Day: 19 November 2023

Jordan is bracing for the impact of an approaching low-pressure system on Sunday, characterized by a northeast-centered air depression near Cyprus. This system will bring relatively cold and humid air masses, along with strong winds, to the kingdom, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said.

As a result, temperatures are expected to drop significantly, and rainfall is forecast for the northern and central governorates. Throughout the evening and night hours, the rain is anticipated to gradually extend to other regions of the country.

Some areas, including the Dead Sea region, can expect heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and hail, leading to the formation of floods and rising water levels in valleys and low-lying areas. The strong westerly winds, occasionally gusting over 65 km/h, will also cause dust storms and reduced horizontal visibility, p, particularly in the desert regions.

The JMD warned in its report of the danger of reduced horizontal visibility due to dust, especially in the Badi
a region, and occasional complete loss of visibility on desert roads before the rain. It also warned of the risk of strong wind speeds and accompanying gusts, which may exceed 65 km/h in some areas. Additionally, the formation of flash floods and rising water levels in valleys and lowlands, including the Dead Sea.

The JMD advises caution on slippery roads during rainfall and potentially reduced visibility, due to low-hanging clouds, and the risk of thunderstorms and hail.

On Monday, the Kingdom will continue to be influenced by the relatively cold and moist air masses, resulting in decreasing temperatures. The weather will be cold, cloudy, and intermittently rainy in most areas, with occasional heavy downpours, especially in the southwestern parts of the country.

Thunderstorms and hail are expected, accompanied by active northwesterly winds. As the night approaches, the intensity of rainfall will gradually weaken, wind speeds will decrease, and fog is expected to form over mountainous areas.

Tuesday will
see a slight increase in temperatures, with relatively cool and partly cloudy weather prevailing in most regions. The temperature will be pleasant in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba. There is a possibility of light morning showers in the northern and central parts of the kingdom. The winds will be moderate and northwesterly.

Today’s peak temperatures will be between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius in Amman and various highlands throughout the Kingdom, with lows of 10 or even 6 C in the southern highlands at night. The Gulf city of Aqaba will have sweltering weather, with highs of 27C and lows of 16C.

Source: Jordan News Agency

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk said on Sunday that “the horrendous events of the past 48 hours in Gaza beggar belief.”

“The killing of so many people at schools turned shelters, hundreds fleeing for their lives from Al-Shifa Hospital, amid the continuing displacement of hundreds of thousands in southern Gaza, are actions that fly in the face of the basic protections civilians must be afforded under international law,” Trk said in a statement.

Trk added that images purportedly taken in the aftermath of the Israeli strike on Al Fakhoura school are horrifying, clearly showing large numbers of women, children, and men severely wounded or killed. At least three other schools hosting displaced Palestinians have also been attacked in the past 48 hours.

He noted that “Israeli military operations have been continuing inside and around Al Shifa Hospital. UN colleagues visited the site yesterday and witnessed first-hand what they described as a ‘death zone’.”

“Medical personnel, patients, and civi
lians have fled the hospital, ordered to do so by the Israeli military. Hundreds were seen making their way south on foot, at great risk to their lives, health, and safety. And to where? Nowhere is safe in Gaza,” the UN official explained.

Trk added, “In Khan Younis, the Israeli Forces are dropping leaflets demanding residents go to unspecified “recognized shelters”, even as strikes take place across Gaza. Already displaced Palestinians – deprived by extreme restrictions on life-saving assistance – are struggling to meet their basic needs, forced into ever-diminishing, over-crowded, unsanitary unsafe spaces.”

“Irrespective of warnings, Israel is obliged to protect civilians wherever they are,” he emphasized. “Rules of international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out the attacks must be strictly adhered to.”

“Failure to adhere to these rules may constitute war crimes,” Trk said.

“The pain, dread, and fear etched on the faces of childre
n, women and men is too much to bear. How much more violence, bloodshed and misery will it take before people come to their senses? How many more civilians will be killed? This must stop,” Trk underlined.

“Humanity must come first. A ceasefire – on humanitarian and human rights grounds – is desperately needed. Now,” the UN official concluded.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced Sunday that it has begun receiving half the fuel it needs to run its minimum operations in embattled Gaza.

UNRWA’s media advisor, Adnan Abu Hasna, stated that the agency is only given 60,000 litres of fuel daily, adding that it represents half of UNRWA’s needs to meet the minimum level of its operation needs in the besieged enclave.

Abu Hasna explained that the allowed fuel would be distributed to water desalination plants and to generate energy for hospitals, operate bakeries, dispose of wastewater and collect solid waste, noting that Gazans would receive two-thirds of their drinking water needs.

He added that streets in Gaza are flooded with sewage due to insufficient fuel to drain the water.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yarmouk Water Company, Hussein Soub, and a French Development Agency (AFD) expert team discussed Sunday cooperation in water and sanitation projects.

Soub focused on partnership and cooperation with the French Agency in supporting the water sector in Jordan, noting AFD-supported water projects.

The meeting focused on the most prominent plans and programmes in water supply, improvement of sanitation services and asset management to meet the needs of the governorates of northern Jordan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) closed Sunday’s trading session down by 0.06 percent at 2,469 points.

A total of 4 million shares were traded through 2,662 transactions at a trading value of JD5.1 million.

Source: Jordan News Agency

President of Al al-Bayt University (AABU), Dr. Osama Nusair, on Sunday discussed with Mexican Ambassador to Jordan, Roberto Rodriguez-Hernandez, and the accompanying delegation, frameworks for joint academic and cultural cooperation.

Nusair reviewed the AABU’s “ambitious” future programs and plans, stressing importance of cultural and scientific exchange between the two sides.

Meanwhile, the Mexican envoy praised the university’s “high” level, highlighting importance of achieving joint cooperation in several fields and specializations and promoting mutual cultural exchange and scientific research.

During his visit, the envoy gave an introductory lecture to students of Spanish Language Department on Mexico’s civilization, history, culture, customs and traditions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

A Cabinet session held Sunday, headed by Prime Minister Dr. Bishr Khasawneh, approved Licensing Private and Foreign Educational Institutions Bylaw for 2023.

The new system aims to streamline licensing procedures for private and foreign educational institutions, in line with the Economic Modernization Vision (EMV) as part of sectoral licenses.

Additionally, the regulation seeks to regulate these institutions’ work by specifying their obligations, rights and the required fees, as well as organizing and supervising services provided for people with disabilities.

The Council of Ministers approved the Administrative Organization Bylaw for Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) for 2023, aimed to define tasks and responsibilities of the corporation’s administrative units to avoid overlap and reorganize work, in line with the latest development requirements to ensure good workflow and raise performance efficiency.

On another media-related decision, the Cabinet approved the amending Administrative Organi
zation Bylaw of Jordan News Agency (Petra) for 2023, aimed to keep pace with developments in the field of digital media and social media platforms, optimally invest human resources and competencies and redistribute staff among organizational units to rearrange workload and unify nature of similar activities.

Moreover, the Council approved an amending Customs Services Fees Bylaw on imported goods for 2023, aimed to support and stimulate national industries, by reducing the tariff imposed on raw materials for nuts to 3% instead of 5% of their value, and selling related ready-made materials imported from abroad at affordable and competitive prices.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Public Security Department (PSD) has issued another warning regarding the weather that is predicted for the next few hours, which includes the possibility of heavy rain, low visibility, and the possibility of slipping on wet roads.

The PSD warned of the dangers of rising water levels and urged people to avoid valley sides and areas where torrents and water bodies form and to avoid crossing them by vehicle or on foot.

The PSD advised people to drive very carefully, especially on outward routes across the Kingdom.

In light of the anticipated drop in temperatures in some areas, the PSD emphasized the importance of immobilizing objects that can be blown away by strong winds, inspecting and maintaining heating devices, and periodically providing proper ventilation for homes if they are used.

In addition to following its bulletins and the instructions and advice of the relevant authorities, the PSD urged citizens to never hesitate to call the unified emergency number, 911, if necessary.

Source: Jordan N
ews Agency

The White House on Sunday denied a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas that would allow for the release of dozens of Israeli prisoners in besieged Gaza in exchange for a five-day truce.

According to the Washington Times, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote on X, previously Twitter, in response to a Washington Post report about an initial agreement, “We have not reached an agreement yet, but we continue to work hard to reach an agreement.”

On Saturday, the Washington Post reported from “informed sources” that Israel and Hamas had reached a preliminary agreement with American mediation that would release dozens of Israeli prisoners held in the embattled enclave in exchange for a cessation of hostilities for five days.

It reported that the release of the hostages may begin within days and lead to the first stop in the current conflict in Gaza if the detailed 6-page agreement is adhered to.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Secretary-General, Majid Qatarneh, met on Sunday with the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous.

The meeting discussed the latest developments in Gaza, as well as efforts to end the war and protect civilians, particularly women and children.

The meeting covered how the international community must take responsibility for its actions and act quickly to put an end to the brutal war on Gaza, as well as the suffering and humanitarian disaster it has caused. This war violates international humanitarian law, international law, and all moral and human values.

The meeting also highlighted ways to strengthen mechanisms that protect and assist women and children.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) on Sunday launched the 19th edition of the Research and Creativity Support Project for University Students, to provide financial and technical support to Jordanian university students.

This assistance seeks to implement the participants’ projects and research initiatives, which primarily aim to provide practical solutions to national problems and challenges, according to a KAFD statement.

KAFD noted the project is based on supporting “qualitative, applicable and sustainable” enterprises and research initiatives, or others that achieve a patent, or contribute to solving a problem facing the society, in accordance with the project’s 2022 development plan and in line with outcomes of Economic Modernization Vision (EMV) for Entrepreneurship and Creativity Axis.

Additionally, the project aims to contribute to creating a “productive and effective” scientific and educational society and disseminate “positive” competition among university students, which stimulates
them to enhance their scientific and practical skills and support sustainable development by raising level of human resources and developing higher education to rely on creative projects and research.

University students can apply for support for their projects through the link: (join.kafd.jo) until next December 4 and winning projects receive financial support of up to JD5,000, KAFD said.

Launched in 2004, the project is implemented in partnership with Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) and offered support for 380 graduation and research projects, providing 1,624 direct and indirect opportunities.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Al-Balqa’ Applied University (BAU) and the National Center for Nuclear and Radiological Security (NCNRS) have entered into a collaborative memorandum of understanding (MoU), aimed at enhancing national capacities in various areas related to nuclear and radiation security, electricity and renewable energy, as well as natural resources, along with providing advisory services.

The deal was signed by Ahmed Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, BAU President, and Ziyad Saaida, The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.

The agreement represents a commitment to train the university staff and students, empowering them with specialized knowledge and expertise through comprehensive training and awareness programs. The latest frameworks and methodologies in nuclear and radiation security, electricity, renewable energy, and natural resources will be employed to facilitate knowledge transfer among peers.

Under the memorandum, the University, in collaboration with the International Re
search Center for Water, Environment, and Energy (IRCWEE) and the NCNRS, will actively engage in implementing aligned activities, programs, and projects.

Joint initiatives will be undertaken, and specialized courses will be conducted to address the specific needs of the nuclear and radiological work sector, as well as the electricity, renewable energy, and natural resources sectors.

Source: Jordan News Agency