Day: March 26, 2024

The prices of 95 and 98 octane gasoline on Tuesday rose by 6,000 Lebanese pounds, while gas increased by 1,000 Lebanese pounds. Meanwhile, the price of diesel decreased by 2,000 Lebanese pounds. The prices stand as follows:

– LBP 1,696,000 for 95 octane gasoline

– LBP 1,734,000 for 98 octane gasoline

– LBP 1,550,000 for diesel

– LBP 941,000 for gas.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Head of the Administrative Committee of the Senate, Khaled Bakkar, said the international community has begun to disregard international law by remaining silent on Israel’s actions in Gaza, which constitutes genocide against Gazans.

Bakkar emphasized Jordan’s position at the 148th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva on Tuesday, stating that Gaza is facing genocide by Israeli occupation forces. He urged global intervention to uphold international humanitarian law and halt the raging war.

During his speech, Bakkar called for action against Israel’s genocide crimes in Gaza and stressed the need to hold perpetrators accountable for these crimes. He urged governments to take decisive measures to maintain credibility and international accountability.

Speaking to representatives from various democracies, Bakkar questioned the world’s ability to ensure peace and security amidst Israel’s non-compliance with international resolutions. He criticized the silence over Israeli crimes and the use of hunger
as a weapon of massacre against Gaza’s population.

Bakkar underscored the necessity of a just resolution to the Palestinian issue, advocating for an independent Palestinian state and endorsing political solutions on the basis of the two-state solution as the sole pathway to end the conflict. He cautioned against military approaches, emphasizing that they would only result in more violence and destruction.

Expressing pride in Jordan’s humanitarian efforts, Bakkar commended the Royal Air Force’s aid drops in Gaza. He appreciated global solidarity with Palestine, particularly from nations like South Africa.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority, Hisham Haisa, stated that the authority is dedicated to empowering Jordanian farmers by leveraging all available resources to support their agricultural endeavors. This aligns with the authority’s strategy aimed at advancing local farming, expanding into foreign markets, and bolstering the national economy.

In a meeting with farmers and representatives of water user associations in Deir Alla on Monday, in the presence of Director of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Water Efficiency and Conservation Activity (WEC) Frank O’Brien, Haisa emphasized the government’s responsiveness to farmers’ needs, particularly after reinforcing the management and staff within the Jordan Valley Authority.

He highlighted the noticeable improvement in service quality and responsiveness witnessed by farmers, aiming to enhance their competitiveness at local, regional, and international levels, underlining the government’s commitment to implementing ro
yal directives by addressing challenges in the agricultural sector effectively.

Haisa highlighted the objectives of the Water Efficiency and Conservation project, focusing on enhancing irrigation practices, reducing costs, and equipping members of irrigation user associations with practical knowledge to conserve water and mitigate losses.

He urged farmers to collaborate in safeguarding irrigation water and report any unauthorized activities that could jeopardize their interests.

The Secretary-General underscored ongoing efforts by the Jordan Valley Authority to ensure equitable water distribution and protect irrigation water sources, stressing the pivotal role of water user associations in this endeavor. He commended their efforts in addressing challenges and fostering cooperation with farmers to meet irrigation water needs effectively.

Haisa expressed optimism about the current rainy season’s ability to meet crop requirements, applauding the collaborative efforts aimed at advancing Jordanian agriculture.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Tuesday visited the closing exhibition of the first national electronic chip design competition, launched in August last year.

During a tour of the exhibition, Crown Prince Al Hussein spoke with members of 12 teams, who represent a number of Jordanian universities and have qualified to the competition’s final stage, about their projects.

The competition’s closing ceremony was held at the Royal Cultural Centre, as part of the national programme to promote the semiconductor and electronic chips industry in Jordan, in line with the Economic Modernisation Vision.

The national programme aims to hone the skills of engineering and ICT graduates through intensive training, followed by practical applications, and mentoring from professors and experts in the industry.

The exhibition was held by the Fifth Industrial Revolution company, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, the Crown Prince Foundation, and the Info
rmation and Communication Technology Association, with the support of Al Hussein Fund for Excellence.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Ahmad Hanandeh, and CEO of the Fifth Industrial Revolution Company Mothanna Gharaibeh.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Palestinian Presidency spokesm Nabil Abu Rdeineh said Tuesday that the UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza led to an “unprecedented” international isolation of Israel.

He said in a statement that despite “the shy open gap” between Israel and the US administration that is now building, US military and political support to Israel has not changed to stop the aggression against the Palestinian people.

Abu Rdeineh called on the US administration to take more serious and effective positions because the real battle that needs to be addressed is not only the aggression on Gaza or regional skirmishes, but it is deeper and larger than that, as a solution to the decades-old conflict needs a change in US policy.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The organizers of the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2024 (MITT) declared the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) as the recipient of the top prize for its pavilion’s outstanding participation. This recognition was announced during an event held from March 19-21.

In a statement Tuesday, the JTB attributed its win in the “Best Participating Tourism Pavilion” category to the exceptional marketing strategies showcased in its pavilion, spearheaded by the JTB and supported by various key partners in the tourism sector.

The Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2024 (MITT) stands out as one of Russia’s premier events dedicated to promoting tourism, attracting significant attention and engagement.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations in New York stated that Morocco welcomes the United Nations Security Council’s adoption of Resolution No. 2728 on Monday, which calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip throughout the month of Ramadan.

The Moroccan mission stressed that “the decision constitutes an important step to put an end to the suffering of Palestinian civilians, the Moroccan embassy in Amman said in a statement.

It added that Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI chairs the Al-Quds Committee, also welcomes the resolution’s demand for humanitarian aid to reach civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and to enhance their protection.

It stressed the importance of the immediate and complete implementation of the resolution by all parties, allowing the way to deal with the crisis in all its dimensions, and added that the Kingdom looks forward to the international community increasing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.

The Security Council on Monday adopted a r
esolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the urgent need to “expand the scope of the flow” of humanitarian aid.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The second phase of the Industrial Support Fund programs kicked off Tuesday, inviting companies to submit applications starting April 8, via the designated electronic platform, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply announced.

Yousef Shamali, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, said in a statement that the platform will cater to applications for three distinct programs: output-based incentives administered by the ministry, industry modernization facilitated by the Jordan Enterprise Development Corporation (JEDCO) and export credit guarantees offered through the Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation (JLGC).

The application process for the second round of the export promotion program, overseen by the Export House Company, will be announced in the latter half of 2024.

Shamali elaborated that the total allocations for the second phase of all Fund programs stand at approximately JD42 million, benefiting over 330 industrial facilities. They will be disbursed in the form of incentives, grants and guarantees.

F
or the initial phase in 2023, the designated application platform received a total of 1,400 submissions across all four programs. These efforts resulted in agreements valued JD45.168 million for 395 industrial facilities throughout the past year, amounting to 50.2 percent of the total financial allocations for Fund programs, which stand at JD90 million.

In the upcoming period, orientation sessions will be organized to elucidate eligibility criteria, financial support particulars, permissible activities, and the application process. The application window will remain open for two months following the commencement date.

Source: Jordan News Agency