Tuesday, June 24, 2014

It is amazing the willingness the Western Media will go to propagate war.

by Taylor Luck and Omar Obeidat and Khetam Malkawi

Jun 23, 2014 | 23:22 

Extremist group ‘does not control Iraq border post’ sources (click here)


AMMAN — The Kingdom on Monday continued sending military reinforcements to the country’s border with Iraq, where business was as usual regarding the flow of passengers and goods, sources said.


Meanwhile, Iraqi tribal leaders based in Jordan confirmed reports that the western Iraq towns adjacent to the border with Jordan are controlled by fighters from Sunni tribes that are “on good terms with Jordan”, contradicting reports that the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took over the border zone.


Officials said that despite the military build-up on the border, no threatening development has been reported up to Monday afternoon.


An informed source told The Jordan Times there had been no infiltration attempts recorded so far.


“However, we beefed up border defences to be prepared to deal with any emergency or any attempt to penetrate the borderline,” he said.


Meanwhile, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani, who is also government spokesperson, told The Jordan Times that “there is no decision to close the border yet, but traffic is limited”.


The Agriculture Ministry reported on Monday that Iraq reopened its market to Jordan’s vegetable and fruit produce, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 


Even on the Iraqi side, the situation is normal, according to an Iraqi driver who arrived in Amman from Iraq earlier Monday (see separate story)....


On the lighter side The Jordan Times is reporting:

AMMAN — HRH Princess Sumaya on Monday (click here) called for creating a strict system to monitor the production and transboundary transport of hazardous waste in the Kingdom to protect public health and the environment.


The princess, president of the Royal Scientific Society, highlighted the growing global concern over the need for strict control of the movement of hazardous waste and goods, as well as for building the capacity of developing countries in the management of this type of waste.


Princess Sumaya made the remarks at a scientific day organised by the Jordanian Engineers Association (JEA) to discuss the impact of hazardous waste on the country’s environment...



Students with their principal at School 3 in the Zaatari Refugee Camp (Photo courtesy of UNICEF)


AMMAN — The end of the school term (click here) brought smiles to more than 10,000 Syrian children at the Zaatari Refugee Camp as they were awarded certificates on Monday for successfully completing the scholastic year, according to a UNICEF statement.


At a graduation ceremony in School 3, certificates were handed out by Northwest Badia Education Director Sayel Khreisheh, First Counsellor of the European Union Delegation to Jordan Ibrahim Laafia and UNICEF Deputy Representative Michele Servadei.  Sixty of the most distinguished students, aged six to 16, were recognised for their performance during the school year, the statement said.


At the event, Khreisheh noted that Jordan has opened its doors to Syrian children to ensure their future.


“In Zaatari, as well as at schools in Mafraq and across the country, we are committed to welcoming Syrian children and providing the best quality education possible.”...