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AMMAN — The Criminal Court prosecutor on Wednesday began questioning an Arab national who allegedly murdered a man in Zarqa a day earlier, official sources said.

The victim was found stabbed to death at his home in Zarqa on Tuesday night, Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said.

“An investigation team was tasked with investigating the incident and concluded that the suspect was the perpetrator who vanished shortly after the body was discovered,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

The investigation team was able to pinpoint the whereabouts of the suspect and arrested him without any major incident, the police official added.

“Officers found a sharp object and some of the victim’s belongings with the suspect,” Sartawi added.

In his initial confessions, the suspect stated that “he murdered the victim following a heated argument,” according to Sartawi.

The sharp object was sent to the Forensic and Laboratories Department (FLD) for further examination, a second source told The Jordan Times.

Blood and tissue samples taken from the victim were also sent to the FLD for further analysis, according to the second source.

The Criminal Court prosecutor ordered that the suspect be detained at a correctional and rehabilitation facility for 15 days pending further investigations, the second source added.

Investigations are ongoing in the case, Sartawi added.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Wednesday chaired a National Council for Future Technology meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace.

During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan who is the council’s chairman, His Royal Highness was briefed on the progress of the council’s specialised sub-committees, as well as its programmes to integrate artificial intelligence in education, data, and autonomous systems, in addition to the status of future projects to improve public services for citizens, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The Crown Prince reiterated the need for the council to meet the goals of its project implementation plans within the stated timeframes.

AMMAN — The average monthly wage in Jordan stood at JD544 in 2022, according to data released by the Department of Statistics (DoS) on Wednesday, marking International Workers’ Day.

Figures show a gender gap in earnings, with the average wage for male employees reaching JD561, compared to JD503 for females. The report covers both public and private sector workers.

Public sector employees earned significantly more, with an average monthly wage of JD646. Male public employees earned JD682 on average, while their female counterparts earned JD587. In contrast, the average wage in the private sector was JD493, with men earning JD511 and women JD439.

The statement also highlighted a slight improvement in employment figures. The national unemployment rate declined by 0.6 percentage points in 2024, reaching 21.4 per cent. Male unemployment dropped to 18.2 per cent, a decrease of 1.4 points, while female unemployment rose by 2.2 points to 32.9 per cent.

Over the past two decades, the number of insured workers registered with the Social Security Corporation has increased significantly, rising from 366,000 in 2000 to approximately 1.5 million in 2023.

Despite these gains, the DoS emphasized that the Jordanian labour market continues to face structural challenges, including increasing competition from migrant workers, which has constrained job opportunities for Jordanians. Unemployment rates have remained largely unchanged despite sustained policy efforts.

The department also underscored the low economic participation of women, noting that only 14.9 per cent of Jordanian women aged 15 and above were active in the labour force in 2024 — a figure that remains well below expectations.

Marking the occasion, the department praised the “substantial progress” of Jordan’s labour movement over the past 50 years, citing a tradition of strong national engagement and union activity. Jordan was among the first Arab nations to form labour unions, with the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) established in 1954. Since then, the federation has played a pivotal role in founding the Arab Labour Union and participating in key regional events.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah was briefed on progress in implementation of the Economic Modernisation Vision during the first quarter of 2025, at a meeting on Tuesday at Al Husseiniya Palace. 

His Majesty was updated by relevant officials on the status of the vision’s completed and ongoing projects during the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, a Royal Court statement said. 

The King urged proceeding with plans for the vision’s executive programme for (2026-2029), noting the importance of open communication with the private sector, and ensuring that citizens feel the tangible impact of modernisation efforts.

His Majesty also called for continuing with the implementation of the public sector modernisation roadmap.

Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan attended the meeting.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and King Felipe VI of Spain discussed the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Spain during a phone call on Tuesday.

Discussions also covered ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, a Royal Court statement said.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Tuesday reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position, under Hashemite leadership and through its people, as a beacon of moderation, tolerance and balance.

During a visit to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the prime minister underscored the ministry’s pivotal role in advancing these values, which he described as “the essence of our Islamic faith and a fundamental part of our national identity that rejects extremism, fanaticism, isolation, and exclusion.”

In a briefing on preparations for the upcoming Hajj season, Hassan emphasised the importance of instilling such principles in future generations, according to a Prime Ministry statement. 

 “Our children must grow up with faith in Allah, devotion to our religion, love for the homeland, and respect for others. These values should be expressed through meaningful actions and a way of life rooted in belief in God, loyalty to His Majesty the King, and a strong sense of national belonging,” he said.

The prime minister also commended the Ministry’s efforts in managing mosques, Qur’an memorisation centres, Islamic endowments, religious guidance, and social protection initiatives. 

He also applauded its role in safeguarding Al Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the entire Al Haram Al Sharif compound through the Jerusalem Awqaf Department, under the Hashemite custodianship.

“We are facing grave challenges from Israeli extremism and the escalating violations in Jerusalem,” he said, affirming Jordan’s frontline role in defending the city against attempts to Judaise it and erase its Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity.

“This is our historical responsibility under the Hashemite custodianship and the duty of every member of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department who confronts aggression at Al Haram Al Sharif,” he added.

The Premier also extended deep appreciation to the employees of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department for their dedication to Al Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic holy sites. He noted that their efforts reflect Jordan’s broader role, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, in preserving Jerusalem’s Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity and in supporting Palestinian resilience.

Regarding charitable initiatives, Hassan said Jordan continues to serve as a model of national solidarity and unity, with ample avenues for giving, including support for the elderly, orphans, and the development of educational, healthcare, and social institutions.

He also highlighted the significant grassroots contributions by citizens to community service and the establishment of educational and social infrastructure across the country.

Turning to national development, the prime minister reiterated the importance of the Comprehensive Modernisation Vision, which seeks to enhance the state’s economic, political, administrative, and social capacities.

“All state institutions are obligated to work toward implementing this national project. We are all partners in this effort, and its success depends on the strength of our society and its institutions,” he said.

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalayleh announced that Jordanian pilgrims will begin departing for the holy sites on May 23. 

He affirmed the Ministry’s full commitment to ensuring pilgrims receive the necessary support and care to perform their religious rituals with ease, from their departure from the Kingdom until their return.

AMMAN — As part of its commitment to empowering women and championing healthier lifestyles, Abdali Investment and Development on Tuesday announced the launch of its inaugural Women’s Cycling Race.

Organised in partnership with the Jordan Cycling Federation, the event is scheduled to take place on May 16 in the heart of Abdali, according to a statement by Abdali Investment and Development.

This community event aims to spotlight the role of sports in enriching women’s lives, encourage widespread engagement in physical wellness and inspire young girls to step into new experiences that build both mental resilience and physical strength within a safe and supportive environment, the company said.

To ensure broad participation and make the event accessible to all, the company is offering complimentary bicycles and helmets for those without their own gear, along with free registration. The race is expected to attract more than 60 cyclists of various age groups.

The race will kick off near the outdoor parking area adjacent to The Boulevard, with preparations starting at 7:00am. 

Cyclists will set off at 8:00am with a fun orientation lap around the route, followed by four official laps totalling approximately 16 kilometres. 

To make the experience more engaging for the public, the race will be broadcast live on a large screen at The Boulevard Amphitheater, giving friends and families the chance to follow the action and cheer on the cyclists.

The event will conclude with an award ceremony at 11:00am, during which participants will receive commemorative medals. The top three winners will receive cash prizes of JD200, JD150 and JD100, respectively, along with honorary trophies in recognition of their achievement.

“We are excited to be hosting this event as part of our corporate social responsibility. At The Abdali, we believe that empowering women and promoting community sports are essential pillars in building a more sustainable and inclusive society,” said Abdali Group CEO Amer Ahmad Tarawneh.

“This race represents a significant milestone in our efforts to elevate female participation across different activities, and we are committed to making it an annual tradition to continue to inspire and uplift women through sports,” Tarawneh added. 

The statement said that registration is now open via the following link: https://forms.gle/H9xkyV6c1QX8RaXJ9.