Industrial exports up 10.2% in 2025 to JD8.89b — JCI
AMMAN — The industrial exports grew significantly in 2025, rising by 10.2 per cent due to increased demand for its products in international markets.According to an analytical report by the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) monitored on Wednesday by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, industrial exports »»»
National exports to GAFTA countries grew by 10.2% in 2025 — DoS
AMMAN — Jordan recorded on Wednesday a trade surplus with 11 member states of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) in 2025, as the Kingdom continues efforts to strengthen its footprint in Arab markets.The positive performance aligns with the objectives of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV)»»»
ACI exports rise by 3.1% during two-month period
AMMAN — Exports by the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) rose by 3.1 per cent during the first two months of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025.According to statistical data monitored on Wednesday by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, exports reached JD1.137 billion during the two-month period, u»»»
Non-Jordanian companies listed on ASE reaches 46.4%
AMMAN — ASE revealed that the value of shares bought by non-Jordanian investors at the ASE in February 2026 was JD28.8 million, representing 13.1 per cent of the overall trading value, while the value of shares sold by them amounted to JD31.0 million.The value of shares bought by non-Jordanian inve»»»
Republican concern over effect of Iran war on party popularity ahead of midterms
As the Iran war enters its fifth day, the Trump administration is facing growing criticism. After US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at Israel having forced the US's hand to strike Iran, MAGA backlash grew as they are "isolationists and often anti-Israel", FRANCE 24's Kethevane Gorjestani exp»»»
Senate Republicans block war powers resolution to halt Trump’s Iran campaign
US Senate Republicans narrowly defeated a war powers resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, backing the administration as the conflict widens and lawmakers confront the political and human costs of a potentially prolonged war. Senate Republicans vo»»»
"US lawmakers' efforts to curb Trump's ability to continue war almost sure to fail"
Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate are set to vote on March 4th on a bipartisan war powers resolution aiming to stop the military campaign against Iran and require that any hostilities against it be authorised by Congress. This comes as Trump faces little voter support for the war. But lawmakers' effor»»»
Unilateral US strikes on Iran show "power consolidation around the presidential authority"
In a press conference in Washington, several Democrat lawmakers, all of whom had previously served in the army, denounced what they called the Trump's administration's "war of choice" in Iran. This took place ahead of debates ahead of a vote of a war powers resolution, which gives lawmakers an oppo»»»
Replay: Democrat lawmakers denounce "war of choice" in Iran ahead of Senate vote on war powers
Rewatch as Democrat lawmakers, all of whom have served in the US military, denounce the unilateral decision from the Trump administration to strike Iran, ahead of a Senate vote on Trump's war powers.»»»
Tech firms pledge to pay for AI data centre power costs. But will they?
Technology firms including Google and Meta have said they will shoulder the costs to power artificial intelligence data centres, as the White House faces pressure to address rising electricity prices. US President Donald Trump has embraced the AI sector. But the expansion of data centres has strain»»»
Press Review - Dubai influencers 'interrupted' by Iran strikes wake up from a 'senseless dream'
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, March 4: The war in the Middle East has transformed the lives of influencers and expats living in Dubai. But first: papers discuss why US President Donald Trump chose to strike Iran. Also: junior doctors in England use ADHD as an excuse to skip working overnight. Fina»»»
Broadest evacuation order for Lebanon issued by Israeli army
The Israeli military ordered the evacuation of a swathe of southern Lebanon on March 4th, asking residents to move north. This evacuation is the broadest evacuation order yet in this new conflict. Meanwhile, Syria has closed its border with Lebanon after a warning it would be targeted by Israe. F»»»
US plans for Iran remain unclear as it defends "pre-emptive" strikes
On the fourth day of US-Israeli bombardment of Iran, US officials gave more reasons for their offensive in the country, though their plan for after the war remains unclear. Stated US motivations have also shifted over time, from intervening on the behalf anti-regime protesters in January to "preemp»»»
"Everything is speculation" over Khamenei succession but son set as favourite
Iran announced that a state funeral for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was postponed after it was meant to be held on March 4th. This comes as the late supreme leader's successor is set to be appointed, with his son expected to take on the role. But "everything about this nomination is specu»»»
Deadly US submarine strike sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka's coast
A US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing at least 87 sailors and leaving dozens missing, officials said. The authorities said they had managed to rescue 32 people on board the IRIS Dena. At least 87 people are dead and dozens more still missing after a»»»
Iran war opens cracks within Trump's MAGA base
President Trump has launched into a war while he’s facing some of the lowest approval ratings of his political career. A recent poll showed that just one in four Americans approved of his attack on Iran. But it’s not just the general American public: The war is also beginning to show some cracks in»»»
First French repatriation flight lands in Paris from the Middle East
The French foreign minister said several repatriation flights for French nationals, around 400,000 of whom are in the region, were planned for March 4th. It has deployed consular teams at Israel's borders with Egypt and Jordan to facilitate land exits so people can fly onward, and has put in place»»»
Replay: US Pentagon gives briefing on Iran as US and Israel continue to strike
Rewatch US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's press conference on the war in Iran as US-Israeli strikes continue.»»»
Countries work to secure safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz
A container ship was struck off the coast of Oman on March 3rd while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claim to have full control of the key waterway for global oil transit, but traffic has currently come to a halt following drone attacks on ships.»»»
Perspective - 'The needs are immense': Aid groups scramble to help displaced in Lebanon
One of the officials leading efforts to provide humanitarian aid for people who have been forced to flee their homes in Lebanon has told FRANCE 24 that the needs are immense. Many of those displaced are from the capital Beirut, amid the Israeli bombings there. Others are from the south of the count»»»
Spain accuses US of "playing Russian roulette" with millions of lives in Iran
Spain's Prime Minister doubled down on his criticism of Washington on March 3rd, a day after Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with the country. That itself came in response to Spain's refusal to allow the use of military bases shared with the US in its territory for Washington's continu»»»
A look at who the frontrunners are for Iran's supreme leader position
As the funeral procession of the late Ali Khamenei has been postponed amid continued US-Israeli strikes, the council of clerics charged with choosing his successor are yet to make an announcement, despite whispers that a decision may already have been taken. This after Israel said early on March 3r»»»
From Ukraine to Iran, kamikaze drones are becoming indispensable to modern warfare
As joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran began last week, the United States deployed LUCAS – a cheaper kamikaze drone modelled on Iran’s Shahed – for the very first time. The US military has learned lessons from the war in Ukraine, where similar single-use drones have been used to overwhelm enemy air de»»»
How Iran war could reshape the state of play in Russia's war on Ukraine
The rapidly expanding war in Iran is creating ripple effects beyond the Middle East, rattling global energy markets and reshaping the economics of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Iran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf have driven oil prices up, potentially boosting Moscow’s revenues just as sanctions »»»
Spain denies US claim of military cooperation on Iran as rift deepens
Spain hardened its stance towards Washington on Wednesday over the use of Spanish bases in operations against Iran, defying US President Donald Trump’s threats of trade reprisals and deepening the friction between the NATO allies. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez repeated his call of “no to the war,” i»»»
US submarine torpedoed Iranian warship in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
A US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday, touting the strike as evidence of America's global reach in its war on Iran. "An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was su»»»
Death toll of strikes on Iran rises above 1,000, tens of thousands flee Tehran
The United Nations on Wednesday said an estimated 100,000 people fled Tehran in the first two days of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and March 1. FRANCE 24"s Reza Sayah reports from Iran, where the death toll has climbed over 1,000 people, with "civilians bearing the brunt of thi»»»
'The fear for the Gulf countries is that the first client of the US would be Israel'
"The US is under immense pressure to continue producing as many interceptors as it can, but the fear for the Gulf countries is that the first client of the US would be Israel, rather than the GCC". Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports for FRANCE 24 from Doha in Qatar.»»»
Confidence in Gulf countries as destinations and travel hubs 'has been fundamentally broken'
Middle East tourism, worth some $367 billion annually to the region, is taking a hit from the widening conflict between U.S.-Israel forces and Iran, putting at risk the region's carefully-constructed image as a safe and high-end vacation hotspot after billions in investment in recent years from Ab»»»
The Debate - Iran's wartime succession: What direction after Khamenei?
What does succession look like in Iran? The wait continues after last Saturday’s assassination of the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader of nearly 41 years. Well ask about calculations and delays in the nomination as Israeli and US bombs continue to rain down and Tehran continues to put up a fi»»»
A propos - Confidence in Gulf countries as destinations and travel hubs 'has been fundamentally broken'
Middle East tourism, worth some $367 billion annually to the region, is taking a hit from the widening conflict between U.S.-Israel forces and Iran, putting at risk the region's carefully-constructed image as a safe and high-end vacation hotspot after billions in investment in recent years from Ab»»»
Eye on Africa - African leaders call for dialogue amid escalating Iran crisis
In tonight's edition: The Global South widely condemns the war in Iran, with many countries accusing the US and Israel of violating international law and acting unilaterally. Also, the United States imposes sanctions on the Rwandan army and several top military officials over their role in the figh»»»
A move to curb President Donald Trump's authority to continue military strikes on Iran rejected in US Senate
The US Senate on Wednesday rejected a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's authority to continue military strikes on Iran, in a narrow congressional show of support for a conflict launched without explicit approval from lawmakers. The bipartisan measure, introduced by Democrat Tim K»»»
French prosecutors probe late Harrods owner Al-Fayed, brother over alleged sex trafficking
French investigators have uncovered an alleged sex‑trafficking network operating behind the luxury associated with Mohamed Al‑Fayed’s Ritz hotel and Riviera yachts, with several victims reporting severe abuse and a tightly organised system of exploitation, according to officials familiar with the c»»»
Macron says France is sending its aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean
French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air assets, and its frigate escort to set sail for the Mediterranean following the situation in the Middle East, he said on Tuesday in an address to the nation.»»»
Former hostage Louis Arnaud discusses life in Evin prison – and his fears for Iran’s future
French citizen Louis Arnaud was detained in Iran in 2022 and spent nearly two years in the country’s notorious Evin prison. He tells FRANCE 24 why Israeli-US strikes on Iran have brought new dangers for Iran's prisoners, tens of thousands of whom have been locked up for opposing the regime.&nb»»»
Focus - In Japan, support for the death penalty remains high
Japan is one of the few countries that still use the death penalty. The most recent execution took place in June 2025, when a man was hanged for killing nine people back in 2017. Japan and the United States are the only G7 countries to use capital punishment – a measure supported by the vast majori»»»
China to unveil five-year roadmap at 'Two Sessions' annual political conclave
China on Wednesday kicked off its annual "Two Sessions" political meetings during which the country's leadership will announce its annual growth target, defence budget and new five-year plan. The National People's Congress will ratify new laws decided by China's Communist Party leadership. China be»»»
Iran postpones three-day funeral rites for late Ayatollah Khamenei
Iran postponed the state funeral rites for late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that were originally set to begin Wednesday evening, state TV said. The 86‑year‑old former leader was killed on Saturday in US-Israeli air strikes. A senior Iranian official said Wednesday that Tehran would hold a»»»
A global superpower with a quiet voice: China 'not as loud or influential' beyond the Global South
As China’s annual “Two Sessions” gathers thousands of political delegates in Beijing, Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Jean-François di Meglio, Honorary Chair of Asia Centre. Beyond the 5 percent growth target, China is undergoing a broader structural transition: demographic decline, slower consu»»»
Spain's Sanchez defies Trump trade threat, compares Iran war to ‘Russian roulette’
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez doubled down Wednesday, criticising US and Israeli military actions in Iran and refusing to bow to trade pressure from Washington. In a defiant televised address, Sanchez warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East was akin to “playing Russian roulett»»»
Britain halts student visas for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan
Britain will stop issuing education visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and work visas for Afghans, the government said on Tuesday, as it moves to curb asylum claims via legal routes. The Home Office said asylum applications from students of those countries rose more t»»»
Three killed in two Israeli strikes near Beirut
Three people were killed in a pair of Israeli strikes on vehicles near Beirut, Lebanon's health ministry said late Wednesday, after a third day of Israeli bombardments in response to renewed Hezbollah attacks. "Two Israeli air strikes on the airport highway killed three people and wounded six," the»»»
Business - Can Iran's economy survive if the war drags on?
Iran has taken the risky gambit of closing the Strait of Hormuz, which could backfire and hurt its own economy. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer speaks with Iranian-Austrian economist Mahdi Ghodsi from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies about Iran's unsustainable economic path and whethe»»»
Business - Korean stocks suffer worst crash ever as Iran war hits chipmakers
South Korea's main stock index, the KOSPI, lost 12 percent on Wednesday, sending retail investors into a panic as fears of energy shortages due to the war in Iran battered shares in chipmakers and industrial giants. Meanwhile, Donald Trump says the US will insure oil tankers transiting the Persian »»»
Qatar affirms peacebuilding and its preservation as top foreign policy priority
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar affirmed that peacebuilding and its preservation represent a top priority for the country and an integral part of its foreign policy, which aims to prevent conflicts and resolve them through peaceful means, by hosting negotiations and facilitating constructive dialog»»»
Musk tells jury 'people read too much' into his posts
Billionaire Elon Musk told a jury in California on Wednesday that stock market investors read too much into his social media posts. Musk was defending himself against claims from investors, who have accused him of trying to manipulate markets with a series of misleading messages in the run-up to hi»»»
Macron urges Netanyahu to avoid ground offensive in Lebanon
France's President Emmanuel Macron said he urged Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to "refrain from a ground offensive" in Lebanon in their first phone call since last summer. "I called on the Israeli prime minister to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity and to refrain fr»»»
Qassem says Hezbollah to confront Israel-US 'aggression', will not surrender
Hezbollah will confront "Israeli-American aggression" and will not surrender despite the "imbalance in capabilities", the head of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Sheikh Naim Qassem said Wednesday night in a televised speech. "We are facing aggression... our choice is to confront it until the ultimat»»»
Brazil ratifies EU-Mercosur trade deal creating massive free trade area
Brazil's Senate on Wednesday ratified a deal between the Mercosur bloc and the European Union that creates one of the world's largest free trade areas. The deal involves the four founding members of the South American trade bloc, and has already been ratified by Argentina and Uruguay. Paraguay's pa»»»