Day: May 12, 2025

Beirut: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced on Sunday that it has discovered more than 225 weapons caches south of the Litani River since last November, referring the findings to the Lebanese Army.

According to Jordan News Agency, over 10,000 peacekeepers from around 50 countries continue to work relentlessly to monitor the situation impartially and report any violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The force has been actively engaged in maintaining peace and stability in the region, focusing on preventing the resurgence of hostilities.

The statement from UNIFIL highlighted its close coordination with the Lebanese Army, with some operations being carried out jointly. This collaboration is crucial in ensuring that the discovered weapon caches are managed effectively and do not contribute to any potential conflicts in the area. The ongoing efforts of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army underscore their commitment to upholding peace and implementing the mandates set forth by the international community.

Amman: SOS Children’s Villages Jordan has launched an evaluation study of its “Safe Homes” model as part of the “Enhancing Access to Comprehensive Gender-Based Violence Services in Jordan,” project.

According to Jordan News Agency, the initiative is implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), with support from the European Union and in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Jordan. The event is part of a broader effort to highlight the study’s outcomes and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Amal Awawdah, Director of the Center for Women’s Studies at the University of Jordan, presented a detailed summary of the evaluation, outlining key challenges as well as the strengths and unique aspects of the Safe Homes model.

The study highlighted that the model provides secure, comprehensive shelter for women survivors of gender-based violence and their children, in line with international guidelines aimed at avoiding institutionalization.

It employs an innovative community-based approach that fosters recovery and reintegration, offering a wide range of services in partnership with local actors. These include education, healthcare, psychosocial and legal support, and economic empowerment initiatives designed to help women and children achieve independence and long-term well-being.

A rights-based empowerment strategy is central to the model, ensuring that respect for women’s dignity and agency is at the heart of protection services. Survivors are treated not only as service recipients but also as active participants in shaping their lives, managing finances, working, and making personal decisions thereby promoting autonomy and social reintegration.

The event was attended by key figures including Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women Maha Ali, Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs Mohammad Miqdadi, Family and Juvenile Protection Department Director Brig. Gen. Ziad Nsour, and National Director of SOS Jordan Rania Zoubi, alongside representatives from the EU, AECID, UNFPA, and other local and international partners.

Zarqa: Mohammad Al-Mardini, Director of the Astronomy and Space Sciences Research Center at Zarqa University, has been awarded a research grant by the Seed Fund Program jointly administered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation for 2024.

According to Jordan News Agency, the fund supports innovative and impactful collaborative research between MIT and Jordanian universities. Al-Mardini’s selection reflects the high caliber of research aimed at advancing international scientific development.

His winning project, titled “Stellar Archaeology: Searching for 13-Billion-Year-Old Stars in Public Data Archives,” proposes to investigate ancient stars through large-scale astronomical datasets. The initiative, along with other selected projects, is eligible for up to $30,000 in funding to support research visits and collaborative activities with MIT facilities.

Zarqa University President Nidal Al-Ramahi expressed his pride in the achievements of the university’s researchers, praising their contributions to global science and research excellence. “This recognition from MIT and the Shoman Foundation not only honors Dr. Mardini’s work but also affirms the strength of scientific research at Zarqa University,” Al-Ramahi stated. He emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering a dynamic academic environment that enables researchers to pursue groundbreaking studies and expand international cooperation.

Amman: A delegation from the Elite Forum, comprising a group of prominent national, political, and intellectual figures, visited the Military Media Directorate at the General Command of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) – Arab Army on Monday.

According to Jordan News Agency, the delegation was received by Brig. Gen. Mustafa Hiyari, Director of the Military Media Directorate, who provided an overview of the directorate’s key responsibilities and its pivotal role in covering the activities and initiatives of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF). He also highlighted the JAF’s ongoing humanitarian, relief, and medical efforts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Brig. Gen. Hiyari emphasized that the directorate continues its mission through a variety of media platforms to showcase the multifaceted contributions of the armed forces not only in defense and security but also in development and humanitarian aid across Jordanian society.

At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation praised the directorate’s advanced capabilities and professional standards, commending its significant role in fostering national awareness and strengthening values of loyalty, belonging, and citizenship through modern media tools.

Ankara: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi is visiting Turkey on Monday for high-level talks aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing regional developments.

According to Jordan News Agency, Safadi is scheduled to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss Jordanian-Turkish relations and ongoing coordination on regional issues, including the latest developments in the Middle East.

The visit will also include a trilateral consultative meeting bringing together Safadi, Fidan, and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al-Shaibani. The three officials will exchange views on a range of regional and international matters of mutual concern.