Day: June 12, 2022

The body of Jordanian peacekeeper, Senior Sergeant Jamil Mahmoud al-Sayyada, arrived at Marka Military Airport at Saturday dawn.

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF)-Arab Army director for planning, organization, and defense resources, Brig. Gen. Yousef Khatib and senior officers received the body.

A military reception ceremony was held in honor of martyr al-Sayyada at the airport, the JAF said in a statement.

The serviceman was killed several days ago during an attack on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY

The Kingdom is affected on Saturday by a hot air mass and temperatures will be higher than their seasonal average by about 4-6 degrees Celsius, and the weather is hot almost countrywide and blistering in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and Aqaba, Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said in its daily update.

According to the JMD report, a slight drop in mercury is forecast on Sunday, and the weather will remain relatively hot in hilltops and blistering in the remaining regions with northwesterly moderate to active winds , causing dust occasionally in the Badia regions.

Effect of the heat wave will taper off on Monday, as temperatures drop significantly, and the weather becomes moderate in the hilltops and relatively hot in the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and Aqaba, the JMD said.

On Tuesday, the weather will remain fair and similar weather as a day earlier is forecast to prevail.

Also on Saturday, mercury in Amman is forecast to hit 36 degrees Celsius, dipping to 22C at night, while Aqaba will see a scorching 42C, dropping to 29C during night hours.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY

Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision has proposed ways to simplify customs, taxes and shipping regulations for trade and retail business.

The vision, which was launched by His Majesty King Abdullah several days ago, is set to be implemented in three phases over 10 years, focuses on the trade sector as a top national priority, in light of its “high” contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP), which last year hit 7.9% with a value of JD2.4 billion, per official estimates.

According to last year’s estimates, the trade sector employs 265,000 workers, constituting 16.6% of the Kingdom’s total workforce, while its exports during 2021 amounted to JD300 million, representing 3.3% of the Kingdom’s total exports.

On the reasons behind the proposed regulations, trade sector lacks e-trade legislation, as it relies to a “large” extent on imports, and suffers from “ineffective” customs, shipping, and taxes laws, in addition to difficulties in obtaining funding and unfair competition.

The vision, which was the outcome of panel discussions over a 3-month period, drew attention to the direct economic impact that will be reflected on the trade sector after its implementation, as its contribution to the GDP will increase from JD2.4 billion, according to estimates last year, to JD3.8 billion in 2033.

The number of the sector’s workers will also reach about 400,000, in addition to increasing exports to JD1.5 billion in 2033.

Among its initiatives, the vision also suggested developing consumer protection legislation, modernizing port of Aqaba and warehousing infrastructure, providing support for trade funding, expanding trade partnerships and free trade agreements, and creating a database of tradable goods and services.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY

The Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee denounced the continuous attacks by settler groups on Greek Orthodox Patriarchate’s properties in Jerusalem.

In a statement issued Saturday, the committee voiced its “absolute” rejection of all measures aimed at changing occupied East Jerusalem’s identity and character, including the old city, and altering Jerusalem’s historical and legal status quo and its sanctities, including Islamic and Christian properties and endowments.

The committee’s chairman, MP Khaldoun Haina, warned of the consequences of the recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling on church property and Christian presence in occupied East Jerusalem, adding that the House panel does not recognize Israeli courts’ authority in the occupied Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem.

The committee said these attacks and violations are rejected and condemned and should be addressed, holding the Israeli authorities responsible for the continued attacks by settlers.

Jordan, under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership, continues to take all possible steps to protect Islamic and Christian holy sites and preserve Jerusalem’s historical and legal status, as a key to peace and a symbol of tolerance, the committee said.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY