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AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received a US Congress delegation led by Senator Richard Blumenthal.

His Majesty stressed the importance of the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, and keenness to strengthen it across all fields, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King noted that achieving just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution is the only way to ensure regional security and stability, noting the pivotal role of the United States in supporting peace efforts.

His Majesty reiterated Jordan's rejection of any attempts to annex land and displace Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for ensuring the sustainability of the Gaza ceasefire and stepping up the international humanitarian response, the statement said. 

Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the stabbing attack in the Austrian city of Villach, which resulted in one death and several injuries.

Ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah expressed Jordan's unwavering solidarity with Austria, offering full support to both the Austrian government and its people in the wake of this tragic incident.

He reiterated Jordan's firm stance against all forms of violence and terrorism that jeopardise security and stability, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Qudah also extended heartfelt condolences to the Austrian government, the people of Austria, and the family of the victim, wishing a swift recovery to those injured in the attack.

A 14-year-old boy died and four other people were injured in a knife attack in southern Austria on Saturday, police said, adding they have arrested a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker, AFP reported.

"A man randomly attacked passers-by with a knife," police spokesman Rainer Dionisio told AFP of the incident in the city of Villach.

"One victim, a 14-year-old boy, died," he added.

Two other men suffered serious injuries, while another two men were lightly injured, Dionisio added.

The incident happened on Saturday just before 4 pm local time (1500 GMT) in the centre of the city, the capital of Carinthia province.

A food delivery rider saw the attack and rammed his vehicle into the attacker, who was lightly injured and was arrested "right after the attack", according to Dionisio.

The man under arrest is a Syrian asylum seeker with a valid residence permit and without a criminal record according to preliminary information, he added.

The youngest victim was a 14-year-old, while the oldest is 32 years old, he said.

AMMAN — The 42nd session of the Arab Interior Ministers Council on Sunday commenced in the Tunisian capital, with the participation of Interior Minister Mazen Faraya, his Arab counterparts, and high-ranking security delegations.  

Kuwait's Interior Minister Fahad Yousef Saud Al Sabah took over the presidency of the current session from his Qatari counterpart Khalifa Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani.

In a bid to bolster international security cooperation, the session also welcomed Portugal's Minister of Internal Affairs, marking a step forward in strengthening police cooperation between the EU and Arab countries.

Representatives from several prominent international organisations participated, including the Arab League, Interpol, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Europol, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) and the Arab Police Sports Federation.

The discussions covered several critical topics, including the 11th phase of the Arab Strategy for Combating Drug Abuse and Psychotropic Substances, the 7th phase of the Arab Strategy for Civil Protection (Civil Defense) and the 7th phase of the Arab Strategy for Combating Cybercrime.

The council will also review a series of reports, including a comprehensive update from the Secretary-General covering the period between the 41st and 42nd sessions, along with a report from the President of NAUSS.

AMMAN – Palestinian Ambassador to Jordan Atallah Khairy on Sunday expressed deep gratitude for His Majesty King Abdullah's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Khairy also commended the King’s steadfast defence of the Palestinian right to self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He also lauded King Abdullah’s "courageous leadership and wise stance" on the matter, highlighting His Majesty's firm rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.

The diplomat stressed that such moves would jeopardise the Palestinian cause and have dire consequences for the region.

The ambassador also emphasised the King’s resolute commitment to the two-state solution as the only viable path to ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, restoring peace, and ensuring the security and stability of all peoples in the region.

Khairy also expressed his profound appreciation for the King’s recent announcement that Jordan is prepared to welcome around 2,000 Palestinian children from Gaza for medical treatment in Jordanian hospitals.

He also noted that it reflects the King’s ongoing humanitarian efforts and commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, particularly in the field of healthcare.

The ambassador also highlighted Jordan’s critical role in breaking the siege on Gaza, noting that, under the direct directives of His Majesty, Jordan was the first to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza through airdrops with the active participation of King Abdullah and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein.

Khairy affirmed that Jordanian-Palestinian coordination remains strong at the highest levels, spanning political, humanitarian and other sectors, underscoring the enduring solidarity between the two countries.

AMMAN – A delegation representing 11 Arab countries on Sunday visited the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) to gain insights into its digital transformation initiatives and explore Jordan’s expertise in this area.

The delegation, consisting of 30 high-ranking officials including department heads and senior public sector employees from Oman, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, and Libya, toured GAM's Information Technology Directorate, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The visit, organised by the Hague Academy for Local Governance in the Netherlands, was part of a broader training program designed to promote knowledge-sharing and regional cooperation in digital governance.

Executive Director of the Directorate Sultan Kharabsheh emphasised that GAM's digital transformation efforts are in line with national strategies and the Economic Modernisation Vision, highlighting the importance of these initiatives in reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in digital technology.

"In line with His Majesty King Abdullah's vision, digital transformation has been prioritised to position Jordan as a pioneering force in the digital and technological sectors," Kharabsheh said.

During the visit, Head of GAM's Strategic Projects Department Lana Adaileh outlined the municipality’s ongoing efforts to harness digital tools for improving government services and enhancing citizen engagement.

AMMAN —The Public Security Directorate (PSD) on Sunday urged citizens to exercise caution and adopt safe practices amid the prevailing unstable weather conditions.  

The directorate warned of dust-laden winds and the risk of flash floods, emphasising the importance of avoiding valley edges and flood-prone areas. 

It also advised against attempting to cross roads, whether on foot or by vehicle, in case of rising water levels.  

Drivers were also advised to exercise caution, particularly in areas expected to experience dusty conditions, especially in the southern and eastern regions of the country.

 The directorate also encouraged citizens to call the unified emergency number 911 if needed.  

On Monday, temperatures are expected to rise slightly, with relatively cold weather prevailing in most areas and warmer conditions in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba. Low-altitude clouds will appear, with a slight chance of light rain showers in northern parts of the country. 

On Tuesday, temperatures will rise further, exceeding the seasonal average by about 2-3°C. The weather will remain relatively cold in most regions and warm in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba, with light southeasterly winds.  

By Wednesday, similar weather conditions will persist, with relatively cold temperatures in most areas and warmer weather in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba.  

AMMAN — The Civil Defense Directorate has reiterated its warning about the risks associated with improper heater usage, citing a surge in suffocation incidents due to prolonged exposure to heaters during cold weather.

Negligence in heater operation has resulted in tragic accidents, with 21 fatalities and around 560 injuries reported so far this winter season, the directorate said.

Director of Emergency and Humanitarian Support at the Civil Defense Directorate Anwar Shdeifat stressed that while the directorate is working tirelessly to raise awareness and provide safety guidance, some individuals continue to underestimate the dangers of heaters, warning "Even a small mistake can lead to fatal consequences."

Shdeifat pointed out that improper use of heaters can lead to fires, breathing difficulties due to poor ventilation, or suffocation caused by gas leaks.

He also emphasised the life-threatening risks of inhaling harmful gases in poorly ventilated areas, which can quickly lead to unconsciousness.

"Carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas emitted by some heaters, binds to haemoglobin in the bloodstream, preventing oxygen from being transported. If inhaled for just a few minutes, it can induce coma and potentially lead to death."

Shdeifat urged the public to be particularly cautious, noting that symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and shortness of breath may seem mild at first but can rapidly escalate to life-threatening conditions.

He also strongly advised against using heaters while sleeping, even if they are equipped with safety features.

The Civil Defense Directorate has issued several key safety guidelines: regularly ventilating indoor spaces, never leaving a heater on while sleeping, refraining from using heaters in small or enclosed areas like bathrooms and preventing children from playing near heaters or using them for cooking.

Citizens are also encouraged to inspect gas heater hoses for cracks or bends that could lead to dangerous leaks. In case of emergency, the public is urged to immediately call the unified emergency number 911.

AMMAN — Grappling with a perfect storm of falling market prices, escalating production costs, and policy hurdles, Jordan's citrus farmers are being forced to make difficult decisions to stay afloat, according to stakeholders.

In the Northern Jordan Valley, a major citrus-growing region, many farmers are uprooting their citrus trees and switching to alternative crops as growing conditions for citrus have become increasingly unsustainable.

Khaled Rawashdeh, a farmer from the Jordan Valley, noted that "citrus farming is no longer a viable option for many of us."

He pointed to a market oversupply as a primary cause, with overlapping harvest seasons across various regions exacerbating the glut.

Rawashdeh and other farmers argued that the influx of imported citrus, despite a local surplus, has further deepened the crisis and rendered local farming economically unfeasible.

Among those affected is Mohammad Sawalhah, who told The Jordan Times that “Production costs are skyrocketing, and it’s no longer sustainable. The market is overwhelmed with citrus, and what we need now is a fair policy.” He added that many farmers are leaving the industry altogether, warning that Jordan may eventually become reliant on imports for basic food supplies.

In response to the mounting crisis, some farmers have taken to the streets in protest, demanding urgent government intervention. Their calls include stricter import regulations, financial aid, and comprehensive policies to safeguard local agriculture.

Agricultural experts also stress the importance of implementing stronger regulatory measures to help farmers weather economic and environmental challenges and sustain local production.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a November 2023 Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to 12 years in prison after convicting him of attempting to murder a man with a broken bottle in Zarqa in July 2021.

The Criminal Court declared the defendant guilty of attempting to murder the victim in downtown Zarqa on July 20.

The defendant was given the maximum sentence.

Court papers said the defendant and the victim were consuming alcohol on the day of the incident.

An argument ensued between the two and they engaged in a scuffle, court papers said.

"The defendant then slammed his alcohol bottle to the ground and it broke then he used it as a weapon to stab the victim once in the neck," court documents said.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and survived the stabbing incident, the court said.

The defendant did not contest his verdict at a higher court.

The Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the 12-year sentence ruling.

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, Mohammad Shreiri, Mohammad Khashashneh and Hammad Ghzawi.

AMMAN — The Arab League on Sunday called for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon on the agreed-upon date.

The pan-Arab organisation criticized Israel's "procrastination" in implementing the withdrawal under a ceasefire agreement, which Israel had agreed to extend until February 18, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit warned that any delay would intentionally escalate tensions, calling on the international guarantors of the ceasefire to apply enough pressure on Israel to uphold its commitment.

Aboul Gheit reiterated the Arab League's unwavering support for Lebanon's stance, which rejects any Israeli presence beyond the completion of the agreed withdrawal or any further postponements based on "unacceptable pretexts."