AGP Executive Report

Motorsport & Women in Sport: Jordan Ahli Bank is backing Red Bull Car Park Drift at HoverUp – Dead Sea Track on 2 October 2026, spotlighting Jordanian drifter Mira Al Tarazi as she competes for “King of Drift 2026,” with live music from Autostrad and a judging panel set to crown the champion. Arts & Inclusion: The “It Must Shine” initiative will represent Jordan at Egypt’s Awladona forum (17–24 Sept) with the experimental performance “The Gift, What If?,” built around students with disabilities from its “Bright Spaces” project. Sports Tourism: Jordan MMA Week is set to turn Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea into a destination campaign, using fighters, media and creators to market Jordan through combat sports. Screen & Streaming: Netflix is set to remove Jenna Coleman’s period drama “Victoria” on 30 September, with all 25 episodes currently available. Film Spotlight: “This Is England” marks 20 years since its TIFF premiere, with a look back at where the cast is now. TV Buzz: “Castle” fans get a nostalgia sweep as coverage revisits the show’s cast two decades on.

Jordanian Arts Abroad: The “It Must Shine” theater troupe is set to represent Jordan at Egypt’s “Awladona” Forum for the Arts of People with Special Abilities (Sept. 17–24) with its experimental performance “The Gift, What If?”—built to empower students with disabilities through stage work and confidence-boosting creative training. Arts & Culture in Jordan: Machaerus welcomed 8,996 visitors in the first seven months of 2026 (slight dip vs 2025), while Jordanian visitors surged to 1,692; ahead of the 2030 Saint John the Baptist anniversary, a cultural program under Prince Hassan bin Talal will launch at the site featuring Handel’s “The Messiah.” Regional Sports Spotlight: Jordan’s creative community also shows up in sport—karate medals at Asian Championships in Amman highlight the Kingdom’s role as a regional stage for talent.

Jordanian Culture & Heritage: Machaerus in Jordan welcomed 8,996 visitors in the first seven months of 2026, a slight dip of 0.8% from last year, while foreign visitors fell 11.5% but Jordanian visitors surged 107.6%; under Prince Hassan bin Talal’s patronage, a cultural-spiritual program is set to launch at the site ahead of the 2030 Saint John the Baptist commemoration, featuring Handel’s “The Messiah.” Sports & Youth Talent: Jordan hosted multiple Asian Karate Championships medal moments, including CISF cadet/junior/Under-21 silvers for Priyank Bhadoriya and Anshika Bhardwaj in Amman, plus historic Senior silver for BSF’s Kalyani Vishwakarma. Entertainment (Global): DC’s “Lanterns” stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre teased the show’s Hal-and-John chemistry and its genre-mixing mystery vibe, while Netflix’s September horror picks spotlight “Nope” and “Ready or Not.”

Sports in Jordan: The UAE youth, junior and Under-21 karate teams wrapped up the 24th Asian Karate Championships in Amman with nine medals—two gold (Karim Rami in U21 kata; Habiba Yasser in U48kg kumite) and seven bronze across junior and youth categories. Arts & culture spotlight: Nigerian writer and art critic Akinwande Jordan made the 2026 Caine Prize shortlist for his story “So Long Now It’s Starting To Look Like Eternity,” a piece drawn from family and intellect themes. Entertainment & media: BBC is airing the classic war epic “Lawrence of Arabia” today, while “Lanterns” continues to draw attention with Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan turn and streaming buzz around his earlier sci-fi work. Sports calendar for the region: Australia’s CommBank Socceroos will face Qatar in Doha (Nov. 13) and then Jordan in Amman (Nov. 17) ahead of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.

Streaming & TV: This week’s watchlist leans global and genre-hopping, from Netflix’s punishing Physical 100: Italy to Disney+’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives returning for season five, plus OSN+ continuing Lanterns. Local spotlight (Jordan): Egyptian-American pastor Michael Youssef drew more than 1,600 to “Christ Our Hope” in Amman, with the ministry saying 500+ Jordanians made professions of faith. Sports on the Jordan radar: Australia’s Socceroos will face Qatar and Jordan in November ahead of AFC Asian Cup 2027, with Jordan set to host in Amman. Arts & culture: Jordanian visual arts community marks momentum as Abbab Al-Ezza is named honorary president of the Jordanian Association of Visual Artists. Entertainment industry: Kings League MENA appoints Wael Al-Fayez as managing director as the competition expands, including Jordan among represented markets.

Jordanian Arts & Culture: A Jordanian visual-arts milestone: Abbab Al-Ezza named honorary president of the Jordanian Association of Visual Artists, a boost for local creators and community visibility. Film & Screen: The Hamptons International Film Festival announced its Closing Night pick, “Wicker,” plus Centerpiece screenings including “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd” and “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York,” keeping the festival circuit buzzing. Global Music: Global Citizen Festival 2026 revealed major additions—Alicia Keys & friends, Victoria Monét, YEONJUN and YOSHIKI—set for Sept. 26 in Central Park with free tickets earned via action. TV/Streaming Buzz: HBO’s “Lanterns” continues to expand its DCU roster, with Episode 4 spotlighting Hector Hammond and new villain threads. Sports as Entertainment: Bahrain’s men’s five-on-five basketball team kicks off its Asian Games campaign against defending champions Philippines, while Jordan’s own youth and regional sports coverage continues to roll in.

Jordanian Visual Arts: The Jordanian Association of Visual Artists has named businessman Abbab Al-Ezza honorary president for 2026–2028, aiming to strengthen ties between the cultural and private sectors and open new opportunities for artists. Bedouin Art Spotlight: Enas Al-Sharafat’s one-day solo exhibition “Tales of the Badia” at the Royal Cultural Center revisits Bedouin memory through color and contemporary composition, turning lived details into a space for reflection. Arts & Culture Podcast: MERIP Podcast features Amman-based journalist Arran Walshe discussing “Alternative Amman” and how heavy metal, hip hop, and other performance scenes navigate politics and cultural production. Sports in Jordan: Jordan hosts major karate action as local athletes shine at the Asian Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Amman, with multiple medals reported across events. Regional Arts Moment: Sharjah Narrative Forum wrapped up its 22nd edition in Amman, adding another platform for storytelling and cultural exchange. Entertainment Buzz: “Landman” season three keeps stacking its cast, with “Lioness” star Michael Kelly joining as fans react online. Public Safety (Local): A Karak bus crash reported by JAF killed four conscripts and a driver and injured 18 others, with investigations pointing to human error.

Visual Arts Leadership: The Jordanian Association of Visual Artists has unanimously appointed businessman Abbab Al-Ezza as honorary president for 2026–2028, aiming to strengthen ties between the cultural and private sectors and open new opportunities for artists. Bedouin Art & Memory: Artist Enas Al-Sharafat’s one-day solo exhibition “Tales of the Badia” at the Royal Cultural Center in Amman reworks Bedouin life through color and composition, turning personal memory into a space for reflection. Literature & Dialogue: The Sharjah Narrative Forum wrapped up its 22nd edition in Amman, with Jordanian participation highlighted as the forum expands across the Arab world. Sports Spotlight (Karate): Jordan’s junior karate scene made headlines in Amman as Ivy Olivera Donny won U21 women’s kata gold, while UAE secured five bronze medals on day one of the Asian Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships. Fashion & Retail: Primark says home delivery is coming to Great Britain “in the future” after buying a Sheffield warehouse—while Northern Ireland will be excluded from the rollout. Film Buzz: DC Studios confirmed “Superman 2: Man of Tomorrow” will include several characters from Zack Snyder’s era, with new versions set for the 2027 release.

Arts & Entertainment: Beyond Fest 2026 just dropped its massive lineup, running Sept. 23–Oct. 6 in Los Angeles with 81 feature films and major premieres, including A24’s Primetime opening the festival and a Michael Mann “secretly cut” Miami Vice edition. TV & Pop Culture: Saturday Night Live announced Knicks star Jalen Brunson as host for Season 52’s Sept. 26 premiere, with musical guest Katseye. Local Culture & Community: In Amman, Princess Basma backed families of missing persons at an ICRC event marking the International Day of the Disappeared, stressing the long psychological, social, and economic toll of not knowing a loved one’s fate. Public Life: Jordan’s Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered work to begin on six new public parks across governorates for delivery in 2027, with green spaces, walking/cycling paths, children’s areas, and outdoor fitness. Sports Diplomacy: Qatar’s Table Tennis Association took part in West Asia federation planning, reviewing the Amman-hosted 2026 championships and naming Madinah, Saudi Arabia for the next club event in Dec. 2026.

Arts & Culture: Jordanian visual artist Dana Waleed Al-Abdullat is spotlighted for her impressionist oil work that centers Jordanian landscapes, heritage sites, and sunset light—using color, shadow, and mood to move beyond simple scene reproduction. Royal & Society: King Harald V’s state funeral in Oslo draws major European royals, including Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania, while Kate Middleton is reported absent from the ceremony. Sports (Karate): Malaysia’s Nur Aneesa Aira Mohamad Affendi wins junior women’s kata gold at the AKF Cadet, Junior and U21 Championships in Amman, ending a 34-year wait for an Asian title. Jordan Lifestyle (Outdoors): Ammon reports new parks and sports fields planned across governorates, including Zarqa, Tafileh, Ma’an, Madaba, Jerash, and Ajloun, with upgrades to existing sites. Film/Industry (Regional): TIFFCOM’s Tokyo Gap-Financing Market announces 24 genre projects, including a Jordan-linked presence via regional cultural momentum around co-productions and horror/thriller slates. Regional Spotlight (Security): Iran-U.S. tensions intensify as Iran says it struck a U.S. base in Jordan’s al-Azraq and Jordan reports intercepting missiles.

Amman Arts & Learning: Jordan’s non-formal education push is getting a spotlight, with the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation and Zaha Cultural Center offering free or low-cost libraries, arts, tech, sports and life-skills programs for kids—helping tens of thousands of learners through 2025 and the first half of 2026. Local Culture & Events: The Machaerus Messiah performance is set to kick off next Saturday under Prince Hassan bin Talal’s patronage, bringing Handel’s “Messiah” to a historic Jordanian site ahead of the 2030 Saint John the Baptist commemoration. Theatre: Beaufort Theatre Company is staging Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods” at the USCB Center for the Arts (Sept 26–27, Oct 2–4). Screen & Pop Culture: “Lanterns” Episode 4 keeps DC fans talking with a fresh, darker take on the Green Lantern mythos and Hal Jordan’s foes. Arts Spotlight: “Madi Makambu” won major recognition at Venice’s Final Cut, with the film’s pregnancy-denial story earning multiple awards. Arts & Community Safety: JFDA shut down an unlicensed cosmetic clinic operating inside an Amman gym, warning against injections and medical supplies from unapproved providers.

Jordanian Media Legacy: Ammon News marks its long run as Jordan’s first electronic newspaper, tracing how it grew from a café-launched site with limited capacity into a major digital institution. Podcast Culture: A new wave of podcasting is reshaping public debate in Jordan, with hosts pulling guests from politics, art, sports and even fringe topics—raising questions about dialogue and responsibility. Sports & Youth Karate: The UAE national karate team heads to Amman for the 24th Asian Junior, Cadet and U21 Championships (Sept. 8–11), held under Prince Faisal Bin Al Hussein’s patronage. Fashion & Film Buzz: Maisie Williams talks “cyclical mundanity” in a fashion feature, while Netflix’s horror slate spotlights Stephen King–Shirley Jackson crossover energy. HBO DC Spotlight: HBO’s Lanterns continues to fuel fan theories and episode-by-episode breakdowns, with Episode 4’s twists driving fresh discussion. Regional Arts-Adjacent Controversy: Adidas Arabia apologises over a campaign featuring a former Israeli soldier, amid pro-Palestine boycott calls. Press Safety in Conflict: CPJ reports Israeli strikes have injured journalists in Gaza and Lebanon despite ceasefire arrangements.

Screen & Streaming: HBO’s Lanterns keeps turning DC lore into plot fuel, and Episode 4, “The Weenie,” doubles down on surprises—fans get a twist around the Hector Hammond name and a darker push for John Stewart to take Hal Jordan’s ring. Big Screen Buzz: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as the Owens sisters in Practical Magic 2, revisiting a cult-favorite that originally landed with mixed reviews. Entertainment Deals: Broadway fans get a boost with Broadway Week, offering two-for-one tickets to 25 shows from Sept. 8–20. Local Arts & Culture (Jordan): In Ajloun, tourism advocates call for infrastructure upgrades, bigger tourism budgets, and easier licensing to unlock the governorate’s potential. Arts & Craft: Jordanian artist Diaa Al-Hadidi is profiled for how clay, ceramics, and sculpture shape his search for form and space. Creative Industry: Campaign Middle East announces new Agency of the Year Awards categories, including sports marketing, gaming & esports, and influencer marketing.

Smart Airport Tech: Queen Alia International Airport is rolling out a Smart Cleaning System that uses AI, machine learning and IoT sensors to adjust cleaning routes and staffing in real time—starting with restrooms and high-touch areas. Tourism & Culture in Ajloun: A new study flags Ajloun’s tourism strengths and calls for fixes like infrastructure upgrades, bigger tourism/antiquities budgets, easier licensing, and support for youth-led projects. Streaming & Film Buzz: Netflix has greenlit The Inbetweeners 3, with the original four leads returning for a new UK production. Arts Awards in the Region: Campaign Middle East’s Agency of the Year Awards add fresh categories like Best Sports Marketing, Best Gaming & Esports, and Best Influencer Marketing. Jordan in the Sports Spotlight: Bahrain’s U20 Asian Cup hopes ended after a loss to Afghanistan, with Jordan advancing—while Jordan’s own Hajj registration details were also shared for 2027.

Premier League Spotlight: Arsenal kept their perfect start alive with a 2-1 comeback win over Chelsea at the Emirates, as Martin Ødegaard’s winner cancelled out Morgan Rogers’ early strike. NFL Season Buzz: ESPN’s NFL Nation rolled out a full 2026 team-by-team preview, flagging each roster’s strengths and concerns ahead of kickoff. NRL Off-Season Talk: Fox Sports delivered “brutal reviews” of eliminated NRL teams, with the Sea Eagles graded after a season derailed by key injuries. Streaming & TV: September viewing guides and Netflix’s heavy slate are in focus, while the Creative Arts Emmys wrapped with major wins across documentary, reality, and technical categories. Jordan & Region Arts/Community: Jordan’s Hajj registration for 2027 opens for eligible Jordanians and residents, with online sign-up and medical requirements. Music Culture: Karol G’s “BbY WOW” is driving fresh attention to the “Coolie Dance Riddim,” a dancehall beat that’s been remixed across decades. Sports Beyond Jordan: Oman’s karate team arrived in Amman for the Asian Championships, underscoring the region’s growing sports calendar.

Stage & Screen: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera lands at ASU Gammage from Sept. 16 to Oct. 4, a “revitalized” North American tour featuring Isaiah Bailey as the Phantom and Jordan Lee Gilbert as Christine Daaé, with classic songs like “The Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You.” TV Awards: The 78th Creative Arts Emmys wrapped with 102 trophies across two nights at LA’s Peacock Theater, with Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show and The Traitors leading night one and Hacks and Beef among the most nominated. Sports (Jordan-linked): Bahrain’s U20 campaign continues with a must-win vs Afghanistan, while Jordan and Bahrain also intersect in regional basketball and Asian Games preparations. Gaming & Pop Culture: NBA 2K27 is out with new brands, sneakers, and a first-ever co-ed City Mode, keeping sports fashion front and center.