Asia

Drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion from Gwadar seized in Sri Lanka
7Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion from Gwadar seized in Sri Lanka

On Sunday, four people from the Marawila Thoduwawa area of Sri Lanka were arrested for transporting drugs worth Rs 2.5 billion with origins in Chinese-controlled Gwadar.They were transporting heroin and crystal methamphetamine (ice) to the Sri Lankan boats from the Pak Dhow that originated from Gwadar.The involvement of the ISI officials in the drug smuggling network is established as such regular movement of Dhow from Gwadar is not possible without tacit support from the ISI and Chinese intelligence officials.The transfer happened in high seas between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.During a raid carried out by the Excise Department, 100 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of ice were seized. It is suspected that a drug trafficker named 'Jude' who is hiding in Dubai, has sent the stock of dr...
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Bangladesh cannot forget Pakistan’s atrocities of 1971: PM Sheikh Hasina
4Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Bangladesh cannot forget Pakistan’s atrocities of 1971: PM Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh cannot forget atrocities committed by Pakistan in 1971.“Incidents of 1971 cannot be forgotten. The pain will remain forever,” she said while Pakistan High Commissioner in Dhaka Imran Ahmed Siddiqui called on the Prime Minister at her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka.Referring to the volumes of the book titled “Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”, PM Hasina said all can learn many historical facts from 1948 to 1971 from the books.Noting that (the Urdu version) of the book “Unfinished Memoirs” written by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is one of the best seller books in Pakistan, she said it’s also well read in Pakistan apart from other countries.The PM e...
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J&K: Seminar on Disaster Management and Community Resilience held at Srinagar’s Amar Singh College
4Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

J&K: Seminar on Disaster Management and Community Resilience held at Srinagar’s Amar Singh College

In the back drop of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which emphasizes on the empowerment of local communities to mitigate and prevent loss of life and property, Amar Singh College in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar city organized a seminar on ‘Disaster Management and Community Resilience’.The seminar was organized by the Department of Geography in collaboration with the debates and seminars committee of the college.Prof Shujat Ahmad Banday, Head, Department of Geography laid emphasis on the preventive measures of disasters and natural calamities. He argued that use of planning and application of preventive technologies can be helpful in the prevention of life and property.Prof. Bashir Ahmad Rather, Principal of the college, who presided over the seminar, in his pres...
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J&K govt withdraws 30% fare hike on public transport
3Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

J&K govt withdraws 30% fare hike on public transport

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government has withdrawn 30 per cent fare hike on public transport in the union territory which was earlier imposed in view of the coronavirus pandemic.Government has accorded sanction to the withdrawal of “30 percent of fare hike on authorized fare” ordered vide government order no: 30 JK (TR) of 2020 dated 22-06-2020 in view of restrictions imposed on seat capacity of stage carriage passenger vehicles due to covid-19 pandemic, an order said.“Only authorized fare (charged prior to the issuance of government order number 31: JK (TR) of 2020 dated 22-06-2020) shall be charged from the passengers by the operators of stage carriage passenger vehicles in the Union Territory,” the order read.“Any violation of this order shall strictly be dealt with under the prov...
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India’s Cabinet Secretary reviews arrangements for COVID vaccine roll-out
3Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, USA, World

India’s Cabinet Secretary reviews arrangements for COVID vaccine roll-out

In a high-level meeting, Cabinet Secretary of India, Rajiv Gauba asked all the states and union territories to prepare and maintain a database of the prioritized group of people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine during the initial stages.Chief Secretary of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, BVR Subrahmanyam, and Director General of J&K Police, Dilbag Singh along with Chief Secretaries of all the states/UTs participated in the meeting.While reviewing the public health response to COVID-19, the Cabinet Secretary said that at present, three companies are frontrunners in developing COVID-19 vaccines in India, which are currently in the third phase of clinical trials and will be shortly available for usage.He asked the States/UTs to “develop respective databases to prioritize various g...
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J&K: GRA Insurance policy for 3.5 lakh Govt employees renewed
2Dec mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: GRA Insurance policy for 3.5 lakh Govt employees renewed

The Finance Department under the Jammu and Kashmir administration has renewed Group Personal Accidental (GRA) Insurance Policy for 3.5 lakhs gazetted and non-gazetted Government employees of J&K including consolidated, contractual, adhoc and daily wagers.Meanwhile, sanction has also been accorded to the advance withdrawal of an amount of Rs 12.10 crores (Rs 345.74 per employee) under various heads for subsequent release of the amount to M/s Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. as per premium for group personal accidental insurance policy for 3.50 lakhs employees in J&K Government for a period of one year, from the date of payment of premium.
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J&K: Revenue dept asks presiding officers to fix all cases within 15 days
2Dec mmBy 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 Desk TeamNo 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 Desk TeamNo 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 mmBy 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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