Day: April 29, 2026

Amman: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II attended the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the National Military Service program for the year 2026. During the event at the National Military Service training center, the Crown Prince delivered an address emphasizing the importance of investing in the potential of youth and the role of the program in strengthening Jordan.

According to Jordan News Agency, the Crown Prince highlighted the importance of serving Jordan with honor across all fields, investing in technology, and committing to lifelong education and development. He stressed that the unity of the Jordanian people is integral to the strength of the wider Arab nation.

His Royal Highness also reflected on the spirit of military service, describing it as a legacy of pride and a duty fulfilled in times of adversity. He noted that the military is a spirit of belonging and a legacy built by those who served with valor and devotion.

The ceremony featured a parade of graduates, silent drill, and hand-to-hand combat demonstrations, showcasing the high level of physical fitness and discipline achieved during training. The Crown Prince presented awards to top-performing graduates in infantry and combat readiness.

The National Military Service program, conducted over three months, includes a balanced training regimen focusing on discipline, physical skills, and light weapons use, as well as theoretical training on active citizenship, national awareness, and financial literacy.

Amman: The Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) celebrated on Wednesday the graduation of a specialized training-of-trainers (ToT) course aimed at bolstering the technical capabilities of its instructional staff.

According to Jordan News Agency, the program was implemented in partnership with Enabel, the Belgian agency for international cooperation, and was funded by the European Union. The initiative was executed by the Partners for Good organization in collaboration with Luminus Technical University College.

The VTC statement highlighted that the latest phase of the program focused on enhancing the skills of 29 instructors in beauty therapy and packaging fields. This follows an earlier phase where 21 instructors were trained in electric and hybrid vehicle maintenance, bringing the total number of beneficiaries under the capacity-building program to 50.

Raafat Al-Sawafin, Director General of the VTC, emphasized that the corporation is prioritizing the continuous professional development of its staff to ensure that training outcomes align with modern industrial standards. He noted that the instructor is the cornerstone of the educational process, and upgrading their proficiency directly impacts the quality of skills acquired by graduates.

The VTC indicated that these programs are designed to keep pace with rapid labor market shifts and technological advancements. By modernizing its training curricula and enhancing instructor expertise, the corporation aims to provide the domestic economy with highly skilled labor.

The graduation ceremony was attended by senior representatives from the partnering organizations, including Walid Al-Tarawneh, CEO of Partners for Good; and Majd Al-Tarawneh, Grants Officer at Enabel. Representatives from Luminus Technical University College and VTC project management teams also participated in the event.

Amman: The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship held a meeting to celebrate the admission of Jordanian university students into a global research training program in Canada.

According to Jordan News Agency, the event was attended by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Azmi Mahafzeh, the ministry’s Secretary-General, Samira Zoubi, who represented the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, several presidents of public and private universities, and the Jordanian Ambassador to Canada, Sabah Rafai, who engaged virtually.

Mahafzeh remarked that the participating students reflect the “level of national expertise and its ability to compete globally.” He emphasized that their involvement in the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship program 2026 at prestigious Canadian universities is “not merely a training experience, but a significant milestone,” contributing to building their research capabilities and enhancing their readiness to engage in global scientific environments.

Mahafzeh further highlighted that these programs help in linking higher education outcomes with global opportunities, opening new horizons for students to gain advanced research and applied skills.

Zoubi noted that these opportunities are part of the Ministry of Digital Economy’s efforts to expand global partnerships and open pathways for young people in the technology and innovation fields. This aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision to build a “qualified digital workforce capable of competing globally.” She affirmed that the empowerment of Jordanian university students to join global research programs reflects Jordan’s commitment to investing in human capital and enhancing young people’s readiness to engage in the global digital economy.

She added that this initiative is the outcome of the Jordanian mission to Canada, implemented within the framework of the Youth, Technology, and Jobs project. The achievement came in partnership with the private sector under the “Jordan Source” program, which contributed to building a partnership with the Canadian “Mitacs” organization.

She noted this partnership has enabled 29 male and female students from Jordanian universities to enroll in the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship program for 2026, in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and robotics.

Beirut: More than 1.25 million people in Lebanon are at risk of falling into “crisis” levels of food insecurity or worse by August, according to a joint United Nations and Lebanese government report released on Wednesday.

According to Jordan News Agency, the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, published by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), warns that recent military escalation has reversed previous humanitarian gains and pushed the country back into a cycle of instability.

The report highlights that the convergence of active conflict, mass displacement, and surging commodity prices has made basic food items increasingly unaffordable for a significant portion of the population.

“The vulnerability we cautioned against in our previous analysis has, unfortunately, been realized,” said Alyson Oman Lawi, WFP Representative in Lebanon. “Hard-won progress has evaporated rapidly. Families that were previously managing are now at risk of slipping back into crisis as the combined effects of conflict and displacement drive costs to prohibitive levels.” The agricultural sector, a vital lifeline for rural communities, has been particularly hard hit. Nora Araba Haddad, the FAO Representative in Lebanon, noted that cumulative shocks are systematically undermining agricultural livelihoods.

Haddad emphasized the urgent need for emergency agricultural assistance to support local farmers and prevent a total collapse of domestic food production systems. Without immediate intervention, officials warn that the nutritional status of the most vulnerable groups will continue to deteriorate as the lean season approaches.

The findings underscore the deepening humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon, which was already struggling with a protracted economic crisis prior to the onset of the current regional hostilities.

Amman: Head of the Senate’s Administrative Committee, Senator Tawfiq Krishan, emphasized the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the recurring traffic crises affecting citizens’ daily lives, particularly in Amman. He highlighted this during a meeting with top Traffic Department officers to discuss the state of roads in the Kingdom and the challenges related to traffic safety and flow on various main roads.

According to Jordan News Agency, Senator Krishan underscored the importance of developing and modernizing traffic infrastructure, as well as expanding smart solutions and modern technologies to keep pace with rapid population and urban growth. He urged the execution of plans based on accurate field studies to reduce accidents and ease congestion, emphasizing the special attention the committee gives to traffic issues due to their direct impact on citizens’ quality of life. He called for enhanced institutional coordination between executive and legislative bodies to efficiently address traffic challenges.

Assistant Director of Public Security for Traffic Affairs, Brig. Gen. Muhannad Batayneh, highlighted the traffic crisis in Amman, attributing it to infrastructure and urban planning issues, along with a significant increase in vehicle numbers. He noted that the number of registered vehicles in the capital exceeded 1.7 million, putting increased pressure on the road network. Batayneh stated that the Public Security Directorate is working within an integrated system with various ministries and institutions to find sustainable solutions, introducing modern technologies and smart AI solutions to manage traffic flow and address congestion.

Traffic Department Director, Brig. Gen. Raed Assaf, reported a 4% increase in vehicle numbers over the past five years compared to a 1.9% population growth. He noted that registered vehicles reached about 2.115 million in 2025, compared to about 2 million in 2024, with a further increase to about 2.5 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2026. Despite this, efforts by the Traffic Department have led to a tangible drop in fatalities from traffic accidents, reflecting the impact of measures taken to enhance traffic safety and improve monitoring and regulation.

Mohammad Jadou’, Executive Director of Traffic at the Greater Amman Municipality, informed the Senate committee about the municipality’s management of traffic through an integrated system encompassing over 200 intersections. This is part of ongoing plans to upgrade traffic infrastructure and improve public transport services. He highlighted the Amman Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project as a model of advanced urban development, contributing significantly to promoting a culture of public transport and reducing reliance on private vehicles, thus positively impacting traffic flow within the city.

Amman: The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) concluded a comprehensive review on Wednesday of its 2022-2026 strategic plan, signaling the start of a new development phase aimed at modernizing the Jordanian capital’s infrastructure and services. The project’s closing session, conducted in partnership with consulting firm KPMG, was led by the Mayor of Amman, Yousef Shawarbeh. The evaluation assessed institutional performance to establish a framework for the city’s upcoming 2027-2031 strategic roadmap.

According to Jordan News Agency, Shawarbeh stated that a top priority for the next stage is transitioning to a participatory planning model. This approach is designed to translate high-level national visions into practical urban programs that align with royal directives and meet the evolving needs of the city’s residents. The Mayor noted that the forthcoming five-year plan will serve as a functional framework for executive decisions and major projects. He emphasized that the municipality aims to allocate resources to initiatives that deliver the greatest impact on service quality and municipal efficiency.

The project is part of a broader effort by the municipality to modernize its strategic planning by adopting international best practices in governance and performance management. As a result of the review, the municipality has developed an executive roadmap and a detailed operational manual for future planning. These documents include technical specifications for a new integrated digital management system intended to support data-driven decision-making and enhance transparency and accountability in monitoring the city’s progress.