Local

-71% of respondentsbelieve prime minister is capable of handling duties
-Two thirds of respondents express satisfaction with prime minister’s field visits
-Over half of respondents express optimism about ministerial team
-52% of Jordanians see national economy heading in positive direction, 74% believe Jordan on right track

AMMAN — New poll conducted by the University of Jordan's Centre for Strategic Studies (CSS) revealed a rise of 65 per cent in public confidence in the government, the highest level of confidence in a Jordanian government since 2011.

The poll, conducted at the end of April, reflected a steady rise in public approval since the government was formed [in September 2024] when confidence stood at 54 per cent. It rose to 51 per cent at the 100-day mark and has now reached 65 per cent after 200 days in office.

Among opinion leaders, 64 per cent said the government was successfully handling its responsibilities, slightly lower than the 70 per cent at the 100-day mark, but still higher than the 52 per cent at its formation.

At a press conference announcing the results, CSS noted that the government has achieved unprecedented levels of public trust compared to previous governments, with both Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and his Cabinet receiving improved ratings.

Compared to previous governments, the poll revealed that Hassan and his Cabinet have earned the highest level of public trust in their ability to handle their duties of the current stage since 2011.

Confidence in Hassan personally has also rose, with 71 per cent of the public saying he is capable of leading the government, compared to 55 per cent at 100 days and 57 per cent at the government’s formation. Among opinion leaders, the figure reached 75 per cent.

Regarding the economic situation, around 52 per cent of Jordanians believe the national economy is heading in a positive direction, compared to 14 per cent who believed so two years ago.

According to the survey, 58 per cent of the national sample and 47 per cent of the opinion leaders sample expressed optimism about the Jordanian economy under the current government.

The performance of the ministerial team showed similar gains, with 60 per cent of respondents now believing that the ministers are competent, up from 47 per cent at the 100-day mark. Optimism about the direction of the cabinet reached 58 per cent among the general public and 50 per cent among opinion leaders.

Public perceptions of the Kingdom's direction have also improved, with 74 per cent believing that Jordan is on the right track, up from 47 per cent at the 100-day mark.

The prime minister's field visits appear to have had a positive impact on citizens. Two thirds of respondents expressed satisfaction with these visits, while 40 per cent reported tangible benefits in their local areas as a result.

Engagement with government activities is also on the rise, according to the poll. More than half of respondents, some 52 per cent, said they follow government’s activities, while an overwhelming 94 per cent of opinion leaders reported doing the same.

Belief in the government's commitment to service delivery has also increased, with the results showing that 36 per cent of the public said they "strongly agree" and 39 per cent "somewhat agree" that the government is doing its best, up from 17 per cent and 45 per cent respectively in the previous survey.

Despite the generally positive mood, a majority of both the public (65 per cent) and opinion leaders (56 per cent) oppose a cabinet reshuffle at this time.

Meanwhile, confidence in Jordan's core institutions remains high. The Jordanian Armed Forces, the General Intelligence Directorate and the Civil Defence each received approval ratings of 99 per cent, while Public Security scored 99 per cent.

The nationally representative survey included 1,225 adults and 356 opinion leaders from seven professional and political sectors. It was conducted between 17 and 27 April with a margin of error of ±3 per cent and a confidence level of 94 per cent.

Economist Waseem Hussein told The Jordan Times that the shift reflects "a mix of public relief and adjusted expectations," noting that “people are responding to the clarity and discipline of the government.” Hussein cautioned that “if this does not translate into visible results in job creation and other key areas, the trust may prove fragile.”

Sociologist Hussein Habashneh said the results reflect a broader social trend: “Citizens are becoming more engaged and aware. Trust in institutions is not only about performance, but about being seen, heard, and respected.”

AMMAN — The Senate on Sunday approved two draft laws on the general electricity and the Jordanian National Commission for Women, as submitted by the Lower House.

During a session, chaired by Senate President Faisal Fayez and attended by members of the Cabinet, the Upper Chamber recommended that power purchase agreements with electricity generation plants and energy storage contracts require Cabinet approval due to their significant financial and legal implications, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The Senate also called for the clarification of the term "self-generation" in Article 15 to specify that it refers to "non-independent" self-generation in the forthcoming regulations. 

It also urged that the regulations include criteria for the eligibility of employees to serve as law enforcement officers.

The Upper House also recommended that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) launch regular public awareness campaigns on the new penalties and fines introduced under the general electricity draft law.

The draft law defines the responsibilities and powers of the Ministry of Energy and the Energy and EMRC.

It also aims to keep pace with technological advances, introduces the concept of energy storage, supports independent power transmission and promotes a favourable investment climate for electricity and green hydrogen projects. 

The Senate also approved the draft law for the Jordanian National Commission for Women, which provides a legal framework to support a national civil body focused on women's issues. 

The bill grants the commission legal personality and administrative and financial independence to ensure sustainability and enhance coordination between public and private institutions.

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Mohammad Momani has stressed the critical role of science journalism in protecting societies against misinformation. 

Momani, who is also the government spokesperson, said that well-informed, credible journalism is the first line of defence in a world increasingly challenged by fake news and misleading content, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Speaking at the opening of the second scientific conference titled "Science Journalism: Between Reality and Leading Change" at Middle East University, the minister highlighted the importance of boosting ties between media outlets and research institutions. 

"When journalists have access to scientific knowledge and engage meaningfully with research centres, media becomes a far more powerful force for shaping informed public opinion," he said.

While acknowledging the tools artificial intelligence brings to content production, he noted that it also raises new concerns around accuracy, trust, and ethics. 

"AI has transformed how content is created, but it also demands that we double down on editorial standards, publishing ethics, and professional integrity," Momani added.

The minister stressed that His Majesty King Abdullah’s comprehensive modernisation drive, covering political, economic, and administrative reform, places media at the heart of national development, particularly in keeping pace with the shift towards digital transformation.

He described the conference as an “important milestone” in efforts to develop journalism into a “serious” partner in producing and explaining scientific knowledge.

"As challenges mount in fields like health, the environment, and the economy, the role of trained, specialised science journalists becomes even more crucial," he said, adding: "It’s no longer enough to simply report facts. We need journalists who can interpret, analyse, and communicate complex ideas responsibly."

Momani called on universities to do more to nurture science journalism, including creating support units and training platforms that equip students with digital skills and critical thinking. 

He also underscored the need for “deeper” collaboration between journalists, researchers and tech professionals.

The minister said that the government is paying “close” attention to the outcomes of the conference and is committed to supporting a media environment built on transparency, credibility and specialisation values that align with the national reform agenda.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Labour on Sunday announced that its "Electronic Inspection Systems – Control and Quality Room" project has advanced to the final stage of the World Summit on the Information Society Prizes (WSIS Prizes 2025), after being ranked among the top 20 global projects in the e-business category.

The ministry noted that the project, implemented by the Central Inspection Directorate and the Human Resources and Institutional Development Directorate, represents a pioneering digital initiative aimed at modernising oversight mechanisms and enhancing the quality of labour-related services, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The WSIS Prizes honour innovative ICT projects that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The competition is open to governments, private sector entities, civil society, academia, and international and regional organisations.

The final winners will be announced during an official awards ceremony scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 7 to 11. 

Five top projects in each category will be selected through public voting, after which a specialised jury will choose the final winner.

AMMAN — The Jordan Customs Department (JCD), in cooperation with the Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) and security agencies, on Sunday thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16 kilogrammes of marijuana through Queen Alia International Airport's passenger terminal.

In a statement, the JCD said that a passenger of East Asian nationality, arriving from an Arab country, was flagged as suspicious by customs and security personnel.

A detailed search of the individual’s luggage revealed a quantity of marijuana concealed in their belongings. The suspect was immediately arrested, and the narcotics were handed over to the AND for further legal action.

Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the JCD emphasised its continued readiness to combat the smuggling of prohibited or harmful substances in cooperation with security agencies at all border crossings.

AMMAN — Director General of the Vocational Training Corporation (VTC) Ahmad Gharaibeh on Sunday received a Canadian delegation led by Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour of New Brunswick Jean-Claude D'Amours and Deputy Minister of Labour of Nova Scotia Dana MacKenzie, along with several representatives from the public and private sectors.

According to a VTC statement, the strategic partnership is part of ongoing efforts to implement the Economic Modernisation Vision (2025–2028) and boost international cooperation in vocational training.

The visit follows the third round of meetings between Jordanian public-private stakeholders and their counterparts in the two Canadian provinces. Participating Jordanian institutions included the VTC, Jadara University, and the Middle East Aviation Academy.

During the meeting, discussions focused on potential areas of cooperation between the VTC and Canadian partners. The Canadian side expressed strong interest in formalising the partnership through official agreements aimed at launching joint vocational training programs. 

These programs would target Jordanian university graduates, enhancing their technical and professional skills, improving their English language proficiency, and preparing them to enter the Canadian labour market, the statement said.

The two sides identified a range of high-priority sectors facing significant labour shortages in Canada. These include healthcare, renewable energy, electric and hybrid vehicle maintenance, tourism, hospitality, information technology, digital skills, construction, aircraft and home maintenance, and aviation sciences.

Minister D'Amours highlighted that New Brunswick anticipates over 133,000 job openings, while Nova Scotia projects more than 90,000 available positions by 2025, underscoring the urgency of expanding vocational cooperation.

Both sides also emphasised the importance of twinning select VTC institutes with Canadian counterparts to align training curricula and standards. The partnership aims to provide advanced training opportunities in Canada, enabling Jordanian students to gain a competitive edge in the international job market.

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, President of the Higher Committee of the Goodwill Campaign, on Sunday visited the That Al-Nitaqain Charitable Society in Tabarbour, Amman, to review its community outreach programmes and reaffirm support for initiatives serving orphans, underprivileged families, and women-led households.

Princess Basma was accompanied by Farah Daghestani, executive director of the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), during a tour of the society’s ongoing activities, including its long-running orphan sponsorship programme, household aid efforts, and an income-generating kitchen operated by local women.

The Princess highlighted the importance of an innovative food waste reduction initiative run in partnership with area restaurants, where surplus food from large events is repackaged and distributed to families in need. 

She also commended the programme for its dual humanitarian and environmental impact, describing it as “a model of ethical responsibility and community solidarity.”

Princess Basma also praised the society’s structured, institutional approach, noting how its work strengthens social cohesion and improves the living conditions of vulnerable groups.

In recognition of the food rescue initiative, the Goodwill Campaign has extended financial support to help scale its impact. Princess Basma stressed that such efforts play a vital role in enhancing food security and curbing unnecessary waste.

As part of the Goodwill Campaign’s wider commitment to economic empowerment, Princess Basma announced dedicated support for three women heads of household in the area, enabling them to launch their own income-generating projects. The initiative includes tailored training in economic skills and e-marketing, aimed at fostering self-reliance and long-term financial sustainability.

"The Goodwill Campaign is committed to empowering individuals, especially women, by supporting viable, productive projects that help them secure a stable income and improve their family’s well-being,” she said.

During the visit, Princess Basma also helped distribute food parcels to 50 female-led households, as part of the Campaign’s ongoing support for vulnerable communities.

Founded in 1991, the That Al Nitaqain Society sponsors 300 orphans and provides monthly financial support to 82 families. It also runs a productive kitchen (established in 2004), a multi-purpose community hall, a clothing recycling initiative that distributes garments across the Kingdom, and a women’s club focused on education and awareness.

AMMAN — The medical staff at the Jordanian Field Hospital in South Gaza on Saturday organised a blood donation campaign to help address critical shortages in medical supplies and support the treatment of war victims amid the ongoing Israeli aggression.

The campaign yielded over 100 units of blood, a vital contribution to Gaza’s overwhelmed healthcare system. Hospital officials said the initiative is part of Jordan’s broader humanitarian response and reflects the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Palestinian people.

“This campaign responds to urgent needs on the ground and reaffirms Jordan’s solidarity with the people of Gaza,” said the field hospital commander. “Despite the difficult conditions, our team remains dedicated to delivering essential medical care.”

He added that the donations would help replenish depleted blood stocks in local hospitals, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The hospital director noted that the campaign is in line with the field hospital’s ongoing humanitarian mission, which began on April 21. In less than two weeks, the hospital has treated more than 9,951 patients and conducted around 95 major and minor surgeries.

Staff participating in the campaign expressed pride in their contribution, underscoring their determination to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the humanitarian crisis.

Jordan currently operates two military field hospitals in Gaza. The first, in northern Gaza, was established in 2009 following the war of 2008. The second was established in Khan Younis in the south in November 2023 at the peak of the Israeli war of aggression on the coastal enclave that erupted on October 7, 2023.

Besides the field hospitals in Gaza, the JAF established the Jordanian field hospital in Nablus in late November 2023 and has conducted over 900 surgeries and received more than 83,000 patients ever since.

Under Royal directives, the Kingdom, in cooperation with the World Central Kitchen, has also dispatched a mobile bakery with a production capacity of 3,500 loaves of bread per hour to Gaza.