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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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Human Rights Committee session begins with focus on Gaza, regional challenges

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CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.

Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.

Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA

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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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