Local

AMMAN – The year 2015 was full of events that dominated Jordanians’ posts, comments and conversations on social media.

Here is a review of 10 major events that Jordanians commented on through social media.

1- Muath Kasasbeh

The air force pilot who was brutally killed by the Daesh terror group earlier this year dominated Jordanians; posts on on social media. Since his capture by the terrorists in December 2014, many hashtags were created not only by Jordanian social media users but also from across the world to express support for and solidarity with his family. When Daesh released a video on February 3 purportedly showing Kasasbeh being burned to death, the number of hashtags further increased on Facebook and Twitter.

2- Execution of Sajida Rishawi

A day after the release of the video showing the immolation of Kasasbeh, Jordan executed Sajida Rishawi, who was convicted by the State Security Court in September 2006 of plotting terror attacks against three hotels in Amman in November 2005, which left 60 people dead and around 90 injured. Ziad Karboli, who was convicted of killing a Jordanian truck driver in September 2005, was also hanged to death along with Rishawi. They were affiliated with Al Qaeda terror group. Jordanians and social media users expressed relief over the executions as they considered them a swift response to the murder of Kasasbeh.

3- King’s ‘Be Proud’ address to nation

On March 4, social media users took to Twitter and Facebook soon after His Majesty King Abdullah’s address to the nation, creating a trending hashtag in Arabic that translates into “be proud”. Jordanian users across social media platforms lauded King Abdullah for his words of encouragement, stressing the nation’s resilience despite threats and challenges. The quote from the speech most shared by social media users was: “Above all, today, I say to you, the men and women of Jordan: Be proud.”

4- ‘Lower House cat’

On March 15, a cat that interrupted a Lower House evening session was a topic of conversation among social media users in the Kingdom. Photos of a Parliament employee carrying it by its tail to take it outside the chamber went viral on Facebook and Twitter. Later in the day, rumours spread that the cat was killed. Social media users criticised the cat’s maltreatment and turned the news into jokes about the behaviour of MPs.

5- Dead Sea rescue operation hero

In late March, Civil Defence Department Sgt. Omar Balawneh had to swim for 12 hours in the Dead Sea to save Maryam, 13, and Maher, 11, and return them to their family safe and sound. The wavy sea prevented him from returning to land, so Balawneh covered a distance of 17km swimming as he reportedly arrived at the western end of the sea, where the three were collected later by the air force. His Majesty King Abdullah honoured Balawneh with the Order of Dedication and Sacrifice in recognition of his heroic rescue of two Iraqi children.

6- MP and guest worker

Jordanians reacted with anger when an MP’s escorts where caught on video posted on social media showing them assault an Egyptian worker in an Aqaba restaurant in October.

7- Prince Ali for FIFA

Since he announced intentions to run as a candidate for FIFA presidential elections in January 2015 and until now, Jordanians have been taking to social media to support HRH Prince Ali. The prince was the sole challenger of Sepp Blatter in the May 29 elections but lost to the Swiss. In September 9, Prince Ali decided to run again for next year’s FIFA president.

8- Death of Salti sisters

The “shocking” news about the death of Soraya and Jumana Salti dominated social media in Jordan. Aged 45 and 37, the Saltis were successful businesswomen from a prominent Jordanian family. They were found dead near an under-construction building south of Amman on November 6. A few days later, authorities said the two sisters fell off the building and may have committed suicide as evidence had showed they suffered “psychological and financial problems”.

9- Amman floods

On November 6, photos and videos of flooded Amman streets, tunnels and some houses inundated social media. Social media users criticised city officials, authorities’ lack of preparedness and the capital’s weak infrastructure after a heavy early morning downpour inundated streets and apartment buildings in the city. The flash floods killed four people and wreaked havoc on roads in Amman, which witnessed traffic jams and the closure of underpasses.

10- National Census song on TV

In early December, a song broadcast by Jordan Television to promote the 2015 population census became social media fodder, eliciting humour and criticism. Social media users panned the song’s lyrics and the concept behind it.

AMMAN — King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben on Thursday visited the Joint Special Operations Command and was briefed operational, training and administrative procedures there.

Zaben commended the “advanced level” of the special operations unit in terms of proficiency and preparedness, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — Border Guards received 121 Syrian refugees during the past 48 hours and sent them to shelters and camps, a military source told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Thursday.

Royal Medical Services cadres treated the ill and injured.

AMMAN — During the past two weeks, Interpol’s office in Amman turned over three suspects to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon, according to a Public Security Statement released Thursday. The Saudi suspect turned himself in and an Interpol delegation from Riyadh took him.

The Egyptian and Lebanese suspects were handed to the concerned authorities in their countries. The Interpol office said people who wish to travel and want to make sure they have a clean record can text their names and national numbers to 94444 from any mobile phone.

AMMAN — A motorist reportedly attempted to run over two men this week who work at a gas station and left without paying for fuel, an eye witness told Al Rai daily. The two men were hit while trying to prevent the suspect from escaping.

Al Nadim Hospital Administrative Director Mohammad Nawafaah said the two were taken to the intensive care unit, where one of them was listed in critical condition and the other was in fair condition.

Public Security Department cadres went to the site of the incident and investigation is under way to arrest the suspect who fled the scene, according to a security source.

AMMAN – A 47-year-old man died on Wednesday of H1N1 (swine) flu in Southern Shuneh Hospital, Al Rai daily reported.

Hospital Director Fayez Kharabsheh said the man was admitted to hospital for 24 hours and was in critical condition. 

The Jordan Times could not reach officials from the Health Ministry for more details on the incident.

In April 2015, six Jordanians were admitted to Prince Feisal Hospital and were diagnosed with swine flu, treated accordingly and discharged after making a full recovery.

Around a week before that incident, the Lower House’s Health Committee affirmed that the Kingdom is witnessing a decline in the number of H1N1 cases, citing the Weekly Influenza Surveillance Overview.

The committee urged the public to disregard rumours on H1N1flu that aim at misleading opinion and serving personal agendas.

The panel also called on media outlets to avoid exaggeration and be precise and accurate in their coverage of the H1N1.

By April, the authorities had registered 348 cases of H1N1 and 13 related fatalities — nine involving Jordanians.

Health authorities said the disease has become a regular seasonal flu and called for changing social practices, such as kissing at social occasions, as a way to limit the spread of H1N1.

Symptoms of H1N1 generally include fever, coughing and a sore throat, with possible vomiting and diarrhoea among children, according to the Health Ministry.

AMMAN — The government on Thursday decided to decrease the price of gasoline by around 2.8 per cent and the price of kerosene and diesel by 10 per cent as of Friday. 

The decision, issued by Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Maha Ali, was taken based on the government pricing committee’s review of international oil prices, according to a ministry statement. 

One litre of unleaded 90-octane gasoline will be sold at JD0.520, instead of JD0.535. 

A litre of unleaded 95-octane gasoline will cost JD0.680, instead of JD0.700, while diesel and kerosene will be sold at JD0.360 per litre instead of JD0.400.

The price of a 12-kilogramme gas cylinder, used for cooking and in winter for heating purposes, remains at JD7. 

A government pricing committee meets monthly to adjust prices in a manner that corresponds to changes in oil prices on the international market.

Prices of oil derivatives in the local market are calculated based on international oil prices, taking into account other costs such as shipment, handling and taxes. 

President of the Gas Station Owners Association (GSOA) Fahed Al Fayez recently expected the drop in crude Brent oil prices on the international market during December to lead to a 4.5-12 per cent decrease in local fuel prices. 

In remarks to The Jordan Times earlier this week, Fayez said the product’s global price decreased by 13 per cent in December compared to November.

The GSOA president also said that the prices of 90 octane and 95 octane gasoline are likely to go down by 4.5-6 per cent, noting that his expectations could carry a margin of error of 1-2 per cent. 

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Thursday met with representatives of the tourism sector in Petra and they briefed him on the most significant challenges facing them in the region, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

At the meeting, attended by Tourism Minister Nayef Al Fayez, the representatives said Petra, some 235km south of Amman, is facing serious challenges as a result of the drop in tourist numbers and overnight visitors. 

The drop, they said, has led to closing tourist facilities and laying off their employees, Petra reported.

They also commended the government’s recent decisions to support the tourism sector in the Kingdom in general, and Petra in particular. 

The representatives suggested creating a fund for tourism emergencies and exempting tourist activities from licensing fees. 

They also called on the Jordan Tourism Board to exert more efforts to promote the Nabataean city of Petra online and encourage domestic tourism.

Sector leaders also suggested ensuring that tourists coming via chartered flights should be offered to spend a night in Petra.

The meeting also covered the importance of turning the Petra region into a hub for the industry of international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, with sector representatives suggesting the establishment of conference palace in Petra. 

Ensour said the tourism sector received the most support during the past few months through incentives and laws, voicing readiness to take more measures that could improve the current conditions. 

He said the government will ensure that ministries and public departments hold conferences in Petra to encourage tourist movement there.

AMMAN — Jordanians are turning the page on 2015 and welcoming the New Year with hopes for stability to prevail in the region, better economic conditions and peace of mind.

Social media users shared their resolutions for 2016. Some are calls for peace in region, while others' wish lists had to do with personal aspirations for success and achievements.

Facebook user Rakan Sawaeer posted that the New Year is a chance for a new beginning.

"Do not hope for the world to become better before you start by changing yourself to [become] a better person," he wrote.

Another user encouraged her friends to start the year with prayers for "brothers and sisters" in Syria, Yemen and Palestine. 

"There is no better way to start the New Year than prayers for peace," she posted.    

Twitter users used several hashtags on the occasion, including #HappyNewYear and #IWish2016, as well as many hashtags in Arabic that highlight the best of 2015 and their wishes for 2016.

Some users mentioned what they hope would disappear in the new year, with the majority of tweets hoping for wars to end.        

Others shared their reading lists for the upcoming year, while weight loss plans were on top of many wish lists.

"May those hoping for better work or travel opportunities get them," Yazan Dabbleh posted on Facebook. 

AMMAN — A new additional security check has been recently adopted at the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) before passengers reach airline counters, an airport official said Thursday.

The QAIA security department ordered the installation of the new X-ray machine, and the Airport International Group (AIG) — the Jordanian company responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of QAIA — applied it in its capacity as operator, said Zahia Nasan, corporate communications director at QAIA.

"The new procedure will not affect operations administration at the airport and will not result in any delays for passengers," Nasan told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Administration personnel will be present at the airport to offer assistance should passengers need any, she added.

Commenting on when passengers should arrive ahead of their scheduled flight, Nasan noted that "some airlines have called on their clients to come three hours in advance to avoid any delays that could result after the installation of the new machine".

The AIG has not issued anything in this regard, the official said, adding that it is just a decision made by some airlines.

Between January and the end of November 2015, QAIA’s overall year-to-date (YTD) passengers reached 6,562,634, registering a slight drop of 0.4 per cent when compared to the same period of 2014, according to an AIG statement.

Aircraft movement figures have also registered a YTD decrease of 2.6 per cent, while QAIA’s cargo traffic figures continued to rise, experiencing a YTD growth of 6.7 per cent, totalling 90,928 tonnes during the first 11 months in 2015, the statement added.

In November alone, QAIA welcomed 447,610 passengers, signalling a 4.5 per cent increase in comparison with 428,270 travellers the airport received in the same period in 2014.

In addition, QAIA handled 8,612 tonnes of cargo as opposed to 7,860 tonnes during November 2014, bringing a 9.6 per cent rise, the statement added. 

The airport registered 5,173 aircraft movements compared with 5,125 in November 2014, marking a minor increase of 0.9 per cent.

Nasan expected full year statistics to be released around mid-January.