#JORDAN: "Draconian" New Law Regulates Online Speech

[world politics news]

The King of Jordan approved a bill Saturday to punish online speech deemed harmful to national unity, according to the Jordanian state news agency, legislation that has drawn accusations from human rights groups of a crackdown on free expression in a country where censorship is on the rise.

The measure makes certain online posts punishable with months of prison time and fines. These include comments “promoting, instigating, aiding, or inciting immorality,” demonstrating ”contempt for religion” or “undermining national unity.”

King Abdullah II has an recent years faced increasing unrest from his subjects, and even rumblings of a coup attempt by a relative of the king that was later diffused without bloodshed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Dignitaries Celebrate Wedding Of Crown Prince Hussein to Saudi Woman

[world politics news]

Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Saudi Arabia's Rajwa Alseif tied the knot during ceremonies in the Jordanian capital Amman Thursday.

Prominent royals and political dignitaries from around the world took part, including Britain's Prince William and Princess Kate, as well as US First Lady Jill Biden and US climate envoy John Kerry.

The royal wedding is being celebrated across the kingdom, with the palace declaring a public holiday and arranging an array of celebrations and concerts.

Analysts view the royal wedding as a way for Jordan's royals to project stability following a 2021 palace feud and as the country struggles with economic issues and unemployment.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Lower House Strips Member Of Immunity From Prosecution

[world politics news]

The Lower House of Parliament voted to strip MP Emad Adwan of immunity from prosecution shortly after he returned to the Kingdom Sunday morning following a two-week detention in Israel, Where he had been arrested We're attempting to swaggle 200 guns and gold into the West bank.

House Speaker Ahmad Safadi told reporters following a closed House session that the move to strip Adwan of parliamentary immunity followed a request by the State Security Court which was submitted to the legislature by the government.

[FULL STORY HERE and HERE.)

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Attempted Coup Was Likely Just Family Squabble, Misunderstanding

[world politics news]

The coup attempt in Jordan this past weekend may well have been simply a family dispute and a series of misunderstandings between the king and his half-brother.  

Mediation between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and his outspoken half brother, Prince Hamzah, successfully de-escalated one of the most serious political crises in the kingdom in decades, the palace and a confidant of the prince said.

The apparent resolution of the unprecedented public feud capped a weekend of palace drama during which the king had placed Hamzah under house arrest for allegedly plotting with foreign supporters to destabilize Jordan, a key Western ally.

On Wednesday, the king issued a statement saying, in part, "Prince Hamzah pledged before the family to follow in the steps of the ancestors, remain loyal to their mission, and to put Jordan’s interest, Constitution, and laws above all considerations." 

He also said an investigation into other aspects of the would-be insurrection have been launched.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Attempted Coup Against Abdullah II Foiled

[world politics news]

Jordan said it uncovered a plot to destabilize the kingdom that involved King Abdullah II’s half-brother and extended beyond the country’s borders.

The sibling, former Crown Prince Hamza Bin Hussein, worked in concert with foreign entities, Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi said Sunday, in a first official explanation of a string of arrests a day earlier. 

More than 16 people, including at least one other royal, were taken into custody, he said at a news conference in the capital, Amman.

Jordan has been a staunch ally of the USA, and a stabilizing influence in the region. King Abdullah attended school in the US. He has encouraged stable ties with Israel.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Senate Pres. Fayez Rejects Idea Of Parliament Appointing Civil Servants

[world politics news]

Senate President Faisal Fayez on Sunday affirmed his “absolute” rejection of giving the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament the authority to appoint employees outside the scope of the Civil Service Bureau.

Fayez said that enhancing the values ​​of transparency, fairness, integrity and competitiveness on a government level requires giving the CSB the responsibility of appointing people to positions in the various ministries and governmental institutions according to “clear and transparent standards”.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: King Abdullah II Responds To Public Pressure, Cancels Treaty Deal On Israeli-Leased Jordanian Lands

[world politics news]

Jordan’s King Abdullah II says Jordan will not renew parts of the country’s 24-year-old peace agreement with Israel, amid public pressure to rebuke the Israeli government following the U.S. Embassy’s move to Jerusalem and ongoing violence in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, says he will try to work with Jordan to negotiate a renewal of the leased areas. The deal was reached in November 1994 between Abdullah’s father, King Hussein, and then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Mass demonstrations have been held in Jordan to urge the king not to renew the leases, and his decision was reportedly met with celebrations. The Islamic Action Front Party, the largest opposition party, praised the King’s decision, saying it was a response to the public will.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Town Hall "Charm Offensive" Backfires As Anger Over Income Tax Law Proposal Boils Over

[world politics news]

Controversial plans to reform the national income tax brought down the last government three months ago, and it's still a "tough sell" to the public, government officials are finding. In Town Hall meetings, government ministers have met tough questions, ridicule, frustration and all-out anger from citizens. Citizens raged at one town hall that they should not "pay the price" of officials' mismanagement of the nation's debt. Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said, "it is not easy to sell the law to the public" when he unveiled the draft law, which the government hopes will cut the nation's high debt level. Some citizens are angered that, in coming years, the draft law severely lowers the income level at which residents are exempt from taxation.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: Gov't Planning Regional Conference To Raise Support For UN Agency Offering Palestinian Refugees Relief

[world politics news]

Jordan is planning a regional conference with Arab and friendly countries to rally support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The conference will seek to garner financial and political support for the agency, so it can continue its services to the Palestinian refugees. The conference will be co-chaired by Jordan, Sweden, Japan, the EU and Turkey, in its capacity as Chairman of the UNRWA advisory committee. The agency is currently facing a $200 million annual financial deficit.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#JORDAN: New PM Appointed As Mass Anti-Tax Bill Revolt Continues

[world politics news]

Jordan's King Abdullah II has formally appointed Omar al-Razzaz as the country's prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government. The appointment comes after King Abdullah II accepted the resignation of former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki, in a bid to defuse anger amid mass protests over price increases and an income tax bill that would see taxes rising by at least 5 percent.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#JORDAN: Election Reforms Prompt King To Dissolve Parliament Ahead Of Nov. Election

[world politics news]

In accordance with the terms of a passage of a new election law, King Abdullah has dissolved parliament and has appointed a new prime minister, Hani al-Mulqi to oversee elections. Under the new bill, Jordan has done away with single-member districts, with elections now based on a large voting system, in which candidates will run for seats on one, multi-member ticket.

#JORDAN: House Amends Bill to Avoid Labeling Hamas a "Terrorist" Organization

[world politics news]

#JORDAN: Women Stage Walk-Out After MP Told to "Sit Down" By Parliamentarian

[world politics news]

The demand that a female member of parliament "sit down" while speaking in parliament and for female parliamentarians to 'go home to your husbands" sparked at walk-out by female MPs. Hind al-Fayez, one of Jordan's few female MPs, was verbally attacked by controversial Muslim Brotherhood-allied MP Abdul Majid Aqtash.

#JORDAN

Jihadists Criticize US Ambassador For Participating in Folk Dance [world politics news]

#JORDAN

Legislator Tries to Bring AK-47 Into Chambers, Forced Out, Fires Gun in Hallway [world politics news]

JORDAN: King Abdullah II Urges Parliament to Seek Consensus on PM Selection [world politics news]

JORDAN: Islamic Brotherhood Boycotts Elections [world politics news]