Local

AMMAN — The Eastern Military Zone personnel on Tuesday intercepted a drone attempting to smuggle narcotics across the border.

According to an official military source from the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF), border guard units, in coordination with the Anti-Narcotics Department, detected a drone attempting to illegally enter Jordanian airspace, according to an army statement.

The drone was tracked, intercepted and brought down, and its illicit cargo was recovered on Jordanian soil, and the seized materials have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation, the source said.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the Kingdom’s borders and resources, the JAF emphasized their resolve to respond decisively to any attempt at infiltration or smuggling.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, during a meeting with Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela on Monday, discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.

During the meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, which was attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty highlighted the importance of Prime Minister Abela’s visit in enhancing the strong ties between Jordan and Malta, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King said the signing of the cooperation agreement and memorandums of understanding between the governments of Jordan and Malta reflects the shared commitment to increasing collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries.

For his part, Prime Minister Abela commended Jordan’s efforts, led by His Majesty, to promote stability and peace in the region, and provide medical care for Gaza’s children, as well as refuge and assistance to Syrian refugees, the statement said. 

The King and Prime Minister Abela highlighted the importance of coordination between the two countries regarding receiving sick and injured children from Gaza for medical treatment.

The meeting also touched on current developments in the region, with His Majesty reiterating the need to immediately reinstate the ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the continued flow of humanitarian aid, and step up international efforts to de-escalate the situation in the region.

The King said escalations in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and attempts to displace Palestinians threaten the stability of the entire region, according to the statement. 

His Majesty said Jordan remains committed to working with allies and neighbouring countries to achieve peace, praising Malta’s role in this regard.

The King and the prime minister of Malta witnessed the signing of a framework agreement for cooperation between the two countries, and three memorandums of understanding in the fields of water and energy, tourism, and archiving and language exchange.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources SalehKharabsheh, Malta’s Ambassador to Jordan George Said Zammit, and the accompanying Maltese delegation attended the meeting.

AMMAN — The Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned Israel’s shelling of the Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics in Gaza.

In a statement, the ministry described the attack as a “blatant” violation of international law and the 1949 Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah reiterated Jordan’s rejection of Israel’s continued aggression against the Gaza Strip and its systematic targeting of civilians and vital infrastructure.

Qudah also denounced the destruction of essential facilities providing critical services to the people of Gaza, as well as the ongoing use of siege, starvation, and forced displacement as tools of war.

He also warned of the grave consequences of Israel’s persistent violations in Gaza and the West Bank, stressing their dangerous implications for regional security and stability.

The official also urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral obligations by compelling Israel to immediately cease its aggression, ensure the opening of designated crossings for the delivery of humanitarian aid, and guarantee the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also stressed the urgent need to end the crimes being committed against the Palestinian people and to hold those responsible accountable under international law. 

AMMAN — Jordan has received international recognition for its "substantial" progress in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons, according to the latest report by the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).

In its fifth enhanced follow-up report on the Kingdom, MENAFATF commended Jordan for aligning its legal and regulatory frameworks with international standards, noting “substantial progress” across key areas, including financial oversight and institutional enforcement. 

The report showed that Jordan is now compliant with 36 out of nearly 40 international recommendations, a significant improvement from 2019, when the Kingdom met only 19, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The report highlighted improved compliance in four technical areas: regulation of non-profit organisations; oversight of legal arrangements such as endowments; issuance of guidance and feedback to obligated entities; and enhanced supervision of non-financial businesses and professions, including include law and accounting firms, dealers in jewellery, precious metals and gemstones, and real estate offices.

The Kingdom had formally requested a re-evaluation of these areas in November 2024, submitting revised legislation, updated compliance records, and detailed statistical data to support its case.

The adoption of the report marked the conclusion of Jordan’s enhanced follow-up process under the current round of MENAFATF mutual evaluations, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to internationalfinancial integrity standards. 

AMMAN — The Ministry of Government Communication and the Jordan Media Institute on Monday released the draft of the National Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Strategy for the years 2025–2028.

Developed in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the strategy aims to enhance institutional and human capacities for integrating MIL into national policies and educational frameworks. It also seeks to bridge digital and knowledge gaps by promoting digital skills and competencies across society.

The draft strategy has been published on the official websites of the Ministry of Government Communication and the Jordan Media Institute, in addition to their social media platforms and those of UNESCO, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

The public is encouraged to review the draft and submit feedback within a two-week consultation period, which began on Monday and runs through June 3.

AMMAN — Regional experts, civil society representatives, and international partners have recently convened at the Dead Sea to address how decentralisation and local development can shape more resilient and inclusive societies across MENA.

Organised by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), the event featured participation from experts and representatives of think tanks and civil society organisations from Algeria, Jordan, Morocco and Libya, alongside members of the diplomatic community and representatives from UN agencies, including the UNODC, ILO and UNDP.

The event marked the second regional workshop under SALAR’s Inclusive Local Governance Programme in the MENA region. It provided a platform for in-depth discussions on key issues such as empowering local governments, strengthening accountability, promoting gender balance, and enhancing community engagement.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Director of the Swedish Dialogue Institute for the MENA Region Ann Mawe expressed hope that the gathering would serve as a launchpad for new partnerships and meaningful conversations.

“Ultimately, while conferences and formal meetings are important, it is often in informal settings, over a shared meal, in open conversation, where real partnerships are formed and genuine understanding begins,” she said.

Managing Director of SALAR Ryan Knox highlighted the organisation’s long-standing work in the region, saying, “We’ve worked in the Middle East and North Africa for nearly two decades. Since 2011, we’ve seen growing calls for citizen participation, more accountable governance and inclusive development”. 

 “Local government is where change is most likely to take root. We’re seeing new legislation and reforms across the region, from Iraq to Jordan to Algeria, that redefine the roles and responsibilities of local authorities.”

Knox also referenced Lebanon, noting that the newly formed government has signalled interest in reviving stalled local administration reforms that were last discussed in 2013. “This could be a crucial moment. Our goal is to ensure that reforms empower local governments to function effectively and be accountable to their citizens,” he added.

The event also included a training programme on decentralisation and inclusive local governance. Participants, grouped by country, presented initiatives aimed at strengthening local governance in their respective communities.

Nidal Neimat, a project manager at the Development Unit in Ayl Municipality, Maan Governorate, presented a community development project that resulted in the creation of two guides on community participation and urban planning.

“This two-year project is about sharing knowledge and experience. We now have over 650 members in a Facebook group dedicated to local development, and we aim to expand it into a broader 'community of practice' that can continue beyond the programme’s duration,” he said.

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a December 2023 State Security Court (SSC) ruling, sentencing a drug dealer to over three years in prison after convicting him of possessing illegal narcotics in Ajloun in August 2023.

The court declared the defendant guilty of obtaining illegal narcotics with the intent of selling the drugs to an undercover agent in Anjara town on August 7.

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 Captagon pills and Hashish in return for JD160,” 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 his client possessed the illegal narcotics for his personal use.

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 — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday met with his Maltese Counterpart Robert Abela over bilateral ties between Jordan and Malta and means to develop them in all fields.

During the meeting, held at the Prime Ministry, Hassan noted the availability of opportunities in various areas to bolster economic cooperation and increase trade, cultural, educational and academic exchange, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two prime ministers underscored the need for building partnerships in pharmaceutical, medical, and future technology industries and the possibility of holding twining agreements between touristic cities in both countries.

Talks during the meeting also covered the memoranda of understanding that were signed in water, energy, tourism and archiving fields, Petra added.

Ministers of tourism and digital economy and entrepreneurship and the accompanying delegation of Abela attended the meeting.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Water and Irrigation on Monday held discussions with the Dutch Ministry for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation to explore avenues of collaboration on strategic projects that Jordan aims to implement to secure additional sustainable water sources, including the National Water Carrier Project.

During his meeting with a Dutch delegation headed by Director-General for International Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs Paschalis Grotenhuis, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud reviewed the water challenges facing the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He noted that climate change, rising demand due to population growth, and the presence of hundreds of thousands of refugees have widened the gap between water supply and demand in the Kingdom.

Abu Soud highlighted Jordan’s experience in integrated water management, efforts to reduce water loss through public–private partnerships, and the adoption of comprehensive energy efficiency programmes aimed at lowering the energy costs that burden the water sector.

He also reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts in expanding the use of treated wastewater and implementing long-term solutions to the water crisis.

The minister stressed that water-related pressures have increased this year due to climate change and lower rainfall, referring to intensified cooperation with the private sector, promoting smart agriculture, improving irrigation efficiency, expanding water harvesting programmes, and drilling additional wells to meet summer demand.

Abu Soud praised the ongoing Jordanian–Dutch cooperation and the continued support from the Netherlands to help Jordan address its water challenges.

He also praised the Dutch government’s “growing” interest in enhancing its support for the water sector.

Grotenhuis commended Jordan’s exceptional efforts in hosting refugees and providing water for all, as well as its effective humanitarian response.

She stressed that Jordan is among a few countries that have “successfully” managed their water conditions despite scarce resources.

The Dutch official expressed her government’s interest in active cooperation to ensure the success of Jordan’s pioneering and strategic water projects, and in providing further support to several related initiatives and programmes.