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AMMAN — The University of Jordan and the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint cooperation in research, consulting and activities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Saturday.

The MoU aims to establish joint cooperation between the two parties in research and consultation through developing opportunities for conducting joint scientific research and industrial engineering, and networking in areas of teaching and qualification to their cadres. The MoU was signed by the university’s President Azmi Mahafza and KADDB Director General Brig. Gen. Mohammad Habahbeh.

AMMAN — Over 120 people were evacuated to safety over the weekend after snow in the northern and southern mountainous areas blocked roads, authorities said on Saturday.

By Saturday noon, all roads in the country were open to traffic, according to the Public Security Department (PSD).

“There are no blocked roads due to snow or floods,” PSD Spokesperson Amer Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

Meanwhile, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said that impact of the depression that affected the country on Thursday is forecast to ease off on Saturday evening, noting that it brought snow accumulation in some parts of the country that reached 10 centimetres (cm). 

The highest snow accumulation was recorded in Haisheh, a high mountainous area in Maan, where it reached 10cm. 

“Jabal Mabrak near Shobak and Al Mazar Districk in Karak also registered snow accumulation of 7cm…,” head of JMD’s weather forecast section Raed Rafed told The Jordan Times. 

A CDD official said that departments in areas that witnessed snowfall and heavy rain in the north and south of Jordan responded to 39 cases of kidney dialysis and 24 child birth cases, many of which were performed by paramedics inside ambulances.

“We urge people to be very cautions while on roads, especially as ice formation is expected on Sunday during the early hours,” the CDD official said.

The depression, which caused temperatures to drop to less than 6ºC below their annual average for this time of the year of 12ºC, also brought heavy rain, especially to the southern parts of the country.

The weekend’s rain channelled 3 million cubic metres of water into the country’s 14 major dams, raising their storage to 123mcm of their total capacity of 336mcm, according to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

“The dams now hold 36.6 per cent of their total capacity,” an official at the ministry told The Jordan Times.

During this time last year, the dams held 143.3mcm or 43.2 per cent of their total capacity, the ministry’s official noted.

DAVOS, Switzerland — The United Nations human rights chief expressed alarm after a speech by US President Donald Trump in Davos on Friday, saying Trump's call for countries to pursue their own self-interest would take the world back to the eve of World War I.

"It's the script of the 20th century," HH Prince Zeid said. "He [Trump] urged all countries to pursue their own interest, almost without reference to the fact that if you do all of that, if each country is narrowly pursuing its agenda, it will clash with the agendas of others and we will take the world back to 1913 once again."

Prince Zeid has repeatedly criticised Trump in the past in his role as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the global body's top spokesman on human rights issues.

The Trump administration, for its part, has threatened to quit the UN Human Rights Council, which is separate from Prince Zeid’s office but works closely with it, and which Washington considers structurally hostile to its ally Israel.

Trump became the first sitting US president in 18 years to address the annual summit of the world’s political and business elite in the Swiss ski resort of Davos on Friday. In his speech, he courted foreign investment, saying the United States was “open for business”, while also promising to take action against what he described as unfair trade deals.

Repeating his “America first” slogan, Trump said he would expect all world leaders to put the interests of their own countries first.

Prince Zeid said such a policy would lead to “it all coming apart at some stage, and people suffering grievously”.

“Ethnic nationalisms, chauvinistic nationalisms, a sense that there is a supremacy within communities determined on the basis of colour or ethnicity, and that others are somehow lesser people, or that certain countries are somehow morally superior to others. That’s what always seems to get us into trouble.”

 The Prince also said he was concerned about a new coalition government in Austria, which includes the far right Freedom Party.

“I have to say I read the document between the two parties, and it’s worrisome, because it has within it — xenophobia is clearly there,” Prince Zeid told an audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos. “There is a sense that Austria now may start to tack, following Hungary and Poland, in its anti-European stance.”

AMMAN — Minister of Education Omar Razzaz presented the National Strategy for Human Resources Development to participants in the Education World Forum held in London between January 21 and 26.

During the forum, Razzaz, who is also the chairperson of the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, reviewed the strategy that aims to develop the quality of education through qualified teachers and the use of modern educational methodology.

He said that the strategy drew a roadmap for reform priorities in Jordan’s education system at all stages, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

On the sidelines of the event, Razzaz held meetings with a number of UK ministers and officials, during which he reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts in developing education through the national strategy.

The minister went over the challenges facing the sector due to hosting large numbers of Syrian refugees who placed further pressure on various sectors, including the education one.

He also discussed means to boost cooperation between the British and Jordanian education ministries.

Razzaz added that the visit to the UK constitutes an important step towards developing the Jordanian-British partnership in the educational sector, and helping the Kingdom ease the repercussions of the Syrian refugee influx.

AMMAN — More efforts and investments are needed to address the lack of public spaces in Amman and the inefficient public transportation system, as well as to enhance citizens’ responsibility towards making Amman “a better place to live”, experts agreed.

They made their remarks on Thursday, during an event held by the French Institute of Jordan under the theme “Dreaming Amman”.

Dubbed “the Night of Ideas”, the event sought to discuss the future of the capital with the participation of members of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and civil society organisations based in Amman.

“We need to create a sense of belonging to the city,” said an architect and urban planner Rami Daher during the event, denouncing the lack of “public spaces” in the city. 

“Just a very exclusive type of public space is being created which leads to geographies of inequality,” he insisted. 

The architect, along with the audience, asked for a bigger involvement of the state in the future development of the Jordanian capital with most of the claims focusing on transportation and public projects targeting the whole Ammani society. 

Nemeh Qatanani, GAM’s engineering director, referred to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which he said would help improve public transportation.

“The share of the public transport is very humble currently, with 5 per cent of rides made by buses and 8 per cent by shared taxi,” Qatanani stated. 

GAM highlighted its keenness to complete an organised public transportation system. “Between 20 and 25 per cent of household income of the Amman population is used for mobility expenses solely,” he said.

Three local non-profit organisations took part in the discussion, including Ruwwad, a civil society initiative started in 2006 which is now present in Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine as well as Jordan. 

Members of the organisation shed light on the particularities of Amman, underlining the need for collaboration between the private and public sectors in building the future of the capital. 

“Kids should never stop dreaming and engaging in the future of their city,” said Rawan, one of Ruwwad members. 

Ahl Al Balad organisation echoed similar remarks.

 “We all have a responsibility towards the city, whether you have been living here for one year or a hundred,” said Mohammad Asfour, member of Ahl Al Balad and a psychology expert. 

The non-profit organisation focuses on keeping the city of Amman clean, as well as other landscapes across Jordan. 

Aya Rababaa’a, an architect and a member of Ahl Al Balad, emphasised the importance of “engaging the new generations” in creating a cleaner Jordan. 

Members of Shams community, which works to enhance citizens’ critical thinking through debates and weekly discussions, stressed their efforts to engage Ammanis in regional issues.

“To make a change is our responsibility as citizens of Amman,” said Saeed Abu Al Hassan, one of Shams Community representatives. 

“I cannot imagine the future of the city without the involvement of the youth,” Daher concluded

AMMAN — The new bread prices after the government subsidy was lifted went into effect on Saturday, and will remain valid until December 31.

On Friday evening, Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Yarub Qudah announced that the upper limit of the small pita bread is now JD0.40, JD0.32 for large pita bread and JD0.35 for Arabic bread (mashrouh and taboun) per kilogramme.

The other types of bread and flour-based sweets were not subsidised. 

The move was made after the Finance Ministry dispensed a cash subsidy (JD27 per person for the entire year and JD33 for beneficiaries of the National Aid Fund) to eligible beneficiaries from the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security apparatuses’ personnel, public sector employees, civil and military retirees, Social Security Corporation pensioners and the National Aid Fund, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The cash support, which is part of a JD171 million social safety network, will continue to be disbursed to all beneficiaries who have already applied online on: da3mak.jo, and new eligible applicants will receive their subsidies within one month of registration. 

Qudah stressed that the government would not allow any vendor to charge the above mentioned price caps, and that authorities would "persistently" monitor the amounts, quality, weight and price of bread.

He also reiterated that all bakeries are obliged to provide bread between 6am and 8pm.

AMMAN — When Amman Baccalaureate School’s 10th grader Rakan Al Alami was filming a documentary on poverty for a school project, he felt it could have been an easy A when the final product is submitted. But something was not right deep down in his heart. 

His mother and supporter Rasha Al Alami recalled that when Rakan was making his documentary, he felt that showing poverty without providing help did not mean anything, so this was why he decided to expand his school project into something that would add value to humanity. 

In the final outcome, he helped start a bakery in an underprivileged community in the Jordan Valley where the beneficiaries are now working. 

To Rakan, what he did was to teach them fishing rather than giving them a fish.  

The 15-year-old contacted Sharhabeel Bin Hasna Charity that is mainly concerned with helping persons with disabilities to support people of Kraymeh in Northern Shouneh. 

He wanted to give to the beneficiaries and the charity all they need to start a bakery.

“I wanted to find a project to help people in the area, and with the help of my mother I was able to contact the charity," said the student.

Alami collected donations from the public and students to provide kitchen supplies, flour, an oven and all the necessary equipment, and renovate the space provided by the charity, in order to offer the best work environment for the workers, who include women, some of whom are widows struggling to make ends meet.

The plan is to support the bakery for a while until the project can stand on its feet and run on its own.

Rakan and the other donors will be remembered for generations for their distinguished contribution. 

“What Rakan did is distinctive and he deserves to be honoured for his initiative and for the smile he drew on the faces of the charity’s children; you should have seen them”, said Sanaa Al Bakri, a president of Sharhabeel Bin Hasna charity.

According to Bakri, Rakan is the youngest person that made a contribution of such size to the charity that is facing a hard time finding funds to sustain its services. 

“Some children with disability end up dying because of lack of funds, especially since medical care is too expensive” Bakri said.

Bakri stressed that bread prices are going up and Alami’s project came at the  right time, because the charity is surrounded by extreme poverty.  

The proud mother said that due to Rakan’s personal traits as a “tough young man who can almost perfect anything he puts his mind into”, the project went on smoothly with no obstacles. He soon has the potential to do more, she said.

“I’ve always felt like he had something to give to the community and help people,” Rakan’s mother said.

To share his experiences with the world Alami created a page on Facebook under the name “Feed” (feedjordan), but his future ideas go beyond food provision. 

“I want to fix caravan zinc tops in refugee camps and provide medical help for disabled children at Sharhabeel Bin Hasna.”

He is sure that his mother, family, friends and Jordanians at large would be on his side.

AMMAN — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) 27th Annual Meeting and Business Forum will be held in Jordan from May 9 to 10.

“Our theme is Energising Economies and we aim to engage participants with informed, sometimes provocative discussion and debate on a variety of topical issues — from business climate to economic growth, from targeted, profitable investment to environmental protection,” the  bank said in a statement published on its website over the weekend.

The Business Forum brings together senior government officials, leading financial and corporate executives, and entrepreneurs, as well as representative of civil society organisations and media.

The forum will take place in the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, located near Sweimeh, the statement said.

AMMAN — The Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) said that it issued 900 licences in the nuclear and radioactive field in 2017, witnessing a 6.9 per cent increase compared to 2016, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Saturday.

EMRC Chief Commissioner Farouq Hiyari said that in 2017, the commission recorded “significant accomplishments” in ensuring nuclear safety and security.

He also said in a statement carried by Petra that the commission issued 1,573 personal licences last year, with an increase of 18.8 per cent, compared to 2016, granted 425 permits for the import, transit, and reexport of radioactive materials and devices, and carried out six inspection campaigns involving 425 institutions, in which 237 organisations were asked to rectify their status.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah said on Thursday that it would be catastrophic for Jerusalem to become a city that divides rather than bring hope, affirming that it is “such an emotional subject for everybody” and wondering: “Is Jerusalem a city that ends up dividing us?... Or is it a city of hope that brings us together?”

The city is eternal to all monotheistic faiths, King Abdullah said, underlining that the “subject of Jerusalem has to be part of a comprehensive solution for Israelis and for Palestinians”.

Jerusalem “could be a tremendous city that brings us together, or it could create aggression and violence that we’ve never seen before”, His Majesty told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria during a session held at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania and HRH Crown Prince Hussein (see full transcript).

Noting that everybody is waiting for a peace proposal to be provided by the United States, the King said: “The hiccup at the moment is, out of tremendous frustration; the Palestinians don’t feel the United States is an honest broker, but in the same time, they are reaching out to the Europeans, and I think, to me, that is a signal that they do want peace.”

“We cannot have a peace process… without the role of the United States,” His Majesty said at the session, which will be broadcast later by CNN on Fareed Zakaria GPS, but “none of us” knows what the US peace plan is.

Responding to a question on alternatives to a two-state solution and Israel’s stand, His Majesty said this is a question about where Israel sees its future. “If it’s a one-state solution, is it a one-state solution with equal rights?” the King asked, noting the demographic and population obstacles that would make this solution more challenging for Israel.

His Majesty stressed the need to reserve judgement on the future of the two-state solution until the United States presents its proposed peace deal.

 “We have to give the Americans the benefit of the doubt, and all work together to make sure that we help the Americans, Israelis, and Palestinians come together,” the King said.

In response to a question on the Shiite Crescent, His Majesty said: “The term that I use now is Iranian Crescent, because I think the challenge that we’ve had is seeing religion used as a tool through politics”.

The King said Iranian foreign policy is affecting the region, but “we believe that dialogue is the way to solve issues, and not to exacerbate the situations that lead to armed conflict”, warning that “the drums of war” are “not going to be good for any of us.”

Commenting on the Iran nuclear deal, His Majesty said Jordan has always supported a nuclear-free zone for the Middle East, and for everybody, voicing hope that the United States and the Europeans can come to a common understanding on the agreement with Tehran.

Turning to the Syrian crisis, the King said: “I don’t think anybody wins in Syria.”

His Majesty cited the Jordanian-American-Russian success in establishing de-escalation zones in the south as “one of the good stories that we can say about Syria”.

The challenge now is to move forward in the political process through the Geneva process, the King added.

“The situation in Syria is not over by a long shot,” His Majesty said, noting the presence of several international players with their own agendas.

Responding to a question on Saudi Arabia’s current foreign policy, the King said King Salman Bin Abdulaziz is leading a proactive Saudi role that has not been seen before.

Faced with Iranian interference in Arab states, His Majesty said “the Saudi policy is to say: the red lines are here”.

Commenting on the conditions in Yemen, the King said “Yemen has historically been a challenge for any military campaigners”.

The concern is how to deal with the humanitarian crisis, His Majesty continued, stressing that “if we don’t get that right, it’s going to be something that is going to haunt us for a while”.

The King referred to the decision to provide aid through the coalition, noting that the Gulf Cooperation Council is working on a political solution in Yemen.

Discussing the West’s view of Islam, His Majesty said there is a lack of understanding of Islam; it is not a religion of hate.

Muslims believe in the Bible and the Torah, the King added.

“I’ve said it before, when we greet each other as Arabs and Muslims, we say ‘assalamu alaikum’, peace be unto you,” His Majesty said. “I think that is the basis of Islam.”

The King noted that there are challenges brought on by fringe groups that consider everyone else heretics that must be put to the sword, reaffirming that these groups threaten Muslims and followers of other faiths.

His Majesty warned that when Muslim populations in the United States, Europe and elsewhere feel victimised and isolated, that creates a breeding ground for contempt.

“For them to feel isolated that’s the danger,” the King cautioned, stressing that the global fight against terrorism is a long-term problem — a third world war by other means — that must be fought within a holistic approach, and the United States has been the most active partner.

In response to a question on developments in the region since the Arab Spring, His Majesty said that period was “a very important crossroads”.

The King said this was started by young people in the region who wanted dynamic change — “change that they deserve” — but it was hijacked, by extremist groups with their own agendas.

For Arab countries to move forward, His Majesty said they should learn from the experiences of European and African countries and the way these countries coordinate among themselves on various issues, such as trade and security.

“They’re showing us an example how to move in the right direction,” the King added, stressing the importance of Arab countries working together towards development and economic integration.