Latest from Kuwait Times
Kuwait Times
34 minutes ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Trump hopeful for Gaza ceasefire, possibly 'next week'
Trump hopeful for Gaza ceasefire, possibly 'next week' WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump voiced optimism Friday about a new ceasefire in Gaza, as criticism grew over mounting civilian deaths at Israeli-backed food distribution centers in the territory. Asked by reporters how close a ceasefire was between Israel and Hamas, Trump said: "We think within the next week, we're going to get a ceasefire." The United States brokered a ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the waning days of former president Joe Biden's administration, with support from Trump's incoming team. Israel broke the ceasefire in March. Israel also stopped all food and other supplies from entering Gaza for more than two months, drawing warnings of famine. Israel has since allowed a resumption of food through the controversial US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which involves US security contractors with Israeli troops at the periphery. United Nations officials on Friday said the GHF system was leading to mass killings of people seeking aid, drawing accusations from Israel that the UN was "aligning itself with Hamas." Eyewitnesses and local officials have reported repeated killings of Palestinians at distribution centers over recent weeks in the war-stricken territory, where Israeli forces are battling Hamas militants. The Israeli military has denied targeting people and GHF has denied any deadly incidents were linked to its sites. But following weeks of reports, UN officials and other aid providers on Friday denounced what they said was a wave of killings of hungry people seeking aid. "The new aid distribution system has become a killing field," with people "shot at while trying to access food for themselves and their families," said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian affairs (UNWRA). "This abomination must end through a return to humanitarian deliveries from the UN including @UNRWA," he wrote on X. The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory says that since late May, more than 500 people have been killed near aid centers while seeking scarce supplies. The country's civil defense agency has also repeatedly reported people being killed while seeking aid. "People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The search for food must never be a death sentence." Medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) branded the GHF relief effort "slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid." That drew an angry response from Israel, which said GHF had provided 46 million meals in Gaza. "The UN is doing everything it can to oppose this effort. In doing so, the UN is aligning itself with Hamas, which is also trying to sabotage the GHF's humanitarian operations," the foreign ministry said. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a report in left-leaning daily Haaretz that military commanders had ordered troops to shoot at crowds near aid distribution sites to disperse them even when they posed no threat. Haaretz said the military advocate general, the army's top legal authority, had instructed the military to investigate "suspected war crimes" at aid sites. Gaza's civil defense agency told AFP 80 Palestinians had been killed on Friday by Israeli strikes or fire across the Palestinian territory, including 10 who were waiting for aid. The Israeli military told AFP it was looking into the incidents, and denied its troops fired in one of the locations in central Gaza where rescuers said one aid seeker was killed. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP six people were killed in southern Gaza near one of the distribution sites operated by GHF, and one more in a separate incident in the center of the territory, where the army denied shooting "at all." Another three people were killed by a strike while waiting for aid southwest of Gaza City, Bassal said. Elsewhere, eight people were killed "after an Israeli air strike hit Osama Bin Zaid School, which was housing displaced persons" in northern Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said they shelled an Israeli vehicle east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Friday. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas-ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad, said they attacked Israeli soldiers in at least two other locations near Khan Yunis in coordination with the Al-Qassam Brigades. - AFP
Kuwait Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Turkey breathes easier as truce eases fallout risk
ISTANBUL: As the fragile Iran-Zionist truce took hold, there was no letup in Turkey's diplomatic efforts Wednesday to prevent any return to a conflict fraught with risk for Ankara's domestic and regional policies. Hours after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met him for talks on the sidelines of a NATO summit for their third conversation in 10 days. Erdogan's 'intensive diplomatic efforts' to curb the conflict also involved calls with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian and top Middle Eastern leaders. 'Turkey has been trying very hard to de-escalate the situation, but it's not seen as a credible mediator, neither by Iran nor by (Zionist entity),' Gonul Tol of the Washington-based Middle East Institute told AFP. Turkey's ties with Zionist entity have been shattered by the Gaza war and Iranians see Ankara as complicit 'because it hosts this strategic radar', she said of a NATO early-warning system at Kurecik base in eastern Turkey that can detect Iranian missile launches. Turkey has categorically denied radar data was used to help Zionist but its presence has rattled Iran—with several Iranian military officials warning it could be 'the first target' in case of a wider war, she said. Even so, Erdogan reportedly sought to set up US-Iran talks in Istanbul last week, which only failed because Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—in hiding due to assassination threats—couldn't be reached to approve it, the Axios news site said. Unsettled by the long arm of Zionist's reach, Erdogan upped Turkey's deterrence, ordering the defense industry to increase production of medium and long-range missiles warning Ankara was 'making preparations for every kind of scenario'. 'Concerns about a possible Turkish-Zionist confrontation in the short term seem exaggerated... (but) both would be wise to reduce tensions,' said Gallia Lindenstrauss, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Fears of Iran in chaos For Turkey, the big fear would be seeing neighboring Iran plunged into chaos as happened in Iraq and Syria, said Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute of Near East Policy. 'Ankara absolutely does not want to see Iran descending into chaos, decentralization or civil war which could create cross-border threats or fresh refugee flows,' he told AFP. In Iraq and Syria, destabilization had created a power vacuum that was used by the Islamic State (IS) group and Kurdish PKK militants 'to launch attacks into Turkey', fueling Ankara's efforts to support both nations' recentralization, he said. But 'the biggest risk' would be another flow of refugees: 'If Iran collapses, there's only one country the Iranians will flee to in large numbers: Turkey,' he said. On Friday, Erdogan warned Germany's Friedrich Merz the conflict 'could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration' although there was no sign of any influx at the Turkish border last week. Risk to Turkey's PKK move? Turmoil in Iran could also harm Ankara's efforts to draw a line under its decades-long conflict with the PKK, which last month said it would disarm, Tol said. Although most PKK-linked groups embraced the call to disarm, its Iranian affiliate, the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), did not, with Ankara concerned any unrest could embolden recalcitrant Kurdish separatists. 'The worry is that this chaos may strengthen the PJAK. There are PKK fractions who are not happy with (founder Abdullah) Ocalan's call who could think: why disarm now when there's so much chaos we can capitalize on,' she told AFP. A more immediate concern for Turkey was the economic implications of the conflict, she said, with its crisis-hit economy already 'struggling' with rising energy prices while fighting hard to bring down inflation. 'But if Iran closed down (the Strait of) Hormuz, that would mean a bigger jump in energy prices and that's something Turkey is deeply worried about,' she said. — AFP
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Amir chairs Supreme Defense Council
Kuwait welcomes truce • UK sends letter of support • Food supplies abundant KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Supreme Defense Council that discussed regional developments and the latest events in the area, following a ceasefire between Iran and the Zionist entity. During the meeting, HH the Amir was briefed on efforts exerted by various authorities in the country and the coordination between them to face any emergency. HH the Amir also provided the council members with directives to take all necessary measures and precautions to preserve national security and stability. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, along with senior ministers and defense officials, attended the meeting. Kuwait welcomes US President Donald Trump's announcement of the ceasefire between Iran and the Zionist entity, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, applauding the United States' and Qatar's efforts that led to the agreement. This announcement is a first step towards de-escalation and restoring security and stability in the region, the ministry said, expressing hope that it would reflect positively on efforts to stop the Zionist aggression on the occupied Palestinian territories. Kuwait reiterates its strong support for dialogue and diplomacy in resolving regional and international conflicts, the ministry concluded. During the past two days, the defense council held meetings under the chairmanship of HH the Crown Prince and HH the Prime Minister. Authorities in Kuwait have stepped up emergency measures at all levels during the armed hostilities to ensure the security and protection of the country. Specialized centers have been closely monitoring radiation and pollution levels following Zionist and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear plants. HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad received on Tuesday a letter from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In the letter, the UK prime minister stressed his country's support to the Kuwait in light of the current regional circumstances, affirming the need to reach a final solution to end the ongoing conflict for the sake of the region's stability. HH the Prime Minister commended this gesture, expressing his appreciation for the role played by the UK. Meanwhile, the civil aviation authority reopened Kuwait's airspace late Monday night following a brief closure after Iran fired ballistic missiles on a US airbase in Qatar. National carrier Kuwait Airways announced on Tuesday it has resumed its regular flight schedule after the ceasefire following a change in some flights during the fighting that lasted 12 days. KAC had made some changes to flights to Jordan and Lebanon during the confrontation. Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel, along with Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, inspected the central operations room of the ministry's control sector. This room is directly linked to the interior ministry through a live monitoring system, enhancing the ministry's ability to promptly and effectively monitor and follow up on market activity. Al-Ajeel stressed that maintaining market stability is a national responsibility that requires concerted efforts from all relevant entities. He affirmed that the ministry continues its around-the-clock efforts through its inspection teams, which are intensifying their field visits to ensure that suppliers and commercial outlets comply with laws and regulations, in order to preserve market stability and protect consumer rights. During the visit, the two ministers were briefed on the operations inside the room and the reports submitted by field teams. Al-Ajeel emphasized the importance of continuous readiness and full coordination with relevant authorities to ensure the availability of goods and to monitor the movement of food markets and other related sectors. He noted that the ministry of social affairs has been requested to instruct cooperative societies to cooperate and coordinate with the central operations room. This collaboration would support inspection efforts and facilitate market monitoring and the flow of goods, while maintaining each party's responsibilities within a framework of institutional coordination. Al-Ajeel reassured citizens that essential goods are available and that the strategic stock remains stable, confirming that the situation is under control according to approved plans and that markets are well-supplied to meet consumer needs.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- General
- Kuwait Times
Gender not main factor in attacks on Egyptian woman pharaoh: Study
The mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's most famous female pharaoh, lie in a glass case under the national flag moments before being unveiled at the Cairo Museum 27 June 2007. She was one of ancient Egypt's most successful rulers, a rare female pharaoh who preceded Cleopatra by 1,500 years, but Queen Hatshepsut's legacy was systematically erased by her stepson successor after her death. The question of why her impressive reign was so methodically scrubbed has attracted significant debate, but in new research published Monday, University of Toronto scholar Jun Wong argues far too much emphasis has been placed on her gender. 'It's quite a romantic question: why was this pharaoh attacked after her death?' Wong told AFP, explaining his interest in a monarch who steered ancient Egypt through a period of extraordinary prosperity. Earlier scholars believed Queen Hatshepsut's stepson Thutmose III unleashed a posthumous campaign of defilement against her out of revenge and hatred, including because he wanted to purge any notion that a woman could successfully rule. 'The way in which (Hatshepsut's) reign has been understood has always been colored by her gender,' Wong said, referencing beliefs that Thutmose III may have viewed her as 'a kind of an evil stepmother.' Visitors stand behind the bust of the ancient Egyptian queen Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BC) at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's central Tahrir Square on June 11, 2025. --AFP photos His research, which builds on other recent scholarship and is being published in the journal Antiquity, argues Thutmose III's motivations were far more nuanced, casting further doubt on the theory of backlash against a woman in charge. Hatshepsut ruled Egypt roughly 3,500 years ago, taking over following the death of her husband Thutmose II. She first served as regent to her stepson, the king-in-waiting, but successfully consolidated power in her own right, establishing herself as a female pharaoh. Experts say she expanded trade routes and commissioned extraordinary structures, including an unparallelled mortuary in the Valley of the Kings on the Nile's west bank. Wong reassessed a range of material from damaged statues uncovered during excavations from 1922 to 1928. He said there is no doubt Thutmose III worked to eliminate evidence of Hatshepsut's achievements, but his efforts were 'perhaps driven by ritual necessity rather than outright antipathy,' Wong said. Thutmose III may have been trying to neutralize the power of his predecessor in a practical and common way, not out of malice. He also found that some of the statues depicting Hatshepsut were likely damaged because later generations wanted to reuse them as building materials. 'For a long time, it has been assumed that Hatshepsut's statuary sustained a vindictive attack,' Wong said, arguing that a fresh look at the archives suggests 'this is not the case.' - AFP The mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's most famous female pharaoh, lie in a glass case after being unveiled at the Cairo Museum 27 June 2007.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
NATO agrees defense spending hike
Trump hails 'victory' • Alliance members restate commitment to mutual defense THE HAGUE: NATO leaders on Wednesday backed the big increase in defense spending that US President Donald Trump had demanded, and restated their commitment to defend each other from attack after a brief summit in the Netherlands. While Trump got what he wanted at the annual meeting, tailor-made for him, his NATO allies will be relieved that he committed to the fundamental principle of collective defense after less clear-cut language on Tuesday. Trump told a press conference that 'we had a great victory here', adding that he hoped that the additional funds would be spent on military hardware made in the US. Trump threatens to punish Spain However, he threatened to punish Spain after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared it could meet its commitments to NATO while spending much less than the new target of 5 percent of GDP. 'I think it's terrible. You know, they (Spain) are doing very well ... And that economy could be blown right out of the water when something bad happens,' Trump said, adding that Spain would get a tougher trade deal from the US than other European Union countries. In a five-point statement, NATO endorsed the higher defense spending goal - a response not only to Trump but also to Europeans' fears that Russia poses a growing threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The 32 allies' brief communique added: 'We reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defense as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty – that an attack on one is an attack on all.' Asked to clarify his own stance on Article 5 after recent ambiguous comments, Trump said: 'I stand with it. That's why I'm here. If I didn't stand with it, I wouldn't be here.' Macron brings up trade tensions Trump had long demanded in no uncertain terms that other countries step up their spending to reduce NATO's heavy reliance on the US. Despite an appearance of general agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issue of the steep import tariffs threatened by Trump, and the damage they may do to transatlantic trade, as a barrier to increased defense spending. 'We can't say we are going to spend more and then, at the heart of NATO, launch a trade war,' Macron said, calling it 'an aberration'. He said he had raised it several times with Trump. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who hosted the summit in his home city of The Hague, said NATO would emerge as a 'stronger, fairer and more lethal' alliance. The former Dutch prime minister said Trump deserved 'all the praise' for getting NATO members to agree on raising defense spending. Asked by a reporter if he had deployed excessive flattery to keep Trump onside during the summit, Rutte said the two men were friends and judgment of his approach was a matter of taste. New NATO spending The new spending target - to be achieved over the next 10 years - is a jump worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year from the current goal of 2 percent of GDP, although it will be measured differently. Countries pledged to spend 3.5 percent of GDP on core defense - such as troops and weapons - and 1.5 percent on broader defense-related measures such as cyber security, protecting pipelines and adapting roads and bridges to handle heavy military vehicles. The additional spending will be a tall order for European nations, many of which have strained finances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had to settle for attending the pre-summit dinner on Tuesday evening rather than the main meeting on Wednesday, although he met Trump separately after the conference ended. The Kremlin has accused NATO of being on a path of rampant militarization and portraying Russia as a 'fiend of hell' in order to justify its big increase in defense spending. — Reuters
