KUWAIT: The Municipal Council, chaired by Abdullah Al-Mahri, approved on Monday a set of updated investment housing regulations as part of new building guidelines designed to support the country’s urban development goals. The Council explained that the revisions to the building regulations are part of a comprehensive review to align with Kuwait’s modern planning aspirations. Among the key approvals was Table No. (2), which outlines updated requirements and specifications for investment housing buildings within and outside Kuwait City.

Chairman of the Municipal Council Abdullah Al-Mahri

The move aims to boost the economic and functional value of such developments. New provisions include a sixfold increase in compensation for commercial stores and a 50 percent rise in the building-to-land ratio for residential care properties. The amendments also allow greater use of basements and floors to accommodate service facilities and enhance accessibility for people with disabilities.

The Council also prohibited the merging of certain commercial activities within a single building to ensure proper zoning and functionality. New categories, such as societies, libraries, and playgrounds, were added to the list of permissible investment activities. Additionally, the (studio) apartment classification was formally included under investment housing. Furthermore, the Council approved expanding the list of commercial activities permitted on the first and second floors of investment buildings from 16 to 22, providing developers with greater flexibility.

In other decisions, the Council endorsed a request by the Public Authority for Youth to allocate land and revise elements of the Kuwait Technical Complex for Entrepreneurship in Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber area. It also approved a special proposal to regulate parking lots in investment housing areas and agreed to designate emergency lanes along main roads for use as rapid-response corridors. Additionally, the Council accepted a donation from Kuwait International Bank for the beautification and development of Abdul Razzaq Gate, as part of efforts to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal.— KUNA

KUWAIT: Zain announced the launch of the second cohort of the 2025 edition of the Kuwait Codes initiative, part of its ongoing strategic partnership with CODED Academy. The new phase features the participation of over 300 high school students and aims to equip them with advanced digital skills to enhance their readiness for the future. The orientation session was held at the College of Life Sciences at Kuwait University – Shadadiya campus, with the participation of Hamad Al-Musaibeeh, Corporate Relations Department Manager at Zain Kuwait, who met with students and was briefed on the training plans and new focus areas for this cohort.

This phase introduces two main training tracks: one in Cybersecurity and another in Python programming using artificial intelligence technologies. This marks the first time Python with AI is included in the program. Python is one of the world’s most widely used programming languages, valued for its versatility and ease of learning, making it an ideal choice for developing students’ technical capabilities.

Hamad Al-Musaibeeh addressing the second cohort of students.

The expansion of the initiative builds on the success of previous seasons, with Zain continuing to support quality educational programs that contribute to building a digitally aware generation capable of innovating across various technology and innovation sectors. Kuwait Codes is considered one of the leading educational programs focused on developing students’ programming skills in a simplified yet professional manner. It offers a dynamic and engaging learning environment supported by modern training content that keeps pace with the evolving tech landscape.

The initiative aims to train 1,000 students during the current year across a variety of technical fields, including app development, website design, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Zain’s participation in this initiative is part of its corporate sustainability strategy, which places youth empowerment and digital education at the forefront of its priorities. In line with this vision, the company supports a number of pioneering programs in partnership with CODED Academy, such as the girls-coding-focused X Academy, the Kuwait Hackathon Challenge, and a range of training initiatives that aim to enhance the technical capabilities of national talents to prepare them for the digital economy of the future.

PARIS: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and his accompanying delegation attended Monday’s Bastille Day military parade in Paris, marking France’s National Day and 80 years since World War II, in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron. Participating in the celebration were Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and senior French officials.

An official reception was held at the Elysee Palace for HH the Amir on the occasion of his official visit to France. He was received by Macron and greeted the French government’s top officials as the French president shook hands with HH the Amir’s accompanying delegation.

Official talks between the two heads of state took place, discussing the long-lasting, sturdy ties between the two nations and modes of supporting and developing these relations to serve the nations’ best interests. The talks also included negotiations and coordination on issues of common interest, as well as the latest developments on regional and international fronts. Macron then held a lunch banquet at the Elysee Palace in honor of HH the Amir’s official visit to the country.

In the presence of HH the Amir and Macron, a ceremony was held Monday afternoon at the Elysee Palace for the signing of two declarations of intent between Kuwait and France. The first is related to the strategic investment partnership for 2025-2035, and the second is meant to strengthen cooperation in the cultural field and to commemorate, in 2026, the 65th anniversary of Kuwaiti-French diplomatic relations. The two declarations were signed by Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot.

HH the Amir and his accompanying official delegation left France later on Monday, seen off by French and Kuwaiti officials. Earlier, HH the Amir sent a cable to Macron on the occasion of his country’s national day, wishing him and the people of France more success and development. HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to Macron. — KUNA