Gunmen kill 2 Indians and abduct third in Niger
Local media in Niger identified the victims as workers at a construction site in Dosso, located 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the country's capital of Niamey. Foreigners are increasingly becoming targets of armed groups in Niger. Several of them have been kidnapped this year, including an Austrian woman who has lived in Niger as an aid worker for more than 20 years, a Swiss woman seized from her home in April and five Indian workers, also in April.
Niger has for many years battled a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, a security crisis that analysts say has worsened since the military toppled the country's government in July 2023, and has since struggled to restore peace in hot spots. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, June was one of the country's deadliest months on record as IS-backed fighters launched a major offensive across the Tillaberi and Dosso regions, killing more than 100 civilians in what marked a return to mass atrocities in rural areas.
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Arab Times
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Indians And Nepalese Among 52 Held As Kuwait Cracks Down On Illegal Liquor Ring
KUWAIT CITY, July 24 — In a dramatic crackdown led by Kuwait's top security officials, authorities have dismantled a sophisticated criminal network running illegal liquor factories across six residential neighbourhoods in the capital. The coordinated sting, carried out under the direct supervision of His Excellency the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, has resulted in the arrest of 52 individuals—including both male and female suspects of Nepalese and Indian nationalities—who were allegedly involved in the production, packaging, and distribution of locally brewed alcohol. The operation unfolded on Wednesday, July 23, and included high-ranking officials such as Acting Director General of Kuwait Municipality, Engineer Manal Al-Asfour, Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs Major General Hamed Al-Dawas, and several senior figures from various cooperating government bodies. Authorities revealed that rented homes in Mishref, Jaber Al-Ali, Al-Nahda, Faiha, Saad Al-Abdullah, and Al-Qusour had been converted into full-scale illegal liquor factories. These properties, located in quiet residential zones, were deliberately chosen to deflect suspicion and blend in with ordinary domestic life—while inside, barrels of raw ingredients, distillation equipment, and thousands of filled bottles were being churned out in industrial quantities. Once the necessary legal warrants were obtained, elite teams launched simultaneous dawn raids on the targeted houses. What they uncovered was a well-oiled black-market enterprise: extensive quantities of brewing chemicals, thousands of plastic bottles pre-filled and ready for sale, and eight vehicles used to supply materials, distribute alcohol, and even provide basic provisions like food and water to the underground workforce. Among those arrested were two suspects found with large amounts of cash and a money-counting machine, believed to be the gang's financiers tasked with handling the profits from illegal sales. In a swift follow-up operation, the alleged kingpin of the network was also taken into custody after close surveillance revealed he had been directing operations by phone and coordinating with unknown individuals outside the country. In total, the arrests included 30 men and 22 women, all of whom are now facing charges related to the manufacture and distribution of alcohol, which is strictly prohibited in Kuwait. Authorities described the bust as a major victory in the ongoing fight against illegal alcohol production. 'This operation is a clear message to all criminals and violators of our laws,' a Ministry of Interior spokesperson stated. 'Security campaigns will continue without pause, and we will use all available resources to protect the safety, health, and values of our society.' The Ministry has also urged the public to report any suspicious activities and reiterated its commitment to working closely with various state institutions to crack down on illegal networks operating within the country.
Arab Times
an hour ago
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‘Laws are not sacred'... judiciary shuffling axed
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait affirmed that, 'Laws are not the Holy Quran. They are not sacred texts, but rather are meant to serve the public good, support employment, and organize the relationship between the people and the state', reports Al-Seyassah daily. In a press statement, Minister Al-Sumait said, 'We have amended the laws and are closely monitoring their impact and effectiveness among the public', stressing that any amendments must be approached with discretion. He clarified that the state is entering a new era in which leadership is closely linked to the quality of legislation, adding that as long as laws are implemented properly, the process of amendment will continue. Confirming what the daily published recently, Minister Al-Sumait issued a decision to cancel all actions taken by the selection committee responsible for the appointment of junior legal researchers eligible for the position of public prosecutor, as well as the supporting team. All related procedures and results were deemed null and void. He decided that the written exams and personal interviews for applicants would be reorganized according to a new mechanism, to be announced at a later date. The minister revealed that serious violations had marred the work of the committee and its team, reaching such an extent that no subsequent correction or review could remedy the damage. Speaking to KUNA, Minister Al-Sumait explained that the decision to cancel the committee and its supporting team, which was formed under Ministerial Resolutions No. 1602/2024 and 1603/2024, stems from the Ministry of Justice's commitment to upholding the principles of equal opportunity, fairness, and transparency in judicial appointments, as well as maintaining public trust in the integrity of the judiciary. The ministry will reorganize the written tests and personal interviews for applicants based on a new mechanism, which will be announced at a later date. Al-Sumait stressed that the position of junior legal researcher, which qualifies its holder for appointment as a public prosecutor, is a pivotal role, as it represents the first building block of the judicial system and plays a great role in shaping the judiciary body. He emphasized that judicial positions are both a responsibility and a trust that require the highest levels of competence, integrity, and impartiality. Al-Sumait revealed that the Ministry of Justice had received a number of complaints and grievances regarding the recent admissions process, raising serious concerns about its fairness and the validity of its outcomes. Upon reviewing the documents and evidence, it was confirmed that violations had occurred that compromised the integrity of the entire admissions process and rendered the results unrepresentative of the applicants' true performance.
Arab Times
2 hours ago
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UK Envoy Belinda Lewis Bids Farewell with Big Wins for Culture, Trade & Peace
KUWAIT CITY, July 24: British Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Her Excellency Belinda Lewis, welcomed journalists to her Residence as she approaches the end of her posting. Reflecting on the past four years, Lewis lauded Kuwait's 'special and long-standing' partnership with the UK - noting that 2025 marks 250 years of bilateral trading ties. She also thanked the Kuwaiti people for their warm hospitality, recalling Ramadan diwaniyas and the Al-Qaffal ceremony marking the end of the pearl diving season as especially memorable cultural experiences. Lewis highlighted February 2024's rollout of the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme to Kuwaiti nationals as significant in strengthening people-to-people links between the two countries. Kuwaiti nationals made 162,000 trips to Britain in 2024 - a 6% increase from 2023, with Kuwait Airways now offering 19 direct flights a week to London and Manchester. She also expressed delight that an ever-growing number of Kuwaitis are choosing to study at UK universities, with over 10,000 currently undertaking courses there. Noting the UK and Kuwait's rich shared history, Lewis reflected on the success of joint celebrations to mark 125 years of official UK-Kuwait diplomatic relations - rounded off by His Highness the Amir's trip to Scotland to meet His Majesty King Charles III and discuss Kuwait's partnership with the King's Foundation; and His Highness' August 2023 Guest of Government visit to London marking 70 years since the establishment of the Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund, during which he oversaw the signing of a landmark investment partnership. Lewis noted that His Highness had travelled to the UK five times across her tenure, while Kuwait welcomed four UK Cabinet Ministers, including most recently the UK's Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP - plus numerous Ministers of State, senior officials and the Duke of Edinburgh. She said Britain was now 'close' to concluding a landmark Free Trade Agreement with the GCC, while praising the UK and Kuwait's burgeoning international humanitarian partnership that has seen the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development announce lifesaving joint funding for communities in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia. Asked about the situation in Gaza, Lewis strongly condemned the killing of civilians attempting to access humanitarian aid and called for an immediate end to the conflict, referring to the UK and 27 other countries' 21 July joint statement. She also detailed the Embassy's initiatives to fund specialist training for Kuwaiti medics deploying to Gaza, and its collaboration with the Palestinian Embassy and the British Consulate in Jerusalem to help small Palestinian businesses export their goods to Kuwait - with Lulu Hypermarket making a large order of foodstuffs earlier this year. Lewis expressed confidence that her successor, Qudsi Rasheed (who will arrive in September), would thoroughly enjoy his time in Kuwait, and that UK-Kuwait collaboration - be it on trade & investment, defence & security, education & culture, or climate & environment - would continue to go from strength to strength under his guidance.
