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William and Kate arrive in Pakistan for five-day royal tour

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Islamabad — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase to begin their royal tour of Pakistan. William and Kate were met by Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and his wife as they disembarked from their RAF Voyager aircraft, local media reported.

A statement from Kensington Palace, ahead of the visit, said the couple “will get the chance to meet a range of people from Pakistan, including charity members, community leaders and young children.” The palace also said it will be “the most complex tour undertaken by The Duke and Duchess to date, given the logistical and security considerations.”

While their schedules are usually outlined beforehand, tight security around the tour means that William and Kate’s itinerary will be released day by day instead.

ICC lifts suspensions on Zimbabwe and Nepal

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Reuters — The ICC had frozen funding to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in July and banned its teams from international events after the African country’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) had suspended the national governing body for cricket.

The ICC announced its decision to lift the suspension after a meeting in Dubai with ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, Zimbabwe Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry and SRC chair Gerald Mlotshwa.

“I would like to thank the Zimbabwe sports minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of ZC,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said in a statement https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/1452302.

“Her desire to work in support of ZC was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to ZC will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”

Nepal were also reinstated on a conditional basis after a 2016 suspension for breaching ICC regulations on government interference, following this month’s elections to the Central Working Committee for the Cricket Association of Nepal.

BOUNDARY COUNT RULE SCRAPPED

Following its board meetings on Monday, the ICC said that it had changed regulations to scrap the boundary count to decide a winner if teams were tied after a Super Over in a final.

England ended their 44-year wait for a maiden 50-overs World Cup title in July by beating New Zealand on boundaries after a tied Super Over in the title clash.

“Following on from a recommendation from the ICC Cricket Committee, the Chief Executives’ Committee agreed that use of the Super Over as a way to decide results at ICC events will be retained,” the ICC said.

“Both… agreed it was an exciting and engaging conclusion to the game and will remain in place covering all games at both ODI and T20I World Cups.

“In group stages, if the Super Over is tied the match will be tied. In semi-finals and finals… the Super Over will be repeated until one team has more runs than the other.”

Other decisions included increasing the prize money for ICC women’s events by $2.6 million following a rise in the revenue generated by the sport.

As a result, the winners and runners-up of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year will receive $1 million and $500,000, respectively.

Growth in South Asia Slows Down, Rebound Uncertain

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World-bank — In line with a global downward trend, , casting uncertainty about a rebound in the short term, says the World Bank in its twice-a-year regional economic update.

The latest edition of the South Asia Economic Focus, Making (De)centralization Work, finds that strong domestic demand, which propped high growth in the past, has weakened, driving a slowdown across the region. Imports have declined severely across South Asia, contracting between 15 and 20 percent in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In India, domestic demand has slipped, with private consumption growing 3.1 percent in the last quarter from 7.3 percent a year ago, while manufacturing growth plummeted to below 1 percent in the second quarter of 2019 compared to over 10 percent a year ago.

‘Declining industrial production and imports, as well as tensions in the financial markets reveal a sharp economic slowdown in South Asia,’ said Hartwig Schafer, World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region.

The report notes that South Asia’s current economic slowdown echoes the decelerating growth and trade slumps of 2008 and 2012. With that context in mind,

In a focus section, the report highlights how, as their economies become more sophisticated, South Asian countries have made decentralization a priority to improve the delivery of public services. With multiple initiatives underway across the region to shift more political and fiscal responsibilities to local governments, the report warns, however, that decentralization efforts in South Asia have so far yielded mixed results.

For decentralization to work, central authorities should wield incentives and exercise quality control to encourage innovation and accountability at the local level. in which national authorities remain proactive in empowering local governments for better service delivery.

‘Decentralization in South Asia has yet to deliver on its promises and, if not properly managed, can degenerate into fragmentation,’ said Hans Timmer, World Bank Chief Economist for the South Asia Region. ‘To make decentralization work for their citizens, we encourage South Asian central governments to allocate their resources judiciously, create incentives to help local communities compete in integrated markets, and provide equal opportunities to their people.’

In Afghanistan, with improved farming conditions and assuming political stability after the elections, growth is expected to recover and reach 3 percent in 2020 and 3.5 percent in 2021. However, the outlook is highly vulnerable and may be affected by deteriorating confidence due to uncertainty around international security assistance, election-related violence, and peace negotiations with the Taliban.
In Bangladesh, GDP is projected to moderate to 7.2 percent this fiscal year and 7.3 percent the following one. The outlook is clouded by rising financial sector vulnerability, but the economy is likely to maintain growth above 7 percent, supported by a robust macroeconomic framework, political stability, and strong public investments.

In Bhutan, GDP growth is expected to jump to 7.4 percent this fiscal year with the commissioning of Mangdechhu, a new hydropower plant, and the completion of the maintenance of Tala, another one. Growth in fiscal year 2021 is forecast just below 6 percent on the base of strong tourism growth and increased revenue from the existing power plants.

In India, after the broad-based deceleration in the first quarters of this fiscal year, growth is projected to fall to 6.0 this fiscal year. Growth is then expected to gradually recover to 6.9 percent in fiscal year 2020/21 and to 7.2 percent in the following year. This forecast assumes that the monetary stance will remain accommodative, given benign price dynamics.

In Maldives, growth is expected to reach 5.2 percent in 2019, due to a slowdown in construction following the completion of the international airport and a connecting bridge. However, with support from new infrastructure investment and the expansion of tourism, growth is expected to pick up again to an average of 5.6 percent over the forecast horizon.

In Nepal, GDP growth is projected to average 6.5 percent over this and next fiscal year, backed by strong services and construction activity due to rising tourist arrivals and higher public spending.

In Pakistan, growth is projected to deteriorate further to 2.4 percent this fiscal year, as monetary policy remains tight, and the planned fiscal consolidation will compress domestic demand. The program signed with the IMF is expected to help growth recover from fiscal year 2021-22 onwards.

In Sri Lanka, growth is expected to soften to 2.7 percent in 2019. However, supported by recovering investment and exports, as the security challenges and political uncertainty of last year dissipate, it is projected to reach 3.3 percent in 2020 and 3.7 percent in 2021.
Source: World Bank

Any Attempt To Split China Will Be “Crushed”, Xi Jinping Warns During Maiden Visit To Nepal

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PTI , Kathmandu: President Xi Jinping warned on Sunday that anyone attempting to “split” China will be “crushed” as he held wide-ranging talks with Nepal’s top leadership and the two countries elevated their bilateral ties to strategic partnership and signed a slew of agreements, including a plan to build a trans-Himalayan railway line.

During his meeting with Nepalese counterpart Bidya Devi Bhandari on Saturday, President Xi Jinping announced the support of 3.5 billion RMB equivalent to Nepalese Rs 56 billion to Nepal over the next two years to help the development programmes, officials said.

Xi Jinping, the first Chinese president to visit Nepal in 23 years, also pledged to upgrade the Arniko Highway linking Kathmandu with Tatopani transit point – which was shut down following the devastating earthquake of 2015 – and open more customs points facilitating connectivity.

He said a feasibility study of the trans-Himalayan railway will soon start and China will also support the construction of the Kerung-Kathmandu tunnel road.

During his meeting with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on Sunday, Xi Jinping said that “anyone attempting to split China will be crushed and any external force backing such attempts will be deemed by the Chinese people as pipe-dreaming,” China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi Jinping’s comments came as Beijing is putting pressure on Kathmandu to rein-in pro-Dalai Lama Tibetans in Nepal.

Nepal shares a long border with Tibet and is home to around 20,000 Tibetan exiles. Every year some 2,500 Tibetans illegally enter Nepal crossing Tibetan border on their way to Dharamshala to meet the 84-year-old Dalai Lama.

Beijing views the India-based Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, as a separatist trying to split the Himalayan region from China.

Oli said Nepal firmly supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and stands firm in upholding the one-China policy.

Nepal, added Oli, will never allow any force to use its territory for separatist activities against China, the Xinhua report said.

Xi Jinping stressed that his country appreciates Nepal for its firm adherence to the one-China policy and its staunch support for China on issues concerning China’s core interests.

Calling Nepal and China true friends and partners, Oli said the two countries have always respected each other, supported each other and never interfered in the internal affairs of the other, adding that their traditional friendship is unbreakable.

In a joint statement, Nepal and China also expressed satisfaction with the signing of the agreement on the Boundary Management System, which will improve the level of boundary management and cooperation for both sides.

The two sides were also satisfied with the signing of the treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and expressed hope for an early conclusion of the treaty on extradition.

There have been concerns that Beijing can use the extradition treaty against Tibetan supporters of the Dalai Lama living in the country. Experts worry that Beijing is pressing to sign the extradition treaty mainly to extradite Tibetans involved in “anti-China” activities in Nepal.

Nepal and China decided to elevate their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership of cooperation and two sides agreed to respect each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect and accommodate each other’s concerns and core interests.

The Nepali side reiterated its firm commitment to One China policy, acknowledging that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory and Tibet affairs are China’s internal affairs, the joint statement said.

The Chinese side reiterated its firm support to Nepal in upholding the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its firm support and respect to Nepal’s social system and development path independently chosen in the light of Nepal’s national conditions, the statement said.

The statement said that Nepal and China take the Belt and Road Initiative, a pet project of President Xi Jinping, as an important opportunity to deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation in all fields in a comprehensive manner.

The two sides agreed to intensify implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation under the BRI to enhance connectivity, encompassing such vital components as ports, roads, railways, aviation and communications within the overarching framework of trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network with a view to significantly contributing to Nepal’s development agenda that includes graduating from LDC at an early date, becoming middle income country by 2030 and realising the SDGs by the same date.

The two sides agreed to conduct the feasibility study to launch the construction of the cross-border railway and reiterated their commitment to extend cooperation on the Kathmandu-Pokhara-Lumbini Railway Project.

101 most influential Asians in Britain

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London – – Three members of the U.K. cabinet have made the top 10 of the list of the 101 most influential Asians in Britain, which is topped by Sajid Javid for a second successive year.

Britain’s first Asian chancellor of the exchequer tops the ranking, while Priti Patel, Javid’s successor in the Home Office and the country’s most powerful female Asian, is in second spot, as the annual edition of the GG2 Power List will be unveiled this evening.

Investment fund manager Gina Miller, who launched legal action challenging the prorogation of parliament and won the case at the UK supreme court, follows the Asian cabinet ministers who hold two of the four great offices of state, in third place.

Top 10 Asian power list 2020

Source : Eastern eye

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to Nepal for State visit

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KATHMANDU — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Saturday for a state visit to Nepal. It is the first visit by a Chinese president to the South Asian country in 23 years.

President Xi along with his delegation will stay in Soaltee Crowne Plaza located at Tahachal in the capital city during their two-day visit.

The Chinese President will call on President Bidya Devi Bhandari at 6:30 pm today at Shital Niwas following which he is scheduled to meet with the president of the main opposition party (Nepali Congress), Sher Bahadur Deuba, at 7:15 pm.

President Bhandari will host a state banquet in honour of her Chinese counterpart and visiting dignitaries at Megha Malhar Hall inside Soaltee Crowne Plaza at 7:30 pm.

Imran Khan has been declared “Man of the Year” from the Muslim world

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Karachi — Prime Minister Imran Khan has been declared “Man of the Year” from the Muslim world by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, an independent research entity affiliated with an international Islamic non-governmental, independent institute headquartered in Jordan, DWAN has reported.

The prime minister has been honoured in the 11th annual issue of ‘The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 MostInfluential Muslims’ magazine. This publication seeks to ascertain the influence some Muslims have on nearly 1.93 billion people who share their faith across the world.

Among the 500 influential Muslims, the magazine highlights the top 50 which are led by the overall top two personalities entitled ‘Man of the Year’ and ‘Woman of the Year’. The publication selects Muslim individuals from a range of categories of influence — 13 in total — including scholarly, political, administration of religious affairs, business, science and technology.

A Nepali Woman killed in Leicester named as Suvekshya Burathoki

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Photo : leics.police.uk

London — A woman who was killed in Leicester has been named as Suvekshya Burathoki.

Officers were called to a house in Bartholomew Street, Highfields shortly after 8.30am on Tuesday (8 October) following a report that a woman had been seriously injured inside. Suvekshya Burathoki, 32 – known as Fatima – was pronounced dead at the scene, ITV news has reported.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out and found that Fatima, who is from Nepal, had suffered multiple stab wounds.

On Tuesday (8 October), a murder investigation was launched and officers investigating Fatima’s death are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry.

After the incidence the of the Leicester has issues the following public notice : 

Detectives have today (Thursday 10 October) named a woman who was killed at an address in Bartholomew Street, Highfields.

Officers were called to a house shortly after 8.30am on Tuesday (8 October) following a report that a woman had been seriously injured inside. Suvekshya Burathoki, 32 – known as Fatima – was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out and found that Fatima, who is from Nepal, had suffered multiple stab wounds.

On Tuesday, a murder investigation was launched and officers investigating Fatima’s death are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry.

Detective Inspector Mark Sinski, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) is leading the investigation.

He said: “We know that Fatima was subjected to a horrific attack in her own home. The person who violently attacked her then left the address.

“To date, a number of people who live in and around Bartholomew Street have been spoken to by detectives, who are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry.

“I would like to reassure people living in Bartholomew Street – and the surrounding area – that I believe this was an isolated incident.”

Detectives are continuing to ask anyone living within the Highfields community who may have information about Fatima’s death, to come forward.

An online public portal has been set up, where information can be passed on directly to detectives. It can be accessed by visiting https://mipp.police.uk

DI Sinski added: “As I have said before, we owe it to Fatima and her family to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.

“I would still like to speak to anyone who was in Bartholomew Street or the surrounding area any time between 7am and 8.40am on Tuesday. Any information you have could help with our ongoing investigation.”

Information can also be passed on by calling 101, quoting incident 120 of 8 October or, alternatively, by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Al-Qaeda’s South Asia Chief Killed In Afghanistan: Report

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PTI, Islamabad:  India-born Asim Umar, the chief of the Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), has been killed during a joint US-Afghan raid on a Taliban hideout in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Afghan officials said on Tuesday.

Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri had announced the formation of the AQIS to take the fight to India, Myanmar and Bangladesh in a video message in September 2014.

Asim Umar, who led the AQIS from its formation in 2014, was killed during a joint US-Afghan raid on a Taliban compound in Musa Qala district of Helmand province on September 23, Afghanistan”s National Directorate of Security (NDS) said.

It said Umar was killed along with six other AQIS members, most of them Pakistani. Among them was Raihan, Umar”s courier to Al-Zawahiri.

“They had been embedded inside the Taliban compound in the Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala,” the NDS said in a statement.

Nepal prepares to Welcome CHINESE President

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RSS, Kathmandu: With the announcement of the date of the President of People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping’s state visit to Nepal, preparations to welcome him have been accelerated.

The Chinese President is paying a two-day state visit to Nepal commencing October 12. The bodies concerned of the government of Nepal have been engaged for the preparation of bilateral talks and agreements during the visit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Wednesday published the schedule of the state visit of Chinese President .

The Chinese president is paying a two-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Bidya Devi Bhandari. The Chinese special delegates would hold delegation-level official talks with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the state visit.

The bilateral agreement and memorandum of understanding would be signed in presence of the Chinese President and Prime Minister Oli. The visit is taken as an important one as it is expected to materialise the previous bilateral agreements signed during the official visits of President Bhandari and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

It is expected that the visit would further help promote tourism as it is scheduled near upcoming Nepal’s mega campaign of Visit Nepal Year 2020.

Various places including, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Tinkune, Baneshwar, Babarmahal, Naxal, Tripureshwar, Bhadrakali, Kesharmahal, Durbarmarga, Sundhara, Nagpokhari, Hattisar, Kalimati, Solteemode have been decorated to welcome the guest.

According to Kathmandu Metropolitan City spokesperson Ishwarman Dangol, they were working to beautify the city by repairing the roads, cleaning and developing greeneries.

The concerned sides are working to clean and decorate the roads and streets of Kathmandu along with planting new plants and flowers.

The KMC has planted flowers of various species to decorate the roads. It has further worked on improving the quality of roads by tarmacking, arranging the stone slabs even by putting lump of grass (dubo) and repairing the traffic lights. Some of the workers are found busy in watering the newly planted flowers and constructing fountains and painting the railings and curbs.

Nepal Police Arrest Former Speaker Mahara on ‘attempt to rape’ allegations

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Kathmandu—In a dramatic development, Nepal Police has arrested former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, from his official residence on Sunday evening.

Offices in Nepal remain closed due to Dashain holidays—the biggest festival of Nepalese, but police secured order from a Judge in the capital, Kathmandu, to arrest Mr Mahara.

The police were acting after an employee from Mahara’s Secretariat lodged a formal complaint on Friday alleging Mahara of ‘attempting to rape’ her at her rented apartment in Kathmandu last Sunday (29th of September).

The arrest of Mahara came two days after Western embassies and the United Nations in Nepal issued a joint statement expressing concerns regarding what they called “high prevalence of violence against women in Nepal.”

The statement didn’t mention the name of Mr. Mahara but said, “While certain cases may still be under investigation, the undersigned remind the Government of Nepal on its obligations under international law to ensure access to justice for victims, stand for the victims’ rights and send a zero-tolerance message to combat gender-based violence.”

Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of France, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of the United Kingdom and United Nations in Nepal had issued the joint statement.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also increased pressure upon the government by forming a committee to probe the incident.

Earlier, Mahara had resigned from the post of Speaker after a meeting of the Secretariat of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) asked him to resign from his post of Speaker as well as Member of Parliament.

His Secretariat had earlier denied those allegations.

INSFN welcomes the arrest of Mahara

Meanwhile, the International Solidarity For Nepal (INSFN) – a human rights watchdog based in London—has welcomed the arrest of former Speaker Mahara.

In a statement issued on Sunday, INSFN has called upon the Government of Nepal to conduct investigation into the case without any political bias in line with international norms.

“We also call upon the Government of Nepal to expedite the investigation of rape and murder of Nirmala Pant more than a year ago and other victims of sexual violence against women,” said the statement issued by Dr Krishna Upadhyaya, chairperson of the organisation.

“We call upon Nepali authorities to ensure that victims of gender-based and sexual violence including rape are protected and provided free legal and other assistance ensuring their safety. As we have seen in the context of alleged rape by Mahara, the victim was forced to retract her statement within 72 hours of the incident. We, hence, demand that the state provide protection of the victims when the alleged perpetrators are people enjoying power and privilege,” the organisation said.

The International Solidarity For Nepal has expressed solidarity with the United Nations in Nepal and other Western embassies in Kathmandu that  have called for employing a victim-centric approach while dealing with cases of gender-based violence.

“We also encourage National Human Rights Commission of Nepal to take a proactive role and ensure that investigation and prosecution of alleged perpetrator/s take place in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal and international practices,” the statement said.

 

Int’l community express concerns regarding violence against women in Nepal

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London– International community, including the United Nations, have expressed concerns regarding what they called “high prevalence of violence against women in Nepal.”

In a joint statement issued on Friday, Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of France, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of the United Kingdom and United Nations in Nepal expressed concern about the reported impunity for the perpetrators of sexual violence and violence against women, as also stated by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women during her visit to Nepal in November 2018.

The joint statement of influential Western embassies and the United Nations has come at a time when Nepali media were reporting about alleged rape and sexual violence against a temporary staff at the Parliament Secretariat by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

Mr Mahara has resigned from his post but has denied allegations.

The statement didn’t mention the name of Mr Mahara but said, “While certain cases may still be under investigation, the undersigned remind the Government of Nepal on its obligations under international law to ensure access to justice for victims, stand for the victims’ rights and send a zero-tolerance message to combat gender-based violence.”

“Cases such as Nirmala Pant and Maya BK demonstrate the challenges victims and their families face in seeking justice. International standards and Nepal’s obligations under international law, as indicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, require the Government of Nepal to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations,” the statement said.

NHRC forms an investigation team

In the meantime, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal has formed an investigation team to probe rape allegation levelled against former Speaker Mahara.

The team has been asked to submit a report after thoroughly investigating the case. (The team) will go through media reports, meet the victim personally if she allows and talk to Mahara, The Himalayan Times daily reported.

In the latest development, the woman who first accused Mahara of raping her has formally lodged a complaint with the Police, reports said.

“The victim has lodged a complaint on Friday naming Krishna Bahadur Mahara of attempting to rape her.” Spokesperson of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, DSP Hobendra Bogati, told BBC Nepali. On the basis of her complaints, police have intensified its investigation, Mr Bogati said.

Timeline:

Sunday, 29th September, 2019: The victim calls Nepal police in the evening, alleges Speaker Mahara of raping her. Police visit the alleged crime scene, collect evidence and ask the victim to report to the police station on Monday.

Monday, 30th September: www.hamrakura.com breaks the news. In a video interview, the victim alleges Mahara of raping her. Mahara’s Secretariat refutes allegations

Tuesday, 1st October: The Secretariat of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) asks Mahara to resign from the post of Speaker and Member of Parliament. Mahara resigns from the post of Speaker.

Wed, 2nd October: In what looked like under coercion, the victim denied her earlier statement. She said she regretted accusing the “fatherly figure” of such misconduct. She said she was suffering from “depression” and had made false complaints against Mahara because she was “angry.”

Friday, 4th October: International community including the UN issue a joint statement; NHRC sets up a probe committee. The victim lodges a formal complaint with Nepal Police alleging Mahara of “attempting to rape her.”

 

Full text of the joint statement:

Statement on Combating Violence Against Women

The undersigned members of the international community are concerned about the high prevalence of violence against women in Nepal.

While certain cases may still be under investigation, the undersigned remind the Government of Nepal on its obligations under international law to ensure access to justice for victims, stand for the victims’ rights and send a zero-tolerance message to combat gender-based violence.

The undersigned are particularly concerned about the reported impunity for the perpetrators of sexual violence and violence against women, as also stated by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women during her visit to Nepal in November 2018.  Cases such as Nirmala Pant and Maya BK demonstrate the challenges victims and their families face in seeking justice. International standards and Nepal’s obligations under international law, as indicated in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, require the Government of Nepal to conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations.

In particular, recommendation No. 35 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women provides guidance to States concerning their due diligence obligations to investigate all crimes, including that of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls, and to sentence perpetrators, provide reparations to victims and prevent further violence by addressing the gendered causes and impacts of all forms of violence against women.

In doing so, the undersigned would like to highlight the importance and the need for employing a victim-centric approach. Such an approach places the human rights, interests and needs of the victims at the centre of any and all actions taken in relation to the allegations, not only in investigations, but also by providing victim assistance and protection, with the principles of ‘do no harm,’ confidentiality, safety and non-discrimination. The undersigned call upon all relevant State authorities to send a clear message of zero tolerance to any forms of gender-based violence by anyone under any circumstances.

The undersigned also note with concern the inherent power imbalance that exist in gender-based violence, which may hinder the victims’ capacity to report the violence suffered to the authorities and seek assistance. In this context, the undersigned urge the Government to provide measures to foster effective and efficient reporting. Such measures are particularly important in Nepal where the prevalence of violence against women and impunity for these crimes remains high, and continues to have a negative impact on women, children and the community at large in Nepal. Efforts to combat stigma and harassment against victims of sexual violence are central to the combat against impunity and the protection of victims’ rights.

The undersigned remain committed to assisting the Government of Nepal in combating violence against women and advancing gender equality, in line with Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Issued by:

Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of France, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of the United Kingdom, United Nations in Nepal

Gandhi’s first statue unveiled in Nepal

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PTI–Mahatma Gandhi’s first statue in Nepal was unveiled on Wednesday on the premises of the Indian Embassy here to mark his 150th birth anniversary.

India’s Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri unveiled the statue of Gandhi during a ceremony attended by former ministers, Parliament members, Indian Embassy staffers, business community, civil society leaders, professors, artists and journalists.

A host of speakers, including former minister Bhadra Ghale shed light on the influence of Gandhian philosophy in independence movements in various parts of the world.

A special commemorative ceremony was held at the City Hall of Kathmandu to mark Gandhi’ 150th anniversary.

MoU signed for China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park in Damak, a city of eastern Nepal

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Xinhua, Kathmandu — Damak Clean Industrial Park, a China-invested company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nepal Investment Board (IBN) for the China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park in Nepal’s eastern Jhapa district.

Damak Clean Industrial Park President Govinda Thapa and IBN Chief Executive Officer Maha Prasad Adhikari signed the MoU at a function on Thursday evening in Kathmandu.

Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone Investment Development Company Limited is investing in the project which aims to develop a complete industrial infrastructure for industries to come in and operate there.

“Industries related to food products, home appliances, transport equipment electrical and communication equipment will be brought inside the park,” Zhou Chengjie, chairman of Lhasa Economic and Technological Development Zone Investment Development Company Limited, said during the signing ceremony.

The location is the hometown of Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The IBN, a government body focused on promoting large scale investment, approved Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of 586 million U.S. dollar from the Chinese company in August.

“This investment is for the first phase of the works under which industrial park will be developed in 484.81 hectares of land out of planned development in 1,600 hectares,” Zhou said.

According to him, the project will be developed in four phases and his company has aimed to invest 1 billion U.S. dollar for the entire development. It will be one of the largest FDI to Nepal from China in recent years.

IBN CEO Adhikari said the China-Nepal Friendship Park would be milestone for industrial infrastructure development in Nepal as industrial infrastructure in the Himalayan country has remained poor.

“This will also help Nepal to utilize the economic opportunity offered by the Belt and Road Initiative,” he said.

Asmita Ale selected for England Women’s U-19 team

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London– Asmita Ale, daughter of a retired Gurkha soldier, has been selected in the Under 19 team of the England Women’s Football team.

Asmita has been playing from the Aston Villa Football Club as a defender. 

 

After being selected in -19 team she will be playing with Belarus, Cyprus, and Servia. Asmita, 17, belongs to Gurkha family and is the first girl from Nepali community to play in an English  football club since 2011.

Asmita is daughter of ex-Queens Gurkha Signal Engineer Amrit Ale and Mrs Basanti Ale.

 

” I feel proud to see the progress my daughter is making. As parents, we have tried our best to support her,” Asmita’s father, Amrit Ale told www.sotuhasiatime.com  “But if she can maintain the progress she has shown so far then there is every possibility she may find herself in the England Women’s Football Squad before too long.”

 

Asmita, who started playing football since she was 5-year-old, became interested in football after seeing her brother Asim, playing football. Asim had played for Chetwynd Under 12s.  Asmita started playing with Aston Villa’s Under 11 Girls Team after impressing in trials at the Premiership club’s Centre of Excellence.

Asmita went for trials at the Centre of Excellence at Villa Park for two weeks impressing the coaches with her speedy and decisive style of play.  Asmita’s father said that she is good at Maths and Science. “She did quite well in her GCSE exams. She had been offered a full scholarship in a US college, but she chose to stay back in the UK,” said Amrit Ale.

Asmita will turn 18 next year and will have an option to sign a contract with Aston Villa. She is also eyeing for a place in UK Women Football team in the Women’s Under-20 World Cup football in 2020.

Asmita is currently studying in the Sixth Form at the Higham Lane School in Nuneaton, England. She still practises at least four hours every day.

“It’s a matter of great pride that Asmita is playing so well at this age. She is already a role model for many Asian girls in the UK and abroad,” said Min Bahadur Gurung, former President of Sahara UK.

The organisation has been supporting and promoting young football talents in Nepal and the UK.

Queen’s Gurkha Signals win TRAILWALKER UK endurance event

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London — The Queen’s Gurkha Signals Blue Team has won this year’s TRAILWALKER UK fundraising endurance event by completing 100 km course in 10 hours and 25 minutes.

2nd Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles Team stood second by completing the course in 10 hours and 52 minutes. Similarly, Queen’s Gurkha Signals Red Team stood third by completing the course in 11 hours and 27 minutes.

TRAILWALKER UK is a fundraising endurance event, which is led by Queens Gurkha Signals, in partnership with Oxfam GB and raises charity for Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT) and Oxfam GB.

“It is a unique and challenging event where teams of four participants complete a course of 100 km within 30 hours along South Downs Way, starting from Queen’s Elizabeth Park in Petersfield to Brighton Racecourse,” said Gurkha Adjutant QG SIGNALS Capt Vishal Pun, one of the organisers of the event.

This year the event took place between 20 – 22 September 2019 where 558 teams were registered, of which there were 63 military and 495 non-military teams.

Testing Endurance

The event was started by Queen’s Gurkha Signals as a Military Training exercise in Hong Kong in 1981, which sought to test endurance and teamwork of soldiers and was later adapted to raise funds for the GWT.  In 1986, Queen’s Gurkha Signals invited Oxfam Hong Kong to partner with them and TRAILWALKER was opened to civilian participation for the first time.

In 1997, the hand-over of Hong Kong and the move of the Regiment to the UK meant beginning of TRAILWALKER in the UK.  Initially organised and run solely by Queen’s Gurkha Signals, Oxfam GB was invited to partner the event in 2002.  TRAILWALKER has now grown to be one of the UK’s largest ultra-marathons, generating significant amount of money in sponsorship for the GWT and Oxfam GB.  So far, TRAILWALKER 2019 has raised over £800,000 for GWT and Oxfam GB; this figure continues to rise.

Many participants managed to complete the whole course. However, there were quite a few dropouts due to the demanding nature of this event.

“A huge well-done to all those who had the courage to sign up for this gruelling event and many congratulations to those who managed to complete the course.  Our massive thanks go to all participants who have been raising charity for Gurkha Welfare Trust and Oxfam GB,” said Commander QG SIGNALS Lt Col H J Stoy and Gurkha Major QG SIGNALS Major Dhir Pun.