KUWAIT: As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing, Zain organized a blood donation drive for its employees at the company’s headquarters in Shuwaikh. The initiative was held in collaboration with the Central Blood Bank and aligned with World Blood Donor Day, observed globally on June 14. This annual initiative reinforces Zain’s strong partnership with the Ministry of Health and its affiliated institutions, reflecting a shared goal to support Kuwait’s national healthcare system. By helping maintain a strategic supply of blood and its components, Zain contributes to the country’s medical readiness and underscores the vital role of private-public collaboration in advancing national priorities, particularly in health.

Zain employees donate blood during the company’s blood donation drive.

The campaign saw strong participation from Zain employees and management, who came together in a spirit of unity and responsibility. The drive was supervised by the Central Blood Bank’s medical team, which ensured adherence to all health and safety protocols. Through such engagement, Zain continues to foster a culture of giving and social contribution within the workplace. In addition to its humanitarian impact, the campaign highlighted the personal health benefits of regular blood donation. By promoting awareness around these benefits, Zain encourages employees to embrace healthy, community-focused habits and reinforces the company’s belief in individual responsibility as a driver of collective impact.

Zain considers this initiative a core part of its integrated corporate sustainability strategy, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is one of many efforts through which the company brings its brand promise of a Wonderful World to life, through action, impact, and meaningful partnerships that enhance quality of life in Kuwait. World Blood Donor Day was launched in 2004 by the World Health Organization and its international partners to raise awareness of the need for safe, regular blood donations and to honor voluntary donors whose contributions save lives every day.

KUWAIT: For the third day in a row, senior Kuwaiti officials have convened emergency meetings in response to the escalating conflict between Iran and the Zionist entity, assuring that essential services are secure and the country remains prepared for any scenario.

On Saturday evening, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chaired a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council at Bayan Palace, where senior ministers and security officials reviewed the latest regional developments and discussed Kuwait’s precautionary measures. “The council reviewed key regional developments and received briefings from ministers and top state officials on the preparedness of relevant agencies and the precautionary steps taken to confront all possible scenarios,” the government said in an official statement.

While officials have not disclosed details of the emergency plans, they emphasized that all government bodies are operating in coordination to ensure the continuity of services and the security of citizens and residents. “All entities are working to secure basic services, ensure the availability of all necessary supplies, and facilitate the continuity of public services, with the goal of preserving security and stability in the country,” the statement added.

Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila convens a meeting with undersecretaries to review the strategic stockpile of essential goods.

The heightened state of alert follows a dramatic surge in regional tensions. On Friday, the Zionist entity launched an unprecedented series of airstrikes on Iranian territory, targeting nuclear, military and civilian infrastructure. According to Iranian officials, the strikes have so far killed 128, including senior Revolutionary Guard commanders and children. Iran and the Zionist entity have exchanged strikes since then, with Iranian attacks killing 13 people in the Zionist entity. The escalation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could impact Gulf nations, including Kuwait.

In response, multiple Kuwaiti institutions have held emergency meetings to assess readiness. On Sunday, Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah convened a broad meeting with ministry undersecretaries to review the strategic stockpile of essential goods and assess the readiness of affiliated sectors. “The meeting focused on institutional readiness in light of current and potential challenges, and ways to enhance proactive planning to support Kuwait’s social safety net,” the ministry said. “Strategic inventory levels and future planning mechanisms were reviewed to ensure continued stability and responsiveness.”

The meeting follows a statement released by the minister on Sunday, in which she confirmed that the cooperative sector is closely monitoring the availability of goods in coordination with relevant government agencies. “The strategic stockpile is stable and goods are available to meet consumers’ needs without any obstacles,” she said.

On the environmental front, Acting Director-General of the Environment Public Authority Nouf Behbehani confirmed that Kuwait is “closely monitoring the environmental impacts of regional developments,” and that a comprehensive assessment is underway to detect and respond to any cross-border environmental risks.

Her remarks come amid international concern after Zionist airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. While no radiation leaks have been detected, global experts and agencies have warned of potential risks if the escalation continues. “The authority is coordinating with relevant official bodies and remains committed to providing accurate environmental information and taking appropriate measures as needed,” Behbehani said.

Similarly, the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources held an internal session to review its own contingency plans. Director-General Salem Al-Hai emphasized that all departments are “fully prepared to deal with any emergency” and highlighted the authority’s commitment to reinforcing national resilience in food security and agricultural services. Despite repeated official reassurances, the government has yet to publicly share the full scope of its emergency planning. However, the pace of back-to-back meetings and continuous public updates reflects a coordinated national effort to remain vigilant as the regional situation unfolds. — Agencies

KUWAIT: As Kuwait grapples with an intense heat wave pushing temperatures above 50°C, the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy has urged citizens and residents to actively conserve electricity to help maintain the stability of the country’s power grid and avoid potential scheduled outages. In a statement released Sunday, ministry spokesperson Fatima Jawhar Hayat emphasized the importance of public cooperation during this critical period. “We call on citizens and residents to cooperate and actively participate in conserving electricity consumption during this period to help ensure the continuity of vital services and avoid the need for operational measures such as scheduled power cuts,” she said.

Cuts used as last resort

The warning comes as meteorological authorities confirmed Kuwait remains under the influence of a seasonal Indian low-pressure system, bringing extremely hot air masses and causing temperatures to soar. Acting Director of the Meteorological Department Dhirar Al-Ali told KUNA on Sunday that temperatures reached 51°C in Rabiya and Jahra, and 50°C in Abdally and at Kuwait International Airport.

Al-Ali added that “the country is currently experiencing extremely hot daytime conditions and hot to warm nights,” with the heat expected to persist through Monday. He also forecast strong northwesterly winds later in the week, likely bringing dusty conditions and high sea waves.

With electricity demand expected to rise alongside the temperature, the ministry is closely monitoring conditions and may implement cuts measures if needed. Hayat explained that scheduled power cuts are an operational tool used “only in extreme cases, when necessary, to maintain the stability and efficiency of the country’s power grid.”

Conservation tips

As part of its conservation drive, the ministry published practical tips on its official Instagram account to help the public reduce consumption. They include avoiding the use of non-essential electrical appliances during peak hours between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. The ministry also recommended raising the thermostat temperature in unused rooms or areas, as air conditioning is the primary driver of electricity consumption during the summer months.

Hayat underscored the ministry’s commitment to transparency and its intention to notify the public of any decisions regarding load management or supply adjustments via official channels. “We urge everyone to rely on trustworthy sources for news and avoid spreading rumors or inaccurate information,” she added. She clarified that such measures are not a result of any damage to the electrical system or the current regional situation. “These measures are not new… they have been applied in previous years during periods of high temperatures and elevated power demand.” People in Kuwait are encouraged to stay updated through the official websites and social media accounts of the Meteorological Department and the ministry, as well as the government’s “Sahel” app. — KUNA