Day: 16 August 2023

A court in Amman found a man guilty of discharging a weapon loaded with blanks in celebration of his child’s high school (Tawjihi) exam results last year, handing down a one-month prison term. A judicial body specialized in the cases of discharging weapons in public spaces at the Amman Criminal Magistrate Court found the man guilty of carrying and possessing a tool detrimental to public safety and disturbing public peace, according to a statement on Wednesday. This comes as part of authorities’ crackdown on the practice of festive firing, which involves discharging weapons in celebration of special occasions. The practice has led to the death and injury of many bystanders over the years. Yesterday evening, the Public Security Department (PSD) issued a statement saying the police would take stiff measures against festive firing, including arresting suspect shooters and the property owners where shootings would happen. The statement came ahead of the announcement of the Tawjihi exam results, which are expected to be released at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. In a related case, the court also found a 47-year-old man guilty of festive firing in celebration of his daughter’s passing of the Tawjihi exams, sentencing him to three months in prison.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) has launched a second updated list of antibiotics reclassified based on the World Health Organization’s classification, which includes all antibiotics registered in Jordan. Director General of the JFDA Nizar Mheaidat said that the Administration adopted this classification for the first time in 2020 in line with the implementation of the national antimicrobial resistance plan by promoting the correct use of antibiotics. The WHO’s AWaRe (Access, Watch, Reserve) antibiotic book, which provides concise, evidence-based guidance on the choice of antibiotic, dose, route of administration, and duration of treatment, is particularly relevant given the ongoing health challenges and the escalation of the problem of antimicrobial resistance globally and locally, added Mheidat. The JFDA is continuing to raise awareness of the importance of adhering to AWaRe, promoting more responsible antibiotic use behaviors, and encouraging research and development to discover new drugs that effectively combat infections, reduce the negative effects of antimicrobial resistance, and reduce antibiotic side effects, noted the statement.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Wednesday launched an analytical study and guide for non-custodial measures for juveniles. Non-custodial measures are defined as an alternative punishment imposed on convicts to replace the prison sentence with a service performed by the prisoner for a group of society. Employing non-custodial measures would contribute to educating juveniles and training them in professions useful to society, encouraging them to stay away from criminal behavior by giving them an opportunity for reform combined with freedom. This necessitates positive integration into society and carried out public service away from mixing with criminal tendencies in prisons. Mohammad Miqdadi, secretary-general of the NCFA, said the importance of preparing the analytical study stems from the need to identify gaps in applying non-custodial measures and address them in cooperation with the UNHCR and other partners. He added that the guide aims to provide an applicable reference and methodological tool that addresses workers involved with juveniles in general and focuses on non-custodial measures in particular, within a system of procedures consistent with international standards and covenants, national legislation, and best practices. Head of the Protection Department at UNHCR Jordan Taiba Sharif indicated that the launching of this guide is evidence of the seriousness of building the criminal justice system in a way that keeps pace with contemporary developments and challenges. She affirmed that the UNHCR is looking forward to strengthening the justice system and providing an environment conducive to the public interest.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Higher Presidential Committee of Church Affairs in Palestine urged representatives and leaders of churches and the international community to take urgent measures and condemn Israel’s crimes and attacks on the sanctities and properties of Christians in Palestine. In identical letters sent by its chairman, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization Ramzi Khoury, the Higher Presidential Committee called on the churches of the world to intervene to confront everything that threatens the Christian presence in Palestine, by taking concrete steps to defend Christian sanctities and the Christian presence in occupied Jerusalem in particular and Palestine in general. The letters warned that the continued violations by the occupation government and settlers of the current legal and historical status of Islamic and Christian religious places in occupied Jerusalem threaten to erase the pluralistic character of Jerusalem and reflect deep-rooted contempt and hostility to Christianity and Islam, which is evident in the repeated calls of extremist Jewish settlers to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempts to build the alleged Temple in its place. The identical letters confirmed that these violations and attacks, in addition to forced displacement, house demolitions, and attempts to control holy places, are a violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. The letters touched upon the statements issued by the heads of churches in Jerusalem over the past few months, which condemned the escalation of Israeli attacks on Christian and Islamic sanctities, and warned that their continuation undermines the status quo and the spiritual, religious and cultural identity in occupied Jerusalem.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

The Government of the People’s Republic of China handed over a cheque of $1 million today to UNRWA in support of the Agency’s education program for 5,300 Palestine Refugee children in five UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip. Through the decades, UNRWA has pioneered quality, equitable, and inclusive basic education delivery, including in times of emergency, showing flexibility and innovation in the face of conflict, occupation, blockade, displacement, and global health crises. In referencing their support to the UNRWA, the Head of the Office of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Palestine, Ambassador Zeng Jixin, said, “For over 70 years, UNRWA has played an irreplaceable and vital role in alleviating the humanitarian plight of Palestinian Refugees by providing them with critical relief and protection. China fully recognizes and highly commends the work of UNRWA and has been providing assistance within our capacity to support UNRWA in fulfilling its mandate. This year, China contributed US$ 1 million to UNRWA, which is a concrete measure to implement President Xi Jinping’s three-point proposal for the settlement of the Palestinian question. China is ready to work with the international community and make positive contributions to the early achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question and the realization of lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity in the Middle East.” Expressing his appreciation for this contribution, Karim Amer, Director of Partnerships at UNRWA, said: ‘The People’s Republic of China is a greatly valued partner and long-standing donor for UNRWA. It is thanks to the enduring support of donors like the Government of China that UNRWA can provide critical services to Palestine Refugees across the Middle East despite its continuing challenges.’ Since making its first contribution to UNRWA nearly six decades ago (1964), the People’s Republic of China has consistently provided financial and political support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In recognition of this important partnership, UNRWA is keen to further strengthen cooperation with China to continue providing much-needed humanitarian and human development assistance to Palestine Refugees.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

President Mahmoud Abbas this evening called the father of Qusay al-Walaji, 16, in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, who was killed yesterday by Israeli soldiers to offer his condolences. The president expressed his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, asking God to grant his family and loved ones solace and fortitude. Two Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed yesterday by Israeli gunfire during a military raid into Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, in Jericho.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

Deputy Prime Minister for National Vision Affairs, Head of the Executive Office of the Vision Department, Mahmoud Al-Junaid, stressed the importance of concerted efforts by all to advance the educational process.

Al-Junaid pointed out, during a meeting that included the Minister of Education, Yahya Al-Houthi, and the leadership of the Education Ministry today, to the importance of strengthening discipline, mobilizing the efforts of workers in the educational field, and keeping abreast of developments to raise the educational level of students.

He praised the efforts of the ministry’s leadership and the educational staff in thwarting the aggression’s plans that target the educational process.

Source: Yemen News Agency

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the continuation of what it called heinous crimes perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people that led heretofore to the fall of two Palestinian martyrs at Aqbat Jabr camp in Jericho City.

OIC deemed such crimes as an extension for open war and organized terrorism perpetrated by Israel as an occupying power across all occupied Palestinian territories in a flagrant violation against the international humanitarian law.

The organization held the Israeli occupation fully and directly responsible for its persistent violations and crimes against the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to uphold its responsibility and take actual measures to put an end to the persistent Israeli occupation’s crimes, hold their perpetrators accountable and provide international protection to the Palestinian people. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency