KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Information and Culture, led by Minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, held its first high-level committee meeting to discuss preparations for the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair. The event is scheduled to take place from November 19 to 29 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait.

Minister Al-Mutairi highlighted the key preparations at the meeting, emphasizing that the upcoming fair “reflects Kuwait’s cultural stature and keeps pace with developments in knowledge and information fields.” He also reviewed plans for a cultural program alongside the fair, aimed at enriching the experience with events that “achieve the desired benefit for the public.”

The committee discussed creating a special pavilion called “The Young Author” to spotlight the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters’ commitment to children and youth. This initiative aims at nurturing their talents and providing knowledge that “strengthens building their future.”

The meeting also covered the fair’s media and marketing strategy, along with administrative and financial procedures essential for organizing the event. A highlight of this year’s book fair will be the selection of the Sultanate of Oman as the guest of honor, showcasing Oman’s distinguished cultural and heritage achievements. The event will also feature celebrations marking Kuwait as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025.

The meeting was attended by prominent officials including Dr Mohammed Al-Jassar, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters, Turki Al-Mutairi, Assistant Undersecretary of Television Sector at the Ministry of Information, Aisha Al-Mahmoud, Assistant Secretary-General for Culture at the National Council, Saad Al-Enezi, Assistant Secretary-General for Finance and Administration, Khalifa Al-Rabah, Director of the Kuwait International Book Fair, Mohammed Al-Osaimi, Director of Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, and Shurooq Al-Qaffas, Media and Public Relations Supervisor. — KUNA

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