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AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, in a phone call with United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday, stressed the need for the international community to take immediate action to put a halt to Israel’s attacks on Gaza and to reinstate the ceasefire.

His Majesty called for resuming aid flow into Gaza to minimise further deterioration of the catastrophic humanitarian situation, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King reiterated Jordan’s rejection of attempts to displace Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, warning of the dangers of continued attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, the statement said.

Speaking about the situation in Syria, His Majesty reaffirmed Jordan’s support for Syria’s efforts to preserve its unity, sovereignty, and stability.

AMMAN - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Saturday received a phone call from Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Emile Raggi. 

The two top diplomats discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

They also stressed the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Safadi reiterated Jordan’s unwavering solidarity with Lebanon in the face of Israeli aggression, emphasising the need to uphold international law, international humanitarian law, and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

He also called for urgent international action to stop Israel’s assault on Lebanon.

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, HH Prince Mired Bin Raad, Chief Chamberlain, chaired the 118th session of the Hashemite Scientific Council on Friday.

The third session of this year's council, held at the cultural centre of the King Abdullah I Mosque, featured Ismail Al Khataba, assistant Secretary General of the Ministry of Awqaf for Preaching and Islamic Guidance and Osama  Rababah, a lecturer at the Faculty of Sharia at Yarmouk University.

Speakers emphasised the importance of righteousness, integrity and lawful merit in Islam, highlighting their role in spiritual acceptance and answered prayers.

The session also commemorated the anniversary of the Battle of Al Karamah, with speakers paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Jordan Armed Forces - Arab Army (JAF) in defending the nation.

The event was attended by Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalayleh, Grand Mufti Ahmad Hasanat, Chief Islamic Judge Abdul Hafiz Rabtah, Imam of the Hashemite Court Ahmad  Khalayleh, senior officials, religious scholars, Sharia judges and officers from the JAF and security agencies.

AMMAN — Security forces on Saturday located a missing man who was found dead in a water well in Irbid, northern Jordan.

The 50-year-old man was reported missing on Friday in the Al Naima region, prompting an extensive search operation led by civil defence teams from East Irbid, the national search and rescue team, and police forces, with support from the Civil Defence Directorate of Ajloun, according to Public Security Directorate (PSD) spokesperson.

The search lasted more than 15 hours and covered wooded areas and rugged terrain. Authorities deployed two drones equipped with thermal imaging to aid in locating the missing person.

Eventually, the man was discovered in an eight-metre-deep well. Unfortunately, he was found deceased and was transported to the hospital, the spokesperson added.

AMMAN — A recent study by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has highlighted growing challenges in managing electricity demand as Jordan expands its reliance on renewable energy.

The study, titled Impact Assessment of Electricity Demand Management in Jordan, outlined three potential strategies, including maintaining the current system, implementing time-of-use tariffs, or investing in energy storage solutions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Jordan aims to raise the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 31 per cent by 2030, in line with the Kingdom’s 2020-2030 energy strategy. By the end of 2023, renewables accounted for 26 per cent of electricity production, with a total installed capacity of 2,681 MW. 

"Managing this transition presents new challenges, particularly as evening peak demand coincides with declining solar power generation, despite the country having over 2,000 MW of installed solar capacity," the report said.

The study attributed rising electricity demand to population growth and evolving consumption patterns, particularly during peak hours. Increased adoption of residential renewable energy systems, totalling 1,183 MW by 2023, has led to surplus energy production during the day and shortages at night, disrupting the electricity load curve.

The National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) has faced difficulties balancing supply and demand, at times curtailing renewable energy output and operating conventional power plants at reduced efficiency to ensure adequate power during peak periods. 

The financial impact has been significant, as greater reliance on renewables, particularly by consumers benefiting from lower tariffs, has reduced NEPCO’s revenue from traditional electricity sales. Without intervention, the company may need to invest in additional conventional power plants, potentially raising electricity costs for consumers.

Since 2014, residential solar installations have surged, with 50,652 systems operational by 2022. The residential sector now accounts for 44 per cent of total electricity consumption, followed by the industrial sector at 22 per cent and the commercial sector at 0.19 per cent.

To address these challenges, the ministry aims to cut peak electricity consumption by 15 per cent between 2024 and 2027, potentially saving NEPCO an estimated JD90 million in operating costs.

The study assessed three possible solutions. Maintaining the current system would require building additional conventional power plants, and increasing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution costs. 

Implementing time-of-use tariffs would encourage consumers to shift electricity usage to off-peak hours by adjusting pricing based on demand levels, leveraging Jordan’s existing smart meter infrastructure. 

Investing in energy storage solutions would allow surplus renewable energy to be stored during off-peak periods for use when demand is higher.

The study recommended time-of-use tariffs as the most viable solution, citing minimal implementation costs beyond a public awareness campaign. The ministry has already introduced time-of-use tariffs in 2024 for sectors accounting for 15 per cent of total electricity consumption.

AMMAN — The Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) has announced that the recent JD12 increase in mandatory car insurance premiums for traffic offenders aims to reduce financial losses for insurers, with an expected impact of JD9.8 million.

CBJ Governor Adel Sharkas said that while the adjustment will help offset losses, it remains insufficient to cover the JD26.4 million in technical losses recorded in 2023 and JD28.2 million in 2022.

He emphasised that the increase is not a tax but a necessary measure to ensure the sustainability of compulsory insurance, enabling companies to meet their obligations to accident victims, according to Al Rai Newspaper.

Amid persistent losses, several insurers have considered withdrawing from the compulsory insurance market, raising concerns over potential disruptions in coverage. 

Sharkas warned that such a development could leave accident victims without compensation and destabilise the sector.

The surcharge will be applied only once to small private and public vehicles involved in traffic offences, while drivers maintaining a clean record for a year will continue to benefit from a 15 per cent discount.

Currently, 17 companies are licensed to provide motor insurance in Jordan, though three have been barred from issuing new compulsory policies due to financial instability. 

Despite rising global repair costs, the CBJ has maintained insurance premiums at the same level for 14 years, adding to insurers' financial strain.

AMMAN — The Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) on Saturday reported that the 2024/2025 rainy season remains below average in most parts of the Kingdom, although recent rainfall between March 19 and 22 slightly improved total amounts by 1 to 7 per cent of the seasonal average.

Among the highest recorded rainfall amounts, Ras Munif in Ajloun received 37.9 millimetres (6 per cent of its seasonal average), followed by Irbid with 32mm (6 per cent). 

In central Jordan, Salt recorded the highest rainfall with 32.6mm (7 per cent), while in Amman, the University of Jordan station recorded 24.8mm (5 per cent) and Al Hussein Park station recorded 24mm (5 per cent). 

In the south, the Raba station in Karak recorded the highest rainfall of 11.9mm (4 per cent), while other areas received little or no rainfall.

The Kingdom was affected by a cold and humid air mass recently, which caused a "significant" drop in temperatures. Heavy rain fell in the northern and central regions, with scattered showers in the south and east. 

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Omar Salama said that water storage in Jordan's dams reached 97 million cubic metres, or 33 per cent of the total capacity, showing a decrease compared to last year's 141 million cubic metres, some 50 per cent of their capacity.

Salama added that the recent weather conditions had little effect on the water levels in the dams and that the current water reserves remain relatively low.

AMMAN — Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry Khalil Abdallat on Friday stressed that the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, annually marked on March 21, serves as an important reminder to reaffirm the commitment to humanitarian principles.

Abdallat added that the occasion is also an occasion to reject all forms of discrimination and promote justice and equality.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Abdallat noted that under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein, Jordan remains steadfast in its efforts to fight racial discrimination and foster a culture of tolerance and respect. 

This dedication is reflected in national policies that uphold human rights, encourage intercultural dialogue, and foster social harmony while rejecting hate speech and extremism, Abdallat added. 

He pointed out that the elimination of racial discrimination is a "fundamental" aspect of advancing human rights, adding that discriminatory practices undermine justice and equality, destabilise political and social structures, and hinder sustainable development.

Abdallat pointed out that racial discrimination not only violates individual rights but also reinforces marginalisation, deepening social and economic divides, which hampers growth opportunities and prevents societies from achieving prosperity. 

He also said that racism erodes trust in the rule of law, weakening confidence in legal and judicial institutions and impairing the state's ability to implement laws fairly and transparently.

He stressed that societies that embrace inclusion and equality policies are better positioned to achieve comprehensive development and social stability. 

Abdallat reiterated that Jordan, both regionally and globally, actively promotes values of tolerance and moderation, fostering coexistence through leading initiatives focused on combating racism, addressing hate speech, and advancing inclusive policies.

"Jordan stands out as a model for social justice due to its commitment to international agreements and treaties in this area. National initiatives and legal reforms underscore Jordan's firm stance on ensuring equal opportunities and non-discrimination in education, employment, and political participation," he said. 

Abdallat added that the Kingdom has strengthened its legal framework to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background.

He highlighted that His Majesty and the Crown Prince are deeply committed to spreading values of tolerance and moderation. 

"This commitment is demonstrated through various initiatives, with the Amman Message standing out as a key turning point in promoting tolerance, moderation, and interfaith and intercultural dialogue, while also fighting discrimination, extremism, and protecting the rights of refugees and migrants," Abdallat said.

He noted that the Amman Message has played a "significant" role in advancing tolerance and moderation, underscoring the importance of interfaith dialogue and rejecting discrimination and extremism. 

This initiative has helped foster understanding between different peoples and supported the integration of diverse groups, aligning with global efforts to combat racial discrimination and promote cultural pluralism, he added.

Abdallat underscored the importance of national and international laws in combating racial discrimination, as these legal frameworks help protect individuals' rights and foster an environment based on equality and justice. 

He emphasised that Jordan is continually evolving its policies and legislation to combat all forms of discrimination, ensuring equality of opportunity in various sectors.

Abdallat reminded that on December 21, 1965, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of human rights. 

He also pointed out that Jordan was among the first nations to ratify the convention and has consistently engaged with relevant international procedures, submitting its periodic reports.