Local

AMMAN — The movement of goods through the Jaber border crossing would be suspended during the Eid Al Fitr holiday at Syria’s request, while passenger traffic will continue as usual, the Jordan Customs Department (JCD) said on Wednesday.

The department said that incoming cargo shipments from other border points to Jaber will be halted to prevent truck congestion at the crossing, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Director General of Customs Brig. Gen. Ahmad Akalik stressed that all necessary measures have been taken to manage the movement of both passengers and cargo during the holiday. 

Customs staff at all directorates and border centres were instructed to be prepared and to implement procedures to facilitate the smooth movement of visitors," he added.

To cope with the expected increase in traffic, additional qualified staff have been deployed at border centres to ensure the efficient movement of travellers and goods, he said, noting that these preparations are part of a contingency plan designed to strike a balance between facilitation and compliance.

Akalik also urged the border centre directors to coordinate closely with other agencies operating at the crossings to ensure seamless operations around the clock.

AMMAN — The Jordanian helicopter unit “Congo 1,” serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Tuesday distributed humanitarian aid to local communities, reinforcing efforts to support stability in the region.

The aid packages, prepared by the unit's command, included essential food and non-food items to alleviate the hardships faced by the local population, particularly in accessing basic necessities, according to a Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF) statement.

Jordan's participation in UN peacekeeping missions reflects its commitment to international security and stability, while extending humanitarian support to communities in crisis in conflict zones worldwide.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Government Communication convened a meeting on Wednesday with media representatives as part of the Government Communication Forum, focusing on the National Aid Fund’s (NAF) efforts to economically empower beneficiary families.

The meeting, attended by NAF Director General Khitam Shneikat and Ministry’s Secretary-General Zaid Nawaiseh, focused on the Fund’s recurring and emergency cash assistance programs, as well as initiatives designed to enhance the economic well-being of beneficiary households, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Shneikat underscored NAF’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families, emphasising its monthly financial aid programmes for disadvantaged groups, including persons with disabilities, widows, orphans, and the elderly. She highlighted the Unified Cash Support Programme, launched in 2019, which expanded coverage to include low-income working families.

"In addition to cash assistance, NAF operates an emergency aid programme for crisis response and a physical rehabilitation initiative that provides medical equipment to those in need. Currently, 235,000 families benefit from NAF services, with plans to extend support to an additional 15,000 families by the end of 2025," he added.

Shneikat noted that women constitute 57 per cent of total beneficiaries, reflecting the Fund’s focus on aiding vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. She also emphasised NAF’s transition to digital financial systems, ensuring secure and dignified cash transfers through e-wallets, Jordan Post payment cards, and bank accounts.

"To promote self-sufficiency, NAF invests in vocational training programs, equipping beneficiaries with skills to enter the labor market. So far, 1,119 individuals have received training across various sectors as part of the Fund’s economic empowerment strategy," she said.

AMMAN — Jordan ranks 128th out of 147 countries in the 2025 World Happiness Report, making it the fourth Arab country, after Lebanon, Yemen, and Egypt, with low levels of reported happiness.

This year’s report focuses on the transformative power of kindness and sharing in promoting human well-being. It explores how acts of kindness not only uplift those who receive help but also enrich the lives of those who offer it.

The report, based on extensive data from the Gallup World Poll, which measures charitable donations and volunteerism, revealed that people consistently underestimate the generosity of others. This misperception, however, has a significant impact on overall well-being, as increasing awareness of genuine kindness can boost happiness.

“Countries are ranked based on their average self-reported life satisfaction from 2022 to 2024,” the report said. Once again, Nordic nations dominate the rankings, with Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden occupying the top four spots.

Jordan is among seven countries that experienced the smallest declines in self-reported life satisfaction, alongside Afghanistan, Lebanon, Malawi, Venezuela, Egypt, and Botswana.

The report also highlights that “societies with a higher expectation of benevolence tend to enjoy a more equitable distribution of happiness.” It noted that the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a surge in acts of kindness worldwide, which, despite a slight decline from 2023 to 2024, remains about 10 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The analysis also underscored that social practices such as sharing meals and fostering strong family bonds are universal catalysts for happiness. In contrast, trends toward solitary living, especially among young adults, are linked to lower levels of well-being.

Additionally, the report connected increased benevolence to a reduction in “deaths of despair” and examines its influence on political attitudes, suggesting that societal trust shapes the direction of populist movements.

In interviews with The Jordan Times, many female respondents pointed to challenges related to economic opportunities and social support, calling for greater empowerment. 

Meanwhile, male respondents emphasised the importance of economic reforms and community cohesion in maintaining well-being. These diverse viewpoints reflect the complex landscape of happiness in Jordan, underscoring the need for policy measures that address the distinct concerns and aspirations of both genders.

“I see this as a call for us to overcome our challenges. Despite these numbers, as Jordanians, we remain hopeful that our unity and resilience will pave the way for meaningful change,” said Daliya Abed, a 29-year-old Jordanian.

Others, like Samar Hamarsheh, shared a more cautious perspective: “The daily challenges for sure leave us quite unsettled. The data reflects real concerns.”

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a September 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling, sentencing a drug dealer to over three years in prison after convicting him of selling illegal narcotics to an undercover officer in Amman in  December 2022.

The court declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics with the intent of selling the drugs to an undercover agent in Gardens Street (Wasfi Tel Street) on Dec. 21.

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 JD3,500 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 small stash of Crystal meth in return for JD25,” 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 the court “did not provide solid evidence to implicate his client”.

The lawyer argued that the court relied on questionable testimonies by the prosecution's witnesses. 

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.

“It was clear to the court that the defendant confessed willingly to possessing the illegal drugs to sell in the local market,” the higher court said.

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

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Wednesday attended the closing ceremony of the 32nd National and International Hashemite Competition for the Memorisation and Recitation of the Holy Quran for Men, organised by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs at the King Hussein bin Talal Mosque.

Awqaf Minister Mohammad Khalaileh said the competition was one of the first international competitions dedicated to memorising the Quran, and enjoys continuous support from His Majesty and the Crown Prince, embodying the Hashemite role of caring for the Holy Quran in terms of memorisation, recitation, and understanding, a Royal Court statement said.

Khalaileh said the competition is held annually in different iterations, with both national and international contests for males and females, and has showcased the Quran memorisation prowess of some 33,000 contestants since the competition was launched in 1993.

At the closing ceremony, His Royal Highness handed out certificates to the winners, who numbered 35 in the local competition and 6 in the international competition, as well as to the 9 members of the jury, the statement said.

This year, 3,645 contestants took part in the local competition, while 54 participants from 51 countries competed in the international competition.

Chief Islamic Justice Abdul Hafez Rabtah, Jordan’s Grand Mufti Ahmad Hasanat, and Royal Hashemite Court Imam Ahmad Khalaileh attended the ceremony.

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Wednesday urged the National Council for Future Technology to focus its efforts on advancing digital infrastructure, developing legislation, and enhancing its alignment with technological requirements. 

Chairing a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan who is chairman of the council, the Crown Prince was briefed on the progress of specialised sub-committees working to develop programmes that will contribute to a qualitative leap in the technology sector, according to a Royal Court statement. 

His Royal Highness also emphasised the importance of using data and advanced technology to improve the quality of health services provided to citizens as well as to increase efficiency and productivity within the health sector, the statement said. 

• Two leaders discuss efforts to stop  war on Gaza, resume flow of humanitarian aid, stop dangerous escalations in West Bank
• His Majesty, UAE president reiterate rejection of any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah  met on Tuesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting, held at Al Bateen Palace, touched on the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and peoples, as well as ways to expand cooperation across all fields.

The two leaders stressed the need to maintain coordination on various issues of mutual concern, in the best interests of the two countries and bolstering their security and stability, as well as in service of Arab causes, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Regional developments were also discussed, particularly efforts to stop the war on Gaza, resume the flow of humanitarian aid, stop dangerous escalations in the West Bank, and reject any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.

Sheikh Mohamed hosted an iftar for His Majesty and the accompanying delegation.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh accompanied the King on the visit, the statement said. 

Earlier, His Majesty was received at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed and a number of senior officials, who were also there to bid the King farewell.