KUWAIT: 1900: A French vessel visited Kuwait during rule of the seventh ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah. An officer on the ship took photos considered to be the first taken of Kuwait.

1967:  Kuwait Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree supporting Arab countries directly affected by the Israeli aggression and occupation, with KD 55 million.

1968: Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed a decree to establish a Military College. Studies began on November 2 with the first batch of officers graduating in May 1970.

1969: Kuwait Police Academy received its first group of cadets.

1972:  Kuwait Blind Association was established.

1993: Former Board Chairman of Kuwait Blind Association Hamad Al-Humaidi passed away at the age of 76. Al-Humaidi held a diploma from Cairo in the teaching of the blind.

2013: Oqab Mohammad Al-Khatib, a pioneer of the educational and theater movement in Kuwait, passed away at the age of 92.

2017: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and Mali signed a KD 9.5 million-loan agreement to fund a water project in the West African country.

2021: Historian and media figure Saif Marzouq Al-Shamlan passed away at the age of 94.2021 — Kuwaiti director and pioneer of the country’s cinema movement Khaled Al-Seddiq Bastaki died at the age of 76 after an extensive career in production, cinema and television, namely the film “Bas Ya Bahar” in 1972.

2024: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center signed a grant worth USD seven million to contribute to the cancer treatment of Syrian refugees in the Kingdom of Jordan. — KUNA

 KUWAIT:  The opening of the third runway and the new airport watchtower on October 30 will help boost operational capacity, said an official at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation on Tuesday. In an interview with KUNA, Deputy Director General for Planning Affairs and Projects at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation Engineer Saad Al-Otaibi affirmed that the two projects were part of the authority’s plans to reinforce Kuwait’s status as a regional hub for aviation and logistic services.

He indicated that Kuwait International Airport infrastructure was entering a new phase of comprehensive development, boosting operational capacity, improving services for travelers, and increasing state income. The Civil Aviation’s four-point comprehensive development strategy focuses on improving infrastructure to better serve travelers, boosting the airport’s operational capacity, increasing income via involving the private sector in administrative projects, and training cadres and staff to handle operations according to international standards.

He revealed that current projects at Kuwait international airport included the third runway, which stretches for 4.58 kilometers, making it one of the world’s longest runways.Al-Otaibi asserted that the opening of the runway would boost air safety and increase operational capacity, adding that the new watchtower project is equipped with the latest navigational technology, allowing air traffic control to direct over 600,000 landing and take-off operations annually, leading to a boost in state income and air safety.

The new projects will provide 20,000 job opportunities for national cadres, he revealed, saying that the Future Leaders Program to train Kuwaiti youth will include this vital sector. He went on to say that involving the private sector to operate commercial facilities within the airport, such as hotels, duty-free shops, and lounges, would be good for business and operational capacity, citing the operations at Terminal 4 (T4) in 2018 as an example of success endeavor.

Regarding the Terminal 2 (T2) project, Al-Otaibi said that it was one of the grandest projects in the history of the country, affirming that it would be an important monument and integral part of the country’s development vision.Speaking on the Civil Aviation Authority law, Al-Otaibi said that it was a leap in the governance of the sector and aligned with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), pointing out that the law separates between monitoring and operational tasks to ensure transparency and independence of operations and services.

He touched on Kuwait International Airport’s passing of the detailed security inspection by ICAO by a score of 88 percent as part of the regular and official framework set by the organization, saying that such reflected improved standards set by the Civil Aviation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah on Monday was briefed on the Ministry’s new smart security patrol, equipped with the latest technical systems to enhance the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of security operations in the field. In a press statement, the Interior Ministry said the initiative reflects its commitment to keeping pace with technological developments and supporting digital transformation in security work.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah received an explanation from Brigadier Anwar Al-Yatama, Head of the Human Resources and Information Technology Sector, on the patrol’s key components and smart systems, which were developed by national experts in information technology and cybersecurity. The patrol features an integrated system of advanced technologies, including smart mobile cameras linked to facial recognition and vehicle license plate systems, a mobile fingerprint device for instant identification, and direct connections to the ministry’s databases for rapid identification of wanted persons and vehicles.

The system also incorporates artificial intelligence for real-time image processing and analysis, supporting security personnel in the field and improving operational efficiency. Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah emphasized the importance of leveraging modern technology to enhance field security work and praised national teams for developing the project, calling it a significant step in the ministry’s technological transformation. The Interior Ministry reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to modernize the security system and employ cutting-edge technologies to serve public safety, contributing to enhanced security and stability across Kuwait.

New service on Sahel

In a separate development, the Ministry announced the launch of a new service via the unified government application for electronic services (Sahel), allowing families of inmates to request appointments with officials from the General Administration of Correctional Institutions. Interviews will be conducted every Monday from 4 to 6 pm, enabling families to submit inquiries and complaints efficiently. — KUNA