Kuwait city: The Kuwaiti government convened to discuss several pressing matters, notably marking the second anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah taking office. The meeting underscored the significance of this milestone in the nation's governance.
According to Kuwait News Agency, during this session, the Kuwaiti cabinet made the decision to suspend work at government bodies and entities on Thursday, January 1, 2026. This move is aimed at allowing citizens to partake in the New Year celebrations. Additionally, Kuwait Airways issued an alert to passengers about the potential rescheduling of flights from Thursday evening until Friday evening due to unstable weather conditions impacting the country.
In related regional news, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa honored Kuwaiti poet Bader Bouresli with the Order of Bahrain for his contributions to Bahraini national songs. This accolade highlights the cultural ties between the two nations and the poet's impact on the arts.
Further cooperation between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia was strengthened as Kuwait's Public Authority for Industry and the Saudi Export Development Authority signed a memorandum of understanding. This agreement aims to jointly enhance the non-oil exports of both countries, showcasing their commitment to economic collaboration.
Security concerns also featured prominently in the meeting's agenda, as the Ministry of Interior reported the seizure of 10 tanker trucks in the Khuwaisat area of northern Al-Jahra governorate, indicating ongoing efforts to maintain law and order.
On the international front, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported that WHO documented 65 attacks on health facilities in Sudan in 2025. These attacks resulted in over 1,600 deaths and 276 injuries, raising global health security concerns.
In the United States, senators voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a significant measure to repeal the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act sanctions on Syria, marking a shift in US policy.