Bogota, Colombia, 10 Nov 2023 (Anadolu News)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Friday that the government’s legal teams “are preparing lawsuits to file before all international courts” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It is not the first time that Petro has threatened to sue Israel since the conflict began in Gaza. Petro had already announced that "Colombia will help" the complaint that Algeria will file before the International Criminal Court "for war crimes committed by Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu," within the framework of the war with the Islamist group Hamas.

"Colombia’s Foreign Minister will meet tomorrow with the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court," Petro said in a message published on X on Thursday.

The president of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune has asked human rights defenders to bring Israel before the International Criminal Court for the "crimes he is committing against Palestinians in Gaza".

"I urge all free men in the world, Arab jurists and human rights organizations and agencies to file a complaint before the International Criminal Court and international human rights organizations against the Israeli entity, to put an end to decades of impunity for crimes committed against Palestinians," Tebboune said on Monday.

The Colombian president has condemned the Israel attacks on Gaza on his social media and in his speeches and has even threatened to suspend relations with that country.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune warned that “full-fledged war crimes” are being committed in Gaza.

“What is happening in Gaza is full-fledged war crimes,” Algerian state-run TV quoted Tebboune as saying during a meeting with citizens, civil society organizations, and officials in Djelfa province last Sunday.

"The Palestinians are not terrorists because they defend their homeland and their rights," Tebboune explained, citing the example of the fighters of the Algerian revolution against French colonialism (1954-1962), who were described at the time as “terrorists” by France.

Israeli authorities continue to impose strict restrictions on Palestinians, banning them from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for Friday prayers for the fifth consecutive week.

However, an official with the Waqf Department in Jerusalem told Anadolu that only 4,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were elderly, had managed to reach Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform the Friday prayers.

The official, who preferred not to be named, added that the mosque appeared to be empty due to Israeli strict control of the streets.

Since early Friday morning, Israeli forces have been heavily deployed across occupied East Jerusalem, particularly in the Old City and the entrances leading to the mosque.

Hundreds of Palestinians were forced to perform Friday prayers in the streets near the Old City area after being barred from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Israeli side did not comment on the reasons for restricting Muslims’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

An Irish member of the European Parliament on Friday Clare Daly criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for not calling for a truce in Gaza, where Israeli bombardment has killed over 11,000 Palestinians.

"With European and American weapons, and European and American support. Still @vonderleyen cannot even say the word: 'ceasefire.' This isn't just Israel's genocide. It's Europe's too."

Clare Daly said that "You can't even call for it to stop. You can't even call for a cease-fire. Well, of course, you cannot. Because these crimes against humanity are being carried out with your weapons, in your name.

"So do not come in here trying to wipe the blood off with belated concern. It's not just Israel's genocide. It's yours and The Hague isn't good enough for you," she said.

Doha, 10 Nov 2023 (QNA)

Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud discussed bilateral strong fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields to achieves the common interests of both countries and of the people.

During talks held at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh today, both the leaders also discussed current developments, especially in the occupied Palestine, efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza, protect civilians, bring in assistance urgently, and what would support security and stability in the region.

Present on the occasion were Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chief of Amiri Diwan Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Head of the State Security Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and members of official delegation.

From the Saudi side, present were Minister of State and cabinet member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud; Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif Al Saud; Minister of National Guard Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed Bin Mohammed Al Aiban.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister hosted dinner banquet in honour of Amir of State of Qatar and accompanying members of the delegation.

Earlier, before visiting Saudi Arabia, Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani visited Cairo and met Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of Egypt at Al Ittihadiya Palace this morning.

Both the leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields. Both the leaders also discussed a number of current regional and international issues, and exchanged views on them, most notably developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and joint efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza, reduce the escalation, and introduce urgent humanitarian aid, to ensure the safety of civilians and contribute to reducing tensions in the region.

Both the leaders affirmed their firm and continuous support for the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, especially their right to establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two-state solution, and their condemnation of all violations committed against the Palestinian people, their land, and their sanctities that undermine reaching a just solution for the issue.

Present on the occasion were Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Chief of the Amiri Diwan Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Head of the State Security Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and members of the accompanying delegation.

Participated from the Egyptian side, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madboul; Director of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. Abbas Kamel;  Chief of Office of Republic's President Maj. Gen. Ahmed Ali; Minister of Health and Population Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar; and Spokesman Presidency of Republic Counsellor Ahmed Fahmy.

Amir of State of Qatar and Egyptian President during bilateral meeting discussed aspects of supporting and developing the strong fraternal bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and all current issues of common interests.

Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President of Arab Republic of Egypt hosted luncheon banquet in honour of Amir of State of Qatar and members of the accompanying delegation.

Tashkent, 09 Nov 2023

Pakistan's Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to ECO Vision 2025, called for collective efforts and accelerated reforms to achieve the Organisation’s objectives and region’s trade potential for bringing “colossal” economic and peace dividends.

“Let us make ECO an organisation not just of words, but actions, not just commitments but implementation.

It is crucial for us to work collectively and diligently to realise the goals and objectives of the Organisation. Our region, if well connected, can bring colossal economic and peace dividends for our people,” the prime minister said addressing the 16th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) here.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the Economic Cooperation Organization to speak out against Israel's attack on Gaza.

"If we, as the Economic Cooperation Organization, do not raise our voices together as Muslims today, when will we raise them?," Erdogan told the 16th summit of the economic grouping in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent.

"Israel continues to bomb schools, mosques, churches, hospitals, and crushing all humanitarian values," the Turkish leader said.

Some 73% of nearly 11,000 people brutally killed by Israel in Gaza are women, children, Erdogan said, criticizing the US and West for remaining silent about Israel's attacks on Gaza.

On humanitarian aid for the besieged Gaza enclave, Erdogan said Türkiye has so far sent 10 planes carrying 230 tons of humanitarian aid to Egypt's El Arish airport with help of Cairo.

Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestine group Hamas on Oct. 7.​​​​​​​

At least 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children and 2,823 women, have been killed, according to Palestinian figures.

The Israeli death toll nears 1,600, latest official figures say.

Uzbekistan has proposed to organize an interregional industrial exhibition within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and hold its first event in its country in 2024, Trend reports.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his speech at the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit said that Uzbekistan has developed and submitted to the ECO Secretariat a program of joint actions to increase the inflow of mutual investments, protect them and deepen industrial cooperation.

He noted that the document is aimed at promoting new joint projects in the chemical, energy, geological, textile, leather and footwear, food, pharmaceutical and construction industries.

President Raisi called on the ECO states to pray for the powerful oppressed people of Gaza, the IRNA reported on Thursday.

During his speech, President Raisi highlighted Iran’s unconditional support for the ECO activities.

The president went on to say that Iran is determined to unite more energy and sources to make a boom in cooperation in ECO.

The positive process of cooperation in the ECO would lead to greater willingness to develop regional relations within the framework of the Organization, the president added.

He also described ECO as the most related and mature mechanism for economic cooperation in the region.

Elsewhere, the president once again touched on the issue of Gaza, condemned the West and the US's all-out support for the Zionists’ aggression against Gaza and introduced the United States as the Israeli regime’s accomplice in its crimes against the Palestinian nation.

That millions of people from across the world rally in support of Palestine and the oppressed people in Gaza indicates that Palestine has lied at the heart of the world nations, he underlined.

As he stressed, the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza is the most important measure to be taken at the present time.

The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the more the Zionist regime continues its crimes, the more complicated the situation of the region becomes, he announced.

So, Iran urges immediate cessation of attacks and massacres and facilitation of international humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Wednesday, 08 Nov 2023  

Wednesday marks the Journalists' Day in China. Journalist Day is a public holiday that’s observed in China every year on the 8th November honoring  the journalists. It’s celebrated in memory of a reporter Liu Yusheng, a reporter for Jiang Sheng Daily, he was executed in 1933 for pro-communist views.

Since his early days as a Party cadre, President Xi Jinping has consistently given his support to the professional development of journalists and shown concern for their well-being. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on journalists and those working on public communication to absorb new learning, get to know new areas, broaden their horizons, improve their comprehensive skills, and conduct more field research.

He has, on many occasions, highlighted the four essential qualities of a good reporter, which entail the will to get down to the grassroots, the ability to observe clearly, to think profoundly, and to write powerfully.

"To put it simply, a journalist must be trustworthy and reliable," Xi noted.

In February 2016, President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of the country's leading media outlets and spoke at a symposium on media work following the inspection.

 This holiday was created in 1999 in memory of Liu Yusheng, This holiday is observed with state-sponsored events that award and promote journalists who tow a pro-China and pro-communist line in China. It’s also observed with special television events, parties, and other such events.

The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) (Chinese: 中華全國新聞工作者協會; pinyin: Zhōnghuá quánguó xīnwén gōngzuò zhě xiéhuì), previously known as the 'Chinese Young Journalist Association', is a people's organization established in Shanghai on November 8, 1937.

Xinhua News Agency, or New China News Agency, is the official state news agency of the People's Republic of China. A State Council's ministry-level institution founded in 1931, Xinhua is the largest media organ in China.

Doha, 07 Nov. 2023

The Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), a state-of-the-art venue in Qatar, has announced a significant collaboration with MANGUSTEEN, a leading international event management company headquartered in Qatar. This collaboration is outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in the presence of esteemed media representatives from Qatar, marking a new era for dynamic events in Qatar and beyond.

“QNCC's strategic mission is to cultivate a diverse array of events that not only enrich Qatar's landscape but also bolster the realization of the National 2030 vision. Through collaborative efforts with partners such as MANGUSTEEN, co-organized events with partners look to delve into specific sectors spanning Fintech, digital transformation, as well as cultural and entertainment spheres. At QNCC, we are committed to crafting dynamic experiences that align with the evolving needs of our society in Qatar,” said by Robert Tripoli, GENERAL MANAGER of QATAR NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE.

"The partnership between MANGUSTEEN and Qatar National Convention Centre is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and innovation in the world of events. We look forward to creating unforgettable experiences and fostering the growth of Qatar's event industry. The very first manifestation of this MoU will be the 3rd edition of the Arab Fintech Forum, which we are bringing to the state-of-the-art QNCC venue." said Malik Shishtawi, CEO of MANGUSTEEN.

The Collaborative Vision: Under the terms of the MoU, both parties have agreed to co-organize a series of events that span both the entertainment and business sectors. While MANGUSTEEN will lead in event planning and management, while QNCC will provide the venue and essential support services.

Forward Together: This collaboration signifies an exciting synergy between MANGUSTEEN's event management expertise and the world-class facilities at QNCC. It promises to bring a fresh wave of dynamic events to Qatar, providing a platform for both local and international talents to shine.

Both parties are excited about the possibilities that this partnership will unlock, and they remain committed to maintaining the highest standards and professionalism throughout the collaboration.

The strategic partnership between MANGUSTEEN and Qatar National Convention Centre is poised to redefine the event landscape in Qatar and the region. Stay tuned for a lineup of exciting events that will captivate audiences and make a mark in the industry.

Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) nestled in the heart of Doha's Education City, is a renowned award-winning venue dedicated to hosting world-class events. With its state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to excellence, QNCC has earned a stellar reputation for hosting conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events of international significance.

MANGUSTEEN LLC is a leading and award-winning event management company in Qatar, known for its innovation and expertise in creating and executing memorable events. With a strong track record of organizing both entertainment and business events, MANGUSTEEN Events has established itself as a key player in the industry.

MANGUSTEEN is a proud member of UFI, ICCA & IAEE: the leading global associations for events and event organizers around the world.

Washington, 06 Nov 2023 (Anadolu Agency)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Monday over 'clear violations' of international law in Gaza, emphasizing that "no party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law."

During a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said the UN and its partners are launching a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to help 2.7 million Palestinians.

"I am deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing. Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law," said the UN chief.

Describing the situation in the besieged and bombarded Palestinian enclave as "more than a humanitarian crisis," Guterres stressed that it was facing a crisis of humanity, shaking the world and rattling the region.

He emphasized that the protection of civilians must be paramount and highlighted that Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children, with hundreds of girls and boys reportedly being killed or injured daily.

"The unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian cease-fire more urgent with every passing hour," said Guterres.

"The parties to the conflict — and, indeed, the international community — face an immediate and fundamental responsibility: To stop the inhuman collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to Gaza," he added.

Israel has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, have been killed in the Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements, basic supplies are running low for Gaza's more than 2 million residents due to the Israeli siege.

Israeli attacks have killed a Palestinian child every 10 minutes on average over the past month in Gaza, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said on Monday.

"On average, a child is killed and 2 are injured every 10 minutes during the war," the UNRWA said in a statement published on X.

"Protecting civilians in times of conflict is not an aspiration or an ideal; it is an obligation and a commitment to our shared humanity," it added.

UNRWA is the primary UN agency operating in the Gaza Strip, where its schools currently host some 670,000 displaced Palestinians seeking refuge from unrelenting Israeli attacks. The aid agency has lost at least 70 of its staff workers since the attacks began.

Israel has launched air and ground raids on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women. The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements due to the Israeli siege of the region, basic supplies are also running low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

he flights at Israel's main airport has been cut by 80% since the outbreak of the fighting in Gaza on Oct. 7.

According to the Secret Flying website, there is an average of 100 flights daily at the Ben Gurion airport during the war, compared to usual 500 flights per day before the conflict erupted.

The website added that most of the flights canceled belong to the main Israeli airlines – El Al, Arkia and Israir, in addition to foreign carriers which also canceled their flights to Ben Gurion Airport.

It, however, said an estimated 50 foreign carriers had canceled all their scheduled flights to and from Israel.

Doha, 05 Nov 2023

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani stressed that the situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated to worse levels a month after the outbreak of fighting in the occupied Palestinian territories, indicating that the Israeli occupation is committing genocidal practices and crimes of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.

In a press conference held on Sunday with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, Catherine Colonna, he said that today's talks focused on all the political and humanitarian dimensions of this crisis. The talks also discussed Qatar's priorities in continuing the efforts aimed at mediation through the release of hostages and the need for relief convoys and humanitarian aid to flow adequately and without interruption to the Palestinian brethren besieged in the Gaza Strip without food, water, or medicine.

He added that during the talks, the State of Qatar emphasized the necessity of resuming the provision of all basic needs for the civilians, including communications services, in addition to supplying health institutions with fuel, the depletion of which threatens to put more hospitals in the Strip out of service and threatens the lives of thousands of sick and wounded people.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that every day the Israeli occupation continues to commit genocidal practices and crimes of ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people, not to mention the indiscriminate bombing of hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and other civilian facilities, in which the displaced, women, children, and the elderly have taken shelter.

He pointed out the indiscriminate intensified bombing that everyone witnessed over the past few days, especially in residential neighborhoods. He indicated that the occupation justified those bombings on suspicion of the presence of a leader there, making the cost of such targeting reach more than 400 persons in one neighborhood. He said that the international community;s reactions to those targeting were not at the required level and may sometimes be shameful.

Prime Minister of Qatar said that the continuation of these practices, despite the United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate, permanent, and sustainable humanitarian truce leading to the cessation of hostilities, undermines international efforts aimed at maintaining international peace and security. His Excellency indicated that those policies not only led to an escalation in violence but also contributed to the complexity of humanitarian and relief efforts that would alleviate the human suffering of our brethren in Gaza.

During the press conference, he stressed the demand that the international community assumes its moral and legal responsibilities to put an end to the ongoing Israeli escalation, which is inconsistent with all human and moral values and the rules of international law, expressing his thanks and appreciation to the French Republic for its vote in favor of this resolution in the UN General Assembly, while many countries have failed the Palestinian people, either by voting against them or abstaining from voting.

He indicated that the reactions to what is happening in Gaza did not live up to the scale of this humanitarian catastrophe as the international community continues to deal with this crisis with double standards, which has shaken the confidence of the peoples of the region in the international system.

He underscored the State of Qatar's firm stance in condemning all forms of targeting civilians, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or national backgrounds, stressing the necessity of coordination with regional and international partners to reach an immediate and sustainable truce that leads to the halt of hostilities and the immediate flow of humanitarian aid without any obstacles.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that during this war, the world witnessed precedents that never occurred in any other wars in the past decades by using humanitarian aid as a means of putting pressure on these besieged people and the inability of the international system to meet their needs, pointing out that the negotiations revolve around the number of trucks allowed to have access, and how to protect the employees of humanitarian institutions, who perform a humanitarian role.

He noted that various international institutions have stated that what is being used in this war is unprecedented, as many of their employees were exposed to high risks, while about 70 UN employees were killed during this war.

During the press conference, he affirmed the continuation of Qatari mediation efforts regarding releasing hostages, although these efforts are at risk in light of the spread of false reports and leaks about the negotiations, in addition to the complexity of the field situation due to the practices of the Israeli occupation army. He stressed the determination of the State of Qatar to exercise its efforts, based on its firm policy and humanitarian values, to release all civilian hostages and return them to their families and for the brothers in Gaza to enjoy security and safety, and for civilians to be protected from the war machine that has been brutalizing them since last month.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani said that the State of Qatar welcomed the successful first evacuation operation via the Rafah crossing in early November and that the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt played a major role in the success and facilitation of the operation, calling for more evacuation operations to be conducted, for foreigners and the injured whose health conditions require treatment abroad.

He stressed that the State of Qatar will spare no effort in supporting the brotherly Palestinian people, and hoped for the continuation of efforts to spare civilians the consequences of fighting and to protect the region from the risk of sliding into a wider cycle of violence.

He said that coordination with regional and international partners will continue, including with the French Republic, to find an immediate solution to this crisis, reiterating that the international community has a moral responsibility to resolve the Palestinian issue once and for all, on the basis of ending the occupation, implementing the resolutions of international legitimacy, and the Arab Peace Initiative; ensuring the establishment of the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In turn, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic,  Catherine Colonna affirmed that Qatar and France want to solve all problems, noting the worrying situation in this part of the world.

Addressing the press conference, She said that the State of Qatar undoubtedly plays an important role and that it is dependable in these very difficult moments. She stressed the need to deliver international aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians, noting the usefulness of the previous small delivery, however, she added that it does not respond to the needs of the people of Gaza, which are much greater, leading to the need to make more swift efforts to try to stop this humanitarian catastrophe.

She called for enabling an urgent and constant delivery of aid by imposing a ceasefire and an end of hostilities, referring to the October 26 UN resolution to that end, on which France voted in favor and supported this vision, saying that the Security Council must live up to its responsibility and adopt a motion. She added that France is working with its partners, especially Brazil.

She indicated that in cooperation with its partners and humanitarian agencies, France will organize on November 9, a humanitarian conference for the civilian population in Gaza, stressing the need to find the appropriate response to protect civilians by implementing the following 3 goals: upholding respect of the international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, restoring access to humanitarian aid, water, and electricity, in addition to calling for mobilization for the protection of civilians in Gaza.

French minister stressed the need to protect civilians since many are dying in the bombing of Gaza, especially in hospitals and schools, as well as the importance of protecting journalists, noting that civilians in Gaza should not pay the price.

She condemned the violence committed by settlers in the West Bank, pointing to the need to avoid the ignition or spread of war in the region, especially in Lebanon.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs affirmed that her country will make every effort to prevent this war from spilling over, and to discuss the possibility of reaching a diplomatic and peaceful solution, indicating that Palestinians have the right to live in peace in an independent state, based on the two-state solution.

She expressed her gratitude to the State of Qatar and its efforts to ensure the release of all hostages, as well as its concern for the security of all foreigners in Gaza, including French citizens, and for the people who suffer from the fragile situation there.

Doha, 05 Nov 2023

Doha, Qatar, 04 Nov. 2023

QatarEnergy has announced the signing of a partnership agreement with China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec) for the North Field South (NFS) expansion project.

The two sides also signed a long-term sales and purchase agreement (SPA) for the delivery of 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG from the NFS project to Sinopec’s receiving terminals in China over a span of 27 years.

The agreements were signed in Shanghai today by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, and Dr. MA Yong-sheng, the Chairman of Sinopec in a special ceremony attended by senior executives from both companies.

Pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement, QatarEnergy will transfer a 5% interest to Sinopec in a joint venture company that owns the equivalent of 6 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG production capacity in the NFS project.

Today’s partnership agreement is the second of its kind with Sinopec, following a similar one signed in Doha last April, which marked Sinopec’s entry as a shareholder in one of the North Field East (NFE) joint venture companies that own the NFE project, one of the most critical projects in the global LNG industry. The agreement will not affect the participating interests of any of the other shareholders.

The long-term LNG SPA signed today follows another SPA signed in November 2022 for the supply of 4 MTPA of LNG over 27 years, the longest LNG supply agreement in the history of the industry.

These historic miles tones are a testament to the excellent bilateral relations between the People’s Republic of China and the State of Qatar as well as between Sinopec and QatarEnergy.

Kathmandu, Nepal, (Daily The Rising Nepal)

Brautigam of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and Meg Rithmire of the Harvard Business School, jointly published an article in The Atlantic magazine and concluded that the debt-trap narrative was “a lie, and a powerful one.” “Our research shows that Chinese banks are willing to restructure the terms of existing loans and have never actually seized an asset from any country, much less the port of Hambantota.” Brautigam published her findings in a 2020 article for Johns Hopkins’ China Africa Research Initiative 'Debt Relief with Chinese Characteristics'.

It investigated Chinese loans in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Ethiopia, Angola, and the Republic of Congo, and “found no ‘asset seizures'. The research discovered that China cancelled more than $3.4 billion and restructured or refinanced roughly $15 billion of debt in Africa between 2000 and 2019. “Moreover, despite critics’ worries that China could seize its borrower’s assets, we do not see it attempting to take advantage of countries in debt distress,” it stated.

Our political, bureaucratic and intellectual circles should take their cues from the findings of the US mainstream academics and must not be misled by fabricated information about the BRI.

It is wise to learn from its decade-long history - its shortcomings seen in the process of implementation and positive impacts on the receiving countries - so as to better negotiate with the BRI lending agencies.

It has become imperative to form common position on the BRI and efforts should be made to secure soft or concessional loans to build mega infrastructures. It is not only loans but also the aid or grants that form the components of BRI. In order to win the confidence of Nepalis, the Chinese side could also build a signature project under its grants in the first stage of implementation. But politicisation or demonisation of BRI can only deprive Nepal of huge economic opportunity available at its doorstep.

(The author is Deputy Executive Editor of Daily The Rising Nepal).