Asia

1.77 lakh tourists visited Nepal in 8 months of 2020, Indians top list
25Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

1.77 lakh tourists visited Nepal in 8 months of 2020, Indians top list

According to Nepal’s Department of Immigration (DOI), as many as 1,77,675 foreign tourists visited the country in the first eight months of 2020 and among them, Indian travelers topped the list despite the lockdown imposed in Nepal to curb the COVID-19 infection.In early January, a total of 16,800 Indians visited Nepal, 16,558 in February, 6,793 in March, two in April, seven in May, 26 in June, 41 in July and 23 in August, the DoI data said.In January, 65,983 tourists had visited the Himalayan nation while the figures soared to 77,064 in February. The numbers came down to 34,025 in March before the enforcement of nationwide COVID-19 lockdown that month.A total of 13 foreign nationals entered Nepal in April, out of which two were Indians, 30 in May, 100 in June, 195 in July and 265 in Augus...
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China appoints trade expert as new ambassador to Pakistan to help drive infrastructure development plan
23Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, China

China appoints trade expert as new ambassador to Pakistan to help drive infrastructure development plan

In a bid to bring to life its multibillion-dollar infrastructure development partnership, China has appointed a trade specialist - with no formal experience as a diplomat - as its new ambassador to Pakistan.Nong Rong – the Communist Party secretary of the ethnic and religious affairs commission in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region – was named by the foreign ministry as the new ambassador to Pakistan.“Although Nong is not trained as a diplomat, he has experience in economic diplomacy with Southeast Asian countries,” said Wang Dehua, a South Asia specialist at the Shanghai Municipal Centre for International Studies.“The fact he headed the ethnic and religious affairs commission suggests he is capable of dealing with sensitive issues,” he said.One of Nong’s primary roles will be to promote...
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As FATF sword hangs over Pakistan, its army claims of killing 4 terrorists
23Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

As FATF sword hangs over Pakistan, its army claims of killing 4 terrorists

Ahead of the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meet, the Pakistani military has said that security forces have killed a terrorist commander along with three other terrorists in the Waziristan area of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province."In a major breakthrough, terrorist commander Ihsan Ullah alias Ihsan Sanray along with three other terrorists (were) killed during an intelligence-based operation today (Sunday) in Ghariom, Shaktu near the inter-district boundary of North and South Waziristan tribal districts”, an army statement said.The military's media wing said Sanray masterminded numerous terrorist activities."More recently he was involved in planning and execution of terrorist attacks in Shaktu area which led to the martyrdom of several soldiers and officers including Lt ...
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B2V will imbibe spirit of development among masses: Advisor to J&K Lt Governor
22Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

B2V will imbibe spirit of development among masses: Advisor to J&K Lt Governor

Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said that the Back to Village (B2V) will imbibe the spirit of development and participation among the common people of India as well as empower them through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).Bhatnagar made these comments while participating in a B2V3 function at Panchayat Halqa Ganeshpora of Pahalgam Block.While addressing a large gathering, Bhatnagar said that the J&K administration is committed for the overall and equitable development of Jammu and Kashmir. He also asked the people to come forward and take advantage of welfare programmes announced by the government from time to time.Bhatnagar also said that the administration is strengthening Panchayat Raj institutions and the line departments will also facilita...
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J&K LG hands over paddy thresher, distributes Kisan credit cards
22Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K LG hands over paddy thresher, distributes Kisan credit cards

Taking governance to peoples’ doorsteps, Lieutenant Governor of Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, visited Panchayat Halqa, Ashthal, Kulgam during the ongoing phase three of Back to Village programme.On the occasion, Sinha handed-over a paddy thresher for use by the locals of the village.He also distributed kisan (farmers) credit cards, sports kits and handed-over financial assistance to construction workers, various certificates and sanction letters to beneficiaries under different departmental schemes.Sinha observed that the ambitious Back to Village programme is an endeavor of the J&K Government to ensure 100 per cent saturation of social security and beneficiary-oriented schemes so that the benefits of such schemes shall reach to every eligible beneficiary.Th...
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J&K: Panchayat by-polls set for early November
22Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Panchayat by-polls set for early November

The Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to conduct panchayat by-polls early November to fill the vacant seats.As per sources, the notification for the polls will be issued shortly to impose the model code of conduct. Around 13,000 posts of Panch and Sarpanch in gram panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir are vacant, officials said.Earlier, the panchayat polls were scheduled to be held in eight phases between March 5 and March 20 this year. However, the polls were postponed citing law-and-order concerns in the erstwhile state.The polls were supposed to be the first major political exercise in the erstwhile state since its special constitutional status was revoked by the Indian government on August 5 last year.According to sources, the Apex Level committee constituted for conducting preparatory...
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Kashmir’s Horticulture Director attends Bal Divas at Gurez
21Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Kashmir’s Horticulture Director attends Bal Divas at Gurez

Kashmir’s Director of Horticulture department, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat attended the Bal Divas at Khandiyal Gurez and listened to the grievances of people, assuring them of speedy redressal.He was accompanied by sub-district Magistrate (SDM), CHO Bandipora, SDPO, BDC, chairperson, Tehsildar, Executive Engineer, R&B, BDO, sarpanch and all frontline workers in the Balsabha.Bhat distributed stationary items, poly green houses and kits to the lactating mothers.On the occasion, various issues and demands concerning the general public were discussed including need of medical staff, macadamization of roads, providing water connections, wash room facility and installation of towers at Razdan top where new electric line is established.The team of officers headed by Director Horticulture Kashmir also vis...
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J&K: Regal FC, Khumanie FC emerged winners
21Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

J&K: Regal FC, Khumanie FC emerged winners

In the ongoing Spectrum Football tournament held in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pampore town, two matches were played between Shining Star FC-Regal FC and Novelty FC-Khumanie FC at Iqbal Ground (Tanch Bagh).In the first match, Regal FC emerged winners by 2-0. Asraar was adjudged as man of the match and received award from Zahid and Sarfaraz Rashid Bhat.In the second match, Khumanie FC won in a shoot-out. Adil Hussain Mir received the man of the match trophy from coach Mudasir.The tournament is sponsored by Spectrum Advertising Services.The other partners of the tournament include WALLMAX Interiors, Rootz Saloon, Zaffron Foods, Bizwiz Creations and Karachi Fashions.
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Covid-19: Govt evacuates over 5 lakh stranded J&K residents
20Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia

Covid-19: Govt evacuates over 5 lakh stranded J&K residents

The government of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has evacuated about 5,93,703 of its residents stranded in other states of India due to the coronavirus induced lockdown.The evacuation was conducted via Lakhanpur and through special trains and buses amid strict observance of all necessary guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures.As per official data, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has received 155 special trains at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations from different states and UTs, so far, with about 1,40,292 passengers. About 4,53,411 persons from other states and UTs including 937 from abroad have been evacuated by the government through Lakhanpur till date.As per the detailed breakup of figures, about 6,564 stranded passengers have entered through Lakhanpur from Octobe...
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J&K: Samoon reviews action plan of Srinagar’s Craft Development Institute
20Oct mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
Asia, Market

J&K: Samoon reviews action plan of Srinagar’s Craft Development Institute

Principal Secretary, School Education and Skill Development Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, convened a meeting with senior officers of Skill Development Department to review and discuss action plan for Craft Development Institute (CDI) at Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar.The meeting was attended by Director Skill Development, Sajad Hussain Ganai, Director Finance, Skill Development, Joint Director Planning, Skill Development and other concerned officers.Director, Skill Development, gave detailed brief through power point presentation on roadmap and objectives of the Institute saying that the Craft Development Institute adopts a holistic approach to handicrafts development by maximizing the potential of skill-based activities.CDI draws inspiration from the rich heritage of arts and crafts i...
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