Day: April 22, 2025

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi met on Tuesday with a delegation of assistants to members of the United States Congress.

According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting centered on enhancing the strategic bilateral relations between Jordan and the United States. Discussions also covered various developments in regional situations, illustrating the ongoing collaboration and communication between the two countries.

Amman: The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) closed Tuesday’s session down by 0.34 percent, settling at 2,507 points. Trading activity included approximately 3.8 million shares exchanged in 2,242 transactions, with a total trading value of about JD 6.2 million.

According to Jordan News Agency, market data showed that the share prices of 33 companies declined, 19 recorded gains, while 27 remained unchanged by the end of the trading session.

Aqaba: The Aqaba Police Directorate has executed a targeted enforcement operation against illicit trafficking networks, resulting in the detention of three smuggling suspects and the confiscation of 13 unregistered vehicles utilized in contraband transportation.

According to Jordan News Agency, the Public Security Directorate’s official spokesperson stated that the Southern Regional Security Command, in conjunction with Gendarmerie forces, specialized security units, and Customs Anti-Smuggling personnel, implemented a comprehensive interdiction campaign throughout Aqaba Governorate on Monday targeting illicit trafficking operations.

The spokesperson confirmed that the coordinated raids and enforcement actions culminated in the apprehension of three trafficking suspects found in possession of quantities of contraband materials prepared for illegal movement.

Additionally, authorities impounded 13 unlicensed vehicles operating without registration plates that were specifically modified for smuggling activities.

Amman: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Yousef Huneiti, met with Turkish Ambassador to Amman, Yakup Caymazoglu, to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations and military cooperation between Jordan and Turkey.

According to Jordan News Agency, the two sides exchanged views on enhancing joint coordination across various sectors and addressed recent developments in the region, underscoring the importance of continued collaboration to bolster regional stability and shared strategic interests.

Caymazoglu expressed his appreciation for Jordan’s pivotal role, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in promoting peace and security across the region. He emphasized the need for sustained cooperation to support the armed forces of both nations.

The meeting was attended by the Turkish Defense Attach© in Amman, along with several senior officers from the Jordan Armed Forces.

Amman: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi held talks on Tuesday with a delegation from the French Senate, focusing on strengthening cooperation between Jordan and France and reviewing the latest regional developments.

According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting addressed opportunities to advance collaboration in various fields and emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue and coordination between the two countries, especially in light of current regional challenges.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and supporting joint efforts aimed at promoting stability and peace in the region.

Amman: In today’s fast-paced world, stress has emerged as a hidden threat with far-reaching consequences on health, underscoring the urgent need to adopt specialist-recommended strategies to manage its harmful effects, which may lead to chronic illnesses with limited chances of full recovery. Medical experts interviewed by the Jordan News Agency (Petra) emphasized the growing impact of stress on public health amid rising personal and professional pressures. These pressures often push individuals to experience elevated stress levels, which in turn can contribute to serious health complications. The experts stressed the need to develop effective coping mechanisms to limit the adverse health outcomes caused by stress.

According to Jordan News Agency, they pointed out that stress raises the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular illness and diabetes, in addition to harming psychological well-being and contributing to conditions like anxiety and depression. This deterioration in mental and physical health severely affects overall quality of life, highlighting the urgent need to raise awareness about the dangers of stress.

Dr. Radwan Bani Mustafa, a consultant psychiatrist at the University of Jordan Hospital, explained that psychological stress has long been a major health risk factor. He noted recent studies linking stress with unhealthy eating behaviors, particularly “emotional eating” the tendency to eat in response to emotions rather than hunger. Many individuals turn to food as a coping mechanism for anxiety, sadness, or boredom. Under stress, the body produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which not only heighten alertness but also boost cravings for high-fat and sugary foods.

Research published by the Nutrition Source at Harvard University has shown that cortisol increases appetite and alters food preferences, making people seek psychologically comforting yet often less healthy food options.

Bani Mustafa warned that chronic stress contributes to a wide range of health issues including heart disease, high blood pressure, and digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, and weight gain. Prolonged stress also weakens the immune system and raises the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes and vascular disease. More worryingly, it fosters the emergence of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, mental fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Supporting these findings, a Harvard University study reported that people under high stress were 50 percent more likely to develop heart disease. Another study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health revealed that individuals facing chronic stress were 40 percent more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Research from the University of California further linked chronic stress to weakened immunity, making the body more vulnerable to infections and even cancer.

Regarding treatment, Bani Mustafa highlighted the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals replace negative thought patterns with positive ones and develop better coping strategies. He also mentioned that antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed in severe cases, though they are not the sole solution.

Nutritionist Muhammad Baytar defined stress as a natural reaction to physical or psychological pressure, during which the body releases cortisol and adrenaline to prepare for a “fight or flight” response.

Baytar explained that chronic stress increases the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, and both digestive and psychological disorders. It can lead to weight gain due to high cortisol levels, while in some cases, it may result in appetite loss and unhealthy weight reduction.

To counter stress through diet, Baytar recommended magnesium-rich foods such as dark chocolate, seeds, nuts, and avocados for better mental health. He also highlighted omega-3-rich options like salmon, sardines, and chia seeds for reducing anxiety. He advised cutting out processed sugars that cause mood swings and replacing them with fresh fruit smoothies. Adequate hydration was also emphasized, along with minimizing caffeine and opting for calming herbal drinks like anise and hibiscus tea. He encouraged practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.

One citizen, 36-year-old Muhammad Ihsan, shared his experience with chronic stress, which had deeply affected his health and daily life. Working in sales, he constantly felt anxious and overwhelmed, leading to headaches, stomach pain, poor sleep, and chronic fatigue.

Ihsan also described how stress strained his personal relationships. He became irritable and withdrawn, suffering from loneliness and depression, and experienced symptoms like high blood sugar, prompting him to seek both general and mental health care.