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AMMAN — The Italian government on Tuesday stressed its ongoing commitment to the education sector in Jordan by contributing an additional 1 million euros to the multi-partner credit fund.

The funding aims to support the Ministry of Education's initiatives, with technical assistance provided by UNESCO, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

With the additional contribution, Italy's total investment in the fund now amounts to 1.8 million euros, contributing to a total value of $8.6 million for the UNESCO partnership plan to support educational programmes.

The investment highlights Italy's “dedication” to advancing educational reforms that promote integration, sustainability and flexibility within Jordan's educational system.

In a meeting with ambassadors from donor countries, Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah stressed that the partnership aims to enhance the educational environment in alignment with the ministry's plans to achieve educational standards as per the best global practices.

He expressed gratitude for the additional support from partners, which is vital for realising the ministry's vision of providing a conducive educational atmosphere for all students.

Italian Ambassador to Jordan Luciano Bizzotti said that Rome is committed to Jordan's educational development, noting that education is the "cornerstone" of sustainable development and a "crucial" element in boosting the partnership between Jordan and Italy.

He said that the additional contribution reflects Italy’s strategic commitment to supporting Jordan's long-term vision for a flexible and programmatic educational system.

UNESCO representative in Jordan Noha Bawazir highlighted the importance of international cooperation, saying that Italy's contribution exemplifies global solidarity in advancing education and reaffirms commitment to enhancing the foundations of education in Jordan.

She expressed pride in continuing to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and other partners to support educational reforms aimed at creating a more flexible and integrated educational framework in Jordan.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Feisal, president of the Jordan Olympic Committee and a member of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee, on Tuesday received a delegation of the “Hope and Dreams” Festival.

The delegation was headed by President of World Taekwondo Chungwon Choue, and included President of the International University Sports Federation Leonz Eder and President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation Dale McMann, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Prince Feisal welcomed the visiting delegation and expressed his appreciation for the festival, which aims to promote the importance of sports in the lives of youth in refugee camps.

Prince Feisal highlighted the “significant” role played by the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation in using sport as a tool for community development and increasing hope among refugees. 

The third edition of the “Hope and Dreams” sports festival will kick off in Jordan on Wednesday, and run through Saturday. 

The 2025 edition is expected to be the largest yet, offering athletes from refugee camps the opportunity to compete in six different sports.

Choue noted the “remarkable” progress the festival has seen each year, saying: “The Hope and Dreams Festival has become one of the most important annual events for World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation. We are proud to see it grow into a multi-sport event that inspires refugees and youth.”

For the first time, this year’s festival will include handball, in addition to last year’s featured sports of taekwondo, basketball, baseball, badminton, and 3x3 basketball.

AMMAN — Royal Jordanian (RJ) on Sunday celebrated World Pilots’ Day by honouring a number of its pilots in recognition of their contributions and years of service, reaffirming the national carrier’s commitment to professionalism and operational excellence.

During a ceremony attended by Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali, senior executives, and RJ employees, several pilots were presented with service certificates in appreciation of their longstanding dedication to the airline.

Majali extended his congratulations to RJ’s pilots, praising their professionalism and critical role in the airline’s continued success. “Our employees, especially our pilots, are our greatest asset, according to a RJ statement.

Their competence and dedication are a source of pride and a key pillar in maintaining the highest international operational standards,” he said.

He stressed that the celebration reflects the airline’s ongoing efforts to support and invest in its pilots through training and development, while fostering a dynamic work environment that encourages further achievement.

Majali also highlighted the essential role pilots play in driving the airline’s growth and modernisation efforts, noting RJ’s solid record of punctuality, which continues to earn passengers’ trust.

As part of its fleet renewal strategy, Majali noted that RJ received five Embraer E2 jets and one cargo aircraft in 2024. "The airline is expecting delivery of 16 more aircraft by the end of 2025, including 14 Airbus aircraft and two additional E2s."

The CEO reiterated RJ’s focus on enhancing operational efficiency and improving the overall travel experience, underscoring the airline’s broader strategy to deliver high-quality service while modernising its fleet.

AMMAN — Personnel from the Northern Military Zone on Tuesday thwarted two separate infiltration attempts along Jordan’s northern border, according to a senior military source at the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF).

In the first incident, an individual attempted to illegally cross the border through one of the Kingdom’s official border crossings. The source said the person was apprehended after the rules of engagement were applied and was subsequently handed over to the relevant authorities.

In a separate operation, two boats originating from Syrian territory attempted to cross into Jordan via the Wihdeh Dam. One boat was intercepted, and one person onboard was detained, while the second vessel retreated back into Syrian waters, the source added.

The JAF reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the Kingdom’s borders, stressing that all available resources are being deployed to prevent infiltration and smuggling and to uphold Jordan’s security and stability.

AMMAN — The regional forum "Towards a Digitally Accessible Arab Region – ICTs for All by 2025" opened on Tuesday in Amman, convening a broad array of Arab, regional, and international stakeholders to promote inclusive digital transformation.

Organised by Jordan’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) in cooperation with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the two-day event highlights the importance of digital accessibility as a key component of social inclusion.

TRC Deputy Chairman Nael Adwan underscored the forum’s significance, particularly in light of Amman’s selection as the Arab Digital Capital for 2025, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He said that broadening digital access is fundamental to empowering individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds to actively engage in the digital sphere. “This is a critical step towards achieving true digital inclusion in the Arab region,” he added.

Director of the Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Department Khalil Abdallat emphasised the ethical and national imperative of ensuring digital access for persons with disabilities, the elderly, and marginalised groups. “Digital access is now an integral human right—it is the gateway to equal participation in education, employment, public services, and daily life,” Abdallat said.

Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau Cosmas Zavazava described the forum as a valuable platform for policymakers to better understand the challenges of digital accessibility and to develop technologies that address the specific needs of underserved groups, including migrants, refugees, older adults and people with disabilities.

Speaking on behalf of ESCWA, Director of the Governance and Conflict Prevention Division and Acting Head of the Statistics, Information Society and Technology Cluster Tarek Alami said the forum’s fourth regional edition reflects a growing commitment to digital access and inclusion as fundamental principles in the Arab region’s development.

The forum’s sessions focus on expanding access to information and communications technologies (ICTs), especially for vulnerable populations. Discussions aim to develop strategies to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable access to education, healthcare, employment, and government services. 

AMMAN — The State Security Court (SSC) on Tuesday issued a comprehensive gag order banning the publication or dissemination of any information related to an ongoing case involving allegations of missile manufacturing, recruitment, training and drone production.

The court’s president announced that all proceedings and materials linked to the case are now classified under strict confidentiality.

The order prohibits the publication or broadcasting of any documents, evidence, transcripts, or recordings related to the case across all media platforms, including print, audio, visual, and online outlets, as well as social media and any other form of communication.

The gag order will remain in effect until a final verdict is issued. The court stressed that any violation of the directive would result in legal consequences.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Interior on Tuesday announced new measures, easing entry and exit regulations for specific categories of Syrian nationals, in coordination with relevant authorities.

The ministry said that the changes were designed to balance between national security considerations and economic interests, and were expected to bolster economic ties between Jordan and Syria, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Ministry spokesperson Tariq Majali said that the revised regulations provide greater flexibility for Syrian nationals with academic, business, property, or pension-related connections to Jordan. The move reflects a broader strategy to promote economic engagement while maintaining strict security oversight, he added. 

Under the new rules, Syrian university professors and students currently enrolled in Jordanian universities or community colleges may enter the Kingdom without prior approval, provided they present valid proof of enrollment for the current academic semester. Entry remains subject to standard security checks. 

"Syrian students residing in Syria who have been accepted into Jordanian institutions must still obtain prior entry authorisation."

In a step aimed at facilitating cross-border trade and investment, Syrian nationals with valid Jordanian commercial registrations, regardless of the capital amount, may now travel to and from Syria without prior approval, provided they hold a valid Jordanian business license and face no security-related restrictions. "Syrians listed on Jordanian commercial registries who have never entered the Kingdom must continue to apply for prior authorisation."

The ministry said that existing entry procedures remain in effect for Syrian investors holding Jordanian investment cards (categories A, B, or C), as well as those with commercial capital exceeding JD 50,000.

The updated regulations also allow Syrian nationals who own property in Jordan valued at JD 50,000 or more, as assessed by the Department of Lands and Survey, to enter and exit the Kingdom without prior approval. 

This also applies to their immediate family members, provided all security clearance requirements are met. Syrians residing in Syria who hold Jordanian property deeds but have never entered the Kingdom must still obtain prior entry clearance.

Additionally, Syrian nationals receiving pensions from Jordan’s Social Security Corporation may now travel freely to and from the Kingdom without prior authorisation, as long as there are no security-related restrictions.