Day: February 18, 2026

Moscow: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that Russia remains interested in resuming trade, economic, and investment relations with the United States across all sectors.

According to Jordan News Agency, Peskov emphasized Russia’s strong interest in renewing commercial, economic, and investment cooperation with the United States. He mentioned that the existing good relations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump could serve as a foundation for new cooperation agreements. These agreements would aim to address the mutual interests of both nations in various fields.

Amman: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met with Mrs. Elke Bdenbender, spouse of the Federal President of Germany Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman on Wednesday. The meeting took place during the German First Lady’s visit to Jordan, as she accompanies the President on a working tour.

According to Jordan News Agency, the discussions between Queen Rania and Mrs. Bdenbender centered around issues of mutual interest. Both women hold significant roles in child advocacy, with Mrs. Bdenbender serving as the Patroness of UNICEF Germany and Queen Rania having been named UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children in 2007.

United nations: The United Nations Security Council discussed the situation in Libya on Wednesday, hearing a briefing from the UN Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh.

According to Jordan News Agency, Tetteh said that deteriorating economic conditions, increasing poverty and societal pressures, as well as fragile security, are all matters of concern that could lead to unexpected political and security challenges in Libya.

She expressed regret over the lack of tangible progress between the House of Representatives and the High Council of State in implementing the roadmap, including the mechanism for selecting members of the Board of the High National Elections Commission, despite efforts by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Tetteh noted that the councils’ failure to use the agreed-upon mechanism and the adoption of subsequent unilateral measures have further eroded their credibility, adding that “this reinforces Libyan perceptions that the two bodies are either unable or unwilling to work together to complete the first two phases of the roadmap.”

Rome: Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment, Omar Arabiyat, led Jordan’s delegation to the sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation under the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Rome from February 16 to 19. Representatives from parties to the convention gathered to review the progress in implementing commitments and decisions related to the global biodiversity framework.

According to Jordan News Agency, during the meeting, Arabiyat stressed the need for mobilizing financial resources to aid developing countries in achieving biodiversity goals. He called for the provision of predictable additional direct funding, simplified access procedures, and enhanced technical support and technology transfer that aligns with national priorities.

Arabiyat also highlighted the importance of linking capacity-building programs to actual national needs. He underscored the necessity of strengthening monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure that outcomes are both tangible and sustainable. The delegation from Jordan focused on recommendations regarding resource mobilization, financial mechanisms, and capacity building.

Moreover, the Jordanian delegation emphasized the significance of involving stakeholders and local communities in efforts to protect biodiversity. Jordan reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the Secretariat and other parties to ensure the effective and balanced implementation of the convention, thus supporting international efforts to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development goals.

Amman: The Jordan Press Association (JPA) held a meeting on Wednesday with the Jordan Sports Information Federation and the Jordan Football Association to discuss the media mission that will accompany the national team to the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting was attended by key figures including Tariq Al-Momani, the President of the Jordan Press Association, council members Rashid Al-Assaf and Rashid Al-Rawashdeh, President of the Sports Information Federation Amjad Al-Majali, and Samar Nassar, the Secretary-General of the Jordan Football Association, along with several association representatives. The discussion focused on enhancing joint cooperation and organizing the participation of the media mission in a way that ensures professional representation of Jordanian sports media.

The participants emphasized the need for early coordination on organizational and logistical matters and the establishment of clear criteria for selecting media mission members in line with the tournament’s regulations. The President of the Press Association highlighted that participating in the 2026 World Cup is a significant national milestone that demands high levels of coordination and professional responsibility. He underscored the importance of Jordan’s media representation matching the national team’s achievements and qualifications.

Al-Momani also stressed the association’s commitment to clear and fair standards for selecting media mission members, ensuring opportunities for capable professionals to represent Jordanian sports positively. He affirmed the association’s continued cooperation with the Sports Media Federation and the Jordan Football Association to address any organizational or logistical challenges.

Samar Nassar, representing the football association, expressed appreciation for the sports media’s critical role in supporting the national team and enhancing its local and international presence. She mentioned that the association is focused on facilitating the media mission within the guidelines set by the tournament organizers. Nassar noted that the upcoming phase requires collaborative efforts to organize distinguished media participation that aligns with the global event and Jordan’s sporting reputation.

The meeting concluded with participants affirming their commitment to ensuring the success of Jordanian media participation in the World Cup, aiming to project a positive image of sports and media in Jordan and to bolster the presence of Jordanian press on the global stage.

Amman: HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein chaired the first meeting of the advisory board of the Jordan Alzheimer Care Association on Monday at the King Hussein Club. In her capacity as honorary global ambassador for Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), and chair of the Jordan Alzheimer Care Association’s advisory board, Her Highness opened the meeting with a welcoming address to the board members, expressing her appreciation for the extensive experience they bring to the association, which, she said, is invaluable to its mission and objectives.

According to Jordan News Agency, Princess Muna also commended the efforts of administrative and general bodies in raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, and providing support to those living with dementia, as well as their families and caregivers. During the meeting, Her Royal Highness called for the establishment of a national registry, explaining that this humanitarian-focused effort is a national and societal duty.

Princess Muna highlighted the advisory board’s vital role in supporting the association through their scientific and technical expertise, including supporting the development of strategic plans, awareness programs, and support services for patients and families. During the inaugural meeting, Karim Kawar was appointed vice president of the advisory board, followed by introductions of the advisory board members, who expressed their pride in being selected, and their readiness to dedicate their time and expertise to supporting the association’s work and future plans.

President of the Alzheimer’s Care Association Reem Abu Hassan presented a detailed overview of the association’s establishment, management, committees, and key activities. These include community awareness programs for university students, training for medical personnel, development of psychosocial support services, efforts to strengthen partnerships with health and government entities, and the development of technological initiatives that contribute to patient protection and improve their quality of life.

She also highlighted the importance of the association’s pioneering ‘Eye Locate’ initiative, which is designed to quickly identify and reunite lost dementia patients with their families using iris-recognition technology. Abu Hassan noted the cooperation agreement between the association and the White Beds Society to establish a day club and various activities for Alzheimer’s patients.

She also highlighted coordination efforts with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities aimed at unifying work on creation of a national registry. During the meeting, the advisory board also reviewed priorities for the upcoming phase, in particular, coordination with the Ministry of Health on the National Dementia Plan, and establishment of a framework for joint work between the association’s advisory and administrative boards.

The framework aims to enhance the association’s programs and expand its impact at the national level, in line with its vision and mission. The meeting emphasized the importance of continued coordination between advisory board members and the association, and establishing clear follow-up mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the proposed recommendations and initiatives.