Local

AMMAN — A convoy of 100 new humanitarian aid trucks crossed into Gaza, carrying ready-to-eat meals, hygiene kits, tents, and blankets, to be distributed to residents of the strip through partner organisations.  

The aid was organised by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) and the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), in collaboration with the World Food Programme and with support from Human Appeal, the British embassy, Islamic Relief UK, Kingdom Concrete, the Humanitarian Relief Foundation, the United Palestinian Appeal and Ummah Welfare Trust UK.  

JHCO Secretary-General Hussein Shibli said that the current circumstances are challenging, particularly regarding the passage of trucks through border crossings, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

He stressed that Jordan’s ongoing humanitarian efforts to support the people of Gaza are a source of "pride and a motivator to expand the volume and frequency of aid deliveries."  

Shibli highlighted that, to date, Jordan has dispatched a total of 4,138 trucks to Gaza, alongside 53 airplanes via Egypt's El Arish Airport, and carried out 388 airdrops, including 122 Jordanian airdrops and 266 in cooperation with other nations, and eight helicopters, totalling 57,210 tonnes of humanitarian items.  

The JHCO said it continues to receive cash donations through its bank account at Bank al Etihad, account number JO32 UBSI 1030 0000 4010 1659 9151 06, or through e-wallets or CliQ at JHCOGAZA, as well as via "eFAWATEERcom" and through their website www.jhco.org.jo.

On Wednesday, JAF said it had sent eight helicopters loaded with more than seven tonnes of aid to Gaza, as part of the "humanitarian bridge" to the war-torn Palestinian territory.

The aid included food, medicines, healthcare supplies, and specialised items for children.

The operation followed His Majesty King Abdullah's recent appeals at the United Nations and the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, where he urged global support for Gaza and called for collaborative humanitarian action.

AMMAN — Royal Jordanian announced the launch of a new nonstop route between Queen Alia International Airport, Amman, and Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C. 

This new service will start mid-March 2025, while further solidifying RJ’s commitment to expanding its global network and enhancing connectivity between the Middle East and North America, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

The new route will be operated twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Sundays, utilizing RJ’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This strategic addition to RJ’s network aims to strengthen ties between the two capital cities, supporting travel for government, business, tourism, and ethnic communities, the statement said. 

Royal Jordanian’s President/CEO Samer Majali said: “We are thrilled to introduce this new nonstop service between Amman and Washington, D.C. This route not only enhances our network connectivity but also underscores our dedication to fostering stronger ties between Jordan and the United States. We look forward to offering our passengers a superior travel experience and contributing to the economic and cultural exchange between our nations.”

He added: “This route is another step toward fulfilling our vision of being the airline of choice in the Levant for travellers seeking world-class services and convenience while fostering stronger ties in business, tourism, and cultural exchange.”

The Washington, D.C. route complements Royal Jordanian’s existing direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Together, these routes highlight RJ’s pivotal role in connecting the Levant with key cities across North America, according to the statement.

• Two leaders urge intensified efforts to end war on Gaza, Lebanon
• King warns of dangerous repercussions of Israeli measures in West Bank, violations of Muslim, Christian holy sites in Jerusalem

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday held a meeting in Abu Dhabi, covering regional developments and deep-rooted bilateral relations.

The two leaders expressed pride in the strong ties between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as keenness to bolster cooperation across all sectors to enhance prospects for a comprehensive economic partnership, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The two leaders urged stepping up efforts to end the war on Gaza and Lebanon, and ensuring the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, calling for increasing aid to Gaza in order to mitigate the humanitarian disaster.

His Majesty and Sheikh Mohamed stressed the need to bolster efforts to prevent a regional spillover of the conflict, and create a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution to ensure stability and security for all, the statement said. 

The King warned of the dangerous repercussions of unilateral Israeli measures against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The two leaders reiterated Jordan and the UAE’s firm position in support of the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and their support for the Lebanese people.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.

From the Emirati side, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a number of officials attended the meeting.

King returned to Jordan on later on Wednesday, another Royal Court statement said.

AMMAN — HRH Princess Ghida Talal, chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) and Centre (KHCC), has signed an agreement with Spanish Ambassador to Jordan Miguel de Lucas González, representing the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

The agreement provides a grant to KHCF to support the Jordan Breast Cancer Programme, focusing on raising awareness and promoting early detection of breast and cervical cancer, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Wednesday.  

The initiative aims to reach around 58,000 women across Jordan.

Princess Ghida expressed appreciation for the collaboration, describing the partnership as "vital in saving lives and advancing efforts to combat cancer."

González commended KHCF and the programme for their dedication to cancer prevention and awareness. 

He noted the programme's significant impact in early detection while fostering healthier lifestyles and mitigating risk factors associated with cancer.

This agreement reflects ongoing efforts to enhance public health and ensure broader access to cancer prevention and early diagnosis across the Kingdom.

AMMAN — Deputising for HRH Princess Muna Al Hussein, Ruwaida Maaytah on Wednesday inaugurated the International Conference of Medical Laboratory and Health Sciences Research at Zarqa University.

During the conference, organised by Zarqa University in collaboration with the Medical Technology and Laboratory Society, Maaytah conveyed Princess Muna’s greetings and appreciation to the university and its staff, praising the university's "advanced achievements across various levels," the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

She highlighted the rapid technological advancements, noting that every 12 hours, the world witnesses new technologies in practical and humanitarian fields, urging the younger generation to leverage these for impactful scientific research.

President of Zarqa University Nidal Ramahi stressed that the conference continues the university’s annual tradition of hosting scientific events, including conferences on information technology, sciences, economics, administrative sciences, English, and more. 

He further highlighted the significance of bringing together distinguished scientists and researchers in medical sciences, which contributed to various achievements benefiting humanity. 

President of the Jordan Centre for Disease Control Adel Bilbeisi said that laboratories are a cornerstone for diagnosing emerging and re-emerging diseases, stressing the integral role of improving service quality and building workforce capabilities in advancing the national healthcare system.

The two-day conference features discussions on 160 research papers with the participation of 750 health researchers from various countries.

AMMAN — The University of Jordan on Wednesday awarded Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell an honorary doctorate in international relations.

The gesture recognises Borrell's decades of contributions to international diplomacy and his efforts in promoting global peace and security, according to a university statement.

Commenting on the decision, University President Nazir Obeidat said that this honour reflects the university's commitment to recognising global leaders who shape the international landscape. 

"Josep Borrell's leadership and vision place him among the most influential political figures of our time", he added.

In his acceptance speech, Borrell praised Jordan's role in maintaining regional stability.

He paid tribute to His Majesty the late King Hussein and His Majesty King Abdullah for making the Hashemite Monarchy a symbol of unity and progress.

He underlined Jordan's commitment to preserving its sovereignty, promoting social diversity, engaging in regional dialogue and supporting the Palestinian cause.

Turning to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Borrell drew attention to its devastating impact on children, who make up the majority of victims. 

Echoing UNRWA's assessment, he described the situation as "a war on children and their future" and called for urgent accountability and protection of human rights. 

The EU official also stressed the need to counter misinformation and extremism, which undermine efforts to build evidence-based dialogue and sustainable peace.

Borrell underlined the strong partnership between the EU and Jordan and their shared vision for stability and growth in a changing world. 

He reiterated the importance of ending illegal occupations, halting violence against civilians and pursuing impartial accountability as essential steps towards peace. 

He also praised the Kingdom's leadership in advancing the two-state solution and promoting international cooperation for peace.

Commenting on the honour, Borrell expressed pride to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Jordan, "one of the most prestigious institutions in the Arab world."

Obeidat praised Borrell's global influence and efforts to enhance strategic ties between Europe and the MENA region. 

He also highlighted Borrell's unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination and his advocacy for the resolution of the Palestinian cause through international legitimacy and the two-state solution.

Since its inception 62 years ago, the University of Jordan has awarded honorary doctorates to 20 prominent figures. 

The first was awarded to His Majesty the late King Hussein in 1965 and the most recent, in the field of economics, to Ziad Fariz, former governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, in 2018.

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat on Wednesday inaugurated the 10th Middle East and North Africa ICT Forum at the Dead Sea.

Organised by the Information and Communications Technology Association (Int@j), in cooperation with the ministries of digital economy and entrepreneurship and investment, the two-day forum underscores Jordan’s commitment to advancing the ICT sector as a cornerstone of economic growth and innovation.

Smeirat highlighted His Majesty’s early recognition of ICT’s transformative potential, aiming to position Jordan as a regional technology hub, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

Jordan’s ICT sector achievements include a rise of 11 ranks to 89th in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index and an advancement of 26 ranks to 60th in the 2023 ICT Development Index, the minister said. 

He added that the Kingdom improved by seven ranks to 71st in the 2023 Global Innovation Index and climbed 44 ranks to 27th in the Global Cybersecurity Index, noting that early-stage entrepreneurial activity surged from 9.1 per cent in 2020 to 15.7 per cent in 2024, elevating Jordan’s global rank from 34th to 15th.

Smeirat said that the government has implemented forward-looking strategies, including the National Digital Transformation Strategy (2021-2025) and the Jordanian AI Strategy (2023-2027). 

He added that as part of these efforts, 60 per cent of government services are now digitalised, with plans to achieve full digitalisation by 2025, pointing out that programmes such as the Sanad application and the National Fiber Network have streamlined access to public services and improved connectivity across the Kingdom.

The sector’s growth is guided by the Economic Modernisation Vision, targeting a revenue increase from $0.9 billion in 2021 to $3.9 billion by 2033 and employment growth from 24,700 to 101,000 jobs.