Day: March 8, 2026

Beirut: Eleven people were killed and five others injured in a series of overnight Israeli airstrikes targeting several towns in southern Lebanon.

According to Jordan News Agency, a source at Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that the strikes hit the towns of Habbouch, Jabal al-Botm, Al-Qusayr, Kfar Reman, Debbine, and Aitaroun.

Israeli aircraft also carried out separate airstrikes overnight in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Moscow: Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov announced that the Russian section of the Druzhba oil pipeline is practically ready to resume oil supplies to Europe. This move emphasizes Moscow’s willingness to reactivate one of the most crucial energy routes to the continent.

According to Jordan News Agency, Manturov stated during a press conference on Sunday that all technical and operational systems are functioning efficiently on the Russian side. He added that Moscow has completed the necessary preparations to pump supplies through the pipeline once arrangements concerning the remaining part of the route are finalized.

Abu dhabi: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi participated on Sunday in an extraordinary session of the League of Arab States Council at the ministerial level, held via videoconference and chaired by the United Arab Emirates. The meeting was convened at the request of Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt to discuss Iranian attacks on Arab countries.

According to Jordan News Agency, Safadi affirmed Jordan’s condemnation of what he described as unjustified Iranian attacks targeting the kingdom and fellow Gulf Arab states. He emphasized Jordan’s full solidarity with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and its support for any steps they take to confront the Iranian attacks and protect their citizens, security, stability, and sovereignty. He added that Arab states also stand with Jordan in confronting the Iranian attacks.

Safadi highlighted that the security of Arab states is indivisible and requires a clear stance in confronting such attacks. He stated that Arab countries are facing brutal attacks targeting their security, stability, sovereignty, citizens, residents, and facilities, urging unity to confront these attacks.

Moreover, Safadi expressed Jordan’s solidarity with Lebanon in protecting its security and stability and in enforcing state sovereignty over all its territory. He stressed the need for intensified and joint efforts to protect Lebanon and halt the aggression against it.

Safadi underlined the importance of continuing joint action to support the Palestinian people and their right to freedom and a state on their national soil. He warned that Arab national security faces challenges and threats that require reassessing, adjusting, and developing mechanisms to protect it, proposing that the next regular session of the Arab League Council at the level of foreign ministers later this month focus on these issues. He stressed the importance of continued efforts to consolidate security and stability and adopting dialogue as the means to resolve disputes.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of a resolution condemning Iranian attacks on Arab states and affirming Arab solidarity in confronting them.

Amman: Data from the Department of Statistics showcased a significant decline in the illiteracy rate among Jordanian females aged 15 years and above, dropping from 16.5 percent in 2000 to 7.3 percent by the third quarter of 2025. In tandem, the proportion of educated females rose to an impressive 92.7 percent, marking a substantial enhancement in educational attainment among women in the Kingdom.

According to Jordan News Agency, a statement issued by the department on Sunday in celebration of International Women’s Day highlighted that the number of females in Jordan reached 5.617 million by the end of 2025. This represents 47.1 percent of the total population, compared to 52.9 percent for males, translating to 113 males for every 100 females, based on the Department of Statistics’ findings.

The statement further detailed that the highest concentration of females falls within the 15 to 49 years age bracket, accounting for 52.7 percent of the female population. Meanwhile, females under 15 years constituted 35.4 percent, and those aged 50 years and above made up 12 percent. Additionally, the average life expectancy for females saw an increase of 3.2 years relative to males.

Labour Force Surveys conducted by the department revealed that the average age of first marriage for females rose from 25.6 years in 2014 to 27.5 years in 2024. For males, this age increased from 29.8 years to 32.5 years over the same period.

Data from the Ministry of Education’s annual statistical report for the academic year 2024-2025 indicated that the net enrollment rate for female students in kindergarten was 42.1 percent, compared to 37.6 percent for males. Female students also surpassed males in the basic education stage, with an enrollment rate of 94.9 percent compared to 93.7 percent for males. In secondary education, the enrollment gap widened further in favor of females, reaching 81.6 percent compared to 74.8 percent for males.

In 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education reported an increase in female enrollment in bachelor’s and postgraduate studies compared to males. Females accounted for 55.2 percent of bachelor’s program enrollees, a 10.4 percentage point advantage over males. In higher diploma programs, female enrollment was 68.0 percent, with similar trends in master’s and doctoral programs.

Women’s economic empowerment indicators also improved markedly from 2015 to 2024. Female land ownership rose from 15.8 percent to 19.9 percent, while joint land ownership increased to 38.9 percent. Female ownership of apartments grew from 23 percent to 26 percent, and joint ownership rose to 21.8 percent.

The Independent Election Commission’s results showed a rise in female parliamentary representation from 6.4 percent to 19.6 percent between 2008 and 2024. Participation in political parties by women jumped from 27.8 percent to 44.5 percent. Women also gained a stronger presence in decision-making roles, with female judges rising to 30.4 percent, ministerial positions to 15.6 percent, the diplomatic corps to 26.1 percent, and 14.5 percent of ambassadors being women.

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, visited the General Command of the JAF, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

According to Jordan News Agency, during a meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, King Abdullah II was briefed on the readiness of the various branches of the armed forces. His Majesty praised the efforts of the JAF and security agencies in safeguarding Jordan and its citizens. He acknowledged the high state of readiness of the armed forces to address regional developments and counter any threats to Jordan’s security, stability, and the safety of its citizens.

The King emphasized that Jordan remains secure due to the dedication of the armed forces and security agencies in defending the Kingdom and its borders. He highlighted Jordan’s preparedness to take necessary measures to ensure the nation’s security and stability.

His Majesty was also updated on the comprehensive modernisation plans being developed by the JAF. These plans aim to enhance the capabilities of the armed forces to fulfill their national duties in protecting Jordan’s borders and maintaining its security and stability.