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NATIONAL
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Woman killed in road accident
Inmates injured in tribal jail brawl KUWAIT: One Central Prison inmate was critically injured and five others sustained minor injuries in a tribal clash between gangs of prisoners in the wing used to house those convicted in drugs cases. The fight began after one inmate was informed by the senior warder there that he was to be transferred to another wing of the prison without being given any explanation of the move.
Dual citizen sentenced to prison KUWAIT: In an unprecedented case in Kuwaiti courts, the Criminal Court recently sentenced a citizen to five years in prison after he was found guilty of dual citizenship, reported Al-Qabas. The citizen’s illegal condition was discovered accidently following his arrest for drug possession. The man was arrested for a drug related case in which he was charged
with possessing drug pills for abuse purposes. While he was arrested he provided identification indicating that he was a Saudi citizen. His Kuwaiti identity was discovered when the man’s fingerprints were searched in a lab. It was discovered that his fingerprints matched the identity of a Kuwaiti citizen with a different name in the database.
He was referred to the immigration and citizenship department where it was confirmed that he was in fact a Kuwaiti citizen. An investigation revealed that he was able to earn Saudi nationality with the help of his wife’s relative. Authorities learned that he used a fake name to transfer between the two countries because his original name is on a blacklist.
New security plan at airport KUWAIT: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is introducing a new security plan at Kuwait International Airport (KIA) in order to cope with the increased number of travelers and flights during the summer holiday season. The plan will see support staff being used in the Departures Hall and at the entrance to the luggage zone to
regulate travelers’ departure procedures and ensure that airport operations run smoothly and to schedule, said DGCA operation manager Essam AlZamel. “Support officials will ensure that the queues of travelers at the check-in counters are organized and that the weigh-in procedures are run smoothly,” he told Al-Qabas, adding that all airport staff will be working
closely together to avert any potential confusion or disagreements between travelers, especially during the busiest periods when traffic levels are highest. Security staff will also be working to ensure that no incoming passengers’ friends or family members awaiting their arrival are allowed to enter the immigration zone while the passengers are waiting for their passports to be stamped.
DFA releases drug study KUWAIT: A special study called for the formation of a work team to rehabilitate drug addicts, reported Al-Anba. The study also recommended forming another team to randomly drug test schools, institutes, colleges, ministries and private sector companies. The study, titled “Drugs in Kuwait; Reasons, Prevention and Remedy,” was prepared by drug expert Dr Ayed AlHumaidan and statistics consultant Dr Abdul Hameed AlAbbassi. The study was conducted under the supervision of the Drug Fighting Administration (DFA) Director, Lieutenant General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalifa and was issued on international Drug Protection Day, June 26. The study worked on determining the size of the problem and used samples from 21,113 persons from different sectors of society. The study reviewed the strategy of the Drug Fighting Administration and its role in limiting the spread of drugs and liquor. It also covered different kinds of drugs and its harm to persons and society.
When he challenged the warder, an argument ensued, with the warder using an unspecified sharp object to attack the prisoner. At this, a number of other prisoners related to the inmate took his side, joining in the fight, while others from a different tribe came to fight them, with a massive brawl ensuing. Other warders intervened shortly afterwards, locking those prisoners involved in the melee in their cells and taking the injured to Farwaniya Hospital, where the critically injured man was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). A number of those involved in the fight were taken to solitary confinement and an investigation into the incident has been launched at the prison. Fatal accident A 46-year-old female citizen was killed and six children were injured in a car accident on Fahaheel Highway, reported AlWatan. In the vehicle were her own children and the children of relatives. The accident occurred when her vehicle collided with the vehicle of a young man. Paramedics responded to the emergency and brought the children to a nearby hospital. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident. Suicide attempt A citizen tried to kill himself
by cutting the veins of his wrist after he learned of his brother’s death in Saudi Arabia, reported Al-Watan. Paramedics responded to the scene and admitted the citizen to the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital in critical condition. During the investigation, it was revealed that the citizen suffers from epilepsy and that he attempted to kill himself after he entered into a hysterical fit when he learned of his brother’s death. A case of attempted suicide was opened against him. Suspicious resident Police responded to an emergency call made by several residents in Salwa, reported Al-Watan. They complained about the actions of a citizen in his fifties who hosts Asian women in his home while his wife is out of the house. During the investigation, it was revealed that the man has a criminal history of laundering money and that he often hosts Filipina and Indonesian women in his home while his wife is away. Authorities were assembled to respond to the scene and take further actions. Drunk driving Police arrested two citizens for driving under the influence and for being in the possession of alcohol and drugs, reported Al-Watan. The arrest occurred
in Kabad after the driver of a vehicle was pulled over for driving erratically. Police discovered that the driver and his companion were intoxicated and a search of their vehicle revealed an imported liquor bottle as well as two bars of hashish. They were referred to the proper authorities. Jail theft An inmate at the Central Jail stole the cell phone of the prison’s doctor and sold it to another inmate before the incident was discovered, reported AlWatan. The doctor informed police that his phone had disappeared soon after he provided medical services for inmates. Police found the missing phone with one of the inmates and when questioned, he explained that he bought the phone from another inmate. Police confronted the inmate who reportedly stole the phone and he admitted to the crime. The two inmates were sent for further questioning. Weird request Students at a local private university were upset and confused when their instructor gave them a difficult exam and told them to bring him a bottle of liquor to guarantee a passing grade, reported Al-Watan. Upon investigation, it was revealed that this was not the
first time the instructor, an expat, had made the request. Sorcerer in custody An Asian man was arrested in Jeleeb Al-Shuoyukh when police found tools used for sorcery in his possession, reported Al-Rai. The man was apprehended by police and searched after he attempted to suspiciously avoid authorities. Police also confiscated the KD the 400 he collected from his illegal practices. He was referred to the proper authorities. Fugitive held Police arrested a fugitive facing 33 charges of theft on AlWafra Road, reported Al-Rai. The fugitive was pulled over by authorities for driving suspiciously. After an inspection of his ID revealed his criminal history he was apprehended and referred to the criminal investigations department. Farwaniya kidnap An Arab man kidnapped his infant son from his ex-wife just outside of the Farwaniya police station where she had gone to press assault charges against him, reported Al-Rai. Following the kidnapping, the woman reentered the police station and informed police of the incident. Police began searching for the woman’s ex-husband.
kuwait digest
Empty promises from the Cabinet By Dr Mohammad Al-Muqatea ountries around the world often take measures and make decisions to reassure citizens who are upset about local situations. These situations can stem from insufficient government performance, and the deterioration of services in health, education, electricity and traffic. However, the story seems different in Kuwait. While procedures have indeed been announced, no actual results have been made in almost a decade. This fur-
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ther increases the frustration of citizens. Public services continue to deteriorate and the economy keeps struggling while the Cabinet promises projects of reform and development. Citizens have heard a lot of promises from the Cabinet to launch projects that include new roads, a subway, new residential areas and several other projects. All these repeated promises have proved to be empty of any actual accomplishments on the ground. Meanwhile, MPs vow to pass legislation that will fight against corruption by all available means,
including investigation committees and interpellations against the ministers. Their practices have proved to be a failure considering corruption continues to increase while anti-corruption draft laws are still struggling to be passed. MPs have shifted their attention to cases that will increase their popularity. Development and reform will never be achieved so long as we have people in the Cabinet, Parliament and other authorities whose priorities are to achieve popularity with empty promises that secure their posts. — Al-Qabas
Iftah Ya Simsim brought back to Arab region
KUWAIT: NBK Deputy General Manager- Consumer Banking Group Abdullah Al Najran Tuwaijri and NBK staff with the graduates of Allied Health Sciences & Nursing College.
NBK sponsors graduation ceremonies of Allied Health Sciences College KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) the leading bank in Kuwait and highest rated in the Middle East sponsored the graduation ceremony of the Allied Health Sciences & Nursing College, Kuwait University, which was held yesterday at Radisson SAS Hotel. NBK will also sponsor the graduation ceremony of Petroleum & Engineering College, Kuwait University, which will be held at Arraya Ballroom on June 28. The graduation ceremony of the Allied Health Sciences College was attended by The Governor of Hawally, Major Gen. Abdullah Al Fares, along with the Dean of the College, Dr. Saud Al Obaidi, as well as select officials from the bank. NBK Deputy General Manager- Consumer Banking Group Abdullah Al Najran Tuwaijri said that NBK’s sponsorship of this event comes in alignment with the bank’s ongoing policy of supporting all national, educational and health-related activities, notably the functions and events organized or patronized by Kuwait University and
geared towards equipping the young nationals with the necessary tools to be able to serve to the best one of the most vital sectors in the country. Al Najran concluded by wishing the new graduates a successful career and bright future. Besides sponsoring the events, a handful of staff from NBK were present at the ceremony to introduce the graduates to the bank’s varied packages on offer to address the individual needs of each segment of society. The package benefits, Laki for women, Mustaqbal for first jobbers, Thahabi for mid career executives, will be presented and discussed with the graduates and attendees alike. The staff promoted the bank’s newest offers and campaigns, accepting applications from anyone wishing to benefit right away. NBK is the bank which consistently strives to participate in supporting the community and promoting awareness on all matters, being the bank most deeply engrained in Community Social Responsibility for a great number of years.
RIYADH: The Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), a regional GCC organization dedicated to education, research, and development, and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization, signed an MOU yesterday to re-launch the much-loved Iftah Ya Simsim brand for a new generation of children. Iftah Ya Simsim was the first Sesame Street co-production in Arabic which aired 30 years ago in the Middle East. The new educational initiative has an objective to achieve measurable educational gains for children in the early school years. To that end, the organizations will collaborate and convene a content seminar in December, enlisting regional experts and institutions to research and design a program curriculum that reflects children’s learning needs and values. Broad topics include the richness and diversity in Arabic culture and heritage, school readiness, healthy lifestyles and the importance of educating girls. Iftah Ya Simsim content may be featured on television, books and outreach materials. “ABEGS is committed to building and unifying education systems to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” said Dr Ali A. Alkarni, ABEGS General Manager. “With that comes promoting educational reform and modern techniques consistent with the traditional values of the region. We are pleased to work with Sesame Workshop, a renowned media organization with some of the most memorable characters in television history, to develop content that will inspire our children to learn about the world they live in and will inherit.” “With mass media, it’s not a
question of if children learn, but what they learn,” said Robert Knezevic, Sesame Workshop’s Regional Director of International Partnerships. “Mediums like television remain a vital and growing source of information and knowledge sharing in the region. We are proud to partner with ABEGS on creating relevant and age-appropriate content that will have a significant positive impact on children in the region and help them reach their highest potential.” “The private sector has a major role to play in this initiative since it is a high-quality and sophisticated CSR program to be adopted by corporations in the GCC,” said Feras Al-Maddah,
Iftah Ya Simsim representative in the GCC. He pointed out that the new production of Iftah Ya Simsim will kick off with content development seminar to set the educational goals. Al-Maddah added that many education channels such as TV program, books, DVDs, online material and outreach programs for kids, parents and teachers will be produced, “It is a public/private sector partnership and we will need the support of all to extend the communication channels and continue producing more educational products.” Iftah Ya Simsim was the GGC co-production of Sesame Street. The series debuted in the fall of 1979, and was the first Sesame
co-production in Arabic. There were 130 half-hour episodes produced and broadcast on a weekday basis in various Arabic countries. The Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), located in Riyadh, is an intergovernmental regional organization that works within the six member states, (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Yemen, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman and Qatar). It was founded by the ministers of education in 23/10/1975 to promote cooperation and coordination in the fields of culture, education, science, information and documentation. This has been the mis-
sion of the Bureau since its establishment in 1975. The main objectives of ABEGS are to contribute to the unification of the countries and people of the region by providing collaboration among them and developing collective efforts and methods of cooperation in its areas of interest. Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 140 countries, and other acclaimed shows including The Electric Company, to help bridge the literacy gap.