KUWAIT: In the presence of Mohammed Al-Othman, Chief Executive Officer of Consumer and Digital Banking Group at the National Bank of Kuwait and Dr Hassan Al-Fajjam, Director General of the Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), Weyay Bank, Kuwait’s first fully digital bank, participated as the strategic sponsor of the orientation forum for new students organized by PAAET. The event took place on September 8–9 at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Mishref, drawing over 16,000 new students. It aimed to welcome and guide students as they embark on their academic journey.

Weyay’s presence at the event reflects its commitment to empowering Kuwaiti youth by providing them with the tools and financial solutions they need to succeed. The Bank’s team showcased its seamless digital banking experience, allowing students to open accounts within minutes—without the need to visit a physical branch. This aligns with the fast-paced, mobile-first lifestyle of today’s youth. Students also explored the features of the Weyay app, including instant and secure money transfers within Kuwait and abroad. One of the key highlights was the ability to digitally transfer student allowances directly into their Weyay accounts and access the exclusive SELECT prepaid digital card.

Designed specifically for student allowance customers, the card offers up to 40 percent cashback on purchases and special discounts at popular youth-focused outlets such as Caribou Coffee and Flare Fitness. Throughout the two-day event, the Weyay team provided students with practical tips on managing their finances smartly using the app’s budgeting and tracking tools. Weyay Bank reaffirmed its dedication to supporting young people with innovative banking solutions that foster financial independence and confidence as they begin their university life.

VIENNA: Kuwait on Wednesday underlined the pivotal role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in verification and monitoring in Iran, praising the professionalism of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and his team in carrying out their mandate. This came in a statement delivered by Dr Sara Al-Ajmi, Second Secretary at Kuwait’s Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna, during the IAEA Board of Governors’ discussions on verification and monitoring in Iran under UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Al-Ajmi noted that the IAEA’s latest report, issued on September 3, 2025, confirmed that monitoring and verification activities had been adversely affected by recent Zionist military attacks. She explained that these developments disrupted the agency’s continuity of knowledge regarding Iran’s production and oversight of centrifuges and heavy water. Kuwait called on Iran to maintain its cooperation with the IAEA and to resume full coordination with the agency to enable it to provide credible assurances on the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Al-Ajmi stressed that such cooperation is essential to ensuring Iran’s continued compliance as a non-nuclear-weapon state. — KUNA

BAGHDAD: The 26th Baghdad International Book Fair opened on Wednesday with Qatar participating as guest of honor, alongside publishing houses from several Arab and foreign countries, including Kuwait. The opening ceremony was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, who underscored the vital role of culture in defending nations and confronting injustice, particularly the ongoing aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza.- KUNA photos

BAGHDAD: The 26th Baghdad International Book Fair opened on Wednesday with Qatar participating as guest of honor, alongside publishing houses from across the Arab world and beyond, including Kuwait. The opening ceremony was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, who highlighted the vital role of culture in defending nations and confronting injustice, particularly the ongoing Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Al-Sudani urged writers and intellectuals to document unfolding events as a testimony for history, stressing that culture remains “the strongest voice and most effective weapon—one that cannot be silenced by force.” He noted that the world today is witnessing “wars of ideas and cultures” waged with soft tools that seek to influence societies, emphasizing the responsibility of intellectuals as a first line of defense in preserving national unity and social cohesion.

The prime minister also welcomed Qatar’s participation as guest of honor, represented by Qatari Minister of Culture Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, affirming Iraq’s solidarity with its Gulf neighbor and condemning Zionist aggression. The fair, held at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds, will run until September 21 and features a diverse program of cultural and artistic events, offering a platform for dialogue and the exchange of ideas among Arab and international publishers, writers and readers. — KUNA