Day: November 8, 2022

Categories
Technology

Jordan, UAE, Israel sign MoU to continue water-energy feasibility studies

Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to continue feasibility studies for two interdependent and contingent projects aimed at the construction of a desalination plant on the Mediterranean Sea (Prosperity Blue) and a clean electric power plant in Jordan (Prosperity Green).

The MoU, which was signed on the sidelines of the COP27 summit in the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, is “solely an expression of intent by the three parties and does not create or affect any legal rights or obligations under international laws,” according to memorandum text.

The memorandum is based on a declaration of intent signed by the three parties on the sidelines of the Dubai Expo on November 22, 2021 in the presence of US Presidential Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry.

The memorandum stipulates that the three parties will “endeavor to advance with the help and assistance of relevant international partners on a voluntary basis or when needed, subject to the agreement of all sides, the development of the necessary plans in time for the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC scheduled to take place from 6-17 November 2023in the United Arab Emirates”.

The MoU was signed by Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation, Muhammad Najjar, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Almheiri, and Israel’s Minister of Regional Cooperation, Issaw Frej, on behalf of their respective governments.

The three governments signed a “Declaration of Intent” in Dubai in November 2021, which stipulated that the three parties begin examining the possibility of establishing two interdependent and contingent projects. The first project is a clean electric power plant in Jordan with a capacity of 600 kilowatts that is not connected to the national grid and is funded by the UAE. The second project is a desalination plant on the Mediterranean Sea, which will provide Jordan with 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
General

Depression forecast to bring rain on Tuesday

The Kingdom on Tuesday will be affected by a wet and relatively cold air mass accompanied by a depression centered over Cyprus, pushing thermometers down and bringing cloudy skies with rain and hail in the northern and central regions, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said in its daily update.

The rainfall is expected to extend in the afternoon to cover parts of the southern and eastern areas, with westerly moderate to brisk winds, stirring dust in the Badia.

In its report, the JMD warned of low visibility due to low-altitude clouds in the mountainous areas and dust in the Badia, and of possible danger from floods and slippery roads during rain.

Similar weather conditions will persist on Wednesday, with partly cloudy skies and rain accompanied by thunder storms at times, forecasters predicted, noting that winds will be northwesterly moderate, picking up at times.

Mercury levels are expected to rise on Thursday, bringing pleasant weather conditions in most parts of the country, with clouds at low altitude and northeasterly moderate winds.

Today, temperatures in the capital Amman will range between a high of 19 degrees Celsius and a low of 10C, while the port city of Aqaba will see a high of 28C, sliding to 18C at night.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
General

Dozens of Jewish settlers break into Al-Aqsa Mosque

Scores of Jewish extremist settlers early Tuesday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque/ al-Haram al-Sharif compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

A statement by the Islamic Awqaf and Al-Aqsa Affairs said that today’s raid was conducted through al-Magharebah Gate under heavy protection of Israeli police.

“The settlers performed Talmudic rituals and provocatively toured the Mosque’s yards,” it added.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Categories
Health

Jordanian organization honored by Austrian Envoy after receiving Intercultural Achievement Award

Austrian Ambassador to Jordan, Oskar Wustinger, on Monday honored the Jordanian organization “Puppets World” for winning the Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) in the category Technology.

A statement by the Embassy on Tuesday said that the IAA is a key project of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. It honors successful and innovative civil society projects in the field of intercultural and interreligious dialogue, both in Austria and on a global scale.

“The seven winning projects in 2022 were selected from more than 180 submissions worldwide and came from France, India, Jordan, Morocco, Austria and South Africa,” it added, noting that the award-winning Jordanian mobile puppet theater aims to raise children’s awareness of social, behavioral, emotional and cultural issues regardless of their social background or geographical origin.

Puppets World focuses on integration and teaching values such as tolerance and compassion in a playful and entertaining way.

Co-founder Rami Bader – together with one of his puppets – received the award at the ceremony in Vienna on Tuesday, October 18th, on behalf of the Puppets World team. In his speech, he emphasized the important values the organization’s work conveys to children: “This puppet has been my tool to teach children about coexistence and accepting differences, regardless of their gender, social class, color, religion and culture. The IAA award will help us continue our work with passion and love.”

At the reception in Amman, which was attended by Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah, the Austrian Ambassador congratulated the team and appreciated their work: “Your admirable work and innovative approach is putting smiles on children’s faces.”

Source: Jordan News Agency