Day: 26 March 2024

The Lower House of Parliament endorsed the draft general pardon law for 2024 in a majority vote.

The decision was made during Tuesday’s session, presided over by Ahmed Safadi, with Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and government officials present.

Acknowledging His Majesty King Abdullah II’s directive for the government to enact a general pardon, MPs expressed gratitude, seeing it as a beacon of hope, particularly amid current circumstances.

On March 20, 2024, King Abdullah II instructed the government to draft and process a general pardon law as per constitutional procedures, marking his 25th anniversary since assuming constitutional duties.

MPs urged for an all-encompassing pardon for cases that involve reconciliation, barring those infringing upon honor or national security. They called for including as many cases, in which personal claims were dropped, as possible.

They advocated for the pardon to cover murder cases in which reconciliation occurred, insisting on expanding exemptions related to student
and agricultural loans and considering first-time drug offenses, excluding individuals affiliated with regional criminal networks.

Additionally, MPs pushed for the inclusion of arms smuggling into Palestine within the pardon.

The Lower House dismissed MP Abdul Karim Daghmi’s proposal to pardon certain murder cases involving reconciliation.

Responding to parliamentary queries, Justice Minister Ahmed Zayadat affirmed the government’s commitment to royal directives on the principles and regulations governing the pardon, ruling out loan inclusion due to civil obligations.

At the session’s outset, MPs accepted a motion to prioritize general pardon discussion without referral to the concerned committee, postponing other agenda items accordingly.

Each representative was granted two minutes to address the draft law under the dome, a decision contested by MPs Abdul Karim Daghmi and Saleh Armouti, citing its limitation on idea conveyance.

In a preceding session chaired by PM Bisher Khasawneh, the Cabinet ratified
the 2024 general pardon draft, fast-tracking its referral to the legislators for approval under constitutional principles.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Gaza Health Ministry said Tuesday that Israeli occupation forces tightened a siege of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, detaining staff and patients inside the human resources building and preventing them from leaving it.

The Ministry said in a statement that the beleaguered medical teams and patients appealed to UN institutions and the international community to intervene urgently to save their lives.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Israeli occupation committed 8 massacres against Gaza families on Tuesday, killing 81 Palestinians and injuring 93 others during the past 24 hours, Gaza Ministry of Health announced.

In the daily statistical report on Gaza casualties by the ongoing Israeli aggression for the 172nd day, the ministry indicated that the death toll rose to 32,414 victims and 74,787 injuries since last October 7.

The ministry also noted a number of victims are still under rubble and on roads, and ambulance and civil defense crews were denied access to reach causalities.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jordan News Agency, Petra, starts its daily news bulletin from Amman for Tuesday, March 26, 2024, corresponding to Ramadan 15, 1445 Hijri.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army on Tuesday conducted five airdrops of humanitarian aid in northern Gaza, with support from allied nations.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force, along with planes from the United States, Egypt, and Germany, participated in the operation.

The Jordan Armed Forces said that these airdrops continue Jordan’s efforts to provide vital assistance to Gaza, demonstrating solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, Jordan has completed 84 airdrops independently and 190 in collaboration with other nations, as part of ongoing relief efforts.

Source: Jordan News Agency

GAZA: Two civilians were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted east of the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Local sources said that Israeli warplanes targeted a group of civilians east of Al-Maghazi camp, resulting in the killing of two and causing several causalities.

Local health authorities confirmed that the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli onslaught since October 7 has risen to 32,414 reported fatalities, with an additional 74,787 individuals sustaining injuries. The majority of the victims are women and children.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

The Indo-Jordan Chemicals Company, a subsidiary of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), clinched the International Safety and Health Award 2023, awarded by the British Safety Council.

The award recognizes exemplary performance in maintaining the lowest incidence of work-related injuries, integrating cutting-edge global technologies in industrial health and safety and demonstrating excellence in strategic planning for occupational safety and health in line with international best practices.

Muhammad Thneibat, Chairman of JPMC, emphasized that this international accolade underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to upholding global standards across all domains, particularly in occupational safety. It reaffirms their dedication to fostering a conducive work environment and safeguarding the well-being of employees.

Thneibat further noted that the award serves as a catalyst for the company in its pursuit of achievements across various sectors, which are pivotal in enhancing the company’s performance,
reputation, competitiveness and global market presence.

Highlighting the significance of “this milestone,” Thneibat emphasized the award’s contribution to bolster the company’s standing in the global industrial safety arena. He underscored the company’s unwavering dedication to implementing stringent safety protocols, standards and systems, while striving to integrate the latest specialized systems in this realm, thereby enhancing the company’s production processes.

Previously, the company garnered a gold medal from the International Fertilizer Association for its performance in occupational safety, health, and environmental management, along with several other international accolades in the same domain.

Source: Jordan News Agency

RAMALLAH: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said on Tuesday that the Israeli attack on the Security Council resolution adopted yesterday is unjustified and has no meaning other than the insistence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ruling right-wing coalition to achieve his malicious, undeclared war goals only by military means.

The Foreign Ministry added in a statement that Netanyahu’s government seeks to give precedence to the logic of military force over reason, politics, and diplomatic efforts in order complete the destruction of the Gaza Strip and kill all forms of human life there.

It pointed out that Netanyahu’s declared goals for the war are completely contradictory and it is difficult to arrange them into clear priorities without such contradiction, which explains the ongoing Israeli rejection of all forms of international efforts made to stop the war and mainly to achieve the protection of civilians and secure their basic humanitarian needs.

The statement stressed
that what Netanyahu is constantly trying to hide are his real goals, considering that this war essentially aims to remove the entire Gaza Strip from north to south from humanitarian service.

The Foreign Ministry pointed out that the UN Security Council resolution constitutes a valid basis for reaching a permanent ceasefire and resolving the entire crisis through political and diplomatic means, adding that it is binding and must be implemented.

It also warned against the consequences of any explanations or proposing any mechanisms with the aim of emptying it of its content, and demanded the immediate implementation of the resolution and binding work mechanisms completely consistent with the logic of the decision.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Omar Juwayed, General Director of the Jordan Industrial Estates Company, unveiled rising investment trends in Madaba Industrial City, marking full occupancy of its initial phases covering 17,000 square meters.

To address escalating demand, tenders have been initiated for constructing and overseeing modular factories spanning 11,000 square meters in the third phase, totaling JD2million.

The Jordan Industrial Estates Company oversees the development, management, and marketing of Madaba Industrial City, alongside various industrial zones across Jordan. The city’s first phase sprawls over 310 dunams of its total 500-dunam area, Juwayed said.

Juwayed revealed in an exclusive interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that Madaba Industrial City now hosts 34 industrial firms with investments nearing JD22 million, creating around 1,200 job opportunities for locals. These investments stem from strategic initiatives, including reduced land and building prices by up to 60%, aimed at luring industrial ventures and
transforming Madaba into an industrial hub.

Highlighting Madaba Industrial City’s significance, Juwayed emphasized the royal patronage it enjoys, with His Majesty King Abdullah II visiting multiple times, symbolizing the accomplishments of his reign. This comes amid the nation’s celebration of the King’s silver jubilee.

Targeting various industries like engineering, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and logistics, Madaba Industrial City is poised to drive economic growth in the region and foster multifaceted development.

Despite its relative youth, Madaba Industrial City boasts numerous successful Jordanian and Arab ventures across diverse sectors, promising further employment opportunities and an expanding investment landscape, he pointed out.

Additionally, the completion of the purification station project, an essential infrastructure initiative within the industrial city, is nearing completion, signaling a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Jordan’s import bill for crude oil, derivatives, and mineral oils saw a notable decline in January this year, according to data released by the Department of Statistics on Tuesday.

The figures revealed a decrease in the value of oil imports to the Kingdom, totaling JD256 million for January, compared to JD303 million for the same period last year. This represents a significant drop of 15.5%.

This decrease in the oil bill has had a positive impact on Jordan’s trade balance, with the overall value of imports declining by 19.7% in January compared to the previous year. This reduction contributed to a 33.7% decrease in the trade deficit for the country.

Fuel and mineral oils were the primary imports for the period, with a total value of JD83 million. Crude oil, often termed “petroleum,” followed closely behind at JD81 million. Additionally, the Kingdom imported gasoline worth around JD39 million, and diesel valued at approximately JD48 million. Lubricants and gas contributed smaller amounts to the import bill.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Jordan on Monday celebrated the conclusion of the Sustainable Urbanization and Resource Efficiency Project (SURE), which was conducted over the past five years at a total cost of $22 million.

The project was executed in close collaboration with the Greater Amman Municipality and in partnership with various governmental and private institutions. Funding for the project was provided by the Green Environment Facility (GEF).

During the closing ceremony, Project Manager Dana Al-Louzi presented an overview of the project’s achievements, highlighting its collaboration with stakeholders to establish standardized tools for measuring and reporting on urban development in Amman. She emphasized the project’s significant contribution to advancing the UNDP’s commitment to sustainable development and addressing the challenges of climate change.

The project implemented a range of measures aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting strategic intervention
s aligned with Jordan’s national climate change policy. Notably, it supported Jordan’s vision for a low-carbon future and its efforts to fulfill its commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Key outcomes of the project included the launch of the Urban Observatory platform for Amman City data, developed in partnership with the Greater Amman Municipality, in collaboration with the UN Human Settlements Program, and under the supervision of the C40 Network. This platform will play a crucial role in shaping urban development policies, enhancing municipal services, and formulating the city’s climate action plan.

Furthermore, the project established guidelines for licensing individuals involved in providing energy efficiency services, in collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies and government agencies. It also implemented energy efficiency measures in government buildings, resulting in significant reductions in carbon emissions.

Director of the Environment Program at the UN
DP in Jordan, Nidal Al-Ouran, commended the project’s contribution to the country’s economic modernization efforts. He emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives in achieving sustainable development goals.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Israeli occupation forces initiated a sweeping campaign on Tuesday, conducting raids, searches, and arrests across the occupied West Bank that resulted in 28 arrests.

Armed clashes erupted in multiple towns and camps, resulting in casualties among Palestinians.

According to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Society, detainees were transferred to the occupation security services for interrogation. They were accused of involvement in armed resistance against the occupation forces and settlers.

The incursions were primarily concentrated in various governorates of the West Bank, with particular emphasis on camps. The occupation forces carried out extensive raids on numerous homes, conducting thorough searches and causing disruption. Residents were subjected to field investigations following their detention for hours.

Source: Jordan News Agency