KUWAIT: The Criminal Security Sector, represented by the General Department of Criminal Investigation – Anti-Counterfeiting and Forgery Department – has arrested a suspect involved in counterfeiting and circulating Kuwaiti banknotes of KD 20 denomination.

The case began after two complaints were filed at Khaitan Police Station, reporting the use of fake KD 20 notes. Following intensive investigations, detectives identified the suspect and arrested him after securing the necessary legal warrant. Upon his arrest, drug paraphernalia was found in his possession. He later confessed not only to the two reported incidents, but also to several similar cases across different governorates. The suspect admitted that he had been carrying out the counterfeiting operations himself, using equipment stored in his family chalet in Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City, where large quantities of forged currency were kept.

A subsequent raid on the chalet uncovered more than 20 printing devices equipped with scanners, dozens of inks and dyes, paper cutters, thousands of counterfeit banknotes ready for circulation, and hundreds more in preparation. Detectives also seized adhesives, forgery tools, chemical substances, and additional drug-related items.

The suspect has since been referred to the competent authorities for legal proceedings.

NEW YORK: The Middle East region has been witnessing serious escalation of Israeli occupation military operations against the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip and the remaining parts of Palestine, including Jerusalem and the West Bank, Representative of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said.

Those military operations, along the two-year long “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people, run counter to religion, law, and humanity and have claimed the lives of tens of thousands, most of whom are children and women while using starvation as a tool of war, His Highness said as he delivered Kuwait’s speech at the 80th UN General Assembly session in New York on Wednesday.

The Israeli occupation’s operations undermine the pursuit of peace in the region, which could only be achieved by the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the borders of June 4, 1967, in accordance with the resolutions of international and the Arab Peace Initiative, His Highness stressed.Kuwait welcomes the recognition of the State of Palestine by many countries over the past year, and urges other countries to take similar steps, His Highness said, adding that Kuwait will keep backing Palestinians’ rights, referring to Kuwait’s supportive stances, especially to UNRWA.

His Highness also voiced Kuwait support to the sovereignty of both Syria and Lebanon, as well as best wishes for their future prosperity, while pointing out to Kuwait’s “concern” over the security situations in Libya, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia. His Highness renewed the call for the Islamic Republic of Iran to take serious confidence-building measures to restart a dialogue based on mutual respect for states’ sovereignty, and non-interference in their internal affairs.

Pending issues

Delivering Kuwait’s speech before the 80th session of UN General Assembly late on Wednesday, His Highness the Crown Prince said, “I’m pleased to convey to you congratulations of His Highness the Amir on the success of this session.”

His Highness the Crown Prince called on the brotherly Republic of Iraq to take tangible steps to address all pending issues between the two countries. His Highness the Crown Prince stressed the importance of the demarcation of maritime boundary beyond the 162 mark with Iraq, in accordance with international laws and charters, as well as addressing the issues of POWs and missing persons, in addition to the country’s national archive for the last three decades.

His Highness also appealed to the Iraqi brothers to abide by bilateral agreements related to security and technical aspects of Khor Abdullah issue.

His Highness the Crown Prince congratulated Annalena Baerbock on being elected as President of the 80th UNGA Session, extolling efforts made by the outgoing president Philemon Yang during his tenure. He commended the constructive endeavors of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to maintain international peace and security amid accelerated global changes.

His Highness the Crown Prince said UN Secretary General launched the UN80 Initiative, which is compatible with reform efforts aiming to boost the UN efficacy to be able to face future threats and challenges. “When speaking about reforms within the framework of a multilateral international system, reforming the UN must be on the top of these priorities. And we are fully convinced that there is a necessity to make reforms which consolidate just principles, transparency and credibility without double standards policies. This will strengthen the Security Council to confront contemporary threats for a structure that mirrors the world in which we live,” His Highness the Crown Prince highlighted.

In the same vein, Kuwait is honored to preside over the current (45th) GCC Supreme Council, reiterating “our” firm resolve to carry on this blessed path, strengthen the strategic partnership with regional and international organizations and achieve desired goals, as the bloc proved being a cornerstone of stability and prosperity in the region, His Highness noted. His Highness also renewed the Council’s solidarity with member state Qatar in the aftermath of the recent Israeli attack on its territory. – KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdullatif Al-Meshari announced the launch of three housing packages totaling 15,000 units for real estate developers in Mutlaa, Saad Al-Abdullah and Jaber Al-Ahmad. The announcement was made during the launch of a promotional campaign at Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center to qualify participating companies.

Al-Meshari highlighted that the initiative is part of the government’s partnership with the private sector to address Kuwait’s housing needs, emphasizing the sector’s role as a key partner in national development. He stressed that the first three projects should be approached collaboratively and noted recent efforts to amend important policies and laws, including Law No. 118 of 2023 and the upcoming real estate finance law, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) conducted comprehensive feasibility studies for these projects, ensuring proper site selection and preliminary designs to guarantee viability. Al-Meshari underscored the Authority’s objectives to reduce the housing waiting period, increase home ownership rates, and maintain high urban standards in modern residential areas.

He added that PAHW will soon commission three consulting firms to design infrastructure for upcoming housing cities, including Sabriya, Nawaf Al-Ahmad and Al-Khiran, encompassing approximately 170,000 plots. Al-Meshari noted that parallel projects are also in preparation, with additional offerings under review by the Council of Ministers. “The real estate development program requires a robust governance mechanism to enable swift decision-making and project activation,” he said, noting ongoing institutional restructuring to align with Law No. 118 of 2023. He added that amendments to the law, alongside the real estate finance law and related legislation, will be reviewed every four years to ensure policy alignment.

Al-Meshari described the 10-year plan to establish 170,000 housing units as ambitious yet achievable, with close coordination with the Council of Ministers on supporting infrastructure, including electricity, water and urban development. He confirmed that the projects announced today will be awarded next year, with implementation to follow, and praised the strong turnout of participating companies, including firms from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. He emphasized that the current offerings serve as a pilot to assess the Real Estate Developer Law, which will inform the future approach to delivering 170,000 units while ensuring diversification as a central pillar of Kuwait’s housing strategy.

During the forum, Eng Ahmed Al-Ansari, Director of the Investment Department at PAHW, and Kawthar Jamal, Head of the Asset and Risk Management Department, presented detailed analyses of current and future housing demand. They noted that existing applications total approximately 105,000 and are projected to rise to 197,244 by 2035, with an annual increase of nearly 3 percent. The Authority’s plans aim to cover 180,000 applications through distributed projects, including the 5,000 units offered in the current investment opportunities, alongside 10,000 units in Al-Sulaibiya and Taima, with remaining units in South Saad Al-Abdullah and Al-Mirqab. — KUNA