KUWAIT: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) said the number of the unemployed citizens according to the latest statistics reached 14,828, with between 8,000 and 9,000 holding intermediate and elementary school certificates. CSC argued that many of those registered in the employment system have very old data, adding that they were contacted several times to renew their data, and in case they do not do so, their applications will be frozen. Meanwhile, it added that many applicants were interviewed but they did not wish to join jobs in the oil sector for many reasons, including the worksites being in remote areas.

Suspects fight
Two suspects facing drug trafficking charges were involved in a fight inside the holding cell during a court hearing yesterday. The fight began when the judge read the charges, followed by prosecutors' demands for stiff punishment against them. The suspects each accused the other. Separately, the cassation court sentenced a Saudi man to three years in jail followed by deportation for blackmailing a Kuwaiti citizen and forging indecent pictures of him. In other news, Nuwaiseeb customs officers foiled an attempt to smuggle 130 kg of betel leaves hidden in vehicle decorations.