Day: May 21, 2023

An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale hit this afternoon, Sunday, the state of Adana, in southern Turkey.

The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) stated on its website that the epicenter of the earthquake was in the “Saimbeyli” district.

It added that the earthquake, which had a magnitude of 4.9 on the Richter scale, was at a depth of 6.67 kilometers below the earth’s surface.

It did not mention any information about whether there were losses of lives or property./ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, received today, Sunday, the Minister of Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mazen Abdullah Al-Faraya, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Minister of Interior.

The media office of the PM said in a statement, “During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to enhance security cooperation between Iraq and brotherly Jordan, in the field of exchanging experiences, facilitating the entry of citizens from both countries, as well as discussing cooperation in the areas of confronting terrorism and extremism, and combating terrorism, extremism, and the fight against drug trafficking.”

The Prime Minister welcomed the guest delegation, appreciating the stances of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein on pivotal issues in the region.

Al-Sudani referred to the level of economic cooperation between Iraq and Jordan and the common desire to develop it, in a way that contributes to promoting development for the two countries, indicating that sustainable security is a precursor to development and prosperity.

Al-Sudani stressed the need to confront security challenges in the region, and the importance of high coordination between the two countries, in order to confront the scourge of drugs, which has become a threat to our youth and threatens the fabric of our societies.

For his part, the Jordanian Minister of Interior conveyed the greetings of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Prime Minister, and his wishes for further development and prosperity for Iraq, praising the efforts of the Iraqi security forces in combating terrorism, which poses a real threat to all countries in the region and the world.

The statement added, “the Jordanian Minister explained the desire of his country’s government to cooperate with Iraq in various security files, foremost of which is the fight against drugs and joint cooperation in confronting them.”/ End

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Jordan strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif compound on early Sunday by the Israeli national security minister, who was heavily protected by the Israeli occupation forces. Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Sinan Majali said in a statement that the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the violation of its sanctity by an Israeli cabinet member are condemned and provocative acts. They represent a blatant violation of international law, as well as the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, he added. Majali warned that the continued breaches and attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, coupled with the unilateral measures of settlement expansion and the ongoing Israeli raids into occupied Palestinian territory, may lead to further escalation. He urged the international community to take swift and decisive action to put an end to these practices. Furthermore, he emphasized that the holy compound, which spans an area of 144 dunums, is exclusively a Muslim place of worship and that the Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department is the sole authority responsible for managing all affairs of the compound and organizing entry to it. In addition, he demanded that Israel, as the occupying power, immediately cease all efforts to alter the legal and historical status quo and impose spatial or temporal divisions.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya late Saturday discussed with his Iraqi counterpart, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Al-Shammari ways of enhancing security cooperation. The talks also tackled means of facilitating the movement of people, vehicles and goods between the two countries, exchanging security and administrative expertise. During the visit, Al-Faraya is slated to hold meetings with a number of senior Iraqi officials

Source: Jordan News Agency

Dozens of Jewish extremist settlers, led by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, on Sunday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque/ al-Haram al-Sharif compound in occupied East Jerusalem, under the heavy protection of Israeli escort. A statement by the General Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem said this is the second time that Ben-Gvir has stormed the holy shrine since taking his ministerial post in the far-right government in 2022. The settlers carried out today’s raids through al-Magharebah Gate in successive groups, toured the mosque’s yards, listened to explanations about the purported ‘Temple Mount’, and provocatively performed their Talmudic rituals in the eastern section of the compound, it added.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Jordan Museum, in collaboration with the Jordanian Museums Association, hosted a celebration at the Petra Museum in Wadi Musa, southern Jordan, on the occasion of International Museum Day. The event, inaugurated by the Ministry of Culture under the theme “Quality of Life and Sustainability,” brought together museum enthusiasts, experts, and local community members to recognize the significance of museums in preserving cultural heritage. A debate session aimed at introducing a project named “Involving the Jordanian Youth Generation in Learning about Amman’s Past and Its Multiculturalism” was held during the event. The project’s goal was to engage young Jordanians in exploring Amman’s rich history and diverse legacy, which resulted in a comprehensive guide for museum education for school children, giving an interactive and immersive learning experience. Suleiman Ali Al-Farajat, the Chief Commissioner of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), underscored the vital role museums play in nurturing national identity and fostering creative thinking among the youth. International Museum Day, approved by the International Council of Museums, is celebrated worldwide on May 18 each year. It serves as a reminder of the invaluable role that museums play in safeguarding tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent advertisements circulating on social media platforms, claiming that telecommunications companies or the authority itself are offering compensation or financial rewards to individuals. In a statement posted on its official page on Sunday, the TRC called on citizens to exercise caution and not fall victim to these deceptive advertisements, emphasizing the importance of verifying the legitimacy of such claims before responding or engaging with them.

Source: Jordan News Agency