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Lower House forms committee to draft reply to Speech from the Throne

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi on Tuesday says that the Speech from the Throne will serve as a roadmap guiding the Chamber’s collective efforts to achieve the nation’s highest interests (JT file)

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Ahmad Safadi on Tuesday said that the Speech from the Throne will serve as a roadmap guiding the Chamber’s collective efforts to achieve the nation’s highest interests.  

Safadi made these remarks while chairing the first meeting of the House's permanent office, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

On behalf of the office and all members of the Lower House, he expressed pride and gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah for inaugurating the first ordinary session of the 20th Lower House on Monday and delivering the Speech from the Throne. 

According to constitutional procedures, the Lower House has 14 days from the date of the speech to submit its reply. 

Members of the permanent office agreed to hold the Chamber's sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30am, stressing that the House's bylaw will be applied when MPs fail to attend sessions without an excuse. 

The office decided to name the members of the committee responsible for drafting the reply based on nominations from parliamentary blocs, in preparation for the Lower House’s approval of the reply to be submitted to His Majesty.

The meeting also addressed the Chamber's priorities for the upcoming phase, aiming to deliver "parliamentary work that meets Jordanians' aspirations."

 

Prime minister, Polish president discuss ways to enhance relations, address regional issues

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday discuss ways to enhance relations between Jordan and Poland in various fields (Petra photo)

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday discussed ways to enhance relations between Jordan and Poland in various fields.

Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas related to the economy, diplomacy, culture, tourism and vocational and technical education, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Both sides also stressed the importance of promoting investment partnerships between companies and entrepreneurs from both countries to create new opportunities.

Talks highlighted the significance of developing partnerships that utilise Jordan's free trade agreements, which provide access to global markets, and Poland's industrial and technological expertise.

Hassan referred to major infrastructure projects in Jordan, including water, transport and public services, as attractive prospects for Polish investors.

They also discussed regional issues, focusing on efforts to end the war on Gaza and Lebanon. 

The talks also called for urgent and sustained humanitarian aid to Gaza and underlined the crucial role of UNRWA in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees under the agency's UN mandate.

 

Jordanian ambassador presents credentials to Indian president

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

AMMAN — Yusuf Abdulghani on Monday presented his credentials to Indian President Droupadi Murmu as Jordan's ambassador to India.

During a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president in New Delhi, Abdulghani conveyed His Majesty King Abdullah's warm greetings to President Murmu, and the King's best wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Indian people.

President Murmu asked the envoy to convey her greetings and appreciation to His Majesty, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. She also expressed her country's keenness to further expand relations with the Kingdom and wished Jordan and its people continued progress and prosperity.

 

 

Gov't exempts vehicles with expired licensing from fines

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session on Tuesday, decided to exempt vehicles with expired licensing for over a year from fines, provided that owners pay fees by December 31.  The decision, made during the session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, also stipulated exempting vehicles with registrations expired for more than one year from past ownership fees and any re-registration fees, if applicable, within the same deadline of December 31, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. This decision aims to alleviate financial burdens on vehicle owners and facilitate the registration and licensing process for vehicles that have gone years without licensing renewal. The move also seeks to enhance road and public safety.

Cassation Court upholds up to 20-year sentences for two men convicted of attempted murder, robbery

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

File photo

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a May 2022 Criminal Court ruling, sentencing two ex-convicts to prison terms ranging from 20 to 12 years in prison after convicting them of attempting to rob and murder a man in Sahab in February 2020.

The Criminal Court declared the defendants guilty of stabbing the victim several times and robbing him of JD250 and his mobile on February 22.

The two defendants were sentenced to 20 years in prison each.

However, the court decided to reduce the prison term for one of the men to 12 years because the victim dropped charges against him.

Court papers said the two defendants were imprisoned in the same correctional and rehabilitation centre.

”The two decided to perform acts of robberies once they were released from captivity,” the court said.

On the day of the incident, the two headed to King Abdullah II Industrial City in Sahab and saw a man walking and decided to rob him, according to court papers.

"The defendants attacked the man, snatched his mobile and some cash stabbed him multiple times with a switchblade in the stomach and fled," court documents said. 

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent several surgeries to halt the internal bleeding, the court papers said.

The defendants did not contest their verdict at a higher court.

The Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold sentences passed against the defendants.

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court proceedings were accurate and that the defendants were given the appropriate punishment.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mahmoud Ebtoush, Majed Azab, Hayel Amr, Mohammad Shreiri and Fawzi Nahar.

NATO names North Macedonia's Shekerinska as deputy secretary general

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

AMMAN — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has appointed Radmila Shekerinska from North Macedonia as the next Deputy Secretary General.

”I am happy to announce the appointment of Radmila Shekerinska as the next Deputy Secretary General. She is a true believer in NATO, knows the work it takes to join the Alliance, and what it means to be a full member. I look forward to working with her as she takes up this vital role,” NATO chief Mark Rutte said in a statement.

Shekerinska previously served as Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, including in the lead up to the country joining the NATO Alliance in 2020. She will take up her post later this year.

Energy minister reveals 'promising' results of natural gas reserves in Risha Field

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh (left), Minister of Government Communication and government spokesperson Mohammad Momani (centre), and Director General of the National Petroleum Company Mohammed Khasawneh, during a press conference at the Government Communication Forum, to announce the results of the exploration of natural gas reserves in the Risha Field (Petra photo)

-Risha Field estimated to contain 11.99 trillion cubic feet of reserves, 4.675 trillion cubic feet recoverable 
-Natural gas from Risha Field could cut industrial energy costs by 60%
-Energy minister announces plans for 320-km gas pipeline from Risha Field
-NPC to drill 70 wells by 2029 as part of Kingdom’s energy independence strategy

AMMAN — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Tuesday unveiled the results of the exploration of natural gas reserves in the Risha Field.

Speaking at a press conference at the Government Communication Forum, attended by Minister of Government Communication and government spokesperson Mohammad Momani, and Director General of the National Petroleum Company (NPC) Mohammed Khasawneh, Kharabsheh said that, while initial findings on natural gas reserves in the Risha Field are promising, their contribution to the national economy depends on detailed assessments of their economic viability.

He explained that the study categorised the reserves into high, medium, and low estimates based on international standards, with the medium estimate being regarded as the most reliable.

The medium estimate suggests that the field holds 11.99 trillion cubic feet of in-place reserves, with 39 per cent or 4.675 trillion cubic feet—potentially recoverable, he said. 

"Lower-end estimates indicate reserves of 9.39 trillion cubic feet, with 30 per cent recoverable (around 2.835 trillion cubic feet)." 

The highest estimate places reserves at 14.6 trillion cubic feet, with a potential 43 per cent recovery rate, amounting to 6.35 trillion cubic feet, the minister said. 

To maximise the potential of these reserves, Kharabsheh said that the NPC is revising its development plans, which include expanding infrastructure, intensifying drilling efforts, and establishing gas transportation networks, adding that these projects, which are expected to cost over JD2 billion, could take up to a decade to complete.

Since 2022, the government has prioritised oil and gas exploration, with the NPC leading studies in cooperation with international experts, Kharabsheh said, adding that the initial phase involved reprocessing geophysical data and constructing geological models." The final phase included reserve certification by Beicip-Franlab, a leading French energy consultancy."

The minister also said that plans were also underway to build a 320-km gas pipeline connecting the Risha Field to Al Khanasri, adding "The first phase of the pipeline will transport 150 million cubic feet of gas per day, with the second phase expanding its capacity to 500 million cubic feet daily."

He also said that the government is accelerating efforts to deliver natural gas to industrial zones and urban areas across the Kingdom, including the industrial zones of the Al Muwaqqar and Al Qastal, aiming to reduce energy costs, boost productivity, and generate employment opportunities.

Kharabsheh also highlighted the economic advantages of utilising natural gas in industrial sectors, noting that compared with other fuels, natural gas could reduce energy costs by 30 per cent relative to heavy fuel, 55 per cent compared with liquefied petroleum gas, and 60 per cent compared with diesel, which would enhance industrial competitiveness, create jobs, and contribute to overall economic growth.

He also highlighted the NPC's efforts in conducting marketing studies to attract investments in natural gas, maximise demand for the gas produced from the field, efficiently manage these quantities, diversify beneficiaries, and launch projects for gas compression, liquefaction, and transportation to gas-dependent industries.

The company has signed multiple agreements with various companies for gas supply and has entered into memorandums of understanding with investors interested in utilising gas for manufacturing, petrochemical, and basalt industries, he added.

NPC Director General Mohammad Khasawneh said that the company plans to drill 70 wells by 2029, including 26 development wells. 

"This will increase daily production to 150 million cubic feet, supporting Jordan’s objectives of enhancing energy independence and fostering economic growth," Khasawneh added.

Early Natufian Burial Site offers insights into human settlement, rituals

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

Artefact Cluster 2 from Wadi Hammeh 27, comprising two basalt pestles, one plain and the other decorated with a raised band (Photo of Philip Edwards)

AMMAN — Different teams of Australian archaeologists have been "very active" in northern and northwestern parts of Jordan. One of them has been led by Associate Professor from La Trobe University Philip Edwards, who came with his students to Wadi Hammeh to study Natufian burials. 

Wadi Hammeh 27 (12,000–12,500 BC), is a village located in a tributary stream valley of the northern Jordan Valley in the Irbid Governorate. 

According to Edwards, burial sites were dedicated to prominent community members since their tombs were marked by various pit features and stone constructions. 

“Furthermore, no individual was ever again buried at the site after the first series of inhumations was established,” Edwards noted, adding that instead, mortuary behaviour in the later phases was restricted to the unusual custom of scattering burnt human cranial and other bone fragments in domestic areas. 

“The Natufian period (13,000 – 10,300 cal. BC) in the Levant is considered a crucial juncture in human settlement history because it marks the transition between the mobile hunter-gatherers of earlier Epi-palaeolithic phases (20,000–13,000 cal. BC) and the sedentary, agrarian villagers of the Early Neolithic (10,300 – 8300 cal. BC),” Edwards elaborated. 

He noted that the Natufian settlement system has been claimed as an example of inter-annual, pre-agricultural sedentism, and while this level of settlement permanence has yet to be demonstrated, there is broad consensus that the large, open-air Early Natufian sites, termed "basecamps, represent a more intensive residential system than had previously existed in the Mediterranean zone of the southern Levant. 

"However, it is not clear as to whether fully interannual, year-on-year sedentism is demonstrated, rather than intensified occupations per se. Natufian base-camps are important novelties in the archaeological record and represent the foundations of the Neolithic village in the Middle East," Edwards underlined, adding that they include the first agglomerations of round and oval huts, constructions which were rebuilt over many generations, with occupation persisting for hundreds or even thousands of years. 

"The earliest of the large basecamp settlements in the Mediterranean zone of the southern Levant were located in caves or rock-shelters, such as at El Wad at Mount Carmel, founded around 13,000 cal. BC. Despite the provision of a natural shelter, the Natufian occupation at El Wad, as at several other Natufian cave sites, was equipped with a variety of stone features such as hearths, postholes and pavements," Edwards elaborated. 

He pointed out that around 12,500 cal. BC, basecamp sites were founded in open-air locations, in the Jordan Valley at Wadi Hammeh 27 and in the Galilee region shortly afterwards at Ain Mallaha.

"The burials encountered at Wadi Hammeh 27 are all of different types. A multiple secondary burial containing the remains of at least six individuals was situated in a shallow pit in, underlying the lowermost occupation phase of the house," Edwards underlined.

Archaeologists found two infants buried in shrouds or containers as well as grave goods.

"A dense pile of commingled human bones represents at least eight individuals, including four human skulls overlain by a jumble of long bones, ribs, vertebrae, and feet and hand bones, but many more bones lying below remain to be exposed, Edwards said.

He noted: "The most significant artifacts were a range of bodily ornaments. A singular item is an oblong bone pendant of a type not discovered at the site before, provided with suspension holes at each end," adding that a complex necklace of alternating types of beads was found near one of the crania. 

The piece included gazelle podial bones, avian tibiotarsal bone fragments, and tusk-shell spacers. An articulated scaphopod (marine tusk) shell (i.e., “dentalium”) bracelet was found next to a humerus, consisting of five rows of beads. A second articulated tusk shell bracelet lay between several bones. 

"The most notable object is a necklace of nine beads, made from avian tibiotarsal bones, found in an articulated sequence. Preserved cordage of some kind was found protruding from one of the beads; this piece is without parallel in the Jordanian archaeological record," Edwards underscored.

22 media outlets in Palestine awarded grants to support public interest journalism

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

IFJ President Dominique Pradalié is attending the First Palestinian Media Conference in Ramallah, Palestine on 18 November (Photo courtesy of IFJ)

AMMAN — The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has announced the recipients of 22 grants under a $1 million fund designed to support public interest journalism in Palestine. 

The names of the winners were unveiled at the First Palestine Media Conference in Ramallah on Monday, marking a significant step toward bolstering independent journalism in the region, according to IFJ statement.

Among the 22 recipients, six media organisations are based in Gaza, while 16 are located in the West Bank. Of the latter, seven are in Ramallah, three in Nablus, two in Beit Jala, and one each in Hebron, Jenin, Jerusalem and Bethlehem. 

The grants are allocated to both national and local media outlets, ensuring broad geographic and thematic support. Applications were evaluated by a panel of experts using a rigorous process designed by the IFJ to ensure a balanced distribution of funds.

The funding will help cover critical operational costs, including the salaries of journalists and the continued production of public interest reporting. 

"We hope that our collective efforts will pave the way for the establishment of a national media fund, which offers long-term funding opportunities to a broader range of media actors in Palestine,” said IFJ General-Secretary Anthony Bellanger.

This funding initiative is part of the broader Public Interest Media Project, a collaborative effort between the IFJ, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) and the Palestinian Media Sector Coordination Group (PMSCG). 

It is supported by the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM), which channels multilateral funding to independent, public-interest media organisations in 50 eligible low- and middle-income countries.

As media outlets in Palestine face growing challenges, particularly in Gaza, the IFJ initiative provides crucial support to ensure access to independent, reliable, and diverse news.

 

Jordan’s school feeding initiative: Model for sustainable development, community empowerment

By - Nov 19,2024 - Last updated at Nov 19,2024

Jarat and colleagues’ efforts at Sultan Dandees are part of a broader initiative that is transforming communities throughout Jordan (Photo by Sophie Constantin)

SHOUNEH — Mohammad Jarat is a 20-year-old farm worker at Sultan Dandees farm in Southern Shouneh and has spent the last two seasons working in the fields. 

The seasonal nature of work means that securing a steady income is often a balancing act. But for some like Jarat, this cycle is not just about earning a living. 

“I work harder here because my brothers are in school,” he says with pride, underscoring a sentiment shared by many of his co-workers who see their labour as a way to contribute to their families and communities. 

Jarat and colleagues’ efforts at Sultan Dandees are part of a broader initiative that is transforming communities throughout Jordan. 

The National School Feeding Programme’s (NSFP) healthy model was launched in 2022 with the goal of improving food security and supporting local economies. With the collaborative efforts of the World Food Programme and the Ministry of Education, the project now reaches 90,000 children from kindergarten to sixth grade in 476 schools in six governorates.

But the core goal goes beyond simply nourishing children. By sourcing meals from local farmers and bakeries, the programme supports the agricultural economy and ensures a steady supply of high-quality food. 

Ameer Juma, sourcing and cluster sales manager at Millennium Farms, a military-owned company and key partner in the project, explained that their focus is on “vulnerable small farmers,” who face challenges such as limited marketing knowledge and lack of economies of scale. 

To address these issues, Millennium Farms provides farmers with seeds, pesticides and technical support. The company also prioritises local job creation, ensuring at least 50 per cent of farm workers are Jordanian. 

“You are doing a service for us, and we are helping you grow,” Juma said. The programme has made a significant contribution to local economies by boosting female labour force participation as well. 

Local products, sourced from farms like Sultan Dandees, are delivered to one of the 11 community kitchens across Jordan, where around 250 women prepare thousands of meals daily for children in their communities, ensuring that every student, regardless of socio-economic background, receives a 380-kilocalorie meal with fruits, vegetables and pastries.

With Jordan ranked 131 out of 156 countries for female employment in the 2021 Global Gender Gap Index, Khaled Ayoub, activity manager of the NSFP, sees this initiative as a significant step toward advancing gender equality in the workforce.

“Some of them used to stay at home,” said Ayoub, adding that “Now, they go to work every morning, have friends and a more active social life.” 

One such woman is Rwan, who has been working in a community-based kitchen in Southern Shouneh since 2017, which is now part of the healthy model’s programme.

Beforehand, Rwan was unemployed, and her husband was initially opposed to her working in the kitchen. But after learning about the women-only work environment as well as the provision of free transportation, he gave his consent.

“It is a safe space,” Rwan said.

The job has given Rwan a stable income, allowing her to contribute to her community’s well-being. The meals she prepares, served to local schoolchildren, including her own, have also eased her family’s financial burden.

“There was a sense of relief from the parents of the students who were involved in this project,” said Shaker Khalil Jbarat, director of general education at the Ministry of Education. “They said, ‘my child goes to school and does not take any expenses, nor would they charge me for my food’.” 

Besides reducing the financial strain on families, the NSFP has significantly improved children’s education and health. Recent evaluations by the World Food Programme, Ministry of Education and the World Bank show better school attendance, increased dietary diversity and higher energy levels among students. 

The National School Feeding Programme Cost Benefit analysis by the World Food Programme showed that every dollar invested in the healthy meals modality of the NSFP generates an economic return of $10.30 for students, women workers and local farmers, while the benefits to students alone amount to $4.40 over the lifetime of each individual beneficiary.

By addressing children's nutritional needs, the World Food Programme and the Ministry of Education are working closely to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative.

The NSFP has already seen substantial growth since its early days, with the kitchen in Southern Shouneh scaling up from producing 3,000 meals to 9,000 meals per day, covering the entire district. 

This growth reflects the programme's broader impact, now providing healthy meals to 90,000 students and offering fortified biscuits as a high-energy snack to 400,000 children.

But Ayoub highlighted that the project’s future depends on increased government funding. 

Currently, the initiative relies on donations and external support from a number of foreign countries. Although the Ministry of Education has committed to increasing the budget for the NSFP starting in 2025, a significant funding gap is likely to remain.

According to Jbarat, this challenge needs to be addressed to expand the programme to more schools across Jordan. As the number of schools grows, it will not only encourage local farmers to produce more but also expand the women’s workforce in community-based kitchens.

“It is a chain,” he said. Looking ahead, the long-term plan is for the Ministry of Education to gradually take over the programme’s execution by 2030. This transition will involve closer collaboration with other ministries, such as agriculture and social development. 

Ayoub stressed how a comprehensive approach to school feeding can generate positive and lasting effects for communities in Jordan. 

“It’s not just about providing a meal to a kid,” he said. “It’s about providing a package for everyone in the community.”

 

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