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‘BHRAMAN2022’ art exhibition kicked off at the Taragoan Museum and Cultural Centre, Kathmandu

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Kathmandu – Well-known Nepali actor Nikhil Upreti inaugurated the 3-day “Bhraman 2022” art exhibition at the Taragoan Museum and Cultural Centre in the Nepali capital on Sunday.

The artworks exhibited include acrylic and water colour paintings capturing Nepal through its breathtaking landscapes and architecturally rich ancient temples/monasteries. The exhibition is also an amalgamation of other forms of arts which include realism, photorealism paintings extending the wide range of subject matters, such as wildlife, food, figurative etc.

‘I love art and I am always ready to promote artworks. I am very delighted to have been to this exhibition showcasing 25 artworks of artists P. Singh and Rhoslyn. It is my honour to inaugurate the event’, actor Upreti said. ‘I used to paint as well during my childhood, and I also get happy to see young artist like Rhoslyn pursuing her passion in art. I see a lot of potential in her artworks’, he added.

‘Artist P. Singh’s artworks have been exhibited at many events in the UK with an aim of promoting Nepal and Nepali culture through paintings and these have been praised. We are excited to host artist P. Singh. Also, we are delighted in having some of Rhoslyn’s artworks here in Nepal’, said Nirmal Kumar Thapa, Chairperson of the Nepal Centre.

‘I am very delighted to visit Nepal with my artworks and exhibit them. I am thankful for all of your support. Your presence has encouraged me’, said artist P. Singh, who is a Software Engineer by profession. P. Singh works at SMBC Bank in London and paints during his free time. Some of his popular software while working in Nepal earlier include ‘Typeshala’ typing tutor, ‘Thamel.com’, ‘Nepali UNICODE’ and ‘Raajmarg’- a road engineering software.

Artist P. Singh’s daughter Rhoslyn has recently completed her A-levels and is looking forward to pursuing Biomedical Engineering at a University in London from September 2022. ‘I am very excited to have my artworks exhibited in Kathmandu. Thanks everyone for joining and inspiring to do more artworks’, said 18-year-old artist.

The exhibition runs from 14 to 16 August 2022 as part of its art exhibition series by Nepal Centre.

Nepal appoints former Indian cricketer Manoj Prabhakar as a head coach

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Kathmandu — Nepal have appointed former Indian cricketer Manoj Prabhakar as their head coach. He replaces Pubudu Dassanayake, who resigned from the post in July citing personal reasons to take up a similar job in Canada.

Prabhakar played 39 Test matches and 130 ODIs for India in an international career that spanned from 1984 to 1996. He has coached the Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh teams, and was the bowling coach of Delhi when they won the Ranji Trophy in 2008. Prabhakar was dismissed from the role two days before the start of the 2011-12 Ranji Trophy season for making critical comments about the players and selectors.

He also served as bowling coach of Afghanistan in 2015, continuing in that role for the 2016 World T20, where the side beat West Indies, the eventual champions.

“Seeing the interest for cricket in Nepal, their talent and skill level, I’m really looking forward to working with the Nepal cricket team to make them into a cricketing force to be reckoned with,” Prabhakar said upon the announcement.

Nepal are currently involved in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, where they currently sit second from bottom, having won eight games and lost eleven. They finished top of their group at the 2022 Men’s T20 Global Qualifier A, before losing to the UAE in the semifinal.

Taiwan president appeals for international support to halt escalation of regional situation

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TAIPEI: As China continue to hold military drills near Taiwan coast after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen has appealed for international support for the island nation and halt the escalation of the regional security situation.

In a tweet on Saturday, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said that the country’s government and military are closely monitoring the situation.

“Our government and military are closely monitoring China’s military exercises and information warfare operations, ready to respond as necessary. I call on the international community to support democratic Taiwan and halt any escalation of the regional security situation,” Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted.

Multiple Chinese planes and ships were detected around Taiwan Strait and some of them have crossed the median line, said the defense ministry on Saturday.

“Multiple PLA craft were detected around Taiwan Strait, some have crossed the median line. Possible simulated attack against HVA. #ROCArmedForces have utilized alert broadcast, aircraft in CAP, patrolling naval vessels, and land-based missile systems in response to this situation,” Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense tweeted today.

China has been increasing its military activities after Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on Tuesday.

Notably, a top official who led the missile development team of the self-governed island country was found dead in a hotel room, according to media report.

The official, Ou Yang Li-hsing, the deputy head of Taiwan defense ministry’s research and development unit was found dead on Saturday morning in a hotel room, The Jerusalem Post reported citing the Central News Agency.

The 57-year-old deputy chief of the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) was on a business trip to Pingtung in Southern Taiwan in of Pingtung, according to CNA, which said the cause of his death is being investigated.

Since her tour in the island nation, China has been conducting the largest-ever military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, including launching live missiles it claims as part of its sovereign territory. (ANI)

Manchester to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month

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London — South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) is an annual celebration that runs from 17 July- 18 August. The month is dedicated to raise the profile of British South Asian heritage and to show how much our world today is influenced by South Asia.

Manchester is renowned for its vibrant and diverse communities, the council are hosting sessions across the city, to allow people from all over Manchester to share their stories. Prior to the events, senior members of the community will be engaging young people with stories of what being South Asian means to them. The young people will then use the events to retell these stories through a wide variety of creative formats such as art, poetry and painting.

The events are free to attend and open to all, events are detailed below:

Wednesday 10 August at 4pm, Khizra Mosque

Friday 12 August at 3pm, Rushford Park

Tuesday 16 August at 1pm, Manchester Central Library

Through discussing arts, culture and history, the Council hope that through that through the events participants can understand the diversity of present-day Britain and celebrate the contribution of the South Asian community to British history.

This year is ‘Our Year 2022’ a year of opportunity for the city’s young people. With both SAHM and Our Year in mind, the Council are focussing on the younger generations and want to encourage the storytelling at these organised events.

Speakers, participants and young people will be able to share anecdotal stories about their experiences with their culture and history, passing on the stories, heritage and culture to be told in new and artistic ways by the younger generation. Young people will be encouraged to rap, dance and paint about their heritage and experiences.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE,  Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said:

“South Asian Heritage Month is a month where we can come together to learn about South Asian history and culture.  This year we are hosting events for people to come along to and learn about the rich cultural tapestry of South Asia.

“As a member of the South Asian community I am pleased that we are celebrating South Asian Heritage Month in Manchester and marking the month by hosting a range of events.  I am proud that we’re supporting the community by amplifying our voices and shining a light on how much of our world today has been influenced by South Asia.”

Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for Finance and Resources said:

“I am thrilled to announce these events that will be taking place over the next few weeks. Manchester is such a culturally diverse and vibrant city and South Asian Heritage Month is a great opportunity for the South Asian communities to tell their stories.

“The story telling aspect of this year’s celebrations adds a creative spin into the month and allows young people to engage with their history in a creative way. As someone whose parents emigrated to these shores from Azad Kashmir, the story of my mum and dad’s aspirations, struggles and successes are an integral part of me, and I believe have made me a better citizen of this city and country.  This passing on of the experiences allows stories, old and new, to be told and ensures that important history is not lost and is carried on to the future generation.”

Rhino poaching increases in South Africa

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In the first half of the year, rhino poaching increased in South Africa, where 259 rhinos were killed for their horn.

In the country as a whole, 259 rhinos were stolen between January and June 2022 as opposed to 249 during the same time last year. Just the Kruger National Park saw 82 rhinos stolen.

According to poaching figures from 2022, there have been losses of 49 privately held parks and 210 on state-owned land. As previously mentioned, KwaZulu-Natal suffered the most at this time, losing 133 rhinos. This is more than three times the 33 rhinos that were wiped out in the first half of the year.

Bangladesh seeking $2 billion from World Bank, ADB

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Bangladesh: In an effort to increase its foreign exchange reserves, Bangladesh is requesting $2 billion from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to a Wednesday report by Bloomberg News.

Bangladesh’s $416 billion economy has long been among the fastest-growing in the world, but the Russia-Ukraine war’s rising energy and food prices have increased the country’s import bill and current account deficit.

Taiwan’s presidential office receives cyber attack

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The website of Taiwan’s presidential office received an overseas cyber attack on Tuesday and was at one point malfunctioning, a source briefed on the matter said.

The website was shortly brought back online, the source told Reuters. U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was expected to arrive in Taipei later on Tuesday, people briefed on the matter said, as frictions rose across the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Reuters

India confirms first monkeypox death

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India confirmed its first monkeypox death on Monday, a young man in the southern state of Kerala, in what is only the fourth known fatality from the disease in the current outbreak.

Last week, Spain reported two monkeypox-related deaths and Brazil its first. The death in India is also the first in Asia. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global health emergency on July 23.

The 22-year-old Indian man died on Saturday, Kerala’s revenue minister told reporters, adding that the government had isolated 21 people who had come in contact with him. (Reuters)

Japanese filmmaker detained after attending protest, Myanmar activists say

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Reuters: Authorities in Myanmar detained a Japanese documentary filmmaker after he attended a protest in the city of Yangon on the weekend against recent executions carried out by the military government, activists said on Monday.

The activists and Myanmar media reports have identified the Japanese man as Toru Kubota.

Reuters could not independently confirm the activists’ accounts and the media reports and a spokesman for Myanmar’s junta did not answer a telephone call seeking comment.

A Japanese government spokesman in Tokyo said that a Japanese man has been detained in Myanmar and the government was calling for his release as soon as possible.

Auguste-Tanoa-Kouame appointed as World Bank’s country director for India

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India: Beginning on Monday, Auguste-Tanoa-Kouame will serve as the World Bank’s country director for India. He takes over after Junaid Kamal Ahmad, whose five-year term just ended.

Cote d’Ivoirian Auguste most recently worked as the World Bank’s Country Director for Turkey, where he oversaw the growth of the nation’s program and strengthened the bank’s support for Ankara’s climate agenda.

Prior to that, from January 2017 to April 2019, he was the Independent Evaluation Group’s (IEG) Director of the Department of Human Development and Economic Management.

Additionally, he served as a practice manager for the World Bank’s Macroeconomics and Fiscal Management Practice, first in the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean and subsequently in the Middle East and North Africa.

Pakistan closes Parliament cafes after cockroaches found in food

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Pakistan: Officials from Pakistan shut down two Parliament cafeterias after cockroaches were allegedly discovered in the food.

The lawmakers had previously voiced their displeasure with the cafeteria’s food quality. According to reports, some MPs discovered cockroaches and reported them to the district officials of Islamabad. According to reports, after conducting an inspection, the officials decided to close the café because they discovered inadequate hygiene conditions.

According to reports, Pakistan’s lawmakers prefer not to eat at Parliament cafe because of the unhealthy food it serves. Additionally, according to the reports, mice have also been spotted inside the Parliament lodges and a cockroach was once discovered in a ketchup bottle in the cafeteria.

Flooding and landslides kill at least 69 lives in Iran

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At least 69 people have been killed in recent flooding and landslides that hit cities across Iran.

At least 45 people are still missing in Tehran and three other provinces following the recent floods, which damaged at least 20,000 residential homes, according to officials.
More than 20 provinces have been affected by the floods. Several airports and main highways were closed and thousands of people evacuated.

PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate Maitree Power Project in Bangladesh

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are expected to jointly inaugurate the 1320 MegaWatt Maitree Super Thermal Power Station during the Hasina’s three-day visit to India in the first week of September.

Touted to be Bangladesh’s largest power plant, the coal-fired station is being set up by Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between India’s NTPC and Bangladesh Power Development Board. The project is worth USD 1.5 billion.

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio congratulates Nepal for achieving milestone in tiger conservation

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Kathmandu: Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has congratulated Nepal for achieving an impressive milestone in tiger conservation.

“Nepal has announced that the country has achieved its global commitment, made in the 2010 Year of the Tiger, to double the country’s wild tiger population by 2022. Congratulations to #Nepal for this impressive milestone,” he said in a post on social media.

“It’s an incredible achievement and testament to the conservation efforts of the government, partners like World Wildlife Fund, and local communities over the last 12 years,” DiCaprio added.

Stressing the need for more focus on safe co-existence between people and predators, he welcomed the launch of “Prime Minister Human Wildlife Rescue and Relief Fund”.

Nepal has become the first country to double the population of wild tigers. In accordance with the commitment, it made at the first Global Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg in 2010, Nepal has successfully doubled the number of tigers in its country by the year 2022.

Spain registers monkeypox death

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Spain: The death of a person from monkeypox was reported in Spain on Friday. According to Spanish media, this is a first for a country in the European Union.

The latest virus report from Spain’s health ministry noted that one person had passed away and 120 individuals had been hospitalized with monkeypox. It was reported to be the first monkeypox death in the nation by Spanish state news agency Efe and other media outlets.

The ministry withheld any additional information about the passing. It stated that 4,298 persons in Spain have the infection. 3,500 of those incidents included guys who had sex with other men. Of the total, only 64 were women.

Nepal formally communicates with US about not joining SPP

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Kathmandu: Nepal has formally communicated with the US that it will not join the State Partnership Program (SPP).

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Friday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka said that the government, through the diplomatic channel, on July 25 informed the US government about not joining the program.

“I would like to inform the House that a letter has been written to the American government that Nepal has decided not to take ahead the SPP. The process was delayed due to the need for internal consultation,” said Minister Khadka.