Category: General

Jordan and Syrian on Wednesday announced the reopening of the Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone.

The step comes to carry off the desired aims of establishing the Free Zone; which include revitalizing the commercial corridor, attracting investments, boosting service sector, thus creating job opportunities and supporting the economic and social development for both countries.

Established under the Economic Cooperation Agreement between Jordan and Syria, the Joint Free Zone has been fully rehabilitated and is now ready to receive local, regional and international investments.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Chairman of the Board of N. Nazarbayev Center for Development of Interfaith and Intercivilization Dialogue in Kazakhstan, Bulat Sarsenbayev, affirmed that the center is keen to develop international partnership with Jordan.

In a statement issued by the Kazakh embassy in Amman on Wednesday, Sarsenbayev praised the Jordanian-Kazakh relations, saying these ties “have reached a high level.”

“As part of a working trip to Amman from November 24 to December 2 of this year, Sarsenbayev held a number of meetings with a number of Jordanian senior officials to enhance cooperation and discuss the ongoing preparations for the upcoming VII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which will take place on September 14-15, 2022 in Kazakhstan,” the statement noted.

Sarsenbayev stated “Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in February 1993, bilateral relations have been characterized by dynamic development and multifaceted nature, placing the Kingdom on a par with our country’s closest and most reliable allies in the Middle East region.” He also invited a number of Jordanian officials, religious figures and intellectuals to participate in the interfaith event.

For their part, the Jordanian participants of the round table noted the uniqueness of the Kazakhstani platform – Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, as well as the significant contribution of N.Nazarbayev Center in consolidating joint international efforts and promoting the ideas of tolerance, harmony, interreligious harmony and stability in the world, the statement indicated.

On the sideline of his working visit to the Kingdom, Sarsenbayev took part in the opening of the photo exhibition, which was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Jordan on the eve of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Strengthening the bilateral partnership, N. Nazarbayev Center and the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, under which the parties will develop cooperation in the implementation of joint scientific projects, expand the academic mobility of researchers, scientists and employees of the two organizations, exchange analytical materials and publications, conduct thematic seminars, conferences, round tables and other events of mutual interest.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Kingdom will be affected on Wednesday by a cold air mass accompanied by a depression centered over eastern Turkey. Therefore, a tangible drop in temperatures is expected, bringing relatively cold and partly cloudy weather with rainfall at times in the northern, central and southwestern regions.

According to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD), winds will be westerly active with strong gusts exceeding 50 km/ hour and blowing dust in the Badia, the JMD added.

The department warned of slippery roads in the areas experiencing rain, and of poor visibility in the Badia and highlands due to dust and fog formation.

As we head into Thursday, relatively cold and partly cloudy conditions will continue to prevail, with a weak chance for light and scattered showers in the early morning hours over the southwestern areas. In the afternoon, the weather will gradually start to stabilize, the JMD predicted.

On Friday, mercury levels will rise few degrees, but relatively cold weather will remain in most parts of the country, except in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and Aqaba where it will be moderate, with southeasterly winds, the department noted.

The highs in Amman and other highlands across the Kingdom today will range between 13 and 17 degrees Celsius, dropping at night to 7C or even 4C in the northern highlands. In the Gulf city of Aqaba, it will be warmer with mercury reaching a high of 24C and a low of 13C.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday received European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Varhelyi at Al Husseiniya Palace.

The meeting covered cooperation between Jordan and the European Union, as well as the latest regional developments.

King Abdullah thanked the EU for supporting Jordan’s development and reform programmes, stressing the Kingdom’s keenness to expand its partnership with the European Union.

The meeting also covered coordinating efforts to counter COVID-19, with His Majesty stressing the importance of the EU’s Economic and Investment Plan for the South Neighbourhood countries in supporting Jordan’s post-COVID recovery efforts and regional projects.

For his part, Commissioner V?rhelyi commended Jordan’s efforts in hosting refugees, stressing the Kingdom’s key role in promoting regional stability and security.

He highlighted the European Union’s support for Jordan’s efforts to counter economic challenges, noting the strategic partnership between the EU and the Kingdom.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and Planning Minister Nasser Shraideh attended the meeting.

Source: Jordan News Agency

HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, Chairperson of the Jordanian National Committee for Women (JNCW), stressed the importance to continue national efforts to empower Jordanian women in various fields and maximize and build on the successes they made in the administrative and leadership positions they hold.

During her participation in a meeting organized as part of the activities of the annual international campaign against gender-based violence, 2021, titled: “Together to end political violence against women in the public and political spheres – She has a place and status”, Her Highness also stressed the role of youth, as “the nucleus of positive and real societal change,” and investing in their energies in various fields.

Her Highness pointed out the importance of the media in raising awareness of women’s issues and their political, social and economic rights, combating all forms of violence and bullying against women, and avoiding irresponsible and unconscious criticism of women.

She stressed the importance of networking between all national institutions and concerned authorities, and exchanging expertise among them to advance the role of women in public life, recognize their role and achievements in society and enhance the construction and development process.

For her part, JNCW Secretary-General, Salma Al-Nims, said the committee focuses on youth as a key pillar in change, analysis, innovation and changing trends, noting the importance of youth in spreading societal awareness towards women’s issues.

During the meeting, Her Highness listened to a number of youth initiatives from various regions of the Kingdom in the field of raising awareness of women’s rights, empowering them socially, politically and economically, and rejecting all forms of violence directed against them.

JNCW focuses on supporting the establishment of local, national and international alliances and networks, especially for youth, to raise awareness about the positive effects of achieving gender equality on society as a whole, the importance and active role of women, and the need to enhance their participation in building societies and achieving prosperity, security and peace.

Source: Jordan News Agency

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on Tuesday visited the National Command Centre in Doha.

Crown Prince Al Hussein was accompanied by Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, assistant to the chairman of the Safety and Security Operations Committee of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the operations commander for the championship.

His Royal Highness was briefed on the main duties of the National Command Centre and the safety and security measures for the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Al-Kasbi and Tunisian Minister of Equipment and Housing Sarah Zafarani Tuesday discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the field of housing, construction and contracting.

During the virtual meeting, Al-Kasbi noted the deep and solid relations between the two countries in the various fields, including housing, construction and contracting, and said he looked forward to further enhancing the exchange of expertise.

He said the ministry had carried out a number of projects and more are under implementation, which all meet highest international engineering standards, and had launched studies and inspections to ensure periodic maintenance and sustainability.

Jordan, he said, attaches great importance to supporting investment, noting the government had approved measures to promote investors in the various fields, namely housing and construction.

The ministers agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding, validate previous memoranda and form a joint committee to follow up on bilateral agreements, bring down barriers facing companies, and access markets in the two countries and neighboring countries.

The Tunisian minister reaffirmed her country’s keen interest in enhancing cooperation and partnership with Jordan in all fields, saying she aspired for an enhanced partnership and the exchange of expertise.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Astronomical calculations point to a full eclipse of the sun on Saturday morning, but it will be seen only in certain regions, but not in Arab or Muslim countries, According to astronomer Imad Mujahed of Wadi Rum Observatory.

Mujahed told Petra in an interview that the climax of the eclipse will happen at 10:00 Jordan time, and will be partial at 11:06, while the whole duration of the eclipse will be 1 hour and 54 minutes.

The full eclipse will be visible from the South Pole, while people in South Africa, southern Atlantic and parts of Australia can only witness the partial eclipse, he added.

The full solar eclipse, he noted, is a spectacular natural phenomenon that happens when the moon blocks the sun’s light from particular spots on Earth, and is the only astronomical phenomenon where the moon can be seen by the naked eye while in conjunction with the sun.

Source: Jordan News Agency

About 200 radical Jewish settlers Tuesday broke into the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif compound in occupied East Jerusalem, in the latest breach of one of Islam’s holiest sites.

Eyewitnesses told Petra’s reporter in Ramallah that the settlers broke into the compound under the heavy escort of Israeli special police and toured the plaza in a provocation against worshippers.

The occupation authorities closed the main Al-Magharebah gate in the walled Old City of Jerusalem for the entry of settlers as part of tightened military measures against local Palestinians and worshippers.

Source: Jordan News Agency