Asia

J&K: Revenue dept asks presiding officers to fix all cases within 15 days
2Dec By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Revenue dept asks presiding officers to fix all cases within 15 days

The Revenue Department of the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued directions to review all administrative actions which have been held-up due to court orders from the last six months in J&K.It asked presiding officers in revenue courts to fix all the cases within the next 15 days.“The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Kashmir, Commissioner Survey and Land Records, J&K, All Deputy Commissioners, all additional deputy commissioners, all assistant commissioners (revenue), all regional director survey and land records/Tehsildars are impressed upon to review all administrative actions/procedures held upon on account of interim court orders and in case, the court orders are more than six months old, treat them orders as expired and proceed accordingly,” read the circular issued by the ...
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12 new imported COVID-19 cases in Singapore, largest increase in more than a week
2Dec By Team FPNo Comments
Asia, Singapore, World

12 new imported COVID-19 cases in Singapore, largest increase in more than a week

SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday (Nov 22), all of which were imported infections, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). This is the largest increase in infections since Nov 13, when 12 imported cases were reported as well. No locally transmitted cases were reported for the 12th consecutive day. All the imported COVID-19 cases were placed on stay-home notice upon arrival in Singapore, MOH said. They were asymptomatic, and detected from proactive screening and surveillance, the ministry added. Of the 12 cases, three are Singapore permanent residents who returned from India. Two other cases also arrived from India, a dependent's pass holder and a student's pass holder. Five are work permit holders currently employed in Singapore who arrived from the Philippi...
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Commentary: After years of demonising China, the US has to start an honest dialogue
1Dec By Team FPNo Comments
Asia, China, World

Commentary: After years of demonising China, the US has to start an honest dialogue

Biden’s presidency offers a chance to change the tone and approach in dealing with China, which will not be cowed by threats, say two observers. HONG KONG: Americans don’t agree on much of anything nowadays. Yet they are largely united in their belief that China represents an existential challenge to their country and the international order it has long led. This combination of internal division and external demonisation has made the Sino-American rivalry increasingly inescapable – and potentially catastrophic. America’s internal divisions have been fueled in recent years by social media, which, by populating users’ feeds with tailored content, creates “echo chambers” that reinforce, rather than challenge, their beliefs and values. When alternative ideas do make it into the echo ch...
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J&K Admin Council clears 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project
30Nov By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, USA

J&K Admin Council clears 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project

In a significant decision, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Administrative Council has approved the proposal for the development of an 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project in a joint venture of the JK Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).“The Rs 5300 crore project would be executed by a new Joint Venture Company - Jammu Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited to be formed between the JK Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC),” an official statement said.“The equity contribution of JKPDC in the company pegged at Rs 776.44 crore will be provided as a grant from the government of India”, it said.The statement further said that all the clearances for the project are already in place, he...
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’36 Sarpanchs, 768 Panchs elected unopposed’: J&K State Election Commissioner
30Nov By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

’36 Sarpanchs, 768 Panchs elected unopposed’: J&K State Election Commissioner

Jammu and Kashmir’s State Election Commissioner, KK Sharma has said that 36 Sarpanchs and 768 Panchs have been elected unopposed, mostly in Kashmir Valley.“368 Panch constituencies will go for by-elections tomorrow in J&K in which a total of 852 candidates are in the fray including 635 males and 217 females,” he said.None of the candidates in DDC has won unopposed, he said, when asked during a press conference in Jammu.Regarding Sarpanch by-polls being held in the first phase (November 28), he said: “279 candidates are contesting for 94 Sarpanch constituencies. Out of 279, there are 203 male and female 76.”He said that 57 lakh voters will participate in Panchayat elections in eight phases whereas 7 lakh voters will participate in the first phase of elections and around 2001 polling sta...
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J&K: Snowfall unlocks Kashmir tourism
29Nov By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, World

J&K: Snowfall unlocks Kashmir tourism

After witnessing a slump for more than seven months due to outbreak of Covid-19 in Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, there is a ray of hope for the valley’s ailing tourism sector as the fresh snowfall in higher reaches is attracting tourists once again.Gulmarg in Baramulla district, which recorded almost two feet of snowfall, has come to life as tourists have started thronging this popular ski-resort. On November 15, as many as 574 tourists arrived at the Srinagar International Airport from different cities, mostly Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai to spend their ongoing Diwali vacations here, officials said.As per J&K Tourism department officials, November 15’s tourist arrivals are the “highest single-day visitor arrivals to the Valley registered during the last seven ...
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J&K launches relief drive for 1.45 lakh workers to tide over COVID crisis
29Nov By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K launches relief drive for 1.45 lakh workers to tide over COVID crisis

The Jammu and Kashmir government has registered 2.4 lakh building and other construction workers so that they can be provided social benefits amid the covid-19 pandemic.According to government sources, on the direction of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Rs 70 crore was disbursed among the registered workers as welfare measures in October this year.Besides, rules have been formulated and processes have been sped up under his direction and marriage assistance scheme has also been approved for the registered labourers.“The registered workers shall be eligible for marriage assistance of Rs 25,000 for his or her marriage and the marriage of his/her dependent daughter,” sources said.Around 1.45 lakh workers will be eligible to receive the benefits. The transport workers who have migrated to the...
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Despite growing tensions, China buying computer chips from Taiwan firms
27Nov By Walter ParezNo Comments
Asia, China, Market, World

Despite growing tensions, China buying computer chips from Taiwan firms

Despite growing tensions between Taiwan and China, Chinese technology companies have increased orders for computer chips or semiconductors made in Taiwan.According to media reports, Taiwan has reported a six per cent jump in export from July through September this year.Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist with the French investment bank Natixis said, “They (Chinese firms) know they’re not yet able to produce at least the highest-end semiconductors needed for 5G.”She added that Taiwan makes top-level semiconductors and is unlikely to give up as a leader in the field. Taiwan factories produce some of the world’s top computer chips. But during the past four years, it has pushed companies to depend less on the Chinese market.The two countries have been locked in a political disp...
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Bangladeshis form human chain to protest against terrorism by Pakistan on 26/11 anniversary
27Nov By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, USA

Bangladeshis form human chain to protest against terrorism by Pakistan on 26/11 anniversary

On the 12th anniversary of 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, an anti-terrorism organisation in Bangladesh on Thursday formed a human chain in protest against Pakistan’s role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the 2004 grenade attack in Dhaka.Participants in the human chain programme said terrorism would never be accepted on the soil of Bangladesh, adding that terrorism had no religion. Thousands of people participated in the human chain event in an effort to build a terrorism-free Bangladesh and protect human rights in the country.On November 26, 2008, ten terrorists trained by the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai including the Taj Mahal hotel, the Oberoi hotel, the Leopold Cafe, the Nariman ...
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India, Nepal discuss boundary issue as Indian foreign secretary meets top leadership
26Nov By Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

India, Nepal discuss boundary issue as Indian foreign secretary meets top leadership

As Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla met Nepal’s top leadership on Thursday, both the countries discussed ways to handle the boundary issue, which had recently worsened bilateral ties, and bolster cooperation in key areas such as connectivity and infrastructure.On the first day of his two-day visit to Nepal, Shringla met Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali and foreign secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal.Ties between the two nations took a hit when Nepal issued a new political map in May that laid claim to the Kalapani region, which is controlled by India, after New Delhi opened a new road to the strategic Lipulekh region. India rejected the map but said it was open to discussing the matter through appropriate mechanisms.Sources familiar with developments sai...
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