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AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed the need for a strategic and  comprehensive counterterrorism approach, underlining the importance of boosting regional and international coordination, in a manner that safeguards security and stability at the regional and global levels. 

At a meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid, who is chairing his country's delegation to the meetings of the Joint Jordanian-Tunisian Higher Committee, King Abdullah extended condolences over the loss of life in a recent terrorist blast that targeted a bus with members of Tunisia’s presidential guard on board in Tunis. 

King Abdullah denounced all such criminal acts, noting that intensive efforts are needed to confront them, according to a Royal Court statement. 

At the meeting that was held at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King expressed his pride in the distinguished relations between the two countries in various fields, the Royal Court said. 

King Abdullah stressed the importance of building on the outcome of Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi’s recent visit to Jordan, and on the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by Jordan and Tunisia, in a manner that serves mutual interests.  

He stressed the significance of boosting economic cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the joint committee, whose meetings began in Amman on Monday, especially in the fields of energy, education, health, information technology, tourism and maritime transport.  

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest regional developments, especially developments in Syria, Libya and Iraq and ways to deal with them.  

Essid briefed the King on developments in North Africa and on Tunisia’s counterterrorism efforts. 

King Abdullah stressed Jordan’s support of Tunisia’s security and stability and the Tunisian premier conveyed Essebsi’s greetings to King Abdullah, stressing his country’s commitment to strengthening Jordanian-Tunisian historic and brotherly relations.

He also stressed Tunisia’s commitment to maintaining coordination with Jordan and following up on the implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries in various fields.  

Also on Monday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met with his Tunisian counterpart as part of the Jordanian-Tunisian Higher Committee meetings, which were co-chaired by the two premiers, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Ensour said holding the meetings came in implementation of directives from His Majesty King Abdullah and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi when they met recently in Amman and highlighted the importance of activating the role of the higher committee, especially since its last meeting was held in 2009. 

The premier highlighted the importance of encouraging officials from both countries to exchange visits and see the opportunities available in each country and build partnerships.

He also said it is important to activate the Agadir Agreement which includes Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco, voicing Jordan’s interest in benefiting from Tunisian expertise in the field of supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in addition to facilitating the registration of Jordanian medicines in Tunisia.

Ensour praised the Tunisian decision to exempt Jordanians from obtaining a visa, stressing the importance of tourist cooperation.

The two prime ministers discussed regional conditions and they voiced support for the Palestinians’ right to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. 

Moreover, Essid stressed role of His Majesty King Abdullah in supporting the Palestinian cause and defending Islamic and Christian sanctuaries in Jerusalem. 

As for the Syrian crisis, the two officials stressed the importance of finding a political solution that preserves the unity of Syrian territory.

They also discussed issues in Libya, underlining the importance of a political solution that preserves the security and stability of the country and Ensour welcomed Tunisia’s efforts in the matter. 

Lawmakers from Libya’s rival parliaments have reached a power-sharing agreement in Tunisia, shunning UN-brokered deal to avoid the “foreign intervention” tainting it, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Also on Monday, a joint cooperation agreement was signed between Amman Chamber of Commerce and Tunis Chamber of Commerce during the Jordanian-Tunisian Business Forum, which coincided with of the meeting of the Joint Jordanian Tunisian Higher Committee. 

A similar deal was signed between the Jordan-European Business Association and the Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises, in the presence of Jordanian and Tunisian officials, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  

At the forum, which was co-chaired by Ensour and his Tunisian counterpart, the two sides discussed arrangements for a visit by members of the Amman Chamber of Commerce to Tunis mid-February to further discuss ways to boost joint cooperation between the private sectors in Jordan and Tunisia.   

AMMAN — The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation has supported 78 productive projects and the creation of 43 consumer markets for military retirees’ societies at a value of JD4.750 million, according to the minister. 

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury made the remarks at the opening ceremony of a two-day training workshop organised by the ministry in cooperation with the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans (ESARSV).

The workshop is aimed at stimulating the role of retired servicemen’s associations in development, by helping them plan and carry out a number of development activities. 

It also aims at enhancing their role in stimulating local development by training and qualifying their members to plan and carry out sustainable productive projects, according to a ministry statement released Monday.

Fakhoury said the projects and markets created 455 job opportunities for retired servicemen. 

He said the ventures supported by the ministry included industrial, service, agriculture, commercial, IT, medical, vocational and tourism projects around the Kingdom, in addition to funding military training and national education projects for school students implemented by ESARSV, the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and  the Education Ministry. 

Fakhoury reiterated that the ministry fully recognises the important role played by military retirees’ associations in raising the economic and social status of their members. 

He added that the government took the challenges of poverty, unemployment and declining growth rates due to regional conflicts into consideration when drawing up the 2016 budget.

Cooperatives, he pointed out, have been one of the important means the ministry supports to access local communities and make a positive development effect on them, as they are placed to lead development in their communities.

Fakhoury welcomed any proposals and projects to activate and enhance the work of cooperatives related to retired servicemen, the statement said. 

AMMAN — Despite several awareness campaigns organised by the Civil Defence Department (CDD), its cadres still deal with heater-related accidents during winter, CDD Media Director Brig. Gen. Farid Sharaa said Monday. 

He noted that one person died and seven were injured on Monday due to the improper use of heaters.

In Karak, 140km south of the capital, two Egyptians were among the victims of heater accidents; one of them died a few hours later, while the second is in “critical condition”, Sharaa told The Jordan Times. 

He explained that the incident involving the guest workers was related to the misuse of a fireplace.

In another incident Monday morning in Baqaa, 25km north of Amman, a family suffered breathing problems after inhaling gas from a heater.

All members of the family, consisting of four children under the age of 18 and their parents aged 38 and 39 years, were transported to Prince Hussein Public Hospital, and they are currently in “fair condition”, according to Sharaa. 

He said the CDD highlights important facts about the proper use of heaters every year; however, many people are still in danger of gas inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.

“This is a recurring problem — deaths and injuries happen every year,” Sharaa said. “Last winter, the department recorded 23 deaths and 307 injuries around Jordan.” 

He also noted that 109 of the injuries last year occurred during snowstorms. 

Sharaa urged the public not to keep kerosene and gas heaters on for a long periods, and to make sure the hose connected to the gas cylinder is attached correctly and is not worn out. 

“The hose must be replaced regularly, since many incidents occur because families are usually inattentive to it and the gas leaks, which endangers their lives,” he said. 

The CDD officer stressed the importance of not relying on children to replace gas cylinders and of keeping the heaters away from small rooms, such as kitchens and bedrooms, noting that the stairwell is the best place to place them.

AMMAN — Sunny, yet cold weather is forecast for the rest of this week as the country remains under the effect of a cold and dry air mass, with the possibility of frost formation, forecasters said Monday.

Temperatures in Amman are expected to reach 15°C during the day and drop to 2°C at night, making it "very cold" Tuesday through Thursday, Arabiaweather.com Chief Meteorologist  Omar Dajani told The Jordan Times.

"There will still be a chance for frost formation in various parts of the country," he said, explaining that ground and car temperatures are usually two to three degrees below air temperature at night and in the early morning. 

The weather is also expected to remain "very cold" in the badia and the eastern regions of the Kingdom, with temperatures dipping slightly below zero, Dajani said, warning of the possibility of ice formation in water pipes in the Sharah Mountains in the south.

Dajani cited "growing signs" that the stable weather will change during the weekend, as a depression is expected to start affecting the country on Saturday, with chances of rain.

The Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) warned of frost formation in most parts of the country, including the northern part of the Jordan Valley. 

The department also warned of low visibility in the early morning hours due to fog, especially in hilly areas.  

Temperatures in Aqaba on Tuesday are expected to range between a high of 21°C and a low of 8°C, according to the JMD.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday strongly denounced the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California, which left several innocents dead and others injured.

In a cable to President Barack Obama, His Majesty reiterated Jordan's support for the US and its commitment to partnership with Washington and the international community in eliminating terror, a Royal Court statement said.

In the cable, the King expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the American people and his wishes of quick recovery to the injured.

AMMAN – Head of the House Financial Committee MP Yousef Qorneh on Monday criticised the government’s borrowing plan as it intends to borrow nearly JD7 billion in 2016 to repay financial obligations coming due next year and to fill the state budget deficit. 

In a phone interview with The Jordan Times, Qorneh used the expression “robbing Peter to pay Paul” to describe the borrowing approach of the government, which he said has been using the same strategy for years by borrowing from one bank to repay another.  

The lawmaker said the 2016 state budget draft law, presented to Parliament Sunday, indicates that the government plans to borrow JD6.974 billion to cover the JD906 million projected deficit in the spending bill, pay installments of foreign loans worth JD647 million due next year, repay JD80 million in due bonds issued by the Central Bank of Jordan, repay local bonds issued in US dollars worth JD816 million and cover local debts valued at JD4.524 billion. 

Qorneh said the government plans to borrow JD5.5 billion from local banks and JD1.468 billion from international lenders. 

The MP suggested that instead of borrowing around JD5 billion every year, the government can approach international financial institutions and bond investors to secure long-term loans of up to 20 years with grace periods to ease financial stress on the budget and the Treasury. 

“There are many international financial institutions that would be interested in extending long-term financing to the Kingdom,” he said, adding that global organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are confident in Jordan’s economy despite regional unrest. 

The international solidarity with Jordan because of its political and humanitarian role in regional events as well as its efforts in combating terrorism should enable the country to access international financial markets. 

“Seeking loans from foreign lenders would enable the government to spend more on capital expenditure and carry out development projects that would stimulate the economy,” he added. 

According to Finance Ministry figures, the public debt reached JD22.3 billion by the end of September, with around JD9.5 billion owed to external lenders and JD12.7 billion to local banks.  

AMMAN — The "early" formation of frost in the northern and central parts of the Jordan Valley indicates a climate change that could herald more frost spells with negative effects on crops, an official said Monday.

Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said the first frost spell of this season on Saturday night, when temperatures dropped to -5°C, negatively affected potato, zucchini and aubergine crops.

He added that initial reports by agricultural engineers and technicians based on field visits recognised frost damage, but noted that it cannot be "clearly" calculated or estimated yet.

"The percentage of damaged crops will be clear after a few days once the technical teams finish their work," Haddadin said, adding that tomato crops in the southern Jordan Valley were not affected by the cold weather.

He added that it is unlikely that the damage will impact the availability of products or lead to price hikes, as the affected crops are not productive at this time of the year.  

"Usually frost forms in Jordan during marbaniyeh — the 40 coldest days of winter," Haddadin explained, highlighting the ministry's efforts in spreading awareness among farmers on protecting their crops from frost, in cooperation with the Jordan Meteorological Department and media outlets.

The winter solstice on December 22 marks the start of marbaniyeh, during which the country typically witnesses several depressions, very cold weather, cold and dry easterly winds and several frost spells.

The Kingdom usually gets 30 per cent of its long-term annual average rainfall of 8.3 billion cubic metres during marbaniyeh. 

AMMAN — Jordan will again regulate the entry of Yemenis to the country and implement the concerned laws regarding their residency.

A letter issued by the Yemeni embassy in Jordan, a copy of which was made available to The Jordan Times, said Jordanian authorities informed the embassy of the decision on Monday.

Entry of Yemenis to Jordan will be “restricted” as they are required to obtain a visa before entry and pay the required fees for that, as indicated in the letter.

It added, however, that Yemeni diplomats will be exempted from this condition and they will not need an entry visa as of December 15, 2015.

Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani told The Jordan Times that estimates confirmed the decision but stopped short of elaborating. He noted that there are some 50,000 Yemenis in the Kingdom.

In June this year, Jordanian authorities decided to facilitate the entry of Yemenis and it was decided to issue them visas upon arrival in the Kingdom without the need for prior approval. 

However, with the new decision, they will need an approval prior to their arrival at border crossings.

Private hospitals have been offering treatment to Yemeni war patients this year, with the bill reaching some JD15 million in October.

AMMAN — The “big fuss” Alquds Alarabi newspaper made over the suspension of its publication in Jordan was “uncalled for” as it only needs to renew the permit to resume printing, an official said on Monday. 

“The whole story is that the publication permit granted to the newspaper to publish a printed version in Amman has expired. It needs to be renewed and then they can resume printing,” Jordan Media Commission (JMC) Director General Amjad Qadi told The Jordan Times.

In a statement published on its website, Alquds Alarabi said it received the decision to suspend its publication in Jordan with “shock and surprise”, accusing unnamed parties of targeting its freedom.

Alquds Alarabi also claimed that it received no official notification prior to the suspension decision, describing it as “martial, arbitrary and unlawful”.

However, Qadi said Alquds Alarabi’s claims are “simply untrue”.

Qadi added that the JMC has contacted the newspaper to submit a new publication request to be then approved but “they have not done so yet.”

“They [the newspaper’s editorial team] wants to make a fake cause for the newspaper,” he charged.

Alquds Alarabi was allowed under the law to print and publish in Jordan but it “violated the Press and Publications Law” and so its publication was suspended as of November 29 until it rectifies its status.

AMMAN — Seventeen winners of the 2015 Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) Prize for best investigations in print and video formats were announced Sunday.

The winning investigations covered topics such as corruption, drug dealing, abuse of illegal migrants, and police brutality in the region, according to an ARIJ statement released Monday.

The prizes were presented at a dinner to mark the end of the eighth Forum for Arab Investigative Journalists, organised by ARIJ.

Walid Batrawi, head of the 2015 ARIJ Jury Committee, said this year’s selection process was challenging, according to the ARIJ statement.

“The nominations we looked at were cutting-edge and of very high professional calibre. The differences were sometimes less than 0.010 per cent but at the end we had to distinguish some against others,” he was quoted as saying, adding that visual proof to support journalists’ hypotheses was a key differentiator for film entries.

Riad Kobeissi of Lebanon’s Al Jadeed TV won first prize in the long-form film category for his investigation of meter manipulation by companies selling diesel to hospitals and households, inflicting thousands of dollars in losses on consumers, the statement said.

Egyptian freelancer Ahmad Soleiman won second prize for his investigation of the environmental impact of the unlicensed charcoal industry in Aghour Al Ward, while Jordanian reporting team Musab Shawabkeh and Hanan Khandagji took third prize for their film about centres selling unapproved therapies for autistic children.

In the short film category, the winning entry was Sameh Laboudi’s “Eagle Stamp”, which documented manipulation of birth and death certificates by local health officials in Egypt.

Palestinian duo Karim Asakreh and Bassam Elroumi came second with their report on “Hydro”, a popular new drug marketed to Palestinians, especially children and university students.

Third-placed “Caravan”, by Yunis Al Bayati from Iraq, exposed how the governor of Diyala awarded contracts to import caravans to house citizens displaced by Daesh to companies connected with his family, resulting in wasteful spending and inferior caravans.

In the print category, first prize went to Ali Salem for his two-year investigation “Yemen: African Immigrants’ Graveyard”, about gangs detaining for ransom illegal immigrants from Africa attempting to enter Saudi Arabia, the statement said.

Second place was shared by a journalist writing under the alias Sami Shahrour and Egypt’s Saadah Abdulqader for their work on, respectively, random kidnappings by regime forces in Syria and illegal imports of walkie-talkies in Egypt.

Egypt’s Seham Al Basha and Ahmad Jamal Eddine won third prize in the print category for their report on international mediation centres selling certificates bearing diplomatic and arbitration titles similar to those used in Egypt in violation of the law.

The jury also awarded “certificates of appreciation” to three journalists in the short film category — Osama Deeb (Egypt), Humam Mujahed (Egypt), and Assad Zalzali (Iraq) — and one in the print category, Mohammad Komani (Yemen).

Two special ARIJ Board Prizes, one for uncovering human rights violations and the other for exposing corruption and organised crime, went to Tunisian freelancer Meriam Nasri and a Syrian journalist writing under the alias Ibrahim Saleh, respectively.

Nasri’s film, shown on Al Jazeera English’s People & Power investigations programme in September, demonstrated the continuation of police brutality and torture after the 2011 revolution in Tunisia.

Saleh’s investigation “The Secret Empire of Assad’s Maternal Family” was based on leaked files from the bank HSBC, received under ARIJ’s cooperation agreement with the International Consortium for Investigative Journalists.

The three-day forum, which attracted over 300 Arab and international investigative journalists and media professionals, was held this year under the theme “Arab Media: Survival under Censorship”.