Day: February 19, 2024

Amman: Israeli occupation forces have carried out nine deadly attacks targeting the Gaza Strip, resulting in 107 deaths and 145 injuries within the past 24 hours.

According to Palestinian medical sources, the overall toll of casualties has now reached a staggering 29,092 deaths and 29,092 injuries since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza on October 7.

Some bodies were trapped under rubble or on roads, as the occupation forces obstruct ambulance and civil defense crews from reaching them, added the sources.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, underlined Monday the ministry’s collaboration with partners to establish optimal infrastructure for green hydrogen investment projects in Jordan.

During the inaugural round-table for green hydrogen investors, attended by the National Committee for Green Hydrogen and representatives from local and international firms that have MoUs with the ministry in hydrogen, Kharabsheh stressed the importance of partnerships to execute specialized local green hydrogen projects.

He underscored Jordan’s leading regional status in renewable energy capacity, reaching 27 percent of the Kingdom’s electricity generation by 2022’s end, as per the Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX) 2022 report.

Kharabsheh highlighted the ministry’s efforts in advancing activities for Jordan’s green energy export, aligning with royal visions and the Economic Modernization Vision to position Jordan as a regional hydrogen production and export hub.

Jordan is progressively transitioni
ng towards a green hydrogen economy, as Kharabsheh outlined the development of a national strategy, hydrogen roadmap, and requisite regulatory framework for investment, alongside local and export market studies.

Acknowledging the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s collaboration in organizing the inaugural workshop, Kharabsheh expressed hope for recommendations to realize suitable green hydrogen investment models locally.

Gretchen Biery, EBRD’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted Jordan’s potential, citing multiple MoUs for hydrogen projects, positioning Jordan to play a pivotal role in the hydrogen market, leveraging renewable energy, geographic advantage, and mineral resources.

Biery emphasized the EBRD’s role in fostering communication, diverse perspectives, and seizing opportunities to develop Jordan’s green hydrogen industry, aligning with government plans to increase renewable energy’s contribution to 50 percent and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 31 percent by
2030.

The meeting tackled hydrogen production potential, investment, shared infrastructure, and infrastructure challenges to devise the optimal business model for competitive hydrogen investment in Jordan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

London: Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said Tuesday his country supports sanctions on violent Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

“Ireland favors sanctions on violent settlers in the West Bank. We regret that unity and unanimity still hasn’t occurred within the Foreign Affairs Council to date,” he said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

Martin also said the world is “shocked at the level of inhumanity” in the Gaza Strip, and described the life of ordinary people there as “hell on earth.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply, along with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), honored 50 private institutions implementing the social diversity management program in various sectors. These companies represent 20 information technology firms, 16 tourism enterprises, and 14 food manufacturing companies.

The program, initiated in 2023 in collaboration with the GIZ, falls under a project encouraging micro, small, and medium enterprises for employment.

Social diversity management is an integral component of the human resources management system, concentrating on three fundamental areas: attracting qualified workers to the economy, equitably developing employees, and fostering diversity and equality promotion.

Abdel Fattah Kayed, Executive Director of the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO), deputizing for Minister Yousef Shamali, highlighted the program’s role in bolstering innovation and women’s participation in the workforce, crucial for economic developme
nt.

Kayed emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing women’s economic engagement through legislative and empowering measures, despite challenges like high female unemployment rates.

He underscored the significance of fostering diverse workplaces for promoting creativity, innovation, and ultimately, the success of companies and societies.

Kordula Mehlhart, Head of German Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, underlined the positive impact of social diversity on institutional productivity, citing increased profits, innovation, and better decision-making.

She stressed the importance of enhancing women’s participation in the Jordanian labor market to achieve more comprehensive and sustainable development, given their current low involvement rates.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jerash: Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Senior Adviser to the King for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy, inaugurated the Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church in Debeen, Jerash Governorate.

The event, held Sunday, was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Miriam Ghazi and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilus III, among others.

Greek Orthodox Archbishop, Christophoros Atallah, highlighted the significance of the church’s opening coinciding with the 25th anniversary of His Majesty King Abdullah II’s accession to the throne. He emphasized Jordan’s role as a model of religious coexistence and a haven of safety and stability.

The church, named after Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory, and Saint John the Golden-mouthed, will serve as a gathering place for conferences, intellectual and cultural meetings, and community services, catering to the needs of young people.

The completion of the church’s construction was made possible by a gen
erous donation from Issa Nassif Odeh. It stands as a testament to Jordan’s commitment to religious harmony and cultural diversity.

Architecturally, the Three Hierarchs Church embodies traditional Jordanian craftsmanship with influences from Byzantine and Roman architectural styles.

The inaugural mass at the church is scheduled for the upcoming Friday, expected to draw officials, locals, and parishioners from across the Kingdom.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Secretary-General for Judicial Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, Saad Lawzi, hosted a Pakistani judicial delegation on Monday to assess Jordan’s legal and judicial system.

Lawzi highlighted the robust relationship and cooperation between the two nations, emphasizing advancements in Jordan’s legal system and noting the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the rule of law, human rights and legislative development.

The delegation was briefed on Jordan’s justice sector strategy and initiatives, including electronic services and remote trials, as well as the functions of various departments of the Ministry.

The Pakistani team commended the Kingdom’s expertise and the ministry’s efforts to enhance the justice system and promote international cooperation, and the exchange of expertise with Pakistan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Authorities confiscated and destroyed approximately 600 kilograms of poultry in the Giza District in the capital, because they were spoiled and were of unknown origins.

In collaboration with the Public Security Department, inspecting personnel at the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) conducted the seized and destroyed poultry.

In a press release Monday, Nizar Mhaidat, the Director General of the JFDA stated that the poultry displayed visible signs of spoilage and its origin was unknown as it was slaughtered outside designated slaughterhouses. However, through quality control and tracking operations, the source of the poultry was identified, seized, and destroyed before it could be distributed to markets.

He further mentioned that the JFDA has initiated procedures to refer those involved to the judiciary for legal action, emphasizing that the JFDA conducts regular oversight campaigns to inspect food establishments across various regions of the Kingdom, including poultry processing and butche
ring facilities, to ensure compliance with approved health requirements.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Government Communications and official government spokesman, Muhannad Mubaidin, will take part in the third session of the Saudi Media Forum, which opens tomorrow.

Mubaidin arrived in Riyadh Monday and attended the opening of the Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) in its second edition, which is part of the media forum’s activities.

He will engage in a dialogue session on Tuesday titled “Arab Media Facing Transformations: Ministerial Visions for Future Milestones.”

The minister toured the exhibition, commending the efforts of organizers in showcasing modern experiences in the media industry.

The Saudi Media Forum, featuring participation from information and communications ministers from Arab countries, along with over 2,000 media professionals and participants from 30 nations, will address a host of issues, including the future of print journalism, media evolution, the digital landscape’s impact on advertising, media response to crises, combating hate speech in media, and media coverag
e of Gaza.

Source: Jordan News Agency

RAS AL KHAIMAH: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is at the annual Gulfood exhibition, the region’s largest F and B event, which is taking place at Dubai World Trade Center through 22nd February. RAKEZ is dedicated to offering global investors complete business solutions for establishing and growing their presence in the UAE’s flourishing food and beverage industry.

The country’s F and B sector is experiencing a significant boom, driven by a growing expat population, high disposable incomes, diverse cultural tastes, and a robust GDP. A Statista report highlights the industry’s bright future, projecting that per capita spending in the UAE’s F and B sector will reach approximately AED14,000 by 2025. This optimistic outlook positions the UAE as a fertile ground for F and B businesses seeking growth and innovation.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad, said, ‘A new global chapter is unfolding in the future of food with great technological advancements being unveiled at Gulfood. It’s time to innovate for a more sustai
nable, thoughtful, and brighter future for the entire F and B ecosystem across the world. RAKEZ is committed to being at the forefront of this transformation, providing a nurturing environment for F and B companies to thrive in Ras Al Khaimah and seamlessly cater to the regional markets.’

RAKEZ is home to nearly 1,000 F and B companies, spanning diverse sectors within the industry, including F and B trading, catering and F and B services, distribution and logistics, as well as F and B manufacturing, among many others. At this year’s Gulfood, RAKEZ is showcasing its tailored business set-up solutions designed to support over F and B 5,500 exhibitors and investors from more than 190 countries in leveraging the opportunities presented by Ras Al Khaimah’s dynamic economic landscape and the wider UAE market.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) was down 0.49 percent at 2,458 points at Monday’s closing session.

A total of 2.75 million shares were traded through 2,382 transactions at a value of JD2.87 million.

The prices of 46 companies went down, 19 increased and 33 were unchanged.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Tokyo: Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Bisher Khasawneh held meetings in Tokyo on Monday with the Ministers of Economy, Trade, Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, along with Japanese officials, discussing bilateral relations and opportunities for advancement.

Khasawneh emphasized that his visit builds on the significant trip made by His Majesty King Abdullah II to Japan last year, aiming to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation across various sectors.

Meeting with Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Saito Ken, Khasawneh explored avenues for bolstering economic and developmental collaboration.

Highlighting Jordan’s strategic location, Khasawneh proposed leveraging it as a gateway for market penetration in the region, underscoring interest in participating in the Expo 2025 Osaka to bolster bilateral trade and networking.

Expressing gratitude for Japan’s support, Khasawneh acknowledged the pivotal role of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, citing the potential for future inv
estment forums to deepen economic ties.

Acknowledging Japan’s support for Jordan’s development, through the ministry and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Khasawneh emphasized investment opportunities in the Kingdom in sectors such as green energy, information technology, and mining.

In response, the Japanese Minister reiterated Japan’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation with Jordan, citing the strong foundation of their strategic partnership.

During discussions with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Khasawneh reaffirmed the longstanding diplomatic relations and strategic partnership between Jordan and Japan, spanning 70 years.

Khasawneh expressed Jordan’s gratitude for Japan’s support in its development endeavors and humanitarian aid to Palestinian and Syrian refugees in the Kingdom.

Highlighting shared values, he emphasized both nations’ commitment to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East through a two-state solution, ensuring security, stability, and prosperity f
or all.

The Prime Minister briefed the Japanese Foreign Minister on King Abdullah II’s relentless efforts, including recent visits to the United States, Canada, and Europe, to halt Israeli aggression on Gaza and ensure sustained humanitarian aid delivery, advocating for a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital.

Expressing condolences for the earthquake in Japan, Khasawneh pledged Jordan’s solidarity and readiness to assist under King Abdullah II’s directives.

The Japanese Foreign Minister reiterated Japan’s support for Jordan and King Abdullah II, aiming to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and security realms, honoring the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

She praised Jordan’s respected international policy and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Jordan.

Expressing concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, she assured diplomatic efforts to alleviate suffering and restore calm promptly.

Khasawneh, also meeting with Japanese
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, discussed bolstering military cooperation, joint training programs, peacekeeping efforts, and combating terrorism and cybersecurity.

Acknowledging Japan’s condolences for the recent earthquake, Khasawneh reiterated Jordan’s solidarity and support for recovery efforts.

The Japanese Defense Minister appreciated Jordan’s role in enhancing security and peace in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for increased cooperation and exchange of experiences in defense.

During his discussion with the head of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tanaka Akihiko, Khasawneh commended JICA’s vital role in Jordan’s development projects, seeking financial and technical support for initiatives in education, water, and Aqaba.

Expanding on Jordan’s intentions, Khasawneh expressed interest in broadening JICA’s training programs for capacity building to align with government efforts in administrative modernization.

Tanaka Akihiko confirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting Jordan thr
ough various aid programs, including assistance to refugees.

In a meeting with the Chairman of the Japanese-Jordanian Parliamentary Friendship Committee, Tanaka Kuzunori, Khasawneh lauded the committee’s contributions to bilateral relations, emphasizing the importance of cultural and educational exchanges.

Reflecting on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Khasawneh underscored the enduring partnership between Jordan and Japan, welcoming Japan’s participation in key projects outlined in Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision.

Addressing regional issues, including Israeli aggression on Gaza, Khasawneh highlighted King Abdullah II’s efforts to halt the aggression and promote a two-state solution for lasting peace.

Engaging in dialogue with the Middle East Institute of Japan (MEIJ), Khasawneh elaborated on regional developments and answered queries on various international issues of mutual concern.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: National Director of the SOS Children’s Villages Jordan, Rana Zoubi, noted that 2023 saw the initiation of vital projects, enhancing services for vulnerable children, youths, and families at risk of disintegration, benefiting society at large.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Zoubi highlighted the association’s pivotal role in fostering a secure environment for children, youth, and community development throughout 2023. Their initiatives focused on advocating children’s rights, ensuring family stability, and addressing root causes of disintegration.

The Families Empowerment Project, launched last year, targets improving conditions for families in eastern Amman, facilitating their ability to care for their children. The initiative, in collaboration with local partners, has already reached 16 families, providing a range of essential services, including economic empowerment.

Moreover, 9 children were reintegrated into their biological families, supported by the association’s efforts
to aid 130 at-risk families over three years, through partnerships with various local associations.

Zoubi highlighted ongoing support for survivors of domestic violence and their children through the Safe Homes (Malaz) project, which provided refuge for 16 women and 50 children last year.

Additionally, the “Al-Wefaq” House, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, facilitated the reintegration of 82 out of 87 women with their families, post-recovery, providing empowerment programs and job opportunities.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women, caregivers, and beneficiaries through various training programs and workshops, covering topics like positive education and domestic violence awareness.

Economic empowerment initiatives in Irbid and Aqaba aim to improve living conditions, while community integration efforts, including open days and bazaars, fostered engagement between villages and local communities, she added.

Furthermore, advocacy efforts included the establishm
ent of children’s parliaments and representation in the Shadow Report Committee, supporting the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Efforts to improve the proof of lineage process led to successful outcomes for 10 children and youth under the association’s care.

In healthcare, the Health House in Amman Village offers comprehensive medical services, prioritizing mental health support and recreational activities for children and youth.

Youth support programs, including career days and extracurricular activities, aim to empower young people and promote environmental awareness.

Zoubi emphasized the importance of collaboration with children’s villages in Palestine and ongoing efforts to support their initiatives.

Looking ahead, the SOS Children’s Villages plans to establish a creativity laboratory and launch a scholarship program for youth across the Arab world.

Source: Jordan News Agency