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AMMAN — Construction on the Princess Iman Hospital, located in the Maadi area of Balqa Governorate, is now 70 per cent complete, with project handover expected by the end of next month, well in advance of the original timeline outlined in the tender documents.

This early completion is credited to “consistent” monitoring and an accelerated work schedule, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing on Wednesday announced that Minister Maher Abul Saman, joined by Royal Court Secretary-General Mohammad Abu Karaki, toured the hospital site to assess construction progress.

During the visit, the supervising engineers provided the minister with an update on the development stages and current execution rate. The hospital expansion was launched following instructions from Prime Minister Jafar Hassan during his inspection of the site in late September.

Technical evaluations followed, leading to the formal handover of the site to the contractor on November 25 for initial groundwork. The bidding process had begun in late 2024.

The extension includes a new outpatient section featuring eight specialized consultation rooms and a full suite of diagnostic services such as a medical lab, X-ray unit, and a mammography system.

It will also house a dialysis centre with 10 treatment stations, including two for isolation cases, along with vital support zones like reception, billing, a pharmacy, patient lounges, staff facilities, and additional auxiliary units.

AMMAN — To mark the International Workers’ Day, the Royal Hashemite Documentation Centre has unveiled a historical document chronicling the establishment of Jordan’s first labour union.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the centre said that the document originally appeared in Al Jamia Al Arabiya, a newspaper published in Jerusalem between 1927 and 1935.

It is also cited in the book Popular Participation in Building the Jordanian State (1921–1946) by researcher Suhaila Shalabi.

The records reveal that the union, named the Jordanian Workers’ Aid Association, was founded on May 2, 1932.

According to the centre, the organisation was created to regulate labour affairs, safeguard workers’ rights, and promote local production during a pivotal period of economic and social transformation in the Kingdom.

AMMAN — The Japanese embassy, in partnership with the Japan Foundation and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), on Wednesday launched the Hokusai Manga exhibition at Ras Al Ain Gallery, ushering in a fresh phase of cultural collaboration between Jordan and Japan.

According to a statement from the embassy, the exhibition pays tribute to the creative heritage of Katsushika Hokusai, a “legendary” figure in Japanese art, while showcasing the journey of manga from its classical roots to its contemporary forms.

The event invites the public to discover a form of visual storytelling that connects Japan’s traditional art with today’s internationally beloved manga scene.

Japanese Ambassador Asari Hideki highlighted the importance of cultural engagement in enhancing the relationship between the two nations, emphasising a "mutual dedication" to fostering understanding through the arts.

Deputy City Manager for Community Affairs at GAM Hatem Hamlan reiterated Amman’s "ongoing support" for cultural initiatives that promote global dialogue and artistic appreciation.

The exhibition runs from Wednesday to May 20, with opening hours from 10:00am to 7:00pm. On Fridays, it will be open from 3:00pm to 8:00pm, and on Saturdays from 1:00pm to 8:00pm, offering visitors a "distinctive" chance to engage with Japan’s "vibrant" visual art traditions, the embassy noted.

AMMAN — Four men on Wdnesday were sentenced to 20 years in prison by the State Security Court (SSC) after being convicted of transporting and storing explosives and automatic weapons with illicit intent.

The four defendants are part of 16 men whom the General Intelligence Department (GID) alleged planned to cause chaos and sabotage acts in Jordan.

The SSC stated in its ruling that four men transported hughly-intensed explosives (military style) so that they will not be exposed.

"The explosives the defendants possessesld are extremely dangerous and can cause fatalities and distraction to properties," the SSC said.

The possession of such explosives by the four defendants "were meant to cause chaos in the society".

The 14 remaining suspects are currently being tried by the SSC on similar charges.

Wednesday's verdict will automatically be reviewed by the Court of Cassation within the next 30 days.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and  Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan on Wednesday held talks in Riyadh on regional developments and boosting bilateral ties.

The two top diplomats also discussed ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Jordan and Saudi Arabia and expand cooperation across various sectors, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The ongoing war on Gaza topped the agenda, with both ministers stressing the urgent need for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, an end to Israeli aggression, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged Enclave.

They also reviewed the work of the ministerial committee formed during the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit to follow up on developments in Gaza. 

The ministers also discussed preparations for the upcoming peace conference on the Palestinian cause, scheduled for June under joint Saudi-French leadership, which aims to advance the two-state solution.

Safadi expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Jordan’s development efforts and its care for Jordanians residing and working in Saudi Arabia.

The ministers also reiterated their commitment to enhanced cooperation and joint action on Arab, regional, and international issues, in line with the directives of their respective leaderships.

AMMAN — The government retired debts totalling JD750 million during the first two months of 2025.

Over the same period, the government issued bonds and treasury bills worth JD1.175 billion as part of its debt management strategy, according to official data cited by Al Mamlaka TV.

In January alone, JD150 million in debt was repaid, while the government issued JD350 million in bonds and treasury bills and paid JD83 million in loan interest.

Treasury bonds, a key component of government financing, are long-term debt instruments with maturities ranging from two to twenty years. These include both sovereign bonds and those issued by corporations.

Treasury bills, by contrast, are short-term government debt securities with maturities between three and twelve months. Known for their low risk and liquidity, they are frequently traded in financial markets.

AMMAN — The European Commission and the Union for the Mediterranean, in partnership with the Business Development Centre (BDC), launched the “Green Entrepreneurship: Pathways to Sustainable and Inclusive Employment” forum in Amman on Wednesday.

The event brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development practitioners to explore how green enterprise can drive inclusive economic growth across the region, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Labour Minister Khaled Bakkar, EU Ambassador Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, and several members of the diplomatic corps attended the forum, which focused on scaling green business models, building resilient labour markets, and advancing environmental innovation.

Speakers emphasised the need for stronger alignment between public policy and private sector initiatives to unlock the potential of the green economy, particularly in the areas of job creation, skills development, and digital transformation.

“The shift to a green economy is not a luxury, it’s a strategic necessity,” said Bakkar. “It opens new opportunities for investment in clean energy, recycling and climate tech, while offering a path to improved livelihoods and more resilient communities.”

He underscored the importance of coordinated action across government, business, and civil society, stressing that green entrepreneurship must be treated as a key component of economic modernisation rather than a peripheral concern.

Chatzisavas reiterated the EU’s commitment to the region, highlighting that green and inclusive growth will be central to the forthcoming EU-Mediterranean partnership framework.

“This is about moving from vision to implementation,” he said. “We need policy coherence and private sector engagement to turn green opportunities into real jobs.”

BDC founder and former labour minister Nayef Stetieh described the forum as a platform for action-oriented dialogue. He called for enhanced support systems to empower youth and women to take leadership roles in green sectors.

“We must enable local talent not just to participate in the green economy, but to shape it,” he said.

Organisers said the forum serves as a lead-up to the upcoming Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Employment and Labour, scheduled for later this year. 

Outcomes from the event will help inform regional priorities and contribute to a shared roadmap for sustainable employment and green enterprise development.

AMMAN — The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) has welcomed an official delegation from Malaysia’s Bumitra Association of travel agencies, as part of its efforts to tap into new markets and boost Islamic tourism.

In a statement released Wednesday, the JTB said the visit featured guided tours of several significant Islamic and historical sites, including the Grand Al Husseini Mosque in Amman, the shrine of Prophet Shuaib, the tombs of the Prophet’s companions in Al Mazar Al Janubi, and Karak Castle. The delegation also visited Petra and Wadi Rum, gaining firsthand experience of Jordan’s diverse tourism offerings.

The board has also hosted a business networking event that brought together Jordanian and Malaysian travel agencies. The event aimed to strengthen tourism cooperation and highlight tailored travel packages catering to Muslim tourists, with features such as halal dining, prayer facilities and culturally respectful itineraries.

A central theme of the visit was promoting the “Umrah and Hajj Plus” programme, which integrates religious pilgrimages with tours of nearby cultural and historical sites. The initiative seeks to enhance the spiritual journey by including visits to Islamic shrines and archaeological landmarks in the region.

JTB Director General Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat said that hosting the Malaysian delegation aligns with the Board’s strategy to diversify inbound tourism and reach new international audiences. He emphasised Jordan’s rich religious and historical heritage as a key draw for Muslim travellers.

Members of the Malaysian delegation praised the quality of tourism services in Jordan and expressed interest in developing specialised packages to increase the number of Malaysian tourists visiting the Kingdom.

AMMAN — The embassy of Mexico, in partnership with Zaha Cultural Centre, on Wednesday inaugurated the “Little Mexican Board” as part of a celebration marking Mexican Children's Day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Jordan.

Held at Zaha Cultural Centre, the event aimed to foster cultural awareness among children and deepen mutual understanding between the peoples of Jordan and Mexico from an early age, according to a Mexican embassy statement. 

The “Little Mexican Board” features a permanent photographic mural inspired by Mexico’s diverse culture and natural landscapes. The exhibit is designed to introduce Mexican identity and traditions to the thousands of children who frequent the centre throughout the year.

Children from both countries attended the opening, which included a special screening of Mexican children’s short films and the traditional making and cracking of piñatas, a hallmark of Mexican festive culture.

The initiative forms part of a broader cultural programme celebrating five decades of strong diplomatic ties and growing people-to-people exchange between the two nations, the statement said.