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February 11, 2025
Staff
Kuwait issues temporary permits for expats above 60
December 11, 2021Kuwaiti authorities are issuing temporary residency permits for expatriates who are above 60 and hold no university degree as a contested ban on renewing their work permits drags on, a local newspaper said.
With the ban still in force despite a recent decision to scrap it, the Interior Ministry issues residency permits valid from one to three months “on humanitarian grounds” for this category of expatriates pending a final solution from the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), Al Rai quoted security sources as saying.
The temporary residency permits, however, do not allow foreign holders to travel, the sources noted. “In case of departure from Kuwait, this residency permit will be revoked immediately and the expat will not be able to return,” a source said.
Last October, the Kuwaiti Legal Advice and Legislation Department invalidated the ban on employing expatriates above 60, saying it had no legal basis.
The department, a Cabinet affiliate, said that the ban had been issued by the PAM director-general without authorisation.
The PAM board later under chairmanship of Minister of Trade and Industry Abdullah Al Salman and approved revocation of the ban and endorsed a new renewal system.
Some categories of people will be exempted from paying the renewal fees, Kuwaiti media reported at the time. They are children of Kuwaiti women and their husbands, holders of the Palestinian nationality, and those born in Kuwait.
The ban, which went into effect earlier this year, triggered an outcry among rights activists, who argued that it affects thousands of expatriates and their families who long lived in Kuwait.
Around 4,013 such expatriates have been forced out of the work market in Kuwait in the first six months of enforcing the ban, Al Qabas newspaper reported recently.
Critics also said the restriction has also caused damage to many employers and destabilised the labour market, robbing it of experienced workers.
The ban was seen as an attempt to reduce numbers of migrant workers who account for majority of Kuwait’s population.
Foreigners make up nearly 3.4 million of the country’s total population of 4.6 million./GN
Kuwait Crown Prince welcomes Saudi Crown Prince today
December 11, 2021HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is to welcome Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman today, based on firm fraternal relations between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on both official and unofficial levels and in consolidation of amicable bonds between both countries’ leaders and peoples. This was announced by HH the Crown Prince’s Diwan Chief Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in a statement on the occasion of the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince and his accompanying delegation to Kuwait.
During the visit, talks will include a host of issues and subjects of mutual interest and ways of promoting and bolstering bilateral relations between both countries and brotherly peoples, to fulfill their common expectations and hopes for a brighter and more prosperous future, in addition to the latest regional and international developments, he said. Sheikh Ahmad wished both nations progress and prosperity under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
Kuwaiti-Saudi relations are an exceptional and unique model based on solid foundations built on historical brotherly ties between the two leaderships and the two peoples. Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit is the third since he took over as crown prince, as the first visit was in May 2015 when he was Deputy Crown Prince, and his second was in Sept 2018 after becoming the Crown Prince on June 21, 2017. Kuwaiti-Saudi relations are deep-rooted, extending for more than 130 years, bypassing the dimensions of international relations to the concept of brotherhood, social ties and the same destiny.
As part of continuing mutual visits, HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah visited the kingdom to head the Kuwaiti delegation in January to the Gulf Summit (in Al-Ula), after a visit by the Saudi king to Kuwait in Dec 2016. The visit of HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to the Kingdom on Oct 25 to attend the “Green Middle East Initiative” summit was a continuation of this approach, and it was the second visit of HH the Crown Prince following his first tour in June.
This exceptional relationship was manifested in its best form in the Saudi position in support of Kuwait and defending its legitimacy and independence during the brutal Iraqi invasion in 1990, the kingdom’s reception of Kuwait’s political leadership, the government and the people on its lands, providing assistance in all its forms and its active contribution to the establishment of the participating countries’ coalition in liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation in 1991.
Furthermore, Kuwait has spared no effort in supporting Saudi Arabia at all levels in full solidarity with it in every measure taken to maintain its security and stability. The cooperation between the two countries included all fields, leading to the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council on May 25, 1981, which accomplished many achievements for Gulf countries within the framework of joint action. The two countries signed several agreements that covered various fields, including media, scientific, cultural, economic, air transport services, facilitating citizens’ movement of both countries, flow of goods across the borders, and exchange of scholarships for citizens of both countries.
They also inked memoranda of understanding for cooperation in fields of Islamic affairs and providing facilities for pilgrims, which are always preceded by coordination and consultative meetings, positively reflecting on the two brotherly people. In pursuit of expanding cooperation in all fields, the two countries signed the minutes of the Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council on July 18, 2018, which held its first meeting in Riyadh last June, and saw the signing of six agreements on cooperation in the field of youth, encouragement of direct investment, as well as education, scientific research and sports.
In the economic field, the two countries’ policy was characterized by compatibility and coordination, which played a major role in stabilizing oil prices in global markets within the framework of OPEC+. The two countries also contributed to maintaining stable energy supplies in a manner that protects the rights of producers and consumers alike considering the implications of the coronavirus pandemic. The total value of Kuwaiti exports to Saudi Arabia last year amounted to about KD 205 million ($676.5 million), compared to KD 197 million ($650 million) during 2019, while the total Saudi imports to Kuwait last year hit KD 504.5 million ($1.6 billion), compared to KD 629.6 million in 2019. – KUNA
Greece's Muslim Turkish minority awaits country’s compliance with European court rulings
December 11, 2021The Muslim Turkish minority in Greece expects the country’s compliance with European court rulings, sources said Friday.
On the occasion of Dec. 10 Human Rights Day, the Xanthi Turkish Union (ITB), one of the oldest associations of the country’s 150,000 strong Muslim-Turkish minority, hosted a webinar on Greece’s violations of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings regarding minority rights.
ITB head Ozan Ahmetoglu said the union was founded in 1927 and carried out its activities legally until 1983.
“But that year, the Greek state filed for a court to close the ITB and two other minority associations that had the word ‘Turkish’ in their name,” he said. “This was a reflection of Greece’s denial of the ethnic identity of the minority and their claim that there is no Turkish minority in the Western Thrace.”
After exhausting domestic remedies in 2005, ITB took the case to the ECHR, and in 2008 the court ruled in favor of the union, Ahmetoglu said, noting that the ruling determined that Greece violated the European Convention on Human Rights.
Greece, however, refuses to comply with the ECHR ruling, he said.
Long struggle for rights
The Greek court’s ruling on Wednesday denying an application by the Xanthi Turkish Union to reregister came in response to an ECHR ruling from more than a decade ago that Greece has never carried out.
Under the 2008 ECHR ruling, the right of Turks in Western Thrace to use the word "Turkish" in names of associations was guaranteed, but Athens has failed to carry out the ruling, effectively banning the Turkish group identity.
Greece’s Western Thrace region is home to a Muslim Turkish community of 150,000.
In 1983, the nameplate of the Xanthi Turkish Union (Iskece Turk Birligi) was removed, and the group was completely banned in 1986, on the pretext that “Turkish” was in its name.
To apply the ECHR decision, in 2017 the Greek parliament passed a law enabling banned associations to apply for re-registration, but the legislation included major exceptions that complicated applications.
Turkey has long decried Greek violations of the rights of its Muslims and the Turkish minority, from closing mosques and shutting schools to not letting Muslim Turks elect their religious leaders.
The measures violate the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne as well as ECHR verdicts, making Greece a state that flouts the law, say Turkish officials./aa
US stocks close higher despite record inflation
December 11, 2021Major indices in the US stock market closed higher on Friday despite record high inflation.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 216 points, or 0.6%, to 35,971.
The S&P 500 gained 44 points, or 0.95%, to post a record high closing of 4,712.
The Nasdaq increased 113 points, or 0.73%, to 15,630.
The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, was down 13.1% to 18.76.
The dollar index was down 0.22% to 96.06, while the yield on 10-year US Treasury notes was at 1.487%.
Precious metals were up, with gold adding 0.4% to $1,782 per ounce and silver rising 0.95% to $22.17.
Crude prices increased around 1.4% with Brent crude trading at $75.41 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $72.02.
US consumer prices rose 6.8% in November on an annual basis, as it marked the largest 12-month increase since June 1982, the US Labor Department reported earlier./aa
UNICEF on Friday called for urgent action to address Somalia's critical water needs due to the worsening drought in the Horn of African country.
Some 2.6 million people are facing water shortages due to severe drought conditions in Somalia, according to a UNICEF statement.
"Water scarcity and drought conditions have contributed to increased water prices leading to displacements, diarrhoea-related morbidity and malnutrition in many parts of Somalia," the statement said.
The current worst affected regions in Somalia include Gedo, Bay, Bakol, Lower Jubba, Galgadud, Mudug and parts of Bari, Nugaal, Sool, Sanaag, Togdheer, and Hiraan regions.
The statement said that more than2 million people in 66 districts are in acute need and will require immediate lifesaving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for the next six months.
Among the most at risk are 1.7 million children and women who are exposed to protection risks due to limited water resources.
"Without urgent scale-up of WASH services, over 3 million people will be in acute need by end of March 2022 and will not have access to the minimum daily water requirement of 45L per family," according to UNICEF.
When contacted by Anadolu Agency, Somalia's Humanitarian and Disaster Management Ministry declined to comment.
Somalia is currently battling the worst drought in decade which has already claimed the lives of at least seven people, including five children, in country's Gedo region./aa
2021 migrant death toll tops 4,400, surpassing preceding year: UN
December 11, 2021More than 4,470 migrants died globally in 2021, after dozens were reportedly killed when a truck packed with passengers crashed in Mexico, lifting it above last year's fatality count, the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) said on Friday.
"COVID-19 has meant an unprecedented decrease in human mobility, but the Missing Migrants Project still documents deaths almost every day," said Frank Laczko, director of IOM's Global Migration Data Analysis Center, in a statement.
Globally, the number of deaths this year is already more than the 4,236 recorded in 2020, the IOM said.
More than 45,400 deaths and disappearances have been recorded since 2014, the IOM's Missing Migrants Project said, making this an especially deadly year for the Americas and Europe.
Considering fatal incidents are often recorded weeks or months later, the final toll in 2021 is likely to be much higher, and it came despite repeated calls for concrete action to reduce "tragic loss of life during migration journeys worldwide every year."
IOM said at least 54 migrants died in Thursday's truck crash in Chiapas – the single deadliest incident for migrants in Mexico since at least 2014, when IOM began documenting deaths.
Some 651 people died this year attempting to cross Mexico's border with the United States, more than in any year since 2014.
"This increase is especially concerning because most data for this border region are reported only after the year ends," said the IOM.
More deaths
Across the Americas, 1,121 deaths were recorded this year – including this latest tragedy – also higher than other years.
More deaths were recorded in South America than ever before, with 64 of 137 deaths involving Venezuelan nationals.
On migration routes to and within Europe, the 2,720 deaths recorded make it the deadliest year in the region since 2018.
The Central Mediterranean crossing has claimed at least 1,315 lives so far in 2021, said the UN agency.
At least 937 people died on the Atlantic route to the Spanish Canary Islands – more than any previous year for at least a decade.
"Boats often disappear without a trace: invisible shipwrecks could account for hundreds of lives lost in addition to the deaths recorded on this route," said the IOM.
The land border between Turkey and Greece also saw an increase in deaths in 2021, with at least 41 lives lost, more than any year except 2018, when 59 were recorded.
On the Belarussian borders with the European Union, there were 21 deaths reported in 2021, though no official data are available, said IOM.
On the crossing between the Horn of Africa and Yemen, at least 98 deaths were reported, up from 40 in 2020, though deaths on this route are extremely difficult to document, the UN agency said./agencies
Price, cost increase are slowing, Biden says after record inflation
December 11, 2021US President Joe Biden said Friday price and cost increase are slowing, although not as quickly as desired, after inflation in the country hit its highest level in almost 40 years.
"Today’s numbers reflect the pressures that economies around the world are facing as we emerge from a global pandemic -- prices are rising," he said in a statement released by the White House.
"Even with this progress, price increases continue to squeeze family budgets. We are making progress on pandemic related challenges to our supply chain which make it more expensive to get goods on shelves, and I expect more progress on that in the weeks ahead," he added.
US consumer prices rose 6.8% in November on an annual basis, as it marked the largest 12-month increase since June 1982, the US Labor Department reported earlier.
The food index rose 0.7% in November, while the energy index increased 3.5% and the gasoline index soared 6.1%. On an annual basis, they were up 6.1%, 33.3% and 58.1%, respectively.
Biden said half of the price increases are in cars and energy costs from November, while there have been significant energy price reductions since then.
"Gas prices nationally are down from their peak; prices in 20 states are already below their 20-year average and the price of natural gas is down 25% from its November average," he explained.
"But we have to get prices and costs down before consumers will feel confident in that recovery," he added./aa
France to declassify Algerian war archives
December 11, 2021France will open up judicial archives on the Algerian war 15 years ahead of the stipulated declassification, the government announced on Friday, a move which could confirm the long-held allegations of torture by the French police and the gendarmerie against Algerian and French nationals.
French law provides for declassification of government documents labelled “confidential,” “secret” or “very secret” after a period of 50 years.
Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot in an interview with BFMTV news broadcaster said she wants to open up access to the archives on the judicial investigations of the gendarmerie and the police in order for the French people to face the truth about the “disturbing questions” of the Algerian war.
"I want that on this question, which is disturbing, irritating and where there are falsifiers of history at work ... I want us to be able to look it in the face" she said.
Questions pertaining to torture techniques employed by the French army and the police, leading to horrific killings and disappearances of thousands of civilians part of the resistance movement, have been a subject of taboo.
Bachelot said it was “in the country's interest to recognize it (torture).”
These include the cases of mathematician and Algerian Communist Party member Maurice Audin, who was tortured and executed by the French army, and the events of 1961 when Paris police drowned hundreds of protesting Algerians in the Seine river with their hands tied behind their backs, or strangulated or wounded with bullets.
Audin’s family has long campaigned for the opening of the archives. In 2018, President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the torture and disappearance of Audin’s body and assured access to the archives. In October, he also condemned the Paris massacre and crimes by the French police as “inexcusable.”
The archives will also help establish the truth since “falsification of facts was leading to all the troubles and hatred,” the minister said, adding it will help in “rebuilding and reconciling” relations with Algeria.
France’s relations with Algeria are defined by the 132-year-long colonial occupation that ended with a brutal war of independence in 1962.
The already fractious relations deteriorated further recently after Paris reduced visa quotas for the former colonies in North Africa, and Macron accused the Algerian government of rewriting history and fomenting anti-French hatred.
The remarks sparked controversy with Algeria recalling its Paris envoy, and suspending the use of its airspace by French military planes to carry out operations in West Africa.
The announcement of declassification of the archives is also part of the memorial reconciliation project initiated by the Macron government to honor the lives of Algerians who fought in the war.
He also officially recognized the torture and murder of Algerian revolutionary leader Ali Boumendjel by the French army, and sought “forgiveness” from the Harkis (Muslim Algerians who served as auxiliaries in the French Army during the war) and their descendants./aa
Trump attacks Netanyahu for congratulating Biden
December 11, 2021Former US President Donald Trump fired a profane salvo at [Israel's] Benjamin Netanyahu for daring to congratulate President Joe Biden after his election win last November.
The ex-president continues to insist he won the election, and Netanyahu's congratulations to Biden undermined Trump's unproven falsehood that the election was rigged. Trump also said Netanyahu seemed to forget his unfailing support.
"Nobody did more for Bibi," Trump said to interviewer Barak Ravid earlier this year as background for a planned book by the Israeli journalist. Excerpts of the spring 2021 interview appeared on the Axios news website, Friday. "And I liked Bibi (Netanyahu's nickname). I still like Bibi.
"But I also like loyalty. Bibi could have stayed silent. I haven't spoken to him since. F--- him."
For his part, Netanyahu said Friday that the alliance of “Israel” and the US "was important" and he had to congratulate Biden on the win.
“I highly appreciate President Trump’s big contribution to “Israel” and its security," Netanyahu said in a statement Friday, as reported by Axios. "I also appreciate the importance of the strong alliance between “Israel” and the U.S. and therefore it was important for me to congratulate the incoming President."
Trump was particularly irate over a Netanyahu video that came out the day before Biden's inauguration Jan. 20 of this year. In it, Netanyahu trumpeted his relationship with Biden as a "warm personal friendship going back many decades."
Trump listed off his good deeds done to support Netanyahu when he was [Israel's] prime minister, including ditching US opposition to “Israeli” settlements in the West Bank, recognizing Jerusalem as the capital, and the withdrawal of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal which Israel adamantly opposed as a dire threat to its survival.
"I'll tell you what - had I not come along I think “Israel” was going to be destroyed," Trump said. "I think Israel would have been destroyed, maybe by now."
Over 6,000 hectares of forest burned in Australia wildfire
December 11, 2021Fire in Western Australia's Margaret River region has destroyed over 6,000 hectares of forestry area, state-run media said.
Fire crews are battling the massive fire that started earlier this week and is threatening lives and properties.
While many poeple have evacuated, an emergency warning was issued for the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, a scenic holiday spot. The park has been closed until further notice.
Reece Whitby, the minister of emergency services of Western Australia, said no loss of life or property was yet recorded, adding that 250 firefighters, as well as support personnel, are on the ground to contain the wildfire./agencies
