JERUSALEM/AMMAN: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stopped an Israeli lawmaker from taking on a Jordanian counterpart in a fist-fight on Wednesday over a diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors.
The July 23 shooting to death of two Jordanians by an Israeli Embassy guard who said he was acting in self-defense has outraged Amman, stirred up pro-Palestinian sentiment in the kingdom and prompted US mediation efforts.
Oren Hazan, a member of Netanyahu’s rightist Likud party, had tweeted on the day of the shooting that Jordanians “who we keep supplied with water and whose butts we defend day and night” needed “re-education.”
His comments prompted a challenge from a similarly fiery lawmaker in Jordan. “Let him meet me, if he is a man,” Yahya Soud said on Twitter.
They were due to square off against each other on Wednesday morning on the border.
As the appointed time neared, both men posted images of themselves on social media driving to the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
But Hazan’s journey was cut short after Netanyahu’s office ordered him to turn around. A statement from the prime minister’s office did not say why Netanyahu had stopped the fight from proceeding. There was no immediate comment from Jordan.
Hazan said on Twitter he was disappointed the encounter had not taken place. Soud told reporters he had been “serious about going down to the bridge and busting this dirty man’s nose.” Netanyahu stepped in, Soud said, because Israelis “can’t face up to Jordanians.”
In 1994, Jordan became the second of only two Arab countries to make peace with Israel.
Netanyahu calls off fistfight between Israeli, Jordanian lawmakers
Netanyahu calls off fistfight between Israeli, Jordanian lawmakers
Recipes for Success: Chef Garnaras Giorgos of Parea Greek Brasserie talks cooking with love
RIYADH: Parea Greek Brasserie, newly opened at the Hilton Riyadh Olaya, aims “to present Greek cuisine in a way that respects tradition but also embraces innovation,” head chef Garnaras Giorgos tells Arab News.
“Parea offers a unique experience, not only through the stunning scenery and view but also through my personal take on Greek cuisine. I bring flavors and memories from across Greece — from Cyprus to the Zagori mountains and northern Greece. What I aim to offer my guests is a taste of my journey, along with a deep appreciation for Santorini, where I spent five years learning to respect nature and use exceptional ingredients.”
The Greek chef says his grandfathers were his first mentors. “I vividly remember when I was four, standing alongside both my grandfathers — Panayioti and Yiorgo (whom I was named after). They were showing me how to prepare a whole lamb on the spit for our family celebrations. It’s a cherished memory I’ll never forget,” he explains.
“I’ve been in love with food since a very young age, and that passion is the main driving force behind my career,” he adds.
Here, he talks to Arab News about his time in Saudi Arabia, his top tip for amateur chefs and his management style.
What has it been like living and working in Saudi Arabia so far?
Having lived in various countries, what stands out most to me here is the sense of safety. I’ve never felt more secure. I’m still taking time to integrate into the local culture, which I deeply admire. I make it a point to explore new places in my free time.
What’s your top tip for amateurs?
Focus on using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. When you cook with what’s available at the right time of year, the results will always be delicious.
What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish?
Love! When you cook with love, the food is guaranteed to be full of flavor and soul.
When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?
I try to simply enjoy the moment and savor the flavors. I focus on the positives and appreciate the effort that goes into the dish, rather than being overly critical.
What’s your favorite cuisine to order?
It really depends on my mood. I can go from street food to a fine dining experience — I’m always eager to try something new.
What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home?
Trahanas — a traditional Greek hearty soup. It’s quick, healthy and full of flavor. I actually make my version of it at Parea.
What customer request most annoys you?
I’m usually able to accommodate any request. The key is understanding the guest’s needs and finding a way to deliver.
What’s your favorite dish to cook and why?
There’s no one particular dish — I love the ones that bring back memories, especially those with a story behind them. So I’d say anything hearty with personal significance.
What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right?
The whole quail. It’s a dish that always presents a challenge — but it’s also an opportunity to perfect my technique.
Pare
Relaxed? Quite the opposite! While we do have our fun moments, when it’s busy there’s no room for democracy in the kitchen. It’s all about precision, teamwork and getting the job done efficiently.
Pakistan establishes ‘challenge fund’ for climate-resilient infrastructure
- The South Asian country has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, cyclones and droughts in recent years
- Pakistan has since launched various initiatives to build resilience against climate change, including the launch of a satellite this month to predict natural disasters
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s climate change ministry has established a “challenge fund” for climate-resilient infrastructure in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Wednesday.
A challenge fund is a competitive funding mechanism that allocates resources to projects that address social or environmental challenges. Designed to encourage innovation and collaboration, these funds can be used to support small businesses, public sector and, other organizations.
The “Challenge Fund for Climate Resilient Infrastructure” would be funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and jointly implemented by GIZ Pakistan, a German organization working on sustainable development projects, and Adam Smith International (ASI) global advisory firm.
Pakistani officials say the initiative is designed to reinforce Pakistan’s adaptive capacity in the face of increasing climate challenges, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“This initiative aims to bolster the country’s infrastructure resilience against the impacts of climate change and support the construction of sustainable and adaptive infrastructure across vulnerable regions,” Aisha Humera Moriani, secretary of the Pakistani climate change ministry, was quoted as saying.
Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
The South Asian country has since launched various initiatives to build resilience against climate change, including the launch of a satellite this month to help predict natural disasters and monitor resources.
Romina Khurshid Alam, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coordinator on climate change, said the fund’s launch marked a “significant milestone” in the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to adapt to climate change.
“This innovative fund will empower provinces and local governments to develop and implement innovative infrastructure projects that are not only climate-resilient, but also contribute to sustainable development goals and the well-being of local communities,” she said.
Cold snap chills New York City’s rats, and heats up the fight against them
- The United States’ most populous city has been spared the Upper Midwest’s extreme wind chills, not to mention the shock of record-breaking snow in the deep South
NEW YORK: This week’s frigid weather has many New York City residents shivering, scurrying into cozy spots and feeling sapped. Including the rats.
The United States’ most populous city has been spared the Upper Midwest’s extreme wind chills, not to mention the shock of record-breaking snow in the deep South, in this week’s Arctic blast. But temperatures peaked Monday around 26 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 Celsius) and roughly 20 degrees (-7 Celsius) Tuesday and Wednesday, well below average.
Such cold has, yes, a chilling effect on the Big Apple’s notorious rodents. But it boosts efforts to get rid of them, says city “rat czar” Kathleen Corradi.
“It’s stressing out rats. It’s putting them in their burrows,” she says. “So we kind of get to double down now while the rats are ‘feeling the heat’ from this cold snap.”
New York City’s wild rat species — Rattus norvegicus, also called the Norway rat or brown rat — doesn’t hibernate in winter but does become less active when the weather is freezing for prolonged periods. At the same time, the rodent’s food source tends to shrivel because people are out less and therefore discarding few food wrappers and other rat snacks on the streets, Corradi said.
All that makes for stressed rats and suppresses breeding, which “is really their superpower,” Corradi said. Norway rats can reproduce many times a year, essentially any time conditions are suitable, though they tend to be most prolific from spring through fall.
Jason Munshi-South, a Drexel University ecology professor who has researched New York City’s rats, said those that are already holed up in subway tunnels, sewers, crawlspaces or other nooks can weather the cold fairly well.
Rats that haven’t secured a hideaway might venture to unusual places, such as car engine blocks. Or a tempting basement? Perhaps, if building owners haven’t diligently blocked them out.
But Munshi-South said some of the animals likely will freeze to death, especially if they’re already sick, malnourished or otherwise weakened.
“Harsh winters like we are having so far will keep the rat population at a lower level if we have sustained cold, freezing periods,” he said in an email.
All of that, Corradi said, allows the city’s rat-fighters to make headway ahead of the warmer months.
There’s no official count of New York City’s rats, but no one disputes that they have long been legion. Successive city administrations have tried various approaches to eliminating or at least reducing them.
Current Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat who has battled the critters at his own Brooklyn home, created Corradi’s position — officially, the director of rodent mitigation — about two years ago. Adams’ administration also has focused on requiring trash “containerization,” otherwise known as putting household and business garbage into enclosed bins instead of piling refuse-filled plastic bags on the curb.
Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attack on West Bank’s Jenin
- Gunfire, explosions rocked Jenin on Wednesday as Israeli military kept up large-scale raid for second day
- The operation, launched just days after a ceasefire in Gaza, has left at least 10 Palestinians dead
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israeli forces’ attack in the occupied West Bank’s Jenin area, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
Gunfire and explosions rocked Jenin on Wednesday, an AFP journalist reported, as the Israeli military kept up a large-scale raid for a second day.
The operation, launched just days after a ceasefire paused more than a year of fighting in Gaza, has left at least 10 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Israeli officials have said the raid is part of a broader campaign against militants in the West Bank, citing thousands of attack attempts since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023.
“The Kingdom renews its demand for the international community to assume its responsibilities towards halting Israeli violations of relevant international laws and treaties,” a Saudi foreign ministry statement read.
Saudi Arabia warned that the continuation of these violations might cause the fighting and chaos to return to occupied Palestinian territories, thus risking the security and safety of civilians and undermining chances of peace in the region.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia resolve to further strengthen economic ties
- Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb briefed his Saudi counterpart on Pakistan’s economic reforms on World Economic Forum sidelines
- Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and allies, and signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion in Oct. last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan in Davos, wherein the two figures agreed to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit which is being held on Jan. 20-24 under the theme, ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’.
Aurangzeb briefed his Saudi counterpart on structural reforms, fiscal discipline and regulatory improvements that had contributed to improved investment climate in Pakistan, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the economic and financial ties between the two countries for shared prosperity,” the report read.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close regional partners and economic allies, and both countries signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion in October last year. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top destination for remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
On Tuesday, Aurangzeb also met Saudi National Bank Chairman Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Ghamdi in Davos and discussed with him banking sector partnerships between the two countries, Pakistan’s finance ministry said.
“The two leaders discussed potential financial cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly focusing on strengthening partnerships in the banking sector,” the finance ministry said in a statement.
The Saudi Export-Import Bank and Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah have also signed a $15 million financing agreement on the WEF sidelines, strengthening access to Pakistani markets and boosting trade and economic ties.
