KUWAIT, Aug 19 (KUNA) — On this day in history, Kuwait has witnessed several significant developments. In 1961, Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah issued a decree creating the Foreign Affairs Department and appointed Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as its inaugural head. In 1995, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, then First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the Aqua Park near Kuwait Towers. A telecommunications law was enacted in 1996 by Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, laying the foundation for the sector’s growth. The following year, Mohammad Al-Ojairi was named chairman and general director of the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) with undersecretary rank. In 2003, a temporary panel was formed to oversee municipal affairs after the council’s term ended. Religious figure Ali Abdulatif Al-Jassar passed away in 2006 at age 84 after contributing to Kuwaiti media. The Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first swine flu fatality in 2009. In 2013, Kuwait hosted the launch of a UN coordination office for humanitarian efforts. Boubyan Bank introduced civil ID-based ATM withdrawals in 2014. Legislative reforms in 2020 addressed private sector employment, domestic violence, media laws, and future generations’ reserves. In 2021, Kuwait provided Turkey with six fire trucks to assist in wildfire suppression. Most recently, in 2024, Dr. Fotouh Al-Ragom of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research was honored by the American Association of Energy Engineers as an inductee into their Energy Managers Hall of Fame.
— news from Kuwait News Agency
— News Original —
Today in Kuwait’s history
KUWAIT, Aug 19 (KUNA) — n1961 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed a decree to establish the Foreign Affairs Department, appointing Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah as the first head of this department. n1995 — First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inaugurated the Aqua Park, adjacent to Kuwait Towers. n1996 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a law for establishing the Telecommunications Company. n1998 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree appointing Mohammad Al-Ojairi as board chairman of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) and its general director with an Undersecretary’s rank. n2003 — Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree establishing a panel to manage municipal affairs as of the expiry of the Municipal Council’s mandate. The panel was tasked to serve for a year or until issuance of a new municipal law. n2006 — Religious scholar Ali Abdulatif Al-Jassar passed away at the age of 84. He served at Kuwait Television in 1961 and later worked at the radio station. n2009 — The Ministry of Health declared the first death due to infection with swine flu. It was the first fatality caused by the epidemic among citizens. n2013 — Kuwait celebrated the World Humanitarian Day by establishing a UN office for humanitarian affairs’ coordination in the country. n2014 — Boubyan Bank launched the first money withdrawal system from ATMs with civil ID cards. n2020 — The National Assembly approved bills stipulating amendments of some regulations for work in the private sector, domestic violence, publishing and next generations’ reserves. n2021 — Kuwait granted Tukiye six fire engines and equipment to help combat wildfires. n2024 — Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) announced that Manager of the Energy Efficiency Technologies Program at KISR Dr. Fotouh Al-Ragom was chosen by the American Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) as the 2024 Energy Managers Hall of Fame Inductee. (end) gta