Day: February 16, 2023

Amman: The Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) has finished receiving applications for participation in “Persons with Disabilities Friendly Buildings” award, which was launched by the HCD in the last quarter of 2022.

According to a HCD statement issued on Thursday, the award aims to promote persons with disabilities’ rights, primarily access to buildings, facilities and services “smoothly, privately, and independently” in the public, private and voluntary sectors.

A total of 86 buildings submitted applications to take part in the award, 58 of which are government institutions and departments, 19 private sector’s establishments, and 9 voluntary buildings, the statement announced.

An ad hoc impartial committee comprised of Jordan’s concerned construction authorities will examine applications, assess participating buildings, and carry out scouting field visits later on, the statement said.

The award, which is scheduled to become annual, includes 3 levels for buildings: Golden, silver and bronze, according to the HCD-set standards and weights based on the updated building code for persons with disabilities issued in 2018, the statement pointed out.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Makram Qaisi, on Thursday discussed with head and members of Saudi-Jordanian Parliamentary Friendship Committee in Saudi Shura Council (SSC), ways to enhance tourism cooperation, stimulate inter-tourism flow, and increase number of Saudi tourists coming to Jordan in all seasons.

Qaisi lauded the “distinguished” level of Jordanian-Saudi relations , thanks to directives of the two countries’ leaderships and their keenness to develop these ties.

Jordan, Qaisi noted, enjoys a “diverse and unique” tourism product and a “safe” tourist destination favored by the Saudi nationals, indicating the importance of enhancing volume of tourism exchange between the two countries.

For his part, Head of Saudi-Jordanian Parliamentary Friendship Committee, Ibrahim Qannas, hailed the “distinguished” bilateral relations, stressing keenness of the two countries’ leadership to develop ties at all levels.

Qannas also commended Jordan’s history as “remarkable,” which is seen in its antiquities, praising its “advanced” infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the committee’s member, Zaher Shehri, pointed to Jordan’s “distinguished” medical and educational tourism patterns.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Senate President, Faisal Fayez, affirmed the Upper Chamber’s support for the efforts made by the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR) and steps aimed to enable it to carry out its tasks and enhance its role.

Receiving on Thursday, Human Rights Report for 2021, delivered by Chair of NCHR Board of Trustees, Samar Hajj Hassan, Fayez said the report enjoys “transparency and integrity” and reflects the Center’s efforts in this path aimed at advancing conditions of Jordan’s human rights, and working to address any abuses in cooperation with the concerned authorities.

This effort, Fayez noted, comes as the Kingdom’s various national institutions are “working hard” to advance human rights conditions, indicating that Jordan’s Constitution and laws in force strengthened these rights.

Fayez urged NCHR to address rumors targeting Jordan on human rights file, especially on social platforms, calling on the center to implement His Majesty’s calls to strengthen rule of law and promote concepts of justice, equality and integrity.

The King attaches “great” importance to this file, as His Majesty noted importance of preserving and advancing human rights, with a focus on women, youth, and people with special needs, Fayez pointed out.

As for the next step, Fayez said Senate will examine NCHR’s report to make recommendations to be then discussed with the government to take the necessary legislative measures in this regard.

For her part, Haji Hassan said NCHR lauds Senate’s efforts made to safeguard human rights, expressing the Center’s pride in the “close” cooperation with the Upper Chamber.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Minister of Social Development Wafa Bani Mustafa on Thursday discussed with Japanese Ambassador to Jiro Okuyama cooperation in social protection, juveniles, and women’s empowerment.

During the meeting, Bani Mustafa affirmed the ministry’s commitment to developing means of cooperation in various joint projects.

For his part, Okuyama praised the Jordanian experience in providing various social services, expressing his country’s commitment to increasing cooperation, giving support, and exchanging experiences.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday departed on a two-day private visit.

His Royal Highness Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein was sworn in as Regent, in the presence of Cabinet members, said a Royal Court statement.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Jordan has offered its deepest condolences to the government and people of New Zealand after a major cyclone left several people dead and many others injured.

In a statement released Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates voiced Jordan’s solidarity with New Zealand, offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Jordanian Seismological Observatory (JSO) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Thursday recorded an earthquake, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, north of the Dead Sea area.

JSO President Ghassan Sweidan said the quake occurred at 5:36 am Amman time at a depth of 7 kilometers.

“Such earthquakes are imperceptible to humans,” he added, noting that the Dead Sea region witnesses a frequent recording of earthquakes.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: Jordan imported about 303,000 tablets in 2022, at a value of JD7.5 million, head of the Association for Mobile Investors (Vision) Ahmad Alloush said on Thursday.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Alloush indicated that the import value has dropped by 39 percent compared to 2021.

“The tablet has become an essential means of education, entertainment, and interaction, especially during the distance learning period,” he said, urging the need to set up the device’s protection settings and choose a tablet that is suitable for kids and is easy to carry and use.

Source: Jordan News Agency