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‘No place for us’: E-scooter riders call for safer streets and dedicated lanes

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KUWAIT: With growing concerns over e-scooter safety, authorities are considering new regulations under Kuwait’s updated traffic law to govern their use, a source from the ministry of interior told Kuwait Times. The proposed rules will outline usage guidelines, mandatory protective gear and operating conditions. This move follows the shift of e-scooters from a recreational activity to a primary mode of transportation, especially among expatriates. Despite a ban on e-scooters on Kuwait’s roads since 2020, many riders continue to use them on streets ill-equipped for such vehicles due to the lack of adequate sidewalks.

According to the source, upcoming urban development plans will include dedicated e-scooter and bicycle lanes in newly constructed areas. Until then, e-scooter users must rely on caution and adaptability — often at the risk of their safety. For Albert, a Filipino expatriate, using an e-scooter is a necessity rather than a choice. With Kuwait’s minimum salary requirement of KD 600 for a driver’s license — excluding only certain professions — owning a car is not feasible. He takes extra precautions when riding on main roads.

“There’s no place for us on the road, so we have to be extra cautious and stay to the side,” said Albert, who has relied on an e-scooter for nearly five years, starting during the COVID lockdown. Public transportation isn’t always a reliable option, he added. “The traffic jams make me late to work.” Haitham, an Egyptian expatriate, prefers using an e-scooter for its time-saving convenience, often traveling from Salmiya to Hawally. He tries to avoid high-risk areas and opts for safer routes whenever possible. Another rider, an Indian expat who has used an e-scooter for over a year, stressed the importance of vigilance. “I always check carefully before turning right or left,” he said.

Despite individual precautions, e-scooter users face significant dangers on the road. Research shows a sharp rise in micromobility-related injuries worldwide. A University of California, San Francisco study published in JAMA Network Open revealed that e-scooter injuries increased by 45 percent, from 8,566 in 2017 to 56,847 in 2022. Regionally, Dubai Police reported 254 e-scooter and bicycle accidents in 2024 alone, resulting in 10 fatalities and 259 injuries — 17 of them severe. Rising safety concerns have already prompted regulatory action elsewhere, including Paris’ 2023 ban on rental e-scooters following a spike in injuries and deaths.

In Kuwait, where e-scooters are gaining popularity despite the lack of dedicated infrastructure, riders are advocating for safer conditions. Judy, 48, from the Philippines, noted that more people from various nationalities are adopting e-scooters and believes change is overdue. “We hope to have a special lane for us on the side so it will be safer,” she said. Haitham echoed her sentiments, adding: “I wish there were dedicated lanes for scooters and pedestrians, like next to Marina Mall.”

A recent study by Sharaf AlKheder and Zahra Albaghli from Kuwait University, titled Identifying Barriers and Benefits of Shared E-Scooters in Promoting Sustainability in Kuwait, highlights further challenges e-scooter users face. The study identifies the absence of vehicle registration as a key issue, leading to unregulated use, difficulty tracking ownership and challenges in enforcing traffic laws. Other safety risks include illegal parking on sidewalks and the lack of essential features like seatbelts or airbags.

Additionally, the lack of age restrictions raises concerns, allowing children to ride e-scooters unsupervised and increasing accident risks. The absence of dedicated traffic signs for scooter riders and poorly integrated scooter paths further undermine safety. Addressing these concerns in the upcoming regulations will not only improve road safety but also legitimize e-scooters as a practical mode of transport. With proper infrastructure and clear guidelines, Kuwait can ensure safer, more sustainable micromobility integration — protecting riders and pedestrians alike.

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Indian Ambassador’s message on 79th Independence Day

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By Dr Adarsh Swaika, Ambassador of India to Kuwait

On the special occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin residing in Kuwait. I also take this opportunity to convey my profound gratitude to the leadership, government and people of Kuwait for their steadfast support for close and friendly ties between our two countries. India remains committed to further strengthening and expanding this long-standing and time-tested relationship.

Today, as we celebrate 79 years since our Independence, we take pride in India’s many achievements during these 8 decades. Our commitment to equitable development has been the cornerstone of our socio-economic policies. The principles of democracy, pluralism, and unity in diversity are deeply embedded in Indian society, guided by the ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), which also shapes our foreign policy.

India today is a land of a billion opportunities, with a robust economy that has made significant strides despite global challenges in an uncertain geopolitical environment. India has recently become the 4th largest economy in the world and is poised to become the 3rd largest economy in the next couple of years. Our ‘Atmanirbhar’ program through the flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative is not only designed to make us self-reliant but become an integral part of global supply chains.

Today we are known in the world for many things – Pharmacy of the World, leader in space technology, delivery of digital solutions worldwide by our IT companies, thriving startup ecosystem with exponential increase in number of unicorns, innovation and technological advancements and so. The recent events have also established us as a reliable manufacturer and exporter of state-of-art defense equipments. There has never been a better time to invest in India, with unprecedented momentum in modernizing our physical and digital infrastructure. India has made significant improvements in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, the Global Innovation Index, and is recognized as a key driver of the global economy.

India has been resolute in its ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach towards terrorism. The resolute stance against cross-border terrorism taken by India recently through ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the wake of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack shows the determination of India to fight this menace through its ‘New Normal’ approach.

On the international stage, India continues to play a vital role in promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity. India has taken leadership role on global issues of relevance and concern, including reforming multilateral institutions like the UN Security Council and issues of climate change, affordable energy access, food security etc.

An epochal event in our bilateral relations with Kuwait was the long-awaited visit of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to Kuwait in December, 2024. The visit was historic in many respects – conferment of Kuwait’s highest honor of the ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’ on Hon’ble Prime Minister by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and upgradation of our relationship to that of ‘Strategic Partnership’.

The back-to-back visits of Foreign Ministers of both countries prepared the agenda and successful outcomes of the high-level visit. Bilateral relations with Kuwait have become more broad-based in the last year with setting up of 7 new institutional mechanisms in areas of mutual interest. Bilateral trade and investments are growing and are expected to grow at a much greater pace. Our cultural connections resonate well with our Kuwaiti friends, and people-to-people contacts form the foundation of our bilateral relations. The Indian community continues to be the largest and the community of first preference in Kuwait.

The Indian Embassy considers the welfare and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait, as over-riding priority, serving as a ‘Home Away from Home’. I take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to Indian community associations, professional bodies, cultural groups, media representatives and all those who are making efforts to strengthen our bilateral relations with Kuwait in their own way and support the community members in distress.

On this proud and joyous occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, I wish every Indian in Kuwait and all friends of India in Kuwait, success, good health and happiness.

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Kuwait to experience extreme hot weather during the day and hot to warm weather with relatively high humidity at night

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 KUWAIT: The Meteorological Department said that the country will experience extremely hot weather during the day and hot to warm weather with relatively high humidity at night over the weekend. The director of the department, Dharar Al-Ali, said that the country will be affected by a hot and relatively humid air mass, especially in coastal areas and nearby areas, starting Friday, accompanied by chances of light fog during the late hours of the night and early morning in some areas, especially coastal areas.

Al-Ali added that the weather on Thursday will be extremely hot, with northwesterly to variable winds of light to moderate speed between 8 and 38 kilometers per hour, some high clouds, and maximum temperatures expected to range between 47 and 49 degrees Celsius.

The sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 5 feet. He explained that tonight’s weather will be hot to warm, with variable winds from the northwest at light to moderate speeds between 8 and 28 kilometers per hour, some high clouds, and expected minimum temperatures ranging between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius.

The sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 3 feet. He said that tomorrow, Friday, will be very hot and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with northwesterly to southeasterly winds blowing at light to moderate speeds of between 10 and 38 kilometers per hour.

There will be some scattered clouds, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius. The sea will be will be calm to moderate with waves between 2 and 5 feet.

He added that tomorrow night will be hot to warm and humid, especially in coastal areas, with variable winds blowing from the southeast at light to moderate speeds of between 6 and 28 kilometers per hour.

There will be some scattered clouds with a chance of light fog, and minimum temperatures are expected to range between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius, and the sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 4 feet.

Al-Ali said that the weather on Saturday will be very hot and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with variable winds blowing from the southeast at light to moderate speeds ranging between 8 and 35 kilometers per hour. There will be some scattered clouds, and maximum temperatures are expected to range between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius The sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 5 feet.

He noted that Saturday night will be hot to warm and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with partly cloudy skies and variable winds blowing from the northwest at light to moderate speeds ranging between 8 and 30 kilometers per hour.

The expected minimum temperatures will range between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, and the sea will be calm to moderate with waves ranging between 1 and 4 feet. — KUNA

 

 

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Pakistan Embassy in Kuwait marks Independence Day

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KUWAIT: To commemorate the 78th anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence, the Embassy of Pakistan in Kuwait organized a flag hoisting ceremony at the Chancery on 14 August 2025. The ceremony was well attended by a large number of Pakistani community members, including women and children.

Special messages from the President, Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out before the audience.

Ambassador, in his remarks, felicitated all fellow Pakistanis and highlighted the significance of the Day. He paid his tribute to our forefathers, whose sacrifices led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent. He also praised the valiant armed forces of Pakistan for their resounding victory against its arch enemy in Marka-e-Haq.

The Ambassador urged Pakistani community in Kuwait to work diligently and wholeheartedly towards the progress and development of Pakistan. He acknowledged the contribution made by Pakistani community in Kuwait towards the progress and development of both nations. Musical performances were also made by the children as well as Pakistani singers on famous national songs. A cake cutting ceremony also took place during the event.

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