AGP Executive Report

Kuwait Arts & Film: Direct Tales Media and Acting Unleashed teamed up for a storytelling night blending live theatre with filmmaker and performer talks, spotlighting how stage work builds confidence and authentic expression. Local Sports (Volleyball): The Kuwait Volleyball Federation approved new working committees ahead of the 2026–2027 season, while the national team is in Cairo for an intensive camp and friendly matches as it gears up for the West Asia Championship in Oman. Handball (Coaching): Kuwaiti coach Walid Al-Anzi was selected by Montenegro to join the youth handball technical staff as a fitness and conditioning coach for U18 and U20. YouTube for Families: YouTube rolled out supervised kid accounts across MENA, including Kuwait, adding age-appropriate settings and stronger privacy controls plus Shorts viewing timers. Education Achievement: Kuwait announced Grade 12 exam results, with three students scoring 100% despite the shift to online classes during the second semester. Patriotism Through Art: An exhibition at 360 Mall, “Our Father Meshal Said,” turned teachers’ interpretations of Amir Meshal’s quotes into national-themed artworks. Media & Business (Global): YouTube’s move and Paramount-Warner merger updates also drew attention, with Kuwait among countries that have cleared the deal.

Kuwait Education & Youth: Kuwait’s Ministry of Education announced Grade 12 results for 2025/2026, with three Kuwaiti students scoring 100% despite the shift to online learning after Iranian attacks. Kuwait Sports: The Kuwait men’s volleyball team has started an intensive training camp in Cairo ahead of the West Asia Championship in Oman (July 11–22), with daily sessions and friendlies to lock in tactics. Qadsia Handball: Ahmed Al-Raddaan pledged 30,000 Kuwaiti dinars to back a new investment initiative for Qadsia’s handball program, aiming to rebuild the team through a more professional structure. Local Arts: The art exhibition “Our Father Meshal Said” opened at 360 Mall, featuring teachers’ works inspired by Amir Meshal’s quotations to promote national unity and loyalty. Regional Entertainment & Tech: Zain was awarded a 25-year telecom license in Syria worth $747 million, with a planned Q1 2027 launch after a six-month transition. Digital Safety Debate: Kuwait experts are debating whether to follow the UAE’s move to ban social media for under-15s, weighing child protection against the benefits of online learning and creativity. Global Football Politics: FIFA’s handling of Israel-related disputes continues to spark controversy, with critics arguing the World Cup message “Football Unites the World” rings hollow.

Kuwait Arts & Education: Hawally and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Sheikh Sabah Bader Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah inaugurated the “Our Father Meshal Said” art exhibition at 360 Mall, featuring teachers’ works inspired by Amir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s messages. Kuwait Sports Prep: The Kuwait men’s volleyball team has started an intensive training camp in Cairo ahead of the West Asia Championship in Oman (July 11–22), with two daily sessions and friendly matches. Qadsia Handball Investment: Businessman Ahmed Al-Raddaan pledged KD 30,000 to back Fahd Al-Bakr’s initiative to invest in and rebuild Qadsia’s handball program. Local Football Celebration: Zain honored the 2025–2026 Dawri Zain Premier League stars at its Excellence Awards ceremony. Lifestyle & Hospitality: Ray by Cloud 7 opened in Mangaf, offering coastal stays, dining, wellness, and family activities. Design & Fashion Crossover: RAK Ceramics signed a licensing deal with Roberto Cavalli to produce branded tiles, sanitaryware and faucets across Kuwait and the region. Tech & Kids Safety: Kuwait experts are debating whether to follow the UAE’s move to ban social media for under-15s, weighing risks against benefits.

Kuwait & Gulf Entertainment: Ray by Cloud 7 has officially opened in Mangaf, Kuwait—an upscale waterfront lifestyle stay with 59 rooms, wellness and fitness sessions, kids cooking classes, and sea adventures from Al Kout Marina. Arts & Media: Stan Lee: The Final Chapter, a documentary on the comic legend’s final years, is set to debut on VOD from July 28 across major platforms including Apple, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies & TV, and Fandango. Fashion & Lifestyle: RAK Ceramics has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Roberto Cavalli to produce and distribute Cavalli-branded tiles, sanitaryware and faucets across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and more, with an unveiling planned for Cersaie 2026. Sports & Culture: Kuwait is listed among teams in the West Asia Volleyball Championship draw, while Qatar Olympic Committee chief Sheikh Joaan met Kuwait’s ambassador to discuss sports and Olympic cooperation. Tech & Streaming: V and Screenomic launched free premium TV channels across 10 MENA markets, including Kuwait, expanding Arabic connected-TV content.

Fashion x Lifestyle: RAK Ceramics has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Roberto Cavalli to manufacture and distribute Cavalli-branded ceramic tiles, sanitaryware and faucets across the UAE, Saudi, Kuwait and more, with an official unveiling planned at Cersaie 2026 in September. Streaming & Pop Culture: “Stan Lee: The Final Chapter” lands on VOD from July 28, with never-before-seen footage on Lee’s last years, available to rent or buy on major platforms. Connected TV in Kuwait: V and Screenomic launched free premium TV channels across 10 MENA markets, including Kuwait, adding 30+ Arabic entertainment, news, sports and kids channels on VIDAA. Arts & Tech: A feature on how AI is reshaping art-making, from ambitious installations to new creative workflows. Sports Diplomacy: Sheikh Joaan met Kuwait’s ambassador and Australia’s ambassador in Qatar to discuss sports partnerships and Olympic cooperation. Local Sports: Kuwait’s U-18 basketball team heads to Cairo for a 15-day camp ahead of the Gulf Championship qualifier in Doha. Entertainment Calendar: Dubai Summer Surprises returns July 2–Aug 30 with big retail deals, concerts and family events.

Kuwait & GCC Sports: Kuwait’s West Asia Men’s Volleyball Championship draw puts the national team in Group A with Qatar and Syria, with the tournament in Muscat (July 11–22) and a Cairo training camp already underway. Para Sports Spotlight: Al-Irada Club won the 2026–2027 Para Table Tennis Clubs Championship with 11 medals (3 gold), finishing ahead of Al-Warba and Kuwait Disabled Sports Club. Youth Basketball: Kuwait U-18 heads to Cairo for a 15-day camp ahead of the Gulf Championship qualifier in Doha (July 17–22). Arts & Culture / Travel: Belgium’s ambassador in Kuwait promoted Belgian tourism, highlighting Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, plus festivals like Tomorrowland and plans for direct Kuwait–Belgium flights. Entertainment / Lifestyle: BTS’s Jungkook is reported to have bought a new home in Itaewon, South Korea. Travel Practicality: UK travel rules for Kuwaitis: many can use the cheaper ETA for up to 6 months (Wimbledon included), while others need a Standard Visitor visa.

Kuwait Sports Spotlight: Kuwait’s men’s volleyball team has been drawn into Group A with Qatar and Syria for the West Asia Championship in Muscat (July 11–22), with the squad already in a Cairo training camp ahead of the Gulf Championship qualifier. Youth Basketball: Kuwait’s U-18 team is also heading to Cairo for a 15-day camp as it builds toward the Gulf Championship in Doha (July 17–22). Para Table Tennis: Al-Irada Club took overall glory in the first combined Para Table Tennis Clubs Championship, finishing top on 11 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze). Local School Celebrations: Kuwait’s high school students wrapped up final exams across arts and science streams, with families waiting outside schools to celebrate graduation moments. Global Entertainment & Culture: Dubai Calendar unveiled its July 2026 events lineup, including Dubai Summer Surprises and World Cup fan zones.

Middle East Diplomacy: The U.S. and Iran have reportedly agreed to stop mutual strikes and “stand down for now,” with technical talks continuing as they plan emergency negotiations in Doha on Tuesday over the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf Tensions in the Spotlight: The pause comes after a weekend of tit-for-tat attacks, including Iran drone and missile strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait following U.S. airstrikes, while both sides accuse each other of breaching a June 17 memorandum. Shipping & Cost Pressure: With Hormuz traffic disrupted during the escalation, fuel prices and holiday travel costs are taking a hit—one report links the wider conflict to higher pump prices and warns this Fourth of July could see some of the priciest gas on record. Local Kuwait Angle: Kuwait’s air defenses were reported responding to “hostile” missiles and drones during the latest round, keeping the crisis close to home.

Gulf Security: Iran launched fresh drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait after new U.S. strikes, with Tehran warning it could impose a “complete halt” to talks and insisting it controls the Strait of Hormuz. Kuwait’s armed forces said they intercepted “hostile” ballistic missiles, while Bahrain reported intercepts and damage to a building near the airport—raising fears the fragile interim deal is slipping. Sports (Local): Kuwait’s men’s volleyball team is heading to Cairo for a training camp ahead of the West Asia Championship in Oman (July 11–22), with the squad and full technical staff named for the final preparations. Youth & Sports Reform (Local): Kuwait’s Cabinet approved merging the Public Authority for Youth with the Public Authority for Sport into a single General Authority for Youth and Sport, aiming to cut overlap and link youth programs with sports projects.

Gulf Security: Iran and the U.S. traded fresh strikes as the fragile interim ceasefire frays, with Iran launching missiles and drones toward U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain after U.S. attacks on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz. Local Impact: Kuwait’s air defences reportedly intercepted hostile missiles and drones, while Bahrain said sirens sounded and a residential building in Muharraq was damaged with no deaths. Ceasefire Fallout: Trump warned the U.S. could “militarily complete the job” and said Iran “will no longer exist” if fighting resumes, while Iran’s IRGC vowed a “crushing response” and threatened to halt diplomatic processes. Sports Spotlight (Kuwait): Somali referee Omar Artan arrived in Kuwait to officiate a top-flight league match between Kuwait SC and Al-Qadsiya on June 29. Tech & Lifestyle (Kuwait): L’Oréal Middle East launched LOREALISTAR, a GCC creator loyalty platform, and Lulu Hypermarkets kicked off its “Let’s Connect” tech promotion in Kuwait. Health & Parenting: Kuwait experts warned excessive screen time is linked to children’s vision, sleep, and behavioral issues.

Para Sports Spotlight: Kuwait’s Para Table Tennis Championship (2026-27 season) kicks off today at 5pm at the Kuwait Sports Club for the Disabled in Hawalli, with 30+ athletes from five clubs competing under ITTF rules. Health & Parenting: Experts in Kuwait warn that heavy screen time is linked to kids’ vision strain, dry eyes, sleep disruption and behavioral issues, urging the 20-20-20 rule and more outdoor play. Sports Diplomacy: The Kuwait Volleyball Federation welcomed Argentina’s ambassador, highlighting technical cooperation as Kuwait’s national team is coached by an Argentine staff. Club Business Move: Qadsia handball could shift toward a new independent commercial model, with Fahad Al-Baker expected to pitch the plan to the board on Sunday after the senior team was disbanded. Tech for Families: Lulu Hypermarkets launches “Let’s Connect” (with Motorola) across Kuwait from June 25 to July 10, featuring major deals and hands-on tech demos. Regional Tensions: Gulf states, including Kuwait, condemned Iran’s drone attack on Bahrain amid a fragile US-Iran ceasefire and rising security concerns. Arts & Culture (Kuwait): A Kuwaiti illustrator is spotlighting local heritage through graphic storytelling, while collectors keep Kuwait’s misbah tradition alive as both faith and craft. Entertainment Buzz: GTA 6’s November 19 release date is locked in, and Kuwait is among the countries where pre-orders are restricted.

UAE Live Music Roundup: The UAE’s concert season is ramping up with rescheduled shows and fresh announcements, including Andrea Bocelli in Abu Dhabi and Offlimits Music Festival returning in November with Shakira and the Jonas Brothers, plus Dubai dates for artists like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Kuwait Arts & Community: A local mosaic artist is continuing work on a greenbelt mosaic in Garden City, turning broken treasures and hidden memorabilia into a roughly 90-foot public artwork along the Boise River Greenbelt. Food Culture Loss: Katsuya Uechi, the pioneering LA sushi chef behind Katsuya and the spicy tuna crispy rice hit, has died at 67. Kuwait Sports: Kuwait’s U-16 and U-23 athletics teams wrapped up the Arab Athletics Championships in Egypt with 12 medals total. Tech & Entertainment: GTA 6 is set for Nov 19, 2026, and Kuwait is among the countries where pre-orders are blocked. Retail & Lifestyle: LuLu Hypermarket Kuwait launched its 25th anniversary promotions with discounts up to 50% and a major “Let’s Connect” tech campaign.

Gulf Tensions & Shipping: Trump accused Iran of “foolish” ceasefire violations after it fired at least four attack drones at ships in the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman backed the US-Iran memorandum and said future strait arrangements won’t include transit fees. Kuwait Sports: Kuwait’s U-16 and U-23 athletes wrapped up the Arab Athletics Championships in Egypt with 12 medals overall (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze), including Sultan Al-Rais’s bronze in the U-23 decathlon. Kuwait Retail & Tech: LuLu Hypermarket launched its 25th anniversary promotion in Kuwait with discounts up to 50%, plus a major “Let’s Connect” tech sale. Local Charity Update: Kuwait’s Central Aid Platform surpassed KD36 million in donations since launch, with requests handled through the platform to avoid duplication. Entertainment & Gaming Buzz: GTA 6 is set for Nov 19, 2026, but pre-orders are blocked in Kuwait and several other countries. Arts & Culture: Kuwaiti illustrator Zahraa Alhussaini is spotlighting local heritage through visual storytelling, while misbah collecting culture continues to grow across Kuwait and the Gulf.

Kuwait Sports: Kuwait’s athletics teams wrapped up the Arab Athletics Championships in Egypt with a 12-medal haul (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze), including a bronze for decathlete Sultan Al-Rais in the U-23 decathlon. Kuwait Community & Retail: LuLu Hypermarket kicked off its 25th anniversary celebrations in Kuwait with promotions offering discounts up to 50% across categories from groceries to fashion, plus a major tech sale called “Let’s Connect.” Local Giving: Kuwait’s Central Aid Platform has topped KD36 million in donations since launch, with requests submitted through the platform and routed by specialization to avoid duplication. Arts & Culture: Kuwaiti illustrator Zahraa Alhussaini is spotlighting local heritage through visual storytelling, while misbah collectors in Kuwait are keeping the prayer-bead craft alive as a personal style and tradition. Entertainment & Tech: GTA 6 is officially set for Nov 19, 2026, and HONOR opened sales of the foldable HONOR Magic V6 in Kuwait. Streaming Picks: Paramount+ added new movies for the weekend, including “The Big Short,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” and “Witness.” Sports Viewing: Burgan Bank and Caribou Coffee hosted a World Cup viewing experience at Assima Mall with games, giveaways, and football Q&As.

Kuwait Sports: Kuwait’s national athletics team wrapped up the Arab Athletics Championships (U-16 and U-23) in Egypt with a 12-medal haul (3 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze), including a bronze for Sultan Al-Rais in the U-23 decathlon (5,921 points) after a 12-day training camp in Egypt. Kuwait Arts & Culture: Kuwaiti illustrator Zahraa Alhussaini is using graphic storytelling to spotlight local heritage and everyday traditions, drawing inspiration from family memories and traditional objects. Kuwait Heritage Hobby: A closer look at Kuwait’s misbah collecting culture shows how prayer beads have evolved into a personal accessory and craftsmanship passion, with amber pieces among the most prized. Streaming Picks: Paramount+ adds fresh must-watch titles for the weekend, including “The Big Short,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” and “Witness.” Tech & Lifestyle: HONOR opens sales for the new HONOR Magic V6 foldable in Kuwait, pitching a big battery, fast charging, and AI-led productivity and entertainment. Retail Buzz: LuLu Hypermarket kicks off its 25th anniversary celebration in Kuwait with major discounts and a “Let’s Connect” tech promotion. Entertainment Calendar: Dubai Summer Surprises returns from July 2 to Aug 30 with nonstop family entertainment, shopping deals, raffles, and big-name shows.

Kuwait Sports Buzz: Kuwait’s under-16 and under-23 athletes struck gold in Egypt at the Arab Athletics Championships, adding five medals to reach 11 overall, led by Redha Bouhamad (hammer throw) and Talal Al-Rashoud (under-23 hammer). World Cup Watch Parties: Burgan Bank teamed up with Caribou Coffee for a World Cup viewing experience at Assima Mall, with games, prizes, and a “Let’s Be Aware” financial awareness push. Football Legends in the Spotlight: Luka Modric hit the 200-cap milestone for Croatia in their 1-0 win over Panama, joining Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa in the elite 200 club. Local Talent Pathways: Kuwait’s youth and sports officials backed Salisbury trials for selected players, aiming to build professionalism and global-ready skills. Wellness & Community: The Embassy of India’s International Day of Yoga in Kuwait drew 2,200+ participants, while organizers pushed back against misleading social media claims about yoga. Maritime Sports: Bahrain’s 32nd Al Bareh International Regatta kicked off with sailors from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE.