KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Cabinet on Tuesday praised the regional and international efforts made by brotherly and friendly countries, which culminated in the signing of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. The announcement came during the Cabinet’s weekly meeting, held at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Following the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs stated that the Cabinet was briefed on the official delegation accompanying His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during his fraternal visit to the Sultanate of Oman. The delegation includes the Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Director General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority Sheikh Dr Meshal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director of the Amir’s Office Lieutenant General (Retired) Jamal Mohammed Al-Theyab, Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, and Managing Director of the Public Investment Authority Sheikh Saud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah.

The Cabinet also reviewed the outcomes of the fraternal visit last Wednesday by UAE President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and his accompanying delegation to Kuwait, highlighting the depth of historical ties between the two countries and the importance of strengthening cooperation across various sectors. The visit underscored the need to continue international efforts to recognize the Palestinian state and fulfill the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Furthermore, the Cabinet was briefed on His Highness the Amir’s participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on Monday, during which the end of the war in the Gaza Strip was declared, ending the humanitarian crisis faced by the Palestinian people. His Highness commended the regional and international efforts that led to the ceasefire and reaffirmed Kuwait’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people in achieving their legitimate right to an independent state.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah briefed the Cabinet on his official visits to Washington and Lyon, highlighting meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott to discuss bilateral cooperation. He also discussed his meetings with Interpol President Major General Dr Ahmed Al-Raisi on combating organized crime and international smuggling.

Minister of Oil and Chairman of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Tareq Al-Roumi updated the Cabinet on KOC’s new exploratory achievement in Kuwait’s maritime region, the discovery of the Jazza Marine Field of natural gas. His Highness the Prime Minister lauded this milestone, emphasizing the technical expertise and professional competence of national cadres. In addition, the Cabinet approved a draft decree-law to issue a law protecting missing persons and another draft decree-law to combat international crimes, forwarding both to His Highness the Amir for ratification. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) will hold a high-level dialogue seminar on Wednesday under the title “KUNA Dialogue,” as part of the activities marking Kuwait’s designation as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media 2025. Speakers include Al-Qabas Editor-in-Chief Walid Al-Nisf, Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Dr M Ziad Al-Alyan, Kuwaiti Journalists Association President Adnan Al-Rashed and Al-Jarida Editor-in-Chief Nasser Al-Otaibi.

In a press statement Tuesday, KUNA said the event will bring together prominent thinkers, opinion leaders and media professionals from Kuwait and across the Arab region. The initiative, the agency noted, reflects its national mission and commitment to responsible media, as well as its belief in the importance of strategic integration across media platforms.

KUNA stated that its role has expanded beyond traditional news dissemination to support a comprehensive national media message. The selection of Kuwait as Capital of Arab Culture and Media for 2025, it added, affirms the country’s pioneering cultural, intellectual and media contributions, highlighting Kuwait as a regional beacon of creativity that has long upheld responsible freedom and fostered broad horizons for cultural and media innovation.

The agency emphasized that the designation also reflects the strong support of the country’s leadership for media, culture and the arts. It said the “KUNA Dialogue” will serve as a forum to review Kuwait’s media journey over the decades in light of current challenges, particularly the digital revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence in media production.

The program includes three discussion sessions. The first, titled “Official Media Between Past and Present,” will address the role of KUNA and other news agencies in supporting national media, the evolution of Kuwait Radio from its founding to the digital era, and Kuwait TV’s role in shaping the national image. Speakers include former KUNA Deputy Director General for Editorial Affairs Saad Al-Ali, Al-Rai Editor-in-Chief Waleed Al-Jassem, Kuwait Radio Programs Director Dr Yousef Al-Suraye, and Kuwait TV Cultural and Religious Programs Director Bader Al-Dai.

The second session, “Journalism and New Media,” will explore the state of print journalism amid digital transformation, the role of electronic and social media as news platforms, and the ethical and professional challenges facing journalists today. Panelists include Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA) Secretary General Dr Farid Ayar, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) Director General Abdullah Buhaji, Jordan News Agency (Petra) Board Chairman Nabil Gheishan, and former Petra Director General Ramadan Al-Rawashdeh.

The third session, titled “Integration of Media Roles,” will focus on cooperation among KUNA, radio, television and the press in conveying accurate information, the press’ role in national media and reinforcing Kuwaiti identity, and a forward-looking vision for Kuwaiti media in 2030. — KUNA

KUWAIT: 1900: A French vessel visited Kuwait during rule of the seventh ruler Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah. An officer on the ship took photos considered to be the first taken of Kuwait.

1967:  Kuwait Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah signed a decree supporting Arab countries directly affected by the Israeli aggression and occupation, with KD 55 million.

1968: Kuwait Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed a decree to establish a Military College. Studies began on November 2 with the first batch of officers graduating in May 1970.

1969: Kuwait Police Academy received its first group of cadets.

1972:  Kuwait Blind Association was established.

1993: Former Board Chairman of Kuwait Blind Association Hamad Al-Humaidi passed away at the age of 76. Al-Humaidi held a diploma from Cairo in the teaching of the blind.

2013: Oqab Mohammad Al-Khatib, a pioneer of the educational and theater movement in Kuwait, passed away at the age of 92.

2017: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and Mali signed a KD 9.5 million-loan agreement to fund a water project in the West African country.

2021: Historian and media figure Saif Marzouq Al-Shamlan passed away at the age of 94.2021 — Kuwaiti director and pioneer of the country’s cinema movement Khaled Al-Seddiq Bastaki died at the age of 76 after an extensive career in production, cinema and television, namely the film “Bas Ya Bahar” in 1972.

2024: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center signed a grant worth USD seven million to contribute to the cancer treatment of Syrian refugees in the Kingdom of Jordan. — KUNA