World

Elon Musk says he's terminating $44B Twitter buyout deal

10-Jul-2022 240

San Francisco : (AP)Elon Musk's tumultuous 44 billion bid to buy Twitter is on the verge of collapse after the Tesla CEO sent a letter to Twitter's board Friday saying he is terminating the acquisition.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a message for comment. It is not entirely clear whether Twitter's board will accept the 1 billion breakup fee or if there will be a court battle over the deal.

The possible unraveling of the deal is just the latest twist in a saga between the world's richest man and one of the most influential social media platforms. Much of the drama has played out on Twitter, with Musk who has more than 95 million followers lamenting that the company was failing to live up to its potential as a platform for free speech.

On Friday, shares of Twitter fell 5% to 36.81, well below the 54.20 that Musk had offered to pay. Shares of Tesla, meanwhile, climbed 2.5% to 752.29.

In a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Musk said Twitter has not complied with its contractual obligations surrounding the deal, namely giving Musk enough information to make an independent assessment of the prevalence of fake or spam accounts on Twitter's platform.

Musk's flirtation with buying Twitter appeared to begin in late March. That's when Twitter has said he contacted members of its board including co-founder Jack Dorsey and told them he was buying up shares of the company and interested in either joining the board, taking Twitter private or starting a competitor. Then, on April 4, he revealed in a regulatory filing that he had became the company's largest shareholder after acquiring a 9% stake worth about 3 billion.

At first, Twitter offered Musk a seat on its board. But six days later, Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal tweeted that Musk will not be joining the board after all. His bid to buy the company came together quickly after that.

Musk had agreed to buy Twitter for 54.20 per share, inserting a 420 marijuana reference into his offer price. He sold roughly 8.5 billion worth of shares in Tesla to help fund the purchase, then strengthened his commitments of more than 7 billion from a diverse group of investors including Silicon Valley heavy hitters like Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison.

Inside Twitter, Musk's offer was met with confusion and falling morale, especially after Musk publicly criticized one of Twitter's top lawyers involved in content-moderation decisions.

As Twitter executives prepared for the deal to move forward, the company instituted a hiring freeze, halted discretionary spending and fired two top managers. The San Francisco company has also been laying off staff, most recently part of its talent acquisition team.

The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu’s scheduled visit to Kolkata on Saturday has been cancelled

09-Jul-2022 218

STATES MAN NEWS SARVICE

A press statement was issued by the West Bengal unit of the BJP on Saturday morning where it informed the media about the decision to postpone the visit, adding that it will be rescheduled.

The National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu’s scheduled visit to Kolkata on Saturday has been cancelled following the Centre’s decision to observe a national day of mourning as a mark of respect to Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan who died after being shot.

A press statement was issued by the West Bengal unit of the BJP on Saturday morning where it informed the media about the decision to postpone the visit, adding that it will be rescheduled.

“As a mark of respect to former Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, a one-day national mourning shall be observed on July 9. Therefore, all programs of NDA Presidential Candidate Draupadi Murmu stands cancelled for July 9, 2022,” the press statement read.

As per the original schedule, she was supposed to have a close-door meeting with 69 elected party legislators in the state.

There was also a likelihood of her visit to the West Bengal Assembly.

Japanese Police arrested a suspect identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old resident of Nara City, according to local media.

09-Jul-2022 218

The national tricolour at Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House flew at half-mast on Saturday to observe the day-long state mourning announced in the country as a mark of respect for former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe who was assassinated on July 8.

Abe was shot in Nara city in western Japan on Friday, while he was delivering a campaign speech.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock over the tragic demise of Abe and in a tweet said: “As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister #ShinzoAbe, a one-day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022,”

PM Modi wrote, “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.”

In a blog post titled “My Friend, Abe San” PM Modi wrote, “In the passing away of Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend.”

He referred to him as “San” which means “Dear” and said that he met Abe in 2007.

“I first met Abe San in 2007 and since then, we have had so many memorable interactions. I will cherish each of them. Abe San energised the India-Japan relationship. He ensured that Japan is there side by side as New India accelerates its growth,” wrote PM Modi.

After the attack on him, Abe was rushed to hospital and initial media reports citing authorities said that it appeared that the former Japanese PM was shot at in the chest. They described his condition as in “cardiopulmonary arrest” and said he showed no vital signs.

Public broadcaster NHK later reported, citing ruling Liberal Democratic Party sources that Abe, had died. Abe died at 5:03 pm (local time) and had two gunshot wounds in his neck, according to officials from Nara Medical University Hospital.

Japanese Police arrested a suspect identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old resident of Nara City, according to local media. A gun that appeared to be handmade was retrieved from the site where Abe was campaigning for a candidate ahead of Sunday’s elections for Japan’s upper house of Parliament.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, stepped down in 2020 citing health reasons. He was prime minister of Japan twice, from 2006-07 and again from 2012-20. He was succeeded by Yoshihide Suga and later by Fumio Kishida.

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida earlier in his live address to the country yesterday said “this is not a forgivable act,” and that authorities would “take appropriate measures to handle the situation.” Kishida further said that the motive behind Abe’s shooting is not known. The media outlet citing government sources also reported that Abe’s shooting suspect is an ex-member of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

The Japanese PM also requested everyone to not speculate about any political ramifications at the time.

AGENCY IN PUT

In order to make Kathmandu a beggar free city

03-Jul-2022 543

STATESMAN IN PUT

In order to make Kathmandu a beggar free city, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has yet again come up with another plan.

Publishing a notice on Friday, the City has announced that it will be banning begging on the roadsides and in public spaces, alleys, bus parks, inside public vehicles and near government offices. But the notice has exempted sadhus and bhikshus (monks and nuns) and those with a tradition of begging for alms by visiting people’s doors.

The notice states that the rule will be implemented in 10 days. The City came up with the plan as endorsed by the held on June 19.

Although the City had earlier, in December 2019 when Bidya Sundar Shakya was mayor, announced a similar plan, for it was brought without any long-term, sustainable programme to rehabilitate the homeless.

Then came the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent and the City totally ignored the issue.

Oli had announced to make the streets of the Capital beggar-free within a year. A few homeless people were picked from the streets and sent to various old age homes, but that did not solve the problem.

There is no exact data on the number of beggars in Kathmandu city. However, they are seen along the roadsides and in parks and public vehicles. Nor has the City conducted any study on who they are and where they come from?

“I came to know about the City’s new plan through the news. These days I have seen more beggars on roadsides and on the temple premises. There are many. There are also child beggars who I have found don’t understand Nepali,” said Sunita Thapa, 42, from Old Baneshwar.

The City’s new notice is slightly different than the previous one. “There will be no restrictions for sadhu, santa, jogi or bhikshu (monks and nuns) and those with a tradition of begging for alms by visiting people’s doors,” reads the notice.

The notice further says that those violating the new rule will be booked as per Section 126 of the criminal code and which allows fining and jailing anyone who employs children for begging on the streets. The fines range from Rs1000 to 30,000.

Anthropologists, however, call it a populist stunt. Dambar Chemjong, head of the anthropology department at the Tribhuvan University said the mayor should work to find out who these beggars are and where they come from, before announcing the plan to make the city free of beggars and how they can be rehabilitated.

“There are beggars even in developed countries. During my recent visit to Paris, I saw many beggars. So our mayor sounds like populist when he announces such a plan,” said Chemjong.

Basanta Acharya, information officer at the City, said they plan to deploy staff on the streets to remove beggars. “We decided to impose the ban after receiving complaints from people.”

While the idea may look good, it comes with some issues attached, as beggars also enjoy the basic human and fundamental rights. The way the City plans to treat beggars makes them criminals.

Unless begging is decriminalised, it will mean empowering the City police that have been notorious when it comes to treating street vendors.

Only on Thursday, a video clip showing the City Police seizing the pushcart of a street vendor selling roasted corn at Baluwatar went viral on social media drawing widespread criticism. “Government seen on the streets. Has the Metropolitan City declared a beggar-free Capital or a Capital free of working class people,” tweeted.

Experts say authorities need to find out why people come to the streets to beg and how many beggars are there in the City. Then accordingly a long-term and sustainable programme can be worked out so as to make a city free of beggars.

Acharya, the information officer at the City, said they will provide shelter to the homeless at the Samakhusi-Based Manav Sewa Ashram and another shelter at Banasthali run by the Ashram, in coordination with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. The two shelters have the capacity to accommodate 200 and 1,000 people respectively.

According to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, it is working to make a separate care home for homeless people in Nagarjun Municipality.

Mohan Bahadur Basnet, mayor of Nagarjun Municipality, said it has allotted 16 ropani of land to construct a facility to house the homeless.

“Two years ago, our City had signed an agreement with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. We can make arrangements to house 1,000 homeless people and they will be provided with food and accommodation for free,” said Basnet.

He said a Rs110-million contract has already been awarded to a construction company and the shelter will be ready in two years.

SJF nominated Namgay Zam as a Coordinator of Bhutan Chapter

29-Jun-2022 379

M H JAKARIYA

Founder Executive Committee Member of SJF Rinzin Wangchuk had proposed her to nominate as a Coordinator of SJF Bhutan Chapter. Namgay Zam is Executive Director of Journalists’ Association of Bhutan (JAB). She will represent JAB for SJF.

Thimpu. Namgay Zam has been nominated as a Coordinator of SAARC Journalist Forum SJF Bhutan Chapter. Executive Committee has decided to give responsibility of Coordinator of SJF Bhutan Chapter to Namgay Zam.

Founder Executive Member of SJF Wangchuk says however, Bhutan SJF’s full Committee will be formed after the Parliament Session which will conclude next week.

President Raju Lama, Vice President Ramnath Vidrohi, General Secretary Md Abdur Rahman and Founder Executive Member Rinzin Wangchuk of SAARC Journalist Forum SJF congratulates Zam and wishes for her successful tenure.

SJF Srilanka Chapter Lasantha De Silva appointed as a Coordinator

28-Jun-2022 386

TNIS

He is working as a convener of Free Media Movement of Srilanka. Executive Committee of SAARC Journalist Forum SJF had nominated Lasantha De Silva as a coordinator of SJF Srilanka Chapter.

Colombo. Lasantha De Silva has been appointed as a Coordinator of SAARC Journalist Forum SJF Srilanka Chapter. Silva is a senior, young and energetic journalist of Srilanka.

He is working as a convener of Free Media Movement of Srilanka. Executive Committee of SAARC Journalist Forum SJF had nominated Lasantha De Silva as a coordinator of SJF Srilanka Chapter.

Executive Committee has given him the authority to form and announce full committee of SJF Srilanka. Silva will announce full committee of SJF Srilanka within few days.

President Raju Lama, Vice President Ramnath Vidrohi and General Secretary Md Abdur Rahman of SJF congratulated Silva and wishes him for successful tenure.

Likewise, SJF Executive Committee Member Amila Balasooriya has given the responsibility of Incharge of SJF Srilanka Chapter.

Looking forward to 'fruitful discussions' with G7 leaders on major topical issues: PM Modi in Germany

27-Jun-2022 518

Munich, (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he was looking forward to "fruitful discussions" with world leaders on topical issues like climate, energy, food security, counter-terrorism, environment, gender equality and democracy as he arrived here to attend the G7 Summit.

Prime Minister Modi is attending the G7 summit, to be held on June 26 and 27, following an invitation by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The summit is being hosted by Germany in its capacity as the chair of G7, a grouping of the world's seven richest nations.

"Landed in Munich to participate in the G-7 Summit. I look forward to fruitful discussions with world leaders during the Summit," Modi tweeted.

On his arrival, the prime minister was warmly greeted by the Indian diaspora.

Warm welcome to PM Shri @narendramodi in #Muenchen to attend the @G7 Summit #G7Germany #AmbHarishParvathaneni and Mrs. Nandita Parvathaneni received PM at @MUC_Airport, India's Embassy in Berlin tweeted.

The Indian community gave PM @narendramodi a warm and special welcome to #M nchen! the Indian mission said in a tweet.

At the invitation of @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz, PM @narendramodi arrives in Germany for the G7 Summit. Besides participating in @G7 discussions on climate, energy, food security, health, gender equality and more, PM will also hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

The G7 leaders are expected to focus on the Ukraine crisis that has triggered geopolitical turmoil besides fuelling a global food and energy crisis.

"During the sessions of the Summit, I will be exchanging views with the G7 counties, G7 partner countries and guest International Organisations on topical issues such as environment, energy, climate, food security, health, counter-terrorism, gender equality and democracy," Modi said in a statement ahead of his visit.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Friday that Modi will hold bilateral meetings and discussions with the leaders of the G7 and also the guest countries on the sidelines of the G7 summit.

Besides India, Germany, the host of the G7 Summit, has also invited Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa as guests for the summit to recognise the democracies of the global south as its partners.

Modi said he also looks forward to meeting members of the Indian Diaspora from across Europe, who are contributing immensely to their local economies as well as enriching India's relations with European countries.

From Germany, Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates on June 28 to pay his condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the former president of the Gulf nation.

Sheikh Khalifa passed away on May 13 after battling illness for the last several years.

Constitution of SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF

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Organisation Name:

SAARC Journalist Forum is a non-profit international organization of Journalists and it is called as ‘SJF‘ in short form.

Headquarter:

Kathmandu, Nepal.

: Address of Headquarter can change its location by Executive Committee if needed.

Organisation’s vision & mission:

To organise journalists of SAARC region to fight for press and expression freedom and raise the voice of rights of journalists is main aim and mission of this organisation.

As well as SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF’s mission is to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media internationally.

To develop the journalism of South Asia, to promote their quality of life, to promote towards mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of the problems of one another.

SAARC Journalist Forum is recognized as a regional journalist body by South Asian journalist member states of SAARC.

The rationale behind creation of SAARC Journalist Forum of the SAARC countries was to promote journalism, to develop, promotion, networking, policy reforms and achieve common objectives in the areas of SAARC countries.

Founded Date :

SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF was founded in 2019 A.D. and registered under Government of India by group of award winning senior journalists, reporters and editors of SAARC countries.

Founder Members:

1) Senior journalist of Nepal Mr. Raju Lama

2) Senior journalist of India Mr. Ramnath Vidrohi

3) Senior journalist of Bangladesh Mr. Md Abdur Rahman

Founder Executive Committee Members:

President : Raju Lama, Nepal

Vice President : Ramnath Vidrohi, India

General Secretary : Md Abdur Rahman, Bangladesh

Secretary : Khalil Omaid, Afghanistan

Treasurur : Saghirahmed Qamar, Pakistan

Members :

Rinzin Wangchuk, Bhutan

Amila Balasooriya, Srilanka

Ismail Shahu, Maldives

Membership:

Journalists from member states includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can take membership of Forum.

Membership of Forum should be proposed by Central Board Committee and approved by Executive Committee but for first term Executive Committee is responsible for membership.

UN agencies rush to the aid of quake-Afghanistan

23-Jun-2022 184

the states man news sarvice

The UN and partners have rushed to support Afghanistan following a devastating earthquake that hit two provinces in the east of the country early on Wednesday morning.

An earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan early Wednesday, and the death toll has surpassed 1,000, with more than 1,500 people injured, news reports said. The most affected areas are in Spera District in Khost Province, and Barmala, Ziruk, Naka and Gayan districts in Paktika Province. The UN was already mounting one of the largest humanitarian operations in the world in Afghanistan, where nearly 20 million people, roughly half the population, are going hungry.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened to see the tragic aftermath of this morning’s deadly earthquake in Afghanistan.

UNHCR and other UN agencies have deployed staff to the most affected areas in Pakitika and Khost provinces from its field office in Gardez. Currently, the focus is on search and rescue operations to find survivors. There are fears that more lives could be lost if survivors are not reached urgently in remote parts of the country.

Interim authorities have appealed for immediate humanitarian assistance and UNHCR is rushing supplies and staff to assist the affected people, working with other humanitarian partners.

“It is heart-breaking to see this tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan on top of the ongoing humanitarian crisis that Afghans are going through every day,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “I convey my deepest sympathies to the people of Afghanistan and especially those who have lost friends and family in this horrific natural disaster. UNHCR stands with Afghans at this difficult time and will make all efforts to provide relief to those affected.”

Afghanistan is going through a dire humanitarian crisis with some 3.5 million people displaced inside the country. Millions of others are struggling to survive amid rising levels of poverty and hunger, with social services under immense strain.

“This tragedy highlights once again that Afghans need and deserve the world’s solidarity and support,” Grandi added.

UNHCR has worked with Afghans for the last four decades inside Afghanistan and neighbouring countries. Nearly one million displaced Afghans and host communities have been assisted with aid since January this year.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday expressed grief over the tragic loss of life in the earthquake that hit Afghanistan.

“My heart goes out to the people of Afghanistan who are already reeling from the impact of years of conflict, economic hardship and hunger. I convey my deep condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the UN chief said in a statement.

South Asian women are still facing lots of problems regarding their basic rights : Amina Azizi

21-Jun-2022 398

raju laama

"I am honoured to be a General Secretary of SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF Afghanistan Chapter and would like to thanks all journalists of Afghanistan to trust me for this responsibility," Azizi said.

Kabul. General Secretary of SAARC Journalist Forum Afghanistan Chapter Amina Azizi says that South Asian women are still facing lots of problems regarding their basic rights.

Talking with SJF news Azizi urge to collaborate all female journalists of South Asian countries to face and solve the problem.

“I am honoured to be a General Secretary of SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF Afghanistan Chapter and would like to thanks all journalists of Afghanistan to trust me for this responsibility,” Azizi said.

“This is my great opportunity to travel India to participate in international journalist conference going to held soon in New Delhi and will meet journalists of SAARC countries,” General Secretary of SJF Afghanistan Chapter said regarding upcoming international journalists conference.

Azizi has been newly elected as a General Secretary of SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF Afghanistan Chapter.

She is younger journalist of Afghanistan who is working for rights of journalists, press and expression freedom in Afghanistan particularly for women journalists.

Abul Kalam Azad has given charge of SJF Bangladesh Chapter

20-Jun-2022 371

Dhaka. Famous Senior journalist of Bangladesh Abul Kalam Azad has been given charge of SJF Bangladesh Chapter. He is the editor and publisher of several newspapers and the founder of several journalists organizations in Bangladesh.

General Secretary of SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF Md Abdur Rahman inform it by releasing press statement.

"Hope that under his leadership SAARC Journalist Forum Bangladesh will go ahead. He was recommended to the Central Executive Committee to lead Bangladesh," stated in press statement released by General Secretary of SJF.

"He will announce the Bangladesh Committee in a very short time. In Bangladesh, the old messenger group of the chapter has been canceled. We are already opened a new messenger group. You will exchange any message in the new group," said in statement released by General Secretary Rahman.

President Raju Lama and Vice President Ramnath Vidrohi of SAARC Journalists Forum, SJF congratulated to the Senior journalist of Bangladesh Abdul Kalam Azad for his nomination and wishes for the successful tenure.

2 dead after 3 explosions hit Kabul gurdwara

18-Jun-2022 238

SNS | New Delhi

At least two civilians were killed and three security personnel injured after three explosions ripped through a gurdwara in Kabul on Saturday, according to multiple sources.

The bombings were confirmed by the Ministry of Interior, which stated that a gang of armed rebels invaded the gurdwara in the Kart-e-Parwan district.

“Before entering, the adversary attacked the guards with a grenade, causing a fire, and two of our Hindu countrymen were evacuated and transported to hospital for treatment,” the Ministry stated in a statement.

According to the statement, the rebels also exploded a car bomb before it reached its intended target.

“Fortunately, they were unable to reach their intended target and instead exploded a car bomb before they arrived.”

Meanwhile, according to the Xinhua news agency, a witness said: “At around 6 a.m., we heard a massive explosion that hit the temple’s gate. Two further explosions erupted inside the temple after the first.”

Security officers have roped off the area as a precaution, and multiple warning shots have been fired, according to him.

The two people were killed in the initial bomb, according to a security source.

Smoke billowed from the two-story gurdwara, which is surrounded by blast barriers, according to videos posted on social media.

Media and the general public have been barred from entering the compound, and no one knows what is going on inside.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs indicated earlier in the day that it was closely monitoring the situation.

“We are gravely concerned about news coming out of Kabul concerning an attack on a precious gurdwara in that city,” Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said in a statement.

“We’re keeping a careful eye on the situation and waiting for more information on the latest developments.”

A gurdwara in downtown Kabul was struck in March 2020, killing two dozen worshippers.

In recent months, the war-torn country has been hit by a series of terror attacks reportedly staged by the Islamic State (IS) terror group opposing the Taliban-led government.

On Friday, one person was killed and seven others were wounded after a blast hit a mosque in the northern province of Kunduz.

(with inputs from IANS)

Pakistan's ex-military dictator General Pervez Musharraf, who is in a UAE hospital in a critical condition

15-Jun-2022 234

Pakistan's ex-military dictator General Pervez Musharraf, who is in a UAE hospital in a critical condition with no possibility of recovery, may be brought back to the country in an air ambulance as the Army stands by its former chief, a media report said on Tuesday.

Gen. Musharraf, 78, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, was charged with high treason and given a death sentence in 2019 for suspending the Constitution. His death sentence was later suspended.

The powerful military establishment has offered the family of the former president that it can facilitate the return of Gen. Musharraf if it wishes, Dunya TV reported.

"The military contacted the family of Gen. Musharraf and offered its help in his treatment and bringing him back home," it said.

He may be brought back to the country in an air ambulance, the report said.

"All arrangements to bring Gen. Musharraf back to Pakistan (are) being made after family's consent and doctors' advice. This includes the air ambulance… The institution (of the Army) stands by its ex-chief," TV anchor Kamran Shahid said in a tweet.

His family has confirmed that the ex-general is in hospital and his recovery is not possible.

"Gen Musharraf has been hospitalised for the last three weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). (He is) Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living," his family said in a statement on Friday.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with the normal function.

He was diagnosed with the life-threatening disease Amyloidosis in 2018 in the UAE.

Gen. Musharraf had left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since.

He was declared a fugitive in the assassination case of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the Red Mosque cleric killing case.

In 2020, the Lahore High Court declared "unconstitutional" all actions taken by the Nawaz Sharif government against Musharraf, including the filing of a complaint on high treason charge and the formation of a special court as well as its proceedings, leading to the abolition of the death penalty handed down to him by the trial court.

In 2019, a special court sentenced him to death.

On Saturday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “In view of General Musharraf's ill health, there should be no obstacle for him to return home. Past events should not be allowed to interfere in this regard. May Allah give them health and they can spend their time with dignity in this part of life”.

It was the first public statement by a senior minister from the Shehbaz Sharif government after Musharraf's health condition was made public.

On Tuesday, federal minister Javed Latif told a private TV channel if Musharraf is brought back, he would face cases against him.

"We have no issue if Musharraf is allowed to come back. But he must face cases against him," Latif said.

Musharraf came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Facing impeachment following elections in 2008, Musharraf was forced to resign as president and went into self-imposed exile in Dubai.

AGENCY IN PUT

Gul Mohammad Graan has been elected as a President of SJF Afghanistan Chapter

12-Jun-2022 392

(raju lama nepal )

Like wise, journalists Benazir Baktash, Amina Azizi, Noorullah Stanikzai and Sadiqullah Popal have been elected as a Vice President, General Secretary, Secretary and Treasurur of Afghanistan Chapter of SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF.

Kabul. SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF Afghanistan Chapter has been formed in the Presidency of Gul Mohammad Graan who is senior and prominent journalist of Afghanistan.

Gull Ahmad Ihsan, Sirat noori, Zameer safi, Esmat morady and Ikramullah ikram have been elected as a member of SJF Afghanistan Chapter. SAARC Journalist Forum, SJF nominate Khalil Omaid as an Incharge of SJF Afghanistan Chapter. Omaid is also a Secretary of executive committee of SJF.

President Raju Lama, Vice President Ramnath Vidrohi and General Secretary MD Abdur Rahman of SJF executive committee congratulates the newly elected leaders of SJF Afghanistan Chapter and wishes them for successful tenure.

Russia draws closer to capture of Ukraine's Donbas region

10-Jun-2022 249

By John Leicester and Hanna Arhirova

Kyiv, Jun 8 (AP) Russia drew closer to its goal of fully capturing Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories as the Kremlin claimed to have taken control of 97 per cent of one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas region.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Moscow's forces hold nearly all of Luhansk province. And it appears that Russia now occupies roughly half of Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian officials and military analysts.

After abandoning its bungled attempt to storm Kyiv two months ago, Russia declared that taking the entire Donbas is its main objective. Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian government forces in the Donbas since 2014, and the region has borne the brunt of the Russian onslaught in recent weeks.

Early in the war, Russian troops also took control of the entire Kherson region and a large part of the Zaporizhzhia region, both in the south. Russian officials and their local appointees have talked about plans for those regions to either declare their independence or be folded into Russia.

But in what may be the latest instance of anti-Russian sabotage inside Ukraine, Russian state media said Tuesday that an explosion at a cafe in the city of Kherson wounded four people. Tass called the apparent bombing in the Russian-occupied city a terror act.

Before the Feb. 24 invasion, Ukrainian officials said Russia controlled some 7 per cent of the country, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, and areas held by the separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces hold 20 per cent of the country.

While Russia has superior firepower, the Ukrainian defenders are entrenched and have shown the ability to counterattack.

Zelenskyy said Russian forces made no significant advances in the eastern Donbas region over the past day.

The absolutely heroic defense of the Donbas continues, he said late Tuesday in his nightly video address.

Zelenskyy said the Russians clearly did not expect to meet so much resistance and are now trying to bring in additional troops and equipment. He said the same was true in the Kherson region.

Speaking earlier to a Financial Times conference, Zelenskyy insisted on Ukraine's need to defeat Russia on the battlefield but also said he is still open to peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But a former senior US intelligence officer said the time isn't right.

You're not going to get to the negotiating table until neither side feels they have an advantage that they could push, said Andrea Kendall-Taylor of the Washington-based Center for a New American Security.

The Russians think they will be able to take the whole of the Donbas and then might use that as the opportunity to call for negotiations, Kendall-Taylor said at an online seminar organized by Columbia and New York universities.

Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, said Moscow's forces have seized the residential quarters of Sievierodonetsk and are fighting to take control of an industrial zone on the city's outskirts and nearby towns.

Sievierodonetsk and nearby Lysychansk have seen heavy fighting in recent weeks. They are among a few cities and towns in the Luhansk region still holding out against the Russian invasion, which is being helped by local pro-Kremlin forces.

Shoigu added that Russian troops were pressing their offensive toward the town of Popasna and have taken control of Lyman and Sviatohirsk and 15 other towns in the region.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak urged his people not to be downhearted about the battlefield reverses.

Don't let the news that we've ceded something scare you, he said in a video address. It is clear that tactical maneuvers are ongoing. We cede something, we take something back."

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai conceded that Russian forces control the industrial outskirts of Sievierodonetsk.

The toughest street battles continue, with varying degrees of success, Haidai said. The situation constantly changes, but the Ukrainians are repelling attacks.

Moscow's forces also kept up their artillery barrage of Lysychansk. Haidai said Russian troops shelled a market, a school and a college building, destroying the latter. At least three people were wounded, he said.

A total destruction of the city is under way. Russian shelling has intensified significantly over the past 24 hours. Russians are using scorched-earth tactics, Haidai said.

Meanwhile, the US military has begun training Ukrainian forces on the sophisticated multiple rocket launchers that the Biden administration agreed last week to provide. The Pentagon said the training is going on at a base in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, is mounted on a truck and can carry a container with six rockets, which can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). Officials said it would take about three weeks of training before they could go to the battlefront.

In other developments, Zelenskyy said Ukraine planned to publish a special Book of Executioners next week with information about war crimes committed by the Russian army.

These are specific facts about specific people who are guilty of specific cruel crimes against Ukrainians, he said. Those named would include not only people who carried out the crimes but their commanders, he said.

SAARC Journalists Forum SJF had launched the logo of all SAARC countries

04-Jun-2022 530

Executive Committee meeting of SAARC Journalists Forum, SJF had already decided to form Chapters of SJF on all SAARC countries.Till now Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan Chapters have been forming and Bhutan, Maldives and Srilanka will also form their Chapters very soon.

SAARC Journalists Forum SJF had launched the logo of all SAARC countries

June 4, 2022

Kathmandu. SAARC Journalists Forum, SJF had launched today the logo of all SAARC countries along with logo of executive committee. President Raju Lama, Vice President Ramnath Vidrohi and General Secretary Md. Abdur Rahman of SAARC Journalists Forum SJF together launched the logo from their official Facebook page today.

President Raju Lama and General Secretary of SJF Md. Abdur Rahman General urge all executive members and leaders of SJF to form Chapters on their respective countries. Vice President of SJF Ramnath Vidrohi said that SJF will announce soon all Chapters in SAARC countries before 3rd international conference going to held at New Delhi coming September.

Vidrohi says, “because of Covid our international conference was postponed now we are preparing for 3rd international journalists conference in New Delhi.” President of India Chapter Anirudha Sudhansu and General Secretary Sushil Bharti both said that they are preparing for 3rd international journalists conference in New Delhi.

Recently meeting of India Chapter of SJF had decided to organise successfully the 3rd international journalists conference in New Delhi.

Sri Lanka's Government was targeting USD 5 billion for repayments and USD 1 billion to bolster the country's reserves

03-Jun-2022 308

Colombo: Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, during a meeting with representatives from the Joint Chambers on Thursday, explained that the Government was targeting USD 5 billion for repayments and USD 1 billion to bolster the country's reserves. During the meeting, Wickremesinghe elaborated that discussions with the International Monetary Fund are proceeding and was hopeful that the negotiations would end this month.

He further explained that the debt restructuring has already begun, following the appointment of financial and legal advisors. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister said that any bridging finance to help in alleviating the crisis is dependent on an agreement with the IMF being reached. Commenting further, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stated that talks were continuing with donor nations. He added that relations with Japan had broken down, and it would take a while to repair those relations and regain their confidence. In regards to the medicine shortage, the Prime Minister explained that former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, who was appointed on May 19 to coordinate the relief efforts for the island nation, was leading the international appeal for urgently needed medical supplies.

Addressing the issue of food scarcity, the Prime Minister explained that securing fertilizer and compiling a food security program were being given equal priority. He explained that in the event of any excess crops, those would be provided to vulnerable groups at a concessionary rate. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Sri Lanka relaxed the import restrictions on 369 items in March and April this year.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, has issued a gazette notification on the relaxation, the Ministry said in a press statement. Earlier, those who wanted to import any of the 369 items had to obtain an import licence, and the decision to restrict the import was taken to reduce foreign currency spending on foreign products. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the citizens, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.

The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic". Due to an acute shortage of foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion.—ANI

P M Modi has assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of fertiliser for the ongoing cultivation season

02-Jun-2022 306

Colombo: Facing a disaster of severe food shortage over the worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of fertiliser for the ongoing cultivation season. Rajapaksa on Wednesday announced that the fertiliser would be supplied with Indian loan assistance and has planned to supply it within 20 days once it is received here. He announced this at a discussion on the current crisis in the irrigation and agriculture sector in the country held at the President’s House in Colombo. The fertiliser is expected to be delivered for Yala season, one of the two cultivation seasons in the Indian Ocean island nation, starting from May and August. The country saw a nearly 30 to 40 per cent drop in yield during Maha season which ended in March and April. The agriculture experts and farmers have blamed Sri Lankan government’s overnight decision on April 27, 2021, to ban chemical fertiliser as the reason for major cultivation drop.

In April 2021, President Rajapaksa admitted ban on chemical fertiliser was a mistake and reversed the decision, yet the dollar crunch with current economic crisis has become a major hurdle to import the chemical fertiliser. In early May 2022 following discussions with Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda, India had assured the supply of the much needed fertiliser.

Sri Lankan High Commission in India had announced that following talks with India’s Secretary to the Department of Fertilisers, Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi, India has agreed to supply 65,000 MT of urea needed for the Yala season. Going through the worst-ever economic crisis since independence, India has assisted her Southern neighbour with nearly $3 billion to provide essential items such as food, fuel, medicine and fertiliser.—IANS

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SAARC Journalists Forum SJF had launched the logo of all SAARC countries

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P M Modi has assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of fertiliser for the ongoing cultivation season

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