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AMMAN — The 159th humanitarian convoy arrived in Gaza on Monday, carrying urgent relief supplies to support Palestinians affected by the difficult conditions they are living in. 

This initiative is part of the continuous humanitarian efforts by the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), Al Mamlaka TV reported.

According to the JHCO, the convoy includes more than 4,000 tents to provide safe shelter for families who have lost their homes in light of the increasing humanitarian challenges. 

JHCO emphasised that this aid reflects Jordan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the people of Gaza through the uninterrupted land bridge delivering essential relief and humanitarian supplies.  

The organisation reaffirmed that its humanitarian convoys will continue, driven the humanitarian and fraternal duty to provide all necessary aid and relief to the people of Gaza during the current circumstances.

AMMAN — Head of the Lower House's Legal Committee Mustapha Amawi said that the panel has received a proposed draft law on preventing the displacement of Palestinians to Jordan. 

Amawi told the government-owned Al Mamlakah TV that the draft law will be referred to the Chamber for deliberations and given the "urgency status," once the committee finalized by the committee. 

The veteran MP said that the law supports the official position of Jordan on the displacement of the Palestinians.

Head of the House’s Palestine Committee Sulaiman Saud has recently said that the law will be implemented “regardless of the cost" once it passes all constitutional stages.

He said that the approval process for the law “would not take long”, noting that the timeline depends on the observations, ideas, and amendments suggested by MPs.

Saud said that the importance of the proposed law lies in its alignment with national principles to prevent the displacement of Palestinians, stressing that "Jordanians stand united behind His Majesty King Abdullah, as was clearly evident in the protests that took place across all governorates."

A number of MPs have suggested the issuance of a law that prevents the displacement of Palestinians to Jordan following statements by US President Donald Trump.

According to Paragraph A of Article 95 of the Constitution, "Any ten or more Senators or Deputies may propose any law. Such proposal shall bereferred to the committee concerned in the House for its views. If the House is of the opinion that the proposal be accepted it shall refer it to the Government for drafting it in the form of draft law, and to submit it to the House either during the same session or at the following session."

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday began a working visit to the United States. 

In Washington, DC, His Majesty is due to meet with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King is also scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, the President’s Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and members of key Congressional committees, the statement said. 

In Boston, His Majesty is slated to meet on Monday with representatives of companies and higher education institutions based in the state of Massachusetts, as well as Governor Maura Healey.

The Boston meeting was rescheduled after being postponed in December 2024 due to inclement weather.

On Sunday, His Majesty met with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the statement.

-Company will be government-owned, affiliated with Jordan Capital and Investment Fund
-Firm will develop vital public service facilities nationwide, infrastructure to attract investments 

AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Sunday approved the establishment of a non-listed public shareholding company affiliated with the Jordan Capital and Investment Fund. 

The company, named the Jordanian Company for Urban and Facilities Development, is to be established under the provisions of the Jordanian Investment Law No. 16 of 2016, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The company will be fully owned by the government and will be tasked with executing and developing major strategic infrastructure projects. 

It will also develop vital public service facilities nationwide, including direct public transportation projects among main cities, alternative roads, and railway transport. 

The company will also own the land for the new city, with the aim of developing its infrastructure and facilities to attract investment.

As part of the Economic Modernisation Vision, the Cabinet also amended the criteria for providing electricity services under Fils Al Reef, a fee added to each kilowatt a household uses.

The amendment aims to support industrial expansion and new industries, facilitate electricity connection procedures for citizens, and reduce costs for farmers, contributing to food security. 

The Council of Ministers approved an amendment bylaw to the Customs Regulation for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) for 2025. 

The bylaw will enable the customs enforcement division within the Jordan Customs Department to implement the provisions of the bylaw within ASEZA, in accordance with agreed-upon customs procedures between the department and the zone.

In line with efforts to modernise administrative bylaws and regulations, the Cabinet approved the rationale for a draft bylaw concerning the Jordan Olympic Committee for 2025.

The amendments aim to align the bylaw with the latest updates to the Olympic Charter issued by the International Olympic Committee. 

The Cabinet also approved the validating reasons for a draft bylaw to establish the West Irbid CassationCourt for 2025. 

This decision comes in response to the area’s growing population, aiming to ease legal procedures for citizens and reduce the increasing burden on the Irbid CassationCourt.

As part of agreements with international organisations and other countries, the Council of Ministers approved a document for a project aimed at enhancing veterinary services and medicine in Jordan, as well as updating legislative and regulatory frameworks in the sector. 

The project is in collaboration between the government, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The project aims to boost early warning capabilities, mitigate risks, manage national and global health threats, ensure sustainable food production, and implement resilient agricultural practices that enhance productivity and adaptation to climate change, and gradually improve soil and land quality by 2030.

The Cabinet also approved the Kingdom to join the Women Development Organisation, which operates under the umbrella of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. 

The ministries of foreign affairs and social development have been tasked with completing the necessary procedures.

Also, the Council of Ministers approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship and the University of Waterloo in Canada.

AMMAN — The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) on Sunday dispatched 16 helicopters from King Abdullah II Airbase to Gaza, delivering 20 tonnes of essential relief supplies to the war-torn region.

JAF said that the aid was sent in cooperation with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO) and included two helicopters provided by Italy.

Since the beginning of the mission, the JAF has deployed 102 helicopters, including 11 from Italy, according to a JAF statement.

AMMAN — French Ambassador to Jordan Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison on Sunday voiced his country's "full rejection" of the displacement of Palestinians and its support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state solution.

"France opposes any forced displacement of the Palestinian population from Gaza and the West Bank as it would lead to four unacceptable consequences: dangerous violation of the international law, undermining Palestinians' legitimate rights and the two-state solution and threatening the stability of Jordan and Egypt and the entire region," the ambassador said at a press briefing at his residence in Amman.

Citing the same reasons, the ambassador said that France also opposes settlement activities and the annexation of lands in the occupied Palestinian territories. 

"Our position is clear and firm: there is no alternative for the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state in the West  Bank and Gaza, living side by side in peace and security with Israel," Grandmaison said. 

He said that France will continue working with Jordan towards achieving this objective.

The ambassador also said that Paris has received the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement with "big relief", calling on all parties to adhere to the established terms of the agreement—a framework that is firmly believed to be capable of terminating the conflict and lay the groundwork for a political solution. 

With regard to Hamas, the ambassador said that France's position is well-known to all: "Disarming Hamas and giving it no role in governing Gaza."  

Regarding the two-state solution, Grandmaison said, “It is essential to shift from mere declarations to tangible, decisive actions.” 

The ambassador cited President Macron's official visit to Riyadh in late 2024, during which he unveiled plans for a high-level conference, co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, aimed at implementing the two-state framework and establishing a Palestinian state.

 This conference is scheduled to convene in New York in June of the coming year, he said. 

"I want to reiterate that the future of Gaza has to be [decided] within the framework of the future Palestinian state, under the sponsorship of the Palestinian Authority and not under the control of a third country." 

The ambassador also voiced his country's "full commitment" to partnership with Jordan, saying, "Jordan is a country of security and stability, and it is an indispensable partner."

He underlined that France will continue supporting Jordan in facing the economic, political and security challenges it is facing, unilaterally, through the EU and the UN.

AMMAN — The recent weather depression has improved the current rainfall season by 19 per cent of the annual seasonal average, Director of the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) Raed Khattab said on Sunday.

Khattab said that the highest recorded rainfall was at the Ras Munif station in Ajloun, which received 86.8 millimetres (mm), accounting for 15 per cent of its seasonal average, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The University of Jordan station came second, recording 68 mm (13 per cent) and Al Rabba station in Karak, received 55.1mm, 17 per cent of its seasonal average.

The depression, which affected Jordan from Wednesday morning until Friday night, was the first major weather depression of the past 50-day period of the rainy season.

Khattab explained that the depression was accompanied by an “extremely” cold air mass of polar origin, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures.

Rainfall was observed across most parts of the Kingdom, occasionally accompanied by thunder and hail. 

Temperatures dropped below zero in high-altitude and desert areas, while northern and southern mountainous areas experienced snowfall, with accumulations varying depending on elevation.

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Yousef Huneiti received Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul on Sunday at the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF).

During the meeting, attended by senior JAF officers and the Norwegian defence attaché, discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and coordination across various fields. 

They also reviewed regional and international developments in a manner that serves the interests of both countries’ armed forces, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Huneiti underscored the importance of the strategic partnership between Jordan and Norway and highlighted the need for unified international efforts to promote global security and peace.

Juul commended Jordan’s pivotal role, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, in fostering security and stability in the region.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Education on Sunday announced the preparation of a comprehensive national framework for student evaluation at all educational levels.

The move aims to develop the Kingdom's current system, which aligns with the Royal visions and international developments, to achieve a "high-quality" educational umbrella that invests in human capital.

In a press statement, the ministry said it had formed a team of experts to study the current student evaluations, develop an improvement roadmap, and build capabilities to use the related results in shaping future educational policies.

The ministry stressed that the new national framework relies on modern methods for student evaluation, which contributes to "accurately" determining learning levels and needs and helps in drafting student-driven remedial plans and enrichment activities.

Under a set of fundamental amendments, the system mainly aims to roll out a school readiness test to identify students' needs at the beginning of basic education and improve classroom evaluations under "accurate" tools that focus on assessing competencies.

The framework would also reform the General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (Tawjihi) by slashing testing papers, adopting question banks, and introducing a two-year examination system.

The ministry added that the development drive is part of its efforts to improve Jordan's education quality and ensure evaluation fairness, which contributes to improving outcomes of the educational process and enhancing students' readiness for future requirements.