Mon, Jan 04, 2021
News Summary Report
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
GCC is Moving Steadily Towards 5th Decade of Cooperation – GCC Sec- Gen.
The Gulf Cooperation Council is stepping steadily towards the fifth decade of cooperation march due to the wisdom of GCC countries’ leaders, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf. This came in a statement on Sunday, on the occasion of the GCC 41st Summit, to be held Tuesday in Al-Ula, northwest Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The summit will be held at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and with participation from GCC leaders and members.
Holding the summit despite the exceptional circumstances the world is going through, confirms the keenness of the GCC leaders of preserving the Cooperation Council as a cohesive system capable of overcoming difficulties and challenges, Al-Hajraf said.
The summit would push the economic file as the title of the fifth decade of the march of the GCC and by strengthening and supporting joint work to contribute to restoring economic recovery, restoring growth and returning life to normal after the pandemic and achieving sustainable development goals, he added.
Al-Hajraf affirmed that GCC states Gulf has achieved many accomplishments and projects over the past four decades, including the Gulf common market, the custom union, the electrical connection, the freedom of capital movement and many other, he confirmed.
Al-Hajraf expressed thanks and appreciation for the great efforts made by Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and his Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the Kingdom’s government in preparing for the summit.
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Weapons to Kuwait Worth Euro 23.4 Million in 2020: Germany
The German Government approved in 2020 weapons’ exports whose value is above 1 Billion euros for several Arab countries, including the State of Kuwait.
The German Ministry of Economy stated that the ruling coalition government approved in 2020 to sell weapons with the value of $ 1 billion to Middle Eastern countries.
According to German News Agency, it has been approved to export to Egypt weapons and military equipment with the value of Euro 752 million ($ 913 million) till December 17.
Further, a permission has been made to supply weapons to Kuwait with the value of nearly 24.4 million euros, Qatar (305 million euros), the UAE with the value of Euros 51.3, and Turkey with the value of Euros 22.9 million. Further, licenses have been granted to Jordan (Euros 1.7 million), Bahrain (Euros 1.5 million). The total exports of weapons according to Germany Ministry of Economy is 1 billion and 16 million euros.
Al-Qabas
Amir writes to Oman’s ruler on ties
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has written a letter recently, to Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al-Said over bilateral relations, in addition to current happenings around the world. Omani Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Fahad bin Mahmoud Al-Said received the letter in hand. The letter, intended for the Omani ruler was handed over by His Highness the Amir’s envoy, Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah, who highlighted a desire to push ties between the Arab Gulf neighbors even further.
Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir sent a cable on Friday to the Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel, congratulating him on his country’s National Day. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. Also, His Highness the Amir sent a cable on Friday to the President of Sudan’s sovereign Council Abdulfattah Al-Burhan, congratulating him on his country’s National Day. His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister sent similar cables.
Arab Times
World Operator for Al-Ratka and Al-Ramila Under the Supervision of a Supreme Kuwaiti-Iraqi Panel
Al-Rai has been informed that the most significant scenario to settle the production debate in Kuwaiti-Iraqi oil border wells ( Al-Ratka and Al-Ramila), which is represented by a neutral global operator under the supervision of a joint supreme panel.
Informed sources described to Al-Rai that a meeting and a continuous follow-up with the British Consultant to finish the studies related to investment and ideal use of the joint Kuwaiti-Iraqi wells
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ECONOMY
Kuwait Central Bank Hails Global Cybersecurity Standards Met by Banks
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) commended several local banks after being recognized by the International Organization for Standardization for compliance with ISO 27001:2013 requirements for information security management.
This certification comes out of keenness to develop the banking business in Kuwait in accordance with the best international practices and in light of the need to achieve the highest levels of efficiency in information security management, Kuwait’s monetary authority said in a statement.
It will also enhance work efficiency and safety means for policies applied in relation to cybersecurity requirements set by CBK. CBK described this standardization as one of the most prominent globally, saying it contributes to the assessment of expected risks and provides a technical or operational solutions, which contribute to the management of risks effectively and efficiently.
Meanwhile, it said that Kuwaiti banks whom have not yet obtained this certification are currently working to fulfill these requirements.
KUNA
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
DGCA Suspends Flights Between Kuwait, UK
Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to suspend the flights to and from the United Kingdom as from 4:00 am Wednesday, January 6th, until further notice.
The decision will be revised later on in view of the recommendations of the Kuwaiti health authorities, Spokesman of the Directorate Saad Al-Otaibi told KUNA on Sunday night.
Earlier today, the DGCA President Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah inspected the health precautions put in place at Kuwait International Airport.
The DGCA has introduced, in collaboration with the health authorities, a range of measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly the new variant of the virus, Al-Otaibi noted.
These include conducting PCR tests for all travelers arriving in Kuwait to make sure they are free from the new strain, which was first identified in the UK.
KUNA
‘Difficult to conduct paper-based exams for 1st semester students’
During a meeting between educational sector leaders and the Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Ali Al-Mudhaf recently, an agreement was reached regarding the difficulty of conducting paper-based exams for the first semester students of all educational levels including high school, in addition to the inability to conduct examinations through the online system due to technical, professional and educational reasons, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting informed sources.
They explained that the ministry is planning not to hold exams next month for all students in different academic levels, and instead depend on the continuous assessment grades of the students gathered through assignments, and attendance.
Also, the first semester exam scores will be merged with the scores of the year- end exams, which are to be paper-based and on the basis of second semester curricula only.
The attendees of the meeting also discussed the need for students to gradually
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The sources revealed that an important meeting will be held soon by the Education Committee of the Council of Ministers and officials of the Ministry of Education, to review their plans for examinations and ensure gradual return of students to schools, and then settle on the final decision.
Arab Times
Kuwait Resumes Commercial Flights with Ban on ‘High Risk’ Countries Commercial flights at Kuwait International Airport resumed on Saturday after a brief suspension sparked by fears over importing a new strain of the coronavirus, the civil aviation authority said on Thursday.
A travel ban on the nationals of some 35 countries Kuwait has regarded as “high risk” due to the spread of the coronavirus will remain intact, said Assistant Director General for Airport Affairs Saleh Al-Fadaghi, adding the measure aims to avoid any strain on the country’s healthcare system.
A series of precautionary measures airline passengers were urged to adhere to still be enforced, the official clarified, saying registration on the website kuwaitmosafer.com is the first step for nationals wishing to travel, before obtaining a travel insurance document that contains medical cover for COVID- 19.
A negative COVID-19 test may also be mandatory depending on the traveler’s final destination, he added, while incoming passengers are required to provide negative PCR test results conducted within 96 hours from the date of arrival. A 14-day home quarantine will be imposed on all arrivals in Kuwait in line with established health protocols, he emphasized.
Arab Times
Sources:
KUNA: http://www.kuna.net.kw/Default.aspx?language=en
Al Rai: http://www.alraimedia.com/
Kuwait Times: http:/36Y5/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/
77777 Al-Jareeda: http://www.aljarida.com/
