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American Restaurant Partners (OTCMKTS:ICTPU) Trading 1.5% Higher – What’s Next?
TEHRAN - Shortly after I arrived in Iran, I visited Semnan province and the ancient post station there. I deeply felt that as early as more than 2,000 years ago, China and Iran were closely connected through the ancient Silk Road. At present, as an important country along the “Belt and Road”, Iran actively participates in the joint building of the “Belt and Road”. Many Iranian friends have strong interests in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and often discuss relevant topics with me. Therefore, I would like to introduce this important initiative. In the fall of 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the joint building of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, namely the BRI. This is a major initiative for international cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping with an insightful grasp of the trend of the world and the future of mankind. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the BRI, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road and focusing on enhancing connectivity, aims to enhance policy, infrastructure, trade, financial and people-to-people connectivity, inject new impetus into the global economy, create new opportunities for global development, and build a new platform for international economic cooperation. Over the past decade, Belt and Road cooperation has gone through a very extraordinary journey, not only making important achievements but also forming valuable experience. We have deeply realized that humankind is a community with a shared future, win-win cooperation is the sure way to success in launching major initiatives that benefit all, and the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is the most important source of strength for Belt and Road cooperation. President Xi Jinping pointed out that Belt and Road cooperation is based on the belief that flame runs high when everyone adds wood to the fire and that mutual support can get us far. Such cooperation seeks to deliver a good life not only to people of just one country, but to people in other countries as well. It promotes connectivity, mutual benefit, common development, cooperation and win-win outcomes. The BRI is proposed by China for the benefit of the whole world. Over the past decade, Belt and Road cooperation has extended from the Eurasian continent to Africa and Latin America. More than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents. We have held 3 sessions of the BRF before, and have established over 20 specialized multilateral cooperation platforms under the BRI. Belt and Road cooperation has progressed from “sketching the outline” to “filling in the details”, and blueprints have been turned into real projects. A large number of signature projects and “small yet smart” people-centered programs have been launched. Belt and Road cooperation has expanded from physical connectivity to institutional connectivity. Important guiding principles for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation have been laid down, which include the principle of “planning together, building together, and benefiting together”, the philosophy of open, green and clean cooperation, and the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered and sustainable cooperation. Over the past decade, we have endeavored to build a global network of connectivity consisting of economic corridors, international transportation routes and information highway as well as railways, roads, airports, ports, pipelines and power grids. Covering the land, the ocean, the sky and the Internet, this network has boosted the flow of goods, capital, technologies and human resources among countries involved and injected fresh vitality into the millennia-old Silk Road in the new era. In 2023, China’s trade with partner countries reached RMB 19.5 trillion, accounting for 46.6 percent of China's total import and export volume, a record high since the BRI was put forward. Belt and Road cooperation transcends differences between civilizations, cultures, social systems, and stages of development. It has opened up a new path for exchanges among countries, and established a new framework for international cooperation. Indeed, the BRI represents humanity’s joint pursuit of development for all. Iran has been an important transportation hub and trade distribution center on the Silk Road since ancient times, it is an important country for the joint building of the “Belt and Road”. Since the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting the building of the “Belt and Road” in 2016, cooperation in various fields between the two sides has been continuously strengthened under the framework. China and Iran have leveraged economic complementarities, China has been Iran’s largest trading partner for many years, and has become the most important export destination for Iranian goods, and Iranian specialty agricultural products and handicrafts have entered the Chinese market one after another. The local delegations between two countries have great enthusiasm for cooperation, and cultural exchanges are becoming increasingly close. This year, the two countries have jointly held a number of cultural exchange activities such as the Iranian Cultural Relics Exhibition, the Chinese Art and Culture Exhibition, and the Chinese Film Week, which effectively enhanced the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. This July, the first China-Europe train "Qom (Iran)-Yiwu West" was dispatched, which is a vivid example of the new progress for high-quality BRI cooperation between China and Iran. This October, in the meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian, President Xi Jinping pointed out that Iran is a country with important regional and international influence and a good friend and partner of China. The strategic significance of China-Iran relations has become more prominent as transformations of the world unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. No matter how the international and regional situation evolves, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran. China remain committed to opening up and cooperation for a shared future. We stands ready to work with all parties including Iran and support each other in enhancing the “hard connectivity” of infrastructure, upgrading the “soft connectivity” of rules and standards, and deepening the people-to-people connectivity through more exchanges and mutual learning, elevate Belt and Road cooperation toward higher quality for the modernization of all countries, and build an open, inclusive and interconnected world for common development.FIA nets main culprit blamed for Libya boat tragedy
Some quotations from Jimmy Carter . We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary - which is wonderful - but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”
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Unpacking IT challenges Few years ago, Pakistan ranked as fourth-largest freelancer market globally, with potential to become number one The Information Technology (IT) sector holds immense potential to transform businesses and create new job markets for entrepreneurs. IT encompasses a broad range of areas, including software development, hardware manufacturing, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. The future undoubtedly lies with IT. However, it is alarming that Pakistan’s IT sector faces multiple challenges, ranging from structural reforms, IT infrastructure, policy formulation, and regulations to bottlenecks in providing high-speed internet and facilitating freelancers. Addressing these challenges is an urgent priority for the government of Pakistan. IT infrastructure is the foundation for IT exports and e-commerce. A few years ago, Pakistan ranked as the fourth-largest freelancer market globally, with the potential to become number one. Thousands of IT professionals and young entrepreneurs work as freelancers for international clients, earning valuable foreign exchange for the country. These individuals need encouragement and facilitation at all levels. High-speed internet is crucial for efficient IT operations and unlocking the full potential of freelancers. With adequate support, Pakistan’s freelancers could generate up to $100 billion in revenue within five to ten years. Unfortunately, internet speed often suffers due to cybercrime control mechanisms, commonly referred to as a ‘firewall’ in the security paradigm. Pakistan is still in the process of developing a robust IT infrastructure to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector. Establishing software technology zones (STZs) and software technology parks (STPs) is essential to boost IT and IT-enabled services. The government must energise and activate entities like the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) to facilitate the IT services sector. The National Incubation Centre (NIC) also needs to play a proactive role in enhancing exports and fostering innovation as a hub for economic growth. Policymakers’ inertia in adopting successful models like the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina (USA), Zhongguancun in Beijing (China), and Kista Science City in Stockholm (Sweden) is baffling. These hubs have produced tech giants like Skype and Spotify. Pakistan must emulate such initiatives to establish itself as an IT hub. The IT sector’s growth is hindered by slow-speed internet, negatively impacting IT services and IT-enabled services exports. Affordable and reliable high-speed internet, state-of-the-art data centres, and uninterrupted power supply are critical to the sector’s promotion. Expanding 5G coverage is also essential for advancing IT. AI is reshaping industrial infrastructure, and its efficiency hinges on high-speed internet. The government should prioritise restoring broadband facilities to help the sector thrive, contributing significantly to export earnings. Innovations in data analytics and blockchain are necessary to enhance exports, but these are currently lacking, which adversely affects the sector’s overall performance. Pakistan is losing its share in the freelancers’ market due to several factors, particularly slow internet speeds. Young IT professionals involved in IT services exports frequently report disruptions caused by unreliable internet connections, which affect their ability to meet deadlines and fulfill orders. Freelancers in Pakistan handle various tasks, including web development, content creation, graphic design, and digital marketing. However, their productivity is hampered by these connectivity issues. While virtual private networks (VPNs) offer some relief, they are not robust or accessible enough to support business needs effectively. Moreover, the cumbersome process of obtaining VPN access adds another layer of difficulty, further impeding IT exports. Immediate action is required to address these challenges. IT and fintech startups also face hurdles due to overly complex regulatory frameworks, which undermine the confidence of aspiring entrepreneurs. Freelancers also struggle to open bank accounts for their export proceeds. While the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has made efforts to facilitate this process, many freelancers still resort to opening accounts abroad. This is primarily due to the stringent monitoring of remittances by the SBP, which stems from commitments to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Lengthy payment processing times and scrutiny by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) further exacerbate these challenges. These obstacles compel many young entrepreneurs to relocate abroad, seeking environments where IT businesses can thrive without bureaucratic hurdles. While there are multiple reasons for the brain drain, the lack of facilitation for IT entrepreneurship is a significant factor. Ensuring ease of doing business within Pakistan is critical to retaining talent and capitalising on the lucrative IT services market, which has the potential to generate billions of dollars. The prime minister’s commitment to increasing IT and IT-enabled services exports to $25 billion within the next five years is commendable. However, the follow-up actions necessary to achieve this target are lacking. The Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITeS (P@SHA) has already identified gaps and deficiencies in the policy framework and its implementation. Addressing these issues is essential to not only meet but surpass the target. With increased facilitation and the removal of excessive taxation, Pakistan can achieve exponential growth in IT exports. The world is advancing rapidly in IT and IT-enabled services and Pakistan must keep pace to capitalise on emerging opportunities. This is especially important as the sector enters a transformative era driven by AI. A robust policy framework and regulations for AI are urgently needed, but Pakistan currently lacks such measures. Data privacy is a fundamental concern in the age of IT and AI, and policymakers must prioritise its protection. While AI represents a monumental achievement in technology, its potential risks must be mitigated through proper regulation. AI should complement human efforts rather than replace them entirely, as is often feared. A balanced approach to AI governance is critical for achieving significant technological milestones while safeguarding human interests. Data privacy and national security require impregnable frameworks and legislation, which are currently absent in Pakistan. Enacting comprehensive data protection laws is imperative to ensure both individual privacy and national security. Pakistan has yet to leverage its most significant resource – its youth – in the field of IT and IT services. With proper training and guidance, young graduates could become key contributors to economic growth. The government should collaborate with private companies and universities to develop this untapped potential. A capable workforce is essential to establish Pakistan as a global IT hub. Private sector involvement is crucial for achieving the desired results in expanding the IT and digital markets. By training a larger number of young freelancers, Pakistan can realise its dream of dominating the global digital economy. The future of the IT sector lies in empowering the next generation of IT experts. Essentially, Pakistan’s IT sector is brimming with potential but faces numerous challenges that hinder its growth and contribution to the economy. High-speed internet, regulatory reforms, data protection, and ease of doing business are essential for unlocking this potential. The government must take immediate and comprehensive steps to address these issues, ensuring that the country does not lose its competitive edge in the global IT market. By prioritising the development of IT infrastructure, facilitating freelancers and startups, and embracing technological innovations, Pakistan can position itself as a leading player in the IT and IT-enabled services sector. The future of Pakistan’s economy depends on its ability to harness the transformative power of IT. The writer is a former additional secretary and can be reached at: hassanbaig2009@gmail.com‘You Can’t Say You Weren’t Warned’: Five Times CNN’s Harry Enten Was Right About The Election
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Northern Minnesota and the rest of the Midwest are in for a cold, costly winter if President-elect Donald Trump succeeds in imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The U.S. buys nearly all the crude oil that Canada produces, but no region depends on those imports more heavily than the Midwest, which gets more than 60% of its oil from Canada. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, the site of two major transnational pipelines, that figure is closer to 80%. At roughly 2.3 million barrels a day, the Midwest uses more Canadian crude than the rest of the U.S. combined. ADVERTISEMENT So it’s going to come as a shock when Republicans across the region — where victories in Wisconsin and Michigan helped propel Trump back to the White House — discover that one of his first official acts will have been to start a trade war that could send energy prices soaring. Trump said he will impose the tariffs on Inauguration Day unless the two countries curtail drug trafficking and illegal immigration at U.S. borders. As bad as that would be for the former “blue wall” states, it would be even worse for Canada. The U.S. is Canada’s most important trade partner, accounting for two-thirds of all Canadian trade. The U.S. is also Canada’s largest investor. The two nations’ economies are so intricately linked that, in 2023, $3.6 billion of goods and services flowed across their borders daily. So, after a series of urgent phone calls, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sprinted south for a visit to Mar-a-Lago to try to reach common ground. For his trouble, Trudeau found himself the object of ridicule. After warning the incoming president that the tariffs could wreck both countries’ economies, Trump reportedly joked that if Canada could not survive without “ripping off” the U.S., perhaps it should become the 51st state, with Trudeau as its governor. Trudeau was said to have laughed, nervously. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who accompanied Trudeau, later told reporters in Ottawa that “the president was teasing us. It was ... in no way a serious comment.” Trudeau later said he and Trump had a productive meeting and even thanked Trump for the dinner. Trump undoubtedly was joking, at Trudeau’s expense, but he was also sending a serious message: He does not consider this a partnership of equals. He was serving notice that he is back, with all the brash aggression and seat-of-the-pants governing that marked his first term. Trudeau now is left to wonder whether he can even salvage the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that has guided mostly duty-free trade among the three countries since it was signed in 2020. Trump’s pledge to start tariffs on the first day of his presidency would appear to violate the terms of the agreement and could be a precursor to Trump attempting to renegotiate the deal. ADVERTISEMENT Trump’s stock-in-trade is creating chaos. It is his go-to move for gaining the upper hand in any situation: Do the unexpected. Be unpredictable. Go big. So why not threaten our closest trading partners with punitive tariffs that would wound their economies — and ours? Whatever concessions he wrings out of our partners will be declared “huge” victories. And it’s not just about the cost of oil. The tariffs would also increase the price of fruit and vegetables and the cost of natural gas. They would also hurt the U.S. auto sector. Michigan depends heavily on USMCA for its automotive industry. Most vehicles pass several times through the three countries, even if the final assembly is done in the U.S. Trump knows the stakes. Whether he lets on or not, he understands the concept of tariffs and their limitations. The Tax Foundation found that Trump’s first-term tariffs — many of which continued under President Joe Biden — “raised prices and reduced output and employment, producing a negative impact on the U.S. economy.” So what is Trump’s end game? On the campaign trail, he portrayed tariffs as a powerful cure-all that could generate enough revenue to cut taxes, bring down the deficit, pay for other programs, drive manufacturing back to the U.S., and wring concessions from foreign leaders — all at little to no cost for American consumers. Since being elected, he talks less of the huge revenues — which could only result from permanent tariffs — and seems to have settled on tariffs as a way to force foreign countries to bend to his will. His threat to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico puts the onus on those countries to reduce drug trafficking and illegal immigration at U.S. borders. It also makes them handy scapegoats should they fail to do so. The terms of success have been left undefined — another Trump tactic to keep everyone guessing. In the meantime, Minnesotans and others in the Midwest could start the Trump years by paying more to fill their gas tanks, heat their homes, and fill their refrigerators. That can hardly be the outcome they expected when so many of them threw their lot in with Trump. ADVERTISEMENT Patricia Lopez is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Bloomberg editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.'Maharashtra Chief Minister Will Be...': What Ajit Pawar Said On CM Post
QNA DOHA: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has affirmed that the stances of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, leaders and peoples, on the Palestinian cause are firm and stemming from the belief in the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on all their national soil. Addressing the opening session of the 11th Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Forum, organized by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies on Saturday, he explained that the relationship between the GCC countries and the Palestinian cause is not a recent development, but rather an extension of a long history of support and solidarity that began with the establishment of these countries and still continues. The Stances of the Gulf States, leadership and peoples, have always remained firm and steadfast, stemming from the belief in the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on their entire national soil, he said. Since the beginning of this relationship, the Gulf States have opened their doors giving Palestinians a safe haven and opportunities to work and contribute to their development, he said adding that the deep human ties between the Palestinian people and the Gulf peoples have contributed to supporting various areas of development, and they have left indelible marks in building institutions and infrastructure. Such ties have also formed humanitarian and cultural bridges that have strengthened the ties between the Gulf peoples and the Palestinian people and made them brothers who share with us the journey of growth and prosperity. Dr Al Khulaifi pointed out that the Palestinian cause will always remain the focus of attention of Arab and Islamic countries, expressing his certainty that the Arab nation carries this cause in its conscience and is doing everything in its power to enhance the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people. GCC countries will spare no effort in harnessing all capabilities to support the Palestinian people and their steadfastness in the face of the Israeli occupation that threatens their existence and rights. He also noted that the Arab and Islamic peoples are fully aware that the stability and security of the region are closely linked to a just and comprehensive settlement to the Palestinian cause, so their support for this just cause is not just a religious or national duty, but rather a humanitarian and moral commitment. He touched on the developments in the Palestinian issue and the displacement, genocide and settlement projects, saying that the Israeli settlement project in Palestine has been going against the course of history since its birth, and the campaigns of genocide and displacement of the Palestinian people for more than half a century have only strengthened their determination to hold to their land. The steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the growing human awareness have consolidated the rights of this oppressed people on their land, he stressed. Against the backdrop of the developments in the conflict, there is only one solution left for everyone, which is to enable the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, he continued. He also spoke about the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, saying that it has gone too far in its brutality and recklessness, taking the form of collective punishment and a war of extermination that has resulted in a terrifying toll of innocent victims, severe destruction, and an unprecedented humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip and then the West Bank. This aggression has exceeded all warnings issued by international platforms that the worsening of the crisis could lead to dangerous violence, he said noting that these warnings reflected deep concern about the repercussions of this ongoing conflict. He also stressed the need to mobilize international and regional efforts to push for peace and stability in the region and guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people to live in dignity and security. He stressed that the continuation of this aggression requires the international community to take a firm stance to stop these gross violations of human rights, adding that the international community must assume its moral and legal responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people. He the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all international parties to work seriously to achieve this well-known goal and avoid further escalation and violence that only brings more suffering and destruction. He referred to what the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been witnessing in the past months of a genocidal war, the number of victims of which has reached more than 43 thousand martyrs and more than 100 thousand wounded, in addition to thousands missing and under the rubble, in addition to the forced displacement of more than two million Palestinians from their homes many times in search of safety. After more than a year since the beginning of the war, the number of dead, wounded and missing people is constantly increasing, he said expressing concern that this scene will become familiar. "However, no matter how much the international community tries to justify these crimes without real condemnation, this will not blind us from seeing the painful reality experienced by the brotherly Palestinian people," he continued. He also stressed that the continuation of this tragic situation in Gaza imposes on everyone a moral and humanitarian responsibility to raise their voices against these violations and work tirelessly to remind the world that the Palestinian people deserve to live in dignity and security, away from violence and oppression. Dr Al Khulaifi spoke about the role of the State of Qatar in resolving conflicts and supporting stability and peace efforts in the region and the world. "The State of Qatar has been a living model of an effective role in mediation between the conflicting parties, based on established principles of justice, fairness and respect for international law," he said. He continued, "These efforts aim to build trust between the conflicting parties, encourage them to engage in constructive dialogue and facilitate the process of achieving peace. They also include exerting the necessary care to ensure reaching a specific result and creating the appropriate conditions for achieving a peaceful and sustainable solution." Hereiterated the State of Qatar's firm position in supporting the right of the Palestinian people to exist, remain on their land and determine their fate. He stressed that Qatar will not hesitate to make every effort to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue. In this context, he referred to the efforts made by the State of Qatar in cooperation with its partners in November of last year, which resulted in achieving a temporary humanitarian pause in Gaza, leading to the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, and 109 detainees in Gaza, in addition to increasing the flow of relief shipments to the Strip. In the same context, he pointed out the State of Qatar's contribution to evacuating the wounded and sick and its support for humanitarian initiatives to deliver aid through all available means, stressing that it will continue to make efforts until a permanent ceasefire is reached and a just solution is achieved in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, ensuring that the Palestinian people obtain all their legitimate rights, most notably their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital and full membership in the United Nations. "To achieve this, the occupation and illegal settlement on the occupied Arab territories must be ended and illegal practices that undermine the two-state solution must be stopped," he said. He went on saying that Qatar's mediation efforts stem from Islamic and Arab values and the principles of justice and fairness, which are the foundation on which the State of Qatar's foreign policy has been based for many years. These efforts seek to achieve a just peace that protects the rights of the weak and ensures a better future for future generations, he added. Dr Al Khulaifi stressed that this critical moment requires all governments and peoples to reconsider the tools and mechanisms for supporting the Palestinian cause. "From this standpoint come the efforts made by the Ministerial Committee assigned by the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit to create a clear path for the Palestinian cause," he said. He pointed out that this committee has made several visits to relevant capitals and the United Nations to work to stop this Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and to move at the international level to support efforts to gain recognition of Palestine. He also explained that these efforts include enhancing cooperation with international and regional organizations and intensifying diplomatic campaigns to raise global awareness about the suffering of the Palestinian people. He pointed out that the war of extermination launched by Israel on Gaza after October 7 of last year revealed the intentions and actions of the occupation, adding that the world is now facing a major legal and moral challenge between standing with the values of justice, fairness and international law, and watching the demolition of what humanity has built under the pretext of political realism. He said: "What increased the embarrassment of standing as spectators to the war of extermination on Gaza is the increasing pressure from peoples and human rights organizations, and after a difficult period that extended for many months, the world chose to gradually move away from double standards. He continued: "Countries and regional and international organizations have moved to defend human values, and international treaties and covenants have been activated to stop the crime of genocide against Gaza and hold its perpetrators accountable under international judicial platforms. A unique international consensus has been reached based on the fact that there is no political solution that will restore peace and stability to the Middle East other than ending the occupation and allowing the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination." He also pointed out that the war of genocide on Gaza has clearly demonstrated that the power and will of peoples is the decisive factor in modern conflicts, as peoples, with their awareness and determination to achieve justice, are capable of changing the course of history and reshaping international relations. "This war has proven that popular solidarity can be stronger than any army and that the collective voice of peoples can impose a new will on the international scene," he added. He pointed out that this growing awareness among peoples would lead to a radical change in the rules of international relations, where the power of right becomes the basic criterion instead of the right of power, and countries realize that respect for human rights and social justice are the only way to achieve peace and stability. He stressed that supporting the Palestinian cause should not be a temporary response to moments of crisis, but rather a sustainable commitment based on a clear vision and a long-term strategy. This integrated approach reflects a genuine commitment to empowering the Palestinian people to establish their independent state. To achieve this, efforts must be combined at various levels, starting with political and diplomatic support in international forums, and extending to providing economic and development support to enhance the Palestinian infrastructure, he stressed. Dr Al Khulaifi stressed that the State of Qatar will remain at the forefront of supporters of efforts aimed at achieving peace and justice, and will continue to work tirelessly to prevent the outbreak of conflicts and resolve them through peaceful means to ensure that all peoples enjoy a dignified and secure life. "Qatar's commitment to peace and justice is a permanent commitment that reflects our established values and principles to promote stability and prosperity for all," he stressed. Copy 30/11/2024 10