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71% drop in traffic violations

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By B Izzak & KUNA

KUWAIT: The interior ministry said on Wednesday that traffic offenses captured by cameras dropped a massive 71 percent on the first day of applying the new traffic law, which stipulates harsh penalties. The ministry said in a statement that the number of traffic offenses monitored by the cameras, which include failure to use a seatbelt, using mobile phones, failure to comply with road lanes and driving against the traffic, dropped 71 percent on April 22 compared to the same day a week ago.

The most notable reductions were seen in two of the most common traffic violations: Failure to wear a seatbelt and the use of mobile phones while driving. The ministry praised the drop, saying it indicates that motorists have complied with the traffic rules and cooperated with the traffic department. The new traffic law came into effect on Tuesday. It stipulates much harsher penalties than those in the previous legislation, which was issued in 1976 and contained relatively smaller fines and penalties.

The ministry attributed this success to the extensive awareness campaigns launched prior to the law’s implementation. These campaigns aimed to educate drivers on the importance of adhering to traffic rules, emphasizing that compliance is key to ensuring the safety of all road users.

Public reaction on social media platforms, particularly on X, has been largely supportive of the ministry’s efforts. Many citizens praised the initiative, while others called for additional measures, such as increased surveillance in residential areas and the deployment of undercover traffic patrols to catch violators who evade automated systems.

Under the new law, the smallest fine is KD 15 for parking in prohibited places and the largest could go into thousands of dinars.

Almost all fines have been raised, in some cases tenfold. Last week, the traffic department said offenses during the first quarter of 2025 dropped by more than 50 percent compared to the same period last year, even ahead of applying the new law.

Meanwhile, the ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy has reported a significant and unusual surge in electricity consumption over the past two weeks across several areas, including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural zones. In a press statement issued Wednesday, Ministry spokesperson Fatima Jawhar Hayat announced that a wide-scale inspection campaign was launched on Sunday in Wafra residential area. The campaign is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of the national power grid.

The inspections have so far uncovered approximately 100 residential units with abnormally high electricity consumption, sharply deviating from typical residential usage. Hayat stated that preliminary analysis points to the likelihood of unauthorized activities, particularly cryptocurrency mining, being carried out at these locations. Technical assessments revealed consistent, high power usage around the clock, with no seasonal or daily fluctuations — an operational pattern indicative of continuous use of high-powered equipment.

“To put this into perspective, consumption in some homes exceeded 100,000 kilowatt-hours during March 2025 — around 20 times the average usage recorded in neighboring households,” she said. Hayat affirmed that the ministry will continue monitoring consumption patterns in other areas and praised the cooperation of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority in tracking suspicious IP addresses potentially linked to digital mining operations. She also commended the ministry of interior for its support in the ongoing investigations.

The ministry urged citizens and residents to use electricity responsibly and to cooperate with inspection teams. It reiterated its commitment to taking legal action against any individuals or entities found engaging in unauthorized activities that threaten the country’s power infrastructure.

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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Workshop discusses health competency framework

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday inaugurated a regional workshop titled “Competency Framework”, aimed at reviewing the preliminary draft of a competency framework for public health professionals. The three-day workshop is organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Control in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC).

In his opening remarks, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, welcomed a distinguished group of public health leaders and specialists from GCC countries, emphasizing the workshop’s importance in light of the increasing need to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health workforce. Al-Hasawi stressed the critical role of investing in human capital through training, capacity building, and well-structured competency frameworks grounded in scientific and practical methodologies. He noted that public health competency goes beyond technical expertise, encompassing key administrative and interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

“Competency in public health is the ability to deliver appropriate, effective services to communities while achieving optimal outcomes,” Al-Hasawi said. “It includes service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sectoral cooperation.” Chairing the workshop, Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan, Head of the Emergency Department – Public Health at KCDC, told reporters that the session aims to discuss and refine the initial draft of the framework with input from regional decision-makers and experts. The goal, he said, is to develop a comprehensive guide to strengthen the capabilities of the health workforce across GCC countries.

“Competency frameworks contribute to improving public health, increasing life expectancy, reducing the overall health burden, and advancing sustainable development,” Al-Saeedan explained. “Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to society.” He emphasized the importance of continuously updating public health guidelines and competency standards to build professional readiness and effectively address evolving health challenges. “Guidelines serve as essential tools in disease prevention and health promotion, guiding individuals and communities in making informed health choices that enhance quality of life,” he said.

Al-Saeedan noted that global shifts and the rising prevalence of diseases demand heightened preparedness and response capabilities. “As the world increasingly prioritizes prevention over treatment, public health professionals must be equipped with the highest level of skill and knowledge to manage emergencies and implement effective interventions,” he added. The workshop is expected to result in key recommendations that will shape a unified GCC approach to public health competency development and workforce excellence. — KUNA

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The hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait

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Although Kuwait was ranked earlier this year as the second least expensive Gulf country in the 2025 World Cost of Living Index, many residents feel that the prices of certain goods or services remain disproportionately high compared to other countries. While essential services — such as electricity, water, and fuel — are heavily subsidized and therefore inexpensive, other aspects of life, including housing, entertainment, and branded products, often carry a much steeper cost.

Therefore, according to economic expert Dr. Amer Al Tamimi, the root of the issue lies not in government policy, but in people’s behavior — whether it’s business owners inflating prices or consumers adopting high-cost lifestyles. Each year the state allocates no less than KD 6 billion in subsidies for electricity, water, fuel, and even certain food items. “In fact, the government has made life remarkably affordable for citizens — perhaps even too affordable.” But while basic goods may be inexpensive, the same cannot be said for luxury and lifestyle products. According to Al Tamimi, the high standard of living and strong purchasing power among Kuwait’s resident’s fuels intense demand for premium items — from cars and watches to high-end services and entertainment.

“These items might be cheaper elsewhere, but in Kuwait, the appetite for luxury pushes prices higher,” he explained. Even mid-range categories, such as transportation and clothing, are considered expensive when compared to regional or global averages. Social behavior plays a significant role in shaping price dynamics. “Some individuals, despite earning modest incomes, make choices driven by appearances,” said Al Tamimi. “Someone earning KD 1,000 might buy a car with KD 500 monthly installments just to keep up an image.”

This desire to showcase wealth creates an artificial demand for high-end goods and services. As demand rises, so do prices, creating a feedback loop that affects everything from café menus to car dealerships. “There’s a culture of excessive consumption. People need to rethink their habits, as rational consumption can lead to lower prices overall,” he suggested. This culture of overspending is reflected in many lifestyle choices. “I am surprised to see people pay for coffee delivery when they can simply an easily make it at home,” said Altamimi.

While some spending habits may be avoidable, others — like housing — are fundamental and affect nearly everyone. Al Tamimi pointed to Kuwait’s real estate market as one of the most significant contributors to the high cost of living, citing the soaring price of land. “Land alone accounts for around 70 to 75 percent of the total cost of any building,” he explained. “This is very different from many other countries, where land is more affordable and makes up a smaller portion of overall costs.” This imbalance has driven up both property prices and rent, placing a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. For many residents, housing expenses consume a large share of their monthly income.

Another key issue, Al Tamimi argued, is the lack of competition in certain markets. “Some goods are effectively monopolized by one, two, or three importers,” he noted. This concentration of market power gives a small number of players the ability to set prices with little competitive pressure. To address this, he urged efforts to open up the market. “Breaking these monopolies and encouraging more entrepreneurs to enter different sectors could help,” he said. “We need to streamline business procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently discourage new players. In many cases, we only have a handful of stores selling certain products. More competition will ultimately benefit the consumer.”

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