Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan announced on Sunday the reactivation of the country’s national military service.

During a meeting with young people from Irbid governorate, the Crown Prince said Jordanians must be prepared to serve and defend their country. He said citizens who previously participated in national military service understood the importance of the experience.

Prince Hussein emphasised the role of the programme in strengthening national identity and young people’s connection to their homeland.

The announcement came as Jordan seeks to project a posture of tough policies against Israel in response to the war in Gaza. Jordan has halted co-operation with Israel on development and infrastructure projects, but still imports large volumes of water and gas from the country.

Prince Hussein said he directed the government to work with its partners to develop the national military service programme, adding that there will be a press conference by the government and army in the coming days to announce details of the programme

Jordan ended conscription in 1991, under which men between the ages of 18 and 40 had to serve in the army for two years. Jordan depends on the US for aid and has a defence pact with Washington under which thousands of American troops are in the country.

Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994. It was the second Arab country to sign such an agreement, after Egypt signed a peace deal in 1979.

Jordan this month condemned remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he expressed support for the idea of a “Greater Israel“, which includes parts of some Arab countries.

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars

Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and ‘Maze of Innovation and Creativity’, written by his brother.