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AMMAN — Wellness travellers, from across the Levant and beyond, elevated their well-being experience this month at the 10th International Women’s Health and Wellness Retreat held in Aqaba Ayla. 

Organised by the Family Flavours and Nakahat Ailiyeh magazines, the retreat brought together women from 10 countries with international experts to share exclusive health and wellness practices, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

“This year, we marked a decade of hosting transformative women’s health and wellness retreats designed to nourish the mind, body and soul, helping women find strength and peace, even in the most challenging times,” said Hind-Lara Mango, Managing Director of both magazines. 

The retreat aligns with the magazines’ 18-year mission to raise awareness and empower individuals. 

Acknowledging the struggles in Palestine and Lebanon, Mango said: “We believe this retreat provided participants with the tools to cultivate resilience and hope.”

Interactive sessions covered topics such as mental health, heart health, women’s health, aromatherapy, yoga and artificial intelligence, with the AI sessions led by the Princess Basma Community Development Centre/JOHUD, Aqaba, empowering attendees to rise above life’s challenges, the statement said.

Female wellness travellers explored local culture through interactive crafting and music sessions by Bait Al Ward. 

Women who came from South Sudan, Qatar, Lebanon, Dubai, Iraq, France, England, Jordan, Bahrain and Australia had the opportunity to enjoy the award-winning film Inshallah It’s A Boy, followed by a discussion with producer Aseel Abu Ayyash.

AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat said on Sunday that 2025 will mark a transformative year for Jordan's agricultural sector, with a focus on its reorganisation and development, particularly in the food industries. 

Hneifat made his remarks during a meeting with representatives of several international organisations in Jordan, headed by UN Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema-Anderson, and attended by officials from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Food Programme, UN Industrial Development Organisation, the International Labour Organisation's Better Work Programme, United Nations Development Programme and the Foreign Ministry. 

He said that the ministry will prioritise joint projects with international organisations and forward-looking initiatives, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Hneifat also stressed the importance of youth and women empowerment, noting that future agricultural projects would be tailored to these groups.

The minister also highlighted the need for organisational support to enhance the ministry's projects and operational programmes, including training initiatives, ensuring occupational health and safety for workers, and building partnerships to implement the National Sustainable Agriculture Plan 2022–2025 and the Strategic Food Security Plan 2021–2023.

He also highlighted the ministry's commitment to developing the agricultural sector by supporting small-scale farmers and agricultural alliances, boosting food security across all stages of crop production, reducing unemployment through both direct and indirect jobs, and generating income for rural families through training, financing, and empowerment programmes.

AMMAN — Media Adviser at UNRWA Adnan Abu Hasna has stressed the crucial role of Jordan's supportive stance for the agency in protecting its operations from attempts to undermine its work, most recent of which Israeli Knesset bills aimed at curtailing UNRWA's efforts. 

Abu Hasna praised His Majesty King Abdullah for his consistent defence of the rights of Palestine refugees at the regional and international levels, noting that Jordan is the largest host country for Palestine refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Sunday.

He warned that the new laws passed by the Israeli Knesset pose a significant and unprecedented threat to the relationship between a UN member state and UNRWA, the largest UN agency, which employs over 30,000 staff in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. 

The media adviser stressed that the enforcement of these laws would disrupt UNRWA's vital services, including education, health and humanitarian assistance. 

Abu Hasna also stressed that 350,000 students in Gaza and the West Bank depend on UNRWA schools and that 18,000 staff work to provide these essential services.

AMMAN — Foreign Ministry Secretary-General for Diplomatic and Expatriates Affairs Majed Qatarneh on Sunday met with Vice-President of the European Parliament and Head of the European Election Observation Mission (EOM) Zeljana Zovko, who presented the final report of the EU mission on the Jordanian parliamentary elections.

During the meeting, Qatarneh commended the EU’s election observation efforts, highlighting their role in enhancing the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. 

Qatarneh also stressed the importance of the mission in strengthening democratic practices, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Zovko praised the Kingdom for successfully conducting the elections despite regional challenges, particularly the ongoing war in Gaza. 

Zovko highlighted the Kingdom’s resilience and ability to maintain stability in a volatile region.

The two officials also reiterated the “strong” partnership between Jordan and the EU, underscoring the importance of continued cooperation to address shared challenges and promote mutual interests.

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

The court declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics for personal use on June 13.

The SSC handed the defendant two years in prison for the offence of possessing illegal narcotics and ordered him to pay JD2,000 in fines.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant, a resident of Taj neighbourhood, was in possession of illegal narcotics and put him under surveillance.

“AND agents searched the suspect and found 700 grammes of hashish and 990 Captagon pills,” court documents said.

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 defence also argued that there were "irregularities in the investigation procedures.

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,” the higher court said.

The higher court added that it had applied the appropriate punishment as stipulated in the law.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mahmoud Ebtoush, Fawzi Nahar, Mohammad Sharari, Qassem Dughmi and Mohammad Khashashneh.

AMMAN — A Jordanian business delegation on Monday is scheduled to begin a visit to the United Kingdom to explore trade and investment opportunities and boost economic ties between the two countries. 

Organised by the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA), the several-day trip will include meetings with business leaders in London, Scotland and Wales, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The delegation, representing sectors such as energy, finance, education, tourism, services, contracting and general trade, aims to promote Jordan as a destination for investment and partnership. 

Discussions will focus on promoting trade agreements, identifying investment opportunities and showcasing Jordan's economic potential in high value sectors.

Key outcomes of the visit are expected to include signing several memoranda of understanding with British Chambers of Commerce to enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation.

JBA President Hamdi Tabbaa said that the visit is part of ongoing efforts to expand economic cooperation between Jordan and the UK. 

"This initiative focuses on increasing trade, boosting Jordanian exports to the UK and attracting investment in key sectors such as industry, services and trade," he said.

The delegates also aim to expand tourism cooperation, which would boost cultural and economic ties, while fostering partnerships with UK universities and institutions to promote research, innovation and knowledge exchange.

Plans include joint workshops on advanced technology and other collaborative initiatives.

According to official figures from the Department of Statistics, bilateral trade between Jordan and the UK totalled JD193 million in the first eight months of 2024, with Jordanian exports accounting for JD37 million, according to Petra.

AMMAN — Jordanian expatriates' remittances increased by 3.2 per cent during the first three quarters of 2024, compared with the same period of 2023, the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) announced on Sunday. 

CBJ preliminary data showed that the value of remittances in the January-September period of this year stood at $2.645 billion, compared with $2.563 billion for the same period last year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — Jordan on Sunday strongly condemned Israel's bombing of the Abu Asi School, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Al Shati refugee camp, and an attack on a residential building in Beit Lahia, Gaza, killing more than 60 people and injuring dozens, most of them women and children.

The Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as a blatant violation of international law, specifically the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, describing them as part of a systematic targeting of civilians and displacement centres, according to a ministry statement.

The ministry spokesperson underscored Jordan’s denunciation of Israel’s continued breaches of international and humanitarian laws, criticising the absence of a decisive international response to hold Israel accountable for its actions.

The official also stressed the urgent need to ensure adherence to international law, calling for the protection of civilians, critical infrastructure, humanitarian facilities, and shelters essential for providing services to Palestinians.

The spokesperson also renewed the Kingdom's call for the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to fulfil its responsibilities by taking immediate action to compel Israel to stop its aggression against Gaza.

The official stressed the importance of holding those responsible for these violations accountable, reiterating Jordan’s firm stance on protecting Palestinian rights and ensuring justice.

AMMAN — Under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, the 10th Middle East and North Africa ICT Forum is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday at the Dead Sea area.

Organised by the Information and Communications Technology Association (int@j), in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the Ministry of Investment, the two-day forum is expected to bring together some 3,000 participants from 40 countries, including influential figures from Jordan and beyond.

The forum’s agenda includes 86 high-profile speakers, featuring policymakers and global experts who will address key issues such as international ICT cooperation, global competition, innovation, business solutions, and digital services, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Throughout the event, a series of interactive sessions will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to explore emerging trends and challenges in the region’s technology sector.

The forum will also delve into the pivotal role of telecommunications infrastructure in accelerating digital transformation across the MENA region, covering advanced topics like 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, cybersecurity, smart cities, FinTech, MedTech, and EdTech. 

Discussions will also highlight how these technologies are driving digital transformation, supporting business growth in the region, and how large corporations are fueling innovation by investing in startups and leveraging AI, IoT, and big data to build sustainable, smart cities.

This year’s forum will feature the "Arab Startup Village," where over 100 startups will present their products and technologies to investors and decision-makers. 

A series of one-on-one meetings will provide startups with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to leading regional investors.

Discussions will also focus on how AI can drive economic growth and innovation in the region while addressing challenges in digital transformation.

For the first time, the forum will introduce the ICT Innovation Awards, recognising excellence in four categories: The Impact Award for companies making a lasting, positive impact on society, and the Technology and Innovation Award for cutting-edge technology solutions that push the boundaries of the industry.

The other two categories are the Industry Award for companies demonstrating excellence in applying technology to business and the International Award for companies whose global contributions have had a significant international impact.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani over bilateral relations and strategies to address pressing regional challenges.

The talks focused on enhancing the "deep-rooted" ties between Jordan and Qatar, with both ministers reaffirming their commitment to expanding cooperation in various field in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to foster stronger ties between the two nations.

The ministers stressed the urgent need to stop Israel's aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, which has caused a humanitarian crisis, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

They also called for supporting UNRWA and condemned any attempts to undermine its role, warning that such actions violate international law and increase the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The two ministers also discussed continued coordination for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling on the international community to take immediate action to address the unprecedented crisis in northern Gaza, where aid remains banned.

Reiterating their support for the two-state solution as the sole path to lasting peace and stability in the region, Safadi and Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need for establishing an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Safadi praised Qatar's role in brokering a prisoner exchange deal in cooperation with Egypt and the US, aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire.

Both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working together to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stop the Israeli aggression and take genuine steps towards a comprehensive and just peace based on internationally recognised frameworks.

The ministers expressed their countries' solidarity with Lebanon and underlined the importance of its security, sovereignty and stability, calling for reaching an immediate and durable ceasefire in Lebanon and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 to secure peace and protect citizens.