments of the cor- poration, Al-Qaisy said, adding that the dis- cussions also dealt with sales plans, topics related to the 2012-2013 fiscal year, and plans for slashing expenditures without affecting the level of the services for the clients.
The meeting also discussed the latest innovations in the aviation field. — KUNA
KAC executives discuss promotion of services
Abdullah Al-Qaissy
RIO DE JANEIRO: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), also known as the Rio Earth Summit or Rio+20, will kick-off here on June 20, marking the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
Over 130 world leaders are expected to attend Rio+20, in addition to thousands of busi- ness executives, mayors, civil society groups, youth and indigenous peoples.
Chairperson of Kuwait’s Volunteer Work Center Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah will be representing the State of Kuwait and heading a delegation to the Summit.
The summit represents “another milestone in ongoing international efforts to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable devel- opment globally and aims to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable develop- ment, assess the progress to date and address new and emerging challenges.” The Earth Summit 2012 is taking place 20 years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, where countries adopted Agenda 21, which is a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.
One of the most important commitments to come out of the summit will be a political docu- ment to be agreed by the UN’s 193 member states that accelerates action on the sustainable development agenda.
Rio+20 will also launch many initiatives and commitments by governments, businesses, civil society groups and others. These commitments will include action on food, energy, water, oceans and sustainable cities.
The opening day of the conference will include remarks by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil,
UN General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nassir and Rio+20 Secretary-General Sha Zukang, as well as special messages from astro- nauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station and by the winner of a special contest for young people.
The objective of the conference is to “secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date and the remaining gaps in the implementation of the outcomes of the major summits on sustain- able development, and address new and emerg- ing challenges.”
It will also focus on two themes, which are “a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable develop- ment.” In addition to the discussions in the ple- nary and in any subsidiary bodies that may be established, the conference will feature four con- secutive high-level roundtables, parallel meet- ings including a partnership forum and learning centers, as well as special events.
The four high-level round tables will have a common theme, which is “Looking at the way forward in implementing the expected out- comes of the conference” and they will be held in parallel with the plenary meetings.
In addition to the outcome of the formal negotiation process, governments, businesses, civil society and international organizations will launch initiatives and announce commitments to tackle global sustainability challenges through partnerships. Potential initiatives will tackle challenges that include food, energy, oceans, water and livable cities.
Meanwhile, the US State Department announced, last week, that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will head the US delegation to the Conference and that she also “plans to meet with key world leaders while at the con- ference.” — KUNA
Rio Earth Summit to kick-off with participation of
Kuwaiti delegation
KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Republic of Korea last Wednesday hosted the 4th Korean Cultural Diwaniya under the topic of Korean language (Hangeul), and Korean calligraphy.
The event started with displaying a video about the Korean language, Hangeul. The partic- ipants enjoyed an overview of the styles of Korean calligraphy, and were be able to try it using hanji (traditional Korean paper). With the help of some members of Korean community in Kuwait, the participants were introduced to the Korean alphabet called “Hangul” and taught how to spell and write their names and some words in Hangul by using handbrushes, Korean Hanji papers, inks, water and ink sticks.
The participants had chances to learn Korean language through creating Korean name for
their own. And also they showed the Koreans during the event how to write their names in Arabic calligraphy, which added more excite- ment and fun to the evening. All attendees also enjoyed a nice mix of traditional Korean and Arabic food and conversation.
The event was very successful for all. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is planning to organize the next Diwaniya after the end of the summer vacation, probably in September.
However, during summer, special event such as Gurgaian for Korean community is also planning to be hosted by Kuwaiti members. The embassy staff hopes that the event constituted an oppor- tunity to promote the Korean culture among the Kuwaiti society and solidify the bilateral ties between the Republic of Korea and Kuwait.
