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[yazm1991]

Jordan hosts Iran in Asian qualifier today

Jordan hosts Iran at 6:00pm today in the return leg Group E qualifier for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

Winning the match against the three-time Asian champs is a must for the Jordanian team, who dropped the first leg match in Tehran 1-0 last week. The Kingdom held to a goalless draw against Thailand and lost 2-1 to Singapore earlier in the qualifiers, and is still at the bottom of the Group E standings.

With two teams per group advancing to the AFC Asian Cup finals in Qatar in 2011, Jordan’s slim chances were boosted after Singapore beat Thailand Thursday. Iran, who failed to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, lead the group with seven points from three matches. Iran beat Singapore 6-0 and held to a 0-0 draw with Thailand. Singapore is one point behind after it beat Thailand 1-0 making up for its earlier 3-1 defeat.

Jordan will play Thailand on January 6 and Singapore March 3.

The national team will miss key player Hasan Abdul Fattah, who was dropped from the line-up when his injury prevented him from joining the squad in Tehran. In addition, Shadi Abu Hashash was dismissed from the line-up, while Abdullah Theeb is out with injury together with Mahmoud Shilbayeh, who got his second booking in Tehran. Oday Saifi, who plays in a Greek club has been called up for the match ahead of which team manager Mohannad Mahadin has imposed a media blackout as the team prepares for the crucial match.

The AFC Asian Cup finals will see the continent’s final 16, which will include the top two groups winners, in addition a direct bye has been reserved for AFC Asian Cup 2007 winners Iraq, runners-up Saudi Arabia and third-placed team South Korea, as well as hosts Qatar. They will also be joined by the winners of the AFC Challenge Cups 2008 (India) and 2010.

The January 2009 to March 2010 qualifiers include:

Group A: Japan, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Yemen.

Group B: Australia, Indonesia, Oman and Kuwait.

Group C: Uzbekistan, the UAE, Malaysia and India.

Group D: Vietnam, Syria, China and Lebanon.

Group E: Iran, Thailand, Jordan and Singapore.

This is Jordan’s eighth time at the qualifiers since first taking part in 1972. However, since the event kicked off in 1956, the Kingdom only reached the Asian Cup finals once at the 13th Asian Cup finals in China in 2004, where by reaching the quarters, the team jumped to the best ever FIFA rank of 37th in August 2004.

In the past few weeks, Jordan’s national U-19 and U-16 squads qualified to their respective AFC finals. It will be the U-19 squad’s third time and the U-16’s first.
Fans hope the senior team will reach the Asian Cup finals for the second time making up for their elimination from Round 3 Asian qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

[eastwest]

Originally Posted by yazm1991

Jordan hosts Iran in Asian qualifier today

Jordan hosts Iran at 6:00pm today in the return leg Group E qualifier for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup....

I think the team must win all remaining three matches in order to qualify, based on their performance lately its not an easy task , but we never lose hope

[yazm1991]

Originally Posted by eastwest

I think the team must win all remaining three matches in order to qualify, based on their performance lately its not an easy task , but we never lose hope

Yes this is true. Jordan must beat Iran tonight, beat Thailand in Bangkok and beat Singapore in Amman. Their performance against Iran in Tehran last week was not too bad, watched the game on the internet and Jordan was a bit unlucky. The game against Singapore was not fair, their second goal Singapore scored was offside by a mile .

I don't think its impossible, if Jordan beats Iran tonight then they are more than capable of beating Thailand and Singapore.

Come on Jordan!

[MARTYR]

Good Luck Jordan !!!! hope u the best of luck

[yazm1991]

Jordan beats Iran

Jordan has kept its slim chances of qualification for the 2011 AFC cup alive by beating Iran 1-0 overnight in Amman.

More detailed news to follow soon.

Well done Jordan!

[MARTYR]

Mabruuuuuuuuuuuuuk !!!!
congrats Jordan

[yazm1991]

JOR 1-0 IRN – Jordan revive qualification hope

AMMAN – Amer Deeb scored with 11 minutes remaining as Jordan edged out Iran 1-0 in Sunday's 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier to throw the qualification picture in Group E wide open.

Amer Deeb converted from close range following a late spell of pressure from the home side as Jordan picked up a first win of the campaign while handing Iran their first defeat.

With two games remaining, Iran remain at the top of the table with seven points and just a point clear of Singapore, with third-placed Thailand just a point further back and Jordan moving onto four points and firmly into contention.

At King Abdullah International Stadium, Jordan started brightly and came close to opening the scoring after just four minutes as Amer Deeb directed Hassouneh Al Sheikh's cross into the path of Mohammad Abdelhalim and he saw his shot saved by Iran goalkeeper Seyed Mahdi Rahmati.

Iran replied three minutes later when Iman Mobali made his way into the Jordan penalty area and fired over the crossbar.

Jordan's encouraging start continued although they were frustrated by the Iran defence until Amer Deeb fired just wide of the upright after 19 minutes.

Iran relied on counter-attacks to relieve the pressure and came close to opening the scoring 11 minutes later as Andranik Teymourian's header was saved by Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi.

Jordan coach Adnan Hamad introduced Abdallah Deeb in the second half with the home side needing to score to keep their qualification hopes alive, but it was Iran who nearly broke the deadlock six minutes after the break as Ehsan Haji Safi fired over the crossbar from close range.

Iran continued to improve and should have opened the scoring four minutes later when Pejman Nouri's powerful shot from outside the area was turned away by Shafi.

Jordan came the close to breaking the deadlock six minutes after the hour mark as Mohamad Jamal headed Amer Deeb's corner against the crossbar before Iran defender Hadi Aghily cleared off the line from Oday Al Saify.

The home side continued to press and Jordan finally took the lead as Al Saify crossed for Amer Deeb to convert from close range.

Jordan should have doubled their lead five minutes later but Iran goalkeeper Rahmati denied substitute Abdallah Deeb.

[yazm1991]

Timeless desert

Around 155,000 tourists visited the Wadi Rum Nature Reserve during the first 10 months of this year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Established in 1998, the reserve covers 720 square kilometres of unique desert terrain.

The area’s majestic mountains and sandy valleys are home to several bedouin tribes and a range of desert wildlife, including Arabian oryx, according to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. In 2008, over 256,000 tourists visited the breathtaking terrain of Wadi Rum, which played a prominent role in the 1917-1918 Great Arab Revolt

[yazm1991]

Originally Posted by yazm1991

Timeless desert

Around 155,000 tourists visited the Wadi Rum Nature Reserve during the first 10 months of this year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Established in 1998, the reserve covers 720 square kilometres of unique desert terrain.

The area’s majestic mountains and sandy valleys are home to several bedouin tribes and a range of desert wildlife, including Arabian oryx, according to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. In 2008, over 256,000 tourists visited the breathtaking terrain of Wadi Rum, which played a prominent role in the 1917-1918 Great Arab Revolt

Sad to see less tourists visiting this amazing place, hopefully the last two months of this year will bring some more tourists. I don't think they will match last years tourists but around 190,000 would be great.

[yazm1991]

Recent deaths raise swine flu toll to 14

By Khetam Malkawi

AMMAN - The number of H1N1 related deaths in the Kingdom has risen to 14 after three fatalities were reported over the past week, the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.

The victims included a 40-year-old woman who died in Jerash Hospital on November 18 and a 42-year-old man who died in Nadeem Hospital in Amman on November 19, the ministry said in its weekly report.

The third swine flu fatality was a 43-year-old man who passed away in Karak Hospital on November 23, it added.

The statement also indicated that the total number of swine flu cases in the country stood at 2,955 on Wednesday, with 87 new cases confirmed between November 18 and 25.

Three of the new cases were non-Jordanians, according to the Health Ministry statement, which also indicated that 31 per cent are between the ages of 10 and 19, 21 per cent in the 20-24 age group, and 18 per cent are aged 30 and above. Approximately 14 per cent of the new cases were children below the age of 10.

Meanwhile, the ministry called on those categorised as high-risk for contracting the disease to take the inoculation.

“Some people are still suspicious about the vaccine, and not many at-risk citizens have taken it,” Bassam Hijjawi, director of the Health Ministry's disease control department, told The Jordan Times.

He declined to disclose the number of Jordanians who have been vaccinated so far, noting that the ministry will start inoculating HIV patients immediately following the Eid Al Adha holiday.

The ministry is currently vaccinating those categorised as high-risk groups.

These include 30,000 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, 310 patients suffering from kidney failure, children with type 1 diabetes, people with heart failure, an estimated 109 AIDS patients, some 1,200 thalassaemia patients and 10,000 patients with severe asthma.

In addition, the ministry has allocated 5,000 vaccines for medical staff who are in direct contact with swine flu patients, while some civil defence and public security personnel will also be inoculated.

The Health Ministry is purchasing two million vaccines from Novartis and 250,000 from Glaxo SmithKline.

[MARTYR]

Originally Posted by yazm1991

Sad to see less tourists visiting this amazing place, hopefully the last two months of this year will bring some more tourists. I don't think they will match last years tourists but around 190,000 would be great.

are there any real reasons for this decrease in the nb of tourists ???

[yazm1991]

Originally Posted by MARTYR

are there any real reasons for this decrease in the nb of tourists ???

Not 100% sure why it has dropped. I'm not sure about the tourist numbers Jordan is witnessing this year, however I'm pretty sure it smaller than last year.

The global financial crisis has caused many to cancel holidays or keep holidays more simple (for example someone visiting Jordan may decide to only go see Petra and Amman to save on bus tickets and extra hotel costs). Maybe this is the reason, hopefully next year is better.

[MARTYR]

nchalla !!

[eastwest]

A good article by NY Times worth reading, scroll down for useful information about Amman's attractions

A Newly Stylish Amman Asserts Itself


New York Times
By ANDREW FERREN
Published: November 22, 2009

“AREN’T you going to check out the terrace?” Madian al-Jazerah said to me.
It was just after sunset on a summer Thursday evening, and we were standing on the sprawling front deck of Books@Cafe, the combination bookstore, cafe and restaurant that Mr. Jazerah owns in the historic neighborhood of Jabal Amman in Jordan’s capital.
“I thought we were on it,” I replied.
Wordlessly he pointed to a door at the back of the cafe, set in a renovated villa just off Rainbow Street. Soon I was making my way through a series of cavernous rooms, all seemingly decorated in the year 1972 with orange, yellow and brown optic stripes or Pop Art flower motifs.
As it turns out, the real terrace was about five times the size of the front deck and populated with about 20 times as many chic young Jordanians lounging under the darkening sky. Giant red lanterns bobbed in the breeze and a sea of tables spread out beneath a canopy of pines. Waiters shuttled cocktails and coffees and tended to the “hubbly bubblies” — nargiles, or water pipes with flavored tobacco — that were being summoned to the tables as the evening wore on.



Sunset on the terrace of Books@Cafe, a combination bookstore, cafe and restaurant in the Jabal Amman district. Bryan Denton for The New York Times

The moment was an apt metaphor for Amman: if you like what you first see, look a little further and you might get more.
Sadly, many visitors don’t bother to look for much at all. With a host of natural marvels like the Dead Sea and the desert of Wadi Rum, certified wonders of the world like Petra and biblical sites galore, the country’s bustling capital, home to somewhat more than two million residents, is often overlooked.
But treat Amman as a mere way station between destinations and you miss discovering what is perhaps the most pleasant city in the Middle East. Calling a place “pleasant” may seem like faint praise, but in Amman pleasant covers areas like religious tolerance, personal safety, an agreeable climate (at more than 3,000 feet above sea level, Amman is delightful spring, summer and fall) and the availability of French Champagne and excellent sushi. In this strife-torn region, pleasant is no small shakes.
Now, with an influx of wealthy immigrants from Iraq and other Persian Gulf countries and the return of Jordanian expats, it seems the Champagne is just starting to flow. The city’s culinary scene has expanded from its famous shwarma stands and falafel joints (though thankfully the best of these remain) to embrace a host of swank Asian fusion restaurants, intimate French bistros and authentic Italian trattorias. The night-life scene evolves so quickly that hot spots open and close almost before their fabulousness can make it into print in magazines or guidebooks.
“A lot of Jordanians go abroad to study in Europe, the U.K., U.S. and Canada,” said Fadi Jaber, a Jordanian who went to boarding school and college in the United States. “When they come back, they want to recreate the lifestyle they enjoyed abroad. The places now opening would be right at home in London or New York or Montreal because that’s where these kids hung out.”
Mr. Jaber should know. His American-style bakery Sugar Daddy’s, which opened in 2006, has become a Middle East phenomenon, expanding to Beirut and Dubai.
For one of the world’s oldest cities, Amman is surprisingly modern. After millenniums of being inhabited by Ammonites, Assyrians, Nabateans, Romans, Umayyads and Ottomans, the city was virtually deserted except for Bedouin nomads in the 1800s. Revitalization came with the railroad that passed through Amman on the route linking Damascus and Mecca. But the city really took shape between the 1920s and 1940s as the Kingdom of Jordan became an independent country with Amman as its capital.
So with an architectural legacy that is more Bauhaus than Byzantine, Amman is delightfully unencumbered by the weight of history.
Modern-day Ammanis tend to rank ancient monuments well below air-conditioned cineplexes on their lists of favorite leisure activities. The 6,000-seat Roman theater shares its downtown site with two faded but charming museums displaying Ottoman and Bedouin folk customs. The Archeology Museum in the Citadel is like an Indiana Jones field station, with handwritten labels and portable brass display cabinets.
“You know, visitors mention those museums, but I don’t think people from here ever go to them,” said Rima Mallalah, an artist who runs an offbeat gallery called Love on a Bike.
Ammanis prefer contemporary Jordanian and Arab culture shown at places like Darat al-Funun, a complex of several villas that have been converted into galleries and is run by the charitable Khalid Shoman Foundation. Cutting-edge video installations, photography displays, outdoor films and live performances draw the city’s cultured set.
Spread out over seven hills (the greater Amman area now covers nearly 20), it’s not a walking city but taxis are abundant, inexpensive and will take you almost anywhere — even to Petra, about three hours away — for a negotiated price.
Most of the action is in West Amman, and more important than the seven hills are the eight circles — huge traffic roundabouts that stretch along Zahran Street, the principal east-west artery, and serve as landmarks or virtual addresses for anything near them.

Rainbow Street, just off First Circle, is the nexus of urban cool with art galleries, cafes and the fun Friday flea market called Jara Souk. Nearby is Wild Jordan, the showroom and lively cafe of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, selling products like olive oil soap and silver jewelry made (mostly by women) on the society’s nature reserves.
On your first night in town, Ammanis will send you to Fakhr el-Din to sample a nearly encyclopedic menu of Levantine cuisine. Cross the street for a nightcap in the garden at Grappa, an Italian restaurant in what at first seems to be a private villa, until you discover that spilling down the hillside in the same building are two clubs, Salute and Canvas, with dancing and shots being poured in abundance. The upside of the city’s hilly topography and sugar-cube architecture are the myriad roof terraces with wide-open vistas.
On your second night, Ammanis will start talking sushi. With an elegantly sleek décor and (surprise) huge terrace, the new pan-Asian Yoshi has been a hot spot, serving updated versions of classics like crab Rangoon alongside the futomaki and other artfully prepared sushi.
Abdoun Circle (not one of the eight) is the heart of the city’s thriving night life where the chicest clubs maintain a strict “couples only” policy, meaning no unescorted men. One of the trendiest clubs of the moment is Flow, which puts some extra groove on its dance floor with a mix of hip-hop and R&B. The busiest nights are Thursdays and don’t bother going before midnight.
Daytime fun, especially if you brought the children, can be found at the King Hussein Park where the late king’s impressive car collection is on view, ranging from sleek Ferraris to the armored Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost used by Lawrence of Arabia. Next door, the Children’s Museum has flight simulators and a sandbox filled with mock archaeological finds. (Both attractions are open on Fridays — a day of rest in mostly Muslim Jordan — when many other sites are not.)
These days Amman itself is a bit like a sandbox. As Mr. Jazerah of Books@Cafe points out: “If you’re willing to dig around and let this city surprise you, it will.”
SHWARMA, YES, BUT SUSHI TOO

HOW TO GET THERE
Delta offers nonstop service from Kennedy airport in New York to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman for about $1,000. Royal Jordanian also offers nonstop service. Continental flies from Newark with a connection through London. European carriers like Iberia and Air France have connecting flights through their hub cities. An entry visa is required for United States citizens visiting Jordan and can be acquired at a cost of 10 Jordanian dinars ($14.30 at $1.43 to the dinar) either upon arrival at the airport or another point of entry or in advance at a Jordanian consulate.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
The atmosphere at most trendy Jordanian restaurants is casual, and the portions — especially at establishments serving Levantine food — are abundant.
Fakhr el-Din (Taha Hussein Street, Second Circle, Jabal Amman; 962-6-465-2399; www.fakhreldin.com).
Grappa (Taha Hussein Street, Second Circle, Jabal Amman; 962-6-463-8212).
Yoshi (Mithqal Al Fayez Street, Third Circle, Jabal Amman; 962-6-464-0903; www.yoshi-jo.com).
Books@Cafe (Omar Ibn al-Khattab Street 12, First Circle, Jabal Amman; 962-6-465-0457; booksatcafe.com).
Sugar Daddy’s (Fawzi al-Mughrabi Street, Abdoun Kurdi Plaza, Abdoun; 962-6-593-3032; www.sugardaddysbakery.com).
Flow (Mazen Seedo al-Kurdi Street; 962-79-978-7777).
WHERE TO STAY
Boutique hotels have yet to land in Amman but many of the large chain hotels have ramped up design elements and offer lively lobby lounges.
Grand Hyatt Amman (Hussein Bin Ali Street, Fourth Circle, Jabal Amman; 962-6-465-1234; www.amman.grand.hyatt.com) has comfy if corporate-feeling rooms, and the lobby is buzzing all day and night. Doubles start at 160 dinars.
The Four Seasons Amman (Al Kindi Street, Fifth Circle, Jabal Amman; 962-6-550-5555; www.fourseason.com/amman) trades a lower-key lobby scene for increased luxury in plushly furnished and airy rooms. Doubles from 230 dinars.
WHAT TO DO
Darat al-Funun (al-Saadi Street, Paris Circle, Jabal Webdeh; 962-6-464-3251; www.daratalfunun.org).
Wild Jordan (Othman Bin Affan Street; 962-6-461-6523; www.rscn.org.jo).
Royal Automobile Museum (Saeed Khair Street, King Hussein Park; 962-6-541-1392; www.royalautomuseum.jo).
Children’s Museum (Saeed Khair Street, King Hussein Park; 962-6-541-1479; www.cmj.jo).
Love on a Bike (Muaath Bin Jabal Street, First Circle, Jabal Amman; www.loveonabike.com).
Jara Souk Friday market (www.jara-jordan.com).

source

[yazm1991]

Cheers for the article.

Very good publicity for Amman!

[yazm1991]

Employees receive training as part of service overhaul

As part of efforts to transform visitors' experiences in the Kingdom, employees of Aqaba's King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) recently received hospitality training to improve customer service.

As the airport serves as a point of entry and exit for many foreign visitors to Jordan, service at KHIA is often the lasting impression for many tourists leaving via the Red Sea port city, industry officials said.

A total of 36 employees received training on customer service, communications and complaint handling, according to the USAID-Jordan Tourism Development Project (JTDP).

KHIA employees learned verbal communication and listening skills, body language and interpersonal interaction, according to the JTDP.

The training also included sessions on receiving and responding to complaints in order to encourage passengers to share their thoughts and improve customer satisfaction.

The training came in support of a strategy by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the JTDP to develop King Hussein International Airport as a "second gateway to the Kingdom" and a transit point for regional and international flights.

Under a framework developed for marketing and planning at the airport, authorities will also look to increase charter flights, attract low-cost carriers and promote KHIA as a connecting airport with long-term plans to turn it into a regional hub.

The overhaul aims to encourage the growth of air services and develop Jordan's so-called "Golden Tourism Triangle" of Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum, according to tourism officials.

The Red Sea port city is a major destination for European and Russian package tour groups, which often arrive in the Kingdom on charter flights.

ASEZA figures indicate that 1,100 charter flights landed in Aqaba last year from the UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Poland and Russia.

A total of 443,000 tourists visited the port city in 2008, including 194,000 foreigners.

[yazm1991]

Yarmouk River Basin poised to be Kingdom’s 8th nature reserve

The Ministry of Environment has sent a memorandum to the Cabinet, proposing that the Yarmouk River Basin be designated as the Kingdom’s eighth nature reserve.

The Yarmouk River Basin was selected to become a nature reserve due to its unique ecosystem and because it houses threatened species, Minister of Environment Khalid Irani said on Tuesday.

"The Yarmouk River nature reserve is rich in flora and fauna. It is home to 59 plants, 20 mammals, some of which are endangered, as well as 58 species of birds," he noted in a press statement.

The nature reserve, to be managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, will preserve trees and rare plants, as well as animals, particularly predators that are in danger of extinction both locally and regionally, the minister added.

He noted that the Yarmouk River Basin’s designation as a nature reserve will also revive tourist movement in the area, which includes several archaeological sites and old houses.

In 2007, the ministry announced plans to establish four new nature reserves in the Jordan Rift Valley as part of a JD13 million integrated ecosystem management project.

The reserves will be created over a total area of 570 square kilometres in the Yarmouk River Basin, Fifa in Ghor Safi, and Qatar and Jabal Masuda in Wadi Araba.

The establishment of more nature reserves aims at managing the ecological, social and economic components of ecosystems to ensure that biodiversity and ecological processes are sustained under development pressure and social change.

[yazm1991]

Originally Posted by yazm1991

Yarmouk River Basin poised to be Kingdom’s 8th nature reserve

The Ministry of Environment has sent a memorandum to the Cabinet, proposing that the Yarmouk River Basin be designated as the Kingdom’s eighth nature reserve.

The Yarmouk River Basin was selected to become a nature reserve due to its unique ecosystem and because it houses threatened species, Minister of Environment Khalid Irani said on Tuesday.

"The Yarmouk River nature reserve is rich in flora and fauna. It is home to 59 plants, 20 mammals, some of which are endangered, as well as 58 species of birds," he noted in a press statement.

The nature reserve, to be managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, will preserve trees and rare plants, as well as animals, particularly predators that are in danger of extinction both locally and regionally, the minister added.

He noted that the Yarmouk River Basin’s designation as a nature reserve will also revive tourist movement in the area, which includes several archaeological sites and old houses.

In 2007, the ministry announced plans to establish four new nature reserves in the Jordan Rift Valley as part of a JD13 million integrated ecosystem management project.

The reserves will be created over a total area of 570 square kilometres in the Yarmouk River Basin, Fifa in Ghor Safi, and Qatar and Jabal Masuda in Wadi Araba.

The establishment of more nature reserves aims at managing the ecological, social and economic components of ecosystems to ensure that biodiversity and ecological processes are sustained under development pressure and social change.

The Kingdom’s seven nature reserves

• Dana: Rugged mountains spanning the edge of the Rift Valley. Mediterranean forest, steppe and true desert, spectacular views, hiking and camping; Guesthouse and Wilderness Lodge.

• Azraq: Restored oasis in the Eastern Desert. Important wetland for migrating birds. Boardwalks, bird hide and a visitors centre.

• Shomari: Captive breeding centre for Arabian oryx and other endangered desert species. Oryx safari and camping available.

• Mujib: Arid sandstone mountains bordering the Dead Sea. Free-flowing rivers in deep gorges. Home for Nubian ibex. Hiking and camping. Water canoeing and rappelling along the rivers.

• Ajloun: Evergreen oak forest. Rich in spring flowers and woodland birds. Home for Roe deer. Walks and camping.

• Wadi Rum: Sheer sandstone and granite mountains in sand and gravel desert. Spectacular scenery, bedouin culture, colourful rocks. Vehicle and camel tours. Hiking, climbing and camping.

• Dibbeen Forest: It was designated as a nature reserve in 2004. The reserve allows vistas and forest walks.

[yazm1991]

2nd Amman comedy festival to showcase Jordanian sense of humour

Jordanian humour will be on display as local, Arab-American and international comedians take to the stage in Amman on Friday.

The Second Annual Amman Stand-up Comedy Festival, which opens at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Ras Al Ain, will run through December 10.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is organising the event, along with Dean Obeidallah of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and Orbit Showtime.

Two nights of the week-long festival will be dedicated to stand-up material in Arabic, according to organisers.

Arabic-speaking events will headline Jordanian comic and veteran actor Nabil Sawalha and Wonho Chong, who used to live and study in Jordan. They will be joined by Maysoon Zayyid, Amer Zaher and Eman Morgan.

Besides Obeidallah, international participants include Ahmed Ahmed, Aron Kader, Larry Omaha, Angelo Tsarouchas, Gabriel Iglesias, Russell Peters, Maz Jobrani, Eman Al Husseini, Russ Meneve, Sherry Davey, Ali Hassan, Nemr Abou Nassar and Mike Batayeh, who is of Jordanian origin

Last year, the inaugural event attracted more than 4,000 spectators, according to GAM.

In an earlier press statement, Amman Mayor Omar Maani expressed hope that this year's festival will build upon the last and place Amman as an attractive venue for headlining performers from the Middle East, the US and Europe.

The festival, which has become an annual fixture, aims to reinforce Amman's position as a tourist and cultural destination for Arab and foreign visitors.

[yazm1991]

Decline in cases continues; over 8,000 vaccinated - ministry

The Kingdom has posted its fifth consecutive decline in H1N1 (swine) flu cases, with one new fatality reported over the past week, a Ministry of Health report indicated on Wednesday.

The ministry's weekly swine flu update, issued yesterday, indicated that 25 H1N1 cases were registered between December 2 and 9, down from 29 cases between November 25 and December 2, and 87 the previous week.

The fatality, a 27-year-old man with no previous serious illnesses, raised the Kingdom’s swine flu death toll to 15, according to the ministry.

The weekly total represented a major drop from last month, when 264 cases were recorded in the November 11-18 period and 293 between November 4 and 11.

Adel Bilbeisi, director of the ministry's primary healthcare directorate, said the drop may indicate the end of the current “flu wave”.

“Flu comes in different waves, and this may be the end of the first wave,” he told The Jordan Times yesterday, warning that “people must remain alert” as the presence of swine flu in the country “is not over”.

Bilbeisi also noted that the ministry is currently conducting 30-40 swine flu tests daily, compared to hundreds in previous months.

He added that all the new cases were Jordanians, with 28 per cent above the age of 30.

Around one-fourth of the patients in the past week were in the 20-24 age bracket, 24 per cent in the 25-29 age group, 16 per cent below the age of 10 and approximately 8 per cent aged between 10 and 19.

As of Wednesday, the total number of H1N1 cases reported in the Kingdom since the first case was recorded in June, stood at 3,009.

The report also indicated that 8,453 people categorised as high-risk have been inoculated since a vaccination campaign was launched last month.

According to Bilbeisi, no side effects have been reported among those who were vaccinated.

In order to curb the spread of swine flu, the ministry is currently vaccinating those categorised in high-risk groups.

These include 30,000 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, 310 patients suffering from kidney failure, children with type 1 diabetes, people with heart failure, an estimated 109 AIDS patients, some 1,200 thalassaemia patients and 10,000 patients with severe asthma.

In addition, the ministry has allocated 5,000 vaccines for medical staff that are in direct contact with swine flu patients, while some civil defence and public security personnel will also be inoculated.

The Health Ministry is purchasing two million vaccines from Novartis and 250,000 from Glaxo SmithKline, with one million doses to be delivered by the end of the year.