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PC users urged to upgrade to new Windows version

By - Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — With Microsoft’s support for Windows XP ending in April, the international software giant recommended that users in Jordan upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1 operating systems.

On April 8, support and updates for Windows XP will no longer be available.

In addition, anti-virus and software updates will eventually stop, Ayman Afaneh, Microsoft Jordan’s developer and platform evangelist lead, told The Jordan Times on the sidelines of a meeting Monday to launch Windows 8.1 in the Kingdom.

“I do recommend that those using Windows XP upgrade to Windows 8. When Microsoft stops supporting Windows XP, they can still use the software but are likely to face problems,” Afaneh said.

“When security and software updates stop... users of XP will be more vulnerable to cyber attacks and threats,” he added.

In a statement on its website, Microsoft said very few old computers will be able to run Windows 8.1, which is the latest version of Windows.

Citing studies by research firm Gartner, it indicated that most PC hardware manufacturers will stop supporting Windows XP on the majority of their new PC models.

“Microsoft has provided support for Windows XP for the past 11 years. But now the time has come for us, along with our hardware and software partners, to invest our resources towards supporting more recent technologies so that we can continue to deliver great new experiences,” Microsoft said.

During Monday’s meeting with the press, Afaneh announced the launch of Windows 8.1, noting that it “offers many unique features, including a multi-tasking option that enables users to simultaneously display and run several applications on a single screen”.

Windows 8.1 offers a host of increased customisation refinements and functional improvements, including an enhanced and more adaptable start screen so that each Windows device is tailored to the individual, a Microsoft statement said.

Windows 8.1 brings back the start button as a familiar point of navigation.

The operating system also provides native support for 3-D printing, enabling apps to seamlessly print 3-D jobs and understand 3-D file formats.

King attends celebration of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday

Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday attended a ceremony held by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs at the King Abdullah I Mosque to mark Prophet Mohammad’s birthday.

At the event, attended by several Royal family members and senior officials and officers, Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood said Prophet Mohammad had called for promoting the values of peace and tolerance and denouncing all forms of extremism.

He underlined the ministry’s commitment to continue spreading the true image of Islam, which seeks to ensure the well-being of all humans, according to a Royal Court statement.

Chief Islamic Justice Ahmad Hilayel highlighted the lessons to be learned from the prophet’s life in addressing current issues and working towards advancement and prosperity.

For her part, Senator Nawal Faouri stressed the importance of having Prophet Mohammad as a role model in his actions that sought to bring about justice and reforms.

On the occasion of the prophet’s birthday, marked on Rabi I 12 on the Islamic lunar calendar, King Abdullah tweeted his best wishes to Muslims on the Royal Court’s official Twitter account.”Extending my best wishes to all Jordanians, the Arab & Islamic world on AL MAWLID of our great Hashemite grandfather Prophet Mohammad PBUH [peace be upon him],” the King wrote.

His Majesty and HRH Crown Prince Hussein received cables of congratulations from senior officials and officers on the occasion.

The King also received similar cables from Arab leaders, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

King Abdullah

One injured in bus complex fire

By - Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — Civil Defence Department (CDD) personnel extinguished a fire that erupted at a yard in the southern bus complex in Amman on Monday, spreading to three buses.

CDD cadres administered first aid to a man who suffered smoke inhalation and took him to Al Bashir Hospital, where his condition was reported as fair.

The buses, which operate the Aqaba-Amman and Saudi Arabia-Amman routes, had been parked at the complex for maintenance, the CDD said, adding that the investigation is still ongoing.

Authorities seize 288,000 narcotic pills, detain four suspects

Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — The Public Security Department (PSD) on Monday said that Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) agents dealt with three cases of drug smuggling over the past few days, seizing 288,000 narcotic pills and detaining four suspects.

In one case, the PSD said the authorities received information about a resident of the Northern Badia who was allegedly planning to smuggle 226,000 narcotic pills to a neighbouring country.

Agents raided the suspect’s house, where they found the pills and detained him.

In another case, two suspects of Arab nationality in Mafraq were detained for alleged planning to sell 32,000 narcotic pills found in their possession.

In a separate case, AND agents tracked down a man “who has a criminal record in drug trafficking”.

He was found driving a vehicle that was carrying 30,000 narcotic pills.

The suspect was arrested and referred to the State Security Court prosecutor.

Jordan, Pakistan discuss military cooperation

Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben on Monday met with Maj. Gen. Muhammad Rashid, director general of Foreign Military Cooperation at the Pakistan army, and an accompanying delegation.

Discussions covered bilateral relations and cooperation between the armed forces of both countries, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

2,559 guest workers deported in 2013 — Katamine

By - Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — Minister of Labour Nidal Katamine on Monday said the ministry’s monitoring teams conducted 65,235 field visits during 2013, detaining 22,334 guest workers violating the Labour Law, compared with 16,000 violations registered in 2012.

Katamine added that the ministry deported 2,559 guest workers, while 6,909 workers rectified their status in 2013, noting that 12,172 Egyptians and 8,382 Syrians were found in violation of the law.

A total of 770 institutions were closed for violations, while 4,892 warnings were issued to others.

Jordan Valley border crossing to close on Wednesday

Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — The Public Security Department said on Monday that the Jordan Valley border crossing will be partially closed to passengers and cargo on Wednesday from 10am until 3pm.

JICA provides medical equipment for host communities

Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing a “wide range of medical equipment” to Syrian refugee host communities in the northern governorates of Mafraq, Irbid, Jerash and Ajloun, in addition to those in the capital, a JICA statement said on Monday.

Under the programme “Follow-up Cooperation for Ex-participant of Area-focused Training for Maternal and Child Healthcare in Jordan”, JICA is providing medical equipment to public hospitals and health centres over two phases, the first of which started in November 2013, while the second starts in March 2014.

“The programme is the result of close coordination between JICA and the Ministry of Health,” the statement said.

Capital needs $1 billion for infrastructure projects — mayor

By - Jan 13,2014 - Last updated at Jan 13,2014

AMMAN — Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji on Monday said the cost of infrastructure projects needed in the capital is estimated at $1 billion.

In a meeting organised by the Consumer Protection Society, he said the Greater Amman Municipality has allocated JD180 million from its JD466 million budget to establish capital schemes based on the needs of local communities.

He called for changing the “consumerist culture” of residents, particularly in water and electricity.

Iran foreign minister due in Amman Tuesday

By - Jan 12,2014 - Last updated at Jan 12,2014

AMMAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will visit Jordan this week for discussions on bilateral ties and regional developments, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sabah Al Rafei confirmed Zarif’s Tuesday visit, saying it comes upon an invitation by Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh.

She gave no further details on the issues the two sides will discuss.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) cited an informed source from the Iranian foreign ministry saying that Zarif’s visit will also include Iraq and Lebanon.

The source told IRNA that the aim of these diplomatic visits is to consult with counterparts on bilateral ties and regional developments.

Zarif has already visited Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, IRNA said.

Citing Lebanon’s ambassador to Tehran, IRNA said that Zarif is scheduled to meet with senior Lebanese officials on Monday to discuss a variety of issues, mainly the terrorist blasts in front of Iran’s embassy in Beirut.

Zarif’s visit to Jordan will be the first since his appointment as foreign minister by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

In May 2013, former Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Salehi paid a visit to the Kingdom and delivered a letter to His Majesty King Abdullah from former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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