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News Summary Report Wed, Nov. 14. 2018
Domestic Affairs
Cabinet: Wed. off in all gov't Institutions, Ministries, Colleges, Schools
The step was taken in line with forecasts by local and global meteorologists that the country would witness unstable weather conditions within the upcoming hours.
Forecasts indicate that there would be heavy downpours and active winds with high speed, the cabinet said on its Twitter account on today.
It added that the precautionary move was taken to ensure the safety of both citizens and expatriates.
The cabinet appealed to all people to be cautious and follow up instructions and guidelines issued by the state official bodies and the Kuwait TV in this matter. It prayed to Allah to protect the country and people from any risks.
For its part, the Civil Service Commission announced that Wednesday (tomorrow) would be a day off, in line with the cabinet's decision. KUNA
The Crown Prince Returned Home
His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed returned home yesterday evening after he spent a personal visit outside Kuwait. Al-Rai
Al-Mangaf Tunnel Works Currently, But It Shall Be Locked To Prevent Water Rain from Reaching Homes- Al-Roumi
Minister of Public Works, and State Minister for Municipality Affairs, Hossam Al-Roumi affirmed today (Wednesday) that Mangaf tunnel is working currently, however, it shall be locked in a precautionary procedure, and to consider it as a tank in case of heavy rainfall above 30mm to prevent rainwater from reaching houses surrounding the tunnel.
This came during the complementary session of the People’s Assembly on Wednesday in a response to a parliamentary request on the impacts and effects of the heavy rains, which impacted Kuwait during the last few days.
“ We have big pumping machines, and we are capable of discharging the tunnel. In case of heavy rain and high tide, water drainage might not bear the amount of rains, and it might pour out from the surrounding houses”, said Hossam Al-Roumi, adding, “ if water volume increases, then Al-Mangaf tunnel shall be transformed into a reserve or tank to store water, as the life of citizens and expats are more precious than anything else”. KUNA
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MoH allocates 29 medical centers to work around the clock
The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Tuesday announced allocating 29 medical centers to provide round-the-clock services across the country and the Health Minister Sheikh Dr. Bassel Al- Sabah affirms readiness to any emergency.
The move is meant to deal with any emergency caused by volatile weather conditions and expected heavy rains on the country within the upcoming hours.
In a press statement, the ministry identified the allocated centers in Al-Asimah Governorate as:
Ali Thanyan Al-Ghanim in Sulaibikhat, Al-Ehqaqi in Daiya and Al-Saqr in Adiliya.
The centers allocated in Hawally Governorate are West Salmiya, Salwa, Rumaithiya, Al-Salam and South Sabah Al-Salem, it added.
The statement noted that the centers in Farwaniya Governorate are: Abdullah Al-Mubarak, South Al-Ferdaws, Al-Rabiya, Al-Andalus and South Farwaniya.
It went to say that the centers in Jahra Governorate are Saad Al-Abdullah Block 2, Jahra, Al- Qasr and Abdaly.
It named that the centers operating in Al-Ahmadi Governorate as Al-Rigga, Bnaider, Eastern Al-Sabahiya, Fahaheel, Ali Sabah Al-Salem, Wafrah, Sabah Al-Ahmad and Khiran.
Furthermore, Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Bassel Al-Sabah stressed readiness of all sectors of the ministry for any development resulted from unstable weather.
Speaking to KUNA, Dr. Bassel said he directed heads of all health centers and hospitals to show a maximum readiness for any emergency.
He added that the ministry last May reformed the coordinative committee of emergency represented in all sectors, and modernized its emergency plan. KUNA
Kuwait has a leading experience in the field of social guarantee network
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and State Minister for Economic Affairs, Hind Al-Sabeeh conformed that “Kuwait government has a leading and distinguished experience in the field of social guarantee networks as the Constitution guarantees providing assistance to elderly citizens, patients, people with disability or people who are not able to work in addition to ther social guarantees, social assistance and health care.
“ The forum aims to shed the light on the vital and important issue, which is protection and social guarantee and its relation to the family’s budget, and the role of social guarantee towards opportunities of social integration for individuals and families”, said Al-Sabeeh in her
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statement during the “ Second Forum for Social Guarantee Network”, which was held yesterday at Salwa Al-Sabah Ballroom at Marina Hotel. Al-Rai
Kuwait Municipality deploys machinery, personnel for dealing with downpour
Kuwait Municipality said it deployed 6,000 workers and 1,100 pieces of machinery to the six governorates to address any emergency that could emerge from unstable weather.
The machinery include vehicles, bulldozers and tank trucks that were made available for government bodies, general coordinator of the municipality Adel Al-Nassar told KUNA late Tuesday night.
"The staffers of the municipality are on alert for dealing with the weather emergency and protecting the safety of citizens and expatriate residents as well as public and private property,"
he affirmed. "At the behest of Director General of Kuwait Municipality Ahmad Al-Manfouhi, we are working with other state bodies, including the Ministry of Public Works, to remove mud and sand from the watercourses swiftly," Al-Nassar added.
Meteorologists forecast that heavens will erupt in a downpour on Wednesday and Thursday KUNA
His Highness Crown Prince back home
His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has returned home following a private visit.
His Highness the Crown Prince was received at the airport by National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and several other senior state officials. KUNA
NG, civil defense, fire dep. gear up for rainfall repercussions
Kuwait National Guard said Tuesday huge efforts were being exerted to deal with any emergency related the volatile weather in coordination with other state bodies.
National Guard is working in accordance with the operations scheme designed especially to deal with such circumstances, and in light of recommendations by the coordination committee for rain and flood emergencies on activating the emergency plan for rainfall, KNG said in a statement.
Furthermore, KNG's Undersecretary Lieutenant General Hashem Al-Refaie inspected latest preparations of Guard's technical emergency unit and the unit commissioned to deal with the rainwaters expected to fall within the next few hours, it added.
Al-Refaie also conveyed greetings of KNG Chief His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and KNG Deputy Chief Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Guard's officers and
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personnel.
Meanwhile, Interior Ministry's Civil Defense Committee launched three emergency centers in various areas of the country's northern, southern, and central parts to deal with fallouts of the downpour. The three centers comprises representatives of security bodies and other ministries, Spokesman for Civil Defense Committee Major Jamal Al-Fodari told KUNA today, urging the public to follow official warning messages by MoI and the Meteorological Department and refrain from going out or driving unless it is necessary.
Moreover, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate's Director General Lieutenant-General Khaled Al- Mekrad met today with KFSD's directors and heads of departments to discuss their preparations for the consequences and impacts of the expected heavy rains. KUNA
KNPC is ready for any emergency - KNPC CEO
Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) Mohammad Al- Mutairi said on Tuesday, the company was ready to face any emergency due to heavy rains expected to fall on the country within the coming hours.
Al-Mutairi told KUNA, two emergency rooms were formed in Mina Abdullah and Mina Al- Ahmadi refineries, in addition to many other measures were taken.
Meteorologist Abdulaziz Al-Qarawi have predicted that unstable weather will hit the country on Wednesday, where it will remain unsteady for the coming three days. KUNA
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Economy
Price of Kuwaiti Oil Drops $ 2.61 to be $ 67.25
Price of Kuwaiti oil dropped $ 2.61 pb yesterday on Tuesday to be $ 67.25 opposite $ 69.86 pb last Monday according to the price declared by KPC.
In world markets, oil prices dropped yesterday with the continuing concerns from a drop in world demand and a surplus in supply. The price of Brent Crude dropped $ 2.96 to reach $ 67.15.
Meanwhile, price of US crude oil dropped $ 2.64 to reach $ 57.30 pb- KUNA IMF : Kuwait GDP Doubled to 4% during 2019
The IMF report expected that Kuwait economy growth rates shall witness significant improvement during the current and the coming years as it is expected that the total GDP of Kuwait shall rise from 3.3% in 2017 to 2.3% during the current year, and this growth shall be doubled to 4.1% by 2019 – Al-Anbaa
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External Affairs We Are Cautious on Supporting UNRWA
Kuwait affirmed its permanent interest on supporting the works of United National Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), its educational, health, and relief programs by providing contributions to the balance of the UNRWA or by means of responding to its requests.
This came in the speech of Kuwait delegation to the UN by the first secretary, Mishari Al- Muzaini in front of the 4th Committee of the General Society during discussion of UNRWA.
“Kuwait’s attitude supporting UNRWA is represented this year by providing $ 50 million as a contribution and response to severe shortage from which it suffers, and he called the world community to resume supporting programs and activities of the Agency to ensure resumption of its services. Al-Seyassa
HH the Amir and Abbas Discussed Mutual Relations and Support of Mutual Arab Work His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad discussed in Bayan Palace with President of State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, the mutual relations and means of their support in the various fields, and also expansion of cooperation between the two countries to serve their mutual interests, support unity and mutual Arab work.
His Highness the Amir received the Palestinian President and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of his formal visit to Kuwait, and which ended yesterday.
During the official talks between the two sides, the Kuwaiti side was presided by HH the Amir of the State of Kuwait, HE the Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, and senior officials in the State of Kuwait, and for the Palestinian side, President Abbas, and senior officials from the Palestinian government.
Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs, Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah declared that “talks focused on mutual relations and means of supporting them in the various fields and expanding cooperation means between the two brotherly countries to serve their mutual interests, support unity and mutual Arab work.
His Highness the Amir made a luncheon on the honor of the Palestinian President and his accompanying delegation. During the visit, President Abbas granted HH the Amir HH the Crown Prince Great Kanan Necklace. Al-Rai
Parl't Speaker: Kuwait will continue unlimited support to Palestinian cause
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim on Tuesday affirmed that Kuwait would continue its unlimited backing to the Palestinian people and their cause.
"I have absolute confidence and conviction that Kuwait, its Amir (His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah), government, parliament, and people will continue their unlimited support for the cause of our Palestinian people until they have their own independent and sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital," Al-Ghanim tweeted in his official account.
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He added that this support embodies His Highness the Amir and Kuwaiti people principled stance towards the Palestinian cause.
"Our stand on the fair Palestinian case is a reflection of His Highness the Amir's directives,"
he said. "(It also) exemplifies the historical position of Kuwaiti people towards this principled cause." He sincerely thanked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for decorating him with the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian order given to foreign dignitaries.
Al-Ghanim pointed out that President Abbas presented granted him the order earlier today during his visit to Kuwait. KUNA
“We Support Kuwait’s Mediation in the GCC Diplomatic Row” : Italian Ambassador Ambassador of Italy to Kuwait, Giuseppe Scognamiglio affirmed that Eurofighter shall appear in Kuwait skies for the first time at the air show that shall be held on 17 and 18 of this month as part of the events of the Italian week, and shall continue till 25 of this month in view of the distinguished and strategic relations between the two countries with a common vision in issues of mutual concern.
This came in a press conference held by Scognamiglio at the headquarter of the Italian Embassy with the attendance of representatives for the sponsors, including Kuwait Airlines, which participated in inaugurating a direct line to Milano in addition to a direct line to Rome, which negated any talks to operate “ the Italian” line to Kuwait in this current period.
Scognamiglio lauded the role of Kuwait to settle the issues of the region, and he renewed support of Italy in Kuwait’s mediation to settle the GCC crisis, and he extolled the wisdom of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad in handling several issues.
On his turn, the Italian military attaché, Vito Caracas confirmed that Eurofighter deal is done as planned and that there are 16 Kuwaitis are being trained in Italian marine forces. He lauded cooperation between the two armies of both countries.
He emphasized that Eurofighter proved its worth in many missions, and he wondered from its criticism. He remarked that there are Italian forces in Kuwait in view of the ally against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Al-Seyassa
“We Are Keen on Consolidating Cooperation with Kuwait”: Bahrain Prime Minister Bahraini Prime Minister, Khalifa Ben Salman affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness to enhance brotherly cooperation with Kuwait.
“Cooperation between the two countries is based on a solid basis, understanding, coordination and brotherly relations”, said Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Kuwait to Kingdom of Bahrain, Azzam Al-Sabah as reported by Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported. He further described Kuwaiti-Bahraini relations as strong and that it is developing in all fields. Al-Seyassa
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Returning Kuwaiti Archive Affirms Iraq’s Insistence on Eliminating The Effects of Iraqi Invasion
Undersecretary of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Legal Affairs, Ambassador Hazem Al-Yousifi affirmed yesterday that receiving part of Kuwait properties and Kuwait National Archive to the concerned authorities is a step reflecting Iraq’s insistence to eliminate he effects of Iraqi invasion on its neighbor Kuwait.
“Iraq insists to build distinguished relations on sound basis, and to return mutual relations as they were and much better”, said Al-Youssefi in a press statement to KUNA. Al-Seyassa Suspending Visas for Ethiopian Labor
The Public Directorate for Residence Affairs issued a generalization to suspend issuance of visas for Ethiopian labor.
According to the generalization issued the previous day, it is decided to suspend issuing entry visas as per Article (20) (domestic labor) for individuals, who have Ethiopian nationality, whether males or females.
Informed sources mentioned that the Ethiopian government requested this issue from Embassy of Kuwait in Addis Ababa due to non-existence of an approved agreement between the two countries regarding domestic labor till now. Al-Rai
The Exceptional Conditions of the Region Imposes Consultation and Coordination between Kuwait and Iraq: Al-Jarallah
Deputy Prime Minister, Khaled Al-Jarallah said yesterday that the visit of the Iraqi President, Barham Saleh to Kuwait at his first outside tour is a sincere expression of the importance of the relations between the two countries.
Al-Jarallah affirmed that the results of the visit of the Iraqi President were positive, and he clarified that the mutual talks, which took place during the visit reflected depth of relations and keenness of both sides on its consolidation.
He further indicated that both sides recognize that the region passes by exceptional conditions, which require coordination, consultation and communication between both leaders.
He remarked that the Iraqi side listened to the vision of HH the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah regarding the conditions in the region, and both of them discussed mutual issues of mutual concern, and means of overcoming obstacles facing mutual relations.
He further pointed out that this visit shall have positive implications in the future of relations and shall enable both countries to open mutual cooperation in all fields. Al-Rai
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Arab Support for Kuwait’s Nominee for the Membership of the Permanent Committee for the Red Crescent and the Red Cross
Arab Societies of the Red Crescent and Red Cross renewed yesterday, Tuesday, their support to the CEO of Kuwait Red Crescent, Dr. Helal Al-Sayer for membership of the permanent committee of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross. Al-Anbaa
Sources:
KUNA: http://www.kuna.net.kw/Default.aspx?language=en
Al Rai
: http://www.alraimedia.com/Kuwait Times: http://www.news.kuwaittimes.net/website/
Arab Times: http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/
MEED: http://www.meed.com/
Al Anbaa: http://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper
Al-Seyassa: http://al-seyassah.com/
Al-Anbaa: https://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper/
Al-Jareeda: http://www.aljarida.com/
