MADOUNEH: A shiny new city is to arise from Jordan’s desert over the next three decades, potentially rivaling the kingdom’s capital of Amman, a rapidly growing and increasingly unwieldy metropolis of 4 million people.
Announcing plans for what it portrays as a high-tech utopia, Jordan joined other Middle Eastern countries betting on multimillion-dollar mega projects as an investment magnet and quick economic fix.
Yet some urban planners warn that “cities from scratch” are risky endeavors and argue it is more efficient to improve existing cities.
In Jordan, the government promises the yet-to-be-named city will draw population away from Amman, relieve its crippling traffic jams, provide middle-class housing and inject momentum into a sluggish economy plagued by high unemployment.
But authorities have released only snippets of information since the prime minister mentioned the new city for the first time, seemingly casually, in a meeting with local journalists in late October.
This perceived secrecy and “top-down” approach has drawn widespread criticism.
Few Jordanians have shown much enthusiasm, even among Amman residents who complain constantly of the city’s traffic. Some suspect the new city is largely meant to benefit Jordan’s powerful and their business cronies. Government officials deny that.
This week, Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh defended the rocky rollout in a meeting with business people, diplomats and representatives of the energy and environmental sectors, many of whom seemed skeptical.
“The topic hasn’t been fully studied yet,” the mayor said when pressed for details. “When we conclude the studies, we will announce plans and have clear roles for government, citizens, investors, and so on.”
Shawarbeh insisted that Amman would not be neglected as Jordan, buckling under record public debt, shifts scarce resources to the new project. “The new city is not a new Amman,” he said. But it is needed, he argued, to relieve pressure on the capital.
Amman was a hamlet just a century ago and is seen as an upstart among the region’s ancient cities, such as Baghdad and Cairo. Today, Amman is home to more than 40 percent of Jordan’s population of 9.5 million.
Almost every hour of the day is rush hour and urban sprawl is rapidly devouring precious green areas. Districts of mid-rise, sand-colored residential buildings spread over hills and valleys, with a few high-rise towers marking the city center.
Rapid growth has been driven by an influx of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian, Syrian and Iraqi refugees in recent decades.
It is also linked to accelerated urbanization across the Middle East and North Africa, where populations flock from underdeveloped rural areas into cities looking for greater job opportunities. By 2050, more than two-thirds of the region’s anticipated 646 million people will live in cities, compared to 56 percent of 357 million people in 2010, according to UN projections.
In the past two decades, some two dozen new city projects were announced in the Middle East. About half remain “power point cities” existing only on websites, said Sarah Moser, an urban geography professor at McGill University in Montreal. Others are well behind schedule.
She said builders of new cities often underestimate challenges, including raising huge sums of capital and finding the necessary expertise. In such for-profit enterprises, plans for less lucrative public transport systems often remain on paper.
“I would suggest Jordan proceed with caution,” Moser said.
Egypt’s multi-billion-dollar plan for a new capital, announced in 2015, fell behind schedule after the country switched contractors. But President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is determined to forge ahead. He plans to rule from the new city by 2019, leaving behind unruly Cairo, the Arab world’s largest city.
When pressed why the government is spending huge sums at a time of economic hardship, he said recently: “Isn’t it our right to have a dream? Is it wrong to have 13 cities like this or what? Don’t we deserve it?”
Jordan’s new city would be built about 30 km east of Amman on a desolate desert plain flanked by roads leading to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and — in the future — the country’s main airport. It’s to be built as a public-private partnership on state land, with first tenders to be submitted by mid-2018.
Officials have said little about how it will look other than describing it as a “smart city” running on renewable energy and boasting public transport. Eventually it would cover 390 square km, an area a little smaller than the borough of Queens in New York City.
The first phase is to be completed by 2030 and the entire project by 2050, but the government has not announced a target population size. Many government departments and public institutions are to relocate there, it said. Housing cooperatives of civil servants, professionals and former members of the security forces would be able to build in the new city.
During a visit last week, the earmarked area was largely deserted, except for the occasional truck and car passing. The closest human activity is a truck station called Madouneh, though further out in the deserts beyond the site lie the Azraq camp for Syrian refugees, a military base and scattered abandoned ancient fortresses called qasr.
Jordan’s plan of shiny city in the desert met by skepticism
Jordan’s plan of shiny city in the desert met by skepticism
Oil Updates – prices steady with focus on Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, OPEC+ policy
TOKYO: Oil prices steadied on Wednesday, with markets assessing the potential impact of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah, and ahead of Sunday’s OPEC+ meeting of producers.
Brent crude futures rose 5 cents to $72.86 a barrel by 7:15 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 3 cents at $68.80 a barrel.
Both benchmarks settled lower on Tuesday after Israel agreed to a ceasefire deal with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will take effect on Wednesday after both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the US and France, US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday.
The accord cleared the way for an end to a conflict across the Israeli-Lebanese border that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war last year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was ready to implement the deal with Lebanon and would “respond forcefully to any violation” by Hezbollah.
“Market participants are assessing whether the ceasefire will be observed,” said Hiroyuki Kikukawa, president of NS Trading, a unit of Nissan Securities.
“We expect WTI to trade within the range of $65-$70 a barrel, factoring in weather conditions during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter, a potential increase in shale oil and gas production under the incoming Donald Trump administration in the US, and demand trends in China,” he said.
On the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, or OPEC+, sources said the group is discussing a further delay to a planned oil output hike that was due to start in January, ahead of a Dec. 1 meeting to decide policy for early 2025.
The group pumps about half the world’s oil and had planned to gradually roll back oil-production cuts with small increases over many months in 2024 and 2025. But a slowdown in Chinese and global demand, and rising output outside the group, have put a dampener on that plan.
“Our longstanding base case has been that OPEC+ defers the tapering of output cuts all the way through 2025,” Citi Research analysts said in a note, adding that the tapering could start in April instead of January.
“From the producer group’s point of view, holding off the unwind could allow the market the chance to be more balanced, via supply disruptions or more resilient demand, while bringing barrels back makes lower prices a foregone conclusion.”
In the US, President-elect Donald Trump said he would impose a 25 percent tariff on all products coming into the US from Mexico and Canada. Crude oil would not be exempt from the trade penalties, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, US crude oil stocks fell while fuel inventories rose last week, market sources said, citing API figures on Tuesday.
Crude stocks fell by 5.94 million barrels in the week ended Nov. 22, exceeding analysts’ forecast of a drop of about 600,000 barrels.
‘It was the darkest year of my life,’ Melissa Barrera says after Gaza support sparks backlash
DUBAI: Mexican actress Melissa Barrera opened up about how she felt after facing backlash in Hollywood over her comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Speaking to The Independent, Barrera said “it was the darkest and hardest year of my life, and I had to reevaluate everything. There were times when I felt like my life was over.”
The 34-year-old actress was fired from “Scream VII” after she took to social media to call for a ceasefire and criticised Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. As of Nov. 27, 2024, the death toll in Gaza has reached 44,200, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp,” she wrote in an Instagram story in October 2023. “This is genocide and ethnic cleansing.” In another post, she complained about the supposed bias in Western media reporting, saying: “Western media only shows the other side … why they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself. We don’t need more hate. No Islamophobia. No antisemitism.”
Spyglass, the studio behind the latest Scream films, dropped Barrera from the franchise in response. “We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech,” the company said in a statement.
Barrera says she then faced almost a year of difficulties in Hollywood.
“It was quiet for like 10 months,” Barrera told The Independent about her acting jobs. “I was still getting offers for small things here and there – I’m not going to lie and say there was nothing – but (the message) was, ‘Oh, she probably doesn’t have work, she’ll say yes to anything.'”
Instead, the actress spent much of 2024 promoting the films she made before the incident, including horror comedy “Abigail” and musical “Your Monster.”
The latter sees Barrera play a soft-spoken actress who finds love again when she meets a terrifying but charming monster that lives in her closet.
The “Your Monster” script came across Barrera’s desk soon after filming “Scream VI” in 2022.
“I kept getting horror scripts, and I wasn’t getting a lot of the really exciting parts I was auditioning for,” she told the newspaper of why she jumped at the role. “I would get (roles) that I wasn’t excited about, and I’ve never been a person that just wants to work for work’s sake. I give so much of myself to acting that if a part of me feels like it’s not worth it, I’m (going to) be miserable.”
Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania
- In partnership with game publisher Ubisoft, Formula E will unveil the Sao Paulo, Diriyah and Miami tracks on Dec. 4
LONDON: Formula E has announced Diriyah as one of three additional tracks in the popular Trackmania game.
Sao Paolo and Miami have also been added following the huge success of the inaugural three circuits featured in the game during year one of the partnership with game publisher Ubisoft.
The coming season features six Formula E circuits, with returning fan favorites Tokyo, Berlin and London joined by the new tracks.
Players will also have access to a bespoke Formula E Championship show car livery as well as those from all 11 race teams. Attack mode and energy management systems will continue to be incorporated via a Formula E game mode, with a competitive live race per circuit and cash prizes up for grabs.
A special test race is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27 so players can familiarize themselves with the tracks and game mechanics before the official season begins.
Starting on Dec. 4, just before Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, the specially designed street circuit will be revealed to Trackmania’s players through a Track of the Day launch, followed by the first official race.
Players will also be able to use 12 car liveries — 11 team skins from Formula E’s Season 11 and an exclusive championship skin.
Sanjay Shivaram, Formula E strategy and business development director, said: “As ever, our aim is to bring our fans closer to the action and as Formula E’s gaming offer continues to grow, we’re thrilled to integrate three new circuits into Trackmania for millions of fans to enjoy.
“It’s important to give fans and players the chance to put themselves in the driving seat and experience the thrill and drama of electric racing themselves. Through launching live races across six iconic Formula E circuits, fans will be able to experience (this) in an alternative, immersive format and take in the action for themselves. With cash prizes and a Grand Winner title to compete for, fans will be able to challenge themselves in their own racing championship and be part of the Formula E gaming community.”
Formula E first arrived in the Kingdom in Formula E’s fifth season and has raced in Diriyah six times. In 2025, the E-Prix moves to Jeddah, taking place on a modified version of the Jeddah Corniche Short Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
Giannis-less Bucks edge Heat, Rockets advance in NBA Cup
- Lillard hit 10-of-17 from the floor and 8-of-13 from 3-point range while passing off 12 assists as the Bucks improved to 3-0 in group play
- All 30 league clubs play for the NBA Cup in an in-season tournament with teams divided into six groups of five for round-robin play in hopes of advancing to December knockout rounds
WASHINGTON: Damian Lillard scored 37 points to lead Milwaukee to victory at Miami 106-103 in the NBA Cup on Tuesday despite playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a knee injury.
Lillard hit 10-of-17 from the floor and 8-of-13 from 3-point range while passing off 12 assists as the Bucks improved to 3-0 in group play while the Heat slid to 1-2 and never led.
“It’s a game of runs. I got off to a hot start,” Lillard said. “I didn’t try to force the issue. I didn’t want to be passive. I tried to stay aggressive. I was getting the ball out. We just made good plays.”
All 30 league clubs play for the NBA Cup in an in-season tournament with teams divided into six groups of five for round-robin play in hopes of advancing to December knockout rounds with games also counting in the regular-season standings.
The Houston Rockets qualified for the quarter-finals but the surprise was in Miami, where Greek star Antetokounmpo was a late scratch with a left knee injury, leaving Lillard to take the scoring load.
A 26-9 Heat run to end the third quarter cut a 22-point Milwaukee lead to 85-80 entering the fourth and a 16-7 Miami run lifted the hosts level at 96-96 with 4:02 to play.
Milwaukee’s A.J. Green and Miami’s Terry Rozier traded 3-pointers late, the last by Rozier lifting the Heat within 104-103 with 30 seconds remaining.
Green sank another 3-pointer but it was launched just after a shot-clock violation and wiped out, giving Miami the ball with five seconds to play.
Miami’s Tyler Herro missed a 3-point shot and Milwaukee’s Taurean Prince sank two free throws with 1.2 seconds left, setting the stage for a Rozier 3-point miss at the buzzer.
“Guys made shots, played aggressive, we got some stops when we needed it, we made some free throws and that’s what it takes to win close games,” Lillard said.
“We’ve just had a lot of experience in these games where we have lulls in the second half and get into a dogfight. We let a few go early in the season... everybody wants to improve. We want to get right from the jump and I think we’re starting to show that down the stretch in these games.”
Jimmy Butler led Miami with 23 points.
Houston became the second team to clinch an NBA Cup quarterfinal berth, winning 115-111 in overtime at Minnesota to seal the West Group A crown. Golden State has already sealed the West Group C title.
Turkish center Alperen Sengun had a triple double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists to spark Houston, which got 27 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds from Fred VanVleet and 22 points from Dillon Brooks.
Reserve Amen Thompson’s basket with 38 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter lifted Houston level at 102-102.
Thompson sank a 3-pointer to ignite an 11-0 Houston overtime run as baskets by Jabari Smith, Brooks and two from Sengun brought the Rockets a 113-105 lead with 54 seconds remaining.
The Timberwolves, led by 29 points from Anthony Edwards, never got within four after that.
French star Victor Wembanyama scored 24 of his game-high 34 points in the first half to spark the San Antonio Spurs to a 128-115 victory at Utah, eliminating the Jazz’s title hopes.
Phoenix stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal returned from calf strains to spark the Suns over the defending NBA Cup champion Los Angeles Lakers 127-100.
Devin Booker had 26 points and 10 assists to lead the Suns while Beal and Durant each added 23 points in their comeback contests.
“Felt great,” Durant said. “We needed this win. Long as we continue to be healthy we’ll be fine.”
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 25 points and 15 rebounds while LeBron James had 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in the first Cup loss ever for the Lakers.
A 22-6 run gave the Suns a 98-78 lead entering the fourth quarter and the Lakers never threatened again.
Chicago’s Coby White scored 21 points and Nikola Vucevic added 19 points and 12 rebounds to power the Bulls over host Washington 127-108.
HORECA Riyadh, Salon du Chocolat bring the best of hospitality and F & B to Kingdom
The 13th edition of HORECA Riyadh opened on Nov. 25 at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. The opening ceremony was attended by Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, and Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al-Saud, founder and CEO of Mukatafa, along with several diplomats and top business leaders from across the Kingdom.
Concurrently, the second edition of Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie also commenced, featuring a unique blend of chocolate and pastry arts, as well as the Saudi Elite Chefs competition. Strategically partnered with the Culinary Arts Commission, the event promises an assembly of elite professionals and international brands through Nov. 27.
This year’s HORECA, the most expansive in its history, extends over 29,000 square meters and hosts more than 400 exhibitors representing 20,000 brands from 48 countries. These are displayed across eight international pavilions, each a showcase of cultural diversity and innovation that defines the modern hospitality landscape.
The inaugural ceremony featured a special tribute to Badr, whose visionary leadership in the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Culinary Arts Commission has significantly elevated the national culinary arts scene.
The opening day’s events included a range of competitions and demonstrations, including cooking, barista and mocktail competitions, drawing more than 100 skilled participants from around the globe, each eager to impress a panel of international judges.
Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie comprises more than 40 distinctive events, which include celebrated pastry chefs unveiling their latest creations and sharing insights into emerging trends in the world of chocolate and pastries. Additionally, the exhibition provides an arena for chefs to engage in competitions adjudicated by globally acclaimed chefs.
Adding an intellectual flavor, this year’s event introduced “The Talks,” an engaging series of panel discussions tackling a variety of contemporary issues, led by a cadre of industry leaders.
The Saudi Elite Chefs competition offers a face off between chefs facing novel challenges in Saudi cuisine, judged by a panel comprising Meilleurs Ouvriers de France laureates Philippe Bertrand, Jonathan Mougel, Joseph Viola and Jacques Rolancy.
The two exhibitions provide an ideal platform for expert networking and the forging of strategic partnerships. These events not only reinforce Riyadh’s eminent status as a global and regional hub for the hospitality, and food and beverage industries but also spotlight its dynamic role on the world stage.
Established almost 30 years ago, HORECA, an annual business meeting place, brings together an array of distinguished brands, experts and international personalities from the vibrant worlds of hospitality and food service. Over recent years, HORECA has cemented its strong presence in the GCC, particularly within Saudi Arabia.
Besides Riyadh, HORECA also takes place annually in Jeddah, as well as in Beirut, Kuwait, Amman and Muscat.
