Day: April 17, 2024

Amman: The Cabinet Wednesday extended the decision to grant tourist transport customs and tax exemptions and benefits for an additional three months, ending mid-next June.

The decision follows recommendations of the Ministers of Transport, Tourism and the Minister of Antiquities to extend the exemptions and benefits to tourist transport to enable companies operating in the sector to modernise their buses, encourage companies that have obtained initial licensing approvals to complete licensing procedures and enhance investment in the tourist transport sector.

According to a statement, the decision would reflect positively on the sector in terms of modernising tourist transport vehicles, enhancing the service provided to tourists and supplying it with more buses that meet the increasing number of tourists.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Aqaba: His Majesty King Abdullah II and Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held talks in Aqaba on Wednesday, stressing the need to maintain Arab coordination to bolster solidarity and joint action.

According to a royal court statement, His Majesty and King Hamad noted the importance of the upcoming Arab Summit, which will be held in Bahrain, in light of current regional conditions.

His Majesty commended Bahrain’s ongoing efforts to organise the summit, during the meeting attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Bahraini monarch’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs.

The meeting also covered the strong ties between the two countries and peoples, with His Majesty and the Bahraini monarch expressing pride in the deep-rooted bilateral relations and keenness to enhance cooperation and achieve economic integration.

King Hamad congratulated His Majesty on the 25th anniversary of assuming his constitutional powers, com
mending development and stability in Jordan, under His Majesty’s leadership.

His Majesty also congratulated the Bahraini monarch on the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne, commending his efforts in enhancing progress, development, and prosperity in Bahrain.

Discussions covered regional developments, with King Hamad commending Jordan’s active efforts towards regional peace, and its support for Arab and Islamic causes, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue.

Talks also touched on the dangerous situation in Gaza, with the two leaders stressing the urgent need for the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to implement ceasefire resolutions in Gaza.

The two leaders reaffirmed the need to protect civilians, deliver humanitarian aid though all possible methods, and avoid further escalation, voicing rejection of all action that could expand the war or the Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, or displace the Palestinians.

His Majesty and King Hamad stressed the importance of
de-escalation in the Middle East and reaching just, peaceful, comprehensive, and sustainable solutions to regional conflicts, and coordinating efforts to counter terrorism.

The two leaders called for preserving the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, and stopping Israeli violations against holy sites in the city.

King Hamad stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

In addition, the two leaders warned of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, denouncing the establishment of settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories, which violates international law.

Their Majesties called for unifying Arab and international efforts towards just and lasting peace in the region, and supporting Palestinians’ right to self-determination, as well as the establishment of their independent state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two-state solution, and in line with relevant UN
resolutions.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, and the accompanying Bahraini delegation of senior officials attended the meeting.

His Majesty and Crown Prince Al Hussein had received King Hamad upon arrival at the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, and later bade him farewell upon departure.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Gaza – Together – The World Health Organization spokeswoman said that Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip receives 50 children daily due to drought and food shortages.

He added, “We need an immediate ceasefire to deliver aid to those in need in Gaza.”

Amman: Government Communications Minister Muhannad Mubaideen Wednesday said the Royal Air Force is carrying out fly-overs in the skies of the Kingdom “to ensure the safety of Jordanian airspace.”

According to a statement, Mubaideen told the Jordanian News Agency (Petra) that the fly-overs, the sounds of which Jordanians heard during the past days, would continue, urging Jordanians to be reassured that “these precautionary measures” aim to preserve the security and safety the country.

He praised the Armed Forces “who are performing their duty to the fullest extent in protecting Jordan’s borders, supported by our security services, which watch over the security of the nation and the comfort of its citizens.”

He urged Jordanians to seek information from official sources and avoid rumours and sharing them, advising the media to ensure accuracy in their coverage and to be cautious with information related to national security.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Salfit – Ma’an – Today, Wednesday, the occupation bulldozers began bulldozing work to construct and expand a settlement road in the northwestern region of the lands of the citizens of the town of Derastia, northwest of Salfit.

The mayor of Derastiya, Firas Dhiyab, said: ‘The occupation bulldozers began bulldozing lands belonging to the heirs of Muhammad Hussein Abu Nasser, to build a road and expand the entrance to the Rafafa settlement, which is built on citizens’ lands.’

Dhiyab pointed out that the construction and expansion of the road devours lands, 100 meters long and 10 meters wide, and uproots the perennial olive trees in that area.

Amman: Ahmed Zayadat, Minister of Justice and Chair of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, led the Jordanian delegation in the fifth session of the Government Forum to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Muscat, Oman. The forum’s theme was “Combating human trafficking through labor legislation and procedures.”

In his address, Zayadat emphasized the severity of human trafficking as a crime against humanity and contrary to religious and humanitarian principles, stressing the need to update anti-trafficking policies and enhance national legislation to counter evolving methods used by traffickers.

Zayadat highlighted Jordan’s efforts in combating human trafficking, including legislative measures, victim protection, and the adoption of executive mechanisms, underscoring the significance of Jordan’s national strategy (2024-2027) to intensify anti-trafficking endeavors and establish a national referral mechanism for victim support and reintegration.

The forum, attended by Gulf Cooperation Council cou
ntries, Jordan, and Egypt, convenes annually to address trafficking issues. Jordan previously participated in the fourth forum held in Doha, Qatar, in May last year.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Doha: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education organized the third edition of the developmental mathematics day event with the participation of over 150 teachers from various government schools, along with representatives from the Mathematics Department in the foundation program and the national center for educational development at Qatar University.

The event aims to enhance methods of teaching mathematics effectively and more engagingly, aiming for a better understanding to improve students’ performance and academic achievement in mathematics.

Somaya Al Tamimi, a Mathematics Guidance Consultant at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, emphasized the importance of mathematics in daily life and community development, noting that teaching mathematics is a shared responsibility for everyone, including teachers, researchers, and officials. She added that it is crucial for stakeholders to work earnestly to develop teaching methods that encourage students to learn with interest and passion.

The
developmental mathematics day event included several topics such as lectures and training workshops on distinguished practices, the role of in-class and out-of-class activities in enhancing students’ academic achievement, employing modern technology and artificial intelligence in mathematics teaching, and the impact of classroom practices on teaching enhancement.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Gaza: Since last October 7, Israeli occupation has arrested more than 5,000 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of prisoners inside the occupation prisons to about to 10,000, the government media office in Gaza announced.

In a statement on the anniversary of Palestinian Prisoners Day (PPD), which falls Wednesday, the office said Israeli practices are the worst forms of torture against prisoners, calling on the world to assume its moral and legal responsibilities towards their humanitarian cause.

The office added that: “We commemorate PPD on April 17 annually, while the prisoners in the Israeli occupation’s prisons multiply in numbers and suffering, and live a harsh life due to their poor, inhumane living conditions in Israeli prisons, which lack the lowest meanings of humanity.”

Additionally, the office noted 2024 anniversary marks the continuation of the Israeli army’s genocidal war on Gaza Strip against civilians, children and women for the seventh month in a row.

Source: Jordan
News Agency

Cairo, Qatar participated in the Arab coordination meeting at the level of permanent representatives to the Arab League, held today at the headquarters of the League’s General Secretariat in Cairo, to prepare for the 10th session of the ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum scheduled for May 30.

Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the Arab League Khalid Abdullah Al Ibrahim represented the State of Qatar at the meeting.

The Arab League, in a statement, mentioned that the meeting discussed several topics of interest to Arab countries, including the Palestinian issue. The session took place under the chairmanship of Mauritania, which currently heads the ministerial session of the Arab League. The statement also noted that the 10th session of the ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of this forum.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Amman: Bridges Security Department at the Public Security Directorate (PSD) announced the amended working hours of King Hussein Bridge, starting from 22 to 29 April.

In a statement Wednesday, the department said the bridge’s movement will return to normal as is currently implemented, adding that the border crossing will operate from 7:30 am to 6 pm as of Monday, April 30th.

The department called on all travelers heading to the West Bank to arrive to the bridge one hour ahead of its closure time.

Source: Jordan News Agency