KUWAIT:  Kuwait Fire Force responded to 1,304 fire reports and carried out 3,532 rescue operations across all governorates during the first half of 2025, said Public Relations and Media Director at Kuwait Fire Force Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Ghareeb on Thursday. In a statement to KUNA, Al-Ghareeb said that Hawalli topped the fire reports with 215 cases, followed by Mubarak Al-Kabeer with 202 report, Al-Ahmadi 195 report, Al-Farwaniya 183 report, Al-Asima 171 report, and Al-Jahra 147.

Al-Ghareeb pointed out that key causes of fires included electrical overloads, children mishandling flammable items, and arson or suspected arson.He stressed the effectiveness of the force’s proactive response plan, which ensured rapid intervention and safety during emergencies.

He urged the public to follow safety guidelines and report emergencies promptly, emphasizing that safety is a shared responsibility, and warned of the risks posed by electrical faults during the summer, calling on residents to ensure proper wiring and avoid overloading sockets. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Justice is moving full steam ahead with plans to digitize all its services in the near future, according to Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait. Speaking during an inspection tour of the newly opened Justice Palace, Al-Sumait told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that, “The ministry is now in the final stages of issuing legislation that will grant us the legal authority to fully transition to an electronic system.”

The goal, he said, is to simplify legal procedures, improve the business environment, and provide streamlined judicial services that meet the expectations of both citizens and residents.

The digital transformation will roll out gradually and focus on three main areas: filing and registering cases (including announcements and fee payments), improving court procedures to reduce delays, and — most critically — ensuring smooth implementation of rulings. Al-Sumait added that the ministry has government contracts with global tech leaders Google and Microsoft to support the shift, describing them as “among the most advanced companies in terms of systems.”

His tour of the Justice Palace, which included ministry leaders and officials, was aimed at identifying obstacles facing both court users and staff. “We are keen to resolve all challenges and issues facing citizens, protect their rights, and ensure that all services and transactions are completed easily and efficiently,” he said.

Al-Sumait also stressed that the ministry is following the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to speed up legal processes and ensure people can access their rights quickly. “The visit is part of the ministry’s approach to reinforce accessible justice, enhance performance, and simplify procedures,” he said, urging continued efforts to reach the highest standards of quality and institutional excellence.

The new Justice Palace, inaugurated in February, has been praised as an architectural landmark and one of the largest judicial complexes in the Middle East. The twin-towered structure covers roughly 400,000 square meters and houses nearly 70 courtrooms. It has earned multiple regional and international awards, including “Project of the Year” at the 2024 MEED Awards.

Despite the building’s scale and ambition, some court users have noted areas for improvement in the daily experience. Media reports, including from Al-Seyassah newspaper, have pointed to issues such as crowding in elevators, limited parking capacity, and delays in processing services — especially during peak hours. The digital services that do exist, they said, are still underdeveloped, often forcing them to visit the building multiple times to complete basic procedures. Lawyers and court visitors interviewed in those reports have suggested expanding digital services, better organizing court schedules, and improving building access to make visits more efficient and less time-consuming. — Agencies

PORT SUDAN: Kuwait’s Patients Helping Fund has provided medical and humanitarian services to more than 9.5 million people across Sudan during the first half of 2025, despite the ongoing conflict, according to Kuwait’s Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Fahad Al-Dhafeeri. Speaking on Wednesday, Al-Dhafeeri praised the fund’s continued efforts, calling it “the second-largest provider of medical services in Sudan after the Ministry of Health.” He said the organization, which has been operating in the country since 1985, “continues to deliver medical and health services through its specialized hospitals and health centers, in addition to its relief projects and reconstruction efforts in health institutions.”

The ambassador also highlighted Kuwait’s broader humanitarian support, noting that the Patients Helping Fund’s work complements a larger national relief effort. “So far, 36 aircraft and three ships have delivered thousands of tons of aid to the Sudanese people via the Kuwaiti air and sea bridges,” he said. These efforts, he added, are in line with the directives of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Dr Abdelmajeed Fadelallah, Executive Director of the Fund’s Sudan office, confirmed that operations have remained stable and even expanded during the first half of the year. “The fund’s interventions reached approximately 9.5 million people in various sectors,” he said.

Dr Abdelmajeed Fadelallah

Dr Fahad Al-Dhafeeri

He explained that services covered 11 states, including Khartoum, Nile River, Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, Jazirah, Sennar, North and South Kordofan and North Darfur. These included pediatric hospitals, primary healthcare centers, emergency relief, community development, capacity-building, and disease prevention programs.

Dr Fadelallah emphasized the fund’s focus on “improving healthcare quality, alleviating patient suffering, and rebuilding basic health infrastructure.” He said two major pediatric hospitals — Al-Muzaini in Kassala and Al-Obeid in North Kordofan — continue to operate despite the challenges posed by the war. The fund is also engaged in health institution reconstruction, mobile clinics, disease vector control, and the distribution of medicines and medical supplies.

It is implementing renewable energy projects to support water and health services and enhance infrastructure, in addition to offering training and capacity-building for healthcare workers. Dr Fadelallah extended his gratitude to the Kuwaiti government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kuwaiti Embassy in Sudan, as well as Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, the federal Ministry of Health, and local authorities for their continued support. — KUNA