Day: 29 September 2024

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has urged citizens to take advantage of the solar cell and heater installation support program offered by the ministry. This initiative aims to assist the residential sector with a 30% subsidy to alleviate the burden of household electricity bills.

In a statement, the ministry explained the required conditions and technical specifications defined in the program, which renewable energy companies must adhere to when providing services. This aims to educate citizens before submitting applications to benefit from this support available through the designated initial inclusion platform on the website https://solarenergy.gov.jo.

It also noted that the maximum capacity for supported renewable energy systems under the program is 3.6 kW, with approximately 39,000 systems currently in operation among the three electricity distribution companies, including 27,285 systems with a capacity of 3.6 kW.

According to the statement, the renewable energy systems used by residential
subscribers across the kingdom vary in capacity based on data from the three electricity distribution companies.

It indicated that the majority of systems in the residential sector have a capacity of 3.6 kW or less, totaling 38,869 systems. This includes 21,779 systems from Irbid District Electricity Company, 8,725 systems from the Jordan Electric Power Company, and 8,365 systems from the Electricity Distribution Company.

Additionally, the total number of systems specified at a capacity of 3.6 kW is 27,285, which are also included under the subsidized electricity tariff that has been in effect since April 2022, following the decision to reorganize the electricity tariff.

The ministry emphasized the importance of ensuring compliance with the conditions and requirements, as well as the capacity of the systems before installation, to guarantee the benefits of installing these systems.

It affirmed that the capacity of the inverters in the systems is documented through data plates issued by suppliers, and the
accuracy of this data is verified after inspection and certification by a globally accredited third-party inspection entity, with oversight from the Jordanian Standards and Metrology Organization.

The statement encouraged citizens to apply and invest in solar energy for electricity generation and water heating to maintain market dynamics, enhance the competitiveness of companies in the sector, preserve existing job opportunities, create new jobs, and increase investment in this vital sector.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The local authorities in the United States announced that more than 50 people died by Hurricane Helene. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said more than 50 hurricane-related deaths were reported in South and North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.

The NHC added that Hurricane Helene also caused power outages for more than three million people in Florida and Ohio and catastrophic and historic floods.

Helene is expected to flow over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday, and high wind warnings have been issued for parts of Tennessee and Ohio. Helene hit the coast in Florida as a category 4 hurricane late Thursday with winds of 225 km and then rushed across Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

BETHLEHEM: The Israeli occupation forces closed on Sunday the Container military checkpoint northeast of Bethlehem, said security sources.

Sources told WAFA that the occupation forces shut down the military checkpoint, which connects the central and southern West Bank, and prevented residents’ movement, causing a heavy traffic jam.

According to the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in Occupied Territories, restricting movement is one of the main tools Israel employs to enforce its regime of occupation. Israel imposes restrictions on the movement of Palestinians within the West Bank, and travel between it and the Gaza Strip, into East Jerusalem, Israel, and abroad.

‘These conditions result in a life of constant uncertainty for Palestinians, making it difficult to perform simple tasks and plan their lives, and obstruct the development of a stable economy,’ said B’Tselem.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) signed two agreements with Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to cover the costs of the treatment of the Palestinians who were wounded in the attacks by the Israeli occupation forces on Gaza Strip.

The two documents were inked by KRCS Secretary-General Maha Al-Barjas and PRCS President Dr. Younes Al-Khatib in Cairo on Sunday.

Speaking to KUNA following the signing ceremony, Al-Barjas said KRCS was keen on helping the Palestinian health facilities to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the brutal aggression of the Israeli occupation forces.

“Under today’s deals, KRCS will contribute to the funding of the accommodation and the treatment of wounded Palestinians at Palestine hospital in Cairo and the rehabilitation of KRCS field hospital in Gaza,” she said.

“Since the start of the war on Gaza, the Kuwaiti leadership, government and people have been keen on offering full support to our Palestinian brothers and providing medical supplies to the Palestinian health sec
tor.

“The Kuwaiti government and non-government aid agencies spare no effort in providing relief supplies to the Palestinians to help them overcome the ongoing crisis,” Al-Barjas added.

Later today, she paid an inspection tour of Palestine hospital – an affiliate of PRCS, and called on injured Palestinians on medication at various wards. Built in 1976, the nine-story hospital has 85 beds, 12 ICUs, four surgery rooms and wards for various medical specializations.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

BEIRUT: Seventeen citizens from the same family were killed this Sunday afternoon in the Israeli occupation’s shelling of the towns in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley.

According to medical sources, 17 members of a Lebanese family were killed this afternoon, when the occupation bombed a residential building in the town of Zaboud in the Bekaa.

The Israeli occupation’s air raids also continued against numerous Lebanese areas.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

GAZA: Several Palestinians were killed and others injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip late last night.

Local sources reported that at least three individuals lost their lives when Israeli forces targeted a residential apartment near the Al-Sha’abiya intersection in central Gaza City.

Simultaneously, a Palestinian was killed in a separate airstrike on a home in the Jabalia refugee camp.

Medical sources confirmed that a young man was among the deceased, with several others sustaining various injuries following an Israeli strike on the Abu Nasr family home in the Al-Alami area of Jabalia.

Earlier in the night, multiple casualties were reported when Israeli warplanes bombed a house belonging to the Qneita family near the Al-Ghafri intersection on Al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City.

The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has so far resulted in 41,586 documented Palestinian fatalities, with an additional 96,210 individuals sustaining injuries, the majority of whom a
re women and children.

Thousands more are feared dead under the rubble of destroyed structures across the war-torn enclave, with civil defense teams and emergency services unable to reach several areas due to safety concerns amid the indiscriminate Israeli attacks.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA

Some four years after his death, Kuwaitis on Sunday reminisced about the notable achievements of the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which helped propel the nation to the upper echelons of the international community.

On this day in 2020, Kuwait lost with great anguish Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, with flags lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect for the late Kuwaiti leader, christened by the United Nations as a “Humanitarian Leader,” in recognition, whose leadership helped usher in an unprecedented trajectory of national development.

With his passing, the wider Arab region lost an astute leader who made it a mission to forge a united regional stand through efforts to iron out any differences between Arab countries, subsequently keeping ties within the region on an upward trajectory.

Assuming power in January of 2006, the late Kuwaiti Amir demonstrated from day-one his uncanny prowess to lead by example, despite growing challenges around the region and beyond, which were
not a deterrent for him to push forward his mission of brining Kuwait to the apex of development and prosperity.

Overseeing broad growth over various realms, his decision to involve the private sector in national development plans was among his key contributions, which were largely instrumental in transforming Kuwaiti into a regional trade and financial hub.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad’s efforts were highly regarded across the Arab World, with a widespread recognition for his constant work, as he was a part of ending the Yemeni civil war in August 1966 and contributed to the peace agreement between South Yemen and North Yemen in October 1962, as well as successfully establishing diplomatic relations between Oman and Yemen.

The late Amir also laid foundation of balancing foreign policies and addressing complex issues, most notably the Iran-Iraq war and its repercussions on Kuwait’s internal and external security.

He also made great efforts to strengthen Kuwait’s foreign relations with various countries, particul
arly with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Kuwait’s unique foreign policy stood out on Augest 2, 1990, when the entire world stood in support of Kuwait against the Iraqi invasion. The Security Council then issued Resolution 678, which authorized the use of all means, including military force, against Iraq unless it withdrew its forces from Kuwait.

During his earlier career, the late Amir also held the position of acting minister of information from February 2, 1971, to February 3, 1975. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister on February 16, 1978, and on March 14, 1981, he was acting minister of information in addition to his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs until February 9, 1982.

The late Amir continued his service as Prime Minister until January 2006 and during his 14-year reign, Kuwait witnessed a comprehensive developmental renaissance, full of major projects in economic, health, developmental, and service sectors, as well as attaining a prestigious position among nations.

She
ikh Sabah was the fourth son of late ruler Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Hhe enrolled in Al-Mubarakiya School and later sent abroad to study and acquire the experiences and skills that shaped him on various levels and helped him assume official roles.

He continued to cement Kuwait’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, which he regarded as a top priority, and Kuwait has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights in political and humanitarian arenas.

Throughout his career, the late Amir received numerous medals and honors, the latest being the US’ Distinguished Service Medal awarded in September 2020, which is the highest military honor granted to a non-American leader, acknowledging his remarkable achievements and contributions.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

TUBAS: Three Palestinian young men were injured by live ammunition from Israeli occupation forces early this morning during a raid in the town of Aqaba, located in the northern West Bank province of Tubas.

Medics from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that emergency teams transported one young man, who sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh, to a nearby hospital.

The same sources reported that another injured individual was detained by the Israeli forces while receiving medical assistance for multiple gunshot wounds. Additionally, access to a third wounded man, who was on the roof of a house, was blocked by the forces.

Israeli troops stormed the town in the early hours of the morning, surrounding a home in the town and asking those inside to surrender. As of now, the house remains under siege.

Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA