Jordan: Current News - The Latest Events Unfolding in Jordan

Current News

 
 'Jordan first Mideast country to be free of minefields'
Jordan has become the first country in the Middle East to be free of minefields after completing demining activities in all known mined areas. Jordan has fulfilled its legal obligation under international law as a State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. 
Posted: April 25, 2012
Source: MENAFN

 No nukes in our backyad, Jordanians say
Jordan is facing an uphill battle to build its first nuclear reactor to supply badly needed electric power amid serious concern over environmental hazards and financial risks the cash-strapped kingdom would have to endure
Posted: April 9, 2012
Source: The Media Line






Jordan Islamists demonstrate against Assad
Jordan’s opposition Islamists said on Friday President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is bound to “fall” as more than 1,000 of their supporters demonstrated in support of Syria’s uprising for “freedom." The Islamists have demanded Jordan recognise the opposition Syrian National Council and urged “jihad” against Assad.
Posted: March 10, 2012
Source: Pakistan Daily Times 

In once-quiet Jordan, air of unrest looms
Groups marched in downtown Amman chanting anti-government slogans letting it be known that they do not support the current administration. Despite the King’s attempt to quell any sort of protest, reporters say that Jordan appears quite shaky. Unemployment and government corruption seem to be the two subjects that may just push these Jordanians into an Arab Spring of their own.
Posted: February 28, 2012
Source: USA Today

Demonstrations Whisper of an Arab Spring in Jordan
Protestors in Jordan are not calling for an end to their political system like other Arab Spring countries but rather just an overhaul of many of its practices. The king of Jordan has done much since the beginning of these protests to appease the public and even detained public figures that may have been involved in corruption scandals. The king has even outlined goals for fair elections and progressive reform however, it still remains to be seen if he will follow through.
Posted: February 26, 2012
Source: The New York Times

Jordan's King Blames Israel for Deadlocked Peacemaking
King Abdullah II on Tuesday blamed Israel for deadlocked Mideast peacemaking in a meeting with U.S. Jewish leaders, the official Petra News Agency said. Jordan last month played host to talks that have subsequently been broken off. Palestinian and Israeli negotiators have blamed the other for the cut-off. 
Posted: Feb. 21, 2012
Source: Washington Post

Jordan: 'No Compromise' in Dispute Over Teachers' Salaries 
The government on Sunday said that there will be no compromise regarding its position on teachers’ demands for a pay raise. Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh, attending a Parliament session yesterday, underlined that the Kingdom “might be going through an unprecedented financial and economic crisis”. “The budget the government has presented is the most austerity-driven one in the history of Jordan,” he stressed.
Posted: Feb. 13, 2012
Source: Al Bawaba

University Clashes Nearly Doubled Last Year  
Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, 58 major brawls took place on university campuses, compared to 31 in 2010, the National Campaign for Defending Students Rights (Thabahtoona) said in a report on campus violence and student freedoms. Daas said the report showed security forces continuing to interfere in universities, adding that many students who provided information to Thabahtoona requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Posted: Feb. 6, 2012
Source: Jordan Times




Can Jordan's King Stop the Arab Spring? 
Jordan has not been hit hard by the storm of revolutions in the Arab world. No one as yet is calling in the streets to oust the king or change the monarchy. Beneath the surface, however, are increasing signs that the king can no long make due with only hanging on, as he has done until now. He will have to start managing the country's affairs, and with determination. 
Posted: Feb. 1, 2012
Source: Haaretz



Unemployed Youths Riot in Tafileh
In Southern Jordan, young men took to the streets burning tyres and blocking a road leading to public departments and the governorate's headquarters in Tafileh. This is the fifth time unemployed people have taken to the streets in Tafileh demanding jobs, with some claiming to have been out of work for several years.
Posted: Jan. 30, 2012
Source: The Jordan Times



Foreign Interference 'Latest Threat' to Pro-Reform Movement
As the movement enters its second year, it is struggling to maintain its efforts to push for political and economic change. With parliamentary elections on the horizon, activists claim they have witnessed an increase in international organizations using missions to establish ties between foreign governments and Jordanian pro-reform youth activists.
Posted: Jan. 23, 2012
Source: The Jordan Times


Britain Presses Jordan over Abu Qatada After Deportation Attempt Blocked
Britain has opened urgent talks with Jordan in an attempt to address the ruling by the European court of human rights last week blocking the deportation of terror suspect Abu Aatada from the UK. The British ambassador to Jordan is pressing authorities in the country for a binding undertaking that Qatada would face a fair trial if he were sent back.
Posted: Jan. 23, 2012
Source: The Guardian
 
Kingdom’s commitment to human rights a valuable asset
Human Rights Defender Irena Lipowicz of Poland commended Jordan for their efforts at peaceful reform and abiding human rights laws despite all the political upheaval in the region this past year. However, the nation’s norms were already in a better standard than countries such as Egypt and Libya, and had only to make minor changes.
Posted: Dec. 7, 2011
Source: The Jordan Times


Jordan official says Syrian soldiers shoot at family infiltrating into the kingdom, wounding 1
In Jordan, a government official has made the claim that Syrian armed forces are shooting at people crossing the border, specifically targeting a family and wounding a woman. The Jordanian border patrol fired into the air to distract and allow for the refugees to escape, but the two countries did exchange fire. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital, while luckily her husband and child were unharmed. Approximately 500 Syrian refugees and 100 army & police deserted have fled into Jordan in the past few months.
Posted: Nov. 29, 2011
Source: The Washington Post

Jordan to erect refugee camps for fleeing Syrians
The UNHCR has been working with Jordan to set up designated refugee camps to deal with the waves of people crossing the border from Syria due to the political unrest. It has been estimated that thousands are pouring into Jordan due to the lethal government crackdowns against the protests estimated to have killed over 3,500 people. No tents have been set up on the land yet however assistance has been provided to over 200 families, including food, hygiene kits, blankets, and other necessary essentials.
Posted: Nov. 21, 2011
Source: The Jerusalem Post

King of Jordan Calls for Syria’s Leader to Step Down 
King Abdullah has become the first Arab leader to call on President al-Assad to step down in response to the violent government response to the political uprisings in Syria. On Saturday the Arab League made a statement to suspend Syria’s membership. King Abdullah stated that in this case, “…if I were in his shoes, I would step down”.
Posted: Nov. 15, 2011
Source: New York Times

Jordan’s kind: ‘Great concern’ around Syria
King Abdullah has recognized the Arab Spring movement within his country and has swiftly been instilling political and economic reform. However, the king has shown signs of “great concern” about the violent government forces repressing and killing thousands over the past few months in Syria.
Posted: Nov. 8, 2011
Source: CNN


Fearful Syrians seek medical care in Jordan
As many of the injured Syrian anti-government protesters have been denied medical attention or risk torture within their own borders, they are resorting to crossing into neighboring Jordan for care. According to human rights groups the security forces have been reported to take control of Syrian hospitals and have utilized the safe haven to detain or torture demonstrators.  
Posted: Nov. 4, 2011
Source:  Al Jazeera

Jordan’s King appoints reform-minded cabinet

Jordan’s king appoints a new prime minister

Jordan to hold municipal polls on December 27

Jordanians Debate Role of Press
Following the attacks and injury of more than a dozen journalists covering the demonstrations in Jordan this July, there were organized sit-ins denouncing the violence. King Abdullah II rejected any existence of official restrictions on free press, however the protestors are petitioning for less hindrance in the media by the government.
Posted: Sept.20, 2011
Source: New York Times

Clashes Erupt at pro-reform in Jordan
Reports from Amman have indicated that at least 10 people have been injured by police officers that were attempting to cease a brawl between government supporters and demonstrators. The fight broke out as approximately 2,000 people marched to city hall. Several journalists were attacked, including a Reuters cameraman.
Posted: Jul. 15, 2011
Source: Al Jazeera
 

Youths Throw Stones at Jordan Police as King Abdullah Visits

Jordan Tries to Remake Its Political Machinery

 
King of Jordan Promises Elections, But Doesn’t Say When

 News Office in Jordan Is Damaged in an Attack

Youth conclude forum, to refer proposals to decision makers

Unrest in Jordan: What does the future hold for the Jordanian government and the king who appointed it?