Barkah News

 In his inaugural speech, Kuwait's new emir calls for state responsibility. Written by Ahmed Hagagy                                                                  Source reuters.com December 20, KUWAIT (Reuters) - In his first statement as emir since his predecessor's death last week, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah of Kuwait criticized the government and parliament on Wednesday for actions he claimed had harmed the country's interests as an ally of the United States. Sheikh Meshal, 83, objected to pardons given by his predecessor and denounced decisions to assign people to positions that were "not consistent with the simplest rules of justice and fairness". Which pardons the new emir took issue with was not stated. His predecessor pardoned a number of people, including opponents and dissidents as well as individuals who had been convicted of spying for Hezbollah, a Shi'ite Muslim organization in Lebanon, and Iran. He emphasized the significance of governmen

 Oil increases by about 2% as ships reroute following attacks in the Red Sea.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Source Reuters.com                 December 18, Houston (Reuters) - After the Iran-aligned Yemeni terrorist group the Houthi attacked ships in the Red Sea on Monday, investors are concerned about potential interruptions to maritime trade and supply costs, causing oil prices to rise by about 2%. Following an attack on a Norwegian-owned ship in the Red Sea on Monday, oil giant BP said that it has temporarily suspended all waterborne operations. Over the weekend, several shipping companies said that they would not be using the route. While U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased $1.04, or 1.5%, to $72.47, Brent crude futures ende

 Indonesian VP: Suspected human smuggling linked to Rohingya refugee inflow                                                                       Source en.antaranews.com Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin announced on Monday that the Indonesian government is looking into the possible connection between human trafficking and the rise in Rohingya refugee arrivals in Indonesia and other countries. We're trying to ascertain why they're coming here. They are not travelling to Indonesia; rather, it is a sort of transit country where we discovered evidence of possible human trafficking. Now, this needs to be stopped before it develops into an ongoing issue," he continued. According to Amin, stopping human trafficking is necessary to keep the Rohingya refugee crisis from getting worse over time. He brought out the fact that Indonesia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention of 1952. Amin stated that in addition to conducting trafficking prevention initiative

 Broad humanitarian aid for Gaza is urged by the ASEAN-Japan summit .                                                                       Source en.antaranews.com Jakarta (ANTARA) - At a meeting presided over by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), ASEAN and Japanese officials urged the greatest possible access to humanitarian aid for Gaza inhabitants impacted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. From December 16 to 18, 2023, the leaders will be in Tokyo for the Commemorative Summit of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Following the summit on Sunday, Jokowi and Kishida jointly addressed the media and expressed their support for the early initiation of the peace process in Gaza. He stressed the growth of ASEAN centrality, inclusive cooperation, and respect for international law as means by which Japan and ASEAN are committed to regional peace and stability. "ASEAN leaders also conveyed appreciation for Japan's fu

 The leaders of the United States and the Republic of Indonesia have released a joint statement titled "Elevating Relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership." Announcements and Press Releases The White House November 13, 2023                                                                            Source id.usembassy.gov It gives President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. great pleasure to greet President Joko Widodo of Indonesia in Washington, D.C.  The two leaders usher in a historic new era of friendship and bilateral collaboration between the two largest democracies in the world. As the two countries prepare to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations and acknowledge their shared values of democracy and pluralism as well as their shared commitment to the rules-based international order, Presidents Biden and Widodo pledge to advance their relationship between the United States and Indonesia to the status of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The U.S.-Indonesia Strategic

 Health workers from Indonesia protest for Gaza's medical professionals' safety.                                                                                           Source arabnews.com JAKARTA: On Friday, medical professionals from Indonesia staged a demonstration in Jakarta to urge that the World Health Organization defend Palestinian medical personnel who are treating injured civilians in Israeli attacks and to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. At least a hundred medical professionals from ten medical associations in Indonesia took part in the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee's solidarity demonstration. They hoisted Palestinian flags and banners with the words "Stop Genocide" and shouted "Free Palestine." Since October, Israeli violence has escalated, resulting in almost 18,600 Palestinian deaths in Gaza. More than 250 Palestinian medical professionals have also died as a result of Israel's ongoing attacks on the besieged enclave's infrastruc

 Amidst tensions, Biden's national security advisor talks with Netanyahu in Israel. Michael Williams from CNN                                                                       Source edition .cnn.com CNN in Washington —  Over the next two days, top Israeli officials will meet with President Joe Biden's national security adviser as the White House presses Israel to be more exacting in its operations against Hamas in Gaza. Jake Sullivan's visit coincides with a public divide between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Vice President Joe Biden on differing views on what the future of the Palestinian people should look like when combat operations conclude and the growing number of civilian casualties in Gaza. Sullivan will also talk about the initiatives being taken to free the eight American hostages who are still in the hands of Hamas. Sullivan is meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday and Friday, in addition to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and senior military off