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Cassation Court upholds over 3-year sentence for drug dealer

By - Mar 01,2025 - Last updated at Mar 01,2025

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a July 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling, sentencing a drug dealer to over three years in prison after convicting him of possessing illegal narcotics in Amman in January 2022.

The court declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics with the intent of selling the drugs to an undercover agent on January  31.

The SSC handed the defendant five years in prison for the offence of possessing illegal narcotics and ordered him to pay JD5,000 in fines.

However, the court decided to reduce the fine to JD3,500 and the prison term to three years and four months in prison to give the defendant a second chance in life.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of illegal narcotics and sent one of its agents to pose as a buyer.

“The AND agent got in touch with the defendant and asked him for five Captagon pills in return for JD10,” court documents said.

When the two met, AND agents immediately arrested the suspect, court papers added.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that the court “did not provide solid evidence to implicate his client”.

The lawyer argued that the prosecution also used “weak evidence to implicate my clients”.

Meanwhile, the SSC prosecution office asked the higher court to uphold the sentence and the fine imposed on the defendant.

The higher court maintained that the SSC had followed the proper procedures in issuing the sentence against the defendant.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs to sell in the local market,” the higher court said.

The Court of Cassation judges were Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat, Mohammad Khashashneh, Qassem Dughmi and Hammad Ghzawi.

 

 

 

Winner of 'Mexican Ambassador for a Day' competition announced

By - Mar 01,2025 - Last updated at Mar 01,2025

The Mexican embassy in Jordan on Friday announces that Sarah Abu Ghoush won the "Mexican Ambassador for a Day" competition (Photo courtesy of the Mexican embassy)

AMMAN — The Mexican embassy in Jordan on Friday, in celebration of International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, announced the winner of the "Mexican Ambassador for a Day" competition, Sarah Abu Ghoush, and hosted a special screening of the inspirational Mexican documentary “42.195.”

These initiatives align with the United Nations Women’s Campaign, emphasising empowerment and gender equality.

The “Mexican Ambassador for a Day” competition targeted young Jordanian girls aged 14 to 17. Participants were invited to submit essays on Mexican culture, the role of an ambassador, and how they would boost the bilateral relations between Mexico and Jordan if given the opportunity, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

During the event, Abu Ghoush was presented with a diploma recognising her as the winner of the competition.

She will have the unique opportunity to assume the role of the Mexican ambassador to Jordan for a day and will be honoured as a special guest at Mexico’s National Day celebration on September 16.

Directed by Alejandro Strauss, from Mexico, the “42.195” documentary explores running marathons as a journey of transformation and empowerment.

It tells the inspiring stories of four women from diverse continents and cultures: Rebby from Kenya, Marcela from Mexico City, Natacha from Spain, and Verónica from Ciudad Juárez, in northern Mexico.

Despite their different socioeconomic backgrounds and challenges, each woman found strength and the true meaning of achievement, the statement said.

The film sheds light on remarkable individuals who embark on extraordinary journeys, highlighting their motivations, challenges, adventures, and the discipline required to compete in marathons. It ultimately portrays the human desire for ambition, perseverance, and victory, according to the statement.

Impact of climate change on cultural heritage: Middle East at risk

By - Mar 01,2025 - Last updated at Mar 01,2025

Cardo, an architectural backbone of ancient Gerasa (modern Jerash) built in the 2nd century AD (Photo by Saeb Rawashdeh)

AMMAN — The climate change directly affects monuments in different parts of the world. The current climate of the Middle East ranges from mostly temperate in its northern half to extremely arid in its southern half.

Precipitation falls mainly November through April, the most abundant amounts falling in the region’s northern half. However, due to climate change, some winters are colder and with more precipitation. For a few years, rain fell in May and early June which was not the case 20-30 years ago.

These environmental conditions, especially the timing and abundance of precipitation, play a key role in the region’s economies, whether industry, tourism, or, perhaps most importantly, agriculture, noted Professor Benjamin Porter from Berkeley University.

Porter added that the extent to which countries depend on agriculture for food and jobs varies across the region and is contingent on the availability of arable land, labour forces, and proximity to markets.

"Exacerbating the current economic situation even more are the region’s relatively high unemployment and underemployment levels coupled with the destabilizing events of the past decade, including international wars, civil wars, and the Arab Spring that have introduced volatility and uncertainty into local and national governance," Porter underlined.

The professor noted that models developed in the last decade that considers a two- and four-degree increase in global temperature levels before 2050 together project substantial changes in global and regional climate patterns.

These changes will impact the Middle East’s environment in several ways.

Annual summer temperatures will increase and episodes of intense heat will become more common. Winter precipitation levels will also become more erratic; while the southern half of the region will see decreased levels, the northern half may experience extreme unpredictable storms that could cause flooding, Porter elaborated.

The professor added that high-altitudes now pack in the northern mountain zones that supply major river systems (e.g., the Euphrates, Tigris, Orontes) will have reduced input, leading to downstream supply being reduced.

"Sub-surface aquifers that supply fresh-water springs and oases will not be as fully recharged. At the same time, sea levels will rise, inundating coastlines and the fresh-water river systems that drain into the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Gulf," Porter explained.

Unpredictable extreme weather events, such as spikes in summer temperature and sudden winter rainfalls, will further stress the region.

Studies considering global climate change impacts on human populations often point out that the Middle East will be among the hardest hit regions in the world, regardless of whether a two-, four-, or greater degree change is achieved; and these drying conditions will stress the region’s rural agricultural industries that are mainly based on crop and livestock production.

The contagious disease typical for arid environment will also increase.

"At first glance, it may appear insensitive to reflect on the future of cultural heritage in the Middle East given the severe impacts the climate crisis will have on the region’s peoples."

"However, arbitrary the constructed category of cultural heritage may be, the objects, places, and, at times, practices that constitute it are nonetheless non-renewable resources that play an important role in the quality of life in the Middle East," the professor highlighted.

Porter added that many cultural heritage sites serve as the basis for cultural, religious, and national identities, leading countries and their international partners to make significant investments in maintaining them.

Despite its deep and sometimes unfortunate entanglements with politics, Porter continued, cultural heritage is, ultimately, maintained by institutions, communities and individuals existing in webs of often-problematic relationships, large and small, a point that Meskell has illustrated in her rigorous treatment of UNESCO

"Cultural heritage has served and continues to serve as a key economic resource in the Middle East," Porter said.

"The United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s report on the Middle East and North Africa region recorded a 10 per cent growth from the previous year’s level [figures from 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic] in international tourist arrivals in the region," the professor noted.

"This growth during the past few years signalled the region’s recovery from internal conflicts and economic decline during the previous decade as well as the robust economies of developed nations with people with spending power to visit the region," Porter concluded.

Greener Future: Rooftop agriculture, sustainability in Jordan

By - Mar 01,2025 - Last updated at Mar 01,2025

AMMAN — The Green Rooftops project, implemented by the Climate Action Network Jordan (CAN) under the "Samim" project, has officially concluded.

The initiative, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and carried out in partnership with several institutions, aimed to promote environmental sustainability and enhance urban living conditions in Amman's Jabal Nasr area, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

CAN said that the year-long project focused on transforming building rooftops into green spaces, helping to mitigate rising temperatures and improve air quality in the area. 

Executive Director of CAN Doaa Derabani explained that the project was based on scientific principles.

A preliminary study of the area was conducted, followed by a "careful" selection of buildings. The initiative also included training programmes for local communities, particularly women, on various topics such as urban agriculture, business management, climate change awareness, and environmental conservation. 

The training included field visits to existing green rooftops in Amman to provide participants with hands-on learning experiences. 

Derabani highlighted that the project encouraged participants to utilise their rooftops for urban farming, optimise water usage, and explore the economic benefits of agriculture, including the establishment of small-scale agricultural businesses. 

She added that CAN continues to work on multiple projects aimed at combating desertification, preserving the environment and water resources, promoting home gardening, and raising public awareness about climate change risks and adaptation strategies.

Youth, health ministries, UNICEF launch mental health programme

By - Mar 01,2025 - Last updated at Mar 01,2025

The launch event, held at Al Hussein Youth City, introduced two mental health guides, one for young people and another for professionals working with youth (Photo courtesy of UNICEF)

AMMAN — The Ministry of Youth, the Ministry of Health, and UNICEF have launched a joint mental health programme dubbed “Healthy Minds, Bright Futures” for young people in Jordan.

The launch event, held at Al Hussein Youth City, introduced two mental health guides, one for young people and another for professionals working with youth.

In the presence of Minister of Youth Yazan Shdaifat, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Health for Primary Healthcare and Epidemics Raed Shboul and UNICEF Representative to Jordan Philippe Duamelle, the event highlighted the importance of accessible mental health support, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

During a panel discussion held as part of the event, Shdaifat stressed the importance of mental health awareness as an essential part of nurturing resilient, thriving young people.

H said that caring for young people’s mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity to enable them to deal with various challenges.

He added the ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, will implement training programmes in youth centres across all governorates to empower those on the frontlines to support the future generation.

Shdaifat added that the initiative is a key component of the National Youth Strategy, which focuses on youth well-being, health literacy, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

For his part, Shboul said: “The ministry prioritises mental health by providing preventive, awareness, and therapeutic services to alleviate the burden of mental and neurological disorders. We have integrated mental health services into primary healthcare and facilitated access to high-quality care for both providers and recipients."

Shboul highlighted key initiatives, including the establishment of 52 mental health clinics across ministry- affiliated health centres nationwide.

Mental health clinics have been made available in correctional facilities and prisons, as well as within public government hospitals, where mental health services have been introduced in correctional and prison facilities as well as public hospitals.

Shboul commended the role of partnerships, recognising the Ministry of Youth, the Ministry of Education, and other key sectors as vital partners in advancing mental health, particularly among young people and adolescents in Jordan and all residents of the country.

The ministry has also established national mental health committees, bringing together government ministries, institutions, the Royal Medical Services, universities, and non-governmental organisations to promote mental health, reduce stigma, and address challenges.

These collective efforts aim to uplift citizens and contribute to the country’s progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein.

Duamelle said: “Mental health issues among youth represent a growing global phenomenon, impacting millions around the world. The consequences are not only affecting both their physical and mental health but also limiting their ability to realise their full potential."

"To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Youth, and UNICEF have developed a joint mental health programme," the representative said.

"This programme will help young people to understand better and manage their mental well-being, including how and where they can seek support without fear of stigma. In addition, the programme also focuses on professionals dealing directly with young people, providing them with essential information on how to address mental health challenges facing young people,” he added.

During the session, Alaa Khawaldeh shared her experience in developing mental health care guide, saying: “Through our involvement as young people in mental health sessions, we gathered valuable insights into behaviours, opinions, and motivations related to key issues."

Khawaldeh added: "This helped us identify the major challenges affecting young people's mental health today and contributed to developing evidence-based solutions. While these challenges differ among groups, it is equally important for young people to recognise and embrace their strengths."

The first guide introduced during the event is a guide for young people featuring interactive content to help them identify and manage mental health challenges, including how to seek help.

The guide introduced four youth characters of Khaled, Maryam, Aziz, and Salma, who guide users through different modules based on real-life experiences.

The second guide presented during the event is a guide designed for professionals such as social workers, or healthcare professionals, providing tools to support young people facing mental health challenges.

During the launch event, more than 100 youth participants from different governorates in Jordan engaged in interactive workshops inspired by the modules in the young people’s guide, the statement said.

These workshops enabled the participants to experience first-hand how these resources can help address their mental health difficulties, as well as encourage self-reflection and peer support. The two guides will be available online through the Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Health, and UNICEF websites. The guides will also be available at Ministry of Youth centres, and Ministry of Health facilities across Jordan, the statement said.

Ramadan begins on Saturday in Jordan

By - Feb 28,2025 - Last updated at Feb 28,2025

AMMAN - The holy month of Ramadan begins on Saturday in Jordan, Grand Mufti Ahmad Hasanat announced on Friday.

Hasanat made the announcement during an event the Ifta Department organized at the King Hussein bin Talal Mosque in Amman.

The Grand Mufti said that the crescent moon (hilal) of the new lunar month was spotted in Jordan on Friday, which makes Saturday the first day of Ramadan, during which Muslims observe dawn-to-dusk fasting.

In Islam, to determine the start of lunar months, including Ramadan, people look for the crescent and those who sight the new moon report to the Sharia court to testify.
For the beginning of Ramadan, Muslim scholars and astronomers meet before sunset on the 29th of Shaban to spot the new moon, headed by the chief Islamic justice, who traditionally has the final say over the issue.
The same applies to the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, as scholars and experts meet on the 29th of the month to decide, depending on the sighting of the hilal, whether to complete 30 days of fasting or announce Eid Al Fitr, the holiday on the first of Shawwal, when Muslims break their fast.

Environment minister, IFC officials discuss climate action, sustainable economic development

By - Feb 28,2025 - Last updated at Feb 28,2025

Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh on Thursday met with Global Director of Climate Action at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Jamie Ferguson (Petra photo)

AMMAN — Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh on Thursday met with Global Director of Climate Action at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Jamie Ferguson to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in addressing climate challenges and supporting sustainable economic development in Jordan. 

The meeting was attended by IFC’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, and IFC’s Country Head for Jordan Marcel Rashed, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two sides discussed the importance of implementing projects that contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening Jordan’s ability to adapt. 

Radaideh emphasised the need for an integrated approach that balances economic growth with environmental protection, highlighting the crucial role of the private sector in achieving this balance. 

The discussions also covered the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, which is considered a national priority to address water scarcity. 

The project aims to provide a sustainable water source, enhancing the Kingdom’s water security while reducing the negative impacts of climate change. 

Radaideh noted that the project is not just a vital infrastructure initiative but also a model for climate adaptation projects that support both economic and environmental security. 

He stressed that it aligns with Jordan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. 

Both parties agreed to continue coordination and joint efforts to achieve a sustainable economic transformation that considers climate variables and strengthens Jordan’s position as a regional leader in climate action. 

Abdallat highlights ongoing Royal efforts to support rights of persons with disabilities

By - Feb 28,2025 - Last updated at Feb 28,2025

Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry Khalil Abdallat highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to shaping global policies that enhance the rights and participation of persons with disabilities (Petra photo)

AMMAN — The Royal vision of His Majesty King Abdullah, rooted in the Hashemite approach, has boosted Jordan’s position as a leading nation in supporting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities at the international level, said Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry Khalil Abdallat on Thursday.

Speaking at the conclusion of a specialised training course on disability rights and human rights, attended by representatives of national institutions and civil society organisations, Abdallat underscored Jordan’s achievements in establishing a legislative and policy framework aligned with international standards, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He added that this framework ensures justice, equality, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

The course was held as part of preparations for Jordan’s participation in the upcoming Global Disability Summit in Berlin, which will showcase His Majesty’s leadership in advancing disability rights worldwide, Petra said. 

Abdallat highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to shaping global policies that enhance the rights and participation of persons with disabilities, reflecting Jordan’s distinguished standing in this field.

He also emphasised the role of HRH Crown Prince Hussein in fostering youth participation, including that of persons with disabilities and supporting their integration into society. 

Abdallat underscored the efforts of HH Prince Mired Bin Raad, Chairman of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in spearheading national initiatives to empower persons with disabilities and ensure their full inclusion in the society.

Cyprus lecture explores Mediterranean culinary heritage, diet’s evolution

By - Feb 28,2025 - Last updated at Mar 01,2025

AMMAN — As a part of its Cyprus lecture series, the Council for British Research in the Levant organised a presentation on Wednesday under a title “From Ancient Fields to Modern Plates: The Culinary Heritage of Cyprus and the Mediterranean Diet”.

“We do not focus on the properties of plants but the observations are based on anthropology, sociology and history,” said Associate Professor at the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Centre of the Cyprus Institute Evi Margaritis.

Margaritis noted that focus of her lecture is on the role of food as a medium of communication-enhancing social relations and distinguish between those who belong or are excluded from the group (communal cooking and eating).

During history Cyprus has been one of the hubs of the Mediterranean diet and food was preserved in carbonised.

Margaritis’ academic interests are environmental archaeology and palaeoeconomy, since she specialised Archaeobotany at the University of Sheffield with a PhD from the University of Cambridge. She tried to connect a Bronze Age Mediterranean diet with more contemporary Cypriot cuisine by analysing seeds, starches, phytoliths and wood.

“High values of the xerophytic wood/shrubare also recorded whereas the desert and warmly mixed forest biomes display the lowest scores,” the professor explained, adding that the evidence suggests that due to a dry environment agricultural activity was very low at the site of Pyla dating to the end of the Bronze Age

Regarding farm animals, the domesticated cow was introduced to Cyprus sometime during the early Neolithic period, but it “inexplicably disappeared from Cyprus shortly afterward its initial arrival and was not re-introduced to the island until the beginning of the Bronze Age”, Margaritis said.

The professor said that as a farm animal, the cow provides both traction power for ploughing and a source of ample manure. 

“These aspects of the cow allow for the farming of less fertile land and facilitate agricultural extensification — the growing of crops with minimum input and maximum output,” Margaritis underlined.

The absence of the cow in Cyprus seems to have delayed the transition from small-scale intensive farming to large-scale agricultural regimes on this island, according to the professor, and cows reintroduction at the start of the Bronze Age can be viewed as the beginning of a major shift in farming practices on Cyprus

“The possibility of plough agriculture and the additional source of manure allowed settlements to occupy less fertile land located closer to the island’s copper resources,” Margaritis said.

This change in the island’s settlement pattern, however, did not occur until the later Bronze Age, possibly due to a period of agricultural experimentation with the cow before moving to areas of higher-risk farming,” the professor elaborated.

Regarding commodity products in the Bronze Age Cyprus such as wine and olive oil, value was added in the transformation of these crops into dried fruits, oil, wine etc. To increase their longevity while reducing their bulk, these goods became a matter of prestige.

“New basis for manufactured food commodities for exchange to be routed through cities, accompanying the general increase in trade of specialised craft items. This development can be seen as parallel and comparable with the specialisation of animal secondary products such as wool, milk and animal traction,” Margaritis underlined.

To bring the past to the future, her team with doctoral students  revisited and recorded the tangible rural heritage; safeguarded the living intangible heritage; protected the biodiversity; and asked the right questions from the past for a sustainable future.

“The Mediterranean diet is widely regarded as among the most nutritionally balanced and sustainable in the world.

The origins of the Mediterranean dietary pattern, based on an abundance of plant foods [including olive oil as the main source of fat], low animal fat intake and moderate wine consumption, are often placed in the Middle Ages or, at most, Antiquity, but its roots can actually be traced back to prehistoric times,” Margaritis elaborated.

The presence of the Mediterranean triad (wheat, olive and grape) has been attested in the Bronze Age archaeological record across the Mediterranean, and recent evidence suggests that wine-making started during the Neolithic. 

Similarly, evidence for olive oil production dates back to the mid-5th mil. BC, the preparation of bulgur and trachanas (traditional cereal-based foods from south-eastern Europe) has been documented in Bulgaria in the early 6th mil. BC, and bread-making has been attested in the Levant as early as 14,400 years ago, Margaritis highlighted

“Vegetables, herbs, and spices have been used in the Eastern Mediterranean for over three thousand years, with archaeobotanical evidence dating back to both Classical and prehistoric times. Archaeological findings suggest that key elements of the Mediterranean diet, such as low animal fat intake and a reliance on plants, were already present during the Bronze Age or even the Neolithic. However, in recent decades, Mediterranean countries have seen a shift away from traditional diets, leading to increased obesity and health issues. Margaritis emphasised that archaeological data can help us understand how these culinary traditions survived and promote the Mediterranean diet today among various stakeholders.

 

King inaugurates King Hussein Cancer Centre’s building in Aqaba

By - Feb 27,2025 - Last updated at Feb 27,2025

In Aqaba, His Majesty King Abdullah II inaugurates the new King Hussein Cancer Centre’s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein building, which aims to provide medical services for cancer patients who are beneficiaries of the KHCC, as well as early detection services for residents of the southern governorates (Photo courtesy of Royal Court)

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated the King Hussein Cancer Centre’s King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein building in Aqaba, which aims to provide medical services to cancer patients who are beneficiaries of the KHCC, as well as early detection services for residents of the southern governorates.

The four-floor building includes chemotherapy and radiology departments, an early detection unit, oncology clinics, a laboratory and a pharmacy. It was built and equipped with the latest technologies at an estimated cost of JD15 million, according to a Royal Court statement..

His Majesty toured the new building, where 100 medical and support staff from local communities in the south are employed.

HRH Princess Ghida Talal, chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Centre’s Board of Trustees  delivered a speech during which she noted that the Aqaba-based centre embodies His Majesty’s vision to provide advanced medical care to cancer patients in the south of the Kingdom, and will enable them to receive treatment close to their homes, families and support systems.

Princess Ghida highlighted that the rising number of cancer patients necessitates expanding the KHCC’s services as part of a treatment network that extends to all parts of the Kingdom, the statement said. 

“Over the past twenty-four years, the King Hussein Cancer Centre has become a source of pride for Jordan and the Arab world. It stands today as the cornerstone of care, safety, and hope for the thousands of patients who are treated each year, with the most advanced care available,” she added.

Her Royal Highness also noted that, thanks to the support of Their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah, the KHCC continues to receive cancer patients from Gaza for treatment, until they can return safely to the Strip.

For his part, Aqaba Governor Khaled Hajjaj, a cancer survivor who received treatment at the KHCC, spoke about the importance of establishing the centre in Aqaba to save time and effort for cancer patients in the southern governorates, while also boosting medical tourism services.

In the presence of His Majesty, Princess Ghida honoured the donors and institutions that supported the new project.

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