Author: Web Desk

Former Minister, Sleiman Frangieh, on Thursday posted on the “X” platform: “Seventy-five years since the establishment of UNRWA by a United Nations decision to aid Palestinian refugees. Today, amidst the most precise and dangerous humanitarian phase, most donor countries are boycotting the organization based on Israeli allegations of collective punishment against an entire people, contradicting the International Court of Justice’s decision. It is worth noting that the number of refugees, displaced persons, and needy individuals is increasing, and the organization warns of the possibility of its work being halted. Where is justice, and where is humanity?”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Gaza: The Israeli occupation army has intensified its raids on Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip and, for the third time, stormed the courtyard of Al-Amal Hospital, located west of Khan Yunis, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).

On Wednesday, the hospital handled 12 bodies, including that of an employee and a volunteer from the PRCS, along with six additional injuries, as revealed by the PRCS.

The occupation forces unleashed gunfire on the hospital and its structures, resulting in bullets penetrating five vehicles, including three ambulances.

Israeli forces persist in targeting and besieging Al-Amal Hospital, an affiliate of the PRCS, for the eleventh consecutive day, firing at any moving objects in the hospital’s vicinity.

Medical sources have reported a devastating toll, with 42 Palestinians, including children and women, losing their lives in the Israeli bombing of the central and southern Gaza Strip within the past 24 hours.

Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, has indicated that
the occupation army is actively burning Palestinian homes in Gaza, following orders from its officers leading the fighting.

The bodies of 14 Palestinians were able to reach Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, after the occupation forces withdrew from the vicinity. However, the situation remains dire, with continuous Israeli artillery shelling targeting the Al-Amal neighborhood and the surroundings of the PRCS for the eleventh consecutive day.

The latest figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported 26,900 deaths and 65,949 injuries since the commencement of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship won the annual pan-Arab Social Governments Award for the Best Government Platform in Social Media and Best Application in Communications and Information Technology Sector, “Sanad” app, according to the results announced by the Social Governments Institute (SGI).

According to a ministry statement Thursday, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Ahmed Hanandeh, expressed appreciation for this achievement, which affirms the ministry’s commitment to develop its business environment and its service system for citizens, the public and private sectors.

Additionally, Hanandeh said this award reflects the “remarkable” technological development in the communication system performance and provision of services through digital platforms aimed to achieve “direct and effective” citizen-gov’t communication.

Hanandeh added that this goal represents the ministry’s vision implemented by its “strategic” plans to achieve the Kingdom’s digital transfor
mation process.

Egypt, Iraq, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Morocco won awards in various categories in recognition of their distinguished government agencies in developing their communication with a high level of interaction, participation, and transparency on media and social platforms.

Source: Jordan News Agency

6 persons have been reported injured in 5 road accident within the last 24 hours, the Traffic Management Center said on Thursday.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry called for supporting the task of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), demanding an end to the collective punishment policy in Gaza and giving priority for their lives.

‘Gaza faces unprecedented humanitarian disaster, under the current circumstances, there’s no other choice than a ceasefire that can deescalate the crisis and there’s no other task that is more pressing than protecting civilians,’ Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a weekly press conference.

He called on the international community, particularly the main donor countries to reconsider the suspension of funding the UNRAW.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

New York: The United Nations has emphasized that the violation of hospitals constitutes a clear breach of international law, Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesperson, said following the recent Israeli forces attack against a hospital in the West Bank, resulting in the loss of three Palestinian lives.

During the daily press conference, Dujarric stressed that “hospitals need to be protected at all cost and the violation of hospitals is against international law,” adding “We also stand clearly against any type of extrajudicial killings.”

The attack on Jenin Hospital by the occupation forces, which was widely circulated on social media platforms, showed armed personnel brandishing their rifles and intimidating both staff and patients within the hospital premises.

In a related development, a fresh UN report released on Thursday revealed that since October 7, a total of 370 Palestinians, including 94 children, have lost their lives across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Additionally, 4,387 Palestinians, incl
uding 660 children, have sustained injuries as a result of actions by the occupation forces and settlers.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Under the Patronage of Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and the Circular Economy Club (CEC) in partnership with the Jordan Strategy Forum launched the first national conference on circular economy.

Princess Sumaya, President of the RSS, stated that a team from the RSS is currently collaborating with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) to prepare a National Circular Economy Roadmap acting as a know-how navigator for Jordan’s transition. This effort aims to contribute to the articulating of the Economic Modernization Vision in line with the royal vision.

Princess Sumaya’s statement came during the first Nationwide conference on the circular economy, titled “Unleashing the Power of Circularity: Jordan’s Opportunity to Boost Employment and Growth,” organized by the RSS and the CEC – Amman in partnership with the Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF) and in collaboration with the GIZ-implemented “Green Action in Enterprises (GAIN)”.

During the one-day conference atte
nded by experts inside and outside Jordan, Princess Sumaya emphasized the importance of the Circular Economy transition as a strategic direction. This transition is seen as a means to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, climate crises, natural resource depletion, and other global challenges.

Princess Sumaya highlighted the need to move beyond the linear (take-make-waste) model and to innovate intelligent design processes that eliminate the concept of waste and relieve the burden of waste management.

She explained that the RSS has established national and regional partnerships aimed at enhancing comprehensive transformations through large-scale projects and global partnerships.

Princess Sumaya further explained how the circular transition is important for achieving sustainable economic growth without adversely impacting the environment and its natural ecosystem, through which social and climate resilience can be increased thus contributing to the overall wellbeing of the nation.

Mu’wiya Radaideh,
the Minister of Environment, pinpointed that the objectives of this conference align with the Economic Modernization Vision launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II. It also aligns with efforts towards the gradual transition to a green and circular economy in Jordan.

Radaideh added that Jordan aspires to be a model for other countries in achieving economic growth and stability by focusing on the environment and resources, adhering to sustainable practices, with the circular economy model at the forefront.

Al-Sharif Faris Sharaf, the Chairman of the Administrative Board of the JSF, emphasized that the joint event with RSS and the CEC in Amman complements the forum’s efforts on sustainability. In addition, it raises awareness about the importance of applying environmental, social, and governance standards in private sector companies, and supports advocacy for the importance of the circular economy for Jordan.

Omar Al-Saleh, the main coordinator of the conference, and the Circular Economy expert at the RSS, s
tressed the importance of circular economy in achieving economic growth which goes beyond waste management to a more comprehensive and flexible economy that helps increase resilience in value chains, hence enabling local communities to withstand climate and economic shocks. The circular economy stands in contrast to the linear economy which relies on consumption and waste.

On the other hand, Ivonne Bojoh, the CEO of the Circular Economy Foundation in Amsterdam, presented several global success stories in the circular economy and discussed the opportunities that Jordan can seize when applying its principles. Additionally, Bojoh explained how the Circular Economy contributes to food security.

The conference included a panel discussion with keynote speakers to discuss the expected positive impact of the circular economy on various sectors such as water, energy, and food. Professor Iain Stewart, El Hassan bin Talal Research Chair in Sustainability at the RSS, participated in the panel discussion, highlighting t
he role of the circular economy in reducing carbon emissions.

Almoayied Assayed, the Director of the Water, Environment, and Climate Change Center at the RSS, also participated in the discussion, focusing on the application of the circular economy concept in the water sector.

Tariq Hammouri, a JSF Memb and former Minister of Industry and Trade, concluded the discussion by emphasizing the positive economic impact resulting from adopting and activating a circular economy.

The conference concluded with interactive sessions on enabling tools to ensure a just Circular transition in Jordan in addition to the associated challenges to be encountered.

Source: Jordan News Agency