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Kuwait bakes in scorching heat

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By B Izzak & Agencies

KUWAIT: The meteorological department said on Thursday that Kuwait will continue to be affected by an “extreme heatwave” caused by the Indian monsoon depression, accompanied by dry and hot slight to moderate winds, and that temperatures will remain close to 50 degrees Celsius until Saturday.

Temperatures recorded on Thursday ranged between 47 and 49 degrees in remote desert areas and the airport and around mid-40s in coastal areas. Temperatures are forecast to be between 48-50 degrees Celsius during the next two days, and their influence would remain on Sunday. Temperatures will cool slightly to just under 30 degrees during the night, the department said. Sea conditions will be moderate to high, with waves between 3 and 6 feet.

The extreme heat is attributed to the Indian monsoon depression, which has brought a hot and dry air mass over the region, causing a significant rise in temperatures, according to Director General of the Meteorological Department Dharar Al-Ali. Speaking to KUNA, Al-Ali said the weather will be very hot, with northwesterly winds ranging from moderate to active at speeds between 20 and 50 kilometers per hour, likely to stir up dust in some areas.

Global temperatures are stuck at near-record highs this year, according to the EU’s climate monitor, extending an unprecedented heat streak that started in 2023. Kuwaiti weather expert Issa Ramadan described the surge in temperature as “abnormal” and well above its annual average of just around 42 degrees Celsius. Authorities have advised the public to drink large quantities of water and to avoid being under direct sunlight.

The ministry of electricity and water resorted to programmed power cuts for the second day running due to a surge in consumption and as a number of generating units are still under annual maintenance. The cuts affected at least 15 residential areas and 10 industrial and agricultural areas. The cuts are expected to continue over the next two days. Ramadan however expected that temperatures will cool down to their normal annual average early next week.

Summer has come early for Iraq too this year, with temperatures soaring to dangerous levels in the southern provinces on Thursday, the national weather center said. “It is the highest temperature recorded in Iraq this year,” weather center spokesperson Amer Al-Jabiri told AFP. He said the early heat was in contrast to last year, when the temperature was “relatively good” in May and “it only began to rise in June”.

On Thursday, the temperature climbed to 49 degrees Celsius in the provinces of Basra and Missan, and it reached 48 degrees in the nearby Dhi Qar province, according to the weather center. Summer temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, especially in July and August, and sometimes reach these levels earlier.

On Sunday, two cadets died and others were admitted to hospital with heat stroke at a military academy in Dhi Qar, authorities said. The defense ministry said nine cadets “showed signs of fatigue and exhaustion due to sun exposure” while waiting to be assigned to battalions. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani ordered an investigation into the two deaths.

Iraq is one of the five countries most impacted by some effects of climate change, according to the United Nations. It has also seen a prolonged drought and frequent dust storms. While the province of Missan is used to scorching summers, environment activist and daily laborer Mustafa Hashem said “the heat started sooner than expected this year”. “One of my colleagues fainted yesterday while we were maintaining cooling equipment on the roof of a building,” he added.

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Iran Embassy opens condolence book to honor victims of Zionist aggression

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KUWAIT: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuwait opened a condolence book, on Monday, to honor the victims of the recent aggression against Iran. The event was attended by officials, ambassadors, and media. Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohammad Toutounchi expressed his appreciation for the positions of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially Kuwait, regarding the recent events, noting that Kuwait’s Foreign Minister had called his Iranian counterpart in a gesture that reflects the strength of bilateral relations, describing the presence of ambassadors at the embassy as “Noteworthy and Positive.”

The ambassador said in a statement that his country endured twelve days of intense aggression by the Zionist entity, joined by the United States in the final two days, explaining that Iran faced simultaneous attacks from countries equipped with nuclear capabilities and advanced technology, backed by NATO. He emphasized that the planners of this aggression had expected Iran to collapse within days. However, “The unity of the Iranian people inside and outside the country formed a formidable barrier.” He added that US intervention came only after ten days of failed efforts to achieve any ground breakthrough.

Toutounchi revealed that the number of victims exceeded 620 martyrs, with more than 5,356 wounded, including 13 children and 43 women, some of whom were pregnant, adding “Seven hospitals, six health centers, and dozens of ambulances were destroyed. These martyrs cannot be replaced whether they were children, military leaders, or academics, calling for the Zionist entity and the United States to be held accountable before international bodies to prevent such crimes from recurring.

Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the ambassador reiterated Iran’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), pointing out that the country’s nuclear program, which represents less than 3 percent of global peaceful nuclear activities, has undergone over 23 percent of international inspections. He argued that this high inspection rate indicates no deviation toward military objectives.

He disclosed that Iran had recently agreed to five rounds of indirect negotiations aimed at reviving the diplomatic track and ensuring the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. He also stressed that Iran’s response against US military and intelligence bases in Qatar was a legitimate act of self-defense and was not directed at any neighboring countries, affirming Iran’s full respect for their sovereignty. He noted that Iran had communicated with Qatari leadership to clarify its position, stating that military bases in neighboring countries used by US forces cannot be considered safe havens for launching attacks.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ambassador to Kuwait Al-Manhal Al-Safi expressed his deep gratitude to Kuwait’s leadership, government, and people for facilitating the return of over 3,000 stranded Iraqi citizens by issuing more than 3,500 transit visas in just 12 days. The Iraqi ambassador affirmed his country’s full solidarity with Iran and condemned the aggression, revealing that Zionist aircraft had breached Iraqi airspace, prompting Baghdad to file an official complaint with the UN Security Council.

In the same context, the Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Awadal-Karim Al-Rayah Balla offered his condolences to Iran, describing the incident as “A blatant and unacceptable attack.” He called for regional unity to confront shared challenges, emphasizing that the targeting of Iran threatens all free peoples in the region. He urged a joint response to protect stability and to revive the Palestinian cause as a priority. The Sudanese envoy also pointed to the double standards in the international system, calling for crises to be addressed through international legitimacy rather than the imposition of forceful agendas.

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Exit permit now mandatory for expat workers

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KUWAIT: A decision mandating expatriates working in the private sector to obtain an exit permit with the prior approval of their employers comes into effect on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Employees need to apply through the Sahel app or the Public Authority of Manpower’s website. The employer must then approve the request online before the authority issues the permit. The decision applies to private sector employees who have residency under article 18. Those who have article 19 residency – self-sponsored – are not required to obtain the exit permit.

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410 students benefit from Educational Care Bank project

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KUWAIT: Al-Safa Charitable Society announced that 410 students across various educational stages have benefited from the Educational Care Bank project for the 2024-2025 academic year. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the General Secretariat of Endowments, provided a total of KD 100,000 (approximately $330,000) in educational support within Kuwait. Chairman of Al-Safa’s Board of Directors Mohammad Al-Shaya said in a press statement on Monday that the project reflects a shared commitment to supporting future generations by creating an educational environment free from financial obstacles. He emphasized that the initiative also aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by low-income families amid ongoing economic challenges.

Al-Shaya praised the General Secretariat of Endowments for its continued sponsorship of impactful and innovative projects that serve the community, particularly those focused on education. He noted that the Secretariat’s support for this program underscores its strong belief in education as a cornerstone for societal advancement and sustainable development. He added that Al-Safa Charitable Society, through this partnership, seeks to nurture a knowledgeable and responsible generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development. The project, he explained, targets students who face difficulty in paying tuition fees, reaffirming the association’s belief in the right to education for all—without discrimination or financial barriers. — KUNA

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