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☆ Israeli journalists experience chilly reception at Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Former Israeli football star, and now a commentator Eil Ohana posted a video showing a Qatari police officer driving him in a golf cart. Videos have gone viral in Israel and the Arab world showing football fans yelling at Israeli reporters, refusing to speak to them because of where they are from. Canadian pop star Justin Bieber launched clean water company Generosity at Qatar’s World Cup, to provide premium alkaline water in refillable fountains across the globe. The pitch invader who waved a rainbow flag on the field during Portugal’s World Cup match with Uruguay on Monday said FIFA president Gianni Infantino came to the Qatari police station to free him in order to “avoid more controversy.”Thursday’s Group E FIFA World Cup match between Costa Rica and Germany saw an all-women refereeing team for the first time in men’s World Cup history. Stephanie Frappart, from France, led the refereeing team, making her the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match.

REUTERS/Imad Creidi/File PhotoDOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - QatarEnergy and ConocoPhillips (COP.N) on Tuesday signed two sales and purchase agreements to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany for at least 15 years from 2026, the first such supply deal to Europe from Qatar's North Field expansion project. The deal will provide Germany with 2 million tonnes of LNG annually, arriving from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Germany's northern LNG terminal of Brunsbuettel, QatarEnergy's chief executive said. "(The agreements) mark the first ever long-term LNG supply agreement to Germany, with a supply period that extends for at least 15 years, thus contributing to Germany's long-term energy security," Saad al-Kaabi said in a joint news conference with ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance. The deal comes a few days after QatarEnergy signed a 27-year sales and purchase agreement with China's Sinopec. The North Field is part of the world's biggest gas field that Qatar shares with Iran, which calls its holding South Pars.

[1/6] QatarEnergy CEO and Qatar's Minister of Energy, Saad al- Kaabi and ConocoPhillips CEO, Ryan Lance attend the signing ceremony of two sales and purchase agreements to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Germany, in Doha, Qatar, November 29, 2022. The deal, the first of its kind to Europe from Qatar's North Field expansion project, will provide Germany with 2 million tonnes of LNG annually, arriving from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Germany's northern LNG terminal of Brunsbuettel, QatarEnergy's chief executive said. ICIS head of energy analytics Andreas Schroeder said the starting date of 2026 was late, as Germany needed LNG for 2023 and 2024. The deal comes a few days after QatarEnergy signed a 27-year sales and purchase agreement with China's Sinopec. The North Field is part of the world's biggest gas field, which Qatar shares with Iran.

☆ End of Qatar's football project or just the start?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Shady Amir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

FOOTBALL PROJECTOn the eve of the crucial Senegal game, Sanchez said the team had prepared psychologically for the possibility of an early exit from the tournament. "We are a small country, the smallest to host the World Cup, and we are aware of the fact that we may be knocked out early, but that doesn't mean the end of the football project," he said. Against Senegal, Sanchez made three changes to the starting lineup, including bringing in goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. When the Netherlands later drew 1-1 with Ecuador, it was the end of Qatar's hopes in the World Cup. The question remains though as to whether it's the end of the Qatari football project or just the start.

☆ Gareth Bale saves Wales to frustrate USMNT
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Matthew Ashton/AMA/Getty Images Walker Zimmerman fouls Wales' Gareth Bale in the box, conceding a second-half penalty that Bale would convert to tie the match at 1-1. Pedro Nunes/Reuters US fans stand for the national anthem prior to the Wales match. Stu Forster/Getty Images Wales' Neco Williams tries to fend off Weston McKennie on Monday. Francisco Seco/AP A family watches the opening match from their home in Doha. But just as all hope looked to have disappeared for Wales, Bale was clumsily brought down by Walker Zimmerman in the US box.

☆ North Field East project: QatarEnergy signs deal to supply gas to China for 27 years
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“Today is an important milestone for the first sales and purchase agreement for North Field East project, it is 4 million tonnes for 27 years to Sinopec of China,” Kaabi said at an interview in Doha, shortly before the signing of the deal. The North Field is part of the world’s biggest gas field that Qatar shares with Iran, which calls its share South Pars. QatarEnergy earlier this year signed deals for North Field East, the first and larger phase of the two-phase North Field expansion plan, which includes six LNG trains that will ramp up Qatar’s liquefaction capacity to 126 million tonnes per year by 2027 from 77 million. It also later signed contracts with partners for North Field South, the second phase of the expansion. Sources told Reuters in June that China’s national oil majors were in advanced talks with Qatar to invest in North Field East.

The North Field is part of the world's biggest gas field that Qatar shares with Iran, which calls its share South Pars. It later signed contracts with three partners for North Field South (NFS), the second phase of the expansion. Monday's deal, confirmed by Sinopec, is the first supply deal to be announced for NFE. "I think the recent volatility has driven buyers to understand the importance of having long-term supply," Kaabi said. QatarEnergy has maintained a 75% stake overall in the expansion and could give up to a 5% stake from its holding to some buyers, Kaabi said.

Doha has faced mounting criticism, mostly from Europe, over its treatment of foreign workers and LGBT rights ahead of the World Cup that began on Sunday. It has denied discrimination and pointed to labour reforms, while organisers previously denied allegations of bribery to win hosting rights. In October his office summoned the German ambassador to object over critical comments by Germany's interior minister. The QatarEnergy boss said Habeck had never voiced such criticism of Qatar to him directly. The German minister, who is responsible for Berlin's energy portfolio, was in Doha in March and had said that long-term energy partnerships were being negotiated.

☆ Qatar and Ecuador stick with trusted lineups
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hosts Qatar's top scorer Almoez Ali and fellow striker Akram Afif lead the line against Ecuador in Sunday's World Cup opener as coach Felix Sanchez stuck with stalwarts from a settled squad that has had longer than most to bond and prepare. Experienced midfielder Hasan Al-Haydos, who can also play on the wing, took the captaincy for the World Cup debutants and 2019 Asian Cup winners at the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium. Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro also named a predictable lineup, with Moises Caicedo anchoring the midfield and top scorer Enner Valencia leading the attack as captain. Ecuador: Hernan Galindez; Felix Torres; Piero Hincapie; Pervis Estupinan; Romario Ibarra; Michael Estrada; Enner Valencia; Angelo Preciado; Gonzalo Plata; Jhegson Mendez; Moises Caicedo. Reporting by Andrew Cawthorne, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Ecuador dampens Qatar’s party as controversial World Cup gets underway
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Al Khor, Qatar CNN —For the past year, a giant clock in Doha has been counting down to the opening match of the World Cup. Qatar and the world need wait no more, after this controversial tournament got underway Sunday with the host losing 2-0 to Ecuador. People watch as fireworks go off before the start of the World Cup at the Al Bayt Stadium. The country’s last-minute ban of alcohol in World Cup stadiums also made headlines around the world. Colombian singer Maluma, who features in the official World Cup anthem, walked out of an interview on Israeli television when he was questioned about the Gulf state’s human rights record.

☆ Valencia leads Ecuador to 2-0 win over hosts Qatar in World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Enner Valencia's two first-half goals led Ecuador to a dominant 2-0 victory over Qatar on Sunday as the home nation froze on their big night with an error-strewn display that left them as the first World Cup hosts to lose their opening game. Valencia, who had already had a third-minute header ruled out by VAR for offside, slotted in the tournament's opening goal from the penalty spot in the 16th minute after being brought down by nervous-looking goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb. He powered home a 31st-minute header for the second and the South Americans then cruised home as an outclassed Qatar struggled to mount any meaningful attacks and had only a fluffed header by Almoez Ali to show for their limited efforts. The other teams in Group A, Senegal and the Netherlands, meet in one of three games on Monday. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ NHL roundup: Flames hold off Kings 6-5
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY SportsNovember 15 - Tyler Toffoli and Elias Lindholm each had a goal and two assists for the Calgary Flames in a 6-5 win against the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. Adam Ruzicka had a goal and an assist, and Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves for the Flames, who have won two in a row. Jonathan Huberdeau, Andrew Mangiapane and Brett Ritchie also scored for Calgary, and Nazem Kadri registered two assists. Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kemp added Los Angeles' other goals, and Drew Doughty logged two assists. Jordan Binnington had 45 saves and Pavel Buchnevich added two assists for the Blues, who have won three straight.

☆ President Aoun leaves office as Lebanon's crisis worsens
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Maya Gebeily | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A billboard depicting Lebanon's President Michel Aoun, whose term is expected to end on October 31, is placed in Jdeideh, Lebanon October 27, 2022. In his final week in the palace, he signed onto a U.S.-mediated deal delineating Lebanon's southern maritime border with Israel. "Aoun's was the strongest era in all of Lebanon's history,” said Lama Nohra, a 32-year-old supporter and mother of three young children. "He was by far the worst president in Lebanon’s history" said Michel Meouchi, a lawyer and father. In 2006, his Free Patriotic Movement formed an alliance with Hezbollah, which lent important Christian backing to the armed group.

☆ QatarEnergy names ConocoPhilips partner for LNG expansion project
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DOHA, Oct 30 (Reuters) - QatarEnergy's chief executive on Sunday named ConocoPhillips (COP.N) as the third and final partner on the Gulf Arab state's North Field South expansion, part of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) project. State-owned QatarEnergy had already announced Shell and TotalEnergies as partners in the North Field South expansion and Kaabi said each would hold a 9.375% stake. The North Field is part of the world's biggest gas field that Qatar shares with Iran, which calls its share South Pars. Kaabi said discussions continued with several Asian buyers as "value-added partners" on the North Field expansion, but that the Western international partners were all announced. Several supply agreements were being discussed in relation to the North Field expansion, he said, adding that there would be announcements in due course.

☆ QatarEnergy in talks for 30% stake in Lebanon offshore gas project, says CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Oct 30 (Reuters) - State-owned QatarEnergy is in talks with the Lebanese government to take a 30% stake in an offshore exploration block and is also negotiating with TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) and ENI (ENI.MI) on this matter, CEO Saad al-Kaabi confirmed on Sunday. "We are in the process of discussing that with the government of Lebanon and the partners, Total and ENI for a participation of around 30% ownership of that exploration block," Kaabi said. The initial exploration license was held by a three-part consortium of TotalEnergies, Italy's Eni and Novatek (NVTK.MM). The sources had said that the understanding between TotalEnergies and Lebanon was that the French group would enter negotiations with QatarEnergy over the former Novatek stake, and that Qatar was seeking a 30% stake, comprised of Novatek's former stake and a 5% stake from each of TotalEnergies and Eni. Offshore areas in the eastern Mediterranean and Levant have yielded major gas discoveries in the past decade.

☆ Explainer: What's at stake as Lebanon faces presidential vacuum?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

What makes electing a president so difficult, what's at stake, and who are the candidates? In the event of a vacuum, presidential powers should pass to cabinet led by Sunni Muslim Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The Maronite community is more politically fractured than others in Lebanon, giving rise to many presidential hopefuls. Anti-Hezbollah lawmaker Michel Mouawad has won the most votes in four unsuccessful presidential election sessions so far, but not enough to win. But analysts and political sources say he would face opposition, notably from the Maronite politician Gebran Bassil, President Aoun's son-in-law and a presidential hopeful himself.

☆ Qatar voices concern over disruption to global energy supplies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Qatar's energy minister on Tuesday said that recent disruptions to global energy supplies have caused great concern over energy security and accessibility. Saad al-Kaabi, who is also head of QatarEnergy, added that energy crisis drove natural gas to forefront of global energy discussion. Reporting by Moataz Mohamed Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Qatar energy chief says oil and gas trade should be depoliticized
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Saad al-Kaabi, the head of Qatar's state-run energy company, said on Monday all oil and gas trade should be depoliticized, calling for policies to move away from sanctions and anti-free market agreements. The Group of Seven countries agreed last month to cap Russian oil sales at an enforced low price by Dec. 5. The European Commission also last week proposed its latest set of emergency measures to tackle high energy prices, but steered clear of an immediate cap on gas prices as EU countries remain split over the idea. More than 15 EU countries, including Italy, Poland, Greece and Belgium, have called for an EU gas price cap, but disagree on its design. Germany and the Netherlands warn capping gas prices could leave countries struggling to attract fuel from global markets during a winter with scarce Russian supply.

☆ A Europe with zero Russian gas flows is unimaginable as Asian competition for supplies heats up, Qatar's energy minister says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Qatar's energy minister told the FT he can't envisage a future with zero Russian gas flows to Europe. State energy giant recently Gazprom threatened to cut more supplies to Europe if Western price caps on Russian gas and oil are imposed. The Qatari energy minister said he couldn't envisage a future with zero flows of Russian gas to Europe. According to Kaabi, Europe's rush to secure long-term supplies of natural gas has put the region in "huge competition" with Asian importers. At last check Wednesday, European natural gas prices were up 3.33% at 117 euros ($114) per megawatt hour.

☆ Europe makes sharp U-turn from green energy - Qatar energy minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sept 29 (Reuters) - QatarEnergy CEO and state minister for energy Saad al-Kaabi said on Thursday that skyrocketing energy prices are "weighing painfully" on the global economy, dampening support for the transition to green energy. "Sadly, the growing economic burden has fizzled the euphoria over the series of energy transition plans, causing severe erosion in public support for reducing carbon emissions," Kaabi told a liquefied natural gas (LNG) conference in Japan. "Many countries particularly in Europe which had been strong advocates of green energy and carbon-free future have made a sudden and sharp U-turn. Analysts estimate Europe will need to import around 200 million tonnes of LNG over the next decade to phase out Russian gas. Kaabi stressed the need to invest in cleaner and renewable energies, including natural gas, to drive capacity and baseload capabilities.

The company's chief executive Patrick Pouyanne travelled to Doha to sign a deal with QatarEnergy chief Saad al-Kaabi for the North Field South (NFS) expansion, saying that the deal came at a "perfect time" when world leaders particularly in Europe were seeking new LNG supplies. Qatar's North Field expansion project will boost its position as the world's top LNG exporter and help guarantee long-term supplies of gas to Europe as the continent seeks alternatives to Russian flows. He said he could not disclose the total cost of the NFS project as some onshore contracts had not yet been finalised. Qatar's North Field expansion plan includes six LNG trains that will ramp up its liquefaction capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 126 mtpa by 2027. It awarded contracts for the first phase of the expansion project, North Field East (NFE), which includes four trains, earlier this year.

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