Dubai: A foreigner, having 500,000 Kuwaiti Dinar (over Rs 10 crore) in his bank account, has been arrested by Kuwait police for allegedly begging.

The non-Kuwaiti beggar was held near a mosque in capital Kuwait City and remanded in custody.

"Servicemen were patrolling the area when they saw a man standing near a mosque and begging for money, telling worshipers that he badly needed cash and that he had no home," Khaleej time quoted security sources as saying to Kuwaiti daily Al Rai.

"He was immediately arrested as he was breaking the law and was taken to Al Ahmadi police station where an investigation found that he had a bank account in a local bank worth more than 500,000 Kuwaiti Dinar (over Rs 10 crore)," the sources added.

Kuwait, like fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- does not allow begging and has pledged zero-tolerance towards begging for money, particularly during the month of Ramadan when people, both locals and foreigners, have a stronger tendency to donate money and to engage in acts of charity.

In April, Kuwait deported 22 beggars, including Asians, for harassing people.

Begging has turned into a lucrative activity for several foreigners in the Gulf, media reports have said.

A spokesperson for the social affairs ministry in Saudi Arabia said that foreigners made up around 85 per cent of all the beggars while the others were Saudi citizens.

In 2012, police in Kuwait City arrested an expatriate who disguised himself as a woman to beg for money.

Kuwait: An Islamic State suicide bomber struck a Shiite mosque in the Kuwaiti capital during Friday prayers, killing 27 people as the Gulf state declared an "all-out confrontation" with terrorism.

Health Minister Ali al-Obaidi told Kuwait Television the number of dead had risen to 27 in addition to 227 wounded in the first ever suicide attack on Shiite mosques in the oil-rich emirate.

The toll in the attack, carried out in the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, is one of the largest in Kuwait's history. The interior ministry said an unspecified number of suspects were held for questioning in connection with the attack that shocked the society of this small oil-rich Gulf state. No details were provided.

The funerals of those killed in the attack will take place on Wednesday. The cabinet announced after an emergency meeting that all security agencies and police have been placed on alert to confront what it called "black terror".

"The cabinet stresses that it will take whatever measures necessary to root out this scourge, and declares a relentless all-out confrontation with these terrorists," said a statement after the meeting.

It also declared Saturday a day of mourning. Shiite activist Abdulwahed Khalfan told AFP that security at Shiite mosques was beefed up and citizens' committees have been formed.

The committees will inspect people entering mosques and refuse entry to those unknown to them, Khalfan said. Kuwaiti Shiites make up around one third of the country's native population of 1.3 million.

The IS-affiliated group in Saudi Arabia, calling itself Najd Province, said militant Abu Suleiman al-Muwahhid bombed the mosque which it claimed was spreading Shiite teachings among Sunni Muslims.

IS, a radical Sunni group, considers Shiites to be heretics.The Najd Province group has claimed similar bombings at Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

After the attack, a security official said "it is a suicide bombing", and witnesses said a suicide bomber entered the mosque during weekly noon prayers

KUWAIT: MP Nabeel Al-Fadhl yesterday submitted a proposal requiring that foreign electricians and plumbers should have at least diplomas in their profession to be able to get employment in the country. Fadhl proposed an amendment to the labor law in the private sector to include a precondition that electricians and plumbers must have diplomas well attested from their own countries and in Kuwait.

Labor authorities can however exempt them from the diploma requirement if they have an experience in the same field of at least five years and should undergo a training course for six years. Those who have an experience of under five years should undergo a training course for one year.

The labor authorities can exempt those who have five years of experience from the training course but they should pass written and practical exams. The proposal is not binding and requires the National Assembly labor committee and the National Assembly itself to approve it.

National Assembly speaker Marzouk Al-Ghanem in the meantime said that he will coordinate with the interior minister about the debate on the security situation which will be held in the Assembly Bureau. About 12 MPs had submitted a request to hold a special debate on the security measures in the country following the two suicide bombings in Saudi Arabia.

The Assembly however agreed to a proposal to hold the debate in the assembly bureau instead in the Assembly. Ghanem said he will fix the date of the debate after the coordination.

The Speaker also said that the Assembly will hold additional sessions on June 14 and 15 ahead of the regular sessions on June 16 and 17 in order to discuss and approve all the items on the agenda. The Assembly is scheduled to go into summer recess at the end of June for four months.

MP Abdulhameed Dashti meanwhile called on the new Commerce and Industry Minister Yousef Al-Ali to dismiss the ministry undersecretary “who has been brought into the post from outside the ministry and is serving certain interests”. The lawmaker also called on the minister to order an investigation in the “suspicious” relation between the ministry’s supplies department and the supplies company.

May 13: Kuwait is set to host the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization's (ALECSO) set of meetings in 2016, said an official source.
Ministry of Education Undersecretary Haitham Al-Athari revealed the decision having attended an ALECSO meeting that discussed the body's upcoming six-year strategy, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

For his part, ALECSO's Director-General Abdullah Muhareb said the plan takes into consideration the current political, economic and cultural situation in the Arab world.

ALECSO was established in 1970 and is based in Tunis with the aim of developing education, culture and science in the Arab region, KUNA reported.

Kuwait: Buntara Sangha Kuwait (BSK) under the leadership of Mr. Rajesh Shetty Agari presented the much awaited mega cultural event “BUNTAAYANA 2015” on Friday April 24th, 2015 at the Cambridge School Auditorium, Mangaf. “Sri Devi Mahatme” by Sri DurgaParameshwari Yakshagana Mandali, unfailingly drew large audience to the power packed performance. The Guests of Honor Ajith Rai Maladi & Dr. Asha Jyothi Rai along with special guests Satish Patla & Navneeth Shetty   were accorded  a warm welcome in traditional bunts style  with "chende"  and Purna Kumbha Swagatha. The entrance to the hall was beautifully decorated by the PR committee members led by Mr. Raghunath Shetty; and the Guthustyle chavadi decorated with mango leaves, marigold, roses, and jasmine made the place radiant and vibrant.

The cultural programs started at 10:30am with prayer song by Lakshmi & Amith Shetty, followed by welcome speech by Vice President Sanath Shetty, and   lighting of the lamp by the Guests of Honor. The program was inaugurated by opening the areca inflorescence i.e Pingara, the blooming and flowering of the tender areca nut bunch symbolizing prosperity and the growth of the Sagha. This was followed by the beautiful souvenir release. Variety of dance programs beautifully choreographed by talented Buntara Sangha ladies were showcased in the morning. The participants left the audience thoroughly mesmerized with their enchanting performances. The choreographers for the beautiful dances were Sanmathi D Menda, Sinchana Shetty, Arjun Adyanthaya, Sheethal Malli, Ramya Shetty, Preeti Prashantha Shetty, Prapti Prashantha Shetty, Prithvi Shetty, Laxmi and Shalini Yadunath Alva

The felicitation ceremony had memento presentations to the sponsors and felicitation  of  Guest of Honor Ajith Rai & Dr Asha Jyothi Rai for their contribution in the field of Education , Art & Culture; and Satish Patla & Navneet Shetty for their valuable contribution in the field of culture and Yakshagana. The past visionaries of the Sangha the Ex-presidents of the association Dr. Nithyananda Shetty, Mr.Jayakar Shetty, Mr. Venkappa Shetty Soorinje, Mr. Devin Menda, Mr. Karunakar Shetty, Mr. Sudhakar Shetty, Mr. Satish Chandra Shetty, Mr. Umesh Shetty Adve and Mr. GuruprasadHegde were felicitated on the occasion for their support and unstoppable commitment towards the progress and growth of the Sangha. The felicitated leaders expressed deep gratitude towards the appreciation and honor bestowed on them by the Sangha members.  H.E Sunil Jain Indian Ambassador to Kuwait & Dr. Gargi Jain  graced the felicitations and  in his speech H.E Sunil Jain applauded the members for their dedication towards keeping their  members and kids connected to the cultural roots in India.  President Rajesh Shetty in his speech highlighted the support extended by the Sangha members for putting up this Megaevent.  He also expressed that the overwhelmingly support should continue and inspire the Sangha to do more charity works for the less fortunate back home.  The felicitations ceremony and the various program for the day was beautifully supported by the cultural committee.

The post lunch session started with themuch-awaited Yakshagana 'Sri Devi Mahatame'  and commenced with a poem written by Tulu poet Nadoja Dr Kayyara Kinhanna Rai which was sung by Bhagavat Satish Kumar Patla. Bhagavat Satish Kumar Patlamesmerized the audience with his golden voice.It was a festival for all the Yakshagana Lovers. Dressed in colorful costumes and heavy make-up, the artist  brought the mythological characters to life by dancing and delivering lengthy dialogues in colloquial Kannada with ease. : The beatings of chande-mridanga, the high pitched and melodious songs by the Bhagavatha Satish Patla and the loud speech of the Rakshasas & the war to destroy the evil between the Devi & Rakshasas all these reverberated  inthe auditorium; the whistling of the audience on the excellent Diginas (the revolution circles ) by the artists were  so very inspiring.


The consolidation of sponsorships and advertisements for the souvenir was excellently supported by Treasurer Babita Shetty and logistics arrangement to par excellence was coordinated by Sports Secretary Devi Prasad Shetty. Vote of thanks was proposed by General Secretary Mr. Dinesh Shetty, thanking the participants, the sponsors, advertiser, volunteers and supporters. After noon lunch for the event was served by Oriental restaurant while the dinner was served by Avanti Palace.The program was well coordinated by Cultural Secretary Mr. Sudarshan Shetty and the event was beautifully compered by Mr. Navneeth Shetty Kadrithe fame of Namma TV Kudla channel and Mrs. Swarna Shetty The function concluded with Indian National Anthemby BSK members and the audiences.

Kuwait is deporting four foreigners who were arrested for driving without licences.

The move is in line with a decision by Interior Minister Shaikh Mohammad Al Khalid to deport any expatriate caught driving without a licence.

Under the decision announced this week, the driver faces deportation within hours for breaking the country’s laws.

The sponsor is informed about the deportation and he is requested to hand over the expatriate's passport and to buy him a one-way ticket, local daily Al Rai reported on Tuesday.

Kuwaiti authorities said they wanted to ensure full compliance with the law and to address chaotic situations on the roads.

A study commissioned to look into the status of foreign drivers in the country has recommended raising the fee to obtain a driving licence for expatriates to KD300.

An initial recommendation was KD500, but the interior ministry suggested lowering it.

The move aims to limit the number of foreign drivers on the country’s increasingly congested roads.

Around two thirds of Kuwait’s total population of 3.2 million are foreigners, mainly domestics helpers and unskilled labourers from Asian countries working in the service and construction sectors.

A traffic official said that around 9,000 driving licences have been revoked from foreigners, mainly stay-at-home wives who took up jobs and who under the new rules have to submit new applications.

Kuwait has launched several campaigns to address deficiencies and abuses on the roads that have gained an unwanted notoriety as chaotic and dangerous in the absence of an adequate driving culture and full compliance with rules and regulations.

New Delhi: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday donated Rs.4 lakh to help the cash-strapped Indian ice hockey team in their quest for participation in the 2015 Challenge Cup of Asia in Kuwait.

The ice hockey team is faced with a financial crisis going into the tournament and has resorted to crowd funding in a bid to collect money for participation in the tournament.

Gambhir said he heard of the team's plight on radio and decided to donate the amount through his charitable trust - Gautam Gambhir Foundation (GGF).

 
"I felt it is a moral responsibility to support the game of ice hockey, it is a disgrace that in a country like India where sports have so much support these games are neglected. As a sportsman I believe I should always support smaller games," Gambhir told reporters at the event where he gave away the cheque to the Indian team.

The ice hockey team's captain, Ladakh-born Tsewang Gyaltson, said he was overwhelmed by the support and hopes to do well in the coming championship.

"First time we have had so much support, good to know a game like ice hockey is being recognised. We are practicing really hard and are hopeful of doing well in the Challenge Cup," said Gyaltson on Tuesday.

Talking about the hurdles he had to face while taking up ice hockey as a career, the 23-year-old said: "They tried to stop me from playing the game. They said there is no future and told me to concentrate on my studies, but I was adamant and I continued playing the game I loved."

Manama: A Kuwaiti lawyer has been held after posting tweets deemed offensive by the local security authorities.

Investigations with Khalid Al Shatti will be related to abusing the authority of the Emir, attacking Saudi Arabia and putting at risk relations between Kuwait and the Saudi kingdom following his tweets against the participation of Kuwait in the military operations to restore legitimacy in Yemen.

Al Shatti would also face charges of attempting to undermine the morale of the Kuwaiti army by showing sympathy with Al Houthis against whom Kuwait is engaged in a Saudi-led military operation in Yemen. Al Shatti praised the military capabilities of the Al Houthi Ansar Allah Movement and alleging that its members will amaze everyone with their prowess, local daily Al Seyassah reported on Thursday.

Al Shatti, a former lawmaker, harshly criticised the operations and reportedly tweeted that 14,000 Houthis had registered to become suicide bombers.

The investigation authorities also summoned Salah Al Fadhli, a writer and academic, after he posted tweets referring to the support by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh for 30 years before taking action against him.

Several lawyers have filed a complaint with the public prosecution against Kuwaiti professor Abdullah Al Nafisi for alleged comments against the Shiite sect and breaking the national unity law by attacking Shiites who criticised the military operations in Yemen.

Kuwait had warned against using the military operations in Yemen to cause divisions within the country mainly along sectarian lines.

Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al Ganem on Wednesday stressed on national unity, saying lawmakers would not allow anyone to sow seeds of discord or divisions and rejected all forms of mistrust in any of the society’s components.

Al Ganem who chaired a meeting between the government and 33 lawmakers devoted to the latest political, military and security developments in the region with a focus on Yemen, said several ministers gave briefings to the parliament.

The military officers gave a presentation on the military developments in Yemen and on the character of the Kuwaiti aerial participation in the defensive operations in Saudi Arabia.

“The participants stressed the significance of reinforcing the domestic front and consolidating national cohesion politically and socially,” Al Ganem said. “They also highlighted the need to stand together behind the directives of the Emir on protecting the higher interests of Kuwait.”

The Speaker said the parliament and the government were proud of the army as its members assumed their defence duties in all areas.

Last week, Al Ganem said the participation of the Kuwaiti air force in the military operations in Yemen was in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) joint defence treaty and that it did not conflict with the Kuwaiti constitution.