Day: July 8, 2023

A total of 268 rumors were tracked across the Kingdom during the first half of the year, 78 percent of which came from social networks, while economic rumors came first at 36 percent, according to the Jordanian Media Credibility Monitor, Akeed. The tracking over the past six months revealed that the monthly rate of rumors saw a significant increase from 30 per month in 2022 to 45 this year, the monitor said in its semi-annual report published Saturday. May was the highest month of the first half of 2023, with 52 rumors recorded, about 19.4 percent of the total, while March was the least, with 38 rumors, or 14.1 percent, it said. The monitor pointed out that economic rumors came top with 95 out of the total, about 36 percent, public affairs 72, or 27 percent, security, 62 or 23 percent, health, 19 or 7 percent, politics, 17 or six percent, and finally social rumors, 3 or one percent.

Source: Jordan News Agency

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stood firm in his condemnation of Israel’s use of excessive force during its deadly military attack on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman of the UN Chief. Euronews TV quoted Haq as saying Guterres stood by a statement he made on Thursday on Israel’s army raid in Jenin and the nearby Jenin refugee camp, noting that Guterres stated “angrily” that the assault injured more than 100 people, displaced thousands, damaged schools and hospitals and disrupted water and electricity networks. The UN chief reminded Israel that “as the occupying power, it has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence”. “Israel’s air strikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians,” Guterres said. He also criticized Israeli forces for preventing the wounded from receiving medical care and for preventing humanitarian workers from reaching all those in need. Guterres strongly condemned “all acts of violence against civilians,” and said: “The Israeli bombing and operations on the ground in a crowded (Jenin) refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in years.” At least 12 Palestinians were killed in the raid in which about 1,000 Israeli soldiers took part.

Source: Jordan News Agency

ABU DHABI, 8th July, 2023 (WAM) — Athletes from Commando Group delivered outstanding performances on the second day of the AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2023, which is being held at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi with the participation of athletes from clubs and academies from around the world. As athletes in the Youth, Teen, and Masters divisions took to the mats on Saturday, Commando Group showcased their dominance, while Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club settled for second place and A.F.N.T finished in third place. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), the three-day championship kicked off in style on Friday with captivating competitions in the kids, infant, and junior categories. Sharjah Self Defense Sports claimed the top spot on Day 1, with UAEJJ Arena and Palms Sports securing second and third places, respectively. The competitions will continue tomorrow, featuring matches between amateurs and professionals, adding to the excitement of the AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Today’s competitions were attended by Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAEJJF, President of the Asian Ju-Jitsu Union and Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation; Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Chairman of the UAEJJF; Brigadier General Muhammad Humaid Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the Federation; Mansour Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the Federation, and Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Self Defense Sports Club. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri said, “The AJP Tour UAE National Jiu-Jitsu Championship has once again demonstrated its stature as a prestigious event. It attracts elite athletes from both local and international arenas.” “Abu Dhabi is continuously cementing its position as a global leader in the field of jiu-jitsu, playing a pivotal role in developing sport worldwide. The championships organised by the UAEJJF, in collaboration with the AJP, have emerged as premier destinations for elite world champions aspiring to reach the pinnacle of the game. A compelling testament to this is the diverse participation of athletes from 64 different countries.”

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

PARIS, 8th July 2023, (WAM) — The global economy has begun to improve, but the recovery will be weak, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook. The Economic Outlook projects a moderation of global GDP growth from 3.3 percent in 2022 to 2.7 percent in 2023, followed by a pick-up to 2.9 percent in 2024. Lower energy prices are easing the strain on household budgets, business and consumer sentiment are recovering, albeit from low levels, and the re-opening of China has provided a boost to global activity. Headline inflation in the OECD is projected to decline from 9.4 percent in 2022 to 6.6 percent in 2023 and 4.3 percent in 2024. The decline in inflation is due to tighter monetary policy taking effect, lower energy and food prices and reduced supply bottlenecks. GDP growth in the United States is projected to be 1.6 percent in 2023, before slowing to 1.0 percent in 2024 in response to tight monetary and financial conditions. In the euro area, declining headline inflation will help to boost real incomes and contribute to a pick-up in GDP growth from 0.9 percent in 2023 to 1.5 percent in 2024. China is expected to see strong increases in GDP growth in 2023 (with 5.4 percent) and 2024 (with 5.1 percent), due to the lifting of the government’s zero-COVID policy. “This projected recovery, while almost unchanged from our interim projections in March, maintains the slightly more optimistic outlook that had been predicted and which we are now seeing materialise,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said. “Policy makers must get inflation durably down to target and unwind broad fiscal support by better targeting fiscal measures. While continuing to respond to the immediate economic challenges, it remains important to prioritise structural reforms to boost productivity, including by promoting competition, reviving investment, increasing female workforce participation and alleviating supply constraints, while securing the green and digital transformations of our economies.” The persistence of inflation is another key downside risk. Core inflation is proving sticky, on the back of strong service price increases and higher profits in some sectors. The impact of higher interest rates is increasingly being felt across the economy, and restrictive monetary policy, while necessary, risks further exposing financial vulnerabilities, in particular in countries with high debt. Against this backdrop, the Outlook lays out a series of policy recommendations, underlining that the need to lower inflation, adjust fiscal policy and promote sustainable growth entails significant challenges for policy makers. Monetary policy should remain restrictive until there are clear signs that underlying inflationary pressures are durably reduced. Fiscal support, which has played a vital role in helping the global economy through the pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, should be scaled back, becoming more targeted and calibrated toward future needs. Broad energy-related support should be withdrawn as energy prices fall and minimum wages and welfare benefits are being increased to take account of past inflation in many countries. “Fiscal policy should prioritise productivity-enhancing public investments, including those driving the green transition and boosting labour supply and skills,” OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli said. “Renewed reform efforts to reduce constraints in labour and product markets and to reignite private investment and productivity growth would improve sustainable living standards and strengthen the recovery from the current low growth outlook.” The Outlook includes a special chapter dedicated to women’s economic empowerment, setting out policy recommendations, including on expanding flexible work arrangements, addressing tax and benefit disincentives and improving access to childcare. It highlights that removing structural barriers and discrimination to realise gender equality, must be a high priority to boost long-term economic well-being and prosperity.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

The total value of certificates of origin issued by the Irbid Chamber of Industry in the first half of the year stood at $487 million, according to chamber figures. In a statement Saturday, the chamber said Al Hassan Industrial Estate accounted for $456 million of total Irbid exports, while the Cyber City’s exports amounted to $26 million and the rest went to other regions of the governorate. The knitting and leather industries led the export sector despite a relatively low demand in the first half of the year, amounting to $435 million, followed by food products $21 million and pharmaceuticals and medical products $17 million, it said. The rest of exports were spread to chemical, cosmetics, plastic, rubber, engineering, electrical, construction, packaging, cardboard and mining industries, it added. The US market took the lion’s share, importing $340 million worth of Irbid products, while Arab markets received the value of $44 million, about $40 million went to European Union countries, and Canada, Southeast Asia and other nations received the rest, it pointed out.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Transport Abdulwahab Yahya al-Durra and his deputy Mohammed al-Hashimi inspected the level of functional discipline of the Land Transport Regulatory Authority following the Eid al-Adha leave.

During the visit, the Minister of Transport praised the level of attendance and job discipline of the Authority on the first days of official work following the holiday of Eid. Stressing the need for development and modernization in various fields of road transport in order to contribute to the regulation of transport between the capital and the provinces.

He noted the importance of redoubling efforts during the next phase and cooperating jointly with relevant authorities in the regulation of intercity transport through the creation of a joint mechanism to limit indiscriminate action in the field in accordance with the directives of the Supreme Political Council.

Minister Al-Durra invited Yemeni financiers, workers and investors to invest in the promising areas of road transport. Urging the leadership of the Authority to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the work of local and international mass transport companies, especially those that have taken more than 11 thousand pilgrims by land to the sacred sites of performing Hajj and Umrah events for the current year and honoring the distinguished.

He stressed the need to complete the strategic project of heavy transport truck parking in Hodeida province, particularly after the flow of ships and commercial containers to the port of Hodeida.

The Deputy Minister of Transport noted the importance of preparing and equipping for the New Year 1445 AH through the implementation of projects of importance in accordance with the directions and guidelines of the national vision in the fields of road transport.

He affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to provide all aspects of support and facilities for the development and modernization of road transport and to work in the spirit of one team in order to raise the suffering of the Yemeni citizen and meet his needs.

The Chairman of the Road Transport Regulatory Authority, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Muwayid, confirmed the development and modernization of road transport in accordance with future strategic plans. Noting the importance of joint cooperation with the relevant authorities in regulating the transport process

Source: Yemen News Agency