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AMMAN — The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and the UK International Development-funded Shamil Project in Jordan on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation and partnership frameworks on issues of mutual interest related to family affairs.

NCFA Secretary-General Mohammad Miqdadi and Team Leader for Shamil Bernie Wyler signed the MoU, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Miqdadi said that since its establishment, the NCFA has sought to institutionalise a collaborative approach among relevant agencies and institutions dealing with family affairs, 

He added that this approach aims at improving the quality of life for Jordanian families and their members through various programmes and projects implemented in partnership with other stakeholders.

The secretary-general noted that the MoU with the Shamil Project aims to further enhance cooperation between the two sides via developing a work plan for all activities to be carried out under the project. 

This includes sharing expertise, conducting research, preparing policy papers on family-related issues, and coordinating with partners and decision-makers, Miqdadi said, adding that the outcomes of these collaborative efforts will serve as a foundation for further studies reflecting the realities of family life and addressing issues related to family members.

For his part, Wyler expressed appreciation for the partnership with the NCFA through signing the MoU, which would contribute to realising the council’s vision to create "an enabling environment that allows Jordanian families to achieve stability and well-being."

He highlighted that a key focus of this partnership is capacity-building through developing evidence-based policies that protect all family members from risks they may face at various phases of their lives.

Under the agreement, both sides will participate in joint planning sessions in accordance with the priorities of each age group. 

They will also exchange capacity-building activities and meet training needs within this framework, further boosting mutual interests and cooperation opportunities based on each side's responsibilities. 

This collaboration will help assess needs, identify gaps, and avoid duplication of efforts.

AMMAN — The European Council has adopted an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth €13.25 million in support of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF).

Citing an "increasingly volatile regional context," the EU Council said in a statement that the assistance measure will contribute to strengthening the capacities of JAF to increase their ability to ensure Jordan’s stability and national security, and protect the civilian population. 

The Council said that the measure will provide concrete support to the Northern and Eastern JAF Commands with detection and counter measures systems, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, as well as mobility and engineering equipment.

It also said that the decision taken on Monday is an "expression of the increasing EU-Jordan partnership, including in the field of security and defence. Jordan is a key partner for the EU and its member states, in view of its instrumental role for the stability of the region, as a voice of moderation and peace."

At the 15th EU-Jordan Association Council held on July 15in Brussels, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi agreed to further upgrade bilateral relations by launching preparations for a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, the statement said.

"This will allow to further advance cooperation between the EU and Jordan in key areas of mutual interest, including in the field of security and defence. Today’s [Monday's] adoption marks an important step towards an increasingly growing security and defence cooperation between the EU and Jordan.

- Heads of two Houses reiterate Parliament's commitment to implementing His Majesty’s vision as stated in Speech from the Throne
- Senate president reiterates support for King's directives to enhance role of political parties, participation of women, youth
- Lower House speaker says Chamber will implement parliamentary practices that ensure competition is based on platforms, ideas
- Fayez and Safadi highlight King's efforts in supporting Palestinians, underline importance of Hashemite Custodianship of Jerusalem's Muslim, Christian holy sites

AMMAN — Parliament on Monday presented its response to the Speech from the Throne, which was delivered by His Majesty King Abdullah on 18 November to inaugurate the 20th Parliament’s first ordinary session.

With HRH Crown Prince Hussein in attendance, the Senate’s response, delivered by Senate President Faisal Fayez at Raghadan Palace, reiterated support for His Majesty’s royal directives to enhance the role of political parties and the participation of women and youth, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Fayez affirmed the importance of implementing the Economic Modernisation Vision in providing a decent life for Jordanians and stimulating the growth of the national economy, while at the same time accelerating the modernisation of the public sector and building on Jordan's political and diplomatic stature and its relations with countries around the world.

He commended the King’s assertion that Jordan's future will not be subject to policies that do not meet its interests or those that deviate from its principles. 

Fayez reiterated the Senate's support for Jordan's efforts to stand firmly in the face of the aggression on Gaza and the Israeli violations in the West Bank, and to provide aid by air and land to the Strip, the statement said. 

He added that the Senate is keen to build positive relations with the government and the House of Representatives, which marks the beginning of the implementation of the political modernisation project.

In the House of Representatives’ response, House Speaker Ahmad Safadi affirmed that the people, army and security agencies stand united behind His Majesty in protecting Jordan and safeguarding its achievements, according to the statement. 

Safadi said Jordan is advancing towards a comprehensive modernisation across the political, economic, and administrative tracks.

He stressed Parliament's commitment to implementing His Majesty’s vision as stated in the Speech from the Throne, by closely cooperating with the government in accordance with the Constitution, as well as providing oversight to ensure the implementation of the modernisation process.

Safadi said the House will implement parliamentary practices that ensure competition is based on platforms and ideas, is rooted in integrity, and clearly reflects the State’s interests and priorities.

Describing the King’s steadfast position towards the Palestinian cause, Speaker Safadi noted the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, the statement said. 

He highlighted His Majesty's efforts in supporting Palestinians and providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

The Senate president and the House speaker both expressed pride in the army and security agencies for their efforts in defending Jordan and its stability.

A number of Royal Family members, the prime minister and the Judicial Council president, as well as senior officials attended Parliament’s response to the Speech from the Throne.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday called for an "immediate" action to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, stressing the need for uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid.

Speaking at the Rome Mediterranean Dialogue Forum, Safadi criticized the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza which, he said, has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, destroyed infrastructure and deepened instability, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

"The Israeli onslaught has wiped out schools, hospitals and entire communities in Gaza. This is not a path to peace or security for Israel," he said.

Safadi's remarks were made in the presence of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and key international leaders and experts. 

"Jordan has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza and stands ready to send additional aid if access through the crossings is allowed," he said.

"Every day that passes is worse than the one before", he said, echoing the warnings of His Majesty King Abdullah that the absence of a viable political solution to the Palestinian cause would lead to unrest.

Reiterating Jordan's unaltered position on the two-state solution as the only viable path to regional peace and stability, Safadi called for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

He said that the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative offers Israel collective security guarantees in the context of peace.

The top diplomat also touched on the crisis in Syria, urging a political solution to preserve the country's territorial unity and end years of suffering and address broader issues of migration and displacement.

At  a meeting of G7 countries and Arab partners on the sidelines of the Italy-held forum, Safadi he urged the international community to intervene immediately to secure a durable ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, while ensuring full humanitarian access to Gaza's population.

On the sidelines of the forum, Safadi met with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues, including the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria.

He also held talks with the G7 foreign ministers - representing the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Canada, and host country Italy , as well as EU foreign policy chief JosepBorrell.

The G7 meeting was also attended by foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

AMMAN — Jordan on Monday welcomed the decision made by the Executive Board of UNESCO to support the continuity of educational activities of UNRWA in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah expressed the Kingdom's support for the decision, which aims to sustain UNRWA's operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, according to a ministry statement. 

Qudah stressed the Palestinian people's right to education, especially in light of recent Israeli Knesset law banning UNRWA's activities in the occupied territories and denying its staff the diplomatic privileges and immunities granted to UN organisations operating there.

He urged the international community to continue providing financial and political support to UNRWA, which plays an "irreplaceable and indispensable" role in delivering essential services to Palestinian refugees across its five areas of operation.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Monday signed agreements with Cairo Amman Bank and Jordan Islamic Bank to launch the 2024/2025 phase of the Home Sector Support Programme. 

The programme is implemented by Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) of the ministry.

The initiative offers subsidies covering 30 per cent of the cost of solar panel systems and solar water heaters, according to a ministry statement. 

Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh, who chairs the fund's board of directors, signed the agreements with Cairo Amman Bank CEO Kamal Bakri and Jordan Islamic Bank CEO Hussein Saifan.

At the ceremony, Kharabsheh stressed the importance of partnering with local banks to make the programme accessible to households across Jordan. 

He noted that the programme aims to reduce electricity bills while promoting the use of renewable energy. 

The minister also commended the banks for offering flexible financing options, which allow citizens to cover the remaining 70 per cent of system costs through instalment plans.

Kharabsheh highlighted the success of the programme's previous phase, which saw the installation of 3,000 solar water heaters and 2,000 solar panels at a total cost of JD 6.5 million, with the Fund subsidizing 30 per cent of the expenses.

The new phase, which began on September 24, aims to install 4,000 solar panel systems and 5,000 solar water heaters by the end of the year, with a projected cost of JD 8.5 million and JD 3 million, respectively.

Kharabsheh reiterated the ministry’s commitment to ensuring equitable distribution of support across all regions of the Kingdom.

Over the past nine years, JREEEF has implemented many renewable energy and efficiency projects across the Kingdom, with total investments amounting to some JD100 million.

The fund has recently said that it had installed more than 35,000 solar water heaters in households across the Kingdom through various funding mechanisms, adding that it aims to install an additional 90,000 solar water heaters over the next five years.

Rasmi Hamza, JREEEF CEO, has recently said that the fund would continue its comprehensive national project to provide solar water heating systems, noting that this initiative includes support for low-income families and those receiving housing units, as part of a Royal Makruma, with the fund covering 100 per cent of the cost.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a June 2022 Criminal Court ruling sentencing a man to death after convicting him of murdering a barber in Amman in March 2023.

The court declared the defendant guilty of stabbing the 44-year-old victim multiple times on March 7 in Nazal neighbourhood and handed him the capital punishment.

Court papers said the defendant believed that the victim was bad-mouthing him and decided to revenge.

On the day of the incident, the court documents said, “The defendant grabbed a 13-centimetre switchblade and headed to the victim’s shop”.

“The defendant attacked the victim with a knife and stabbed him repeatedly on different parts of his body,” the court said.

The defendant’s knife broke so he grabbed a scissor and “followed the victim who ran outside the shop,” according to court documents.

“The victim fell so the defendant sat on him and continued stabbing him with the scissors until he made sure he was dead,” court papers added.

The defendant fled from the area but was later arrested by police who viewed surveillance footage obtained from the barber’s shop that documented the entire incident,” the court stated.

 The defendant contested his verdict at a higher court through his lawyer arguing that the court did not follow proper legal procedures.

The defence also claimed that their client was mentally ill and should be acquitted, the court stated.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court’s general attorney asked the Court of Cassation to uphold the ruling.  

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court followed the proper procedure when sentencing and the defendant deserved the verdict he received. 

The higher court also stated that the defence team “did not provide the court with any medical reports to prove that their client suffered from any form of mental illness”.

The Court of Cassation judges were Mahmoud Ebtoush, Rizeq Abulfool, Majid Rafayah, Fawzi Nahar and Qassem Dughmi.

AMMAN — Government subsidies for essential commodities will remain the same in 2025, although the budget allocations will differ from those in 2024, Finance Minister Abdulhakim Shibli said on Monday.

According to a ministry statement, Shibli noted that the variation is due to the expected decline in global wheat and barley prices, stressing that these changes reflect market conditions and do not represent a reduction in support.

"Subsidies for gas cylinders and bread will continue without any cuts," he said.

Announcing an increase in funding for social programmes, the minister said that the National Aid Fund will receive an additional JD20 million, bringing its total allocation to JD280 million, while the budget of the Student Support Fund will increase by JD10 million to reach JD30 million.

AMMAN — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh and Regional Director of China's Hangzhou Huading New Energy (HDsolar) Zhao Shifeng on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct feasibility studies for green hydrogen projects in Jordan.

The agreement sets the framework for cooperation, enabling HDsolar to conduct preliminary studies to establish a green hydrogen project with the goal of producing 400,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, according to a ministry statement. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kharabsheh stressed that the MoU represents an important step in the Kingdom's renewable energy ambitions. 

“Based on the outcomes of these studies, the ministry will work with the company to finalise an investment agreement for the project,” he said.

HDsolar CEO underscored the agreement's significance, saying “This is the first agreement of its kind internationally, and it holds great potential to boost investment in Jordan”.

The event was attended by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Amani Azzam, ministry engineers managing the green hydrogen portfolio, and company representatives. 

HDsolar brings extensive expertise to the partnership, having contributed to more than 1,000 photovoltaic energy projects worldwide. 

The company specialises in power generation using photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and concentrated solar power (CSP), according to the statement. 

This MoU marks the 14th agreement Jordan has signed in the fields of green hydrogen and green ammonia production, reflecting the country’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy investments. 

To date, eight investors have submitted preliminary feasibility studies for green hydrogen projects in Jordan, with three of them nearing completion.

The total anticipated investment in green hydrogen projects under study is expected to reach $28 billion by 2030, positioning Jordan as a regional leader in the renewable energy sector.