Jordan’s Prince Hamzah appears defiant of king in recordings

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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. The prince’s statements made in newly released recordings follow news of authorities claiming to have foiled a “malicious plot” to destabilize the country by the former crown prince of Jordan who was removed from royal succession.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi suggested Sunday that Prince Hamzah was involved in a failed palace coup. The United States and Arab governments quickly sided with Jordan’s King Abdullah II’s version of events while Prince Hamzah claims he is being punished for speaking out against corruption and incompetence.

In what appears to be a growing rift with King Abdullah, Prince Hamzah, who was put under house arrest, said he plans to defy the silencing orders stating, “I’m not going to obey when they say you can’t go out, you can’t tweet, you can’t communicate with people.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court on Monday facing charges of fraud, bribery and breach of trust. Israel’s longest-serving leader was accused by a prosecutor of abusing his power and viewing favors as “currency.” Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing. His trial comes as Israel’s president is set to decide on whether Netanyahu should form the next government following the March 23 election, which left no clear outcome.

Iran’s foreign minister talked on Clubhouse. Was it an act of rare access or political opportunism?

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Zarif discussed everything from Iran’s recent partnership with China to his bedtime routine. Roughly 8,000 people joined the discussion, the maximum number that Clubhouse allows.

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Bright Spot

Having to spend two weeks in a hotel in mandatory quarantine is worth dreading, but Australian art director David Marriott is making the most of it. After returning to Australia from a trip to the UK, Marriott used his time to create an imaginative scene worthy of a Western movie. Marriott fashioned a cowboy hat made of a used poke bowl and a horse named Russel, whose body is made of an ironing board, a lamp (you know, for the neck!) and skin with very detailed hair and eyelashes made of food delivery bags ?

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