Aqaba Industrial Safety: An ammonia gas leak at an Aqaba industrial complex left 11–14 people with breathing difficulties after maintenance work on a pump by a Japanese company; authorities contained the leak, treated some cases on-site and others in hospital, and will review procedures before workers return. Digital Payments for SMEs: Valu Jordan and Zbooni Jordan signed a strategic partnership to help merchants digitize sales and customer interactions, with Zbooni enabling Valu’s Buy Now, Pay Later option for eligible customers. Capital Markets Watch: Amman Stock Exchange turnover hit JD10.9m on Monday, with the general index up 0.31% and gains led by services and industrial sectors. Education & Social Support: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered an expansion of the free school transportation program in Southern Badia, adding 3,500 students (to 12,500 total) and covering about 900 teachers, with plans for a mobile tracking app. Trade & Investment Links: Jordan’s King Abdullah II’s China visit opened “practical cooperation” avenues, with follow-up on agreements in e-commerce, industry and energy, and growing Jordanian exports such as dates, olive oil and fertilizer. Private Sector Development: IFC appointed Thomas Jacobs as Division Director for Iraq, the Levant and Yemen, with priorities including infrastructure, credit access for SMEs, digitalization and water security. Regional Policy Signals: France and Canada joined the UK in banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements and targeting companies tied to settlement expansion.