Day: January 15, 2024

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli underlined the outstanding efforts exerted by the Culture Ministry in developing various cultural facilities in all governorates in addition to activating their role in disseminating art and knowledge.

He stood on preparations for opening cultural facilities in the Upper Egyptian city of Aswan in light of a report presented by Culture Minister Nivine Kilani.

The facilities due to be inaugurated include the Egypt public library in Aswan which was set up on an area of 3,200 square metres.

Also, a summer theatre – on an area of 2,400 square metres – will be opened.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi met Monday with UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag on efforts to stop the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the ongoing war in the Strip.

Kaag was appointed under Security Council Resolution 2720, which calls for the urgent, immediate, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian aid to Gaza and creating the necessary conditions for a sustained cessation of hostilities.

During the meeting, Safadi urged the international community to work for ending the war and humanitarian catastrophe in line with the international law, international humanitarian law and international legitimacy resolutions, especially UN General Assembly resolutions.

He stressed the need to ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian relief aid so that vital facilities and hospitals continue services to the people of Gaza.

Safadi reiterated Jordan’s rejection of the displacement of Palestinians inside or outsi
de the Palestinian territories, stressing the need for displaced Gazans to return to their areas.

He valued UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s stand for justice in line with United Nations founding principles, and his call for ending the war and providing international protection for the Palestinians.

For her part, Kaag commended Jordan’s efforts, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, to rally for international action to stop the war and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Safadi received a delegation of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), a Washington-based advocacy organization, to discuss the repercussions of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and efforts to forge an international position to stop the war and end the humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian enclave.

The meeting also dealt with the illegual unilateral Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, including restrictions on freedom of worship and the need to stop such practices and violence by Jewish settlers.

Safadi stressed the need for ending recurrent Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law, and attacks on civilians and non-military facilities, schools, hospitals and places of worship, providing international protection for the Palestinian people and guaranteeing the right of Muslims and Christians to freedom of worship in occupied Jerusalem.

For their part, the Churches for Middle East Peace delegation commended Jordan’s role in rallying for a
n effective international position to stop the war on Gaza and ensure the immediate and sustained delivery of humanitarian and medical aid to all parts of the enclave, which is facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Ramallah: Israeli occupation forces Monday gunned down and killed a Palestinian and injured ten more after raiding the town of Dura in southern Hebron in the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, one was killed, and several others were injured after Palestinians in Dura resisted the Israeli occupation soldiers’ raid into the town who used tear gas against the protestors.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Government Communications Minister, Muhannad Mubaidin, and the Amman Nayor, Yousef Shawarbeh, will hold a press conference entitled “The Municipality of Amman… Challenges and Solutions” at 11 am Tuesday at the Ministry of Communication HQ.

The meeting will focus on the projects of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), electronic transformation, the development of institutional performance and the most prominent achievements of GAM.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Occupied Jerusalem: An Israeli woman was killed and 18 other people were injured, three seriously, on Monday in combined car-ramming and stabbing attacks in Ra’anana north of Tel Aviv.

Police said they arrested the attacker, a man in his fourties from Hebron. The ambulance service said the injured, including four with critical injuries, were evacuated from the scene by helicopter.

It said the attacker stabbed a woman, stole a car and carried out ramming attacks in several locations.

He swapped vehicles three times after crashing. Two people were lightly injured after being run over on the main Haroshet Street and a man was stabbed and suffered serious injuries. An additional 8 people were injured to varying degrees, they said.

Police urged for caution and asked schools in the area not to release children to their homes until the situation cleared.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Occupied Jerusalem: Nineteen Israelis were injured on Monday afternoon in combined ramming and stabbing attacks in Ra’anana north of Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media.

They quoted the ambulance service and saying some of the injuries were critical or serious and the rest were between medium and light.

They initially gave no details about the attackers or their motive, and said the attacks were under investigation.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee engaged in discussions on Monday with Belgian Ambassador Serge Dickschen, exploring ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries across various sectors.

Committee Chairman MP Khaldoun Hayna expressed his appreciation for the current level of relations between Jordan and Belgium, led by His Majesty King Abdullah II and Belgian King Louis Philippe. He emphasized the significance of bolstering and advancing these relations in economic, tourism, cultural, and investment domains, advocating for increased bilateral investments and trade exchanges. He underscored Jordan’s commitment to fostering economic partnerships and maintaining close coordination on mutual concerns.

Addressing the prevailing situation in the Middle East, Hayna highlighted Jordan’s steadfast positions under His Majesty’s leadership. He emphasized efforts to halt the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, denouncing the resultant loss of innocent lives, destruction, and destabil
ization in the region. He also drew attention to the challenges posed by drug smuggling operations across Jordan’s northern borders.

Hayna commended Belgium and the European Union for their support of Jordan, particularly regarding the Palestinian issue and the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

Dickschen praised King Abdullah’s substantial role and ongoing efforts to address regional challenges and pursue a just and comprehensive peace.

He affirmed that Jordan and Belgium share identical and clear positions on the Gaza conflict, rejecting violence against innocent civilians and attempts at displacement.

Dickschen outlined Belgium’s intention to play a more influential role in the Palestinian issue following its assumption of the European Union presidency.

He underlined the country’s commitment to strengthening economic, tourism, and investment partnerships with Jordan, promoting joint cooperation between the two friendly nations.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Secretary-General for Diplomatic and Expatriate Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Majid Qatarneh, on Monday received the credentials of Fouad Akhrif, the new accredited and resident ambassador of Morocco to Jordan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: In 2023, the Ministry of Social Development completed the construction, purchase, and renovation of 281 housing units through various initiatives, including Royal Initiatives, the Decentralization Budget, partner agencies, and donations.

As outlined in a report released on Monday, 26 homes were allocated to needy families in Ain al-Basha and Bani Kenana districts. In Jerash Governorate, 13 homes, part of Royal Initiatives, were finished and ready for delivery. A total of 67 homes were constructed, 30 were purchased, and 27 were renovated through the Decentralization Budget.

The report highlighted the construction of 55 homes for impoverished families selected by the ministry, with 38 in the North-Eastern Badia District and 17 in the South Shuna District. Furthermore, 63 homes were acquired and refurbished with the help of donations.

Since 2003, the ministry, under Royal Directives, has been executing the housing project for poor families, providing them with clean and secure housing for a stable lif
e. Over 5,200 families across all governorates of the Kingdom have benefited from this initiative.

Social studies were prepared to facilitate the granting or renewal of health insurance for poor families, with a total of 100,749 families included. Among them, 22,530 submitted studies for health insurance renewal, 78,219 for health insurance grants, and 1,832 for exemption from dialysis expenses.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Public Works and Housing, Maher Abu Samen, engaged in discussions on Monday to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).

In the meeting with an SFD delegation, Abu Samen expressed gratitude for the continuous support provided by the Fund in financing numerous projects in Jordan. He underscored the Ministry’s commitment to fostering cooperation with the SFD and addressing any challenges hindering the progress of SFD-sponsored projects.

Abu Samen specifically commended the SFD’s backing for construction projects aimed at improving the educational sector. Emphasizing the positive impact of these initiatives on the educational process, he highlighted their role in alleviating issues related to overcrowding in schools.

During the meeting, Abu Samen and the SFD delegation were briefed by Suhair Burqan, Director of the Ministry’s Building Studies Department, on school building projects funded by the SFD. These encompass 16 new school buildings, i
ncluding five projects in the implementation phase and 11 projects in the referral stage, with a combined value of approximately JD34 million.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Qatraneh: Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Youssef Issawi, Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court (RHC), on Monday sponsored a ceremony celebrating Arbor Day at the Silver Jubilee Forest in Qatraneh District, Karak Governorate.

The event, attended by Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat, focused on the importance of forest conservation and expanding green areas as part of Jordan’s sustainable agricultural efforts.

Issawi highlighted the King’s dedication to increasing forest cover, emphasizing the use of modern technologies to protect forest resources, prevent encroachments, and control forest fires.

He stressed the significance of enhancing government and community partnerships in forest-agriculture to expand green spaces, and underscored the importance of fostering environmental awareness in schools, universities, and organizations.

Minister Hneifat discussed the forest’s role within the national sustainable agriculture plan and its afforestation component. This plan encompasses afforestation pro
jects across the Kingdom, aligning with the initiative to plant 10 million trees over the next ten years.

He also spoke about the Ministry’s efforts to establish artificial forests using water-saving technologies and the optimal use of treated water for irrigation.

Highlighting the initiatives’ economic aspects, Hneifat mentioned creating forests with economic benefits in the northern regions by planting carob and sumac trees to support local communities and associations.

He also announced an initiative to cultivate 25,000 dunums across the country, commemorating the silver jubilee of King Abdullah II’s accession to the throne.

The Silver Jubilee Forest will also include a major center for sheep wool collection and packaging in the Jordanian desert, reflecting the project’s economic and environmental impact.

Source: Jordan News Agency