Jordan

An archeological campaign is studying the irrigation systems around Gadara, Yarmouk area; the town was connected to a 170km water network built between AD 90 and AD 210 that supplied Decapolis cities, including Abila and Adraha (now Daraa, in Syria)

Over 11.700 children dropped out of school in in 12 months, a growing crisis that Tamkeen for Legal Aid and Human Rights associates with the increase of child labour in informal and exploitative jobs; an alarming post-pandemic surge occurred in 2022-2024

Jordanians are now allowed to travel to Syria by land, exclusively via public transportation, through the Jaber border crossing, closed since 6 December 2024 due to escalating security issues in southern Syria; private vehicle crossing is still prohibited

Jincheng Ceramics announced a $100 million investment to establish complementary industries alongside its existing operations in Jordan, with 14 new product lines primarily relying on local raw materials, potentially generating over 1.000 jobs

A new tourist train service made his first trip in Mafraq, marking the launch of the first heritage rail trips in the governorate; the initiative aims to promote domestic tourism and revive interest in Jordan's historical and cultural landmarks

Starting today, any non-Jordanian student found working illegally will face deportation regardless of circumstances; all public and private universities and colleges are informed that non-Jordanian students aren't allowed to work under current labour laws

9.591 overnight tourists from African countries were recorded in January and February, totaling 11.895 with 2.304 day visitors, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism; compared to same period in 2024, visitors from African countries grew by 98,3%

A project to develop affordable housing solutions in high-density areas facing service challenges has been passed by Cabinet; state-owned land will be provided with fully developed infrastructure with Housing and Urban Development Corporation oversight

An Indian man, victim of a job scam promising work in Jordan, was shot dead by Jordanian security forces while trying to illegally cross into Israel; reports of Indians falling for employment scams have become increasingly common

US President didn't soften his proposal to relocate Palestinians in Gaza and develop the land into premium housing, even as King Abdullah II of Jordan, in the Oval Office, suggested the Arab world opposed the idea of moving them to third countries

A €3 billion Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership was signed between Jordan and EU to upscale cooperation, better tackle common challenges, open up further avenues for investments and enhance business opportunities for European companies

A joint security committee with Syria will secure common border, curb arms smuggling, prevent resurgence of Islamic State militants, as international anti-narcotics officials say captagon, mass-produced in Syria, transits through Jordan to Gulf states

The volume of goods that entered Syria and Lebanon through Jordan has amounted to 214.000 tonnes in 2024, compared to 150.000 tonnes in 2023; the figure represents a 40% increase of trade activity in the Jordanian-Syrian Joint Free Zone