Sudan Gazette

The White House on Sunday denied a US-brokered agreement between Israel and Hamas that would allow for the release of dozens of Israeli prisoners in besieged Gaza in exchange for a five-day truce.

According to the Washington Times, White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson wrote on X, previously Twitter, in response to a Washington Post report about an initial agreement, “We have not reached an agreement yet, but we continue to work hard to reach an agreement.”

On Saturday, the Washington Post reported from “informed sources” that Israel and Hamas had reached a preliminary agreement with American mediation that would release dozens of Israeli prisoners held in the embattled enclave in exchange for a cessation of hostilities for five days.

It reported that the release of the hostages may begin within days and lead to the first stop in the current conflict in Gaza if the detailed 6-page agreement is adhered to.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) on Sunday launched the 19th edition of the Research and Creativity Support Project for University Students, to provide financial and technical support to Jordanian university students.

This assistance seeks to implement the participants’ projects and research initiatives, which primarily aim to provide practical solutions to national problems and challenges, according to a KAFD statement.

KAFD noted the project is based on supporting “qualitative, applicable and sustainable” enterprises and research initiatives, or others that achieve a patent, or contribute to solving a problem facing the society, in accordance with the project’s 2022 development plan and in line with outcomes of Economic Modernization Vision (EMV) for Entrepreneurship and Creativity Axis.

Additionally, the project aims to contribute to creating a “productive and effective” scientific and educational society and disseminate “positive” competition among university students, which stimulates
them to enhance their scientific and practical skills and support sustainable development by raising level of human resources and developing higher education to rely on creative projects and research.

University students can apply for support for their projects through the link: (join.kafd.jo) until next December 4 and winning projects receive financial support of up to JD5,000, KAFD said.

Launched in 2004, the project is implemented in partnership with Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB) and offered support for 380 graduation and research projects, providing 1,624 direct and indirect opportunities.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, Dr. Mohammed Khalaileh, on Sunday directed Jordan’s mosques to open as shelter centers during the current weather conditions.

In a circular, the minister decided to use all empty residences of the mosques’ employees countrywide as centers to shelter stranded people, or others exposed to any possible damage during the wet air mass that began to affect the Kingdom.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The ongoing rehabilitation and maintenance project for Aqaba’s back road has made substantial strides, nearing an impressive 85% completion rate. Anticipations suggest the finalization of all project components within the coming 3-5 weeks, adhering to the designated project timeline.

Stretching from the intersection of Wadi Al-Yutom to the Bardini Bridge, this strategic route functions as a crucial economic artery, facilitating the movement of commercial trucks to and from Aqaba Port. Its significance extends beyond Aqaba, serving as a vital link for the port, the Aqaba economic zone, and various industrial complexes across Amman and the kingdom’s provinces.

According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, work on this project commenced in May, focusing on enhancing and rehabilitating pavement layers along the left lane and sporadic sections of the right lane, covering approximately 17 kilometers, with a cost amounting to JD2.8 million.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Chair of the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment and Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa, along with Secretary-General of the National Committee for Women’s Affairs Maha Ali have presented a compelling message of solidarity from Jordanian women to those in Gaza to Sima Bahouth, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women.

The letter, signed by Jordanian women on November 9th and emanating from a collaborative initiative by the Ministerial Committee for the Empowerment of Women, the Jordanian National Commission for Women’s Affairs, and the National Center for Human Rights, calls for immediate cessation of war crimes in Gaza and the accountability of those responsible for crimes against humanity.

During a meeting with Bahouth, Bani Mustafa highlighted Jordan’s pivotal role, led by King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, in efforts to end the Gaza war and facilitate aid. She underscored the disproportionate impact of the Gaza Strip aggression on women and
children, labeling it a genocide and urging international intervention.

Bani Mustafa emphasized the criticality of global platforms in accurately portraying the plight of Gazans, particularly women and children.

Bani Mustafa further advocated for the empowerment and support of Palestinian women, especially those responsible for their families, reiterating the equal value of Palestinian lives.

Ali lauded the effective partnership with UN Women, noting their joint endeavors in women’s empowerment, increased economic and political participation, and reinforced social protection, aligned with the national women’s strategy and the execution plan for Security Council Resolution 1325.

She reinforced the significance of the Jordanian women’s solidarity message, which implores the international community for immediate action to halt the Gaza war and the atrocities committed therein.

Simultaneously, the National Committee for Women’s Affairs urged refocusing the annual 16-day anti-violence campaign towards the vio
lence faced by Gazans.

Bahouth outlined UN Women’s six-month response plan for Gaza, focusing on urgent humanitarian aid for women and girls, continued support for Palestinian women’s civil society, and ensuring women and girls’ needs are met.

She commended Jordan’s comprehensive response strategies for women and girls in Gaza and affirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting Jordan’s efforts in political and economic spheres, and as a refuge for over a million refugees.

The solidarity message, “Women of Jordan with Women of Gaza,” directed to UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres, calls for the international community to act decisively against the war crimes in Gaza, emphasizing that Palestinian women and girls’ rights and lives are as valuable as those of Israelis.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Government Communications and government spokesperson Muhannad Mubaideen on Sunday met with a delegation from China’s People’s Daily, headed by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Wang Yibiao.

During the meeting, Mubaideen stressed the depth of Jordanian-Chinese relations led by His Majesty King Abdullah II and Chinese President Xi Jinping, pointing to His Majesty’s visit to China in 2015, during which an announcement was made regarding the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries in many fields, especially economic cooperation and education.

He highlighted the cooperation agreements between official media institutions and their Chinese counterparts, the most prominent of which is the cooperation agreement between the Jordan News Agency (Petra) and its Chinese counterpart Xinhua, saying he is looking forward to more media cooperation and coordination between Jordan and China in the various fields of journalism and media, especially digital media, and supporting research.

The minis
ter proposed holding a forum for Chinese-Arab media in Jordan with the aim of exchanging experiences, knowledge and viewpoints between Jordanian media institutions and the People’s Daily and creating joint digital content, especially since Jordan contributes to publishing a large percentage of Arabic content on the Internet.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Mubaideen lauded the positions of the People’s Republic of China in support of the Palestinian issue and stopping the aggression against Gaza, stressing that there is consensus between the Kingdom and China on positions and issues of common interest, especially Arab issues.

In turn, Wang stressed the strength of relations between China and Jordan, pointing out in this context that the two countries possess a distinctive civilization and global culture.

He pointed out that the People’s Daily was founded in 1948, before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and has contributed to strengthening cooperation relations between the two countries, and
published hundreds of press materials talking about Jordan and its achievements in various fields.

He described the online paper’s relations to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) and other local media outlets as “cooperative,” saying he looks forward to establishing relations with other Jordanian media institutions during the coming period.

He underscored that China supports the Palestinian cause and demands justice and redress for it, stressing China’s call to implement Security Council Resolution No. (2712), which calls for the establishment of urgent truces and humanitarian corridors extending throughout the Gaza Strip, and the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners.

Attending the meeting were the ministry’s Secretary General Zaid Nawaisa, Director General of the Jordan News Agency (Petra) Fairouz Mubideen, Director General of the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation Ibrahim Bawarid, and the Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom Chen Chuandong.

Source: Jordan News Agency