Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
Before King Abdullah broke his Ramadan fast at a recent iftar in Amman, he discussed the war in Gaza with his guests, religious and civil leaders who had made the short journey from Jerusalem.
“We will be always with you,” he told the Palestinian delegates at the Husseiniya Palace, where the atmosphere was solemn.
During his brief comments on the war, the king also stressed that Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, just across the border from Jordan, had the potential to widen the conflict.
With the death toll from the war in Gaza mounting daily, the king wanted to hear the views of his guests on the war, according to one person who attended.
Among those present were Sheikh Azzam Al Khatib Al Tamimi, head of the Jordanian-run Jerusalem religious affairs department, which is in charge of the daily administration and upkeep of Al Aqsa Mosque, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
They reportedly spoke of the historic role Jordan's ruling dynasty, the Hashemites, had played in advocating for Palestinian rights in Jerusalem.
The iftar was the latest display of official solidarity with the Palestinians in Jordan. But while King Abdullah and his government have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and voiced their support for the Palestinian people, six months of war in Gaza have provided a difficult domestic policy challenge.
Jordan is officially a supporter of the two-state solution and advocates for a Palestinian state. It previously controlled the West Bank until Israel seized it in the 1967 war, and is home to millions of Palestinians, many of them refugees forced from their homes by Israel.
Yet Jordan also signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, and is a close ally of the US, Israel's most important backer. The kingdom also fought a bloody conflict with Palestinian militants in 1970, and is wary of Hamas and other groups from dragging it into a war.
This has proved a delicate balancing act for Jordan's king as he tries to navigate a dangerous regional environment.
Jordanians have been increasingly vocal in their criticism of Jordan's ties with Israel, on social media and at protests near the Israeli embassy and a few other sites in Amman where authorities have permitted demonstrations.
The government in Amman has sought to counter attempts by Hamas to mobilise support from Palestinians.
Officials responded with scorn after Hamas commander Mohammed Al Deif called on Jordanians and other Arabs to “march towards Palestine” last week.
Communication Minister Muhannad Al Mubaideen described Mr Al Deif's call as a “desperation” move.
Samih Maaytah, a former information minister, said that Jordanian citizenship should be withdrawn from any Hamas figures engaging in what he called agitation.
Their comments came amid demonstrations in Rabieh, the Amman district where the Israeli embassy is located.
Almost every day, since last week, thousands have gathered to demand that Jordan open a front against Israel and abrogate the 1994 peace treaty.
At least twice, security forces have dispersed the protesters, to prevent them coming too close to the Israeli embassy.
Several leaders in the Islamic Action Front, the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, have been arrested at the demonstrations. Hamas is supported by the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in most Arab countries, but not Jordan.
Saud Sharafat, a former senior member of Jordanian intelligence, said that some Hamas leaders and their backers in Tehran want to portray the Jordanian government as “resisting the will of the street.”
He praised the authorities for navigating the challenge, and said they have displayed skill in allowing protesters to test the limits of dissent, while also maintaining public order.
The daily protests are mostly young men from working class backgrounds. The Muslim shout of “God is greater” often interrupts chants glorifying Hamas military leaders.
Members of leftist movements and a group of military retirees who oppose the kingdom's ties with Israel have also been attending the protests, joined by some students at private universities and expensive private high schools.
The core, however, are Muslim Brotherhood members and their sympathisers, said Mr Sharafat, founder of the Shorufat Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Terrorism.
“The Brotherhood are the only ones who can organise the street like this,” said Mr Sharafat. The group might be overstepping limits that have allowed it to operate legally in Jordan, he added.
Their calls for Jordan to cancel its peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of Amman's foreign policy and alliance with Washington, “amount to political suicide” and will continue to be ignored by the authorities, he said.
He praised King Abdullah's handling of the war, and his policy of turning the kingdom into a hub for humanitarian supplies to be dropped into Gaza.
The king has also secured apparent US support on the need to contain Israeli actions in the West Bank, with the main aim of preventing another wave of refugees to Jordan. The kingdom absorbed refugees in 1948 and 1967, resulting in a large proportion of Jordan's 10 million people having Palestinian origin. The vast majority of them have Jordanian citizenship.
Palestinians and their descendants play important roles in the private sector, while members of the tribes who were in the area before what was known as Transjordan was founded as a British protectorate underpin the security forces and the bureaucracy.
The political legitimacy of the king among both groups is boosted by the traditional Hashemite role as custodian of Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam.
But King Abdullah has made it clear that Jordan cannot accept another wave of refugees.
In meetings with Arab and western officials, the king has not hidden his frustration that Jordan's push for a Gaza truce before Ramadan failed to find a breakthrough, a senior diplomat who recently met with palace officials said.
In the meantime, Israel's attacks on Iranian targets have raised tensions across the region.
The possibility has been raised that Jordan could be retaliated against after Monday's Israeli attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus that killed several elite IRGC commanders. Three US soldiers were killed in February in an attack by Iran-backed militias on their post on the Jordanian-Syrian border.
An attempt this week by pro-Iranian militia forces in Iraq to strike the Israeli port of Eilat may have been carried out with a drone that flew over Jordan.
The diplomat said that “Jordanian messaging about the gravity of Israeli conduct has been consistent”.
But the upper echelons in Jordan of “realise that the Israelis are going all the way in Gaza”.
“The establishment has been adept at placating the population,” the diplomat said. “But the longer the war goes on, the more difficult it is becoming.”
KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN MARITIME DISPUTE
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS & THE ECONOMY
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
match info
Chelsea 2
Willian (13'), Ross Barkley (64')
Liverpool 0
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court (4pm UAE/12pm GMT)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Heather Watson (GBR)
Rafael Nadal (ESP x4) v Karen Khachanov (RUS x30)
Andy Murray (GBR x1) v Fabio Fognini (ITA x28)
Court 1 (4pm UAE)
Steve Johnson (USA x26) v Marin Cilic (CRO x7)
Johanna Konta (GBR x6) v Maria Sakkari (GRE)
Naomi Osaka (JPN) v Venus Williams (USA x10)
Court 2 (2.30pm UAE)
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) v Gilles Muller (LUX x16)
Peng Shuai (CHN) v Simona Halep (ROM x2)
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x13) v Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x12) v Sam Querrey (USA x24)
Court 3 (2.30pm UAE)
Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP x18)
Carina Witthoeft (GER) v Elina Svitolina (UKR x4)
Court 12 (2.30pm UAE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) v Ana Konjuh (CRO x27)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) v Ruben Bemelmans (BEL)
Court 18 (2.30pm UAE)
Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) v Madison Brengle (USA)
Benoit Paire (FRA) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The Bio
Ram Buxani earned a salary of 125 rupees per month in 1959
Indian currency was then legal tender in the Trucial States.
He received the wages plus food, accommodation, a haircut and cinema ticket twice a month and actuals for shaving and laundry expenses
Buxani followed in his father’s footsteps when he applied for a job overseas
His father Jivat Ram worked in general merchandize store in Gibraltar and the Canary Islands in the early 1930s
Buxani grew the UAE business over several sectors from retail to financial services but is attached to the original textile business
He talks in detail about natural fibres, the texture of cloth, mirrorwork and embroidery
Buxani lives by a simple philosophy – do good to all
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0DJemma%20Eley%2C%20Maria%20Michailidou%2C%20Molly%20Fuller%2C%20Chloe%20Andrews%20(of%20Dubai%20College)%2C%20Eliza%20Petricola%2C%20Holly%20Guerin%2C%20Yasmin%20Craig%2C%20Caitlin%20Gowdy%20(Dubai%20English%20Speaking%20College)%2C%20Claire%20Janssen%2C%20Cristiana%20Morall%20(Jumeirah%20English%20Speaking%20School)%2C%20Tessa%20Mies%20(Jebel%20Ali%20School)%2C%20Mila%20Morgan%20(Cranleigh%20Abu%20Dhabi).%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
Squad for first two ODIs
Kohli (c), Rohit, Dhawan, Rayudu, Pandey, Dhoni (wk), Pant, Jadeja, Chahal, Kuldeep, Khaleel, Shami, Thakur, Rahul.
Results
Stage 7:
1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29
2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time
3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious
4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM
General Classification:
1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28
2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35
3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02
4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42
5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
