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AMMAN — In line with HRH Crown Prince Hussein's recent directives during his visit to the Madaba Centre of Excellence for Culinary Arts, affiliated with the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC), the VTC has signed four cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with leading companies across various sectors. 

These agreements aim to enhance the qualifications of Jordanian workers and create job opportunities tailored to market demands, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

The initiatives are designed to open new pathways for youth to enter the labour market, particularly in key sectors such as tourism and hospitality, aligning with the goals of the Economic Modernisation Vision (Phase Two: 2025–2028), which aims to increase employment opportunities and foster sustainable economic growth.

The tourism and hospitality sector was specifically highlighted for its crucial role in generating employment and driving economic growth in related industries.

Among the agreements signed, one with Al Walaa Catering Services Company will focus on developing specialised training programmes in the tourism and hospitality sector, including curriculum design, providing qualified trainers and recruiting 100 trainees annually.

Another MOU with Abu Aljadayel Foods and Sweets Company seeks to strengthen cooperation in implementing training programmes at various professional levels. 

The partnership will focus on curriculum development, joint funding proposals for vocational and technical education, sharing labour market data and building private-sector partnerships to ensure sustainable job opportunities.

The VTC also signed an MOU with Sally Marketing Company to offer specialized training programmes across multiple professional levels. Additionally, the VTC partnered with Subhi Jabri & Sons Company through an MOU to enhance collaboration in training and employment. 

The partnership will focus on implementing a range of training programs, developing educational materials, and leveraging the resources and expertise of both parties to achieve mutual objectives.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld an August 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling, sentencing a drug dealer to over three years in prison after convicting him of selling illegitimate drugs to a police officer in Amman in June 2023.

The court declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics with the intent of selling the drugs to an undercover agent in Abdullah Ghosheh street on June 19.

The SSC handed the defendant five years in prison for the offence of possessing illegal narcotics and ordered him to pay JD5,000 in fines.

However, the court decided to reduce the fine to JD3,400 and the prison term to three years and four months in prison to give the defendant a second chance in life.

Court documents said the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) learnt the defendant was in possession of illegal narcotics and sent one of its agents to pose as a buyer.

“The AND agent got in touch with the defendant and asked him for a stash of manufactured drugs in return for JD120,” court documents said.

When the two met, AND agents immediately arrested the suspect, court papers added.

The defendant contested the SSC’s ruling through his lawyer, who argued that “his client possessed the illegal narcotics for personal use and was not a drug dealer as the prosecutor stated”.

The lawyer also said his client should receive a reduced sentence because he “was married and had a family to support”.

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.

The Court of Cassation judges were Yassin Abdullat, Nayef Samarat, Mohammad Khashashneh, Qassem Dughmi and Hammad Ghzawi.

-       His Majesty stresses need to complete draft laws on House's agenda

-       King affirms continued coordination with all concerned parties to protect national interests, achieve regional stability

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with the permanent office of the House of Representatives, which includes the speaker, his deputies, and assistants.

During the meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace and attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty stressed the need to complete the draft laws on the House's agenda, according to a Royal Court statement.

The King noted the importance of the House’s continued cooperation with the government to move forward with the political, economic and administrative modernisation tracks.

Discussing regional developments, His Majesty affirmed continued coordination with all the concerned parties to protect national interests and achieve regional stability.

For his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives Ahmad Safadi said the House is keen to cooperate with the government to continue implementing modernisation programmes, noting the commitment of lawmakers to enhancing partisan action and stepping up outreach to the public, the statement said.

He highlighted the importance of forming the National Council for Future Technology, underscoring the House’s support for all steps that contribute to the success of the council’s mission in developing the sector.

Safadi also expressed the House's pride in Jordan's regional and international positions, under the leadership of His Majesty.

Other members of the House’s permanent office spoke about efforts to improve parliamentary work and expressed support for the government's measures in implementing administrative modernisation.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday visited the Mallaha housing project in Deir Alla District in the central Jordan Valley, a Royal initiatives project that consists of 400 housing units.

The project extends over an area of approximately 355 dunums and includes a network of roads and green spaces.

Touring parts of the project, His Majesty listened to a briefing by Minister of Public Works and Housing Mahir Abul Samen, who said the housing units provide a decent and stable life and a safe environment for residents of the area, which suffers from environmental challenges such as high soil salinity, a Royal Court statement said.

According to Abul Samen, the first phase of the project cost about JD28 million, while the second phase includes the construction of 400 additional housing units, for which the infrastructure has been completed.

Families benefiting from the first phase of the project were selected according to criteria determined by a governmental committee which covered housing conditions, the family's social situation, income level, and the number of family members.

His Majesty also checked on robotics, artificial intelligence, and design training programmes held for youths at the Zaha Cultural Centre, which was established as part of the Royal initiatives.

The King was briefed on a handicrafts and 3D printing workshop for women from the area, organised by the Zaha Cultural Centre in partnership with “Dhat Annetaqain” Society.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Balqa Governor Salman Najada accompanied His Majesty on the visit.

AMMAN — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the release and transfer of three hostages out of Gaza to Israel, and 90 Palestinian detainees from Israel to the occupied Palestinian territory.  

The operation was "complex," requiring rigorous security measures to minimise the risks to those involved. Navigating large crowds and heightened emotions posed challenges during the transfers, and in Gaza, ICRC teams had to manage the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance and destroyed infrastructure, according to a statement for The Jordan Times.

“We are relieved that those released can be reunited with their loved ones,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric. 

“Ensuring their safe return and providing the necessary care at this critical moment is a great responsibility. This operation is a powerful example of how our role as a neutral actor between the warring sides can save and change lives, provided that the parties come to an agreement,” Spoljaric said.

The operation marks the beginning of a multi-phase operation, as agreed by the parties, to bring hostages and detainees home, said the statement. 

The ICRC, as a neutral humanitarian intermediary, facilitates the safe transfer of hostages and detainees. Specialised ICRC staff, including doctors, are on-hand to provide care as needed. 

“More families are waiting anxiously for their loved ones to come home,” President Spoljaric said. 

“We call on all parties to continue to adhere to their commitments to ensure the next operations can take place safely. Our teams are ready to continue to implement the agreement so that more hostages and detainees are released, and more families reunited,” the ICRC president noted.

In addition, as part of the broader agreement, urgently needed humanitarian assistance must enter Gaza, where civilians have struggled for months to access food, drinkable water and shelter, according to the statement. 

The ICRC is ready to significantly scale up its humanitarian response, in coordination with its partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. This includes providing much-needed relief like medicines and food as well as support for essential services like health care, water and sanitation, and electricity, the statement said.

The parties must adhere to international humanitarian law at all times, including during release operations. This includes taking constant care to protect civilians as well as medical facilities and personnel.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday directed the team assigned to review the Audit Bureau's inquiries to address and rectify all violations mentioned in the 2023 Audit Bureau Report, in accordance with the law. 

The prime minister also stressed the importance of preventing future violations and resolving them promptly, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Hassan further instructed that necessary legal measures be taken, including referring relevant violations to the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) and the court, with such actions to be publicly announced to ensure transparency.

These directives were issued as he received the 2023 Audit Bureau Report from Bureau President Radhi Hamadin.

The prime minister stressed the government's firm commitment to addressing the violations outlined in the report and monitoring the compliance of entities under the bureau's oversight in rectifying these issues.

 He underscored the significance of upholding integrity and transparency within Jordan’s public administration and lauded the bureau’s role and efforts, reiterating its independence and capacity to maintain its critical oversight of public fund and performance.

The government would take the recommendations of the Lower House's Finance Committee "seriously" and act in accordance with constitutional requirements. Immediate steps will be taken to correct the identified violations, as well as preventive measures to avoid future occurrences, he added.

Highlighting the government's efforts to improve institutional performance, the premier said that since taking office, the government has prioritised activating internal oversight units and boosting auditing practices in ministries and public institutions. 

These measures are designed to complement the role of the Audit Bureau and to uphold the highest standards of governance, Hassan added.

To further reinforce oversight, the prime minister called for specialised training programmes to enhance the skills of staff involved in procurement, auditing and building permit processes, adding that these programmes, which include compliance and commitment audits, are part of the government's public sector modernisation plan. 

He also commended the Audit Bureau for its contributions to the training of internal audit staff.

Hamadin reviewed the main highlights of the annual report and outlined the measures taken to improve the bureau's oversight tools, noting a decrease in the number of violations reported in 2023, which he attributed to the effectiveness of national oversight mechanisms and regular corrections.

The team reviewing the Audit Bureau's inquiries is chaired by the minister of state for prime ministry affairs and includes senior officials as members. 

The team meets on a regular basis to review inquiries and "promptly" address identified violations.

AMMAN — The Senate Arab, International and Expatriates Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Hani Mulki, on Monday met with Chair of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee MP Emily Thornberry, and her accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, Mulki, in the presence of Chair of the Senate Palestine Committee Senator Mazen Darwazeh, reiterated Jordan's support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, especially the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, stressing that this is essential for achieving sustainable peace in the region.

Talks also discussed regional challenges, with Mulki stressing the urgency of implementing the prisoner exchange agreement and enforcing a ceasefire in Gaza. 

He condemned Israel's actions and called for an end to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and genocide in Gaza.

Mulki also stressed the importance of continued international support for UNRWA, which has an indispensable role in providing services to Palestinian refugees.

He also underscored Jordan's support for Syria in its efforts to build a free and sovereign state, as well as its commitment to the reconstruction of Syria and the safe return of Syrian refugees.

Darwazeh spoke of the diplomatic efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah to promote peace regionally and internationally, reiterating the historic nature of the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and calling for international support to preserve this important role.

Thornberry reiterated her country's intention to enhance its relations with Jordan and build on the "longstanding historical" ties between the two kingdoms. 

She noted the "strong" cooperation in various sectors and underlined the importance of continuing the partnership for future generations.

Members of the British delegation also acknowledged Jordan's pivotal role in the region, recognising the respect His Majesty commands on the international stage for his substantial diplomatic efforts.

In response, members of the committee stressed the need for continued communication and cooperation between the two countries on key international issues, underlining the importance of further exchanges and meetings to boost bilateral relations in various fields.

AMMAN — Tkiyet Um Ali (TUA) announced on Sunday the resumption of its humanitarian aid operations to the Gaza Strip as part of its ongoing efforts to support families in need, particularly amid the challenging humanitarian conditions in the war-torn Strip.

In an interview on the "Ya Hala programme", Amer Barrishi, programmes director at TUA, outlined the organisation’s latest efforts, which include the distribution of 60,000 food parcels, along with 20,000 coats and blankets to help families cope with the severe winter conditions. 

Barrishi highlighted that these efforts reflect TUA’s unwavering dedication to meeting the basic needs of vulnerable communities, according to Al Rai newspaper.

He also said that TUA is preparing 10,000 adahi (meat from sacrificed livestock), which will be processed into 500,000 packaged portions for distribution. 

The initiative is being carried out in coordination with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) and the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), he added. 

Barrishi also said that practical measures have been taken to address logistical challenges, including packaging the meat into ready-to-eat units, which ensures quality and facilitates smoother distribution.

Looking ahead to Ramadan, Barrishi noted that TUA plans to expand its efforts to meet the heightened needs of families during the holy month, adding that the organisation will provide Iftar meals made from the sacrificed livestock, ensuring that fasting individuals receive a nourishing meal.

Barrishi also called on donors wishing to contribute to Gaza’s families to contact Tkiyet Um Ali through its available donation channels. 

He also expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the Jordanian people, whose charitable spirit is especially evident during Ramadan and beyond.