US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Washington on Wednesday, as the threat of mass starvation in Gaza continues to increase.
The two discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, with Mr Rubio thanking Mr Safadi for "Jordan's leadership in advancing regional security and stability," State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Mr Rubio also stressed the need for dialogue to alleviate the crisis in southern Syria and highlighted the "importance of protecting civilians on all sides."
Syria is reeling from a week of deadly fighting in the Druze heartland of Sweida. What began as clashes between Druze militia and Sunni Bedouin fighters, escalated when Syrian government forces were sent in and when Israeli intervened with strikes. The US brokered a ceasefire between Syria and Israel.
The statement said Mr Rubio and Mr Safadi also met to discuss the "trilateral agreement between the United States, Jordan, and Syria to maintain the ceasefire in Syria."
Mr Safadi is in the midst of a tour of North America. Earlier this week, he met Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
Mr Safadi’s trip to Canada was part of a “working visit” to the country by King Abdullah II.
King Abdullah met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday in Ottawa, the first meeting between the leaders since Mr Carney was elected in March.
They discussed a host of issues, including ways to “enhance the partnership between Jordan and Canada, as well as the latest developments in the region”, Jordan’s State News Agency said.
Canada pledged $28 million to help Jordan bolster its border security, the Canadian Prime Minister’s office said.
“The Prime Minister and His Majesty also discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the imperative of a ceasefire in Gaza, called for urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid to reach civilians, and the imperative for stability in Syria,” the Prime Minister’s office said.
The situation in Gaza appears to be further worsening, with the threat of mass starvation increasing in the densely populated strip.
“A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation – and it's man-made,” said World Health Organisation Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.
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So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
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Anti-semitic attacks
The annual report by the Community Security Trust, which advises the Jewish community on security , warned on Thursday that anti-Semitic incidents in Britain had reached a record high.
It found there had been 2,255 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2021, a rise of 34 per cent from the previous year.
The report detailed the convictions of a number of people for anti-Semitic crimes, including one man who was jailed for setting up a neo-Nazi group which had encouraged “the eradication of Jewish people” and another who had posted anti-Semitic homemade videos on social media.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
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