Latest news with #AbdelGhani
Days of Palestine
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Israeli Settler Attacks Escalate in WB, Aqsa Mosque
DaysofPal- The Israeli occupation forces and Israeli settlers continued their violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem on Tuesday, storming Al-Aqsa Mosque, raiding several Palestinian villages, and establishing a new settlement outpost north of Ramallah. In occupied Jerusalem, dozens of settlers invaded the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the morning through the Moroccan Gate, under heavy protection from Israeli police. According to the Islamic Waqf Department, settlers roamed the mosque's courtyards and performed Talmudic rituals and prayers, while Israeli police tightened restrictions on Palestinian worshippers entering the mosque, checking their IDs and holding some of them at the outer gates. Jerusalemite activists renewed calls to intensify visits and stay-ins at Al-Aqsa Mosque to confront attempts by the Israeli occupation and its settlers to impose Judaization measures and alter its existing religious and historical status. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided the village of Baqat Al-Hatab east of Qalqilya at dawn, entering from its main entrance, spreading through the western neighborhood and Al-Bayader area, and searching several homes, including one belonging to the Abdel Ghani family. Moreover, several military vehicles also stormed the nearby village of Hajjah, patrolling its streets and residential areas before withdrawing without reported arrests. In Ramallah, settlers established a new outpost in Khirbet Tarafeen in the village of Atara, north of the city, on confiscated Palestinian land. Hassan Mleihat, general supervisor of the Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouins and Targeted Villages, said the move aims to reinforce settlement expansion and entrench Israeli control over Palestinian land, in clear violation of international law and UN resolutions that deem settlements illegal. Mleihat added that the departure of the last remaining families of the Arab Jahalin community west of Ramallah came after a series of violent attacks by settlers on residents and their property. He noted that the Bedouin community had lived in the area for more than 40 years despite harsh conditions but were ultimately forced into displacement by the occupation and settlers under the threat of ongoing violence. Shortlink for this post:
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Iraq signs mega-energy deal with Chinese oil firm
BAGHDAD: Iraq signed a major energy deal Wednesday with a Chinese petrol company in the southern province of Basra, aiming to boost oil production and build a refinery and electricity plants. China has gained a major foothold in oil-rich Iraq in recent years, becoming a major player across various sectors and now one of the largest importers of Iraqi crude. Iraq's Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani announced in a statement the signing of the mega-project with a consortium comprising of Geo-Jade Petroleum and the Iraqi company Hilal al-Basra. The project aims to increase oil production in the Tuba field to 100,000 barrels per day, according to Abdel Ghani. It also covers the building of a refinery with a capacity of 200,000 bpd, a 650-megawatt electricity plant and a solar power facility with a capacity of 400 megawatts. The deal also includes a petrochemical plant and a fertiliser factory. Abdel Ghani said the project 'would contribute to the country's economic development and provide job opportunities for thousands' of Iraqis.
Iraqi News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq inks major Basra oil deal with China's Geo-Jade
Basra – Iraq signed a major energy deal Wednesday with a Chinese petrol company in the southern province of Basra, aiming to boost oil production and build a refinery and electricity plants. China has gained a major foothold in oil-rich Iraq in recent years, becoming a major player across various sectors and now one of the largest importers of Iraqi crude. Iraq's Oil Minister Hayan Abdel Ghani announced in a statement the signing of the mega-project with a consortium comprising of Geo-Jade Petroleum and the Iraqi company Hilal al-Basra. The project aims to increase oil production in the Tuba field to 100,000 barrels per day, according to Abdel Ghani. It also covers the building of a refinery with a capacity of 200,000 bpd, a 650-megawatt electricity plant and a solar power facility with a capacity of 400 megawatts. The deal also includes a petrochemical plant and a fertiliser factory. Abdel Ghani said the project 'would contribute to the country's economic development and provide job opportunities for thousands' of Iraqis. The ministry has not disclosed the cost or timeline for the deal. Geo-Jade Petroleum already operates in Iraq and is set to begin a controversial oil exploration project in the country's south that activists fear will significantly impact the Mesopotamian Marshes of Huwaizah. According to the World Bank, Iraq has 145 billion barrels of proven oil reserves — among the largest in the world — amounting to 96 years' worth of production at the current rate. Iraq has been trying to move past decades of war and unrest, including a sectarian struggle after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. It only recently regained a semblance of stability and authorities hope to attract investments, especially in the energy sector. Earlier this year, Iraq finalised an agreement with energy giant BP to develop oil fields in the north. Last month, it signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy firm GE Vernova to produce 24,000 megawatts of electricity. Despite its oil wealth, Iraq depends on imports to meet its energy needs, and it hopes to increase natural gas production to reduce its reliance on neighbouring Iran, a crucial supplier of power.
