Kuna - Kuwait News Agency https://www.kuna.net.kw Kuna - Kuwait News Agency Kuwait oil price down USD 1.04 to USD 85.40 pb - KPC https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143416 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:47:00 GMT KUWAIT, March 28 (KUNA) -- The price of Kuwaiti oil went down USD 1.04 to USD 85.40 per barrel on Thursday compared to USD 86.44 pb the day before, said the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Thursday.<br>The price of the Brent crude went down by 16 cents to USD 86.09 per barrel, the same with the West Texas Intermediate, which went down by 28 cents to USD 81.35 per barrel. (end) km.dss State Minister: Kuwait Amir's visits to deaf, disabilities clubs "supportive" gesture https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143415 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:31:00 GMT KUWAIT, March 28 (KUNA) -- State Minister for Youth Affairs Dawood Maarafi said that the two visits of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Disabled Sport Club and the sport club for the Deaf embodied His Highness's interest in supporting athletes with disabilities.<br>Minister Maarafi, also State Minister for National Assembly Affairs and State Minister for Communication Affairs, told KUNA on Thursday that these two visits, on the occasion of Ramadan, had a positive impact on all members of the two clubs.<br>He praised His Highness's initiative in taking these visits, adding that the Public Authority for Sport will continue supporting athletes with disabilities and motivate them for greater achievements.<br>He added that the Kuwaiti champions with disabilities of all kinds achieved great victories and medals in various Paralympic games and in international and continental championships, praising their determination and keenness to raise the name of their country high in major sporting forums. (end) fsa.ao CENTCOM destroys targeted unmanned aerial systems by Houthis https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143409 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:19:00 GMT WASHINGTON, March 28 (KUNA) -- The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced, late Wednesday, the successful engagement and destruction of four long-range unmanned aerial systems (UAS) targeting US warships launched by Houthis in the Red Sea. In a statement by CENTCOM, the incident took place between 2:00 and 2:20 a.m. (Sanaa time), where the "UAS were aimed at a US warship and engaged in self-defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to US or coalition ships." CENTCOM determined the UAS "presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region," the statement added. The US State Department has continuously condemned the persistence of the Houthi targets and attacks in several statements, especially ships carrying humanitarian aid.<br>It is worthy to note that the US announced, January 17 2024, the relisting of Yemen's Houthi militia as a terrorist group due to the attacks launched on commercial ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and other forces in the region. (end) amm.za US State Department employee resigns in protest for Gaza https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143410 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:19:00 GMT WASHINGTON, March 28 (KUNA) -- A female employee of the US State Department announced that she has decided to resign from her post in protest against the US military and diplomatic support of the Israeli occupation aggression in Gaza.<br>Annelle Sheline, a State Department human rights staffer, said she was resigning in response to the Biden administration's policy on Gaza in a CNN opinion piece on Wednesday. "For the past year, I worked for the office devoted to promoting human rights in the Middle East. I believe strongly in the mission and in the important work of that office." Sheline, who, according to CNN, worked for a year as a foreign affairs officer at the Office of Near Eastern Affairs in the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, said in her piece.<br>"However, as a representative of a government that is directly enabling what the International Court of Justice has said could plausibly be a genocide in Gaza, such work has become almost impossible. Unable to serve an administration that enables such atrocities, I have decided to resign from my position at the Department of State." She continued.<br>The former State Department official warned that "whatever credibility the United States had as an advocate for human rights has almost entirely vanished since the war began," in which Washington declared its full support for the occupying entity, which has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians in less than six months, most of them women and children, according to the authorities in Gaza.<br>The resigned employee revealed that her colleagues in the State Department share the same views opposing the US support of the occupying entity, noting that they asked her to speak on their behalf.<br>She said that members of civil society have refused to respond to her efforts to contact them and that continued "our office seeks to support journalists in the Middle East; yet when asked by NGOs if the US can help when Palestinian journalists are detained or killed in Gaza, I was disappointed that my government didn't do more to protect them." She added that 90 Palestinian journalists in Gaza have been killed in the last five months, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which is the most recorded in any single conflict since the CPJ started collecting data in 1992.<br>The US State Department has previously officially acknowledged the divergence of views among its employees regarding the Israeli occupation's war on the Gaza Strip.<br>The US is constantly witnessing protests rejecting the war in Gaza and calling for the end of sending American weapons to the occupying entity, but the Biden's administration is adamant on sending weapons.<br>By resigning publicly, I am saddened by the knowledge that I likely foreclose a future at the State Department. I had not initially planned a public resignation. Because my time at State had been so short - I was hired on a two-year contract - I did not think I mattered enough to announce my resignation publicly. However, when I started to tell colleagues of my decision to resign, the response I heard repeatedly was, "Please speak for us." "By resigning publicly, I am saddened by the knowledge that I likely foreclose a future at the State Department. I had not initially planned a public resignation. Because my time at State had been so short ... I did not think I mattered enough to announce my resignation publicly. However, when I started to tell colleagues of my decision to resign, the response I heard repeatedly was, "Please speak for us."" Sheline continued.<br>This is the second time a State Department official has announced their resignation in protest of Washington's support for the Israeli occupation.<br>Last October, Josh Paul who had served 11 years in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the US government entity most responsible for the transfer and provision of arms to partners and allies, resigned for a similar reason.<br>He said in a letter he was exiting his role because the harm resulting from the "provision of lethal arms to Israel" outweighed the good he could do in the position.<br>"We cannot be both for freedom, and against it," Paul said. "And we cannot be for a better world, while contributing to one that is materially worse." (end) asj.dss US survey finds 55 pct. of Americans against Gaza war https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143406 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:55:00 GMT WASHINGTON, March 28 (KUNA) -- After many backing Israel's military action in Gaza in November, Americans now oppose the campaign by a solid margin with 55 percent currently disapprove of Israel's actions, while 36 percent approve, said a survey published recently.<br>The latest results came from a Global Institute survey from March 1-20.<br>The Israel-Hamas war has continued for five months and has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and over 1,000 Israelis. Major parts of Gaza have been destroyed, complicating efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians still living there.<br>The United Nations and international community, including the Biden administration, have called for a ceasefire, but the two warring sides have been unable to agree.<br>The poll was completed before the UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire during Ramadan.<br>The measure passed because the United States abstained rather than vetoing the resolution.<br>The US had previously vetoed other resolutions calling for a ceasefire.<br>Seventy-four percent of US adults say they are following news of the Israeli-Hamas situation closely, similar to the 72 percent Gallup measured in November.<br>One-third of Americans (34 percent) say they are following the situation "very closely." Disapproval of Israel's military action is similar regardless of how much attention Americans are paying to the conflict.<br>However, those paying less attention are more likely than their counterparts to have no opinion on the matter, resulting in lower approval than seen among people paying greater attention.<br>Republicans Retain Positive Stance; Independents Decidedly Negative.<br>All three major party groups in the US have become less supportive of Israel's actions in Gaza than they were in November. This includes declines of 18 percentage points in approval among both Democrats and independents and a seven-point decline among Republicans.<br>Independents have shifted from being divided in their views of the Israeli military action to opposing it. Democrats, who were already largely opposed in November, are even more so now, with 18 percent approving and 75 percent disapproving.<br>Republicans still support Israel's military efforts, but a reduced majority -- 64 percent, down from 71 percent -- now approve.<br>Democrats' widespread opposition to Israel's actions underscores the difficulty of the issue for President Joe Biden among his most loyal supporters.<br>The Israeli occupation forces had been on a five-month military campaign in Gaza, which killed thus far 32,000 Palestinians, mostly children and women. International organizations warn famine in Northern Gaza due to Israeli inhumane block of humanitarian aid into the region. (end) amm.gta Today in Kuwait history: https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143405 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:52:00 GMT <p> KUWAIT, March 28 (KUNA)</p> <p> --</p> <p> 1979 -- Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sponsored a meeting held in Kuwait between the Yemeni leaders Ali Abdullah Saleh and Abdulfattah Ismail for supporting their country&#39;s unity.<br /> 1983 -- Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah issued a law establishing the Public Authority for Minors Affairs.<br /> 2008 -- Al-Qadsiya won the 27th GCC volleyball clubs tournament that took place in Bahrain.<br /> 2012 -- The Kuwaiti water polo team won the silver medal in the second Asian tournament held in Kuwait. The Kazakh team bagged the gold trophy.<br /> 2012 -- Interpellation process against His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah concluded without forwarding a non-cooperation motion.<br /> 2018 -- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) won Sharjah&#39;s government contact award.<br /> 2018 -- Kuwait motor complex was inaugurated with attendance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.<br /> 2021 -- Kuwait diving and rescue team declared that the International Maritime Rescue Federation accepted Kuwait&#39;s membership.<br /> 2021 -- The Foreign Ministry declared that it received from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry the third batch of Kuwaiti properties and items of the national archive, stolen during the Iraqi occupation of the country in 1990. (end) za</p> Briefing of KUNA main news for Wednesday until 00:00 GMT https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143403 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 02:50:00 GMT <p> KUWAIT -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Kuwait&#39;s condemnation of the Israeli occupation&#39;s decision to seize 8,000 dunams of the Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.</p> <p> TOKYO -- Kuwaiti Ambassador to China Jasem Al-Najem confirmed that China was preparing to host the 10th session of the ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing on May 30.</p> <p> CAIRO -- Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmad Aboul-Gheit underlined the necessity of reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the rapid entry of humanitarian aid.</p> <p> CAIRO -- Egypt&#39;s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his British counterpart David Cameroon affirmed, over the telephone, the need of implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip to end its aggravated humanitarian crisis.</p> <p> VIENNA -- The International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Energy Forum (IEF) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) stressed the significance of ensuring stability in the global energy market amid a rapidly changing world. (end) mb</p> Pres. Erdogan urges forcing Israel into compliance with UNSC resolution on ceasefire https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143400 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 02:39:00 GMT ISTANBUL, March 27 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for more pressures on the Israeli occupation to force it into compliance with the UN Security Council resolution on ceasefire in Gaza Strip.<br>"Pressure must be increased on Israel, the spoiled and lawless child of the West, for it to comply with this decision," Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted Erdogan as saying at electoral rally in the eastern province of Batman on Wednesday.<br>Israel has not been able to break the resistance spirit of "our Gazan brothers over the past 173 days despite its barbarism and the military assistance from the West," he said.<br>Noting that the Palestinians have taught the world "a lesson in humanity, dignity and courage through their epic resistance," President Erdogan said, "We will never hesitate to come to the aid of any oppressed and victimized individual anywhere in the world." He vowed that Turkiye would "do its part" for the Security Council resolution to be fulfilled.<br>Ankara will "make every effort" to restore peace and calm in Gaza Strip as soon as possible, the Turkish president added.<br>On Monday, the UN Security Council voted, by 14 with an abstention from the United States, for a resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan. (end) ta.fas.gb Egypt, UK urge immediate ceasefire in Gaza https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143396 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:53:00 GMT CAIRO, March 27 (KUNA) -- Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his British counterpart David Cameroon affirmed, over the telephone, Wednesday the need of implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip to end its aggravated humanitarian crisis.<br>The call between the two sides came within the framework of coordination and consultation regarding the situation in Gaza and efforts required to end this humanitarian plight, Egyptian Foreign Ministry's spokesman Ahmad Abou Zeid said in a statement.<br>The two ministers also underlined the need of building on this resolution for a full and permanent ceasefire, it said, indicating that they shared evaluation on deteriorating security and humanitarian situations in the Strip.<br>Shoukry reiterated Egypt's categorical rejection of any ground attack by the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah, warning against humanitarian repercussions and possible security impacts on the region's stability, according to the statement.<br>He further rejected forced displacement of Palestinians outside their territories and any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause. (end) aff.hm Mahya lights decorate Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque for Ramadan https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=3143393 info@kuna.net.kw (Kuna) Wed, 27 Mar 2024 23:40:00 GMT <p> Photo feature by Taha Odah</p> <p> ISTANBUL, March 27 (KUNA) -- The iconic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul has been decorated with Mahya lights, which are strung up between the minarets of the mosque to form illuminated words or pictures, to celebrate the holy fasting month of Ramadan.<br /> Mahya lights are a unique part of traditional Turkish festivities. This practice dates back to the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617 AD). It was first put on Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul.<br /> The lights are often arranged to form Islamic words of devotion (La ilahe illallah - &quot;There is no god but God&quot;), well-wishes on the arrival of Ramadan (Hos geldin, on bir ayin Sultani - &quot;Welcome, Sultan of Eleven Months&quot;), or short sayings promoting charity, peace, and goodwill (infak et mutlu ol - &quot;Give and be happy&quot;; and Sevelim sevilelim - &quot;Let us love, let us be loved&quot;). (end) ta.ibi</p>