Year: 2023

Amman: The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources introduced a digital platform on Sunday dedicated to showcasing investment prospects in mineral resources, petroleum, gas, and oil shale.

The electronic platform, accessible at memr.invest.gov.jo, aims to emphasize the significance of the mining sector in contributing to the national economy, aligning with the Economic Modernization Vision’s objective to position Jordan as a regional industry hub.

During the launch ceremony, Minister of Energy Saleh Kharabsheh underscored the mining sector’s pivotal role and its inclusion as a key industry in the economic vision. The platform serves as a tool to encourage investors to establish transformative industries based on mineral resources, elevating the value of extracted ores.

Kharabsheh emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting investment in national mineral resources, positioning the electronic platform as a conduit for highlighting national wealth and investment opportunities.

The platform, tailored
to mineral resources, petroleum, gas, and oil shale, allows potential investors to explore opportunities through an interactive map displaying the locations of raw materials, accompanied by technical reports. Additionally, it facilitates electronic investment applications in line with the Petroleum, Oil Shale, Coal, and Strategic Minerals Exploitation Projects System No. (76) of 2020.

By integrating with relevant government agencies overseeing investment licenses in the mining sector, such as the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission, the Department of Lands and Survey, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the platform streamlines the application process, reducing the time needed to obtain investment licenses and eliminating the necessity of physical visits to the ministry for application submissions.
Source: Jordan News Ag
ency

Amman: About 45,000 Jordanians have performed Umrah (Lesser Pilgrimage) since the beginning of the Hijri Umrah season that commenced in July and continued until the end of the current year, said Belal Rubin, a representative of Hajj and Umrah companies and a member of the Jordan Society of Tourism and Travel Agents (JSTA).

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Rubin highlighted that the demand for Umrah trips among Jordanians has been relatively weak compared to the previous year. He further explained that the number of Jordanian pilgrims during the period from July to December last year had reached 70,000 individuals.

Anticipating an upturn in demand, Rubin expected a surge in Jordanian citizens seeking to perform Umrah rituals during the upcoming winter school vacation, a customary trend observed annually. To motivate Jordanians, Hajj and Umrah offices have introduced encouraging offers and packages.

Regarding Hajj registration, Rubin highlighted that the process for pilgrims to register o
n the Ministry of Awqaf’s website began on Monday, December 11, and will conclude today, Sunday, at 10 pm.
Source: Jordan News Agency

Acting Director General of Public Security, Major General Elias al-Baisari, inspected this evening the Beirut Airport’s General Security Department, where he toured the entry and departure centers and had a closer look at the work progress and smooth operations there.

Al-Baisari met with officers and military personnel at the airport, offering them his well-wishes for the new year and praising their work and valuable role in portraying a brighter image of Lebanon through facilitating and accelerating the transactions of Lebanese expatriates and visitors to Beirut in line with regulations and instructions.

Al-Baisari also praised ‘the skill of the military in implementing technical and electronic audit procedures for travel documents of those entering and exiting the country,’ stressing that ‘Beirut’s airport will remain as it has always been, Lebanon’s gateway to the world,’ and hoping that ‘it will restore its position as the world’s gateway to the Middle East and the Arab world.’
Source: National News Ag
ency-Lebanon

The Lebanese Army published today on platform ‘X’ a greeting by the Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, in which he wrote: ‘We welcome the year 2024, hoping that it will bring with it security, safety, and stability for our country. To our soldiers who are steadfast in the face of all challenges and who believe in their oath: I bow before your sacrifices and your tolerance of all pressures, campaigns, and interventions, caring less about them, for you adhere to your motto of honor, sacrifice, and loyalty.’
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority received a report of an attack on a ship 60 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah in the Red Sea, according to Sky News Arabia.

The authority said in a warning note that an unidentified ship reported being attacked by three boats from the port side, and gunfire took place, adding that there were no injuries among the crew members.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority received a report of an attack on a ship 60 nautical miles northwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah in the Red Sea, according to Sky News Arabia.

The authority said in a warning note that an unidentified ship reported being attacked by three boats from the port side, and gunfire took place, adding that there were no injuries among the crew members.
Source: National News Agency-Lebanon

On the occasion of the beginning of a new year, I would like to greet the Egyptian people. I ask Allah Almighty to bestow upon us his blessings and bestow upon our beloved country, Egypt, stability and security.
Source: State Information Service Egypt

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese said that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi had created Egypt’s personality before the whole world and that he can witness that in his numerous visits abroad.

In statements to CBC TV station on Saturday 30/12/2023, he added that the huge turnout witnessed during the 2024 presidential election is considered as a certificate granted by Egyptian people to President Sisi after his success in the past few years.
Source: State Information Service Egypt

Interior Ministry deployed a number of tow trucks and winches on highways and desert roads as dense fog decreased visibility on many roads.

Hundreds of traffic policemen were also deployed on the ring road, highways and desert roads to keep citizens safe on roads during the foggy weather, a security source said.
Source: State Information Service Egypt

EgyptAir has posted an announcement stating that minors under the age of 18 will not be allowed to travel outside Egypt to any destination without their guardians.

EgyptAir further explained that in the case of a minor (under 18) traveling alone, they must obtain prior permission from the communication department, which falls under the Ministry of Interior’s Administration of Passports, Emigration and Nationality.

Meanwhile, sports teams that have received approval from the Ministry of Youth and Sports can travel without obtaining prior permission from the department. This does not include sports teams that only hold a letter from their sports federation.

Children traveling alone, without the supervision of a sibling aged 16 or older, a parent, or a legal guardian, are classified as unaccompanied minors, EgyptAir says. This includes children traveling in a different class or cabin from their siblings, parents, or guardians.

The flag carrier added that minors and adolescents who are not accompanied by an
adult must carry an identification document verifying their age, and they must have a confirmed reservation in advance.

The transportation of unaccompanied minors under the age of two may not be approved, EgyptAir stressed.

Transportation of unaccompanied minors aged two to below six years is permitted, provided that minors who are not accompanied by an adult are not allowed to board the aircraft without being accompanied by one of the flight attendants.

The guardian is responsible for paying the flight attendant ticket according to the service class accompanying the minor. Additionally, the EgyptAir unaccompanied minor form must be completed and correctly signed by the guardian and/or parent(s).

The authorized guardian must hand over the child at the departing airport. Upon arrival, the mentioned parent(s)/guardian(s) in the form must meet the child at the arrival airport.

Additional flight attendants are required to accompany the child during the flight, EgyptAir said, noting that unaccompanied minors
are not permitted to occupy emergency exit seats.

The ticket fare for unaccompanied minors is set at 100% of the applicable adult fare, in addition to the full fare for the flight attendants’ trip, the flag carrier added.
Source: State Information Service Egypt

Amman: Director of the Human Rights Unit in the Prime Minister’s Office, Khalil Abdallat, has announced that Jordan is gearing up for discussions on the 4th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The government has completed the preparation and submission of the report, adhering to the established international procedures.

Highlighting the diplomatic protocol, Abdallat mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has delivered the report through the Jordanian mission in Geneva. The report is now accessible on the website of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, marking the commencement of its discussion scheduled for January 25, 2024, during the 45th session.

In a special segment on Radio Al-Balad dedicated to the UPR, Abdallat emphasized the significant role played by the national consultation methodology conducted by the Human Rights Unit, in line with the Prime Minister’s mandate. This methodology has significantly contributed to enhancing the nat
ional report.

Abdallat highlighted that the unit collated discussions and observations from over 13 consultative sessions, engaging more than 1,700 participants, including representatives from national institutions, civil society organizations, and media institutions. These sessions involved the active participation of members of the legislative authority, governorate councils, diverse youth and women sectors, and individuals with disabilities.

In anticipation of the report discussion, Abdallat underscored the tangible partnership between the government and civil society. He announced plans for dialogue meetings both before and after the report discussion, emphasizing a focus on roles and responsibilities in implementing recommendations from all components of the state and Jordanian society.
Source: Jordan News Agency

The Ministry of Health in Egypt has announced an escalation in preparedness levels at hospitals located near desert roads and highways across the country in anticipation of any emergencies during the New Year and Christmas celebrations.

Minister of Health, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, has approved a comprehensive medical plan to ensure the security of the New Year and Christmas festivities. The ministry’s central crisis and emergency room will be actively monitoring the implementation of this plan throughout the day.

As part of the strategy, a total of 502 well-equipped ambulances will be deployed to areas surrounding churches, gardens, public spaces, highways, and gathering points. In addition, 11 river ambulance launches will be stationed for additional support.

Egypt consistently reinforces security and medical measures in advance of the New Year and Christmas celebrations, as millions of Egyptians partake in festivities and gather in the streets until late evening.

Christmas in Egypt is observed on January
7th, following the Julian calendar, in line with Orthodox churches worldwide.
Source: State Information Service Egypt