Washington DC, 21 Jan. 2022 (The National)

US President Joe Biden said on Monday he plans to designate Qatar as a major non-Nato ally, granting a special status to the Middle East partner.

Mr Biden made the announcement as he met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office. The president said he would notify Congress of the designation “to reflect the importance of our relationship".

Sheikh Tamim told reporters that he would discuss regional security with Mr Biden and also push for equal rights for the Palestinian people.

Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani along with his delegation arrived on Sunday morning in Washington on official visit. The visit coincides with the two countries' preparations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations since 1972, however, historical roots of the informal relations between them date back to the thirties of the last century with the beginning of the emergence of oil in the Arabian Gulf region.

Since that date, bilateral relations have remained friendly and solid, based on trust, mutual respect, and common benefits, and in continuous development to serve the interests of the two countries, the region, and global and regional peace and stability.

Amir of Qatar met earlier with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Pentagon and also met with US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, at His Highness residence in Washington.

“It opens up a whole new range of opportunities — essential relationships — not just with the United States bilaterally but with other allies,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said of Qatar's new status.

“It does open up opportunities of co-operation with the [Nato] alliance.” Under US law, a country becomes a major non-Nato ally 30 days after the president notifies Congress of the designation.

Designating Qatar as a major non-Nato ally will provide Doha with myriad benefits related to arms transfers and security co-operation, but it falls short of a formal defence pact.

The designation will give Qatar eligibility for certain defence loans and equipment for research and development as well as priority delivery of excess US defence articles. It will also allow the US to place its war reserve stockpile in Qatar outside of its bases.

Seventeen other countries currently enjoy major non-Nato ally status, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. Afghanistan is still formally listed as a major non-Nato ally despite the Taliban's takeover of the country last year.

Qatar played a central role in aiding last summer’s US military evacuation of Afghanistan and hosts the biggest American airbase in the Middle East. It also served as a go-between with the Taliban for the last three US administrations as they tried to wind down America’s longest war.

"It is no exaggeration to say that Qatar's actions saved thousands of lives," Mr Austin said during his meeting with Sheikh Tamim. "We've also been able to keep the Kabul airport open because of you."

Now, with about 100,000 Russian troops massed at the Ukraine border, experts say Qatar — the world’s second-biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas, or LNG — is eager to help Mr Biden again but might only be able to offer limited assistance if Russia further disrupts the flow of energy supplies to Europe.

A senior administration official told reporters before the meeting that Mr Biden and Sheikh Tamim would discuss "ensuring the stability of global energy supplies".

Qatar is already producing at full capacity, with much of its supply under contract to Asia. Even if some Pacific allies of the US — including India, Japan and South Korea — are persuaded to divert some contracted LNG orders to Europe, it will only slightly soften the blow, energy analysts say.

The White House said that Mr Biden and Sheikh Tamim would also use Monday’s meeting to discuss Middle East security and the situation in Afghanistan, where humanitarian conditions have deteriorated following the Taliban takeover.

The leaders are also expected to discuss attempts to resurrect the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran last week.

Beijing, 27 Jan. 2022 (CGTN)

The first Global Media Innovation Forum was held at China Media Group's Beijing headquarters on Wednesday. The forum encourages innovative broadcast production for the upcoming Olympic coverage. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the organizers. He said he hoped the event could lead to exchange among participants, showcase winter sports, and promote the Olympic spirit. Liu Jiaxin reports.

LIU JIAXIN Beijing "The 24th Winter Olympics will open in Beijing in less than nine days. For this edition, the theme is to 'go faster, aim higher, and become stronger.' And this not only applies to the athletes, but also to everyone else involved in the Games, including broadcasters."

China Media Group chief Shen Haixiong said the Games will be broadcast in ultra-high-definition for an immersive viewer experience.

SHEN HAIXIONG President and Editor-in-Chief China Media Group "As the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Winter Olympics begins, CCTV's Olympic Channel has become the world's first 24-hour 4K ultra-high-definition professional channel of sports. Two days ago, the headquarters station also launched 8K ultra-HD channel to present an even better picture."

THOMAS BACH President, International Olympic Committee "I would like to say thank you to CMG and to all our media and broadcast partners. Thank you for joining us in writing this exciting new chapter in sporting history."

GOU ZHONGWEN President, Chinese Olympic Committee "It is believed that China Media Group can present the striving course of athletes from all over the world, and further explain the concepts of environmental responsibility, sharing, openness and cleanliness."

Mainstream media leaders from 78 countries that participated in the forum say technological innovations will bring the world to the Winter Olympics, especially amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Liu Jiaxin, CGTN, Beijing.

Beijing, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China stands ready to work with Central Asian countries to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

Xi made the remarks in Beijing at a virtual summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and five Central Asian countries.

The summit was participated by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan; Sadyr Zhaparov, President of Kyrgyz tan;  Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan; Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, President of Turkmenistan; and  Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan.

President Xi said that "No matter how the international landscape may evolve or how developed China may grow, China will always remain a good neighbor, a good partner, a good friend, and a good brother that Central Asian countries can trust and count on," Xi said.

China will continue to firmly support Central Asian countries in following development paths tailored to their national realities, firmly support them in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, firmly support them in pursuing national revitalization and greater strength through unity, and firmly support them in playing a bigger role on the world stage, said Xi.

Full Text Of Chinese President Xi Jinping

Dear Colleagues,

Friends,

The Chinese people often say, "One should be able to establish himself at the age of 30." The exchanges and cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, now in their 30th year, have been established on the basis of sincerity, mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit.

-- Over the past 30 years, we have followed the trend of the times, honored commitment and promoted amity. On the basis of mutual understanding and accommodation, we have completely resolved boundary issues left from history, turning the over 3,300 kilometers of shared borders into a bond of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation. We have established strategic partnerships, deepening political trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, blazing a new trail of good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation, and setting a good example of fostering a new type of international relations.

-- Over the past 30 years, we have joined hands in a common pursuit of development. Two-way trade and investment have grown over a hundred times. Several big projects of strategic importance have been successfully completed, including the China-Central Asia natural gas pipeline, the China-Kazakhstan crude oil pipeline, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway, and the China-Tajikistan expressway. The China-Europe Railway Express which runs through Central Asia has seen rapid growth. Guided by the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Belt and Road cooperation between China and Central Asian countries is burgeoning and bearing fruits in Central Asia.

-- Over the past 30 years, we have shared weal and woe and pursued common security. Following the new thinking of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, we have combined efforts to fight the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, transnational organized crime and drug trafficking and to resolutely reject external interference or attempts to instigate color revolutions. Together, we have firmly upheld our common security interests and peace and stability in our region.

-- Over the past 30 years, we have enhanced mutual understanding and affinity through mutual exchanges. The 58 pairs of sister cities and the hundreds of thousands of mutual visits every year help carry forward a friendship of over 2,000 years between the people of our countries. "I am a foreigner, but I am not an outsider." These words of Ismail Daurov, a young Kazakh helping with the local COVID-19 response in Shaanxi province, have touched the hearts of many in China. It is heartwarming episodes like this one that have formed a stirring symphony of Chinese and Central Asian people supporting each other through thick and thin.

-- Over the past 30 years, we have stood by each other and staunchly upheld justice. As defenders of multilateralism, we have rendered mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests, and spoken up for each other at critical moments. We have thus safeguarded our legitimate rights and strategic interests, promoted greater democracy in international relations, and steered the international order toward greater justice and equity.

The key to the successful cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries over the past three decades lies in our abiding commitment to mutual respect, good-neighborly friendship, solidarity in trying times, and mutual benefit. These four principles are a valuable experience and shared asset we have gained from cooperation; they are a political guarantee for the steady and sustained growth of China's relations with Central Asian countries; and they are a source of inspiration for us to further advance friendly exchanges.

Colleagues,

Friends,

Time rolls on just like the flow of water. No matter how the international landscape may evolve or how developed China may grow, China will always remain a good neighbor, a good partner, a good friend, and a good brother that Central Asian countries can trust and count on. China will continue to firmly support Central Asian countries in following development paths tailored to their national realities, firmly support them in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, firmly support them in pursuing national revitalization and greater strength through unity, and firmly support them in playing a bigger role on the world stage.

China stands ready to work with Central Asian countries to build on the good momentum and strive shoulder-by-shoulder to build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future. To that end, I wish to make the following five proposals:

First, we need to magnify the exemplary role of good-neighborly friendship, which is the foundation of China's relations with Central Asian countries. China will continue to act on the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and work with Central Asian countries to step up high-level exchanges and strategic communication and make the "China plus Central Asia" foreign ministers' meeting and other dialogue and cooperation mechanisms a continued success. This way, we will further enhance solidarity and mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and achieve common development and prosperity.

We firmly oppose attempts by external forces to foment color revolutions in Central Asia, firmly oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and firmly oppose any force that tries to disrupt the tranquil life of the people of our six countries. Not long ago, Kazakhstan experienced some dramatic developments, which led to heavy casualties and property damage. As a friend and neighbor, China has firmly supported Kazakhstan in its effort to maintain stability and stop violence, and will continue to support and help Kazakhstan to the best of our ability. China believes that under the strong leadership of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the courageous, industrious and good people of Kazakhstan will eventually embrace a better future in their national development.

Second, we need to build a cooperation belt for high-quality development. China is ready to open its vast market to Central Asian countries. We will import more quality goods and agricultural products from countries in the region, continue to hold the China-Central Asia economic and trade cooperation forum, and strive to increase the trade between our two sides to US$70 billion by 2030. China proposes establishing a dialogue mechanism on e-commerce cooperation among our countries, and holding a forum on industrial and investment cooperation when appropriate.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, we will resume passenger flights in a gradual manner, establish "fast tracks" to facilitate the movement of people, and improve "green lanes" to ensure unimpeded flow of goods. We will speed up the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, and further develop transport corridors connecting China and Central Asia to bring about safer and more efficient connectivity between our countries. We need to ensure the steady operation of our oil and gas pipelines, speed up the construction of Line D of the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, expand cooperation across the energy industrial chain, and promote low-carbon transition in the energy sector. We also need to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing and other high-tech sectors so that our peoples could enjoy the convenience enabled by high technologies.

Third, we need to strengthen the shield for defending peace. Peace is an aspiration shared by the people of all countries in the region. We must continue to combat terrorist, extremist and separatist forces, deepen cooperation in areas such as border management and control, combating terrorist use of the Internet and joint operation, and work together to strengthen the regional security net.

The COVID-19 pandemic proves once again that virus respects no borders and humanity shares a common future. China will continue to provide vaccines and anti-epidemic supplies to Central Asian countries, and step up joint production and technology transfer with respect to COVID vaccines and medicines. Here, I wish to announce that in 2022, China will provide an additional aid of 50 million doses of vaccines to Central Asian countries, and set up traditional medicine centers in countries with such need. China also calls for the establishment of a China-Central Asia health industry alliance.

Afghanistan is our mutual neighbor and partner. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan that enjoys development and prosperity is in the common interests of our six countries. China supports Afghanistan in establishing an open and inclusive political structure through dialogue and consultation, and calls on the international community to speed up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the country. We encourage and support Afghanistan to make a clean break with terrorism and hope it will live in amity with neighboring countries.

Fourth, we need to build a family with diverse interactions. Exchanges make civilizations colorful, and mutual learning makes them prosper. We need to foster a multi-faceted framework of people-to-people exchanges, speed up the establishment of culture centers in each other's country, actively conduct dialogue on cultural heritage, and continue to promote exchanges between women, think tanks, media and in other fields. We need to step up tourism cooperation. China will build platforms for Central Asian countries to promote their tourism resources, and stands ready to make all five Central Asian countries approved destinations for Chinese tourists. China proposes to hold a China-Central Asia people-to-people friendship forum, and will strive to bring the number of sister cities with the five countries to 100 pairs in the next five to ten years.

Youth represents the future of a country. In the next five years, China will provide 1,200 government scholarships to the five Central Asian countries, with priority on opening Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms. We will also hold diverse events including a China-Central Asia youth arts festival and a "Bridge of the Future" China-Central Asia young leaders camp.

The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 will soon open. We welcome athletes from Central Asian countries to take part in the Games in China and wish them good performance. We also stand ready to host the "Colorful Central Asia" online arts festival under the framework of the "Meet in Beijing" Olympic Cultural Festival.

Fifth, we need to protect the global village that enjoys peace and development. Not long ago, I proposed the Global Development Initiative at the United Nations, and called for joint efforts to tackle risks and challenges and advance the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Here, I wish to announce that in the next three years, the Chinese government will provide a grant assistance of US$500 million to Central Asian countries in support of livelihood programs, and offer 5,000 seminar and workshop opportunities to help Central Asian countries train professionals in health, poverty reduction for agricultural development, connectivity, information technology and other fields and strengthen the driving force for self-generated development.

Colleagues,

As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "Even the shortest journey can't be finished without taking the first step. Even the most trivial task can't be completed without taking actions." To promote the well-being of the people of our six countries, let us renew our friendship, advance cooperation, and work together to create a brighter future for the relations between China and Central Asian countries and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Dubai (Arab News)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in met recently with Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Nayef Al Hajraf to discuss potential partnerships between both sides.  Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening the close partnership between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Republic of Korea at all levels,” according to a statement issued by the GCC.

They discussed the latest international developments while reviewing aspects of bilateral relations and opportunities for cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, defense industry, health care, and digital education.

South Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council agreed last Wednesday to resume free trade, with an agreement expected to be reached within six months from the date of the first round of negotiations.

During a meeting between South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook and GCC Secretary-General Nayef Al Hajraf, both parties stressed the importance of “opening wide prospects for trade and industrial cooperation.”

Both men discussed the challenges facing GCC countries, which prompted them to reduce dependence on oil incomes, enhance non-oil revenues and focus on renewable and clean energy, according to a statement issued by the council.

The free trade agreement between the two sides is expected to “contribute to strengthening the solid economic relations and strengthening the strategic partnership between us,” the statement added.

South Korean delegation headed by President Moon Jae-in had recently visited on a four day tour to United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed by two day tour to  Saudi Arabia and a three day visit to Egypt. Moon trip to the Middle East agenda was focused on economic diplomacy, artificial intelligence, public health and energy cooperation.

During it's visit to UAE, both the countries signed a memorandum of understanding for the UAE's purchase of a South Korean mid-range missile defense system valued at some $3.5 billion, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Abu Dhabi and Seoul agreed to expand their cooperation in the development of carbon-capture technologies to create what is known as blue hydrogen, as the East Asian nation seeks to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Blue hydrogen is obtained from natural gas in a process that stops carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Moon Jae-in reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them in all fields. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and efforts made to achieve peace and stability in light of these developments.

Earlier on arrival in Riyadh, all were masked and President Moon did not shake hands with the Crown Prince who was present to receive the guest, in line with coronavirus social distancing practices.

After holding the talks at Al-Yamamah palace in Riyadh, the two nations signed preliminary deals to jointly develop green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind, and jointly build a hydrogen ecosystem,” Moon’s office said in a statement.

Under the deals, Seoul will be able to secure carbon-neutral hydrogen and ammonia supplies from the Kingdom. It will also help Riyadh operate hydrogen-powered cars and hydrogen fueling stations.

Saudi Arabia is South Korea’s top economic and trade partner in the Middle East, contributing over 30 percent of Seoul’s total crude oil imports in 2021, according to data by the Korea International Trade Association. Bilateral trade jumped from $3.9 billion in 1980 to $27.5 billion  in 2021, according to SPA.

Deals

• Saudi Ministry of Investment signed an agreement with Samsung C&T to help it develop and localize industries related to construction technologies and green products and around investing in building and financing infrastructure projects.
• The PIF signed an MoU with Korean firms POSCO and Samsung C&T to study and develop a green hydrogen production project in KSA for export purposes, while MISA signed a joint cooperation with Samsung C&T in the field of green hydrogen for pre-cast concrete blocks and infrastructure.
• Saudi Aramco signed an MoU with Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO, for a pre-feasibility study on blue ammonia and blue hydrogen for investment, production, logistics and sales, an agreement with POSCO regarding investment in blue ammonia and blue hydrogen and a basic terms agreement with Export-Import Bank of Korea for framework agreements that include a credit limit of up to $6 billion. Saudi Aramco also signed a series of agreements with S-Oil around areas including research and development, blue hydrogen and technology development.
• The Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Co. (Dussur), Saudi Aramco and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction signed an agreement to establish a high-efficiency factory in iron molding and forging in Ras Al-Khair, with a production capacity of 83,000 tons annually. The deal is expected to attract foreign investment, transfer quality technology to Saudi Arabia and localize supply chains for strategic sectors in the equipment industry for the oil and gas, water, energy and marine industries.
• Saudi real estate developer ROSHN and Samsung C&T agreed to establish a non-exclusive framework to jointly explore opportunities in housing development and pre-cast concrete blocks.
• The Korean Intellectual Property Office and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) signed advanced partnership arrangements for bilateral cooperation, including the secondment of Korean experts to SAIP
• The Ministry of National Guard signed a letter of intent agreement with EzCaretech to jointly provide and implement Dr. Answer – an artificial intelligence-based medical solutions tool – within targeted hospitals.
• Kumho Tire and Al-Sahm Al-Usud for Tires signed a technical partnership agreement to establish a factory for tire production. The factory’s production capacity will reach 15 million tires annually, and production is expected to start in the third quarter of 2023.

On his final leg of visit to GCC States and Africa, Moon Jae-in arrived in Cairo, where both the countries leaders discussed possibilities of cooperation in areas like renewable industries such as solar energy and environmentally friendly industries, as well as the development of railways, electric cars and seawater desalination as well as archeology and excavation of antiquities.

Egypt is one of the countries that come on the priority of South Korea official development assistance (ODA) for 2021 and 2025.  

Bilateral trade between South Korea and Egypt was recorded to US$ 2.1 billion between January-Nov. 2021, of which Egyptian exports to South Korea was  US$ 531.5 million, compared to $327.5 million during the same period of 2020.

Among the products exchanged between both South Korea and Egypt include petroleum products, cement, marble, granite, aluminum, pharmaceutical, home furnishings and ready-made clothes, in addition to cars, machinery, equipment, subway coaches and medical devices.

This visit was scheduled to be made in March 2021 but it has been postponed due to pandemic coronavirus.

Islamabad, 23 Jan. 2021 (Media Reports)

In a lengthy and fiery telephonic question and answer session with the general public live on air during a program called 'Aap Ka Wazir-e-Azam, Aap Kay Saath' (Your Prime Minister ' With You', on Sunday 23rd January 2022, he warned that 'if ousted (from power) will be more dangerous'. “Till now, I just quietly watch this show from my office, but if I come out on streets you won't find a place to hide." It was not clear referring towards whom if he is ousted from power as far as main stream opposition is concerned, largest opposition party Pakistan Muslim League (N) leadership has been continuously facing prisons without any charges proved on them in the courts by Imran Khan led Political Party Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf is in power since over three years August 2018.

His advisor on accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar has been a number of times blasted by the Pakistani courts for not producing any documentary evidences on government charges against political opponents and using Accountability Bureau for political revenges. Shahzad Akbar is also charged on mis-representation against Sharifs properties in UK and government of Pakistan was fined a couple of times by a London Courts to pay millions of dollars in fine including to the asset-recovery firm Broadsheet LLC in August 2021.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court ordered NAB and the Pakistan government to pay $1,222,037 and GBP110 as well as the claimant’s application cost of GBP26,296 to NAB’s solicitors until 4.30pm on August 10. It said NAB’s solicitors Allen and Overy shall pay all sums received from the government of Pakistan to Broadsheet LLC’s solicitors Crowell and Moring by 4.30pm on August 13.

A London High Court has ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Pakistan government to pay a sum of 1.2 million dollars to asset-recovery firm Broadsheet LLC by next week.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court ordered NAB and the Pakistan government to pay $1,222,037 and GBP110 as well as the claimant’s application cost of GBP26,296 to NAB’s solicitors until 4.30pm on August 10. It said NAB’s solicitors Allen and Overy shall pay all sums received from the government of Pakistan to Broadsheet LLC’s solicitors Crowell and Moring by 4.30pm on August 13.

Imran Khan forcefully took on the Sharif family on Sunday by declaring that he considered the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif a 'criminal' and 'the culprit of the nation' and not the opposition leader and that is why he avoids meeting him.

In a lengthy and fiery telephonic question and answer session with the general public live on air during a programme called “Aap Ka Wazir-e-Azam, Aap Kay Saath”, the prime minister blasted the Sharif family over corruption cases and revealed that he refuses to shake hands with Shehbaz on the pretext that it would normalise corruption as the latter was facing corruption cases worth billions of rupees.

However, the opposition parties and independent analysts took exception to the premier’s stance and raised several questions over his approach towards the opposition leader, whom the premier has long been avoiding to meet and even tactfully avoided following the Murree tragedy.

The PML-N and the PPP – the two main opposition parties – on Sunday lambasted Prime Minister Imran Khan shortly after his public interaction through a TV show ended, accusing him of shifting the blame for his “failure” to rein in the high prices of essential goods to a global phenomenon. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter to say that the premier sounded like a man who had conceded defeat.

She called the premier a 'conspirator” and a victim of his own wrongdoings'

“Every word that Imran Khan uttered today reeks of failure, dashed hopes and no faith in his or PTI’s future. This was inevitable, man,” she wrote. “You are history & the history that we will be taught as a lesson of caution to those who rely more on conspiracy & plotting than people’s power.”

She maintained that PM Imran sounded like a person who had not only been defeated but also accepted it. “[Four] years into the govt & he is still only whining.”

“No one can arbitrarily decide who is a criminal and who is not,” the president of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said. “We have courts for this purpose.”

Calling it an “unstatesmanlike statement”, the PILDAT president said that as long as someone is elected, has not been disqualified by a court of law, and holds a position such as the leader of the opposition, “PM is duty bound to deal with him, hold consultations and try to reach a consensus where possible”.

Emphasising that one should respect the Constitution and democratic traditions and recognise the importance of engaging with the opposition, Mehboob raised the question that if “PM considers it wrong to engage with opposition leader then how does it become right for his second-in-command Shah Mahmood Qureshi to invite the leader of opposition for talks on South Punjab province?”

While giving another example, Mehboob recalled that even PM Imran had to write a letter to the leader of the opposition for consultation on the appointment of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members but he only refused to meet him face to face. “This is not befitting a PM to take such positions,” he lamented.

After all, Mehboob said, PM Imran has often expressed willingness to engage with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite outrageous policies and actions of the neighbouring country's leader, questioning “why can’t he engage with his political opponents within his own country”.

Doha, 20 Jan. 2022

By Ashraf Siddiqui

The Minister of Culture, Government of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, graced the recent launch ceremony of two Arabic-translated books of Gianni Rodari, Italian legendary writer, innovative author, educational expert and winner of prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award in 1970 (considered the Nobel Prize for children’s literature genre).

‘La torta in cielo’ (The cake in the sky) and Fiabe lunghe un sorriso (Tales long a smile) have been translated into Arabic by Italian embassy in Qatar with the cooperation of Ministry of Culture, Government of Qatar.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador of Italy to the State of Qatar, Alessandro Prunas said, “We are particularly proud of our pavilion at the Doha International Book Fair. This year’s will be the first edition featuring an institutional Italian participation and we have chosen to bet on younger generations. Indeed, both Italy and Qatar give great importance to education and promotion of children’s potential and rights, and I think that our intense program during the fair fits perfectly within our shared policies and ambitions towards childhood.”

The Italian booth at the 31st Doha International Book Fair is entirely dedicated to children’s books as it’s hosting an exhibition of the works of Italian authors and illustrators of children’s books as well as readings and workshops.

The Italian pavilion is organised and managed in cooperation with ‘Reggio Children’, a leading Italian organisation in the field of early childhood education and children’s rights promotion, known in the world for its educational project the ‘Reggio Emilia Approach’, which develops and renews itself every day in Reggio Emilia’s municipal infant-toddler centers and preschools.

According to the Italian embassy’s statement on the occasion, the main objective of the Italian booth is to introduce children to reading by offering them a space for active exploration and learning through Italian books, illustrations and workshops. Special attention is dedicated to introducing new methods, books and tools to educators.

The booth displays and sells a selection of children’s books published by Italian publishing houses or by Italian authors. The agenda includes a range of free-of-charge activities during the whole duration of the fair, including the workshop ‘Mosaic of Marks, Words, Materials’ and readings for children of books by Italian authors in English, Arabic and Italian languages. In addition, a selection of illustrations through pictures by 21 Italian artists realised by ‘Bologna Children’s Book Fair’’ is also on display at the Italian pavilion in Qatar for the first time.

A section at the booth is dedicated to displaying of “Out of silence. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, narrating through wordless books” by ‘Bologna Children’s Book Fair’. Talking to the writer at the booth at the book fair, Enrico Massa, First Secretary and Head of Cultural and Media Section, embassy of Italy, said that by their very nature, wordless books communicate with a combination of silence and volubility. “Their narrative format places them beyond language barriers, accessible to all readers. By reaching into emarginated corners, the silent book becomes a means of bringing the world together.”

Italian artist Enrica Pizzicori, who specializes in children’s illustrations and is the author of the booth’s main logo, is performing live digital painting sessions throughout the fair’s days.

For more information and registration, interested readers may contact through email to italy.dohabookfair@reggiochildren.it.

20 January 2022

By Ashraf Siddiqui

More than 7,000 books of different genre by renowned American authors – from children’s books to bestsellers – are on sale at discounted prices at the US Embassy booth at the 31st Doha International Book Fair being held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

At the conclusion of the “Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture”, US Air Forces (AFCENT) Doha based periodical band members and Qatari artists left visitors impressed with their superb joint performance in the evening of Sunday, January 16.

As many as 10 AFCENT members and four Qatari artists presented joint and solo performances with traditional Qatari and Western instruments recently. As they played all-time famous Western songs, including icon country song ‘Take Me Home’ Country Roads, the audience were left spellbound. Samantha Jackson, Public Diplomacy Officer  at the USA embassy Qatar paid vote of thanks to the all concerned organizations joined hands and cooperated in organizing the event as well as US embassy booth at the 31st Doha International Book Fair and the participating artists

The US embassy in Qatar joined the 31st Annual Doha international Book Fair in a unique and innovative style with its message underlining the importance of reading books. The embassy joined this year’s theme ‘Knowledge is Light’ initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar.

The US embassy’s participation in the book fair this year coincides with the conclusion of the “Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture” and the celebrations of 50 years of bilateral relations between the US and Qatar.

According to the US embassy Qatar website, the US booth boasts a record inventory of more than 7,000 books being offered at discounted prices.
Natalie A. Baker, Charge d’ Affaires at the US embassy Qatar, said, “As we join the people of Qatar over the next week to celebrate literacy and learning, our goal during the 31st Doha International Book Fair is to encourage literacy, professional development, and academic exchange between our two nations.”

In addition, the US embassy is holding a variety of activities including film showcasing, English language learning, advice on education in the US, as well as consular information sessions.

The Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture was officially inaugurated at the Katara Cultural Village Opera House on January 15, 2021 with a special concert by Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) and US Air Force Central Band (AFCENT). The event was hosted by Qatar Museums and the US embassy in Qatar. Those present on the occasion included Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani; then Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem Al Ali; Ambassador of Qatar to the US, Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani; and then Charge d’Affaires of United States Embassy in Qatar Greta C. Holtz.

The Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture aims to enhance cultural and artistic exchanges and exemplifies the renewed commitment of the two countries to foster mutual understanding and promote intercultural dialogue.

For latest information on activities at the Doha Book Fair, interested people may follow its social media platforms on Twitter @USEmbassyDoha, Facebook @USEmbassyQatar, and Instagram @USEmbassyDoha.

18 Jan. 2022 (CNN)

Novak Djokovic has arrived back in Serbia's capital Belgrade after his deportation from Australia ended the world No. 1 tennis player's hopes of playing in the Australian Open.

The Australian Open is the first grand slam of the tennis season. The second is the French Open at Roland Garros, which is being staged between May 22 and June 5.But all professional athletes who wish to compete in France will have to be vaccinated against Covid-19, France's Sports Ministry told CNN on Monday.

France's vaccine pass law, approved by parliament on Sunday, will require people to have a vaccine certificate to enter public places such as restaurants, cafes, cinemas and sports arenas, among others.

"The rule is simple. The vaccine pass will be required once the law comes into force in institutions that were already subject to the health pass (sporting or cultural). This will apply to everyone (spectators, professional sportspeople)," a French Sports Ministry spokeswoman told CNN.That new legislation puts the chances of Djokovic, who has not been vaccinated against Covid-19, competing at the French Open in jeopardy.

The French Open previously allowed for unvaccinated players to compete as they operated in a bubble around the tournament.He will also have to comply with Spain's health rules to compete in the upcoming Madrid Open that kicks off in late April, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday.

Sanchez lauded Australia's decision to deport Djokovic, saying he has "total respect for the decision of the Australian government. "Spain currently requires visitors to show proof of full vaccination, a recent negative Covid test within 72 hours before arrival or a certificate of having recovered from Covid-19, according to its health ministry

.International sporting events in the country may add additional rules for participants such as Covid-19 testing on a daily basis during the tournament, a senior government official told CNN on Monday.

New Delhi, 18 Jan. 2022 (Anadolu News)

India has begun work on deploying the Russia-made S-400 Triumf advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, with the first unit to be made operational in April, local media reported Monday.

All five units will be deployed to tackle the threat from China, The Hindustan Times reported.

The two countries have been locked in an intense standoff for the past two years along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the de facto border between China and India in the territory of Ladakh in the disputed Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir. Tensions soared in June 2020 after at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a border clash in the region.

Though the situation calmed after several rounds of talks, the two sides are yet to reach a resolution and have increased military deployments along the border.

All five units of the S-400 system, which can take down a hostile aircraft or missile at a range between 40 and 400 kilometers (25 miles and (248 miles), are expected to be operational by next year, The Hindustan Times quoted local officials as saying.

Specter of US sanctions

In 2018, India and Russia signed a US$5.5 billion contract for the S-400 system, putting India at risk of US sanctions.

The US has long tried to deter countries from buying military equipment from Russia, threatening them with punitive measures under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which it has used against Turkiye, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

Despite Washington's warnings, New Delhi moved forward with the purchase, arguing that it has strategic connections with both Russia and the US.

Turkiye has also gone forward with its S-400 purchase, dismissing the US sanctions threat and saying the missiles are a matter of national security.

US President Joe Biden’s Coordinator for Sanctions Policy James O’Brien told lawmakers in the House of Representatives last week that the US does not want India to buy the S-400 missile defense system from Russia, according to media reports.

He also said that Washington has to take into account important geo-strategic circumstances in response to the growing demand from Biden to exempt India from CAATSA.

Nicosia (TRNC), 07 Jan. 2022

The TRNC Prime Ministry announced that the Council of Ministers decided to give the name of Birkan Uzun to Kıvanç Tepe, which is located in the Karşıyaka region of Kyrenia and known as the highest peak by mountaineers.

In a recent statement made by the TRNC Prime Ministry Press and Public Relations Directorate, it was stated that Birkan Uzun died as a result of an unfortunate accident in the USA in the first days of the year, and all the people, especially his family, were in deep mourning.

Birkan Uzun, who set the goal of being the first Turkish Cypriot to climb the 7 continents and 7 summits, waved the TRNC Flag on Vinson Mountain, Antarctica's highest peak, on 16th December, 2021, and became a source of pride for the Turkish Cypriot people.

It was emphasized that Uzun, who came very close to his dream by overcoming great devotion, effort and difficulties, left an immortal memory with the TRNC Flag at the Vinson Mountain Summit and made his country proud, and it was emphasized that it would not be easy to forget the pain that Uzun left behind.

In the statement, it was stated that it is a duty to keep the spirituality of Birkan Uzun, who left an indelible mark on history with his success, as an example to the youth.
It was also noted “In order to keep alive the eternal memory of Birkan Uzun, who drew attention to the embargoes imposed on the TRNC, gave morale and inspiration to all young people by calling them to follow their dreams despite everything, and to show our youth the greatness of patriotism and the feeling of protecting the flag, it was decided to give the name of "Birkan Uzun" to Kıvanç Tepe, which is very well known by mountaineers as the highest peak, by the decision of the Council of Ministers. All necessary studies and initiatives have been initiated in this regard.

On this occasion, we once again express our condolences and patience to his family and loved ones in the pain and sadness of losing Birkan, the pride of the Turkish people of Northern Cyprus. May he rest in peace", the statement said.