Kuwait Dismisses Need for Remote Work Amid Stable Conditions
KUWAIT CITY, June 24: Following the implementation of a 70 percent remote work system by the Kingdom of Bahrain until further notice due to the repercussions of the Iran-Israel war, public figures assured that the current situation in Kuwait does not warrant a shift to remote work under any circumstances. Security expert and retired Police Major General Hamad Al-Surai'i stated that there is no need to adopt remote work at this time, as Kuwait remains completely safe. He affirmed that no force would risk targeting American interests in Kuwait, as doing so would provoke a far more severe reaction. Ret. Major General Hamad Al- Surai'i said Iran itself is allowing room for maneuver, making it difficult for it to carry out any aggressive actions against Gulf states, including Kuwait, especially as the Iranian Foreign Minister plans visits to several Gulf countries. He explained that adopting remote work in such circumstances could provoke unnecessary fear.
Situations warranting remote work typically include natural disasters affecting many areas, such as floods, epidemics requiring isolation, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and when countries experience war on their own soil. Meanwhile, Political analyst and Head of the Civil Conservative Party Hamad Al- Numasi stated that the Iran-Israel war appears to be heading toward a sharp turn, adding, 'If the conflict spirals out of control, remote work could be permitted, especially for jobs that do not require physical presence in the office.'
In addition, Administrative consultant Dr. Abdullah Al-Abdul Jader said, 'Regardless of the current situation and the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, remote work is in general a future lifestyle. The demand for this type of work has increased in recent years, particularly during circumstances like the COVID-19 crisis, when Kuwait and many other countries shifted to online work.' He highlighted some of the important jobs that can be performed remotely, including e-commerce, programming, writing, editing, teaching, translation, accounting, and data entry. Dr. Al-Abdul Jader also highlighted the advantages of remote work, such as faster processing of transactions and reduced traffic congestion.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
6 hours ago
- Arab Times
Oil prices crash as Iran blinks
NEW YORK, June 24, (AP): If oil prices are any measure, Iran just flinched. The price of oil tumbled Monday afternoon in an historical move as traders bet that Iran's decision to bomb a U.S. base in Qatar signaled it was not planning to do the one thing that could really hurt America: Shut down the flow of oil by attacking crude shipments. 'When the response comes and it is muted, oil drops,' said Tom Kloza, chief market strategist at consultancy Turner Mason & Co, calling the limited Iran response far short of what many traders feared. 'This rivals some of the historic selloffs.' There's still plenty Iran could do to push prices back up, and the markets could be getting it all wrong, But oil analysts say there are plenty of reasons fear has receded. Adding to the odds that prices will settle, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a complete ceasefire, though the situation remained unclear. The price of West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, fell 7.2% to $68.51 per barrel in regular trading on Monday after Iran announced a missile attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which the U.S. military uses. Traders were relieved because Iran said it had matched the number of bombs dropped by the U.S. on Iranian nuclear sites this weekend, a possible sign of a desire to de-escalate the conflict. The price of oil fell further after Trump announced a 'complete and total ceasefire' to be phased in over 24 hours. Oil fell almost 4% to $65.84 a barrel early Tuesday, and is now below where it was before fighting between Iran and Israel began over a week ago, when a barrel of U.S. crude was just above $68. Markets were initially nervous Sunday as oil futures opened for trading. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, had jumped 4% as traders anxiously watched the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway on Iran's southern border that legislators in Tehran were demanding be closed in retaliation. That would have walloped the global economy because much of world's crude and liquified gas passes through it. Brent crude was trading at $68.06 per barrel, down 3.5%, early Tuesday. That's good news for Trump, who wants the Federal Reserve to stop worrying about inflation and start cutting interest rates. It's also good for motorists this summer if the trend holds. Drivers were already paying higher prices at the pump before the U.S. attack. The average price nationwide is $3.18 per gallon, according to GasBuddy surveys, about 10 cents more than two weeks ago. Some traders doubted Iran would try to close the Strait of Hormuz even before its limited attack Monday. Much of country's own crude passes through the waterway - 1.5 million barrels a day - and oil is a big revenue generator for the country that they would be loath to disrupt. 'It's a silly notion that the Iranians would look to do that,' said Kloza. 'I've been covering oil for 50 years and we've never seen the Strait of Hormuz compromised.' Asked about the prospect of a shutdown on NBC's 'Meet the Press' Sunday, Vice President J.D. Vance put it more simply: 'I think that would be suicidal.' At current oil prices, Tehran receives roughly $40 billion in revenue annually from oil transiting the same waters. That is a tenth of what the entire of country produces in goods and services. Andy Lipow, an Houston based oil analyst, says history suggests Iran won't disrupt its own flow of oil, but that countries, like people, don't always act in their economic interests. 'The question for the oil markets is, 'Is his time different?',' he said. 'You might have an emotional decision.' He notes also that Iran has other ways to push oil higher without completely closing off the waterway. Iran could jam navigational devices, slowing transit, or drop mines in the water, forcing the U.S. Navy to do more escorts. Or it could bomb a tanker, he said, sending the premiums that shippers need to pay insurers sky high. If traders are wrong and oil shoots back up, the impact could be widely felt. A surge in oil prices would come at a bad time. Trump insists that the inflation scare is largely over, but many economists think higher prices are still coming because the full impact of his tariffs are only now beginning to show up on everyday goods. Trump is clearly aware things could change fast. 'To The Department of Energy: DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!' he wrote on Truth Social Monday, adding. 'EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING!'
Arab Times
7 hours ago
- Arab Times
Amin Maalouf's ‘Labyrinth of the Lost'
I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Labyrinth of the Lost' by the creative and insightful French-Lebanese author Amin Maalouf. Having immigrated to France in the 1970s, Maalouf earned his place among the esteemed 40 members of the Académie Française, famously known as 'The Immortals.' Members of this prestigious academy are elected and hold lifetime membership, although they may choose to resign or be dismissed in cases of misconduct. In addition to his literary achievements, Maalouf also serves as the Secretary General of the Académie Française. Amin Maalouf's book delves into the complex and evolving relationship and often conflict between the West and its historical adversaries, particularly in Southeast Asia, including China and Japan, as well as Soviet Russia and the West's dynamic with the New World, specifically the United States. The book traces the trajectory of these global powers, beginning with Japan's Meiji era, which astonished the world with its rapid industrial development, Soviet Russia, which posed a serious threat to the West for nearly three-quarters of a century before its eventual collapse, and China, which has emerged in the 21st century as the West's primary competitor in global influence, due to its vast population and unique philosophical foundations. Maalouf also highlights the rise of the United States, especially after World War I, and its dominant global role following its decisive victory in World War II, emerging as the most advanced and powerful nation, and arguably the only one capable of defending global stability against external threats. When Maalouf completed his book two years ago, before the outbreak of the Gaza conflict and its repercussions, he predicted a significant decline of the West, particularly embodied by America. What we are witnessing today confirms this prediction, manifesting as political and moral bankruptcy. However, this does not imply that the West's adversaries or challengers are in a better position. Neither side currently holds the capacity to lead humanity out of the complex maze it faces. Even the United States, once a symbol of moral and material hope for many nations globally, is now experiencing setback after setback. America spent billions of dollars on its war in Afghanistan but did not build a single school or clinic there, a stark contrast to its honorable record with Japan and Germany after World War II. Its direct and indirect interventions in dozens of countries worldwide have tarnished both its credibility and the legacy of its founding fathers. The scandals and defeats in Vietnam and Afghanistan, along with the consequences of the Iraq invasion, which many viewed as a defeat, have deeply affected the prudence and humanity of the American administrations. Maalouf concluded that it is not in humanity's best interest to be led by a hegemonic power, whether from America, China, or any other nation, because such dominance inevitably turns that country into an arrogant tyrant, ultimately leading to its downfall, as has occurred with empires throughout history. The solution lies in genuine cooperation within respected international organizations where all voices are heard. It is absurd, for example, to witness America's relentless push to establish an 'International Court of Justice,' only to demand, insist upon, and secure exemptions for its citizens from being held accountable before it. What we are witnessing from the current U.S. administration was foreseen by Maalouf in his insightful book. Maalouf concludes by stating that the huge problems facing our planet require collective action through a system of global solidarity. This is the only way to avoid future dangers, especially now that the world's sole superpower has lost its 'moral legitimacy.'
Kuwait Times
7 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Shares dither, oil spikes as investors mull Iran risks
LONDON: World shares slipped on Monday and oil prices rose towards five-month highs before retracing gains as investors awaited possible retaliation from Iran following US attacks on its nuclear sites, with knock-on risks to global trade and inflation. Equities remained restrained, with the dollar getting a modest safe-haven bid and no sign of a rush to bonds. Oil prices whipsawed, rising to their highest since January during Asia trading, then falling back to flat, and were last up over 1 percent. US futures pointed towards a muted open on Wall Street. S&P 500 futures ticked up 0.1 percent while Nasdaq futures steadied. 'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, maybe you don't understand the situation,' said Paul Jackson Invesco's global head of asset allocation research. 'Whether a lack of market reaction is naiveté, or a proper assessment of the situation, time will tell,' he said. European shares fell after midday with the pan-European STOXX 600 index down over 0.3 percent. Some market participants hoped Iran might back down, with its nuclear ambitions curtailed, or even that regime change might bring a less hostile government to power there. 'That said, any sign of Iranian retaliation or threat to the Strait of Hormuz could quickly shift sentiment and force markets to reprice geopolitical risk more aggressively,' said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo. The Strait of Hormuz is only about 33 km wide at its narrowest point and around a quarter of global oil trade and 20 percent of liquefied natural gas supplies pass through it. Analysts at JPMorgan cautioned that past episodes of regime change in the region typically resulted in oil prices spiking by as much as 76 percent and averaging a 30 percent rise over time. Goldman Sachs warned prices could temporarily touch $110 a barrel should the critical waterway be closed for a month. For now, Brent and US crude were both up over 82 cents to $77.83 and 85 cents to $74.68 a barrel, respectively. Gold also rose 0.4 percent to $3,381 an ounce. Resilience World share markets, especially in Asia, struggled. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.9 percent, dragged down by shares in Taiwan which closed 1.42 percent lower, while Chinese blue chips closed higher 0.3 percent and Japan's Nikkei eased 0.1 percent. Japan's manufacturing activity data on Monday showed a return to growth in June after nearly a year of contraction, but demand conditions remain. The main buyers of Iranian oil are Chinese private refiners, some of whom have recently been placed on the US Treasury sanctions list. There is little evidence, however, that this has impacted flows from Iran to China significantly. The dollar firmed 1.25 percent against the yen and was last at 147.885, at its highest since May 15, while the euro dipped 0.5 percent to $1.1466. The dollar index firmed marginally to 99.299. There was also no sign of a rush to the traditional safety of Treasuries, with 10-year yields rising about 2 basis points to 4.389 percent. Markets are still pricing only a slim chance the Fed will cut rates at its next meeting on July 30, even after Fed Governor Christopher Waller broke ranks and argued for a July easing. Most other Fed members, including Chair Jerome Powell, have been more cautious on policy, leading markets to wager a cut is far more likely in September. At least 15 Fed officials are speaking this week, and Powell faces two days of questions from lawmakers, which will likely cover US tariffs and the attack on Iran's nuclear sites. Among the economic data due are figures on US core inflation and weekly jobless claims, along with early readings on June factory activity from across the globe. — Reuters
