Jordan’s King Abdullah II on Monday swore in a new prime minister and Cabinet, tasking the new government to manage the country through an economic and health crisis as it faces a growing wave of coronavirus infections.
The new Cabinet features familiar and new faces, with eight ministers from the last administration keeping their roles, 10 former ministers from previous governments returning and 13 first time ministers.
Here's what you need to know about the new Cabinet:
Prime Minister: Bisher Al Khasawneh
A veteran diplomat and peace negotiator, Mr Al Khasawneh is seen by insiders and observers as a new face but also trusted pubic servant tasked with steering the country through health, economic, as well as a potential constitutional crisis should Coronavirus postpone November’s elections.
Mr Al Khasawneh most recently served as an adviser to King Abdullah. Previously he served stints as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (2016-17) and Minister of State for Legal Affairs (2017-18), each posting lasting less than a year. Mr Al Khasawneh served as Jordan’s ambassador to Egypt, the Arab League, the African Union, France and Unesco.
Minister of Interior: Tawfiq Basha Al Halalmeh
Tawfiq Basha Al Halalmeh served as the first director of Jordan’s gendarmerie from 2008-10, helping establishing the security forces and transforming them into an elite internal security and anti-terrorism force.
Since his retirement, the gendarmerie has emerged as the dominant security force in the kingdom, deployed to Jordanian streets more and more frequently in recent years in response to protests, work stoppages, and now the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Al Halalmeh is seen as an influential voice in Jordan’s security sector and had been named a senator last month.
Minister of Media Affairs: Ali Al Ayad
Ali Al Ayad is serving as Minister of Media for the second time, previously serving the role in 2010-11 through the outbreak of the Arab uprisings. Mr Al Ayad's experience is as a veteran diplomat and political analyst specialising in the kingdom's most vital neighbours and allies, having served as Jordan's ambassador to Tel Aviv from 2006-2010, deputy ambassador in Jordan's embassy in Washington from 1997-2001 and as director of the prime ministry's political affairs unit.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs: Umayya Toukan
Few are as well-versed in the last two decades of Jordan’s fiscal and monetary policies than Umayya Toukan, who previously served as finance minister at the height of Jordan’s debt crisis in 2014. He also steered the country’s monetary policy as governor of the Central Bank of Jordan from 2001 to 2006, and was an influential voice on Jordan’s monetary approach as senator when appointed to the senate in 2010.
Minister of Health: Dr Nathir Obeidat
An internist and specialist in respiratory diseases, Dr Obeidat rose to national prominence this year as the spokesperson and face of the government’s Covid-19 taskforce. His measured and sober assessments of the virus and its potential rapid spread in Jordan served as an antidote to his hyperbolic and oft-quotable predecessor, outgoing health minister Saad Al Jaber.
Dr Obeidat advocated for early preventative measures in the country, frankly laying out the potential duration and cost of the pandemic in nightly televised interviews.
His cautious approach has raised his stock among citizens and decision-makers as his predictions of the virus’s spread and communal transmission came true. Dr Obeidat previously served as dean of the internal medicine faculty at the University of Jordan.
Minister of Labour: Maen Qatamin
In a surprise addition, serving in the crucial position of Minister of Labour in a country battling historic unemployment levels, is Maen Qatamin, an economist and an outspoken critic of the government.
In the past two years, Mr Qatamin had emerged as a political social media influencer via his YouTube channel in which he deconstructs government claims and policies and offers powerful rebukes in Jordanian colloquialisms.
Mr Qatamin is seen by observers as a political independent untethered by ties to political parties or traditional power structures. He serves as a director of Knowledge Horizon, a distance learning and learning innovation firm.
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ayman Safadi
By returning, Ayman Safadi, who has served as Jordan’s top diplomat since 2017, has not only extended his calm level-headed stay as foreign minister, but cemented his central role balancing Jordanian foreign policy at a time its ties with traditional allies - particularly Washington - are being upended.
Before becoming Minister of Foreign Affairs, Safadi twice served as an advisor to King Abdullah at the royal court, director of the Royal Court's Media Department, a spokesman for the UN Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), and editor-in chief at The Jordan Times and later Al Ghad newspapers.
The best of the rest
Minister of Education
Tayseer Al Nuaimi, returning from the previous government
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
Hala Zawaiti, returning from the previous government.
Minister of Justice
Bassam al Talhouni, returning from the previous government
Minister of Political Affairs
Musa al-Maaytah, returning from the previous government
Minister of Finance
Mohammed al-Ississ, returning from the previous government
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs
Mohammad al-Khalaileh, returning from the previous government
Minister of Culture
Bassam al-Towaisi
Deputy Prime Minister for Local Administration
Tawfiq Krishan
Minister of State for Legal Affairs
Ahmad Ziadat
Minister of Public Works and Housing
Yahya Al-Kasabi
Minister of Agriculture
Mohammad Daoudiyeh
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities
Nayef Al-Fayez
Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs
Ibrahim Al-Jazi
Minister of Planning
Nasser Shraideh
Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply
Maha Al-Ali
Minister of Water and Irrigation
Motasem Saidan
Minister of Transport
Marwan Kheitan
Minister of Institutional Development
Rabaa Ajarmeh
Minister of Higher Educaiton
Mohammad Abu Qudais
Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepeneurship
Ahmad Al-Hanandeh
Minister of Youth
Mohammad Al-Nabulsi
Minister of Social Development
Aymen Mufleh
Minister of Environment
Nabil Masarwa
Minister of State
Mahmoud Kharabsheh
Minister of State for Governmental Affairs
Nawaf Al Tal
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
SCHEDULE
6.30pm Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,600m
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap Dh210,000 (D) 2,000m
9.25pm:Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Amith's predicted winners:
6.30pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.05pm: Etisalat
7.40pm: Mulfit
8.15pm: Pennsylvania Dutch
8.50pm: Mudallel
9.25pm: Midnight Sands
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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India team for Sri Lanka series
Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.
T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
