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World Bank, Rural Reconstruction Nepal sign USD 4.5 million pact to Strengthen Role of Forest-Dependent Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Climate Action

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Kathmandu: The World Bank and Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) signed a USD 4.5 million grant agreement to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in Nepal’s forest sector.

The five-year Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Nepal project will help enhance the capacity of IPLCs to participate in Nepal’s REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) processes at the local, national, and global levels for the sustainable management of forests, the World Bank said. “This will help create livelihood opportunities and increase the income of forest-dependent communities in the Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces.”

The Rural Reconstruction Nepal is the national executing agency for the project.

The agreement was signed by Lada Strelkova, World Bank Operations Manager for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and Dr Arjun Karki, President of Rural Reconstruction Nepal.

“This project supports Nepal’s Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities through a dedicated funding mechanism that will promote and protect their customary institutions that are crucial for the sustainable management of natural resources and climate resilience,” said Lada Strelkova, World Bank Operations Manager for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

“The project contributes significantly to Nepal’s transition to Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) for sustainable recovery, growth, and jobs.”

The DGM Nepal project aims to provide long‐term benefits to IPLCs from the sustainable use of forests, including adding value to products and more active involvement in Nepal’s policy-making process.

“The project provides much-needed support to forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities to enhance their resilience and build livelihoods through small-scale forest and non-forest-based business and employment opportunities,” said Dr Arjun K. Karki, President of Rural Reconstruction Nepal. IPLCs are both beneficiaries and active proponents and participants in the project.

During implementation, they will preside over the use of the grant resources in Nepal through a National Steering Committee (NSC) to provide strategic and leadership guidance to the RRN as executing agency.

The NSC is a 14-member team of representative NGOs identified through a self-selection process with an equal representation of IPLC representatives as decision-making members.

“This project is an excellent example of the innovation and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Nepal,” said Meerim Shakirova, Natural Resources Management Specialist at the World Bank. “Notably, it demonstrates that they can lead the design and implementation of development projects, meeting the expectations of the communities they represent as well as the requirements of the World Bank, donors, and partners.”

The DGM Nepal project is funded by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Forest Investment Program (FIP) implemented by the World Bank to enhance the role of IPLCs in protecting the forests they depend on. “Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Nepal are a critical pillar for climate action. I believe that the project will improve their capacity and skills to have a greater role in forest-related decisions at the country and international levels,” said Ms. Bharati Pathak, Co-chair of the National Steering Committee.

“If forest-dependent indigenous peoples and local communities from Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces can generate income from forest-related activities and foster innovation through this project’s capacity building and competitive grants mechanism, it will encourage IPLCs to ensure that their traditional knowledge, norms, and values are recognized alongside with the customary law,” said Mr. Jagat Baram, Co-chair of the National Steering Committee. (Nepal Live Today)

Nepal election : government to grant a four-day holiday during 20th November

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Kathmandu —  The government of Nepal has decided to grant a four-day holiday during the November 20 elections of House of Representatives (HoR) and Provincial Assembly (PA) members.

Holidays from November 18 to 21 have been granted to Schools where polling centres are fixed and two days’ holiday on November 20 and 21 granted for government offices and public agencies.

It has been mentioned in the press release issued by Fanindra Mani Pokharel, Spokesperson at the Ministry for Home Affairs on Tuesday.

Approximately 18 million voters will get an opportunity on November 20 to elect 275-strong House of Representatives as well as 550 members to the provincial assemblies in Nepal.

the polls to elect 275 members to the House of Representatives and 550 members to Nepal’s 7 provincial assemblies. Of them, 165 Members of Parliament will be voted in directly, while the remaining will be selected from the list of Proportional Representation (PR) candidates.

Similarly, 330 provincial seats will be filled through direct voting while the remaining seats will go to PR candidates.

There are 2,412 candidates, of whom only 225 are women contesting the parliamentary election under the first past the post (FPTP) election system, and 867 of them have registered independently. Similarly 3,224 FPTP candidates, of which 280 are women, will contest provincial elections.

Of the total registered voters, 50.8% are male, while 49.2% are female. A little more than a third of voters are between 26-40, making up the largest age group in the electorate. Nearly 20% of all voters are concentrated in Bagmati Province, while Karnali has the fewest voters at 5.6%.

Air quality improves in Indian capital

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NEW DELHI — The quality of air over the Indian capital and nearby areas improved from “Very Poor” to the “Poor” category on Tuesday.

As per the data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded at 221 on Tuesday which is categorised as “Poor”. The air quality had been in the “Very Poor” category over the past few days.

As the air quality improved, the federal government’s sub-committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi and adjoining areas relaxed the restrictions related to construction and transportation activities.

However, in a bid to curb air pollution, the sub-committee directed the concerned agencies to ensure vacuum-based sweeping of roads, water sprinkling and regular inspection and strict enforcement of dust control at construction and demolition sites.

Air pollution in Delhi and surrounding areas normally rises during winter months. Stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states, particularly Haryana and Punjab, and vehicular pollution are often cited as reasons leading to the rise in air pollution in the national capital region (NCR), which also include adjacent cities like Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and others. (Xinhua)

17th G20 summit kicks off with focus on economic recovery, climate change

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BALI, Indonesia — The 17th Group of 20 (G20) Summit kicked off here on Tuesday, with issues pertaining to world economic recovery, world health systems and climate change taking the center stage.

During the two-day summit with the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger,” other issues including digital transformation, and food and energy security will also be discussed.

The international community pins its hope on major economies to strengthen coordination on macroeconomic policies and promote multilateralism, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation at the summit.

Established in 1999, the G20 is a central forum for international cooperation on financial and economic issues. It comprises 19 countries plus the European Union (EU).

The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Türkiye, Britain and the United States. (Xinhua)

LDC Watch warns of moving close to tipping point if urgent climate actions not taken

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London – LDC Watch, a coalition of civil society organisations based in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), has warned that any delay in implementing proportionate action on mitigation and adaptation will mean a move closer to the tipping point, causing irredeemable damage to the climate and its ability to recover from climate impacts.

In a statement issued in the Egyptian resort city on Saturday,  during the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27), the organisation said there is an urgent need to puruse approaches that work for people in LDCs and the planet. “Business as usual is no longer option. We demand radical transformative actions that reocognise that the world is now in extraordinarily dangerous territory (and) radical changes are necessary,” the statement said.

The organisation called for an immediate scaling up of climate finance that recognises the damage that current policies have had on LDCs and their people. In addition, the LDC Watch called upon the international community to provide a separate financial facility dedicated to the Loss and Damage needs of the LDCs.

“We call on developed nation member states and the COP27 Presidency to ensure that loss and damage is an operational and functional agenda at COP27 that also secures the operationalisation of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage, ensuring that it is responsive to the demands, needs, and experiences of vulnerable communities of the LDCs and other developing countries,” the statement said, adding, “We strongly condemn the deception, delays and inaction of the governments of rich and industrialised countries of the global north to evade the delivery of their climate finance obligations.”

The important first step should be the delivery of historical promises, including the $100 billion annual climate finance related to the Global Climate Facility (GCF), which developed countries were meant to deliver each year from 2020 to 2025, the LDC Watch said. “So far, this has not been delivered. We urgently demand that LDC Fund and Adaptation Fund are made accessible to LDCs as much-needed resources to support climate action. It is imperative that the finance is new, additional, sustainable and predictable. Similarly, additional funds for Loss and Damage as well as technical assistance to enable the countries to develop systems to measure and monitor the extent of loss and damage, including those directly related to the lives and livelihoods of the people of LDCs, should also be equally prioritised,” said the statement issued by Dr Arjun Karki, global coordinator of the LDC Watch.

“We strongly condemn the false solutions packaged pledges that are heavily based on the assumption that unproven technologies and mechanisms can offset continued GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Instead, we call for radically reducing emissions to Real Zero, which requires rapid and drastic cuts in emissions and challenging economic models and powerful interests that are at the root of the climate crisis. We call on the International Community and the World leaders to recognise this reality and commit their national policies to respond accordingly,” the statement added.

While LDCs have least contributed to climate change, collectively contributing just 1.1 % of global emissions, they are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts. Nearly one billion people live in 46 countries defined by the United Nations as LDCs.

Post-truth Era and Nepali Politics

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​By – Uttam Poudel, ​​Assistant Professor, Nepal Sanskrit University,  Balmeeki Campus, Nepal

“A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes”  -Mark Twain

The above quotation by 20th century noted American writer and humorist, Mark Twain, is hinting at the point that a lie gets circulated in a rapid succession by virtue of its provocative and sensational nature. It also connotes that truth is sluggish in its circulation while a lie is slippery and hence, gets easily circulated due to its evocative and stimulating quality. This quotation is quite pertinent in this era of post-truth, where truth is overshadowed under the grip of falsehood in an easy way.

As an adjective, Oxford Dictionary defines post-truth as ‘relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief’. This phrase got its impetus after Donald Trump was elected as the President of United States of America, and EU referendum in the United Kingdom in the year 2016, in which UK voters opted to disconnect the country from the membership of the European Union. Majority of people across the world responded these events as something unexpected ones caused by emotional response of the people at the cost of their rational one. The phrase “post-truth” was used earlier by different writers in different contexts but after the mentioned events, it has been used more in the contexts of politics, and now misleading politics against people is associated with “post-truth politics.” Oxford Dictionary declared “post-truth” as the word of the year in 2016 due the frequency of its use in diverse debates, discussions and deliberations.

Humans are now consumer beings. They aspire and strive to consume even ideas, information, news, views, and so onthrough different sources and cites. And the propagators of ideas and information are so tricky that they offer us embellished version of truth rather than the “stark” truth itself. This is the real situation we are really in at present. Communication technologies have penetrated into our life in such a way that they are not only killing our rationality but driving us to see the world through their eyes not through ours. The socio-political life of post-modern times has been highly affected by the post-truth world situation, where real truth is less instrumental and different versions of truth have significant effects in different socio-political occasions. Post-truth is also used synonymously as “customized lie” that is executed to influence the public opinion by striking their emotionality and belief systems rather than rationality and stark reality. In this sense, at present, people wishing to influence other should be smart enough to create a discourse, which could easily satisfy and manipulate people by letting them accept the things before them without any counter question as such.

Now, the question is being raised— has the rationality of humanity been suspended, and have emotion and personal belief systems been prevailing despite the fact that truth has so many evidences and valid things to project? What will happen to the entire world when post-truth starts ruling the age? The so-called social media platforms are supposed to be significantly responsible to establish post-truth world situation by publicizing the deluge of distorted images, fake news, propagandist ideologies, and other information. Social media platforms as communication techniques and technologies have an intense effect to shape public consciousness, more particularly during the elections.

The fervor of general election has now gripped Nepal in a full-fledged manner.  Diverse social media networks have been exploited to manipulate the common people. The intense instrumentalization of social media technologies for propaganda and manipulation has posed the critical questions about the real truth. Instead of projecting their real policies, plans and proposals, the so-called candidates of almost all parties are involved in blame games through the display of distorted images, edited speeches, personalized things, etc. of rival parties simply with a view to appealing voters emotionally and altering their earlier decisions.  

Different rhetorics, which have been already turned out to be afiasco, are being used by major political parties to brainwash the public. They are committed to change the voting behaviors of the masses through the rhetoric of nationalism, employment generation, maintaining qui-distance with Indian and China, taking back the Nepali territories occupied by India so far, and host of others. Some candidates have gone to the extent of assuring the voters to send them to foreign employments free of cost if they cast votes in favor of their parties. The most horrible scenario seen in Nepal, these days, is that even the so-called intellectuals holding high profile in different sectors are the supporters of the leaders of such political parties, the ideologies of which have already been outdated, and are even seen in rallying cries during different occasions of the parties. What can we expect from them for whom the truth is not exactly what it is but what they believe and have faith on?

The post-truth effects in Nepali politics has led it to be a pathological politics consequently there is a growing disenchantment of genuine ones towards politics. This effect has merely galvanized to frustration among the rational people in the country. The whole country has been the victim of disinformation, manipulation and propaganda of the major political parties for the last three decades, which are not even tired to claim that they are doing things for “loktantra” (democracy) even today. Are we, Nepali, really slavish to politicians? Are we not aware of the fact that they are absolutely coming up with their false promises and tall claims to manipulate us? Despite knowing the truth, we are under the influence of politicians and fall under the trap of their emotional blackmail. The emotional blackmail has prevented us from being skeptical about our leaders and hence, they are succeeded to brainwash us time and time again. American writer, Carl Sagan’s idea of the burden of skepticism for humanity in his famous essay “The Burden of Skepticism” is quite pertinent to discuss here.  In this essay, he asserts that majority of humanity tend not to be skeptical because they cannot face the reality as such which is quite bitter in nature, so they satisfy themselves with the sweetness of falsehood.

However, we have to pay much for the momentary blissfulness of falsehood after some times. The ample example is that of Nepal, where people are still struggling to uplift their socio-economic status even after the restoration of democracy and the successful conclusion of different political movements.  In fact, post-truth world may invite host of scary situations— political instability, social unrest, confrontation among the members of public, security threat to the particular country, interference of external forces to the country, failure of the nations to name the few. On the top of that, in the name of freedom of expression, it will also lead to anarchism which, in a long run, may be a great threat to democracy itself. Post-truth situation, therefore, needs a critical scrutiny by the concerned ones to save the democracy from its potential threats.

For the post-truth world situation, social media often becomes the subject of criticism. No doubt, media is greatly responsible for misinformation, distortion and manipulation but what about the action of regulatory mechanisms. In the context of Nepal, still there is no clear cut Social Media Law. The enforcement of law is imperative to counterblast the post-truth situation. It has been a customary to misinform, distort, sensationalize and customize the truth simply to influence the mass and change their behaviors. These acts need to be checked by operating ideal journalism, maintaining integrity of information, holding the theory of transparency, establishing powerful state-sponsored surveillance mechanisms to regulate different forces contributing to post-truth situation.  

Mayor and London Assembly honour Armed Forces at Remembrance Service

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London — The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, Chair of the London Assembly, Dr Onkar Sahota AM, and Chair of the City Hall Branch of the Royal British Legion, Len Duvall OBE AM, joined Assembly Members, representatives of the British Armed Forces and other special guests for the first Remembrance Day Service at City Hall’s new location in London’s Royal Docks.

The Dean of Southwark, The Very Revd Canon Andrew Nunn, officiated the ceremony and The Right Reverend Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford delivered the address.

Representatives from the Sikh, Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths addressed the congregation and led a series of interfaith prayers.

The service also included readings, prayers and hymns, with music by the London International Gospel choir. Lieutenant General James Bashall, National President of The Royal British Legion, paid tribute to those who fought in the Burma campaign by reading the Kohima Epitaph.

Senior representatives from the Metropolitan Police Service, Greater London Lieutenancy, Transport for London, London Ambulance Service, British Red Cross, London Assembly, Royal British Legion, Armed Forces, and others participated in the wreath laying ceremony.

The service was also attended by London borough mayors and leaders, MPs, and Greater London Authority staff.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “City Hall’s annual multi-faith Remembrance Day service provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the great sacrifices made by our Armed Forces and their families.

“We are forever in their debt for the commitment they have made to serve and protect our country, not only during conflicts but also in times of national emergency.

“Without our nation’s brave servicemen and women’s heroism and bravery we would not enjoy the freedoms and privileges it is so easy to take for granted. On behalf of all Londoners: thank you.”

Chair of the London Assembly, Dr Onkar Sahota AM said: “We depend on the dedication and commitment or our Armed Forces, to help us through some very tough times. So it’s absolutely right, that every year we pause to remember their sacrifices and those of their families.

 

“We also recognise how the Royal British Legion’s unwavering support of the armed forces community is honoured and respected. Without them, there would be no Poppy Day.

“Remembrance Day is a day to reflect on the enormous sacrifices made for our freedoms by some very brave people, from Britain and the Commonwealth. We will be forever in their debt.”

Nepal has a really difficult line to tread in terms of geo-politics: Ambassador Pollitt

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By Bhagirath Yogi

London –  British ambassador to Nepal, Ms Nicola KathrynPollitt, has said that in terms of geo-politics,  Nepal has a really difficult line to tread.

Addressing the first-ever interaction with the Nepali diaspora based in the UK on Wednesday, Ms Pollitt said  that keeping both of the neighbours happy, on your side, is a tricky balance to strike.

Referring to Nepal’s vote against the Russian invasion of Ukraine early this year, Ms Pollitt said what type of company you are keeping in international arena makes a difference. “Whether in (UN Offices in) Geneva or in New York, Nepal is playing a responsible and leadership role in the region.”

While two of its powerful neighbours, India and China, abstained in the voting, Nepal was one of the 141 UN members that supported the UN resolution that ‘deplored in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 (4) of the Charter.”

The resolution, that was put to vote in March this year, also demanded that the “Russian Federation immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and to refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any Member State”.

Ms Politt said that the British government’s priorities in Nepal included supporting the federal system of governance, especially the provincial governments in Madhesh Pradesh, Lumbini and Karnali.

“We are also supporting to build the capacity of Nepal Police to deal with gender-based violence,  support the government at macro level to achieve growth and prosperity and to support Nepal’s efforts to combat climate change and educate women and girls, especially from the marginalised communities,” said Ms Pollitt.

Addressing the Gurkha Grievances

In September 2016, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rejected claims by a group of former British Gurkha soldiers that they had been discriminated against by the British government in their pensions. In its verdict, the Strasbourg-based Court held that there had been no violation of Article 14 and Article 1 of the European Convention of Human Rights as claimed by the petitioners.

The applicants, two retired Gurkha soldiers and an NGO acting on behalf of Gurkha veterans, complained that their pension entitlements had been less favourable than those of non-Gurkha soldiers in the British Army, and those of younger Gurkha soldiers who had more years of service after 1 July, 1997.  The petitioners went to the European Court of Human Rights  in 2011 after they lost similar cases at a British high court and the British Supreme Court refused to entertain their appeal.

Despite losing their legal battle, Gurkha veterans continue to press the governments of Nepal and the UK for what they call compensation, reparation and equal pension and benefits. In August 2021, former Gurkha veterans Gyan Raj Rai, Dhan Gurung and a Gurkha family member Mrs Pushpa Rana Ghale staged a hunger strike for 13 days near the Ministry of Defense in central London. They agreed to end their strike only after the British government agreed to form a high level committee to listen to their demands.

Responding to a query regarding the long-running grievances of Gurkha veterans, Ms Politt refuted allegations that Gurkha veterans were being discriminated against their comrades in terms of pensions and benefits. During the formal talks at the Ministry of Defence in London early this month, British officials insisted that they would like to discuss about the welfare of Gurkha veterans who are living in the UK and in Nepal. Representatives of Gurkha veterans, who were taking part as observers, however, registered their strong exception towards suggestion by the British side that their demand for ‘equal pension’ should not be discussed in the talks.

Talking to a small group of Nepali diaspora at the historic Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in central London on Wednesday, Ms Pollitt, however, hinted that the British government was not in favour of revisiting the pension issue again.

“It’s very good that both the sides have come round the table (to discuss Gurkha demands). We must not forget that both the highest court in the UK as well as the European  Court of Human Rights (ECHR) have always decided in the British govt’s favour. So, it will be very difficult to negotiate on the pension issue again. But the veterans’ welfare is always on top of the British government’s agenda,” she added.

Thousands of former Gurkha soldiers and their families are now residing in the UK following the British government’s decision in 2009 to allow ex-Gurkha soldiers, who have served at least four years in the British Army, to settle in the UK.

Photo : Nepali Link

Historic relationship

Nepal and the UK enjoy more than two centuries longrelationship thanks to Gurkhas. UK is one of the largest development partners of Nepal. Nepal is also seeking to expand its trade ties with Britain and attract more British investment into the country.

“There is a need to expand and strengthen our historic relationship with the UK. Engaging the Nepali diaspora in the UK is a right step in that direction,” said Councillor Lachhya Gurung, a former Gurkha and former Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet.

Dr Tejendra Pherali, Professor at the Institute of Education, University College London, said that both the countries should now explore new avenues such as reaching out to the second generation of Nepalese now studying and working in the UK.  “This will also help develop people-to-people relationship at the grassroots level,” he opined.

One of the recent developments in the bilateral relations has been Britain’s negotiations with the government of Nepal to bring in Nepali nurses to work with the state-owned National Health Service (NHS).

“The recruitment of (Nepali) nurses has to be ethical andformal with no involvement of middlemen,” said Ambassador Politt adding, “The NHS Trusts in the UK are working in partnership with the British government. We are piloting next year by bringing in 200 (Nepali) nurses on a five-year work visa.”

As Nepal will graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status, hopefully  in 2026, the UK has offered Nepal to join its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). “From 2026, we might think about a trade agreement. We are working on signing in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement  (DTDA) between the two countries. The ball is now in Nepal’s court,” said Ms Politt, a career diplomat, who will complete her four-year assignment to Kathmandu in the coming summer.

As Nepal and the UK are hosting a series of events to mark the centenary of the 1923 UK-Nepal Treaty, Ambassador Politt said that she would try her best to organise Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – the first British Asian Prime Minister- to visit Kathmandu.

If that happens, Mr Sunak will be the first British Prime Minister to travel to Kathmandu in more than two centuries.

Nepali-origin businessman Deependra Gurung became the new owner of Miss World

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Kathmandu — Nepal-born British businessman Deependra Gurung has become the co-owner of the Miss World pageant.
This has been confirmed by Gurung himself and the reputed beauty pageant website PageantImpress.

Gurung will officially take over as Miss World from the 71st edition of this year’s Miss World. Since its inception, Miss World has been the monopoly of British businesswoman Julia Morley and her family.

Pageantimpress has written the news of taking over the reins of the Gurung family from this year’s Miss World and has also been shared by Deependra. Businessman Gurung is also the owner of European airline company Himalaya Jet and world-renowned film multiplex chain Privé Luxury Cinemas, the online khabar reported.

This year’s Miss World pageant is planned to be held in Singapore, Japan and Poland. For this, Dipendra reached Singapore on Wednesday with the current beauty queen. Gurung also met Singapore’s Minister of Culture Edwin Tong.

Nepali-origin candidates elected in US midterm elections

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KATHMANDU : Two candidates of Nepali origin have been elected in the US midterm elections.

Dr Harry Bhandari has been elected again as Maryland State Legislator for the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the Democrat Party. He has become the first elected MLA with a total of 13,949 votes. Bhandari, who became the first Nepali-origin US citizen to be elected a people’s representative in 2018, won for the second regular term.

Likewise, Sarahana Shrestha, who became a candidate for the first time from District 103 New York of the New York State Assembly, has also been elected. With this victory, Sarahana has made history by becoming the first Nepali-origin US citizen to win a seat in the New York State Assembly.

(RSS)

9 Indians Killed In Maldives Fire

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Male — At least 10 people were killed and several others injured Thursday when a fire swept through cramped lodgings of foreign workers in the Maldives capital Male, the fire service said.

The capital of the archipelago best known as an upmarket holiday destination is one of the world’s most densely populated cities.

Officials said 10 bodies were recovered from the upper floor of a building destroyed in the fire, which originated from a ground-floor vehicle repair garage.

“We have found 10 bodies,” a fire service official said, adding that it took them about four hours to put out the fire.

A security official said the dead included nine Indians and a Bangladesh national.

The High Commission of India in Maldives condoled the loss of lives in the tragic fire. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities,” a tweet by the high commission read. ( Agencies)

China to grant zero-tariff treatment to 10 least-developed countries

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BEIJING : China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 98 per cent of taxable items from 10 least-developed countries in a bid to promote an open global economy.

Starting from Dec. 1, China will waive all tariffs on 98 per cent of the related imports from Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, according to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.

The step is conducive to opening up with win-win outcomes, building an open global economy, and helping least-developed countries to accelerate their development, the commission said.

This policy measure will gradually expand to all the least-developed countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, it added.  (Xinhuwa)

EU announces further sanctions on Myanmar’s junta

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BRUSSELS: In view of the continuing escalation of violence and grave human rights following the military takeover two years ago, the European Council has adopted the fifth round of restrictive measures.

The new listings target 19 persons and one entity, including the Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Kan Zaw, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Htun Htun Oo, and high-ranking members of the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) and Air Force.

The EU has also listed members of the Union Election Commission and business representatives of private companies closely connected and supporting the Tatmadaw.

“The State Administration Council is also included as it plays a central role in undermining democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar/Burma as well as in actions that threaten the peace, security and stability of the country,” the European Council said in a statement on Tuesday.

Restrictive measures currently apply to a total of 84 individuals and 11 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territory. In addition, EU persons and entities are prohibited to make funds available to those listed.

“Other EU restrictive measures will remain in place: the embargo on arms and equipment and export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications which might be used for internal repression, the export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, and the prohibition of military training and cooperation with the Tatmadaw,” the statement added.

These measures complement the withholding of EU financial assistance to the government of Myanmar and the freezing of all EU assistance, a tool that might be perceived as a means to legitimize the junta.

Two years ago, on November 8, the National League for Democracy obtained overwhelming and incontestable popular support in the general elections in Myanmar/Burma.

The civilian government was overthrown by the Myanmar military on 1 February 2021.

The EU said it is deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence and the evolution towards a protracted conflict which has spread across the country and has regional implications.

The 27-member bloc also condemned the continuing grave human rights violations including torture and sexual and gender-based violence, the continued persecution of civil society, human rights defenders and journalists, attacks on the civilian population, including ethnic and religious minorities, and the destruction of private property by the Myanmar armed forces.

The EU said it would continue to strive to bring to justice all those responsible for the human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the wake of the 1 February 2021 coup in Myanmar.

The EU said it reiterates the calls for an immediate cessation of all hostilities, respect of international humanitarian law, and an end to the disproportionate use of force. (ANI)

Pakistan reached the Men’s T20 World Cup final

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London— Pakistan reached the Men’s T20 World Cup final after a thunderous seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Sydney.

Chasing 153 to win, Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan hit half-centuries in an opening stand of 105 to tee up a stunning victory.

Pakistan will now play England or India – who meet on Thursday – in Sunday’s final in Melbourne.

It continues a stunning comeback for Pakistan, who were on the brink of elimination after losing to rivals India and then Zimbabwe in their first two matches of the tournament.

India unveils logo, theme, website of next year’s G20 summit

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NEW DELHI  — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled the logo, theme and website of India’s Group of 20 (G20) presidency next year.

During its G20 presidency, India will hold about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors and in multiple locations across India next year.

“It would be one of the highest-profile international gatherings to be hosted by the country,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.

The G20 logo shows the Earth sitting atop a lotus flower having seven petals representing the seven continents and seven universal musical notes.

“When the seven musical notes come together, they create perfect harmony. The G20 aims to bring the world together in harmony while respecting diversity,” Modi said.

The theme of the summit is “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. The website has been developed by India’s leading IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

“India will preside over the G20 summit from Dec. 1, 2022. It is a historic opportunity for the country. It is the premier forum for international economic cooperation representing around 85 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP), over 75 percent of the worldwide trade, and about two-thirds of the world population,” Modi said at the virtual inauguration ceremony.

The Indian leader also noted that India’s G20 presidency was coming at a time of “crisis and chaos”.

“The world is dealing with the after-effects of a disruptive once-in-a-century global pandemic, conflicts and lots of economic uncertainty. Even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress to make it a better place,” he added.

This year’s G20 summit is scheduled to be held on Nov. 15-16 in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. (Xinhua)

Nepal earthquake: At least six dead as powerful 6.6-magnitude tremor felt as far away as Delhi

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu: A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck in the north western district at about 2am on Wednesday. The quake delivered a severe blow, killing at least six people, injuring several others.

The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center stated that the epicenter of the tremor was in the Khaptad National Park area in Doti district.

All the victims were crushed dead by the debris of the house destroyed during the earthquake, according to the local authority.

The identity of six persons, who were killed in a quake, has been ascertained, police sources confirmed. The deceased are Bhagawati Bohara, Sita Bohara, Harka Bohara, Prem Bohara, Tulasi Bohara and Dhanasari Bohara of Thadagaun, Purbi Chauki rural municipality-3.

Rural municipality chairperson Ram Prasad Upadhyay said six people including three from the same family died in the disaster. He said five people have sustained injuries and they have been taken to hospital.

Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and Nepali Army’s rescue squads have reached the site for rescue operation. Min Raj Ojha, a local teacher, said most of the homes in the area have been damaged. Landslides have occurred at many places of Sayal rural municipality due to the tremor, said Dal Bahadur Deuba of Sayal.

Before this, an earthquake of 5.7 magnitude with its epicenter at Dipayal had occurred at 9.7 pm on Tuesday, the Center stated.

Aftershocks had also occurred frequently following the big tremor. The earthquake was felt even in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.

In Bajhang, people scurried out of their homes after the earthquake and spent the night outside. Laxmi Devi Joshi of Khaptad Chhanna-5 said panicked locals lit bonfires and spent the rest of the night in vigil outside in the open. She said that old homes have collapsed in the village. ( From : Nepal Live Today)