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Qatar warns against ‘catastrophic’ Bab Al-Mandab closure

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 07:05:34 +0300

AFP - Qatar on Tuesday warned of dire consequences if the vital Bab Al-Mandab waterway were to close, after a months-long blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and recent Houthi gains on the Red Sea coast.“The world is suffering enough with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, so we cannot also afford to add the Bab Al-Mandab into that equation,” Qatar foreign ministry official Ibrahim Al-Hashmi told reporters.He said a closure of the southern entrance to the Red Sea would be “catastrophic for the entire world. And we are already seeing the consequences... so Qatar is pushing for diplomacy, dialogue.”

King receives France Parliament delegation

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 19:44:21 +0300

Jordan Daily - His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday received a delegation from the French Parliament, including representatives of the French-Jordanian Friendship Committee.During the meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace and attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty highlighted the long-standing relations between Jordan and France, as well as the importance of enhancing cooperation across various sectors, particularly in the political and parliamentary spheres.The King commended France for hosting the latest round of the Aqaba Process meetings, being held later this week, which will explore ways to support the Lebanese Armed Forces. His Majesty also emphasised Jordan’s commitment to maintaining political coordination and consultation with France.The meeting also touched on recent regional developments and the need to step up international efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable de-escalation that advances security and stability in the region.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, President of the French-Jordanian Friendship Association Ibrahim Tarawneh, and France’s Ambassador to Jordan Franck Gellet attended the meeting.

The future is insurable: China is showing us how

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:45:42 +0300

By: Dr. Ahmad “Jordan” Al-Zu’BiJordan Daily - “Is the future insurable?” Carolyn Kousky, one of the leading scholars of climate risk and disaster insurance, recently returned to this increasingly important question with Spencer Glendon and Barney Schauble. The concern is well founded. Climate change is altering loss distributions, extreme events are challenging traditional assumptions of diversification, and technological change is creating risks for which yesterday’s data may tell us little about tomorrow. But after living and working across several continents, and now spending considerable time in China, I have come to a different question: What makes a future insurable in the first place? That distinction matters because insurability is not simply discovered by actuaries or supplied by insurance companies. It is partly created by societies.Insurance Begins Before the Insurance PolicyInsurance does not make a poorly managed risk insurable simply by putting a price on it. Societies create insurability by reducing the frequency and severity of losses, producing better information about risk, building resilient infrastructure, and developing institutions capable of managing uncertainty. Only then does insurance transfer what remains. Think of this as three layers: risk reduction, risk intelligence and risk transfer. Engineering reduces risk. Data and technology make risk more observable. Insurance prices and transfers the residual risk. This changes how we should think about the insurance frontier. The most important insurance investment may sometimes be the one made before the insurance policy is written. The frontier of insurance is not simply transferring more risk. It is changing the risk that eventually reaches the insurer.China Is Not Simply Insuring Risk. It Is Producing InsurabilityThis is what makes China particularly interesting to an insurance economist. China is already the world’s second-largest insurance market, but market size is only part of the story. Its high-speed rail network now exceeds 50,000 kilometers. Renewable energy represents more than 60 percent of installed power-generation capacity. Digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and increasingly connected physical systems are developing at enormous scale. These are usually described as technological or economic achievements. They are also risk-management infrastructure. Infrastructure changes loss distributions. Sensors change observability. Data reduce information gaps. Artificial intelligence changes prediction. Prevention changes expected losses. Capital determines how much residual risk can be absorbed. China is therefore interesting not simply because it is building the future. It is building many of the systems through which future risks will be generated, measured, reduced and insured.Scale Gives Data. Variation Gives Knowledge.China has another advantage that is less frequently discussed: extraordinary variation. Its roughly 1.4 billion people live across regions with very different climates, catastrophe exposures, industries, income levels, demographics, infrastructure and levels of technological adoption. China has even completed its first national comprehensive natural-disaster risk census, covering multiple categories of disasters together with population, buildings, infrastructure and economic activity. For insurers, scale creates observations. For economists, variation creates something more valuable: opportunities to understand why risk changes. Scale gives data; variation gives knowledge. This makes China something close to a living laboratory of risk, where emerging technologies, changing exposures and different institutional responses can be observed within one enormous economic system. Few countries combine this degree of scale and variation.Risk Is Mathematical. Risk Perception Is Cultural.There is another form of variation that actuarial models sometimes overlook. Risk has probabilities, but people have beliefs about those probabilities. Insurance markets operate on both. China provides fascinating examples. Lucky and unlucky numbers, zodiac beliefs, red envelopes and protective practices continue to influence behavior alongside one of the world’s most technologically advanced economies. Economic research has shown that some of these beliefs can affect prices, financial decisions and risk-taking. These are not merely cultural curiosities. They remind us that insurance demand begins with how people perceive uncertainty. Actuaries model risk. People insure what they fear. Understanding the future of insurance therefore requires understanding not only changing hazards and technologies, but also the cultural architecture through which people interpret risk.What Can a 5,000-Year Civilization Teach Us About Risk?China’s history adds another dimension. Across centuries, Chinese society has confronted floods, droughts, epidemics, conflict, demographic change and profound economic transformations. History alone does not make a society a better risk manager, but repeated exposure to uncertainty creates institutional memory and mechanisms of adaptation. Civilizations, like insurers, survive partly by remembering losses. The family is one example. Long before insurance became a contract, it was a relationship. Families pooled mortality risk, illness, income shocks, caregiving responsibilities and longevity risk long before modern insurers existed. China today brings these older systems of resilience into contact with actuarial science, insurance capital, artificial intelligence and financial technology. That interaction between old institutions and new technologies may become increasingly important as China confronts ageing, healthcare financing and longevity risk.Yesterday’s Models Cannot Insure TomorrowThe future also presents a harder actuarial problem. Climate change, artificial intelligence, cyber risk, autonomous vehicles, ageing populations and new energy technologies do not simply create additional risks. They can change the underlying loss distributions themselves. Yesterday’s actuarial problem was estimating a distribution from historical losses. Tomorrow’s problem is knowing when that distribution has changed. This is why the future of insurance will belong not merely to countries with the most data, but to those capable of learning quickly when historical data stop describing emerging risks. China is encountering many of these transformations simultaneously and at scale. Its challenge is substantial, but so is the opportunity: to become not simply one of the world’s largest insurance markets, but one of its most important laboratories for understanding the changing frontier of insurability.Building the Future Means Insuring ItThis perspective also gives new meaning to His Majesty King Abdullah II’s recent state visit to China. Cooperation in infrastructure, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green energy and investment is also cooperation in risk. Every new technology and infrastructure project creates opportunities, but also new exposures that must be understood, reduced, priced and financed. The next generation of international cooperation should therefore involve not only the movement of capital and technology, but also the movement of risk knowledge. China and Jordan have an opportunity to make insurance, regulation and risk management part of that conversation.The countries that define the future of insurance may not simply be those that sell the most insurance. They may be those that become best at producing insurability.China is already building much of tomorrow. The more important question is whether it can also help the world understand how to insure tomorrow.The future is insurable. But first, we have to build an insurable future. China is showing us how.

Norway proposes 3 years’ imprisonment for trading with Israeli settlers

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:22:43 +0300

Jordan Daily - Norway will introduce unprecedented legislation that will ban entities and individuals from trading with Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories and impose a penalty of up to three years in prison for those violating it.Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told the state broadcaster NRK that these measures align with recent European actions against trade with Israeli settlements, as violations against Palestinians in the West Bank have worsened.The Norwegian ban will also extend to the 14 settlements in occupied East Jerusalem and another 265 in the West Bank.Last week, the UK government announced a ban on goods produced in settlements. Norway joined Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden in issuing a statement endorsing the measures and indicating intent to take similar action.“Israel has become far too accustomed to being able to intimidate Western countries by saying they were antisemites if they criticized Israel for abuses and violations of international law. Now the (protective cover) that Israel has in many ways enjoyed is gone,” Eide said.Norway’s proposed bill covers East Jerusalem, which Palestinians regard as their future capital and which Israel occupied in 1967, later annexing it in 1980. The UK sanctions on trade with settlements in East Jerusalem remain unclear.Eide said that trade with settlements mainly focused on wine and some agricultural products. Norway recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024. The bill will go to a vote after three months of consultation end on Sept. 19.Israel’s Embassy in Oslo decried the bill, calling the “proposal to criminalize trade” the “latest example of the Norwegian foreign minister’s obsessive anti-Israel activism on the global stage,” according to the Times of Israel.

Crown Prince visits Baptism Site

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 06:20:03 +0300

Jordan Daily - HRH Crown Prince Hussein visited the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Bethany Beyond the Jordan) on Monday, and issued directives to improve the site to enhance the experience of Christian pilgrims and visitors.The Crown Prince, accompanied by HRH Prince Ghazi, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, and chairman of the Baptism Site Commission’s board of trustees, was briefed on the services offered to pilgrims and visitors, according to a Royal Court statement.The Crown Prince emphasised the need to carefully plan for the 2030 millennium celebrations, commemorating two thousand years since the baptism of Jesus Christ, in a manner that reflects the profound history of the site and occasion, and reaffirms Jordan’s status as a premier global destination for Christian pilgrimage.The Crown Prince underscored the need to promote the Baptism Site more widely, in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan Tourism Board, and all relevant partners.HRH Princess Miriam Ghazi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince Zaid Baqain, and Baptism Site Commission Director General Abdullah Bawareed accompanied the Crown Prince on the visit.

Al-Kindi Hospital’s Obesity Surgery Center expands specialised care in Jordan

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:20:47 +0300

Jordan Daily - Al-Kindi Hospital has positioned its obesity surgery center as a specialised destination for patients seeking bariatric procedures in Jordan, drawing patients from across the country and abroad as part of the kingdom’s growing medical tourism sector.The hospital, which is one of Jordan’s major medical institutions, says it has treated patients from 75 countries, contributing to the country’s reputation as a regional healthcare destination.The Dr. Mohammad Khrais Obesity Surgery Center at Al-Kindi Hospital is the only center in Jordan accredited by the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), according to the hospital.The center has specialised equipment designed to accommodate patients with severe obesity, including bariatric beds capable of supporting weights of up to 500 kg. The beds are equipped with digital scales that allow patients to be weighed while lying down, the hospital said.Operating rooms are also equipped with specialised surgical tables designed for higher-weight patients and fitted with digital weighing systems, allowing medical teams to record a patient's weight while on the operating table.Dr. Mohammad Khrais, who specialises in bariatric and laparoscopic surgery, performs a range of minimally invasive obesity procedures at the center.These include laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Single Anastomosis Sleeve Ileal bypass (SASI), gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, the Butterfly procedure, the Smart Capsule, laparoscopic gastric banding and intragastric balloon procedures.The center says its specialised infrastructure is intended to provide patients with severe obesity with access to surgical care and equipment adapted to their specific needs, while supporting Jordan's broader role in regional medical tourism.

Jordan Pro League Round 2: Defensive structures dictate the early narrative

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:19:29 +0300

Dr Fadi MaayahCurtin UniversityJordan Daily - Round 2 of the Jordan Pro League reinforced a clear tactical trend emerging across the competition: defensive organisation is currently outperforming attacking innovation. With only five goals scored across five matches and three fixtures ending in draws, teams demonstrated a high level of collective discipline, particularly when defending in compact mid-block and low-block structures. The limited number of clear scoring opportunities suggests that many teams are finding it difficult to convert possession into penetration and territorial dominance into meaningful attacking outcomes. The round's results reflected this defensive efficiency. Al Faisaly produced the most decisive performance with a 2-0 victory over Doqarah FC, while Al Jazeera maintained its strong start to the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Shabab Al Ordon. Defending champions Al Hussein were held to a goalless draw by Al Buqa'a, further highlighting the challenges facing teams attempting to break down organised defensive units. Elsewhere, Al Ramtha secured a narrow 1-0 win over Al Arabi, while Al Salt and Al Wehdat shared the points in a scoreless encounter. From an analytical perspective, the most significant observation from Round 2 was the effectiveness of defensive line management. Across the league, teams successfully reduced space between defensive and midfield units, controlled central zones, blocked vertical passing lanes, and forced opponents into predictable circulation around the perimeter of their defensive structures. While possession statistics may appear favourable for some teams, possession without penetration rarely created significant threats on goal.The increasing prevalence of mid-block and low-block defending raises an important question for coaches: how can teams consistently break defensive lines and create high-quality chances?Against a mid-block, successful teams must focus on disrupting defensive compactness through positional superiority and vertical progression. This can be achieved by placing attacking midfielders or inverted wingers between the opposition's midfield and defensive lines, creating opportunities for line-breaking passes. Rotations between full-backs, wingers, and central midfielders can generate uncertainty within defensive structures and create passing lanes into advanced areas. Third-man combinations, where the ball is played through an intermediary player to bypass defensive pressure, remain one of the most effective methods of breaking midfield lines. Quick switches of play can also shift the block laterally, opening spaces that do not exist when possession remains on one side of the pitch.Against a low block, the challenge becomes more complex because central space is often removed entirely. Success requires stretching the opposition both horizontally and vertically. Teams should utilise overlapping and underlapping full-backs, aggressive width from wingers, and coordinated movements between attacking players to unbalance defensive lines. Quick switches from one flank to the other force defenders to continually adjust their positioning and can create temporary gaps. Equally important are third-man runs into the penalty area, particularly from midfield, which are often more difficult to track than traditional striker movements. Cut-backs from wide areas frequently provide higher-quality opportunities than aerial deliveries into crowded penalty boxes.Another important mechanism for breaking defensive lines is attacking transition. Many of the best opportunities occur not against a settled block, but immediately after possession is regained. During these moments, defensive structures are often unorganised, creating opportunities to play forward quickly through central channels. Teams that recognise transition moments, support the ball aggressively, and make forward runs immediately after regaining possession are more likely to generate scoring opportunities before opponents can re-establish their defensive shape.The evidence from Round 2 suggests that future success in the Jordan Pro League will depend less on possession percentages and more on the quality of line-breaking actions. Teams capable of playing through, around, or behind organised defensive structures will gain a competitive advantage. Vertical passing, positional rotations, overloads, rapid switches of play, third-man combinations, coordinated runs, and effective transition attacks are likely to become the defining tactical themes of the season.As defensive organisation continues to improve across the league, coaches face a new challenge: developing attacking mechanisms that can consistently dismantle compact mid-blocks and low-blocks. Round 2 demonstrated that defensive stability has become a strength of the competition. The next stage of tactical evolution will belong to the teams that can most effectively break opposition lines, exploit space between defensive units, and transform possession into goals.

Iran president says Tehran and UAE want to ‘turn the page’ on war

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:29:38 +0300

AFP- Iran and the United Arab Emirates, whose relations have deteriorated since the start of the Middle East war, want to “turn the page”, the Iranian president said on Sunday.“For the first time since the war and the incidents that occurred in the Persian Gulf, we had a constructive exchange with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi,” Massoud Pezeshkian said a day after a meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in India, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.“It was agreed that we would turn the page, look to the future and build it together.”After US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February launched the Middle East war, Tehran retaliated against America’s allies in the region, with the UAE bearing much of the brunt.In August, the UAE announced it was suspending trade and financial exchanges with Iran.

King, UAE president hold talks in Abu Dhabi

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:26:27 +0300

Jordan Daily -His Majesty King Abdullah and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday held talks at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi.During the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the two leaders underscored the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the UAE, as well as their commitment to strengthening cooperation across key sectors, particularly in the economic, trade, and development fields, within the framework of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.The talks addressed recent regional developments, with both leaders exchanging views on current events, in addition to reaffirming their commitment to continued coordination and consultation to advance security, stability, and peace across the region.Speaking about the situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem, His Majesty highlighted the gravity of Israeli measures aimed at annexing land and expanding settlements in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the UAE Majid Qatarneh attended the talks.From the Emirati side, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a number of officials attended the talks.Earlier, the King was received at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed and a number of senior officials, who were also there to bid His Majesty farewell.

King departs for UAE

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 13:57:30 +0300

Jordan Daily - His Majesty King Abdullah II departed on Sunday for the United Arab Emirates, where he is due to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.His Majesty is accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.His Royal Highness Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein was sworn in as Regent, in the presence of Cabinet members.

Jordan's foreign direct investment rises 25.1% in 2025 to highest level since 2017

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 11:03:13 +0300

Jordan Daily - Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Jordan rose 25.1% in 2025 to about $2.025 billion, the highest level since 2017, Minister Investment Tareq Abu Ghazaleh said, despite regional tensions.Abu Ghazaleh told Al Jazeera Net that the government was shifting from broad-based investment incentives to targeted measures tailored to the needs and competitive advantages of individual governorates.He said changes to the rules governing citizenship and residency through investment were aimed at attracting long-term capital and linking investment more closely to employment, production and development.During the first half of 2026, 327 new, expansion or development projects benefited from investment incentives and exemptions, with expected investments of JOD 711.2 million, about $1 billion, the minister said.Investment in new projects registered in Jordan's development zones also increased sharply, rising over a one-year period from 60 million dinars ($84.6 million) to JOD 402 million ($567 million), Abu Ghazaleh noted.

Iraq finds drone launchers near Iran border: security sources

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:33:42 +0300

Agencies - Iraqi security forces have found drone launchers near the border with Iran, security sources told AFP on Saturday, after an attack on a Saudi pipeline that Riyadh and Baghdad said was launched from Iraq.A security official said that “security forces found drone launchers near the Iraq-Iran border in the al-Tib” remote region in the southern Missan province. A second security official gave the same account.Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi said earlier Saturday that he had ordered an investigation into the operations command of Maysan province, along the border with Iran, after the attack.He had agreed to an Iranian request for a joint investigation ‌into the ‌discovery of ‌drone ⁠launch platforms near the ⁠Iraqi-Iranian border, the prime minister’s office said ⁠on Saturday.

The investigation will ‌examine ‌the circumstances ‌surrounding the discovery ‌of the platforms near the border area, ‌the statement said, after it ⁠was used ⁠to launch attacks on the Saudi Arabia East-West pipeline.An Iraqi security source and a government official told AFP that authorities ordered the closing of three border crossings with Iran.The security source said that the decision is “part of an intelligence effort to track down the perpetrators and prevent their escape… and to hinder the smuggling of drones through these crossings.”Meanwhile, Haibat Al-Halbousi, the Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, said that the use of the country’s territory or airspace to threaten Saudi Arabia’s security was unacceptable and condemnable.“We reaffirm the importance of adhering to the principle that the state is the sole possessor of weapons,” Al-Halbousi said.

Network International strengthens position as MEA’s leading payments acquirer

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:09:14 +0300

By: Business EditorJordan Daily - Network International has strengthened its position as the leading payments acquirer in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), saying it now processes one in five transactions across the region.The company said in a statement seen by Jordan Daily, it has expanded its offering beyond acquiring to include issuing, data, security, lending and next-generation commerce solutions, positioning itself as a comprehensive payments provider.Network also highlighted the completion of what it described as the region’s biggest merger in 2025, alongside organic growth that was 60% higher than the regional average.Amjad Al-Sadeq, Regional President for the Levant at Network International, said the company’s growth was built on more than three decades of developing payments infrastructure for banks, financial institutions, retailers and e-commerce businesses across the region.He noted partnerships with central banks had also played an important role in supporting the company’s expansion and ability to deliver payment services.“Fintech has a major share of our attention” in the current and coming phases, Al-Sadeq said, pointing to plans to continue developing innovative payment solutions.He thanked the company’s partners, clients, merchants and employees for their trust and support, saying Network would continue to bring fintech solutions to the region.

Saudi Arabia shuts East-West pipeline after drone attacks

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:38:13 +0300

Jordan Daily - Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its East-West oil pipeline after drone attacks in the Riyadh and Madinah regions injured several people, the Energy Ministry said on Friday.The shutdown was a precaution as emergency and technical teams assessed the pipeline and secured the site, the ministry said.Saudi Arabia said the drones were launched from Iraq but would not retaliate for now following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. Riyadh said it expected Baghdad to take steps to prevent further attacks from Iraqi territory.Iraq condemned the attacks and ordered an urgent investigation, saying its territory and airspace would not be used to launch attacks against other countries.The attacks come after Iran-backed Houthis targeted energy and civilian infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia earlier this week, causing fires and temporary disruptions at some oil facilities.

Trump played it smart: $5,000 for a Republican victory is a campaign promise, not vote buying

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 07:38:37 +0300

By: Dr. Haytham Munir EreifejJordan Daily - President Donald Trump’s promise of $5,000 for every adult American if Republicans win control of both the House and the Senate may initially sound like something dangerously close to buying votes.The political message is certainly blunt: Republicans win, Americans get money.For many voters, and even for some lawyers unfamiliar with the precise structure of U.S. federal election law, that formula may blur the distinction between a lawful campaign promise and an unlawful financial inducement.Yet the legal picture is more complicated.Trump played it smart.He moved politically close to the boundary separating an electoral promise from a financial reward for voting, while framing the proposal in a way that makes it difficult, on the facts currently known, to characterize it as criminal vote buying.The key federal provision is 18 U.S.C. § 597, part of Chapter 29 of Title 18 of the United States Code, which deals with elections and political activities.Section 597, entitled “Expenditures to Influence Voting,” prohibits offering or making an expenditure to a person in consideration of that person voting, withholding a vote, or voting for or against a particular candidate.The legal concept is relatively straightforward: Money in exchange for an individual vote may constitute a crime.But Trump did not frame his promise in those terms.He did not say: “Vote Republican and I will pay you $5,000.” Nor did he say that only Republican voters would qualify for the money.Instead, the proposal was presented as a future governmental benefit that would become possible if Republicans secured control of Congress. That distinction is critical.If the program were enacted as a general law, a voter who supported Democrats could theoretically receive the same $5,000 as a Republican voter. The individual citizen would therefore receive the money because he or she qualified under a public program — not because the government could prove how that person voted.That makes the proposal fundamentally different from a classic vote-buying scheme. Another provision, 18 U.S.C. § 600, raises a more complicated question.Section 600 concerns promises of employment or other benefits made as consideration, favor, or reward for political activity or for supporting or opposing a candidate or political party.Because the statute refers broadly to “any other benefit,” a major cash payment publicly linked to Republican electoral success naturally invites legal scrutiny.But once again, the decisive issue is the nature of the condition attached to the benefit.Trump’s proposal, as presently described, is not: support the Republican Party and you personally receive money.It is: if Republicans obtain sufficient political power, they will attempt to enact a program from which adult Americans may benefit.That is not merely clever wording. It reflects a fundamental feature of democratic politics.Political parties routinely promise economic benefits.They promise tax cuts, higher pensions, debt relief, healthcare subsidies, increased social spending, housing assistance, student-loan relief and family benefits.Such proposals are designed, quite openly, to persuade citizens to vote for the party offering them.Yet that does not automatically transform them into electoral bribery.Otherwise, almost every economic campaign platform could potentially be criminalized.The difference lies in the legal mechanism.If a voter receives a benefit because he voted for a particular candidate, that may constitute unlawful vote buying.If a voter receives a benefit because a democratically elected legislature enacted a generally applicable law, the situation is normally one of public policy rather than bribery.Trump has simply made that traditional political mechanism far more direct.Instead of promising voters a complicated tax reform whose benefits may appear years later, the message is instantly understandable:Republicans win. You get $5,000.Politically, it is extraordinarily powerful.Legally, however, the promise remains separated from direct vote buying by one crucial element: the money is not expressly conditioned upon the individual voter proving political loyalty or showing how he cast his ballot.There is also a practical constitutional and legislative reality that cannot be ignored.A president cannot simply decide to distribute thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of Americans by personal decree. A program of this magnitude would require congressional authorization, a lawful funding mechanism, appropriations or another statutory basis, and an administrative structure capable of implementing it.Its total cost could potentially exceed one trillion dollars, depending on the number of eligible recipients and the structure of the program.This reinforces the legal characterization of the proposal, at least for now, as a promise of future public policy, not a completed financial bargain between a candidate and a voter. But Trump is walking close to the line.The legal conclusion could change quickly if the political message changes.There is a major difference between saying: “If Republicans win, Americans will receive $5,000,” and saying:“Vote Republican and you will receive $5,000.”The distinction may appear small politically, but it is enormous legally.If eligibility for the payment were ever conditioned upon voting Republican, demonstrating partisan support, participating in campaign activity or otherwise proving political loyalty, the arrangement could enter much more dangerous territory under federal election law.For now, however, the more persuasive legal view is that this is not direct vote buying.It is an aggressive, highly personalized and unusually transparent campaign promise. And that is precisely why the strategy is so politically effective.Trump played it smart. He placed the ballot box and the voter’s wallet in the same political conversation while preserving a narrow but crucial legal distance between them.

Foundation for the Development of Lands adjacent to the Baptism site advances technical and design works for Bethany village project

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:38:58 +0300

Jordan Daily -The Foundation for the Development of Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site is continuing technical and design work on Bethany Village, within wider efforts to develop the area near the Baptism Site while preserving its distinctive character and reflecting its global religious and historical significance.To this end, the Foundation’s team carried out a field visit to assess the visual impact of the proposed security plan. They were joined by three heritage impact assessment specialists working to UNESCO standards, along with representatives of the Public Security Directorate, the construction contractor and the company overseeing the design of the museum and the village, as well as the associated infrastructure works, on behalf of the project owner.The visit involved installing story poles on the project grounds to simulate the proposed elements and gauge their visibility from Mar Elias Hill, helping to evaluate their visual impact and inform design and implementation decisions in harmony with the site’s character and surroundings.A meeting followed to review preparations for the infrastructure works, attended by the Director General of the Baptism Site Commission, an engineer from the Commission and members of the project team.The team also toured the plot allocated for the Museum of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, where soil testing was conducted and potential locations for the museum entrances were discussed, as part of the technical studies needed to prepare the design of one of Bethany Village’s principal components.Together, these efforts support the continued development of Bethany Village in line with Royal directives and the Foundation’s mandate to shape the area adjacent to the Baptism Site in a manner befitting its global religious and historical significance, while safeguarding its natural setting and biodiversity and ensuring compliance with UNESCO requirements.The project aims to create an integrated destination that enriches the pilgrim and visitor experience and raises Jordan’s profile on the global map of religious, cultural and spiritual tourism. It coincides with preparations for the commemoration of the 2000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030 — an occasion of profound religious significance worldwide and an opportunity to spotlight Jordan as a land where biblical history remains alive.

The King sets the agenda: A national turning point for Jordan’s green economy

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 09:44:27 +0300

By : Sanad El-NaserJordan Daily - On September 7, 2026, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein chaired a high-level meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, to review the status and progress of green finance and sustainability initiatives in Jordan. During the meeting, His Majesty directed the government to develop a comprehensive and unified national climate-finance strategy in collaboration with the private sector, while emphasising the importance of organising, attracting and deploying sustainable finance as part of Jordan’s broader development framework. The significance of the meeting can be understood through two interconnected developments: first, the movement towards greater national coordination of green and climate finance; and second, the strengthening of Jordan’s international position as a credible participant in the global sustainable-finance agenda.Jordan has already developed important foundations in this field. The Central Bank of Jordan launched its Green Finance Strategy 2023–2028 to strengthen the financial sector’s capacity to mobilise green finance, manage climate-related risks and support the development of green financial products. Jordanian financial institutions have also increasingly introduced sustainable financing instruments. The latest direction therefore does not represent the beginning of Jordan’s green-finance journey; rather, it provides an opportunity to connect the different components of an emerging market under a broader and more coordinated national framework.This national direction also carries important implications for the Economic Modernisation Vision, whose success depends heavily on mobilising investment to expand productive sectors, create employment opportunities and sustain long-term economic growth. Many of Jordan’s major future investment requirements are also closely connected to sustainability, particularly in water management, renewable energy, industrial efficiency, transportation and climate resilience. Strengthening the climate-finance framework can therefore create additional financing channels for these priorities, reducing reliance on public expenditure, conventional borrowing and traditional development assistance alone.A further advantage of this approach is its capacity to align global sustainability priorities with Jordan’s own development needs. International climate finance is increasingly structured around the Sustainable Development Goals, decarbonisation commitments, climate resilience and measurable environmental outcomes. For Jordan, these frameworks should not be treated merely as external commitments or international policy frameworks, but as strategic opportunities where they correspond with domestic priorities. Water security, energy efficiency, resilient infrastructure, sustainable transportation and green industrial development are all areas in which international sustainability objectives directly complement Jordan’s economic interests. A unified climate-finance strategy can therefore help translate global sustainability priorities into domestic investment opportunities, ensuring that international climate objectives reinforce rather than compete with Jordan’s national development agenda.The importance of climate finance is already visible in major national initiatives. The National Water Conveyance Project secured USD 295 million from the Green Climate Fund, demonstrating how specialised climate-finance mechanisms can contribute directly to addressing one of Jordan’s most significant structural challenges: water scarcity. More broadly, the project illustrates how a strategic national priority can be connected with international sources of capital that may not be available through conventional infrastructure-financing channels.Jordan also already has access to institutions with substantial dedicated climate-finance capacity, including the Green Climate Fund, IFC, EBRD, the European Investment Bank and other international development partners. The opportunity created by a unified national strategy is therefore not simply to identify additional sources of funding, but to provide these institutions with a larger and better-prepared pipeline of Jordanian projects and financial instruments in which to invest. This could enable Jordan to move beyond securing climate finance on a project-by-project basis towards establishing a more consistent and repeatable investment pipeline.Jordan’s future climate-finance architecture could further develop by building upon existing financing mechanisms that have already been explored specifically for the Kingdom. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) designated Jordan as a pilot country for its Climate/SDGs Debt Swap initiative and supported the creation of a national task force to investigate how external debt-service obligations might be redirected toward domestic climate and sustainable development priorities, with particular emphasis on adaptation projects within the water sector. This strategy is especially pertinent for Jordan, as the expansion of green investments through new borrowing alone may exacerbate pressures on an already limited fiscal position. Debt-for-climate swaps present an alternative mechanism: rather than incurring additional debt, a portion of existing external debt commitments can be converted into domestic investments aligned with nationally agreed priorities. In the context of a comprehensive climate-finance strategy, such mechanisms could complement instruments such as green bonds, concessional finance, and development finance, thereby enabling Jordan to advance sustainability objectives while also linking climate investments with improved fiscal management. The economic opportunity extends beyond the projects themselves. Developing a robust sustainable-finance market can stimulate activity within Jordan’s financial sector and wider professional-services economy. Green bonds, climate funds and sustainable investment products require financial structuring, environmental assessment, reporting, auditing, legal expertise, risk analysis and project preparation. As this market develops, these requirements can support the growth of specialised capabilities within Jordanian banks, advisory firms, companies and public institutions. Climate finance can therefore contribute to economic development both through the investments it enables and through the professional and financial ecosystem that develops around sustainable investment.The meeting’s emphasis on technical support for both the public and private sectors is particularly important because it underpins the derisking process. Capital does not flow simply because a project addresses an important environmental or development objective. Investors must be able to understand, assess and price the risks involved. In many emerging markets, the principal obstacle is not risk alone, but uncertainty surrounding project preparation, governance, revenue streams, regulation and long-term viability. Credible feasibility studies, transparent governance, measurable environmental outcomes and recognised financial standards can help transform this uncertainty into risks that investors are able to calculate and manage. Strengthening Jordan’s capacity in this area would not eliminate investment risk, but it could increase the number of credible and investible projects capable of competing for international climate capital. In this sense, developing a national climate-finance architecture is also about constructing the confidence required for capital to enter Jordan’s green economy.A unified national strategy could provide the institutional framework needed to support this transition. It could clarify national priorities, strengthen cooperation between government and the private sector, improve project preparation and create greater consistency in Jordan’s engagement with international climate funds and sustainable investors. Over time, it could also encourage more Jordanian banks and companies to issue green and sustainability-linked instruments, expand green lending and develop new financial products directed towards sustainable economic activity.Green finance already exists in Jordan; the opportunity now is to move from individual transactions and initiatives towards a deeper, more coordinated and more credible market. The foundations are increasingly visible, but the next stage will depend on whether these separate elements can be integrated into a functioning national architecture capable of producing a continuous pipeline of credible investment opportunities.If implemented effectively as per the directives of His Majesty, this strategy has the potential to strengthen Jordan’s capacity to attract global sustainable capital while advancing the objectives of the Economic Modernisation Vision. Equally important, it could institutionalise green finance as an enduring component of Jordan’s financial framework, one that aligns international sustainability priorities with domestic development goals, finances strategic investments and supports a more resilient and diversified economic trajectory.Sanad El-Naser is Project Coordinator at Tetra tech/MA Global Political Economy (KCL)

King, Queen attend King Harald V’s funeral in Oslo

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:43:37 +0300

Jordan Daily - Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Wednesday attended the funeral of King Harald V, father of King Haakon VIII of Norway, which was held at Oslo Cathedral.Leaders and dignitaries from around the world also attended the funeral of King Harald V, who died on 28 August 2026.

Trump says Iran war will end right after US midterm elections

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 06:39:55 +0300

Reuters - President Donald Trump on Wednesday predicted that the war with Iran will end “immediately after” the US midterm elections in November because Tehran was trying to influence the vote but would not be able to hold out more in the face of US economic pressure.“I think war is going to end ‌immediately after ‌the election because they can’t hold ‌out ⁠any longer. They’re ⁠desperate to try and affect the election,” he told reporters before departing for the Republican National Convention in Dallas.Trump’s war with Iran has recently entered its seventh month with no immediate end in sight. On ⁠Wednesday, Iran said it attacked 10 ‌ships near the ‌Strait of Hormuz after the US sank five Iranian ‌oil tankers. The renewed fighting sent ‌the price of oil surging with benchmark Brent crude future breaching $100 a barrel for the first time since July.Trump’s approval ratings recently sank to ‌a record low due to frustration from voters over the Iran war ⁠and ⁠deepening cost-of-living crisis. Midterm elections, due to be held on Nov. 3 this year, are typically a referendum on the occupant of the White House.Oil prices would also come down right after the election, Trump said on Wednesday, once the war is over, while acknowledging diplomatic talks are still a possibility but not preferred.“Yes, a negotiation could possible happen, but it’s not something we’re looking at,” Trump said.

Toyota launches all-new Land Cruiser FJ in the Middle East, bringing freedom and joy to every journey

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:24:13 +0300

Jordan Daily - Toyota Motor Corporation has launched the all-new Land Cruiser FJ in the Middle East, introducing a new member of the legendary Land Cruiser family, designed to make its trusted capability and adventurous spirit accessible to an even broader range of customers.Joining the Land Cruiser 300, Land Cruiser 70 and Land Cruiser Prado, the Land Cruiser FJ was developed under the concept of ‘Freedom & Joy’. It combines the reliability, durability and off-road performance that have defined the Land Cruiser for generations with a more compact and easy-to-handle size, enabling customers with diverse lifestyles to enjoy greater freedom of mobility and a wider variety of memorable experiences.Since the original Toyota BJ was introduced in 1951, the Land Cruiser has continually evolved through real-world use in some of the world’s most demanding environments. Its mission has remained unchanged: to help people go anywhere and everywhere and return safely. With cumulative sales of about 12.4 million units in over 190 countries and regions around the world, the Land Cruiser has supported the lives and livelihoods of people everywhere. Developed and refined in response to the experiences of customers around the world, it has built this enduring reputation by delivering dependable mobility wherever it is needed most.The Land Cruiser FJ brings this enduring philosophy into a new and distinctive form. Its arrival expands the Land Cruiser lineup with a vehicle that retains the nameplate’s fundamental character while offering excellent agility, practical dimensions and an engaging sense of fun. Under Toyota’s ‘TO YOU’ concept, the Land Cruiser will continue to evolve in response to changing customer and societal needs while remaining a vehicle people can trust.Commenting on the all-new Land Cruiser FJ, Masaya Uchiyama, Toyota Motor Corporation Chief Engineer of Land Cruiser, said, “Our goal was to create a vehicle that continues to be trusted to support the lives of a diverse range of customers by returning to the original idea of ‘FJ40 = CORE’, while inspiring people to enjoy life even more. The Land Cruiser FJ represents a ‘Core’ Land Cruiser that provides freedom and joy for a wide variety of lifestyles.”Uchiyama added, “By providing drivers with solid Land Cruiser off-road performance, this model gives customers the freedom to go wherever they want, whatever their lifestyle, together with the joy of using the vehicle in their own way. As customer needs become more diverse and change more rapidly, we believe it is not enough simply to add more specifications and functions. By focusing on a simple design that is within reach of more people, the vehicle becomes a canvas through which customers can express themselves.”The Land Cruiser FJ will be offered in two grades for the Middle East: Mid and High. This grade structure gives customers the ability to select a vehicle suited to their individual preferences and intended use while retaining the fundamental reliability, durability and off-road performance shared across the range.The wheelbase has been shortened, and braces have been added beneath the floor to increase lateral frame rigidity. Strong and lightweight high-tensile steel is used within the body structure, while additional spot welding beneath the floor improves vibration damping. This combination enhances ride comfort without compromising the stability and structural strength expected of a Land Cruiser.With a wheelbase of 2,580 mm, the Land Cruiser FJ is 270 mm shorter than the Land Cruiser Prado. This reduced length contributes to a minimum turning radius of 5.5 meters, making the vehicle easier to maneuver in urban environments, on narrow trails and across more technical off-road terrain. Despite its compact footprint, the vehicle preserves the fundamental geometry and mobility required for genuine off-road performance. Ground clearance and approach and departure angles have been engineered to support confident progress across challenging surfaces, while wheel articulation equivalent to the Land Cruiser 70 series helps the tires remain in contact with the ground over uneven terrain.Power is provided by a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter petrol engine producing a maximum output of 120 kW, equivalent to 163 PS, and a maximum torque of 246 Nm. The engine is paired with a six-speed Super ECT automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system.The suspension system has been developed to balance off-road capability with on-road comfort and stability. A high-mount double-wishbone layout is used at the front, while the rear adopts a four-link rigid-axle configuration with a lateral rod. Together, these systems provide dependable wheel control and composed vehicle behavior across driving environments ranging from paved roads to demanding trails.A range of drive and braking control systems further supports customers during challenging off-road situations. Downhill Assist Control maintains a stable descent on steep slopes without locking the tires, allowing the driver to focus on steering. Hill Start Assist Control reduces backward movement when starting on an incline, while an electric rear differential lock enhances traction by helping the rear wheels rotate together when additional grip is required. These systems combine to support stable and controlled progress across uneven, loose or steep terrain.The Land Cruiser FJ’s exterior and interior were developed to unite the functional heritage of the Land Cruiser with a playful and contemporary character. Its design retains the square cabin form traditionally used to prioritize passenger space, visibility and cargo capacity, while introducing a lean and cohesive shape with a distinctive dice-inspired motif and carefully chamfered edges.The body measures 4,575 mm in length and 1,855 mm in width, giving the vehicle compact proportions. The rectangular form and clear corners contribute to greater confidence when maneuvering in narrow spaces or positioning the vehicle on uneven ground. At the front and rear, strong bumpers and flared fenders create a planted and stable appearance. These features are integrated into a clean and tightly sculpted body, preserving visual strength without unnecessary complexity.The Land Cruiser FJ adopts distinctive U-shaped headlamps and rear combination lamps that give it an instantly recognizable identity. At the front, key functional elements are visually integrated to create a sharp and purposeful appearance, while the side view incorporates a horizontal beltline that has been positioned lower to improve visibility of the surrounding road surface.A Toyota emblem and rear-mounted spare tire recall the functional character of earlier Land Cruiser models, reinforcing the connection between the new vehicle and the nameplate’s long heritage. Roof rails provide a practical solution for carrying outdoor equipment and longer items that may not fit inside the cabin, while side steps support easier entry and exit. A skid plate beneath the front helps protect the engine and transmission during off-road driving.The exterior color range comprises five monotone finishes: White Pearl, Ash, Black, Bronze and Smoky Blue. Each has been selected to complement the Land Cruiser FJ’s simple, functional and adventurous design character. Additionally, the Mid grade sports 17-inch alloy wheels, while the High grade comes with larger 18-inch alloy wheels.Inside, the two-row cabin accommodates five occupants and has been designed around straightforward operation, excellent visibility and everyday practicality. The second-row seat is divided in a 6:4 configuration and can slide forward and backward, recline and fold to accommodate different combinations of passengers and cargo. Seat backboards help create a more usable loading surface when the seats are folded.With the second-row seats in use, the Land Cruiser FJ provides 795 liters of luggage capacity, together with a minimum cargo length of 735 mm and a height of 1,030 mm. Folding the rear seats expands capacity to 1,607 liters and increases the available cargo length to as much as 1,480 mm, allowing the vehicle to accommodate equipment for work, leisure, travel and outdoor activities.Rounding out the interior, the horizontal instrument panel helps the driver recognize the vehicle’s posture, an important consideration when traveling over uneven terrain. Displays and switches are grouped to minimize unnecessary eye movement, while the shift lever is positioned to support natural and intuitive operation. A low-set cowl and instrument panel contribute to excellent forward visibility, helping the driver judge the road surface and surrounding environment during both on- and off-road driving.Safety and driver confidence remain fundamental priorities. The Land Cruiser FJ, in its High grade configuration, is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, an active safety package that includes advanced systems such as the Pre-Collision Safety System, designed to assist the driver in recognizing potential hazards and avoiding or reducing the severity of a collision. Meanwhile, Lane Departure Alert identifies unintended movement from the vehicle’s lane and alerts the driver, encouraging safer and more attentive driving.Additional safety and convenience technologies for the High grade include a Panoramic View Monitor and Blind Spot Monitor. The Panoramic View Monitor provides the driver with additional visibility around the vehicle, allowing for more confident maneuvering in tight spaces and in situations where direct sightlines may be restricted.The Blind Spot Monitor alerts the driver to vehicles traveling in areas that may be difficult to see through the mirrors. Together with Toyota Safety Sense, these technologies contribute to a more reassuring driving experience in urban, highway and off-road environments.Available on both Mid and High grades, the 12.3-inch display audio system provides a clear and accessible interface for key multimedia functions. Its large display is integrated within the practical cockpit layout for intuitive operation without detracting from the clear visibility and functionality central to the Land Cruiser FJ.The launch of the all-new Land Cruiser FJ in the Middle East expands one of Toyota’s most recognized vehicle families with a model that remains faithful to its heritage while creating new opportunities for enjoyment. Its more accessible size and agile character allow a broader range of drivers to experience the capability and reassurance associated with the Land Cruiser name.

Baku Climate Action Week 2026: Advancig the global energy transition

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:15:39 +0300

Jordan Daily - Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW), one of the region’s leading climate and sustainability platforms, has officially commenced in Azerbaijan’s capital, bringing together governments, businesses, investors, international organizations, academia, civil society and youth representatives to accelerate practical climate solutions and strengthen international cooperation.Held with SOCAR Green as the main partner, this year’s edition marks a significant milestone as BCAW is being organized for the first time alongside the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate Week, reinforcing Baku’s growing role as a global center for climate diplomacy and sustainable development.Focus on Energy TransitionThe opening day of the event centered on key issues shaping the global energy and climate agenda, including the transition from COP29 to COP31, climate finance, industrial decarbonization, methane emissions reduction, carbon markets and regional energy cooperation.High-level representatives from the Azerbaijani government, the presidencies of COP29, COP30 and COP31, the UNFCCC, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and other international institutions participated in discussions aimed at transforming climate commitments into concrete action.Particular attention was given to innovation and digital technologies in the green energy sector, renewable energy certificates, and strategies for mobilizing investment to accelerate the transition toward low-carbon economies.Participants also explored Azerbaijan’s expanding role in regional green energy value chains, including opportunities related to renewable electricity exports and the development of a future green hydrogen industry.Building Momentum from COP29 to COP31Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and President of COP29, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum following COP29.“Hosting Baku Climate Action Week for the third consecutive year is particularly meaningful for us. Our priority is to build momentum for climate action, translate dialogue into concrete action, and foster new partnerships,” he said.According to Babayev, the simultaneous organization of the UNFCCC Climate Week in Baku provides an important opportunity to advance international negotiations, strengthen cooperation among stakeholders and generate tangible outcomes ahead of COP31.Nigar Arpadarai, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 and Project Lead of BCAW, highlighted the event’s growing international profile.“Baku Climate Action Week has established itself among the leading global climate weeks hosted by cities such as London, New York and Rio,” she noted, stressing that Azerbaijan continues to play an important role in the international climate agenda beyond COP29.Energy, Innovation and Regional CooperationA series of flagship roundtables examined the role of electrification in the energy transition, energy efficiency in buildings, digital solutions for sustainable infrastructure and methane emissions reduction across the Caspian region.Experts emphasized that achieving global climate goals will require closer cooperation among governments, financial institutions, businesses and technology providers. Discussions also underscored the importance of expanding renewable energy deployment, modernizing electricity networks and leveraging digital technologies to improve energy efficiency.The event highlighted the growing significance of regional energy connectivity projects, which can support both energy security and decarbonization efforts across the wider region.Artificial Intelligence and Climate-Resilient DevelopmentBeyond energy, BCAW 2026 also showcased how emerging technologies can contribute to climate resilience. A dedicated session on digital transformation and artificial intelligence in agriculture presented innovative approaches to climate adaptation, including Azerbaijan’s AI-based Farmer Scoring System developed in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).Speakers discussed how artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making can help strengthen agricultural resilience, improve water management and support sustainable food systems in the face of climate change.Expanding Scale and AmbitionBaku Climate Action Week continues to expand in both scale and influence. Following the success of the 2025 edition, which featured 46 events across more than 30 thematic areas, BCAW 2026 includes 15 flagship roundtables and a broad range of partner-led events.Several of these discussions are being organized in cooperation with the UNFCCC’s Fourth Climate Week Implementation Forum, helping bridge the gap between international climate commitments and real-world implementation.Running through September 11, BCAW 2026 serves as an important platform for advancing partnerships, attracting investment and accelerating the global transition toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. As the international community looks ahead to COP31 in Türkiye, Baku is once again positioning itself at the center of global discussions on energy transformation and climate action.

Army shoots down 18 Iranian ballistic missiles

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:24:10 +0300

Jordan Daily - Jordanian Armed Forces said Wednesday it shot down 18 missiles from Iran targeting kingdom.“Jordan’s air defense systems engaged 20 ballistic missiles launched toward Jordanian territory, successfully intercepting and destroying 18 of them, while two missiles fell in unpopulated areas,” the army said in a statement, adding that they came from Iran.

King departs for Norway to attend King Harald V’s funeral

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:05:10 +0300

Jordan Daily - His Majesty King Abdullah II departed for Norway on Tuesday to attend the funeral of King Harald V of Norway.His Majesty is accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah.His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II was sworn in as Regent, in the presence of Cabinet members.

Royal Jordanian welcomes its 17th Airbus A320neo family aircraft

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:51:53 +0300

Jordan Daily - Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) has welcomed its 17th Airbus A320neo Family aircraft to its fleet, marking another milestone in the implementation of the airline’s comprehensive strategy to modernize and expand its fleet, strengthen operational capabilities, support its growth plans and enhance the travel experience for passengers.The arrival of the new aircraft is part of RJ’s ongoing fleet modernization program, which has seen 10 new aircraft of various types join the fleet since the beginning of this year, bringing Royal Jordanian’s total fleet to 36 modern aircraft. The program reflects the airline’s commitment to building a more efficient and modern fleet capable of supporting its growth ambitions and the continued expansion of its route network.Royal Jordanian Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali said the arrival of the 17th Airbus A320neo Family aircraft represents another important milestone in the national carrier’s fleet modernization journey. He emphasized that continued investment in new generation aircraft strengthens operational efficiency and competitiveness while providing passengers with a more advanced and comfortable travel experience.Majali added that the Airbus A320neo Family plays a key role in operating RJ’s short and medium haul network, serving destinations across the Middle East, the Gulf, Africa and Europe. An additional aircraft is scheduled to join the fleet in December, bringing the number of A320neo Family aircraft to 18 by the end of 2026. Two further aircraft are expected to join in 2027 and 2028, bringing the total to 20.An additional Airbus A321 will also join the fleet next year. Meanwhile, RJ has designated three Airbus A320neo aircraft to offer its Premium Economy service, providing passengers with an option positioned between Economy Class and its Crown Class business-class product.As part of its long-haul fleet expansion, Royal Jordanian has added two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners this year, with a third scheduled for delivery in 2027. The airline’s plan is to grow its 787-9 fleet to nine aircraft, which will join progressively over the coming years.Majali said the expansion of the Boeing 787-9 fleet supports RJ’s plans to grow its long-haul network, given the aircraft’s operational efficiency and ability to operate long-distance nonstop services. The aircraft also offer improved fuel efficiency and modern onboard features, including Wi-Fi connectivity and advanced in-flight entertainment systems. Crown Class cabins feature fully lie-flat seats, providing greater comfort for passengers on long-haul journeys.In parallel with the introduction of new aircraft, Royal Jordanian has implemented a comprehensive upgrade program for its existing fleet of seven Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The program includes the installation of modern connectivity systems providing onboard Wi-Fi, cabin refurbishments in line with the airline’s standards, and the complete repainting of the aircraft in Royal Jordanian’s new colors and visual identity. These enhancements are designed to further improve the passenger experience and elevate onboard service standards.Royal Jordanian also currently operates eight new generation Embraer E2 aircraft, which play an important role in serving its regional network, offering operational efficiency and the flexibility to serve destinations with varying levels of demand.Majali emphasized that fleet modernization and network expansion are being implemented as part of a carefully considered strategic approach that balances growth with market requirements, while supporting the national carrier’s role in advancing Jordan’s tourism strategy, improving operational efficiency and strengthening financial sustainability.He added that the airline’s forward strategy and fleet modernization plan underwent all required stages of assessment and approval, based on clear and transparent principles and in accordance with applicable regulations, best practices, and the respective authorities granted to executive management and the Board of Directors.The introduction of new aircraft is a strategic investment aimed at improving operational efficiency and strengthening an airline’s competitive position. At the same time, such investment has financial and accounting implications under applicable international accounting standards, resulting in increases in both assets and liabilities.As a significant number of new aircraft are added to the fleet, lease liabilities and financing costs consequently increase. Aircraft economics should therefore not be assessed solely on the basis of monthly lease payments, but rather on the total economic cost of ownership and operation and the aircraft’s overall contribution to profitability. This includes lower fuel consumption compared with older-generation aircraft, reduced operating and maintenance costs, improved economic efficiency and an enhanced onboard product all of which contribute to strengthening the airline’s competitiveness through a newer and more efficient fleet.Majali said Royal Jordanian’s financial and operational indicators demonstrate the airline’s ability to steadily implement its strategic plans despite the exceptional challenges facing the aviation industry in the region.He noted that RJ recorded positive financial results during the first half of 2026, alongside growth in revenues, passenger numbers and overall operations. These results reinforce the airline’s strategy of investing in newer, more efficient aircraft while pursuing disciplined network expansion to meet future demand and enhance the national carrier’s competitiveness.Majali added that fleet modernization and network expansion further strengthen Royal Jordanian’s role in stimulating tourism, enhancing Jordan’s air connectivity and reinforcing Amman’s position as a regional air transport hub. He stressed that the airline will continue investing in its future to support sustainable growth and strengthen its competitiveness regionally and internationally.In parallel, Royal Jordanian continues to expand its global network. New destinations include Misrata, Munich, Hamburg, Sharjah, Alexandria, Dallas, Vienna and Tashkent, as the airline works toward expanding its network to approximately 60 destinations over the coming years.

King attends ceremony marking 20th anniversary of King Abdullah II Centre for Excellence

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:00:17 +0300

Jordan Daily - His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday attended a ceremony, held at the Royal Cultural Centre, to mark the 20th anniversary of the King Abdullah II Centre for Excellence (KACE), during which the next cycle of the Centre’s awards for the years 2026-2028 was launched.His Majesty presented awards to a number of individuals in recognition of their contributions to advancing the Centre’s growth and development. The King bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on His Royal Highness Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein, chairman of the KACE Board of Trustees, according to a Royal Court statement.In his remarks during the event, KACE Vice Chairman Marwan Juma spoke about the Centre’s 20-year history and achievements, and its pivotal role in driving modernisation in collaboration with key authorities.Juma also explained that the new awards cycle prioritises developing standards of excellence, performance evaluation, capacity building, and impact maximisation, with a view to embedding a culture of excellence within organisations that elevates performance and sharpens decision-making.For her part, KACE Executive Director Wedad Qutishat noted that the new awards cycle had broadened its scope to include public and private sectors as well as universities, with the aim of fostering graduates’ development to better prepare them for current labour market demands, the statement said.Qutishat added that the upcoming cycle will feature updated criteria focusing on organisations’ adaptability, responsiveness to citizens’ needs, and ability to enhance user experiences across both digital and traditional service delivery channels.Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, and a number of senior civilian and military officials attended the ceremony.

Netanyahu’s main challenger accuses him of prioritising survival over security

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 06:47:42 +0300

AFP- Gadi Eisenkot, the main challenger to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused the sitting premier of looking merely after his own political survival and not the country’s security, at a rally in central Israel on Monday.Unveiling the candidates of the Yashar party for the October 27 election, the former military commander said nothing about how he would handle the Palestinian question or the wars against Iran and Lebanon launched by Netanyahu, but accused him of ducking responsibility in the nearly three years since the massive Hamas attack.A relative newcomer to politics, his party Yashar (Hebrew for “Upright“), founded a year ago, has surged in the polls in recent months, with many voters seeing him as a viable candidate to replace Netanyahu, thanks to his military background.At Monday’s rally in a hall in the central Israeli city of Rosh Haayin, Eisenkot vowed to put an end to the divisions that have plagued the country since October 7, 2023 over Netanyahu’s conduct of the war in Gaza, where dozens of Israeli hostages were held, and on other fronts.“In the face of the great rift that opened on October 7, and in the face of the immense challenges before the State of Israel, I believe we need a leadership that knows how to rise to the magnitude of the hour, that knows how to unite and bring unity around what we share, and to fundamentally restore the principles of stateliness and Zionism,” Eisenkot said.Eisenkot also touched on other hot-button issue in the upcoming election, such as the exemptions and benefits granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.“Will we go on for more years under a government that promotes evasion of duty without shame? A government that hands out billions of shekels to those who neither serve nor work?” he said.According to a poll by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan published Sunday, Yashar is expected to win 23 Knesset seats out of 120, slightly ahead of Netanyahu’s Likud at 20.The anti-Netanyahu bloc is projected to win 51 seats, while Netanyahu’s Likud and its coalition partners are polling at 52 in total.That means that neither bloc would have the 61-seat majority needed to govern, unless it secures support from unaligned parties, including two Arab-majority lists that together account for 13 seats.Eisenkot appeared confident that his party would be able to draw away votes from Likud, the historic political home of the Israeli right.“I meet many people who have been voting for the same party for decades. They tell me how hard it is to vote differently,” he said. “I reply: just as you trust me, I trust you to make the courageous and right choice for Israel.”

Lexus introduces all-new ES to the Middle East, marking a new chapter in electrified luxury

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 13:05:18 +0300

Jordan Daily - Lexus has announced the launch of the all-new ES in the Middle East, introducing the eighth generation of a core model that has been part of the brand since its launch in 1989. Over successive generations, the ES has earned recognition for exceptional quietness, ride comfort and premium quality, creating a relaxed driving experience that allows occupants to travel long distances in comfort. The all-new model builds on these defining qualities while comprehensively advancing electrification, driving performance, design, interior space, safety and technology for a new era of luxury mobility.Developed under the concept of “Experience Elegant and Electrified Sedan”, the all-new ES seeks to deliver new experiential value while remaining true to the character that has long distinguished the model. Here, elegance extends beyond appearance to encompass stress-free drivability, graceful vehicle movement, generous space and an overall sense of ease for everyone on board. The aim is to enrich not only the destination, but the time spent getting there.The new ES also marks an important evolution of Lexus Electrified in the Middle East. Customers will have a choice of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) powertrains and, for the first time in the regional ES lineup, a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) with the introduction of the ES 500e. This approach reflects Lexus’ multi-pathway philosophy, providing different electrified solutions in response to varying customer needs and mobility environments while contributing toward carbon neutrality.Whichever powertrain customers choose, Lexus has sought to preserve the same distinctive sense of ES elegance and refinement. At the same time, each system has been developed to make the most of its individual characteristics, combining the flexible everyday usability of the hybrid powertrain with the smooth, responsive performance enabled by the fully electric ES 500e.Commenting on the development of the all-new ES, Lexus International Chief Engineer, Kohei Chiashi, said, “During the development of this vehicle, teams from planning, design, engineering and evaluation came together at Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama, where the vehicle was repeatedly tested, refined and rebuilt through countless iterations. Despite the many challenges we encountered along the way, everyone involved remained united by a common passion to deliver an exceptional product to our customers.”Chiashi added, “The development of an automobile is a continual process of harmonizing engineering excellence and sensibility, with each elevating the other. The all-new ES, the culmination of this philosophy, also symbolizes the beginning of the next generation of Lexus. We invite everyone to experience the enriching journey offered by this vehicle, thoughtfully designed to bring a sense of harmony and well-being to all on board.”For hybrid customers, the newly updated 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder system combines responsive acceleration, excellent fuel efficiency and the quiet operation expected of the ES. An integrated eAxle brings the power control unit and transaxle together in a compact, lightweight configuration while supporting higher battery output, with increased power-unit rigidity helping to reduce vibration and further refine the driving experience. The ES 350h offers enhanced power performance and the availability of all-wheel drive.The ES 500e provides a fully electric alternative, combining a large-capacity battery positioned beneath the floor with all-wheel drive. Its low battery placement contributes to a lower center of gravity, allowing it to be integrated efficiently within the vehicle architecture.Driving performance across the new ES lineup has been developed around a clear customer experience: smooth and composed movement, confident control and the ability to enjoy the journey without compromising the relaxed character of the model. From the moment the vehicle pulls away, acceleration is tuned to feel natural and stable, creating a sense of ease rather than abruptness or strain.This experience is supported by a comprehensively redesigned TNGA GA-K platform developed to accommodate both HEV and BEV powertrains. Increased structural rigidity across key areas of the vehicle provides a more stable foundation for steering, acceleration and deceleration, while helping suppress unwanted vibration. The resulting movement remains faithful to driver input while retaining the comfort and composure central to the Lexus Driving Signature.For the ES 500e, Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive force control system further enhances confidence and stability. The system continuously manages front-to-rear torque distribution according to driving conditions, using vehicle information – such as wheel speed, acceleration and steering input to provide responsive traction and composed vehicle behavior. Together with the low center of gravity, this helps reduce unnecessary body movement during cornering and lane changes, benefiting both the driver and passengers.For the first time in an ES, a multi-link rear suspension has also been adopted to support stable vehicle posture and a smoother ride. A variable-ratio steering rack enhances maneuverability at lower speeds while supporting responsiveness through corners and stability at higher speeds. On models equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), responsive damping control further balances precise handling with refined ride comfort.Rather than pursuing performance solely through numerical targets, the development team considered how the vehicle should feel across individual moments of a journey, from entering the cabin and finding a comfortable driving position to pulling away and traveling at speed. This approach shaped the development theme of a “pleasant time for all seats”, where comfort is intended to mean more than simply minimizing movement or noise, so that every occupant can enjoy the journey itself.Design plays an equally important role in delivering this experience. Guided by the vehicle’s overall vision of elegance and electrification, the exterior and interior were crafted under the theme “Clean Tech x Elegance”, pairing advanced technology with a simple, refined expression.Electrification created new configuration requirements, particularly through the placement of the battery beneath the floor. Rather than allowing the resulting increase in vehicle height to create a tall appearance, Lexus carefully balanced the ES’s height with its length and width to preserve the sleek proportions and visual elegance expected of a sedan.At the front, a low nose contrasts with horizontally oriented fenders to create a wide and dynamic appearance while maintaining the dignified presence of a luxury sedan. The new-generation Lexus Spindle Body is expressed through carefully shaped surfaces that form the familiar spindle impression when viewed from above and as the vehicle moves past.The new Twin L-Signature Lamp further establishes a distinctive Lexus identity, combining inward-facing daytime running lights with outward-facing turn indicators. At the rear, a light signature integrated with an illuminated LEXUS logo emphasizes the vehicle’s width and creates immediate brand recognition. Particular attention was also given to the rear fenders, where boldly sculpted surfaces flow through the rear body to create a wide, planted stance. The cabin tapers toward the rear while retaining generous interior space, balancing visual elegance with aerodynamic performance.A newly available 21-inch tire option further emphasizes the ES’s confident stance. Seven exterior colors are offered, including the new SOU finish, which combines a clean, solid-like appearance with subtle blue effects.Inside, Lexus has focused on creating a spacious and calm environment with minimal visual clutter. The new ES is 165 mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has increased by 80 mm, providing greater interior space and enhancing rear-seat comfort. An elevated seating position also improves ease of entry and exit, while lower front and side window lines expand outward visibility and create a more open field of view for the driver.Slimmer seats and trim components make more effective use of the additional cabin space. The newly developed front-seat construction separates elements that would traditionally form a single upholstered structure, enabling a slimmer profile without sacrificing support. The design provides strong occupant hold while helping reduce fatigue over longer journeys and contributing to a cleaner, more spacious visual impression.Quietness has likewise been developed not simply around reducing sound levels but around creating a natural and balanced acoustic environment. The sedan’s enclosed, rigid cabin structure provides a foundation for both structural strength and effective noise isolation, while sound-insulating door glass, improved sealing and carefully positioned sound-absorbing, sound-blocking and vibration-damping materials further reduce unwanted road and external noise.Materials, colors and lighting were also considered together to create a relaxing, lounge-like atmosphere. Occupants can personalize the cabin using 14 preset illumination themes and 50 custom colors, while Dynamic Color patterns transition over time across six themes. Indirect illumination highlights architectural forms and material textures, complemented by carefully positioned direct lighting.Available interior ornamentation includes Modern Bamboo for a clean, minimalist appearance and Micro Geometric for a more contemporary expression. Surface-illuminated door trim allows light to emerge through the material itself, combining texture and illumination to create warmth and visual depth.Technology is integrated with the same emphasis on simplicity. A new 14-inch Display Audio system features a flat, clean design with rich graphics for improved visibility and usability. The all-new ES also introduces the world’s first Responsive Hidden Switches, seamlessly integrating physical controls into the steering wheel and instrument panel. Icons remain discreet when not required and illuminate as a hand approaches, while tactile feedback provides the reassurance of a conventional physical switch. This unobtrusive interaction reflects the spirit of Omotenashi, keeping technology quietly in the background until it is needed.Safety has also advanced through Lexus Safety System+ 4, with enhanced sensor and recognition capabilities designed to support the driver across a wider range of situations. The Pre-Collision System expands assistance in intersection scenarios through broader warning and braking operating ranges, while Radar Cruise Control recognizes changes in surrounding traffic earlier to provide smoother, more natural deceleration and following behavior.Lane Change Assist has also been refined to support smoother operation across a broader range of driving conditions. Complementing these systems, the Panoramic View Monitor introduces a newly developed 3D View for the first time in a Lexus, allowing drivers to swipe across the display to view the vehicle’s surroundings from different perspectives and more easily check areas that may otherwise be difficult to see.For customers across the Middle East, the all-new ES brings the qualities that have defined the model for more than three decades into a changing era of luxury mobility. The choice of hybrid electric and battery electric powertrains allows customers to select the solution that best suits their needs while continuing to experience the quietness, comfort and sense of ease expected of an ES.Ultimately, the all-new ES brings the idea of “Experience Elegant and Electrified Sedan” to life through the moments that occupants experience throughout every journey. From entering the spacious cabin and setting off smoothly to enjoying its calm, composed movement on the road, Lexus has sought to create a “pleasant time for all seats”, an experience designed to make every occupant feel that the time spent traveling is itself something to value.

GAZOO Racing celebrates historic hat-trick at Rally del Paraguay

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 12:08:04 +0300

Jordan Daily - GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (GR-WRT) celebrated a historic victory at Rally del Paraguay, with Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen securing their third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) win in the No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. Following victories in Estonia and Finland, the result makes the pair the first crew in the championship to claim their first three victories in consecutive rounds.Akio Toyoda, GR-WRT Chairman, commented, “To everyone on the team who competed in Rally del Paraguay, and to everyone who worked so hard to make the event happen, thank you and congratulations on getting through such a challenging rally week. I saw the photos of the service park after it had been battered by strong winds. Rally del Paraguay is already a tough rally under normal conditions, so I am very relieved that the event was completed safely. Thank you all for your hard work.”Toyoda added, “In the middle of all that, Sami and Marko gave us a fantastic victory. Three wins in a row after Estonia and Finland. Congratulations, Sami and Marko! The way the two of you have been fighting back has made the championship battle even more exciting. Sami and Marko, there are still three rallies to go. Keep pushing, enjoy the fight and go all out for the championship. I’ll be cheering for all of you.”Rally del Paraguay presented crews with a demanding combination of bumps and compressions, sharp rocks hidden beneath the clay-like surface and high temperatures. The near-constant threat of heavy rain added another challenge, with the Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 vehicles fitted during the rally with snorkel systems usually seen only at Safari Rally Kenya.Pajari and Salminen faced an early setback when a water leak on the opening stage dropped them as low as seventh overall. After managing the issue until it could be fully repaired at service, the pair recovered to take the lead by the end of the opening leg.They gradually extended their advantage to 24.1 seconds during the penultimate leg before going on to secure victory by 25.8 seconds. The result completes a landmark run of three consecutive wins for Pajari and Salminen following their maiden WRC victory at Rally Estonia and home triumph at Rally Finland.The victory sees Pajari maintain second place in the drivers’ championship, as GR-WRT crews now occupy the top four positions in the standings. Toyota continues to lead the manufacturers’ championship by 173 points with three rounds remaining.Toyota’s motorsports history dates back over 60 years. Reflecting the concept that ‘Roads build people, and people build cars’, Toyota has competed in a wide range of motorsport disciplines worldwide. Its major successes, achieved under the most extreme conditions, together with the hard-won knowledge and technical insights they have yielded, continue to serve as the foundation for building ‘ever-better’ cars. GAZOO Racing competes in top-level motorsport categories such as the FIA World Rally Championship, as well as in customer motorsport activities using production vehicles.Round 12 of the 2026 FIA WRC is Rally Chile (10-13 September), held in the forests of the Bio Bío region overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The technical but largely fast stages feature a mix of smooth and abrasive gravel.Those interested can follow the official Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages for the latest updates and results from local, regional and international races. Motorsport enthusiasts are also invited to discover the GAZOO Racing lineup at Markazia Toyota’s showroom on Mecca Street.About Markazia GroupMarkazia Group is the exclusive distributor in Jordan for Toyota and Lexus vehicles; Hino trucks; Yamaha motorcycles and scooters; Budget Car Rental; Autel electric vehicle chargers; King Long buses; Petronas lubricants; and Henkel, DENSO and BG products. Since 1999, the company has established itself as a leader in automobile sales, after-sales services and genuine spare parts. Guided by a community-focused strategy and a strong corporate social responsibility program, Markazia Group is committed to being more than a distributor - it is a company dedicated to driving positive change within society.

Five-goal show by Al Jazeera shakes the champions

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:54:15 +0300

Dr Fadi MaayahCurtin University- Australia Jordan Daily - The opening round of the 2026-27 Jordanian Pro League delivered excitement, surprises and several early talking points. The most remarkable result was Al Jazeera’s emphatic 5-0 victory over reigning champions Al Hussein Irbid, while the season’s first Clasico between Al Wehdat and Al Faisaly ended in a goalless draw. Al Salt and Al Baqaa also made winning starts to their campaigns. Al Baqaa kicked off the new season with a valuable 1-0 win over newly promoted Doqara. Mohamed Al Akash scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute, and Al Baqaa managed the game effectively thereafter, protecting their advantage until the final whistle to secure all three points. From a tactical perspective, Al Baqaa displayed strong defensive organisation and discipline after taking the early lead. Doqara, meanwhile, struggled to create clear scoring opportunities and found it difficult to break down Al Baqaa’s compact defensive structure. Despite the defeat, the newcomers showed glimpses of potential that could develop as the season progresses.In another closely contested encounter, Shabab Al Ordon and Al Ramtha shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Al Ramtha took the lead through Alphousseni Gassama early in the second half, only for Sol Castro to rescue a point for Shabab Al Ordon with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser. Technically, Al Ramtha were effective in transition and looked dangerous when attacking space behind the opposition defence. However, their decision to retreat and defend their lead late in the match allowed Shabab Al Ordon opportunities to push forward. The home side showed resilience and determination, although improvements in build-up play and chance creation remain necessary.The headline fixture of the round between Al Wehdat and Al Faisaly failed to live up to expectations in terms of attacking entertainment. Both teams adopted a cautious approach, with defensive organisation taking priority over offensive ambition. As a result, the match ended in a goalless draw. The game reflected two sides more concerned with avoiding defeat than chasing victory. While both teams were tactically disciplined and defensively solid, they lacked creativity and a decisive edge in the final third. Although a point is not disastrous at this early stage of the season, both clubs will need greater attacking efficiency if they are to sustain a genuine title challenge.Al Salt produced one of the most convincing performances of the round, defeating Al Arabi 3-1. Their victory highlighted both attacking quality and collective cohesion, placing them among the early frontrunners in the league standings. Al Salt’s performance was built on rapid transitions from defence to attack and intelligent exploitation of the spaces left by Al Arabi. They also proved clinical in front of goal, whereas Al Arabi struggled with defensive lapses, particularly after losing possession, allowing Al Salt to capitalise effectively.The biggest story of the opening weekend, however, belonged to Al Jazeera. Few would have predicted a 5-0 victory over reigning champions Al Hussein Irbid, yet Al Jazeera dominated proceedings from start to finish and produced a statement performance. From a footballing perspective, Al Jazeera delivered one of the most complete displays seen in recent seasons. Their high pressing, quick transitions and ruthless finishing overwhelmed the champions. In contrast, Al Hussein Irbid looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, with defensive positioning problems and a lack of cohesion between the lines. While one result does not define a season, it serves as an early warning that significant adjustments may be required if the champions are to defend their title successfully.At the conclusion of the opening round, Al Jazeera topped the league table on goal difference, ahead of Al Salt and Al Baqaa. Al Wehdat, Al Faisaly, Shabab Al Ordon and Al Ramtha each collected one point, while Al Hussein Irbid, Al Arabi and Doqara were left without a point. The round produced 12 goals from five matches, an average of 2.4 goals per game, reflecting an encouragingly attacking start to the new campaign. Technical Review of the RoundThe opening fixtures highlighted the importance of collective organisation, tactical flexibility and transitional play. Teams such as Al Jazeera and Al Salt demonstrated the effectiveness of structured pressing and rapid attacking transitions, while several sides exposed weaknesses in dealing with high pressure and defensive transitions.Although it is far too early to draw definitive conclusions, the first round suggests that the 2026-27 Jordanian Pro League could become one of the most competitive and unpredictable seasons in recent years. Traditional powerhouses will undoubtedly remain contenders, but the opening weekend indicated that several clubs are capable of challenging the established order and reshaping the title race.

Handel’s Messiah to be performed at Mukawir ahead of the 2030 St. John the Baptist commemorations

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 06:33:13 +0300

Jordan Daily - Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Friends of Jordan Festivals in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to Jordan will present Messiah, one of the most celebrated works of sacred music, at the historic site of Mukawir (Machaerus) on 12 September 2026, under the theme “Echoes of Faith, Voices of Heritage.”Mukawir holds special significance as the site traditionally associated with the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, making it a particularly fitting setting for Messiah, a work that explores themes of faith, redemption, and hope, Friends of Jordan Festivals said in a statement.Marking the occasion, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Emad Hijazeen, said: "Jordan has long been, and will always remain, a safe haven and a beacon of peace, stability, moderation, and religious coexistence. Home to some of the world's most significant Christian pilgrimage and heritage sites, the Kingdom continues to preserve and protect humanity's shared religious and cultural heritage. Under the Hashemite Custodianship of the Islamic and Christian Holy Sites, Jordan remains steadfast in safeguarding the sacred heritage of Jordan and Palestine and in promoting the values of peace, mutual respect, and interfaith dialogue. Today, we proudly launch a cultural and spiritual journey towards the global commemorations of St. John the Baptist in 2030. This initiative reflects our commitment to preserving our shared heritage while strengthening Jordan's position as a leading destination for Christian pilgrimage, cultural tourism, and international dialogue." In his turn, The European Union Ambassador to Jordan, Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, added: “The European Union has long supported the preservation and development of historical sites across Jordan, including Mukawir. This project aims notably to enhance sustainable cultural heritage initiatives and strengthen the ability of civil society actors to collaborate in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. The European Union Delegation supports this initiative as part of its continued commitment to safeguarding Jordan's cultural heritage and advancing culture as a driver of sustainable development and community engagement”.The initiative reinforces the Kingdom's role as a meeting place of civilizations, faiths, and cultures and its unique position as a destination for religious and cultural tourism. It also seeks to honour the legacy of St. John the Baptist through one of the most important works of sacred music and to acknowledge Jordan’s contribution to peaceful coexistence and intercultural dialogue across and beyond the Middle East.”The event is also supported by the Jordan Tourism Board, Royal Jordanian, Goethe-Institut Jordan, and the Embassy of Hungary in Jordan. It forms part of the European Union’s broader commitment to promoting Jordan’s unique cultural heritage through community-centred initiatives that support sustainable economic development.Tickets are on sale via Tzkrti: https://tzkrti.com/en/events/4305

King accepts credentials of new ambassadors

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:36:52 +0300

Jordan Daily - His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday accepted the credentials of a number of new ambassadors to Jordan.His Majesty accepted the credentials of Ambassadors Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed Zergot of Algeria, non-resident Ambassador Abiib Muse Farah of Somalia, and Ambassador Nicole McHugh of Ireland.The King also accepted the credentials of Ambassadors Andreas Løvold of Norway, Gianmarco Rizzo of Belgium, Pier Luigi Zamporlini of Italy, non-resident ambassadors Ysset Román Maldonado of the Dominican Republic, and Isidore Ntirampeba of Burundi.Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attended the ceremony, which was held at Basman Palace.

Iran says it plans to announce a new ‘exclusion zone’ near the Strait of Hormuz

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:28:15 +0300

AP- The new head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Sunday said Tehran plans to announce an “exclusion zone” outside the Strait of Hormuz aimed at vessels it believes are attempting to transit the waterway.Mohsen Rezaei’s comments to Iran’s state broadcaster came with few details, a day after the US struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran launching ballistic missiles at US warships. Experts called the launches a dangerous escalation after Iran’s previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping.The new zone should be announced in the coming days and weeks and “will begin from the line of the US naval blockade, extend toward the Strait of Hormuz, and from this side continue into the Arabian Gulf,” Rezaei said. “Any ship that enters this area with the intention of passing through the Strait of Hormuz and is identified will be placed on our sanctions list.”It is not clear where Iran defines the location of the weekslong US blockade, which is aimed at Iranian ports and keeping Tehran from shipping out its oil. The US military has said over 20 warships are supporting the blockade, which as of Sunday had redirected 92 commercial ships and disabled three.The US has been introducing new measures to increase the economic pain on Iran after negotiations collapsed and no end to the intermittent fighting appears in sight. Meanwhile, Iran continues to attack some ships trying to transit the strait, which has become an important source of leverage for Tehran in the war that began Feb. 28 with US and Israeli strikes.Iran earlier Sunday said it struck an unmanned US vessel trying to enter the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that the US military dismissed as a “total lie.”Fighting resumed a week agoThe United States and Iran resumed attacks last week, following a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and areas along Iran’s southern coast again being targeted. At least five people were killed earlier in the week during a US bombardment that returned attention to the area where a school was hit in the war’s opening strikes.The Trump administration appears to have adopted a dual-prong approach to the conflict, responding militarily to attacks on the strait while going after foreign financial institutions that handle Iran’s money.But Tehran’s hard-line new senior leaders including Rezaei have signaled a willingness to dig in after weathering decades of sanctions. Iran has found ways over the years to circumvent sanctions, and now the US blockade of its ports, and get its oil to buyers to help ease growing economic pressures.On the matter of the collapsed negotiations with the US, Rezaei on Sunday expressed wariness not only of the US but also of the mediators. The memorandum of understanding that the US and Iran signed in mid-June began to fall apart within days as each side accused the other of violations.“We had trusted our friends in Pakistan, Qatar or Oman, thinking that since they had stepped in as mediators, one of a mediator’s responsibilities is that if one side violates the agreement, they should stop them,” Rezaei said. “We are now pursuing diplomacy with guarantees.”US says 9 million barrels of oil a day pass through the straitThe Strait of Hormuz is crucial to global oil and natural gas shipments and was seen as an international waterway before the war began.On Sunday, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that on average, 9 million barrels of oil a day are getting through the strait, which should help to relieve pressure on energy prices. His estimate appeared to exceed average flows over the past 28 days through the strait, according to TankerTrackers.com and other sources.Wright told CNN that with oil also flowing through pipelines in the region, “we’re probably two-thirds or more of preconflict flows.”But those flows depend on the presence of the US Navy to help escort tankers and provide some protection against possible Iranian attack. Wright said he expected that other countries would eventually support the Navy’s efforts.Meanwhile, Iran’s Rezaei in his interview with state TV claimed that “every day we are selling one million, one and a half million (barrels), as if Iran’s oil production and trade are continuing as usual.”

US ambassador calls for 'severe consequences' to stop West Bank violence

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 06:15:14 +0300

AFP- The US ambassador to Israel on Saturday called for "severe consequences" to stop violence in the occupied West Bank as he met Palestinian-Americans who have reported attacks from Israeli settlers."Our clear message is that crime is crime, terror is terror. When people do it they should have an expectation that they will have severe consequences," Mike Huckabee told reporters as he visited the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya, which has a high number of US citizens, but he declined to criticise Israel.The United Nations warned Friday that Israel's forced displacement of the entire Palestinian populations of three West Bank refugee camps last year could amount to crimes against humanity.In a report slammed by Israel, the UN rights office described how a military operation launched in the north of the occupied territory in January 2025 had forcibly displaced over 33,000 people.At the start of operation "Iron Wall", Israeli military entered the camps and killed civilians, destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged infrastructure, it said.They cut off water and electricity and barred humanitarian access to the camps before going door to door "forcing residents to leave", it added.A few days into the operation, Israeli security forces "consolidated their control" over the camps and "forcibly displaced their population in their entirety", the report said."The large-scale, long-term and systematic displacement of over 33,000 Palestinian refugees from refugee camps such as Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm during Israel's Operation Iron Wall ... raises serious concerns of the crime against humanity of forcible transfer," it warned.As of July this year, 33,362 Palestinian refugees displaced from the three camps had not been permitted to return, according to the UN.‘Ethnic cleansing'The rights office said "the use of airstrikes, armoured bulldozers and controlled detonations, to render entire camps uninhabitable, to force the displacement of their residents and to prevent their return... are not permissible under international law".Israel's actions "appear to amount to collective punishment and raise concerns of ethnic cleansing", it warned.Israel's mission in Geneva said the rights office had set "aside impartiality, independence and neutrality, to serve as the epicentre of vile activism".It accused the report of "spreading misinformation" and "neglecting to mention the threat of terrorist attacks".The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has seen a surge in violence since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.The violence escalated significantly with the launch of Operation Iron Wall on January 21 last year, 48 hours after a fragile ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip.Israel announced on February 23, 2025 that its army had emptied the three refugee camps, which figure among a total of 19 across the West Bank.Defence minister Israel Katz said at the time that he had instructed troops "to prepare for a prolonged presence in the cleared camps for the coming year and to prevent the return of residents and the resurgence of terrorism".UN rights chief Volker Turk said Friday that the way the operation was conducted "suggests its aim was to expel as many Palestinians as possible and to make way for more illegal Israeli settlements, in further violation of international law".

Trump says US may hit Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain soon

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 05:55:18 +0300

Reuters/AP- US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the United States may hit Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain very soon.Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes.Trump said that the Iran war was “small potatoes” for the United States, a day after Vice President JD Vance said he wouldn’t describe the conflict as a war.“A lot of people don’t call it a war. I call it a military conflict because it’s small potatoes for us. It’s not a big thing. We did Venezuela, and we did this,” Trump told reporters when asked about Vance’s comments.In July the US changed its official Defense Casualty Analysis System to reclassify soldiers killed or wounded in “war” to “Overseas Operations.”Confronted by an intransigent Iranian government that has refused to back down in the face of a massive military campaign, US President Donald Trump has settled on a dual-prong approach that combines economic pressure with the potential of a devastating escalation in force.

Over the course of the war, Trump has repeatedly reported progress in negotiations or called off threats of military action at the last moment when global markets have become jittery.The president wants to avoid both a return to the full-throttle bombardment of Iran and making any accommodations to Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz, said Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“The White House doesn’t want a massive war, and they don’t want to be seen as offering massive concessions,” Miller said. “The tack they are taking avoids both of those things.”

Palestinians say Israeli army killed two teenagers in West Bank

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 06:49:37 +0300

AFP- The Israeli army killed two teenagers in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday night, the Palestinian health ministry said, while the army said it opened fire during a “violent riot”.Omar Mohammad Naji Al-Nassan, 19, and Khalil Rasem Khalil Shahada, 16, were shot dead by the Israeli army in the village of Al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah in the central West Bank, the ministry said.Amin Abu Alia, the head of the Al-Mughayyir village council, told AFP “Israeli settlers … tried to steal sheep from two homes” in the village, and that following a confrontation, “the Israeli army imposed a siege on the village before raiding its center”.He said the Israeli forces placed snipers inside buildings, who “opened live fire on residents who tried to confront the settlers”.The Israeli army meanwhile said it had “secured the entrance” to the village “in order to facilitate the return of livestock belonging to Israeli civilians that had been found in the area of the village”.“During the forces’ activity in the area, a violent riot broke out, during which terrorists hurled cinder blocks and stones at the forces,” the army said.“The forces responded by firing at key instigators in order to remove the threat,” it said, adding that the management of the incident was under review.The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that the two teenagers were critically wounded by live fire during clashes, Nassan in the neck and Shahada in the back, and were transferred to two hospitals in Ramallah, where doctors pronounced them dead.AFP footage filmed inside the Ramallah medical center showed mourners gathering around one of the bodies shrouded in a Palestinian flag.The mourners carried the remains outside the hospital and chanted “with our souls and our blood, we will sacrifice ourselves for you, martyr. We were created to live in freedom.”The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has seen a surge in violence since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip following Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.Attacks by settlers on Palestinians have increased and become almost daily. At least 1,105 Palestinians, including a number of militants, have been killed by fire from Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian official figures.At least 48 Israelis, both civilians and security forces, have been killed in the West Bank in attacks carried out by Palestinians or during clashes with Israeli forces, according to Israeli official figures.

From climate need to bankable opportunity: Derisking, confidence, and the politics of green finance

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 05:56:48 +0300

By: Sanad El-NaserJordan Daily - In my previous article, “Jordan’s Quiet Economic Transformation: How Stability Is Attracting Billions in Investment,” I argued that Jordan’s stability is not only a political achievement, but also an economic asset. This article builds on that argument by shifting from national stability to green finance.A renewable energy project, a sustainable infrastructure plan, or a climate adaptation programme may have clear environmental and social value. Yet for banks and investors, this is not always enough. Before capital moves, a project has to appear credible, measurable, repayable, and bankable.This is one of the hidden challenges of green finance. The issue is not only how to finance the green transition, but how climate and development needs are translated into opportunities that financial institutions are willing to support.Jordan provides a useful example of how this process is beginning to take shape. The Central Bank of Jordan’s Green Finance Strategy 2023–2028 aims to promote green finance across the financial sector and strengthen the sector’s ability to manage climate-related financial risks. This matters because it places climate finance inside the logic of banking, regulation, risk management, and disclosure, rather than treating it only as a general environmental issue.Local banks are also beginning to play this signalling role. Jordan Kuwait Bank issued Jordan’s first green bond, with the International Finance Corporation investing up to USD 50 million in the five-year bond. Jordan Ahli Bank later launched Jordan’s first locally issued sustainability bond, with the International Finance Corporation subscribing USD 50 million to support climate finance, small and medium-sized enterprises, women-owned and women-led businesses, and job creation. Capital Bank offers another important example, as the bank stated in its own sustainability reporting that it secured a USD 155 million subordinated green loan and implemented an environmental and social management system across its lending activities.These examples matter not only because they mobilise capital, but because they create market signals. The Central Bank sets the direction, development finance institutions provide credibility, and local banks translate green priorities into financial products. Over time, this can change how the wider market understands green investment. A sector that once appeared uncertain can begin to look bankable, reportable, and investible.This is where the concept of derisking becomes useful.In simple terms, derisking refers to the process through which uncertainty is reduced, managed, or reshaped so that capital becomes more willing to invest. It is often discussed in relation to guarantees, blended finance, public support, regulatory reform, or development finance. These instruments matter because many green projects are socially and environmentally necessary, but not always immediately attractive to private investors.However, derisking should not be understood only as a technical financial process. It is also a process of constructing confidence. In green finance, this distinction is important because climate-related investment often exists between urgency and uncertainty. Governments, firms, banks, and investors may recognise the importance of renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and green buildings. Yet recognition alone does not automatically lead to investment. For capital to move, these needs must be translated into financial terms such as risk, return, repayment, disclosure, regulation, and credibility.In other words, the question is not only whether a project is environmentally important. The question is whether it is bankable.Banks play a central role in this process. They are not simply institutions that provide finance after risk has already been calculated. They also help define what counts as credible, investible, and financially acceptable. Through lending decisions, green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, Environmental, Social, and Governance assessments, disclosure requirements, and partnerships with development finance institutions, banks shape the market’s understanding of where capital should go.The idea of mimetic conventions helps explain this further. Although the term may sound theoretical, the logic behind it is simple. In uncertain markets, financial actors rarely make decisions in isolation. Banks and investors observe each other. They look at the behaviour of institutions they trust. If a respected bank, regulator, or development finance institution supports a green sector, this sends a signal that the sector is credible. Other actors may then follow, not because uncertainty has fully disappeared, but because confidence has become shared.This is how many financial markets operate. Confidence is not built only through numbers. It is also built through reputation, imitation, and institutional trust. In green finance, these signals can be powerful. Once a major institution treats a green sector as investible, that sector may begin to appear less experimental and more mainstream.This creates both opportunities and tensions. On one hand, derisking can mobilise capital for sectors that urgently need investment, especially in economies where public finance alone is not enough. On the other hand, the process of making projects investible can also narrow the meaning of green development. If banks and investors help define what is credible and bankable, then they also influence which projects receive attention. Projects that can be measured, reported, monetised, and financed may move faster, while socially necessary projects that are less financially attractive may struggle to receive the same level of support.This raises important questions. Who defines what counts as green? Who decides which risks matter? Who absorbs those risks? Who benefits when a project becomes investible? And what happens to development priorities that do not easily fit into financial categories?These questions matter because green finance is not purely technical. It is also political. Behind every green finance instrument is a set of decisions about value, credibility, risk, and priority. Banks, regulators, investors, and development finance institutions do not only finance the green transition. They help shape what kind of green transition becomes possible.This is especially important for developing economies. Many face urgent climate and infrastructure needs while also operating with limited fiscal space, higher borrowing costs, and dependence on external finance. For them, derisking is not simply a tool to attract investment. It can become a condition for accessing capital in the first place.The challenge, therefore, is to ensure that green finance does more than create attractive instruments for investors. Its success should not only be measured by how much capital is mobilised, but by whether it strengthens local firms, builds skills, improves institutions, supports resilience, and creates real economic capability.Green finance should not only ask: how do we attract capital?It should also ask: what kind of economy are we building with that capital?Derisking helps explain how uncertainty is reduced and how investment becomes possible. But it also reminds us that risk is not simply discovered. It is defined, interpreted, and shaped by institutions. The future will not only be financed by those with the best projects, but by those able to make their projects appear credible, measurable, and bankable.That is why understanding green finance requires looking beyond capital itself. It requires looking at confidence, conventions, and the institutions that turn uncertainty into investment.By Sanad El-Naser Project Coordinator at Tetra tech/MA Global Political Economy (KCL)

King visits National Press, inaugurates new expansion project

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 06:31:37 +0300

Jordan Daily - His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday visited National Press, which is celebrating the centenary of its foundation, and inaugurated the company’s new expansion project, the printing and packaging unit.His Majesty was briefed on the National Press’ 100-year history and growth, which scaled to its current production capacity of nearly 10 million books a year, and toured the new expansion facilities, which aim to serve the needs of key sectors, such as food and pharmaceutical industries.Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh accompanied the King on the visit.

Xi tells Egypt’s El-Sisi ‘external interference’ in Mideast should be opposed

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 06:06:25 +0300

AFP- Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Egyptian counterpart on Wednesday that “external interference” in the Middle East should be opposed, Beijing’s state media reported, following talks in Cairo between the two leaders.“We must uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East are the masters of their own affairs, oppose external interference (and) support regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security,” Xi told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.Xi is on his first visit to Egypt in a decade as Beijing seeks a greater foothold in the region against the backdrop of the US-Iran war.Xi also said during talks with Sisi that Beijing was willing to help protect maritime shipping from the energy-rich region, upended since US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February triggered the war.“China stands ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation… and eliminate the breeding grounds for conflict,” Xi said, according to Xinhua.Xi added that his country was willing to work with countries in the Middle East to protect shipping, Beijing’s state media said, as the US-Iran war upends maritime logistics from the energy-rich region.“China stands ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation... and eliminate the breeding grounds for conflict,” Xi told his Egyptian counterpart.China expands Egypt investmentAl-Sisi and counterpart Xi Jinping agreed Wednesday to expand China's investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, as Beijing seeks to deepen ties with Cairo against the backdrop of the US-Iran war.Sisi's office said the two BRICS members signed an agreement to launch the third phase of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone, which officials say already hosts 200 companies and investments worth around $4 billion.The new investments — which Egypt has not announced a figure for — give Beijing an even greater foothold in the Suez Canal zone, as Beijing looks to expand its influence in the region and as the US-Iran war continues to threaten global maritime trade.
Beijing has played a key role in Sisi's megaprojects, the crowning jewel of which is the New Administrative Capital 50 kilometres (30 miles) east of Cairo, large swathes of which have been bankrolled by Chinese investment.China is a major exporter to Egypt, with its trade surplus reaching $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.Across Cairo, a megalopolis home to over 26 million people, major streets have been lined with Chinese and Egyptian flags, as well as billboards showing Sisi and Xi.Street signs boast of "generations of Egyptian-Chinese friendship flowing like the Nile River", while residents have been warned to plan for substantial traffic delays on their commutes.Xi is expected to head to the Grand Egyptian Museum overlooking the Giza Pyramids later on Wednesday.Foreign policyThe talks also covered the six-month US-Iran conflict, with both presidents urging "diplomatic solutions" to reach a "comprehensive agreement to end the war", according to a statement from Sisi's spokesperson. According to analysts, Cairo is using the summit to underscore its strategic autonomy, showing it can leverage its close ties with both Washington and Beijing.Sisi, in an op-ed published in Egyptian media on Tuesday, highlighted Cairo's "independent foreign policy", days after a branch of Egypt's second-largest bank was targeted by US sanctions.He wrote that Egypt and China were partners in "strengthening the role of the global south" in an increasingly polarized world.Washington vowed last month to isolate Iran economically, threatening expanded sanctions that could also hit Chinese banks, among others.China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has vowed to safeguard its interests.In the lead-up to an expected meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump this month, it has also sought to shore up ties with US-friendly regional nations.Egypt is one of the largest recipients of US military aid, and historically a key Middle East mediator.Last week, the US Treasury announced sanctions on the Emirati branch of Egypt's Banque Misr for alleged support to Iran.Egypt -- which under Sisi's administration became one of the world's top weapons buyers -- hosted major joint air combat exercises with the Chinese military in August, featuring Beijing's powerful J-16 fighter jet. It has been a while since Xi has visited the MideastThis is Xi's first visit there in a decade, and his first trip to the region since visiting Saudi Arabia in 2022. El-Sisi has visited China multiple times in recent years.The leaders marked 70 years of diplomatic ties by publishing friendly opinion pieces Tuesday in Egypt’s state-run newspapers.Xi wrote that Beijing and Cairo should “expand the scope of pragmatic collaboration” through development. El-Sisi lauded China’s investments in Egypt and reiterated Cairo’s support of China’s claim that Taiwan is part of its territory.China has cast itself as a regional mediator in other ways. It has long advocated a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is seen by the Arab world as a linchpin to regional stability.

Royal Decree appoints Al Harasis as chairman of joint chiefs of staff

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:39:37 +0300

Jordan Daily - A Royal Decree has been issued, appointing Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, as of 2 September 2026.A Royal Decree has also been issued promoting Al Harasis from the rank of brigadier general to the rank of major general, as of 2 September 2026.Two other Royal Decrees have been issued, one promoting Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti to the rank of lieutenant general, and another referring him to retirement as of 2 September 2026.His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, sent a letter to Al Harasis. Following is the English translation of the letter: "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, I am delighted to extend to you and your colleagues, the Nashama of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, my greetings and deep pride and appreciation of every one of them wherever they serve.We have known you as a soldier dedicated to our dear nation, and an exceptional officer in our Arab Army throughout your service in our Armed Forces. And today, as we have issued our decree to appoint you as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces, we entrust you with the responsibility of serving our precious Jordan and undertaking this duty with the utmost care and dedication.Your Excellency, The Armed Forces are highly regarded and respected by all Jordanians, as their servicemen and women continue to set the greatest examples of bravery, chivalry, and devotion, working day and night to safeguard Jordan’s land and skies, and counter any threat that target’s the nation’s capabilities, and the safety and security of its citizens.As you undertake the responsibility of leadership, you must put the nation before you and strive to exert all efforts to serve Jordan and its people, recognising the importance of this deep-rooted national institution and the importance of safeguarding its good name and standing, so that it may remain the nation’s sturdy shield.Therefore, we direct you to continue the efforts of restructuring our Armed Forces and developing the capabilities of the Arab Army, while modernising its tools, in order to enable it to undertake its responsibilities and face emerging challenges and threats with the utmost efficiency and readiness.The servicemen and women of the Armed Forces must be given the utmost care and attention, in order to empower them and build their capacities across all ranks, and to ensure the highest levels of performance and professionalism, for they will always be a source of great pride.We pray that God enable you to undertake this responsibility and grant you success in achieving the best for the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, and you have our full support.Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Amman, 2 September 2026"

Tokayev calls for stronger SCO cooperation

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:46:08 +0300

Jordan Daily - President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for stronger cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on security, trade, transport, investment and water, as the organization marks 25 years of development, while experts say its expanding agenda is positioning the SCO as an increasingly important platform in the emerging multipolar international order.Speaking at the Sept. 1 SCO summit in Bishkek, the Kazakh President described the organization’s evolution from the Shanghai Five into a major international organization spanning much of Eurasia and representing almost half of the world’s population.“The SCO operates outside the logic of military-political blocs and is not directed against any state. It is based on a completely different political philosophy – the ‘Shanghai Spirit,’ whose foundation is the idea of joint work for the sake of progress,” Tokayev said.According to Prof. Dr. Zijad Bećirović, director of the International Institute for Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in Ljubljana, the organization’s transformation reflects broader changes in the international system. “The transformation of the organisation reflects the wider transformation of the international system.The SCO has evolved from a regional security mechanism into a broader platform addressing security, trade, energy, investment, connectivity and economic cooperation,” he told the Astana Times. “Its importance is not simply a matter of size. The organisation brings together major political, economic and demographic centers, making it one of the most significant institutional expressions of the emerging multipolar order,” he added.Source: The Astana Times

RAM Pharmaceuticals, Cigalah Healthcare sign strategic partnership

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:04:32 +0300

By: Business EditorJordan Daily - RAM Pharmaceutical has signed a strategic investment partnership with Saudi Arabia's Cigalah Healthcare, marking a step toward regional expansion and closer cooperation in the healthcare sector.The partnership marks a new milestone in RAM Pharmaceuticals' efforts toward regional growth, strategic expansion and stronger collaboration, RAM Pharmaceuticals CEO Waseem Al-Najami said.Al-Najami thanked Minister of Investment, Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, for patronizing the event and for his continued support for investment and strategic partnerships in Jordan."We look forward to creating sustainable value and building a stronger future for healthcare across the region," Al-Najami noted.RAM Pharma is a Jordanian pharmaceutical company established in 1992. It develops and manufactures a wide range of high-quality medicines and serves both local and international markets.Jordan Daily could not immediately obtain further details about the terms of the agreement.

Royal Jordanian says no changes to flight schedules

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:36:22 +0300

Jordan Daily - Royal Jordanian said on Wednesday that flight operations and schedules were continuing normally despite heightened regional tensions following an Iranian missile attack.Royal Jordanian Chief Executive Officer Samer Majali said the airline was coordinating closely with relevant authorities, including the Jordanian Armed Forces and the National Center for Security and Crisis Management, to monitor developments and ensure passenger safety.Majali said any changes to flight schedules or operations resulting from regional developments would be announced through official channels.The comments came after Jordan's armed forces said the kingdom had come under a missile attack launched from Iranian territory.

JAF says air defences intercept 10 Iranian missiles

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:27:45 +0300

Jordan Daily - Jordanian air defences intercepted and destroyed 10 of 13 ballistic missiles that entered the kingdom's airspace in an attack launched from Iranian territory, the Jordanian Armed Forces said late on Tuesday.The remaining three missiles fell in remote areas away from populated centres, with no injuries or fatalities reported.The military said specialised teams had been deployed to secure sites where missile debris fell and urged the public not to approach or handle unidentified objects.The Armed Forces said air defence systems remained on high alert and were continuing to monitor developments.

US launches new strikes on Iran and Tehran hits back in widening conflict

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:17:24 +0300

Reuters -The U.S. launched a barrage of airstrikes against Iran on Tuesday, prompting Iranian retaliation, in the most serious escalation in weeks in a conflict that has driven up global energy prices and weighed on President Donald Trump's popularity at home.The strikes followed a weekend exchange of fire — the first since July — and attacks on Monday on two tankers leaving theStrait of Hormuz, the global oil supply waterway that Iran has effectively closed to shipping. Global oil prices rose more than $4 a barrel on Tuesday, settling at a five-week high.Tehran struck back at U.S. assets in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq and remained defiant, warning that it would prevent oil being exported from the Gulf, despite a threat by Trump to hit Iran "hard" and a warning from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that Washington was about to impose new sanctions.Five people were killed and 50 wounded at a wedding near Sirik, a coastal area on the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Red Crescent reported. TheMehr news agency said a 4-year-old child was among those killed, while the IRNA news agency, citing a provincial official, put the number of wounded at 68.There was no immediate U.S. reaction to the reports.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement the U.S. attacks would "tighten the lock" on the Strait of Hormuz, which carried one of every five barrels of the world's oil before the war."If the enemy wants us not to export oil from the Persian Gulf, no one will be able to export oil," Iranian parliament speaker MohammadBaqer Qalibaf was quoted as saying by Iranian media.Neither threats of strikes nor new economic sanctions appear to have materially changed the position of Tehran, which has been under heavy economic sanctions for half a century.TheU.S. strikes followed a month of relative calm in which theU.S. and Iran mostly held their fire while exchanging hostile statements.TheU.S. military's Central Command said it had completed a wave of strikes against IRGC targets on Tuesday including air defense sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, mine-laying capabilities, and communications sites.Iranian media reported multiple strikes, including a U.S. missile attack near the city of Ahvaz and at the civilianJiroft airport in southeastern Iran, while explosionswere heard in the southeastern port of Chabahar, the port city of Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz, and inAsaluyeh, a critical gas hub on the Gulf coast.Iran's state broadcaster also reported explosions on Iran's Qeshm Island, on the northern side of the strait.IRAN FIRES BACKTrump warned Iran against responding to Tuesday's assault, threatening to strike again "at a much harder and higher level.""But it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings and, when it is over, there will be very little left of the Islamic Republic of Iran!" Trump said in a social media post.Even so, the IRGC said it fired back witha heavy ballistic missile attack on abase in Jordan and "killed a large number ofU.S. forces."There were nocasualties so far from the Iranian attack on facilities in Jordan, two U.S. officials told Reuters. This was based on initial information and could change as Iranian attacks continued, the officials said.Iranian media also reported the country's military targeted a U.S. base in Bahrain with a large-scale drone attack, and the Kuwaiti army reported its air defenses were responding to a hostile drone attack. Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes on U.S. allies in the region.Jordan's armed forces said its air defense systems dealt with 13 ballistic missiles that entered the kingdom's airspace, 10 of which were intercepted and three fell in remote areas. Bahrain said Iranian drones were intercepted and destroyed.The IRGC also said its ground forces carried out combined missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Erbil in northern Iraq, destroying a repair facility, warehouses for technical equipment and a system used to control a U.S. surveillance balloon. The IRGC also said fuel tanks were set ablaze and several U.S. personnel were killed.Neither Iraq nor the U.S. had confirmed the attack.The six-month-old conflict had shifted into an economic standoff before the weekend strikes, in which U.S. forces attacked Iran's Larak Island on Sunday and Iran responded by launching missiles at two U.S. air bases in Jordan.In an interview with Fox News, Trumpplayed down the prospects of another ceasefire. The U.S. and Iran reached a deal in June that quickly fell apart, largely over interpretations of Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz."I think an agreement with them isn't worth the paper it's written on. We gave them a lot of chances," Trump told Fox News.

Queen Rania visits Jabal Al Lweibdeh to see preparations for upcoming Amman Design Week

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 20:02:42 +0300

Jordan Daily - Her Majesty Queen Rania visited the capital’s Jabal Al Lweibdeh neighbourhood on Tuesday, where she met with local entrepreneurs and took a look at ongoing preparations for the fourth edition of Amman Design Week (ADW) ahead of its launch next month.Her Majesty began her visit with a stop at coworking community, BLDR Space, where she met with a group of Jordanian entrepreneurs and startup owners to discuss their experiences establishing local business projects, according to a statement released by the Office of Her Majesty.Moderated by BLDR Space’s founder and CEO Natasha Salti, the conversation centred on changes in Jordan’s workplace culture, including the shift from traditional offices to coworking spaces.Queen Rania then visited Darat Abu Adnan, which will serve as a venue for ADW 2026.Built for the Abu Hassan family in the 1950s, Darat Abu Adnan is one of the few remaining heritage houses in the neighbourhood. The house was recently restored, and is set to soon host a number of ADW programmes.At Darat Abu Adnan, the Queen was welcomed by ADW Codirectors, Bisher Tabba and Sarah Hejazin, who briefed her on their team’s progress in the final weeks ahead of the event’s launch.Held under Her Majesty’s patronage, ADW 2026 will run from October 2 to 17 under the theme ‘Accumulations.’Her Majesty viewed a number of completed installations at the heritage home, and checked in on the production and fabrication of two installations in its front garden.She also passed by a workshop on weaving, where she stopped to meet its participants.Founded by Queen Rania in 2016, ADW aims to showcase the designs and talents of local, regional, and international designers, and establish Amman as a regional hub for innovation and expression.This year’s event will feature over 200 participating exhibitors and designers, 50 participating spaces, and 200 events, spread across Ras El Ain, Jabal Al Lweibdeh, Jabal Amman, Iraq Al Amir, and Aqaba.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev holds meeting with Prime Minister of Armenia in Bishkek

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:33:35 +0300

Jordan Daily - President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek on August 31.The leaders highlighted the historic significance of the Washington Peace Summit of 8 August 2025, the Joint Declaration signed by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump, and the initialing of the agreed upon text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia, according to a statement released by Azerbaijan Embassy in Amman.The export of Azerbaijani petroleum products to Armenia, the transit through the territory of Azerbaijan to Armenia of grain and other goods originating from third countries, as well as the establishment of trade relations between the two countries were highlighted as important practical manifestations of the dividends of peace. The leaders also welcomed contacts between the business communities and exchanged views on opportunities for further expanding mutually beneficial economic, trade and energy cooperation.The sides noted the important role of the respective state commissions on the delimitation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia and emphasized the importance of continuing their work in accordance with the agreements reached between the two countries.The leaders discussed further practical steps related to the implementation of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), one of the important outcomes of the Washington Peace Summit and underlined the significance of connectivity projects along the TRIPP.The leaders positively assessed confidence-building contacts involving parliamentarians and representatives of civil society, noting their contribution to strengthening mutual trust and supporting the broader peace agenda.President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan agreed, through direct bilateral engagement, to continue the steps to further consolidate lasting peace, advance the normalization of interstate relations, and strengthen connectivity.It is also worth noting that the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates recently issued statements in support of the agreement adopted by the Border Delimitation Commission between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia concerning four villages belonging to Azerbaijan, and regarding the conclusion of negotiations on the text of the draft agreement establishing peace and relations between the two states, Azerbaijan and Armenia, the statement noted.In the context of the progress made on the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington and the historic results achieved, King Abdullah II held a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Ilham Aliyev, on 11 August 2025, He extended his congratulations to the Head of State and the people of Azerbaijan, expressing his hope that these agreements would contribute to ensuring lasting peace, security and comprehensive cooperation in the region.

Malaysian Embassy in Amman marks National Day

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:16:39 +0300

Jordan Daily - The Malaysian Embassy in Amman held a reception on Monday to mark Malaysia's National Day, with embassy officials, their families and members of the Malaysian community in Jordan attending the event.The ceremony began with prayers, the raising of the Malaysian flag and the singing of national songs.Malaysia's ambassador to Jordan, Dato’ Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman, addressed the gathering and said the occasion was an opportunity to reflect on the values represented by Malaysia's National Day, including unity and nation-building.The ambassador also thanked Jordanian employees at the embassy for their dedication and participation in the celebrations.A group of young Malaysians performed a traditional cultural presentation, followed by an awards ceremony in which the ambassador and his wife presented certificates of appreciation and prizes to children and young people who took part in a Malaysian educational programme organised by the Malaysian Embassy Ladies Association in Amman.

Arab League condemns Iranian attacks on Jordan, UAE

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 06:00:14 +0300

Jordan Daily - Arab countries and the Arab League on Monday condemned renewed Iranian attacks targeting Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, calling them violations of sovereignty and threats to regional security.Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy said the attacks breached international law and the UN Charter, stressing the organisation's full solidarity with Jordan and the UAE.The UAE, Qatar, Egypt and Kuwait also issued strong condemnations, warning that the escalation could further destabilise the region.

Iran FM accuses Israel’s Netanyahu of tricking US into war

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:54:28 +0300

AFP- Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of tricking Washington into going to war with the Islamic republic, calling him a “serpent.”“In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel. Netanyahu explicitly laughs about how he ‘influenced’ America through 1,000 hours of airtime on US networks,” Araghchi said in a post on X.“In English, he praises POTUS’ leadership. Serpent,” he added.War broke out between Iran and the United States on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes killing the Islamic republic’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military officials.Iran retaliated with attacks across the region as the conflict continued to spread.An April ceasefire put an end to the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks mainly near the Strait of Hormuz have dimmed prospects for a final peace agreement, and the US recently shifted toward a campaign of what it calls “economic asphyxiation” of Iran.The US struck the Iranian island of Larak late Sunday, its first such attack in a month. In response, Iran says it launched attacks on bases in Jordan and the UAE used by the US military.Last week, Netanyahu dismissed any prospect of an Iran-US deal and called Iran’s leaders “savages.”Netanyahu has long been skeptical of diplomacy with Iran, openly campaigning against a 2015 nuclear deal brokered by then US president Barack Obama, but he has been publicly careful not to criticize Trump while he sought a negotiated settlement.

Jerash Festival eyes expansion after strong 40th edition

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:29:15 +0300

Jordan Daily -The Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts has begun preparing a development plan for its 41st edition after its latest event drew around 200,000 visitors and recorded significant growth in ticket sales and revenue, organisers said on Sunday.The 40th edition featured 401 cultural and artistic events involving about 7,000 participants across venues in and outside the ancient archaeological site, despite challenging regional conditions, the festival administration said.Participants from 30 countries took part in more than 80 international activities, underscoring the festival's growing cultural and artistic profile.Ticket sales rose to about 21,100 compared with 6,500 in the previous edition, an increase of 225%, while ticket revenue climbed 179% to JOD 421,000, from 151,000 dinars.The festival also created temporary jobs for 1,698 people from Jerash governorate before and during the event, including 250 women, compared with 977 jobs during the 39th edition.Organisers said the development plan for the next edition would include a comprehensive review of the latest festival, assessing staffing needs, budget requirements and areas for improvement.The 40th edition also expanded infrastructure and visitor services, increasing the number of main stages to six from five, including the 3,000-seat Hippodrome theatre.Transport services were expanded, benefiting 1,452 passengers, while the number of sanitary facilities was increased to 124 from 84.The plan aims to further improve the visitor experience and strengthen Jordan and the Jerash Festival as regional and international cultural and tourism destinations.