KUWAIT: Kuwait and Somalia took a significant step in deepening their bilateral ties on Tuesday by signing a series of agreements aimed at boosting cooperation across diplomatic, political, and training sectors.

The agreements include the establishment of a joint committee to oversee bilateral cooperation, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to hold regular bilateral consultations, and a cooperation pact between Kuwait’s Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute and Somalia’s Institute of Diplomacy and Training. These agreements are designed to formalize and expand collaboration between the two countries.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali are seen after signing a series of cooperation agreeements during Ali’s visit to Kuwait. — KUNA photos

The signings followed a high-level meeting between Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali during the Somali minister’s official visit to Kuwait. The ministers reviewed the close and longstanding relationship between their nations and discussed opportunities to enhance partnership in various fields.

Regional and international developments affecting both Kuwait and Somalia were also on the agenda, reflecting the two countries’ shared interest in stability and development within the Middle East and Horn of Africa regions. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also received the ministers at Bayan Palace. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Times Summer Program interns visited the National Investments Company (NIC) on Tuesday for an interactive session with the Marketing and Corporate Communications team. The program included an overview of NIC’s history and vision, followed by group activities to develop video concepts aligned with the company’s brand and produce content using NIC’s in-house studio facilities.

Interns also received practical guidance on building a social media brand voice and writing effective press releases. The visit provided participants with hands-on experience in corporate communications, offering insight into the fast-paced media and investment landscape. Now in its fourth edition, the Kuwait Times Summer Program continues to connect young talents with leading institutions, supporting career development and expanding professional networks.

KUWAIT/AMMAN: A second plane carrying humanitarian aid from Kuwait has arrived at Marka Military Airport in Jordan, bringing 10 tons of essential food supplies for the Gaza Strip. The aid flight departed from Abdullah Al-Mubarak Airbase in Kuwait and was organized by the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society in coordination with Kuwait’s Ministries of Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, with support from the Kuwaiti Air Force.

This follows Kuwait’s first relief flight to Gaza on Sunday, which delivered 10 tons of food supplies as part of a new airlift campaign aimed at easing the severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. That flight headed to Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt, where aid will be transferred safely into Gaza.

Khaled Al-Mughamis, chairman of the Kuwaiti Red Crescent, told KUNA before the second flight that the airlift reflected Kuwait’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian support. He said:

“Launching this second aid flight from the second Kuwaiti humanitarian airlift for our Palestinian brothers reflects Kuwait’s deeply rooted humanitarian approach — leadership, government, and people alike — in supporting afflicted peoples and easing their suffering.”

The shipment was prepared with supplies from the Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company to ensure quality, he added. Officials are working closely with the Kuwaiti embassy in Jordan, the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organization, and the Palestinian Red Crescent to prioritize aid distribution according to need. Arrangements are underway for further flights as part of Kuwait’s second humanitarian airlift to Gaza, said Al-Mughamis, who thanked donors and official bodies for facilitating and expediting the aid.

“The ‘Fazaa for Gaza’ campaign embodies what the people of Kuwait — leaders and citizens — have been built upon: standing firmly with our brothers and sisters, inspired by Kuwait’s historic role as a regional and global center for humanitarian work,” he said.

Kuwait’s campaign comes as Gaza faces catastrophic conditions. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 61,599 Palestinians have been killed in the Zionist entity’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023. This includes 227 who died from starvation — 103 of them children. The ministry also noted that 31 Palestinians were killed and over 388 injured while trying to get humanitarian aid in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed while seeking aid to 1,838, with over 13,409 others wounded since May 27.

Earlier this week, Kuwait’s Ministry of Social Affairs announced that a nationwide donation campaign had raised KD 11.5 million. Funds are being used to purchase food and other essentials through the Kuwait Flour Mills Company, with the Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society overseeing procurement. — Agencies