Latest news with #public interest
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Bawaba
KIB announces Municipal Council's approval of its initiative to beautify and develop Darwaza Al-Abdulrazzaq Tunnel
Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced that the Municipal Council has approved its initiative to carry out the beautification and development of 'Darwaza Al-Abdulrazzaq', fully funded by the Bank. This step reflects KIB's steadfast commitment to its national and social responsibility, as part of the Kuwaiti private sector, and its keenness to actively contribute to projects that enhance Kuwait's urban landscape and serve the public Al-Abdulrazzaq is a vital landmark in the heart of Kuwait City. This gives it particular significance in terms of pedestrian movement and business activity. The site also carries historical value, reflecting the architectural heritage of the city, making its development a truly national project that reinforces the features of Kuwaiti on this occasion, KIB Vice Chairman and CEO, Raed Jawad Bukhamseen, said: 'We are pleased to announce the esteemed Municipal Council's approval of KIB's initiative to develop Darwaza Al-Abdulrazzaq. This initiative reflects the Bank's vision of supporting projects that serve the community and enhance the quality of life in Kuwait. It stems from our deep belief in the vital role the private sector plays in supporting the State's efforts, whether through planning, implementation, or funding, which we view as a fundamental aspect of our national responsibility. The significance of this project goes beyond urban beautification. It also represents a meaningful contribution to preserving Kuwait's historical landmarks and reinforcing their presence in daily life, underscoring our commitment to promoting and preserving national identity.' Bukhamseen added: 'This initiative aligns directly with KIB's vision of promoting both social and economic growth by supporting efforts that contribute to creating a better urban environment and reflecting the cultural image of our city. With its symbolic location and rich history, Darwaza Al-Abdulrazzaq deserves to be revitalized and restored to its role as a city landmark'. He also noted that KIB has expressed its full readiness to cover all costs associated with the project, including contracting with specialized companies and consultancy firms to ensure the highest standards of quality under the direct supervision of the esteemed relevant official emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving development forward, stating: 'At KIB, we believe that our responsibility extends beyond providing financial services. It includes supporting State efforts on all fronts. This initiative is a clear embodiment of that role and a reaffirmation that the private sector is a key partner in comprehensive development.'Boukhamseen extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, Mr. Abdul Latif Hamed Hamad Al-Mashari, for his generous support and constructive cooperation, which had a significant impact in advancing this project forward. He also expressed his deep gratitude to the esteemed Council of Ministers for their continued support and endorsement of purposeful initiatives that serve the interests of the nation and its concluded his remarks saying: 'We are proud of KIB getting the approval for this initiative and look forward to launching the project soon in full coordination with the relevant government authorities, foremost among them the Kuwait Municipality. We believe this project will be a point of interest for the entire Kuwaiti society and serve as a testament to KIB's ongoing dedication to supporting sustainable growth and national prosperity.' It is worth noting that KIB continues to strengthen its role as a committed national partner in community development through initiatives that extend their impact across various aspects of public life. The Bank affirms that social contribution is not a choice, but a national duty that requires the concerted efforts of all.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's visit to Scotland is in ‘public interest', says Chancellor
The visit of US President Donald Trump to Scotland is in the 'public interest', Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit. 'It's in Britain's national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,' she said. 'That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.' Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president's first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of 'misogyny, racism and xenophobia'. Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as 'private' by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday. His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip. In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. Speaking to the PA news agency on Friday, the First Minister said his meeting with Mr Trump would present an opportunity to 'essentially speak out for Scotland' on issues like trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland. 'But there are clearly also significant international issues upon which the people of Scotland have a view and want to have that view expressed by their First Minister,' he said. 'That relates to the awfulness of the situation in Gaza and the unbearable human suffering that is going on in Gaza. 'I want to make sure that those concerns and those views are expressed to the President of the United States. 'We have that opportunity, and I intend to take that opportunity to make sure that Scotland's voice is heard.' Mr Swinney also urged all of those set to protest against the President's visit to do so 'peacefully and to do so within the law'.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Trump's visit to Scotland is in ‘public interest', says Chancellor
The visit of US President Donald Trump to Scotland is in the 'public interest', Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said. Mr Trump is due to touch down in Scotland on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit, during which he will meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney. His meeting with Sir Keir is seen as a chance to refine the UK-US trade deal which came into force last month. Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport on Friday morning, the Chancellor talked up the importance of the visit. 'It's in Britain's national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal,' she said. 'That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.' Ms Reeves dodged a question relating to senior ministers – including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Scottish Secretary Ian Murray – supporting a motion when in opposition in 2019 calling for the president's first state visit to be cancelled and accusing him of 'misogyny, racism and xenophobia'. Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland – in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire – during the visit, which has been described as 'private' by the White House, before leaving on Tuesday. His presence is likely to spark protests across the country, with Police Scotland being forced to request aid from other forces to help increase manpower for the trip. In a carefully worded statement ahead of the visit, Mr Swinney said the focus it will bring to Scotland will allow people to have their voice heard on issues including 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. Speaking to the PA news agency on Friday, the First Minister said his meeting with Mr Trump would present an opportunity to 'essentially speak out for Scotland' on issues like trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland. 'But there are clearly also significant international issues upon which the people of Scotland have a view and want to have that view expressed by their First Minister,' he said. 'That relates to the awfulness of the situation in Gaza and the unbearable human suffering that is going on in Gaza. 'I want to make sure that those concerns and those views are expressed to the President of the United States. 'We have that opportunity, and I intend to take that opportunity to make sure that Scotland's voice is heard.' Mr Swinney also urged all of those set to protest against the President's visit to do so 'peacefully and to do so within the law'.
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on the Afghan leak superinjunction: a dangerous precedent is set
One of many extraordinary features of the data breach that put tens of thousands of Afghan lives in jeopardy is the length of time between the original leak and the government taking action. The email containing a highly sensitive dataset was sent from a Ministry of Defence computer in February 2022. Ministers were not aware of the problem until August 2023. The fact that the MoD's systems were lax enough for the error to have been made is worrying enough. The delayed response is more alarming still. And then there is the disturbing mechanism by which the whole scandal was kept from the public eye. There was an argument on safety grounds for keeping the existence of the leaked list secret. Applicants to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy (Arap), a scheme to expedite asylum for people who had worked with British forces in the country, would be natural targets for vengeful Taliban hit squads. A judge deemed the risk severe enough to grant the MoD's request for an injunction on reporting the breach and upgraded it to a 'superinjunction' – a prohibition on reporting the existence of reporting restrictions. This powerful suppressive tool is usually associated with cases of celebrities guarding their privacy, and even then it is controversial. There is no known precedent for its deployment to protect the government from scrutiny in a case of manifest public interest. Mr Justice Robin Knowles took the view that the Arap applicants' right to safety should take precedence over the freedom of the press to report the leak. That may have been a worthy argument in 2023 – but not in perpetuity. However, ministers regularly sought to renew the superinjunction, citing increasingly spurious premises. It was almost removed in May 2024, but restored on appeal. It was only lifted this week after an internal government review, commissioned by the defence secretary, John Healey, found that being identified in the data breach should no longer be considered a matter of life and death. It would 'simply be another factor in exacerbating a person's existing vulnerability'. How, why and when the balance of risk shifted is unclear. It happened over many years under multiple defence secretaries, straddling a change of government. Over the same period, hundreds of millions of pounds were spent on an emergency resettlement scheme for people affected by the data breach – an expensive policy on a matter of great political sensitivity run entirely below the radar of parliamentary scrutiny or any other mechanism of accountability. Meanwhile, many of the legal arguments that led to renewal of the superinjunction were held in closed court. The grounds for keeping the blanket of secrecy in place were themselves wrapped in an extra layer of secrecy. Such a process goes against fundamental principles of open justice. In an era of depleted trust in politics, its deployment to keep a serious scandal from public view is also corrosive of democracy. A dangerous precedent has been set. Lifting the superinjunction doesn't in itself bring transparency. But it does at least permit overdue questions about how the data breach happened, the timeliness and effectiveness of the MoD's response, and why no one has been held to account. The current Labour government was not responsible for keeping the public in the dark for so long, but it will be judged on its willingness to let the light in now.
