KUWAIT: With each new school year, the “marathon of preparing lunchboxes,” as Ola Hamed, a 36-year-old working mother of two, calls it, kicks off in full swing. “The first weeks, I promise myself to create the perfect lunchbox every day,” said the Egyptian mother. But by mid-year, the promise fades, replaced with one simple hope, that her boys, now in grades four and seven, eat something — anything — to keep them going. For Hamed, the process is more mentally exhausting than physical, requiring constant communication and trial and error. Her most frustrating moments come when they return home with their lunches untouched, triggering a wave of questions: Did they stop liking this food? Was it too repetitive? Did I fail in preparing it?

Instead of guessing in silence, Hamed has created a weekly ritual she calls the “lunchbox meeting.” Every Saturday, she sits with her sons to review what food choices worked and what didn’t. She even takes them grocery shopping before school starts, letting them pick their own items while steering them toward healthier swaps. “My parents never asked us about the lunchbox, that’s why I try to make my kids feel involved,” she said.

For some mothers, the daily lunchbox routine is far less complicated. Indian housewife Sadaf Shakir has been preparing them for nearly 15 years and says she has never grown tired of it. The reason she explained is that her children aren’t picky eaters. “They eat everything happily. If they weren’t finishing their lunch, maybe I would have stopped long ago. But because they enjoy it, I enjoy making it.”

The only thing she admitted that her children dislike is strong-smelling food, like tuna, fish, or kebabs. “They feel awkward opening the lunchbox in front of their friends. So I stick to foods that are odorless, or mild, like omelette sandwiches, cheese, or even frozen chicken burgers that don’t smell much,” she added. Their flexibility motivates her to go the extra mile, often baking the food herself — French toast, muffins, or pancakes, all made fresh at home. At one point, she was even preparing lunchboxes for five children at once. “It only takes me about half an hour,” she said. “Alhamdulillah, after so many years, I’ve become fast.”

In Turkish culture, explained Gunes Ekin Kaya, 39, it’s common for mothers to pack leftovers from dinner into lunchboxes. “It’s about convenience. Housewives might prepare elaborate lunchboxes to impress the teachers but working mothers like me keep it simple. Still, breakfast is sacred in Turkey — without it, the day isn’t complete.” With a daughter just four and a half years old, who only has one snack break at school, Rachel keeps things minimal. She often relies on frozen Turkish foods like borek or meatballs, quickly cooked in the air fryer, paired with milk, yogurt, or fruits such as apples and blueberries.

Sometimes, leftover salad from dinner goes in too. For her, the priority is knowing exactly what her daughter eats. “I prefer preparing the lunchbox myself rather than relying on nurseries that provide meals. It’s not about being creative with funny faces on the plate — she’s not a picky eater, she eats everything.” For Ammu Rachel John, another Indian mother, the struggle is less about food and more about time. Her workday starts at 6:30 a.m., so her helper handles most of the cooking. Breakfast might be dosa, idli, or pancakes, while lunch is always built around rice.

“Rice is non-negotiable — it has to be there,” she said with a smile. Her focus is practicality. “It’s about what’s quick, and what they’ll actually eat.” Hamed, however, tries to strike a balance between nutrition and flexibility. Grapes, apples, and yogurt are staples, often paired with something sweet and filling — maybe a croissant, a slice of cake, or on rare occasions, a “cheat meal” like a burger or nuggets. “Juice is a must,” she said. “Croissants, cupcakes, or juice may not be the healthiest, but I add them so the lunchbox doesn’t feel depressing.”

The Saturday meetings also give her insights she never expected. Her sons once announced they no longer wanted the edges of toast. She switched the bread. Another time, they begged for chips because their friends had them. The compromise: a small handful, not a bag. “Sometimes their requests surprise me,” she said, recalling the day they asked for Activia milk. “I had no idea they even knew what it was. But we added it in.” And so the marathon continues, one mother adjusting, another enjoying, each weaving culture, convenience, and love into the daily ritual of a small plastic box.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Center for Media Development concluded on Thursday its 20th foundational training program for new journalists, which began on September 7. The program was delivered by a group of specialized lecturers and covered a wide range of key topics in journalism, including news editing, language skills, artificial intelligence applications and media photography.

The sessions addressed the fundamentals of writing and editing news, focusing on news types, characteristics, sources, and formats, as well as techniques for crafting effective press releases and headlines. Another component tackled “Linguistic Skills for Media Professionals,” highlighting grammar, summarization, editorial style and common writing pitfalls.

Participants were also introduced to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence applications in news creation, image production and content development. A module on photography and video emphasized the principles of lighting, camera angles and lens effects. Separately, the center also concluded a specialized training program on “News Writing” in English, with participants from KUNA, Qatar News Agency (QNA), and Kuwait’s Public Authority for Sports.

Some of the participants are pictured in the photo.

The course, led by Morteza Mollaei, professor of translation at the American University of Kuwait, explored news formulation in both local and international contexts, challenges in editing, ethical considerations in reporting, and techniques for writing specialized and general news.

Mollaei underlined the pivotal role of translation in media, noting that differences between Arabic and English require specialized training to ensure accuracy and professionalism. He said the course combined theoretical and practical approaches to maximize the benefit for participants. He added that such programs play a vital role in raising the standards of media professionals, particularly in drafting press releases and news stories in both Arabic and English, ultimately enhancing the clarity and professionalism of the media message.

Established in December 1995, the KUNA Center for Media Development is regarded as one of the region’s leading media training hubs, having conducted hundreds of programs to enhance professional competencies and strengthen media performance. — KUNA

By Marwan Hafez

KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Samih Hayat affirmed Wednesday that Kuwait–China relations are undergoing a significant transformation, propelled by agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two governments and now being actively implemented. Speaking on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kuwait to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the republic, Hayat noted that Kuwait has taken high-level steps under the directives of its leadership.

A ministerial committee chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait and composed of six ministers, has been formed to follow up on the execution of agreements signed with China. He explained that the projects underway include “large-scale and developmental” initiatives such as the completion of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port, renewable energy ventures like Abdaliya and Shagaya, in addition to projects in sanitation, waste management, housing and labor cities. These, he said, represent a new and unique model of direct government-to-government cooperation.

Hayat further emphasized that China has been Kuwait’s top trading partner for eight consecutive years, highlighting Kuwait’s strong trust in China’s wisdom and active role in international forums, including the UN Security Council, particularly in efforts to safeguard regional stability and address global challenges such as climate change. “The successful execution of current projects will open new horizons for future initiatives that will further strengthen bilateral ties and serve the mutual interests of both countries,” he added.

Liu Xiang delivers a keynote speech.

Samih Hayat speaking to the press on the sideline of the event.

Delivering the keynote address at the event, Liu Xiang, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait, praised the historic depth of Kuwait-China relations, calling them the strongest in their history. He recalled that Kuwait was the first Arab Gulf country to establish diplomatic ties with China, describing the relationship as a model of strategic cooperation. Liu highlighted major joint projects — from Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port to renewable energy and housing initiatives — as tangible examples of this partnership. He also underscored the importance of cultural exchange, noting Kuwait’s preparations to inaugurate the Chinese Cultural Center next month.

“China will remain a trustworthy partner and a sincere friend to Kuwait in its path toward achieving Vision 2035,” Liu said, while expressing gratitude to all friends of China who have contributed to advancing bilateral relations. He went on to reflect on China’s achievements since its founding, including becoming the world’s second-largest economy, the largest industrial nation, and a leader in foreign exchange reserves. Liu also noted that China has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, representing 75 percent of global poverty reduction in recent decades.

The envoy reaffirmed China’s commitment to peaceful development and building “a community with a shared future for mankind.” He highlighted Beijing’s continued support for the Palestinian cause, including calls for an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution in line with UN resolutions. Liu concluded by outlining President Xi Jinping’s global initiatives — the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative — which, he said, have received wide international recognition and contributed to global stability and cooperation.