Director of the Sports Channel at Kuwait TV Hamad Al-Dehani affirmed the channel’s keenness on improving its work and acquiring rights to transmitting various global sporting events, as per the directive of information minister Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi and in line with ministry’s strategy.

Al-Dehani told KUNA that this began with transmitting Argentinian championships exclusively in the Middle East, and added that last July the channel transmitted the International Champions Cup for football, which was watched by many as it included the world’s largest clubs of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester and so on.

The Sports Channel, explained Al-Dehani, is not solely concerned with football events, but covers all sorts of sporting events, pointing out that it had covered that hand ball tournament that took place in Germany and Greece last August.

On the channel’s preparations for this current local season, Al-Dehani commented that they have upgraded the analysis studio, and will continue to implement further developments.

Al-Dehani thanked the ministry’s officials and employees for all their efforts that translated into tangible improvements.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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Minister of Culture, Head of the Higher Committee of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, Haifa Najjar, Monday announced the activities of the 37th session of the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts, which will run from July 26 until August 5. In a press conference attended by committee members, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Makram Qaisi, and Minister of Youth Mohammad Nabulsi, Najjar stressed the importance of the Jerash Festival as “a venue for Arab and international creativity”. “It is a title for joy as it reflects the Jordanian civilization in art and cultural performances, and its respect of the heritage and cultures of peoples gathered on the land of Jerash”, she said. Najjar said the festival, held under the royal patronage, is a continuation ofJordanian celebrations of national occasions, and underlines the importance of the exchange between Jordanian culture and those of Arab and foreign countries, whose bands and folklore troupes are hosted by the Kingdom. She noted that Egypt will be a guest of honor at the festival this year in recognition of performances over the years in the festival. For his part, executive director of the festival Ayman Samawi said it is directed to the Jordanian family as it seeks to accommodate all tastes and promote national values. “Jerash is distinguished in its cultural, artistic, intellectual and folkloric programs, compared to other local and Arab festivals, and most of the concerts are free, except performances by top Arab singers, where tickets are sold at a nominal price of just 20 dinars, as the festival is non-profit and aims to satisfy the different members of the family,” he said. Jerash Mayor Ahmad Atoum commended the participatory spirit by the municipality and the local community, and the achievement and cooperation between all concerned parties for the success of the annual event. Head of the Jordanian Artists Association, Mohammad Abbadi spoke of “the great impact of the Jerash Festival on the Jordanian and Arab art landscape”, adding that the festival has been a “big window” for Jordanian artists to appear “in one of the largest art forums on the Arab and international levels”. The festival kicks off Wednesday evening, July 26, at the Northern Theater with the official opening ceremony, titled “River of Gold”, a multi-media lyrical art work that highlights the ancient city of Jerash as a cradle of civilizations. Key performers at the festival include singers from Jordan and the Arab world, namely Omar Abdallat, Najwa Karam, Ragheb Alama, George Wassouf, Saber Al-Ribai, Wael Kfoury, Diana Karazon, Hani Shaker, among others.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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The high demand demonstrated at the ongoing jewellery and fashion expo in Lebanon, boosts confidence in the sales prospects of the country’s designer fashion in the summer season.

Over 35 Lebanese fashion and jewellery designers participate in the Jewels of Beirut Expo 2023, underway from Jul 5 until today, in the Lebanese capital.

Victor Azar, manager at Azar, a famous jewellery store in Beirut, said, he received great demand for his products, from overseas tourists and Lebanese expatriates, since the expo kicked off.

“We saw good numbers of tourists from Gulf countries and Lebanese expats from Europe and the United States, buying with budgets of 1,000 U.S. dollars and above,” Azar said.

Azar said, he is happy to see the “great buzz” in Lebanon this summer, fuelled by exhibitions and a great many international arrivals.

“We place big hopes on tourists and expats this summer,” he added.

Rolando Bonja, a local jewelry designer and co-owner of Christian Bonja, said that, the turnout at the exhibition is higher than expected, with most demands coming from Syrians, Kuwaitis and Qataris, who, on average spend between 1,000 and 7,000 U.S. dollars per piece per person.

“I was surprised by the demand for our products,” said Bonja, who came all the way from Dubai to attend the exhibition.

“People are tired from the several crises that hit Lebanon over the past years and want to feel alive again,” he said.

Since Oct, 2019, Lebanon has been witnessing the worst financial and economic crisis in its history, leading to the loss of billions of dollars in bank deposits and plunging over 80 percent of the population into poverty.

The crisis was further exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Beirut port explosions on Aug 4, 2020, which killed over 200 people, injured thousands of others, and destroyed a big part of the city.

Source: Nam News Network

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Amidst the historical magnificence of Karak Castle, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities on Saturday organized a captivating event as part of the Jordan Summer Festival, to highlight the cultural, historical, and touristic significance of the Castle, encompassing its majestic towers and imposing walls. The program has garnered immense attention and witnessed a remarkable turnout from diverse social groups and all age categories, as the attendees eagerly delved into the castle’s rich history, iconic landmarks, and the various civilizations that have left their imprint on this renowned site. Visitors were also treated to an immersive experience through informative panels and engaging conversations, while the castle gates became a sought-after backdrop for capturing cherished family photos. Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, participants expressed their appreciation for the annual Jordan Summer Festival, particularly those organized at Karak’s archaeological sites, saying that such events not only offer entertainment but also serve as an opportunity for individuals to acquaint themselves with the prominent landmarks of Karak Castle, the architectural marvels surrounding it, and the city’s captivating social and cultural history. Khaled Al-Ja’afara, an administrator at the Karak Governorate, underlined the wide range of touristic attractions present in Karak, spanning historical, religious, therapeutic, natural, and cultural domains. Emphasizing the cultural and touristic significance of Karak Castle, Al-Ja’afara highlighted the importance of hosting festivals within the castle’s courtyard, adding that such events provide families with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the castle’s captivating history, thereby stimulating domestic tourism and strengthening the bond between visitors and the site’s rich heritage.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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In commemoration of its 30th anniversary, the Jordanian American Commission for Educational Exchange (JACEE) hosted a reception last Thursday with His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal as keynote speaker. Prince El Hassan praised the history of Fulbright in Jordan, noting that Fulbright embodies the principle of transcendence of identities, cultures, faiths and religions, and lines of thought across boundaries, and towards a plurality of respect. “These are the values and practices that Fulbright scholars are revered for, and it is precisely what we intended when we opened the ‘Fulbright House’ in Amman on December 8, 1994,” His Royal Highness said at the reception, also attended by the United States Ambassador to Jordan Henry T. Wooster and United States Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield. Prince El Hassan highlighted the importance of encouraging and practicing learning by analogy to learn through experience, discourse across cultural boundaries, and reflection, emphasizing the importance of conversation as a meeting of minds to transform, reshape facts and draw different implications from them and engage in new trains of thoughts. Also speaking at the reception, Ambassador Wooster celebrated the achievements of Jordanian Fulbright alumni as truly exceptional. “Jordanian Fulbright alumni include influential figures, such as government ministers, diplomats, performing artists, and leaders of academic, NGO, and business communities. The ripple effect from people-to-people connections made during a study abroad experience expands throughout a lifetime and for generations to come,” he said at the reception. Assistant Secretary Satterfield underscored the importance of Fulbright programs in Jordan and globally, saying: “Today, we use that foundational value of mutual understanding to pursue a world of more shared peace and shared prosperity in key, tangible ways -from more economic opportunity and employability to a cure for the latest global health challenge to a historic peace plan, or perhaps to teach a new generation of future leaders.” The Commission’s Executive Director, Edward Prados, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for all those who have supported and participated in the Fulbright Program over the years. He said: “The Fulbright Program is more than just an educational exchange program; it is a transformative experience that builds bridges of understanding and friendship between our two countries. I am honored to lead this prestigious institution and to continue its legacy of excellence and impact. I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to enhance and diversify our programs and to create more opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration.” The reception honored the achievements and contributions of the Fulbright alumni community and celebrated the enduring partnership between Jordan and the United States – which the Government of Jordan has honored by increasing its financial support to the Commission in order to help support more funding for Jordanian Fulbright candidates. Current and former Commission Board Members, Jordanian and American Fulbright alumni, current Fulbright grantees, representatives of higher education institutions in Jordan, and other friends of the Fulbright Program also attended the reception. Since its establishment in May 1993, JACEE, it has awarded over 1,500 grants to Jordanians and Americans to study, conduct research, and teach in each other’s countries, with the aim of creating and fostering greater cooperation between the peoples of Jordan and the United States. The Fulbright Commission in Jordan is one of 49 binational commissions around the world that administer the Fulbright Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. In addition to celebrating its past accomplishments, the Fulbright Commission is looking forward to expanding opportunities for academic and cultural exchange in the future. The Commission is currently accepting applications from Jordanian citizens for Fulbright Grants to the United States for the academic year 2024-2025. These grants provide funding for graduate studies, research projects, teaching assistantships, and professional development programs in various disciplines. The deadline for applications is June 29, 2023. The Fulbright Commission invites interested individuals to visit its website at www.fulbright.org.jo for more information about its programs and activities. The Commission also encourages the public to follow its social media accounts at “Fulbright Jordan” on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay updated on its news and events.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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Source: Jordan News Agency

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Source: Jordan News Agency

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Rainfall registered since the start of the wet season has increased to 113.5 percent of Jordan’s long-term average of 8.1 billion cubic meters, constituting 143 percent of total downpours last year, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. It said in a statement on Thursday that precipitation levels during the same period of last year stood at 78.5 percent, adding that the recent depression has raised precipitation to “good levels” compared to the annual average. About two million cubic meters (mcm) were channeled into dams across Jordan, upping their storage to 122mcm, or 43.5 percent of their total 280.759 mcm capacity.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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Lebanon’s economy has contracted by around 30 percent since 2017, its currency lost 90 percent of its value, its unemployment rate skyrocketed and over half of its households are below the poverty level.

To combat its economic crisis, Lebanon needs significant financial assistance. Therefore, it struck a deal with the International Monetary Fund in April 2022 on a $3-billion loan needed to save the country’s economy.

But almost a year after the agreement was signed, officials have yet to implement the reforms needed to launch the 46-month financing programme.

Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, who headed an IMF delegation that visited Lebanon on Thursday, said the fund believes the country “is at a very dangerous moment, at a crossroads” and without a change in policy, it will remain in a “never-ending crisis”.

Earlier in September, the IMF had condemned Beirut’s “very slow” progress on implementing these reforms. Now parliamentary elections scheduled for mid-May are approaching and all eyes are on the country’s legislators.

So what are the requirements and what is causing the approval delay?

1. Tackling weak governance

Reforms require the cooperation of all of the country’s institutions (the presidency, the government and the parliament) but political inaction has been a hallmark of the Lebanese economic crisis.

Since last year, the country has had no president and only a caretaker government, amid persistent deadlock between rival blocs in parliament.

Former President Michel Aoun left office on October 31 after completing a six-year term, without lawmakers agreeing on a successor.

The country has also been without a fully functioning government since May, with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and his cabinet having limited powers in their current caretaker status.

“It can take months for religious sects and political parties to agree on a prime minister, while efforts to form a government often get bogged down in political horse-trading,” reporters Dana Khraiche and Maria Elena Vizcaino report for Bloomberg.

“While a caretaker government could still draft laws, its prerogatives are limited and it may not be able to sign off on a deal with the Washington-based lender or drive through measures with potentially long-lasting ramifications,” they added.

As part of the agreement to tackle weak goverance, the IMF said “the reforms to enhance transparency must be centred on strengthening the anti-corruption framework and improving the performance of state-owned enterprises, particularly the energy sector.”

It said this should also include audits of the central bank and the electricity provider.

2. Implementing fiscal strategy

The government estimates losses in the financial system total more than $70 billion, the majority of which were accrued at the central bank. To tackle this, the IMF says Lebanon must implement a new fiscal strategy.

It called on Lebanon to combine deep debt restructuring and reforms “to restore credibility, predictability and transparency of the fiscal framework”.

It also said to expand the social safety net that is “essential to protect the most vulnerable.”

3. Restructuring of financial sector

The IMF has called on Lebanon to recognise “upfront the losses at private banks and the central bank.”

The fund wants these financial sector losses to be distributed in a way that preserves the rights of small depositors and limits recourse to state assets, though powerful politicians and banks have pushed back, delaying the recovery.

“Suffice it to say that the loss is so large that there will unfortunately have to be a distribution between the government, the banks and depositors,” Rigo said.

Still, he said that the IMF would “never walk away” from helping a member country and there was no deadline for Lebanon to implement the reforms.

In order to recognise the losses at private banks and the central bank, it suggests Lebanon run evaluations of each of the country’s largest 14 banks with external assistance.

In addition, it suggested the country should audit the central bank’s foreign asset position and pass a banking secrecy law, both of which authorities have done as well as passing a 2022 budget.

But the IMF’s statement on Thursday said the revised banking secrecy law should be amended again “to address outstanding critical weaknesses”.

4. Establishing credible monetary, exchange rate system

As reforms drag, the market value of the Lebanese pound reached historic lows against the US dollar this month, prompting hundreds to take to the streets and protest deteriorating living conditions on Wednesday.

The pound has been fluctuating at more than 100,000 against the greenback – a dizzying plunge from 1,507 before the economic crisis hit in 2019.

The currency plunge has been devastating for those on public sector salaries, and has triggered price hikes on imported fuel, food and other basic goods. Supermarkets this month started to price items in dollars.

Lebanese banks have imposed draconian withdrawal restrictions since then, essentially locking depositors out of their life savings and infuriating the Lebanese.

Therefore, the IMF calls for “the unification of multiple exchange rates and accompanied temporarily by formal capital controls.”

“That’s a step the central bank has refused to take alone. It wants parliamentary backing amid concerns that a full currency liberalisation would unleash a new cycle of price rises at a time when food and fuel costs are surging,” reports Bloomberg.

But Rigo insists that Lebanon should move towards a market-determined exchange rate, rather than maintaining multiple rates including the central bank’s Sayrafa exchange rate, which is not set by market forces.

Source: TRTworld.com

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Anti-mafia writer Roberto Saviano is to make his debut as a film director with an animated feature based on a comic he co-authored on his early-life experience with the violence of the Neapolitan Mafia and how exposing them irrevocably changed his life.

The cartoon, Sono Ancora Vivo ((I’m Still Alive) is taken from the graphic novel of the same name 43-year-old Saviano wrote and Israeli comics artists Asaf Hanuka drew, Variety reported Monday.

It will be Saviano’s first cinema work on the Camorra since Matteo Garrone’s 2008 film Gomorrah, taken from Saviano’s bestelling expose’ of the same name that forced him into round-the-clock police protection.

Sono Ancora Vivo delves into how the writer’s life was transformed after he lifted the lid on the Naples Mob and in particular the bloody and powerful Casalesi clan whose death threats earned him his life with a constant police escort that has inevitably meant an existence almost on the run from the Camorra.

After the film of Gomorrah, which won the second prize at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Saviano’s life became even more protected and he found it hard to keep up an ordinary family existence.

Gomorra, a play on Camorra, later inspired a TV series of the same name which was an international hit.

Hanuka is one of Israel’s top cartoonists and worked on Ari Felman’s 2008 reflection on the war in Lebanon in 1982, Waltz with Bashir, which won the 2009 Golden Globe for best animated feature.

Sono Ancora Vivo is an international coproduction of MAD Entertainment and Lucky Red (Italy), GapBusters (Belgium) and SIPUR (Israel).

It has been written by Saviano with Alessandro Rak, Filippo Bologna, and Stefano Piedimonte.

The project will be presented in Bordeaux during the upcoming Cartoon Movie Festival which will run from Tuesday to Thursday, March 7-9, in the French city. (ANSA).

Source: ANSA News Agency

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