KUWAIT:  Kuwait’s Cabinet has recalled with resentment the Iraqi occupation of the country on 2nd August 1990, and expressed pride of the national heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend their homeland.

The Cabinet, in its weekly meeting held Tuesday at Bayan Palace and headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, highly appreciated the unforgettable roles of the late Amirs; Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in ending the Iraqi occupation and fully liberate Kuwait.

The Cabinet remembered with admiration the Kuwaiti people’s unity, steadfastness and heroic sacrifices to repel the enemies and defend their dear homeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Al-Mousherji said in a statement after the meeting.It recalled with pride the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their country’s liberation. The Cabinet thanked all friendly countries, which participated in the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi occupation. — KUNA

AMMAN: Kuwait’s pavilion at the 39th Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts in Jordan is offering visitors an immersive experience into the country’s diverse cultural heritage, from handmade crafts to iconic literary works. Set within the festival’s Embassy Exhibition, the Kuwaiti pavilion brings together traditional artisanship, interactive displays, and a glimpse into the country’s famous “diwaniya” social space. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of shipbuilding and bisht weaving—crafts passed down through generations—as well as sample Kuwaiti cuisine and browse a wide selection of free publications.

“Our participation aims to highlight key Kuwaiti cultural publications, which are a fundamental pillar of Kuwait’s cultural scene,” said Dalal Al-Fadhli, Director of Culture at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). She added that the pavilion recreates the authentic atmosphere of a Kuwaiti diwaniya and introduces visitors to traditional crafts like shipbuilding and bisht tailoring.

The pavilion features an array of magazines and books covering both Kuwaiti and Arab culture, including well-known titles such as Al-Arabi, Al-Arabi Al-Sagheer, Aalam Al-Ma’rifa, and Aalam Al-Fikr. “We’ve seen strong engagement from festivalgoers,” Al-Fadhli told KUNA. “They’re enjoying hands-on experiences with the artisans, the diwaniya setting, and the popular dishes, along with the cultural material we offer for free.”

Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh (center left) is gifted a Kuwaiti bisht by Kuwaiti officials, including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar (center right).

Dalal Al-Fadhli

Artisan Hussein Al-Bazzaz, head of the Kuwaiti Craftsmen Association, has been leading live demonstrations of traditional dhow-building and offering brief lessons on the history of boom ships—vessels that once symbolized Kuwait’s maritime legacy. “Craftsmanship is an essential part of our heritage,” Al-Bazzaz said. “The ships I build today are based on the same techniques passed down from my ancestors.”

Suleiman Al-Suleiman has conducted workshops on bisht making, the traditional robe worn across the Gulf. “I’m the third generation in my family to carry this craft,” he said, adding that despite his academic job, his passion for the bisht tradition remains strong. “Visitors are fascinated by how the bisht is handmade, the materials we use, and how the craft has evolved.”

The embassy exhibition was inaugurated Thursday by Jordanian Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh, alongside Kuwaiti officials including NCCAL Secretary-General Dr Mohammad Al-Jassar, and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Jordan, Hamad Al-Merri. Al-Fadli praised Jordan’s efforts in organizing one of the Arab world’s most prominent cultural festivals and thanked the embassy exhibition team for their support and hospitality. — KUNA

MUSCAT: Duqm Refinery has successfully exported more than 19 million tons of refined petroleum products to global markets, the refinery’s CEO announced on Monday, marking a major milestone for the Kuwaiti-Omani joint initiative.

Kuwaiti engineer Abdullah Al-Ajmi, CEO of Duqm Refinery, said the refinery has also shipped over 304,388 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 50,000 tons of petroleum coke per shipment, highlighting the refinery’s growing role in global energy supply chains.

The announcement came in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) as the refinery celebrated its 500th oil product shipment, a milestone Al-Ajmi described as a reflection of the refinery’s “accelerated progress” and its position as a strategic hub in global energy logistics.

“Duqm continues to set new benchmarks in operational excellence,” said Al-Ajmi, noting that the refinery has achieved loading rates of 130,000 barrels per hour across five berths operating simultaneously, a feat that demonstrates “advanced performance and operational precision.” He added that the refinery has proven its logistical efficiency by handling vessels of various sizes—from small tankers to large LR2-class ships—and completing each petroleum coke shipment in under 120 hours.

MUSCAT: Workers are seen at the Duqm Refinery, the largest joint investment project between Kuwait and Oman.

Abdullah Al-Ajmi, CEO of Duqm Refinery.

Now fully operational for over two years, the refinery has also integrated night-time crude oil offloading into its daily operations, enhancing its capacity to offer round-the-clock logistical services. Al-Ajmi said Duqm Refinery is now working to diversify its exports, including preparations to ramp up sulfur shipments as part of a broader strategy to expand its product portfolio and meet global market demands with “flexibility and innovation.” “This rapid achievement reinforces Duqm’s standing as a strategic development anchor and a trusted global supply chain partner,” he said, describing the refinery as one of the world’s newest and most efficient.

Located in southern Oman, Duqm Refinery is the largest joint investment project between Kuwait and Oman, co-owned by OQ, Oman’s energy company, and Kuwait Petroleum International. With an estimated investment of $9 billion, the project aims to add high-value refined products to the international energy market. The facility was officially inaugurated in February 2024 under the patronage of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman. — KUNA