By Syed Eshaan Ul-Haque

KUWAIT: Casual stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts are set for a rare spectacle this weekend, as Saturn will appear in Kuwait’s night sky at its brightest and sharpest in five years. The planet will be clearly visible on Sunday, September 21, from 5:50 pm and remain a highlight throughout the night. Dr Abrar Aljamaan, Assistant Professor at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), said Saturn will reach “opposition” at a distance of about 1,278.7 million kilometers from Earth. “This means Saturn will shine brighter and appear clearer than in recent years, offering one of the best opportunities for observation,” she noted.

Opposition, which occurs every 378 days, is when Earth passes directly between the Sun and Saturn, bringing the planet to its closest point for the year. The timing coincides with the new moon phase, ensuring Saturn’s glow is unobstructed by moonlight. To the naked eye, the planet will resemble a yellow star, brighter than in previous months. September is regarded as the best time to observe and photograph Saturn, as it rises in the east after sunset and remains visible until dawn.

Dr Aljamaan explained that while Saturn can easily be spotted without equipment, binoculars and small telescopes enhance the experience. “With binoculars, Saturn appears as a golden sphere. Through a telescope, viewers can see its iconic rings and even glimpse Titan, its largest moon,” she said. “Saturn’s opposition reminds us of the vastness of the universe and our small, meaningful place within it,” she added. “It is a chance to connect scientific discovery with the sense of wonder that unites humanity.” The event offers families and astronomy enthusiasts in Kuwait an opportunity to witness the beauty of the solar system together.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has announced the arrest of an international network involved in online gambling and the illegal transfer of its profits from abroad. The General Department of Criminal Investigation said the case began after authorities obtained intelligence on the network’s activities via social media. A dedicated investigation team executed a field operation that led to the arrest of seven suspects of two Arab nationalities linked to managing these illicit operations.

Investigations revealed that the network used companies as fronts, including general trade businesses, delivery services, health salons, and clothing and perfume shops, to facilitate money laundering. Transfers from abroad were reportedly conducted in sums of KD 25,000 (about $82,500) or less and reintroduced through unofficial channels. The total amount seized and traced through the network reached KD 153,837 (around $507,600). All suspects, along with seized funds and implicated companies, were referred to the Public Prosecution, following coordination with the Money Prosecution. The MoI stressed its ongoing commitment to combating organized crime in all forms and ensuring the law is applied to all without exception..

In a separate operation, the Criminal Security Sector led an extensive campaign in Al-Dajeej, Farwaniya Governorate, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Fire Force, Kuwait Municipality and Public Authority of Manpower. Overseen by Assistant Undersecretary for Public Security Affairs Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, the campaign resulted in the arrest of 63 individuals for various violations, including labor law breaches, lack of proper documentation and expired work visas. Multiple violations were also issued by participating agencies, including 76 by the Fire Force, 38 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and numerous notices and warnings by the Municipality and Public Authority of Manpower.

Additionally, a security and traffic campaign in Sabah Al-Salem, supervised by Acting Undersecretary Major General Ali Al-Adwani, targeted wanted individuals and violators of residency, work and traffic laws. The MoI said these efforts are part of ongoing initiatives to maintain public safety, enhance traffic discipline and uphold the rule of law fairly across the country. The Ministry affirmed the continuation of security operations nationwide, emphasizing that violators will be pursued and the law enforced without exception. — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah visited the Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC) on Friday to review the center’s latest programs and initiatives supporting talented and creative Kuwaitis, the center said in a statement to KUNA. SACGC, a leading national platform in the fields of science, innovation and technology, has registered over 520 invention patents in global markets and achieved a 20 percent increase in commercialization rates, the statement added. T

he center, a subsidiary of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), has also forged strategic partnerships with prominent institutions to further enhance innovation and scientific advancement in the country. — KUNA