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Kuwait Implements Systematic Power Cuts to Reduce Load on Grid

The decision comes a day after a major power outage was witnessed in large parts of residential areas in the country. (KUNA)
The decision comes a day after a major power outage was witnessed in large parts of residential areas in the country. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Implements Systematic Power Cuts to Reduce Load on Grid

The decision comes a day after a major power outage was witnessed in large parts of residential areas in the country. (KUNA)
The decision comes a day after a major power outage was witnessed in large parts of residential areas in the country. (KUNA)

Kuwait began on Thursday to implement scheduled power cuts during peak consumption hours, with the aim to meet increased demand caused by extreme summer heat.
The measure comes a day after a major power outage was witnessed in large parts of residential areas in the country.
The ministry released a schedule for the expected outages across several regions and urged residents to conserve energy to reduce the strain on power plants.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education decided to suspend work in all schools and start the summer vacation for its employees starting on Sunday. The suspension applies to all employees except those involved in administering exams for intermediate and secondary school students. The decision aims to reduce electrical load demand across the region.
The Ministry of Endowments also said it will shut down air conditioners ten minutes after prayer times in mosques to reduce power consumption.
The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy announced on Thursday the implementation of programmed cuts in the Wafra and Abdali farms areas for two hours daily, as well as in the industrial zones in Port Abdullah, Al-Rai and Sulaibiya at 1 pm for two hours.
The Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Traffic Department, announced that motorized bicycles used for delivery activities will be banned from 11 am to 4 pm, starting Sunday, June 23, until August 31.
The Meteorological Department at the General Administration of Civil Aviation in Kuwait expected temperatures on Thursday and over the weekend to remain very high during the day, with a relative rise in humidity in the coastal areas.
The director of the administration, Abdul Aziz Al-Qarawi, said in a statement reported by the Kuwait News Agency that the country is currently affected by the extension of the Indian monsoon low, which brings a hot and occasionally humid air mass. The winds are expected to shift from northwesterly to southeasterly at light to moderate speeds, occasionally becoming active, particularly in the western regions. As a result, daytime temperatures will be extremely hot, and nighttime temperatures will remain high with increased humidity in coastal areas.

 

 

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GCC Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: Escalation Poses Grave Threat to Gulf Security

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC Chief to Asharq Al-Awsat: Escalation Poses Grave Threat to Gulf Security

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is maintaining regular and active communication with all international parties involved in the ongoing conflict, as part of broader diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi told Asharq Al-Awsat Wednesday.

Albudaiwi said the GCC views the military escalation between Iran and Israel as a “grave threat” to the security and stability of the Gulf region. He added that the Council, through its official channels, continues to emphasize that “dialogue and restraint” remain the most effective path to safeguarding regional security and stability.

As military confrontations between Israel and Iran entered their sixth day on Wednesday, Albudaiwi warned that the situation was “unprecedented and deeply concerning”.

Albudaiwi also noted that the GCC’s 48th extraordinary ministerial meeting on Monday concluded that the rapidly unfolding events could spiral into a wider regional conflict.

He added that the Council is ramping up diplomatic pressure, calling on all international actors -- including the UN Security Council -- to intervene and prevent further escalation.

Albudaiwi also pointed to the unified Gulf statement issued after the emergency meeting, alongside individual condemnations by all six GCC member states. The declarations denounced Israel’s strikes on Iran and called for immediate de-escalation and restraint.

The Secretary-General underscored the bloc’s ongoing diplomatic push, noting that Gulf states have urged the United States to pressure Israel into accepting an immediate ceasefire.

The GCC is also advocating for the revival of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, as part of a coordinated Gulf and international initiative to contain the crisis.

The GCC is holding regular talks with the United Nations, the United States, and allied nations as part of its diplomatic campaign to defuse tensions between Iran and Israel, Albudaiwi confirmed.

“These are the main formal channels for dialogue,” Albudaiwi told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the Council has sent unified diplomatic messages rejecting the ongoing escalation and urging restraint.

The communications also included calls to revive peace efforts in the region.

He explained that the GCC’s diplomatic engagement spans official correspondence, closed-door talks, and meetings held within international frameworks, all aimed at restoring regional stability and absorbing tensions without resorting to military options.

“Through this approach, GCC states are pursuing a comprehensive and balanced diplomatic strategy that hinges on communication and coordination with major international powers and global organizations,” Albudaiwi said.

“The objective is clear: to contain the crisis and prevent it from erupting into a broader regional confrontation,” he affirmed.

Albudaiwi mentioned that the GCC has reached “advanced levels” of coordination among member states to confront disasters and emergencies, including non-conventional threats such as chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attacks.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Gulf states are actively engaged in joint preparedness efforts through early warning and detection networks, enabling rapid and coordinated responses to potential crises.

In light of growing concerns over potential fallout from Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Albudaiwi stressed that the GCC states are equipped with sophisticated radiation and environmental monitoring systems.

These systems allow for the real-time exchange of data via secure channels among relevant national authorities to detect any abnormal indicators at an early stage.

He said this capability is supported by the GCC Emergency Management Center, which plays a key role in coordinating simulation exercises and joint drills focused on unconventional weapons scenarios. These efforts span civilian, security, and defense sectors and aim to boost collective readiness, update national emergency plans, and improve response coordination.

The drills, Albudaiwi noted, are conducted in line with global best practices and are backed by intergovernmental agreements involving defense, interior, and health ministries, all designed to reinforce the Gulf’s collective security framework in the face of emerging threats.