Day: March 19, 2025

Hebron: Israeli forces detained 15 Palestinians in different locations in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday.

According to Jordan News Agency, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reported that the arrests took place during raids conducted by Israeli forces. These raids occurred in the cities of Hebron, Salfit, Ramallah, al-Bireh, and Nablus, and were accompanied by heavy gunfire.

In a separate incident, settlers set fire to the tents of local Bedouin in the Wadi al-Matwi area. This area is situated between Salfit and Burqin in the northern part of the West Bank.

Amman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Yousef Huneiti, called on the Royal Field Air Defense Directorate on Wednesday, where he was welcomed by its Director. Huneiti was briefed on the Royal Field Air Defense tasks and future plans, as well as overseeing the progress of training and operational duties of various units, with the aim of achieving the highest levels of efficiency and readiness.

According to Jordan News Agency, the army chief emphasized the Jordan Armed Forces- Arab Army’s commitment to developing and modernizing the air defense system, particularly focusing on technological advancements to intercept drones and manage aerial targets. He also lauded the Field Air Defense personnel for their professionalism and their vital role in ensuring national security and safety, working in collaboration with other units of the Armed Forces.

Amman: The Ministry of Public Works and Housing, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, has introduced 11 new e-services on the “Sanad” app as part of its digital transformation initiative. This move aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery to citizens digitally.

According to Jordan News Agency, Minister of Public Works and Housing, Maher Abu Samen, emphasized that the introduction of these e-services is a direct response to the Royal directives aimed at elevating the quality of services available to citizens. The initiative is a significant component of the Economic Modernization Vision and the roadmap for public sector development, targeting enhanced performance of government institutions and improved quality of life through citizen-focused services.

Abu Samen highlighted that the launch is a crucial step in the ministry’s digital transformation plan, which seeks to make all ministry services available online. He described the transition as a “qualitative” shift in the ministry’s operations, designed to streamline processes, reduce costs, and provide improved services to the public, keeping pace with technological advancements and the global digital transformation trend.

The minister further noted that the second phase of the ministry’s e-transformation project is underway, including the introduction of these 11 new e-services. He expressed confidence that all phases of the ministry’s digital transformation would be completed by the end of the year, enabling customers to access all ministry services online seamlessly.

Abu Samen also mentioned that the e-services launched on the “Sanad” app are expected to enhance Jordan’s road infrastructure, safety, and design, thereby contributing to the overall development of the nation’s infrastructure.

Amman: Chair of the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA) Hamdi Tabbaa met with Turkish Ambassador Yakup Cayamazoglu to discuss the Jordanian-Turkish Business Council’s action plan for 2025 and strategies to enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two nations, including hosting a joint economic forum.

According to Jordan News Agency, Tabbaa emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties through the activation of the Jordanian-Turkish Business Council, established in 1994. He proposed organizing a Jordanian-Turkish economic forum to highlight promising investment opportunities across various sectors and foster collaboration among business leaders. He stressed the need to increase trade volume through Syria to facilitate exchanges.

Cayamazoglu expressed support for the forum and the creation of an economic committee aimed at boosting cooperation between the two countries. He noted that recent geopolitical conditions in the region have affected surrounding economies and highlighted the necessity of holding more meetings to present investment opportunities in Jordan. He underscored the importance of increasing trade volume and boosting Jordanian exports to the Turkish market to tap into unexplored export potential.

Trade volume between Jordan and Trkiye reached approximately $907.4 million in 2023, up from $718.6 million in 2022. Jordan’s key exports to Trkiye include raw gold and mineral or chemical fertilizers, while it imports fish, meat, cheese, dairy products, and oils from Trkiye.

Amman: The German government has provided an additional 32 trucks to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) to bolster the capacity of the Jordanian humanitarian corridor to Gaza.

According to Jordan News Agency, JHCO Secretary-General Hussein Shibli expressed gratitude to Germany for its ongoing support and humanitarian efforts. He stated, “We appreciate this generous contribution, which will significantly enhance our ability to deliver essential humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.”

Shibli highlighted that the addition of these new trucks underscores the critical importance of international solidarity in addressing humanitarian crises. He reaffirmed the JHCO’s commitment to working with its partners to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of aid to those in greatest need.

In response, German Ambassador to Jordan Bertram von Moltke said, “The Jordanian humanitarian corridor is a lifeline for Gaza and its residents, who are in urgent need of assistance. With Germany’s support, we hope these trucks will facilitate the delivery of vital relief and humanitarian aid to Gaza one convoy after another.”

He emphasised that the continued operation of this corridor, made possible through the collaboration of the JHCO, the Jordan Armed Forces, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), establishes it as a crucial relief hub, commending the dedication and efforts of these organisations.

Amman: Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) confirmed the continued implementation of its Ramadan monitoring and inspection plan on establishments and markets across the Kingdom, to verify products under its jurisdiction, which see “increasing” demand during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to Jordan News Agency, JSMO Director General, Abeer Zuhair, stated that the organization handled 8,000 customs declarations during the first half of the holy month and conducted over 200 inspection tours on over 3,000 products to verify their compliance with technical regulations, standard specifications, and applicable legislation. Zuhair highlighted that JSMO personnel destroyed numerous products for breaching effective regulations, including lighting cords, Ramadan decorations, detergents, cosmetics, gas cookers, children’s toys, apparel, and packaged desserts.

Zuhair also mentioned that the JSMO tightens its supervision during the second half of Ramadan on children’s toys, garments, footwear, household and electrical appliances, pre-packaged desserts and juices, and other items due to increased demand on Eid al-Fitr and commercial offers on Mother’s Day.

Since the beginning of Ramadan, JSMO has received 20 complaints, which were followed up on and violators were referred to the judiciary for legal action under the Specifications and Standards Law No. 22 of 2000 and its amendments. Zuhair urged citizens to submit their comments and complaints to the unified complaints hotline and WhatsApp at 065301243.