Kuwait stands with Egypt

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s foreign ministry expressed solidarity with Egypt and condemned remarks by the Zionist prime minister, accusing him of trying to distract from crimes committed by Zionist forces against Palestinians. The ministry said the Zionist entity is attempting to undermine mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the US to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. — KUNA

Saudi scraps hotel license fees

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia decided on Wednesday to cancel fees for issuing commercial activity licenses for hotels, hotel apartments and residential resorts in the kingdom, state news agency SPA reported. It added the initiative would encourage investors to put more money into the tourism sector, which would increase the industry’s contribution to GDP. – Reuters

Thunberg arrested at demo

COPENHAGEN: Climate activist Greta Thunberg, wearing a keffiyeh, and several others were arrested Wednesday after occupying a University of Copenhagen building to call for an academic boycott of Zionist universities, Danish media reported. Thunberg has increasingly taken up the Palestinian cause and said in May such protests “should be everywhere”. — AFP

Cholera deaths surge 70%

GENEVA: The number of cholera cases and deaths rose sharply last year, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, calling for more to be done to stem the preventable disease. Deaths from cholera soared by 71 percent while cases rose 13 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to new data from the UN agency. – AFP