KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior announced Thursday the launch of a new service on the unified government application for electronic services (Sahel), enabling citizens and residents to verify the possibility of recruiting a domestic worker. The service allows users to check whether a previous visa has been issued for the same worker before starting recruitment procedures, helping to prevent duplication or rejection of applications, the ministry said in a statement.

Citizenship issues

In a separate development, the Supreme Committee for the Investigation of Kuwaiti Citizenship, chaired by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, held a meeting Thursday and announced decisions to revoke Kuwaiti citizenship in several cases. These included withdrawal of citizenship obtained through fraud and false statements, loss of citizenship certificates and revocation of citizenship in cases deemed necessary for the higher interest of the country. The committee confirmed that the cases will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

Advertising licenses

Meanwhile, Kuwait Municipality reaffirmed Thursday its intensified monitoring of advertising licenses across all governorates through field inspection campaigns. Bader Al-Najdi, supervisor and head of the Hawally Municipality inspection team, said during a field tour of a shopping mall that the campaigns aim to ensure companies’ compliance with advertising licenses and the validity of health permits.

Al-Najdi noted that inspection teams verify rooftop, screen, and mall advertisements according to municipal regulations. He said 32 shops were inspected on Thursday, with nine fined for failing to renew licenses or placing unlicensed advertisements. He added that statistics on violations, warnings, and collected fees will be compiled, while governorate branches will submit monthly reports to the Financial Affairs Department. He stressed that inspection teams will continue strict enforcement measures to uphold regulations, urging commercial establishments to adhere to municipal laws. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti researcher at the Environment Public Authority (EPA), Omar Al-Shaheen, has observed a four-year-old female Greater Flamingo at the Jahra Nature Reserve, highlighting the area’s role as a key stopover for migratory birds. Al-Shaheen told KUNA on Thursday that during routine monitoring, he noticed leg bands on the bird and contacted the organization responsible for flamingo and bird banding in France and the Mediterranean.

The bands were confirmed to originate from Camargue in southern France, where the flamingo was banded in August 2021. He noted that the species is regularly sighted across Kuwait’s mudflats, including Kuwait Bay, Shuwaikh coast, Sulaibikhat Beach, and the Jahra Nature Reserve. “Spotting it in the reserve underscores the importance of Kuwait’s location as a major transit route for many European migratory birds,” Al-Shaheen said.

Describing the flamingo, he said it is pink, about 130 cm in length, with a wingspan of approximately 155 cm. Its diet consists mainly of small algae and microscopic organisms, which give its feathers their characteristic pink hue due to carotenoids. Al-Shaheen added that Greater Flamingos are highly social birds, often gathering in flocks of thousands, which provides protection against predators and enhances foraging efficiency. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Director General of the General Administration of Customs Yousef Al-Nuwaif, accompanied by his Deputy for Customs Investigation Saleh Al-Omar, conducted an inspection tour of Kuwait Airport Terminal 4 (T4) on Thursday, following directives from First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah.

The visit is part of GAC’s ongoing efforts to monitor operations at customs ports, assess the needs of its personnel, and address any operational challenges to enhance trade facilitation while protecting society from smuggling attempts, the administration said in a statement.

During the tour, Al-Nuwaif and Al-Omar reviewed passenger reception procedures and inspection processes, and listened to staff feedback and suggestions for improving workflow. The statement added that Al-Nuwaif expressed pride in the dedication and vigilance of customs personnel, praising their commitment to fulfilling their national duties. — KUNA