Day: April 1, 2026

Amman: The Ministry of Public Works and Housing, in coordination with the Traffic Department, announced the commencement of reconstruction works on a section of the Edoun-Ajloun road starting this coming Saturday. The project will require the closure of a 600-meter segment to traffic, in accordance with the approved layout plan.

According to Jordan News Agency, the ministry stated that an alternative traffic diversion will be implemented to ensure a smooth flow of vehicles during the construction period. The detour begins at the petroleum intersection along the Edoun-Ajloun road heading toward Al-Husn and concludes near Prince Rashid Hospital.

These operations are part of broader efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance road efficiency, the ministry explained. It noted that the contract period spans 120 days, with the official work order having commenced on March 24, at a total cost reaching JD155,000.

The ministry called on motorists to strictly adhere to traffic guidelines and instructions and to utilize the alternative routes to ensure public safety and avoid congestion.

Amman: Member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, MP Khaled Abu Hassan, participated in a meeting of the Executive Committee members via video conferencing to discuss the emergency item that the Arab Parliamentary Group will present during the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting aimed to coordinate Arab positions on regional and international developments and their implications for the region. Abu Hassan highlighted the discussions on the repercussions of wars and conflicts in the Middle East and their effects on political and economic stability in Arab countries. He noted the challenges related to energy security, supply chains, and economic pressures from geopolitical crises.

Representatives from 14 Arab countries participated, showcasing the commitment to unify positions on common interests. The importance of coordination with regional and geopolitical groups within the Union was emphasized, indicating the significance of the emergency item and its links to urgent international issues.

In his speech, Abu Hassan condemned violations of Jordanian airspace and described them as breaches of sovereignty and international law, posing threats to the Kingdom’s security. He also criticized displacement policies in the West Bank and the “Death Penalty Law” passed by the Israeli Knesset, viewing it as a dangerous escalation undermining peace efforts.

The meeting stressed drafting a unified Arab position to reflect countries’ priorities and enhance their influence in international forums. Discussions also covered the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global trade and energy security.

Participants concluded by affirming the need for intensified coordination among Arab parliaments, unifying political discourse, and enhancing parliamentary diplomacy to defend Arab causes and communicate their perspectives to the international community.

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed a desire to expand economic cooperation with the EU, stating that the UK is “ambitious to do more” in strengthening ties with the bloc in terms of the single market.

According to Jordan News Agency, Starmer’s remarks came in response to questions about the possibility of rejoining the single market or the customs union options he has previously ruled out. He stated that current efforts involve a degree of alignment with EU standards, without pursuing full membership in the single market.

He explained that this approach serves the best interests of the British economy, noting that any further progress would depend on negotiations with the EU. Starmer discussed the upcoming summit later in 2026, which he said would assess progress made so far and provide an opportunity to deepen cooperation especially in the economic sphere.

London: The Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army (JAF) successfully intercepted 10 coordinated attempts to smuggle massive quantities of narcotics into the Kingdom early Wednesday morning: The operations were executed across the northern and western frontiers, highlighting a sophisticated escalation in smuggling tactics, utilizing both electronically guided balloons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to Jordan News Agency, on the northern front, the Eastern Military Zone neutralized nine simultaneous smuggling attempts. Traffickers deployed a fleet of electronically guided balloons, launched in a synchronized pattern to exploit prevailing weather conditions and overwhelm border guard monitoring systems. Despite these efforts to distract security units, JAF personnel successfully tracked and intercepted all nine payloads.

Simultaneously, the Southern Military Zone thwarted a separate smuggling operation on the western border involving a drone. The UAV was intercepted while carrying approximately 100 blocks of hashish.

A military spokesperson confirmed that the total seized materials exceeded 1.5 million narcotic pills and 100 blocks of hashish. The success of the operations was attributed to precise monitoring and seamless integration between the Border Guard, military security agencies, and the Anti-Narcotics Department. All intercepted materials and equipment were downed within Jordanian territory and handed over to the relevant authorities for legal processing.

The army reaffirmed its commitment to dealing firmly with any threats to national security, emphasizing that neither regional developments nor adverse weather conditions will compromise the readiness of its forces to protect the Kingdom’s borders.

Amman: The Lower House (LH) Agriculture and Water Committee, led by MP Dr. Ahmed Shdeifat, convened with representatives from the Regional Competence Center for Energy and Climate Justice at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to deliberate on enhancing social protection for agricultural workers.

According to Jordan News Agency, a committee statement highlighted Shdeifat’s call for advancing the social protection system in the agricultural sector, emphasizing its connection to food security and sustainable development. Shdeifat underscored the necessity of providing a comprehensive social security and health insurance framework to improve working conditions and job stability.

Shdeifat pointed out that climate-related challenges confronting the sector necessitate intensified national efforts and bolstered collaboration with global partners to devise practical and sustainable solutions for worker support. Additionally, committee members advocated for strengthening legislative frameworks that govern agricultural activities, safeguard worker rights, ensure a safe work environment, and broaden social protection to encompass all worker categories.

Representatives from the center shared key studies and experiences on integrating agriculture with climate justice and energy, emphasizing the significance of adopting comprehensive policies that consider the sector’s worker challenges. The meeting also explored joint cooperation mechanisms and expertise exchange to bolster national efforts aimed at enhancing social protection and improving living standards for agricultural workers.

This initiative aligns with the goal of achieving sustainable and inclusive development that incorporates economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Amman: Minister of Agriculture and Vice Chair of the Supreme Council for Food Security Saeb Khraisat on Wednesday discussed with a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) progress in implementing the Regional Food Security and Nutrition Observatory for the Arab region.

According to Jordan News Agency, the two sides reviewed the developments in the project, which serves as a strategic platform to enhance regional cooperation in monitoring and analyzing food security indicators. The observatory aims to provide accurate and up-to-date data to support policymakers in adopting effective and proactive policies.

Discussions addressed key challenges facing the project’s implementation. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts to identify appropriate solutions, accelerate progress, and achieve the project’s objectives.

Khraisat called for establishing a timeline for the project’s upcoming phases, with precise allocation of roles and responsibilities among all partners. He noted that a well-defined roadmap is essential to ensuring efficient delivery and timely implementation.

He added that the project represents a pivotal step in supporting countries’ efforts to address growing food security challenges, particularly amid climate change and ongoing economic and geopolitical fluctuations in the region. He said the observatory would enhance early warning capabilities and risk analysis, contributing to the sustainability of food systems across the region.

FAO delegation head Ahmed Mukhtar, a senior expert at the organization’s regional office, said FAO would continue supporting Jordan in implementing the project, urging strengthening regional cooperation to develop an integrated food security monitoring system.

The meeting comes as part of joint efforts to reinforce Jordan’s role as a regional hub for food security and to enhance cooperation among countries in building more efficient and sustainable food systems.