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AMMAN — The Kingdom is expected to witness “fluctuating” weather conditions over the next few days, with a possibility of rainfall later this week, meteorologists said on Saturday.

The weather is forecast to remain generally warm on Sunday, with temperatures reaching a maximum of around 15°C in the capital, however a “significant” drop is expected on Monday, Arabiaweather.com Chief Meteorologist Omar Dajani told The Jordan Times.

“Strong dust-laden winds coming from Egypt will prevail Monday and Tuesday,” he said, expecting rainfall in the northern and possibly central regions on Tuesday night through Wednesday.

Mercury levels in the capital will be around 10°C during the day and drop to 3°C at night on Monday, according to Arabiaweather.com.

Dajani warned of low visibility due to dust, urging individuals with pulmonary diseases and those who have recently undergone eye surgery to exercise caution.

He said the Kingdom will not witness snowfall this week, stressing that the dynamic nature of the atmosphere necessitates that meteorologists do not give long-term forecasts.

Highlighting the availability and accessibility of online meteorological maps, Dajani noted that those interested in this science can enhance their knowledge by detecting changes in the atmosphere.

But the problem is when social media users with large numbers of followers spread “unclear” information as news “with exaggeration”, he said, attributing such actions to the desire to increase traffic on their websites.

“Forecasters must verify the information before publishing any forecasts out of respect for their audience,” he added over the phone.

It is up to the public to sense the inaccuracy or unlikelihood of exaggerated weather forecasts, Dajani said.

Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) Director General Mohammad Samawi agreed, citing the spread of “unlicensed” websites offering weather information as a factor contributing to the circulation of “inaccurate” information.

“The JMD does not publish forecasts for a period exceeding four days,” Samawi told The Jordan Times, noting that the department has nothing to do with such websites.

Samawi said “profit-driven” websites tend to use “unrealistic yet catchy” headlines, but the content of the news story tends to be “fake”.

AMMAN — Foreign direct investment in Jordan’s ICT sector did not lead to growth spillovers among local firms interacting with the foreign tech companies, according to a new World Bank report.

The “World Development report 2016: Digital Dividends”, issued last week, said that in Jordan neither domestic firms supplying goods or services to foreign tech companies, nor domestic firms consuming their services grew as results of such linkages.

“The lack of measurable growth spillovers could be due to the relatively small number of foreign multinationals in the ICT sector,” the report said, noting that there are eight in ICT-producing sectors, and 160 in ICT-using sectors. 

It added that there are still relatively few domestic ICT companies in Jordan, such as software programmers, which are expected to benefit most from linkages with foreign tech companies. 

“Furthermore, foreign firms like Microsoft or Oracle might use Jordan primarily as a hub to support regional activities involving few linkages to the domestic economy”.

A World Bank statement said this report shows that while the Internet, mobile phones and other digital technologies are spreading rapidly throughout the developing world, the anticipated digital dividends of higher growth, more jobs and better public services have fallen short of expectations, and 60 per cent of the world’s population remains excluded from the ever-expanding digital economy.

It added that the benefits of rapid digital expansion have been skewed towards the wealthy, skilled and influential around the world, who are better positioned to take advantage of the new technologies. In addition, though the number of Internet users worldwide has more than tripled since 2005, four billion people still lack online access.

“Digital technologies are transforming the worlds of business, work, and government,” said Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank Group. 

“We must continue to connect everyone and leave no one behind because the cost of lost opportunities is enormous.”

Although there are many individual success stories, the effect of technology on global productivity, expansion of opportunity for the poor and middle class, and the spread of accountable governance has so far been less than expected, the statement added.

The report said the lack of spillovers to ICT-using sectors in Jordan suggests that local firms import ICT services rather than depend on the presence of foreign tech companies in the country.

Jawad Abbasi, founder and general manager of the Arab Advisers Group, said this information “has some truth to it but is not entirely accurate”.

“Many ICT companies in Jordan export locally-produced services across the region and the world, but do that from sales offices in the region and are not captured fully by Jordan’s figures,” Abbasi told The Jordan Times.

Meanwhile, the report showed that poor digital literacy limits the productive use of digital technologies. 

It is hard to use the Internet when, even among young people, more than half have a level of functional literacy below what will enable them to participate productively in life, as in Albania, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia or Peru, the report said.

AMMAN — Jordan's exports of fruit and vegetables to Gulf Arab countries have been increasing since the beginning of the year, with some 900 tonnes of produce exported daily, a government official said on Saturday.

"Agricultural produce exported to Gulf countries is expected to surpass exports during the same period last year," Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

The increase in agricultural exports is attributed to the abundant production of fruit and vegetables during this time of the year, particularly tomatoes, Haddadin noted.

"A total of 50 refrigerated trucks carrying 900 tonnes of fruit and vegetables are heading to the Gulf states every day, which will positively affect farmers," he added.

Tomatoes constitute over half of the exported produce, with 500 tonnes being shipped daily to Gulf states, Hadadin said. 

Jordan is among the top 10 world countries in terms of producing and exporting tomatoes, which constitute around 65 per cent of the total exported agricultural produce, according to official figures.

Prices of vegetables in the local market are also witnessing a drop since the start of the year with the increase in production.

The Gulf market is now seen as Jordan's prime importer of fruit and vegetables, consuming 83.2 per cent of the country's produce the past year, according to the ministry.

The Syrian and Lebanese markets followed, importing 6.6 per cent of local fruit and vegetables; while Iraq imported 5.2 per cent; Israel 3 per cent; European countries 1 per cent; and a group of other countries 1 per cent, ministry figures indicate.

The Kingdom exported 783,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables in 2015, which generated revenues of JD520 million. 

Vegetables made up 82.4 per cent of last year's agricultural exports, 65 per cent of which were tomatoes. 

AMMAN — Deemed a crime against human dignity and a grave violation of human right principles, torture must become a socially rejected practice, experts said on Saturday.

At a seminar held by the Adaleh Centre for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS), speakers highlighted the role of media in creating a culture that denounces all types of torture.

In addition to media, legal and human rights experts, families of alleged torture victims were present at the event, recounting their stories and urging journalists to document all cases.

Lawyer Huda Al Nasr, whose brother died in September last year after allegedly being tortured by the police, described the pain she and her family had to endure after the incident.

"I believe in this country; I believe in its legal system and I am sure the law will take its course eventually," she said.

Lawyer Abdul Nasser Zu'bi, who is handling the case of Abdullah Zu'bi, also highlighted the details that surrounded his client's death.

The 19-year-old reportedly died shortly after police arrested him last year on alleged drug-related charges following a brief chase.

Three interrogators were charged with using force to extract a confession from the teenager, illegally exercising authority, disobeying orders and violating regulations.

"The country should investigate any torture claim," ACHRS Director Asem Rababa said, noting that at least eight persons died due to alleged torture over the past two months.

In November last year, Public Security Department (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Atef Saudi said "abuse and torture at our stations are not part of our strategy and anyone found guilty of such conduct will be punished severely."

"We have already imprisoned several police officers who were found guilty of abuse," he added.

Stressing that there is no tolerance for torture, Saudi cited several measures adopted by his department to further ensure the safety, security and human rights of individuals.

He made the remarks during a meeting with 150 representatives from civil society and human rights institutions.

At the time, Basil Tarawneh, the government's coordinator on human rights, acknowledged "that there are gaps or misconduct by a handful of individuals at the PSD".

But what is more important, he added, "is finding proper solutions to address these issues and ensure that they never happen again".

At Saturday's meeting, Rababa called for a political decision to hold abusers accountable, saying that it is unacceptable that the police themselves investigate cases of alleged torture, especially if these actions are suspected to be perpetrated by members of the same apparatuses.

Participants at the seminar said the media should cooperate more with civil society organisations (CSO) to tackle cases of alleged torture.

They suggested establishing a network that brings together media personnel and CSOs to fight torture.

Jordan is a state party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Last November, Jordan submitted its report on the implementation of the convention, which was reviewed by the Committee Against Torture at its 56th session.

The panel cited many shortcomings, with the major one being Jordan's definition of torture, calling for adopting one that covers all elements outlined in the convention and ensures that torture is a crime rather than a misdemeanour. Furthermore, the panel urged the government to "ensure that the principle of absolute prohibition of torture is incorporated in its legislation, and ensure its strict application in accordance with the convention".

On the bright side, the UN committee's observations shed light on some of the positive steps taken by Jordan in relation to combating torture. 

The panel commended the Kingdom for adopting legislation in relevance to the convention, such as laws on juveniles, independence of the judiciary and the Constitutional Court. 

It also welcomed the establishment of a national register for cases of torture at public prosecution offices, the adoption of the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking and the holding of two international conferences on torture prevention and alternatives to pre-trial detention. 

AMMAN — Around 1,550 people die every year in Jordan as a result of smoking, which contributes to other deaths as it reduce immunity, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said Saturday.

Attending the opening of the National Anti-Smoking Society’s (NAS) second conference, Ensour added that he was keen to participate in the event to support the national campaign launched by the society to combat smoking, and to assist it through deeds, resolutions and guidance.

Combating smoking is not just the government’s responsibility; it requires the efforts of the entire community, especially since tobacco’s effects are not limited to financial and health losses to smokers, but also endangers others, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the premier as saying.

Health Minister Ali Hiasat referred to an international survey on smoking prevalence among young people, which was implemented in Jordan in 2014.

The study showed that 24 per cent of those between the ages of 13 and 15 use at least one tobacco product.

Also speaking at the event, dubbed “The economic dimension and the role of the national media”, Jordan Press Association President Tareq Momani said applying laws aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and prohibiting smokers from smoking in public places are key to tackling the issue.

He also expressed the media’s readiness to play its role through implementing a practical and serious awareness programme, Petra added.

NAS President Mohammad Shreim praised the government’s procedures to combat smoking through banning it in ministries, government institutions and public areas, stressing that Jordan was among the first Arab countries to enact anti-smoking laws warning in 1977.

Founded in 1981, the society has called for establishing an Arab anti-smoking union.

Amman Chamber of Commerce President Issa Murad noted that Jordanians annually consume around 1.7 million cartons of cigarettes whose cost exceeds JD0.5 billion and equals 5 per cent of the Kingdom’s imports, according to Petra.

AMMAN — The Energy Ministry on Saturday said the efficient use of electrical appliances reduces the capital and operational costs of generating power and lowers the monthly bills for consumers.

The ministry issued general instructions on prudent power consumption, in which it called on electricity subscribers to rationalise the use of these appliances during peak hours in winter between 5pm and 8pm, and in summer between 7pm and 10pm, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — Jordanian mountaineer Mostafa Salameh on Saturday registered a new achievement by reaching the South Pole within 38 days. Salameh spent 50 days in Antarctica during which he crossed 985 kilometres in very cold weather conditions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also hoisted the Jordanian flag and the Hashemite banner on the farthest point in the southern hemisphere, becoming the first Arab to come this far.

He faced challenges such as low visibility that did not exceed 20 metres due to the snow, fog and cloudy skies, Petra added. Salameh, who successfully made it to the summit of Mount Everest, became one of only 235 people in the world to scale the Seven Summits — the highest mountains on all seven continents — in November 2012 when he climbed to the top of Puncak Jaya in Indonesia.

AMMAN — A woman died on Friday after ingesting detergent, according to an official security source.

The woman, in her forties, died shortly after she was admitted into Karak Public Hospital, and investigations are under way to learn more about the incident, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

AMMAN — Ajloun Civil Defence Department personnel put out a house fire on Friday in Kufranja caused by an electrical short circuit.

Ajloun Civil Defence Department Director Col. Hani Smadi said in a statement that no casualties were reported, but the flames resulted in material damages as most of the house furniture caught fire

AMMAN — Two people died and two were injured on Saturday when their vehicle overturned on the Zarqa-Mafraq Highway, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Civil Defence Department said its personnel took the injured to hospital, where they were listed in fair condition.