Jordan

Jordanians in Amman, the capital, protest against the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

‘We have cried tears of blood’: Jordanians protest Israel-Hamas war amid security, humanitarian concerns

After Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994, there’s been a fragile but sustained calm in this region. But following the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, and an increase in settler violence against the Palestinians in the West Bank, relations between Jordan and Israel have soured. 

‘We have cried tears of blood’: Jordanians protest Israel-Hamas war amid security, humanitarian concerns
Jordan's King Abdullah II is shown speaking behind a microphone and wearing a dark suit.

‘Pandora Papers’ expose hidden wealth of global elite

‘Pandora Papers’ expose hidden wealth of global elite
JOrchestra and the musicians of the Savonlinna Music academy.

Jordanian musicians worry that their national orchestra could be shuttered

Jordanian musicians worry that their national orchestra could be shuttered
White-gloved hand holds ancient artifact known as the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet.

Iraq needs to reclaim its cultural past to develop its future, art historian says

Iraq needs to reclaim its cultural past to develop its future, art historian says
Faeza Satouf, from Syria, looks at a photo of her graduation day on her phone during an interview in Nivaa, Denmark, Wednesday, April 21, 2021. 

Family in conflict: Part II

Family in conflict: Part II
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is shown wearing a blue suit and tie with a US flag pin while looking down.

Blinken off to Mideast to push peace talks after Gaza truce

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to the Middle East to press the Israelis, Palestinians and regional players to build on last week's Gaza cease-fire by laying the groundwork for an eventual resumption in long-stalled peace talks.

Blinken off to Mideast to push peace talks after Gaza truce
Prince Hamzah waves, wearing a military uniform walks with his bride, Prince Noor, wearing a white wedding dress and they both smile.

Royal tumult in Jordan comes at a time of economic hardship

A rare but tense rift within Jordan’s royal family is playing out in public. But for one Jordanian who spoke to The World, it's the economy that should be the focus.

Royal tumult in Jordan comes at a time of economic hardship
Prince Hamzah Bin Al-Hussein (R) and Prince Hashem Bin Al-Hussein (L) are shown sitting and wearing traditional red and white headscarves

Jordan's Prince Hamzah appears defiant of king in recordings

Top of The World: Jordan's Prince Hamzah has vowed to continue communicating with the outside world in defiance of orders from his half brother, King Abdullah II, and the government. And, India reported the country’s biggest single-day spike in confirmed coronavirus infections since the start of the pandemic. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court on Monday facing charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

Jordan's Prince Hamzah appears defiant of king in recordings
Doctors operate under a dim light in a clinic.

Invisible ‘superbug’ could be more deadly than bombs in Middle East war zones

The “superbug” bacteria often strike at much higher rates in the Middle East, according to Doctors Without Borders. The bacteria attack invisibly and without warning in the mangled limbs, bullet holes and other wounds of civilians and fighters in war zones.

Invisible ‘superbug’ could be more deadly than bombs in Middle East war zones
Four women sit crosslegged on the floor of a windowless room. Around them are suitcases and bedding. A baby is wrapped in a blanket nearby.

'Discounted maids!': How ads trap women in modern-day slavery in Jordan

Recruitment agency ads perpetuate slavery-like conditions in Jordan by posting biodata of migrants seeking domestic work, revealing skin complexion, weight, height, and "price" according to country of origin. Many end up trapped in situations of abuse and exploitation.

'Discounted maids!': How ads trap women in modern-day slavery in Jordan
A woman crouches down and scrubs a large Persian rug in the desert.

Blame game over aid leaves Syrian refugees stranded in desert ‘death’ camp

Abandoned refugees at the Rukban settlement on the Syrian-Jordanian border are desperate for aid, but a geopolitical standoff has made it nearly impossible — and conditions are only getting worse.

Blame game over aid leaves Syrian refugees stranded in desert ‘death’ camp
popal

A #MeToo moment for Afghanistan's women's soccer: 'It happened so many times'

The abuse reportedly happened inside the country and also during a training camp held in February of last year in Jordan. Players flew out, and two male representatives of the Afghanistan Football Federation came with them. Khalida Popal, former captain of Afghanistan's national soccer team, had organized the training session in Jordan and had reservations about the men.

A #MeToo moment for Afghanistan's women's soccer: 'It happened so many times'
syria

Syrian refugees face crisis as aid deliveries blocked

The Syrian army has tightened its siege of the camp, in Rukban, near the northeastern Jordanian border with Syria and Iraq, preventing smugglers and traders from delivering food to its 50,000 inhabitants, mostly women and children.

Syrian refugees face crisis as aid deliveries blocked
A Palestinian woman sits next to bags of flour

UN agency chief says Palestinian refugees can't 'simply be wished away'

Washington's move against UNRWA was the latest in a series of US and Israeli policy decisions that have angered Palestinians and raised international concern.

UN agency chief says Palestinian refugees can't 'simply be wished away'
A Palestinian worker carries a bag containing items sent by mail

Eight years late, 10 tons of mail finally makes it to the West Bank

The 10.5 tons of mail had been held in Jordan since 2010 because Israel would not permit direct transfer to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, Palestinian officials said.

Eight years late, 10 tons of mail finally makes it to the West Bank