Latest news with #YasserAl-Zayyat
Kuwait Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
KRCS to utilize local dates, engineering expertise for projects
KUWAIT: A man harvests dates from a palm tree in this file photo. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) is working with the Kuwait Agricultural Engineers Society on a plan to produce dates locally for overseas relief programs. Under the proposal, agricultural engineers would provide full technical feasibility studies. KRCS chair Khaled Al-Mughamis said the society is 'keen to implement humanitarian and development projects inside and outside Kuwait in various fields, particularly the agricultural sector.' Speaking after meeting association chair Abbas Abdulredha, Al-Mughamis said the Red Crescent wants to 'strengthen cooperation with the association in this field in line with its goals of supporting communities and achieving sustainable development.' Kuwaiti charities have in the past sent locally harvested dates to communities in need abroad, including Syria and Yemen. Those initiatives often coincide with the start of the date harvest season, when farm owners donate part of their crops as zakat. The fruit is collected, packaged and shipped using modern preservation methods, with the aim of supporting low-income families in various countries. Abdulredha said the talks focused on ways to coordinate future humanitarian projects with the Red Crescent. 'These charitable projects include agriculture and fisheries,' he said, noting the engineers' role will be to 'provide technical feasibility studies from all angles.' He said the date production plan was part of that discussion and stressed the association's commitment to using its expertise to serve society and enhance Kuwait's role in charitable and humanitarian work. — Agencies
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Date season in full swing in Kuwait
KUWAIT: A man climbs a ladder as he harvests dates from a date palm at a farm in Kuwait City on August 6, 2025. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: Every year around this time, Kuwait's palm trees burst into a vibrant display as different varieties of dates ripen, turning the landscape into a palette of yellows, browns, reds and greens. These colorful fruits decorate homes, streets, main roads, parks, and farms, signaling the start of the date harvest season. Among the many types of dates enjoyed in Kuwait, the Barhi, Ikhlas and Sukkary varieties are the most popular on the dining table. The Barhi date takes the crown as the top-selling variety in local markets, widely favored for its taste and texture. Following closely in popularity are the Sukkary and Ikhlas dates. The names given to the dates vary depending on their ripeness stage and differ by country. In Kuwait, the first stage is called Khalal, the middle stage Rutab, and the final stage Tamr. This ripening and harvesting process typically takes place during the months of July, August and September. This annual event not only marks a significant time for farmers but also brings communities together around the popular summer fruit, cherished both for its cultural importance and delicious taste.
Kuwait Times
05-08-2025
- Climate
- Kuwait Times
Dust to humidity: Kuwait weather to shift midweek
KUWAIT: Dusty weather is expected to continue until Tuesday evening. — File photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: Dusty conditions will persist across Kuwait Tuesday as strong northwesterly winds continue to sweep through the country, the Kuwait Meteorological Department said on Monday. Acting Director of the Meteorological Department Dhirar Al-Ali told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that wind speeds are exceeding 60 kilometers per hour, significantly reducing visibility, especially in open areas. However, he noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday evening. 'The country is currently under the influence of the Indian monsoon low, accompanied by a hot and dry air mass,' Al-Ali explained. 'This is driving moderate to strong northwesterly winds that are stirring up dust and raising sea waves up to six feet at times.' According to Al-Ali, winds will gradually begin to subside by Tuesday afternoon. Starting Tuesday evening, winds are expected to shift to a southeasterly direction along the coast, bringing a rise in humidity levels across the country - particularly in coastal areas. This humid spell is expected to last through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Last Tuesday, Kuwait entered what meteorologists say is the hottest stretch of the year, a 13-day period when temperatures are expected to soar as high as 52°C in some parts of the country. The country's Meteorological Centre and the Ojairi Scientific Centre have warned that the extreme heat is part of a seasonal phase known locally as 'Al-Mirzam.' The period, which marks the peak of Kuwait's summer heat, will continue until August 10. The Mirzam phase signals the most intense stretch of the summer, after which the season gradually transitions into 'Al Kulaibin,' known for its oppressive humidity, and later into 'Suhail', when conditions begin to ease. — KUNA
Wall Street Journal
04-08-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Stocks to Watch Monday: CommScope, Boeing, Berkshire, Amazon
Boeing F/A-18 fighter jets. The company's defense workers are due to strike. (Yasser Al-Zayyat/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)
Kuwait Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Gold prices surge amid economic, political tensions
KUWAIT: Women visit a stand during the 23rd international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in this file photo. - Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: Global gold prices witnessed a sharp increase at the close of the first week of July, reaching $3,337 per ounce, as investors turned to the precious metal as a safe haven amid mounting economic and geopolitical uncertainties. In a report issued Sunday, Kuwait's Dar Al-Sabayek Company attributed the surge to a range of interrelated factors, foremost among them growing concerns over the widening fiscal deficit in the United States. The company noted that fears escalated after the US House of Representatives approved a tax cut and spending expansion package proposed by former President Donald Trump's administration. According to the report, projections by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation estimate that the package will increase US public debt by more than $3.4 trillion over the next decade. The resulting pressure on the US dollar prompted many investors to boost their gold holdings to hedge against market instability and the weakening purchasing power of the currency. The report also highlighted the intensification of trade tensions following the US President's announcement of new tariffs on several countries, potentially reaching up to 70 percent. These tariffs, expected to take effect in early August, have sparked fears of retaliatory measures by nearly 100 countries should trade agreements fail to materialize by July 9, as warned by the US Treasury Secretary. These developments have contributed to a retreat in the US dollar index, which fell to 97 points against major currencies, further strengthening gold's appeal. The report pointed out that the holiday-induced liquidity decline in US markets, particularly around the Independence Day holiday, helped reduce selling pressure in the final trading sessions of the week. Despite the upward momentum, gold's gains were partially curbed by positive US labor market data. Official figures showed that 147,000 jobs were added in June and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1 percent. This data has dampened expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Moreover, the rise in yields on 10-year US Treasury bonds to 4.338 percent exerted additional pressure on gold prices. Dar Al-Sabayek stated that gold continues to respond to shifts in both economic indicators and political developments, even with US markets closed. Investor sentiment remains cautious as markets await key monetary policy signals from global central banks, including the release of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes and weekly unemployment claims data. Locally, the report noted that gold prices mirrored global trends in the Kuwaiti market. The price of 24-karat gold reached KD 32.89 per gram (approximately $107), while 22-karat gold was priced at KD 30.15 per gram (about $98). The price of silver remained stable at KD 407 per kilogram (roughly $1,329). Gold is traditionally measured in troy ounces, with one troy ounce equivalent to approximately 31.103 grams, the standard unit for weighing precious metals. — KUNA
