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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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NBK sponsors the ‘Green Adventure’ program in collaboration with LOYAC

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KUWAIT: As part of its strategic partnership with LOYAC, and within its ongoing commitment to youth and society development, NBK sponsored the “Green Adventure” program aimed to build future leaders. The “Green Adventure” program, which is a unique initiative that combines physical and educational sustainability-related activities, took place in Portugal for seven days.

Through interactive theoretical sessions and practical field activities, the program targeted instilling values of environmental responsibility and sustainability for the youth to become future leaders and change makers. In the program, the students learned sustainable natural landscape and garden designing, in addition to applying sustainable daily agricultural practices to make a positive environmental impact.

The adventure opened many golden opportunities for the participants, such as exploring Portugal’s charming nature, diverse wildlife, and unique environmental systems. They also visited the ancient Moorish castle, and they were able to build connections with same-interest individuals and experts in the field, in addition to achieving a deeper understanding of the relationship between nature and society.

This sponsorship comes as an emphasis of NBK’s leadership in social responsibility and its commitment to investing in future generations, as it firmly believes in the effectiveness of such initiatives that contribute to shaping deeper understandings of global environmental issues, which consequently builds a generation that is strongly aware and capable of facing future sustainability-related challenges.

Additionally, NBK highlights the importance of private sector and non-profit organizations collaborations that aim to achieve sustainable development, and this sponsorship is part of a wider strategy that supports initiatives of youth education and environmental development for a better future for Kuwait and the region.

In this light, NBK will continue to promote social responsibility and support all society’s segments and non-profit organizations, particularly those institutions and programs that care for the youth and address their needs and requirements for a better future, as it strongly believes in the effective role of these programs in serving society and people. LOYAC is a non-profit organization that aims to support the youth by providing training opportunities and specialized educational and volunteer development programs.

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Kuwait Acting PM, FM receive Antigua and Barbuda’s FM

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KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah receives on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation. --KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah receives on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation. –KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah received on Wednesday at Bayan Palace, in the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs Everly Paul Chet Greene, along with his accompanying delegation, on the occasion of his visit to the country. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen them, in addition to exchanging views on issues of mutual interest.

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During the meeting, they reviewed the close bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and the frameworks for strengthening and developing them in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments and the developments taking place in the region. — KUNA

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KRCS chief receives EQUATE delegation, praises partnership

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KUWAIT: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Chairman Khaled Al-Mughamis affirmed that “our strategic partnerships with donors contribute to developing health services, which helps the “Society enhance its relief efforts in countries facing crises and disasters. This came in a statement to KUNA after receiving on Wednesday a delegation from EQUATE Petrochemical Company, headed by Public Relations and Communications Manager Abdulrahman Al-Munais, who presented him with a donation from the company, consisting of a fully-equipped ambulance.

Al-Mughamis praised the KRCS’s strategic partnership with EQUATE Petrochemical Company, stating that it aims to achieve integration in the humanitarian and social efforts of both sides. He commended the company’s donation of the new ambulance, considering that fruitful strategic partnerships have an effective and direct impact on developing the health services provided by the society in disaster-stricken countries.

Al-Munais expressed in a similar statement to KUNA his pride in the company’s contribution to supporting the association, as it donated an ambulance equipped with all technical specifications in support of the great and distinguished relief role carried out by the Red Crescent, as it is one of the established institutions with noble humanitarian missions. — KUNA

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