KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directory of Residency announced on Wednesday the arrest of an individual on charges of residency trafficking, along with several others who had paid sums of money to issue residency permits in violation of the law.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the details of the incident stemmed from information received about an Asian national registered on a company’s residency permit and working as a representative for several other companies, trafficking in residency permits.

They added that after conducting investigations, it was revealed that the aforementioned person works as a representative for 19 companies, managing nine of them under agency contracts. The total number of workers registered with these companies is 150.

The Ministry explained that the investigations resulted in the arrest of individuals involved in paying sums of money to issue residency permits in violation of the law. They were summoned and interrogated and admitted to knowing that these transactions were illegal, as paying the aforementioned sums of money ranging between KD 350 and KD 900 to renew or transfer residency permits.

They confirmed that they did not work for any of his affiliated companies, adding that when confronted with the confessions, the main suspect acknowledged their validity and admitted to embezzling the funds.

He explained that he completed the transactions himself using the passwords of the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Interior, without any intervention from the company owned, as all involved parties have been referred to the competent authorities for necessary legal action.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that it will continue its investigations, in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, to inspect companies to uncover residency trafficking cases and apprehend those involved. The ministry will not be lenient in enforcing the law and will take all deterrent measures against anyone proven to be involved in such cases. — KUNA

KUWAIT:  The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), in cooperation with 10 participating entities, concluded on Thursday its summer camp Al-Ra’ed Al-Azraq (Blue Pioneer). ROPME Executive Secretary Dr. Mohammad Al-Ahmad told KUNA the program is part of the organization’s marine environment strategy, which includes education and outreach to civil society and the education sector.

He emphasized the importance of teaching concepts related to marine conservation and sustainability, describing it as a core pillar for preserving life below water. According to Al-Ahmad, the educational approach covers both formal education – integrated into school curricula in cooperation with education ministries in GCC states, Iraq, and Iran – and non-formal education, such as exhibitions, camps, and field programs.

He noted that the summer camp is a key non-formal activity designed to expand marine environmental awareness and added that this year’s edition was developed in collaboration with member states, with the aim of rolling it out to all members next year.ROPME’s mandate covers the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and parts of the Arabian Sea – an area of about 500,000 square kilometers – with the participation of GCC countries, Iraq, and Iran. — KUNA

 KUWAIT:  The third Kuwaiti planeload departed Thursday from Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base, carrying 10 tons of food supplies to Gaza as part of the ongoing second Kuwaiti air bridge.

Chairperson of Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Khaled Al-Maghames told KUNA the shipment is part of Kuwait’s urgent national relief campaign and reflects the country’s continued humanitarian commitment. This was prepared in cooperation with local charities and Kuwait Flour Mills & Bakeries Company to ensure quality and swift delivery, said Al-Maghames, noting ongoing coordination with Kuwait’s embassy in Jordan, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, and the Palestinian Red Crescent for distribution inside Gaza.

He also confirmed further aid flights are being arranged in cooperation with Kuwait’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Al-Maghames thanked all government bodies involved for their efforts in facilitating and delivering the aid, and affirmed KRCS’s continued global humanitarian efforts. — KUNA