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AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday visited the Bunayat Centre for Special Education, which provides education, training, and vocational rehabilitation services for people with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.

His Majesty was briefed by HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan, founder and honorary president of the Young Muslim Women’s Association and the Bunayat Centre for Special Education affiliated with it, on the centre’s role in helping students increase their self-reliance, qualifying them academically and professionally, and preparing them to engage in the labour market, a Royal Court statement said. 

Princess Sarvath talked about the centre’s programmes and services, which include academic programmes, daily life skills development, extracurricular activities, counselling, behaviour modification, and integration into regular schools, as well as networking with institutions to provide students with employment opportunities.

Her Royal Highness also highlighted the centre’s community awareness efforts, which include communication with parents of children with disabilities and the provision of support services, such as meetings and courses, to empower them to manage and help their children, according to the statement. 

The centre has received ‘gold’ accreditation from the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and has multiple departments that cater to students based on their age and disability. Students over the age of 18 are trained in vocational skills such as ceramics, mosaics, carpentry, weaving, agriculture and nutrition.

During the visit, the King was briefed on the services and vocational activities offered to the centre’s 190 students, and visited a number of departments and classrooms, including ones dedicated to occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, autism spectrum disorder, and home economics, as well as the computer lab.

His Majesty was accompanied by Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafzah.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met on Monday with his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and the latest developments in Lebanon.

During the meeting, the two ministers underscored the urgent need to stop the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and fully implement the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Safadi reaffirmed Jordan's unwavering support for Lebanon’s security, stability, and sovereignty, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

He also emphasised the Kingdom’s commitment to assisting Lebanon in revitalising its state institutions and advancing reconstruction efforts following the election of a new president and prime minister.

Raggi expressed gratitude for Jordan’s steadfast support, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, and its diplomatic efforts to mobilise international action against the ongoing aggression while ensuring full adherence to the ceasefire.

The top diplomats also reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation across various sectors and reinforcing the deep ties between the two nations.

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned the terrorist attack on a mosque in the village of Fambita, western Niger, which resulted in numerous casualties and injuries.

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah, reaffirmed Jordan’s solidarity with Niger during this tragic event, emphasising the Kingdom’s firm rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.

Qudah also extended condolences to the government and people of Niger, as well as to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured, according to a ministry statement.

AMMAN — The Lower House on Monday approved the 2025 draft amended Customs Law by a majority vote and referred the 2025 Buildings and Lands Tax Bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Economy and Investment.

During a session chaired by Speaker Ahmed Safadi and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and members of the government team, Articles 13 to 25 of the amended Customs Law were approved, following the approval of Articles 1 to 12 in a previous session.

According to its validating reasons, the amended Customs Bylaw aims to enhance efficiency, streamline procedures, and improve Jordan’s investment climate and economic competitiveness, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

It also grants the Customs Department greater flexibility by allowing specialised personnel to handle clearance and cargo release, enforce relevant regulations and conduct post-clearance audits in line with international standards.

The amendments also accelerate clearance procedures, ensure access to necessary information while maintaining banking confidentiality, and introduce electronic notifications for customs-related decisions.

Additionally, customs officials can now conduct inspections remotely if electronic systems allow monitoring without requiring the physical presence of the concerned party.

Lawmakers also raised a series of parliamentary questions, with government responses on several key issues. MPs inquired about the Attarat project agreement, which was directed to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh. They also requested information on the progress of genetic mapping, directed to Health Minister Firas Hawari.

Lawmakers questioned the government regarding plans to establish a wastewater treatment plant in the Zarqa River area, requesting specific details on its exact location. In addition, MPs raised concerns about the use of smart applications in public transportation, to which Minister of Transport Wissam Tahtamouni responded that the government is currently reviewing the licensing regulations for the sector.

MPs also sought information on efforts to address traffic congestion in Amman. The minister explained that traffic-related issues are within the ministry’s jurisdiction. Regarding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project between Zarqa and Amman, the minister noted that it is still in the trial phase and has shown encouraging passenger numbers. On the Hejaz Railway project, she confirmed that feasibility studies are currently underway.

AMMAN — The Southern Military Zone on Monday foiled a drug smuggling attempt involving a drone along the Kingdom's western frontier.

A source from the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) said that the Border Guards in the Southern Military Zone detected the drone attempting to cross into the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Army personnel applied the rules of engagement and shot down the drone inside the Jordanian territory.

The drone was then handed over to relevant authorities.

The source stressed that the JAF deals firmly with all threats along the border fronts and with any attempts aimed at undermining the security of the nation and terrorising its citizens.

AMMAN — Customs personnel at Queen Alia International Airport, in cooperation with security agencies, have foiled an attempt by an Arab passenger to smuggle 204 artefacts out of the Kingdom, according to the Jordan Customs Department.

The department said on Monday that airport customs officers conducted a thorough search of the passenger, uncovering the concealed artefacts.

Experts from the Department of Antiquities were consulted, confirming the items' authenticity as historical artefacts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The seized antiquities are now being prepared for official handover to the Department of Antiquities.

The Jordan Customs Department reaffirmed its commitment to combating all forms of smuggling, stressing that its personnel, in cooperation with security and oversight agencies, remain vigilant across all border customs centres to protect the Kingdom’s economic and cultural heritage.

AMMAN — The Preventive Security Unit said on Monday that it has arrested an Asian national suspected of orchestrating a phishing scam that targeted citizens with fraudulent text messages.

According to a spokesperson from the Public Security Directorate (PSD), the scam came to light on Sunday when several citizens received deceptive messages that appeared to be from Jordanian police, adding that the messages falsely claimed that recipients needed to click a link to check their traffic violation records and avoid penalties.

"In response, authorities swiftly initiated an investigation, assembling a specialized team from the Preventive Security Unit, Cybersecurity Unit, and Cybercrime Unit to track down the suspect, the spokesperson said. 

He also noted that investigators successfully blocked the fraudulent link, preventing further scams, adding that their investigation traced the origin of the messages to a sender operating within Jordan. 

"Using advanced tracking methods, security forces identified the suspect’s location in an apartment in northern Amman. A raid was carried out, leading to the suspect’s arrest."

A subsequent search of the premises uncovered a large number of SIM cards, magnetic cards, card readers, laptops, and other electronic devices associated with the scam. The spokesperson emphasised that investigations are ongoing.

AMMAN — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jordan announced on Sunday that the International Medical Corps (IMC) will discontinue its mental health services for refugees at its affiliated clinics starting June 10, 2025.

In a statement, UNHCR noted that refugees seeking psychological support for the first time can access specialised mental health services at various Ministry of Health facilities across the country.

These services will be offered at reduced rates, equivalent to the fees paid by uninsured Jordanian citizens who can afford treatment. Access to these services requires possession of a valid UNHCR-issued refugee document for all refugees, and for Syrian refugees, a Ministry of Interior security card.

UNHCR urged refugees to visit the nearest government health centre for assistance. The commission also assured that current patients receiving treatment through IMC, with active medical files, will be contacted by the IMC team to guide their cases moving forward.

AMMAN — The Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ) on Monday held its Ordinary General Assembly meeting on Monday, amid a dynamic financial landscape and evolving economic challenges.

Chaired by Bassem Khalil Al Salem, the virtual meeting brought together representatives from all banks operating in Jordan to evaluate the sector’s performance and strategies for the year ahead.

The General Assembly reviewed the Board of Directors’ annual report on the association’s 2024 activities and examined the audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2024.

In a statement provided to The Jordan Times, Salem delivered a comprehensive analysis of Jordan’s economic performance, highlighting that the country’s GDP grew by 2.4 per cent during the first three quarters of 2024.

He also noted that inflation remained controlled at 1.56 perc ent, while the unemployment rate decreased to 21.4 per cent. On the fiscal front, the budget deficit, after grants, widened by 12.8 per cent, reaching 5.6 per cent of GDP. Public debt, including liabilities held by the Social Security Investment Fund, rose by 7.2 per cent to 122 per cent of GDP.

"Despite external pressures, Jordan’s banking sector continued to drive economic activity. Exports increased by 5.8 per cent, while imports grew by 4.5 per cent, contributing to a 3.2 per cent rise in the trade deficit compared to the previous year."

In the financial sector, total assets expanded by 5.6 per cent, credit facilities grew by 4.2 per cent, and total deposits saw a rise of 6.8 per cent.

Financial analyst Suzan Bourini emphasised that “Jordanian banks have maintained strong liquidity levels despite economic challenges.” She pointed to the steady growth in credit and deposits as a reflection of the sector’s resilience and adaptability to changing conditions.

The association’s 46th annual report also addressed interest rate movements and summarised key activities and achievements.

Banking governance consultant Hatem Hourani highlighted the critical role of partnership in sustaining growth within the sector. He noted that Jordanian banks have demonstrated effective coordination with regulators and industry stakeholders to navigate the evolving economic landscape.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a February Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to eight years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder a man in Amman in February 2021.

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of attempted murder on Jan. 12 and handed him a 12-year prison term.

However, the court reduced the sentence to eight years because the victim dropped charges against the defendant.

Court papers said the victim and the defendant had old feuds and would often argue about it.

On the day of the murder, the court maintained, the defendant invited the victim to his house to discuss the old feuds.

When the 43-year-old victim arrived, the court added, the two started arguing immediately.

“The defendant drew a gun and fired several rounds at the victim striking him in the leg,” court papers said.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and survived the shooting event due to medical intervention, according to court transcripts.

The defendant contested his ruling via his lawyer arguing that there were “legal errors in the investigation procedures”.

The Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the eight-year sentence.

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court proceedings were accurate and that the defendant was given the appropriate punishment.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mahmoud Ebtoush, Nayef Samarat, Hammad Ghzawi, Mohammad Shreiri, and Mohammad Khashashneh.