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AMMAN — Director of Princess Iman Hospital Abdulaziz Awamleh on Monday announced the start of the first phase of the Deirallah-based hospital’s expansion project at a cost of JD2 million.

Awamleh said that this phase includes the construction of a new outpatient department and a dialysis unit that will serve 44 patients, where the facilities are expected to be completed by mid-2025, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He highlighted that during his visit to the hospital, Prime Minister Jafar Hassan instructed the addition of a new 1,500-square-meter building as part of the first phase.

The second phase, according to Awamleh, will involve a comprehensive expansion and modernisation of all hospital departments. 

The hospital serves some 100,000 citizens and expatriates working in the agricultural sector. In 2023, it received about 158,000 patients.

Awamleh referred to significant improvements in healthcare services at the hospital, driven by "qualified" medical and nursing staff and the availability of modern equipment and supplies. 

The hospital has also introduced several new specialties, including cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, and diabetes care, along with a dedicated nephrology consultant, he added.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Justice on Monday announced the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (2024–2027) during a ceremony attended by Judicial Council President Mahmoud Ababneh, Judicial Council Secretary-General Ali Musaimi, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative Cristina Albertin.

Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to combating human trafficking on both national and international fronts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He highlighted the Kingdom’s accession to the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, as well as the enactment of the Anti-Human Trafficking Law in 2009, which has been reinforced through multiple amendments. 

These initiatives aim to combat trafficking, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide comprehensive support for victims, the minister added. 

Talhouni stressed that human trafficking is fundamentally at odds with Jordan’s core values and underscored the significance of prevention within the criminal justice system. 

He noted the introduction of stricter penalties through the 2021 amendments to the Anti-Human Trafficking Law and the implementation of updated shelter regulations under Bylaw No. 46 of 2023, aimed at enhancing victim protection.

"The new strategy provides a comprehensive framework to address human trafficking in Jordan. It begins with an in-depth assessment of the current situation and focuses on cooperation with the international community while preserving national sovereignty."

The strategy is built around four key pillars, according to Talhouni. "Prevention focuses on implementing proactive measures to deter trafficking and combat exploitative practices, while Protection aims to ensure victims' recovery, reintegration, and safeguarding of their rights, preventing further harm."

"The third pillar, Investigation and Prosecution, strengthens mechanisms to investigate trafficking crimes and enforces stricter penalties against perpetrators. The final pillar, Partnership and International Cooperation emphasises enhancing coordination with global and regional partners to ensure a unified response to trafficking."

The minister also stressed that the strategy represents a collective national effort to combat human trafficking comprehensively and uphold justice and dignity for victims. 

He also highlighted Jordan’s active role in addressing this cross-border crime through partnerships with the international community.

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani on Sunday described the shooting incident that occurred in Rabieh neighbourhood at dawn as a "terrorist attack against security personnel who were performing their duty."

Three police men were injured and one man, who is believed to be the suspect, was killed by police following a shootout, according to a statement by the Public Security Directorate (PSD).

PSD said earlier on Sunday that the incident unfolded after the suspect opened fire on a police patrol. Security units in the location located the armed individual, who attempted to flee subsequently engaged in a shootout with pursuing officers, prompting security forces to return fire in accordance with engagement protocols and kill the gunman, PSD said.

The Israeli embassy, which since October 7 has been empty of staff, is located in Rabieh.

"Jordan’s security and stability are red lines and no one will be allowed to tamper with it,” Momani said in a press statement.

 Tampering with the security of the country and assaulting public security personnel will be met with "uncompromising firmness" and in accordance with the law, Momani said, adding that any “criminal who attempts to do so will receive just retribution”.

The minister pointed out that the suspect who carried out the alleged attack had previous criminal records in illicit drugs and attacking security personnel.

"Jordan’s strength, resilience and stability are the solid foundation for supporting the nation's issues, foremost among which is the Palestinian cause," Momani added.

The PSD statement said that the suspect fired several rounds at a police patrol with a machine gun “with the intent of murdering who was inside it”.

The suspect also possessed several Molotov cocktail bottles, according to the PSD statement.

The PSD statement added that police officers responded with high professional standards to defend themselves and the area's residents.

The three police officers who were injured are being treated at a hospital and listed in stable condition, the PSD statement said.

Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi visited the injured police officers.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, accompanied by Interior Minster Mazen Faraya  and Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah also visited the injured police officers.

Momani said investigations are ongoing.

AMMAN — The Public Service and Administration Commission of Jordan hosted an Iraqi Federal Service Council delegation on Sunday to discuss enhancing cooperation under the first phase of an agreement signed between the two countries last September.

According to a statement, the discussions focused on advancing public service and administration, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Commission Vice Chairperson Yasser Nsour said the commission is committed to implementing the agreement and outlined its goal of boosting cooperation in public administration between the two nations.

Nsour also presented an overview of Jordan's public sector modernisation strategy, highlighting the Commission's roles and responsibilities regarding developing and implementing policies, standards and strategies for HR management, training future government leaders and restructuring public institutions.

He also highlighted efforts to improve governance, coordinate and integrate joint government services and provide technical and advisory support to government departments.

The Iraqi delegates commended Jordan's "successful" implementation of the public sector modernisation strategy, urging for further cooperation.

AMMAN — The Jordan Press Foundation (JPF)/Al Rai, the Arabic sister publication of The Jordan Times, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Ajeilat Advertising Office to enhance judicial advertising services. 

The agreement, signed on Saturday, underscored Al Rai’s commitment to supporting national institutions and expanding its media services across various sectors, reinforcing the media's role in promoting transparency and justice.

General Manager of Al Rai Newspaper Hiyam Karaki highlighted the foundation’s vision to cooperate with private sector entities to meet community needs. 

"This partnership will not only enhance the value of legal advertising but also streamline legal procedures for citizens," Karaki said during the signing ceremony, which was attended by Head of the Advertising Department, and Al Rai's legal advisor Muhannad Qudah.

General Manager of Ajeilat Advertising Office Fares Ajeilat described the partnership as a significant milestone. 

"Teaming up with one of Jordan's leading media organisations bolsters our capacity to deliver efficient and transparent advertising services to the legal sector," he said.

AMMAN — Jordan and Japan on Sunday signed documents for a soft loan to support the Kingdom's General Budget with 16 billion Japanese yen (equivalent to some $100 million), according to a Planning Ministry statement.

The loan, which will be provided through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), it "very favourable terms that help reduce public debt costs," the statement said.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan, Senior Vice President JICA Shuhei Hara and Japan’s Ambassador to Jordan Okuyama Jiro, the statement said. 

On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Toukan discussed with Hara priorities for future developmental and technical assistance in alignment with the Economic Modernisation Vision, according to the statement.  

The loan aims to support human development policies and improve the management and efficiency of the social sector, particularly in health, education, and social protection. It also supports the implementation of the comprehensive plan for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, according to the statement.

"This funding is parallel to the $300 million Human Development Policy Loan provided by the World Bank, which was signed last July," the ministry said. 

Toukan thanked the Japanese government and people for their continuous support for Jordan's development priorities, hailing the deep relations between the two countries which, she said, will celebrate this year the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Hara highlighted that the "loan recognises the comprehensive reform efforts by the Jordanian government, including the Economic Modernisation Vision, focusing on health, education, urban planning, and social protection sectors," the statement said.

He also underlined the importance of this loan in meeting the financing needs of the 2024 fiscal year budget, affirming Tokyo's continued financial and technical support to Jordan to assist in its developmental and reform efforts.

Since 1999, Jordan has received nearly $2 billion in financial  and technical assistance through JICA, focusing on priority sectors such as water, energy, public works, tourism, and industrial support, according to the statement.

AMMAN — As part of efforts to enhance climate change adaptation, mitigate its impacts on agriculture, and ensure sustainable food security, the "Building Resilience to Cope with Climate Change in Jordan through Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Agriculture Sector (BRCCJ)" project has concluded a training programme. 

The initiative, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), aimed to improve water use efficiency in agriculture to better respond to climate challenges, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  

The training programme involved 53 agricultural extension engineers from the governorates of Madaba, Karak, Tafileh, and Ma’an. 

The $33.25 million project, conducted over 30 days within three months, aimed to qualify participants as trainers and facilitators for climate-smart farmer field schoolsThese schools will equip farmers with advanced agricultural practices to improve water use efficiency, a critical aspect of climate resilience in Jordan.

To commemorate the institutionalisation and sustainability of these field schools within the Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, joined by several members of Parliament, honoured the engineers who completed the training.

This milestone launches the knowledge transfer phase, wherein trained engineers will guide farmers in implementing water-efficient farming techniques through the field schools. 

FAO Representative in Jordan Nabil Assaf said, “The FAO, in partnership with the Jordanian government, is committed to advancing climate adaptation efforts, reducing the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture, and ensuring sustainable food security by improving water use efficiency.”

Ministry of Agriculture Secretary-General Mohammad Hiyari highlighted the ministry's commitment to strengthening agricultural extension services. 

He noted that the extension budget increased from $140,000 in 2021 to approximately $1.4 million in 2024, reflecting the government’s dedication to enhancing agricultural resilience.

AMMAN — Minister of Social Development and Head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment Wafa Bani Mustafa met on Sunday with Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality, Stephanie Copus Campbell, to explore avenues for cooperation and the exchange of expertise.

During the meeting at the ministry’s headquarters, attended by Australian Ambassador to Amman Bernard Lynch, the officials reviewed the ministry’s key social programmes and services focused on empowering women, including initiatives for women residing in the ministry’s care homes who have experienced abuse.

Bani Mustafa also shared insights into the ministerial committee’s efforts to enhance women's empowerment, highlighting the progress made in recent years through legislative reforms designed to increase women's political and economic participation, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The envoy expressed her admiration for the ministry's work and the strides made by the committee, stressing her commitment to furthering cooperation in the field of women’s empowerment.

AMMAN — The Eastern Military Zone at dawn on Sunday foiled an infiltration attempt, according to a military source from the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army (JAF).

The source said that an individual attempting to cross into Jordan from Syrian territory was intercepted. 

Engagement rules were applied, leading to the individual’s arrest and referred to the relevant authorities, the source said. 

The source reiterated the JAF's commitment to protecting the Kingdom’s borders, stressing that the military operates with full strength and determination, utilising all available resources to prevent infiltration and smuggling attempts, and to ensure the security and stability of the Kingdom.

The Northern Military Zone thwarted two other infiltration attempts within the past 24 hours, the source added. 

Engagement rules were applied, resulting in the death of one infiltrator, the arrest of six others, and their referral to the relevant authorities.