China’s economy to grow slightly faster than expected

China’s economy will grow slightly faster than expected this year at 6.9 per cent and its shift to fostering services and private consumption is helping to support regional growth, Asian Development Bank (ADB) said today.

An ADB report said Asia’s developing economies remain resilient to economic weakness in industrialised countries and are on track to grow 5.8 per cent in 2015 and six per cent in 2016. It said Asia’s growth is supported by vibrant private consumption and services in China. Expanded industrial production in India and other countries also buttressed the regional economy even as countries reliant on commodities were hurt by the global slump in prices, a slow US recovery and Japan’s contraction.

“Though we’ve seen some softening in a number of economies, broader regional outlook is for steady growth,” said ADB Chief Economist Shang-Jin Wei.

The ADB in September forecast China’s economy to grow 6.8 per cent this year and 6.7 per cent next year. Today’s report maintains the forecast for 2016, saying further growth in consumption and services will support the economy despite a housing overhang and excess industrial capacity.

Central bank and government measures to stabilise the economy and to bolster small and medium-sized enterprises also provide some comfort, it said.

Chinese growth has slowed steadily over the past five years as the ruling party tried to steer the economy to a more sustainable expansion based on domestic consumption instead of trade and investment.

East Asia’s growth forecast is maintained at six per cent for both 2015 and 2016.

Southeast Asia’s growth prospects were also unchanged from September’s forecasts of 4.4 per cent for 2015 and 4.9 per cent for 2016. But a slight softening is seen for Indonesia due to lower-than-expected budgetary disbursements and weakness in exports.

The report said South Asia is on track to meet previous growth projections of 6.9 per cent in 2015 and 7.3 per cent in 2016. Continued strength in India supported by growth in industrial production, public capital expenditure, and retail sales are helping to offset slowdowns in Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Forecast growth for India was maintained at 7.4 per cent in 2015 and 7.8 per cent next year.Outlook for Central Asia was downgraded to 3.2 per cent in 2015 from 3.3 per cent, while projection for 2016 is 3.3 per cent from earlier forecast of 4.2 per cent.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt. Ltd

France pays tribute to victims of Paris attacks

PARIS: France paid tribute on Friday to the 130 mostly young people killed while they were enjoying themselves in Paris two weeks ago by Islamist gunmen and suicide bombers in the most deadly attacks the nation has seen since World War Two.

Blue-white-and-red French flags hung from the windows of public buildings and private homes as hundreds of survivors and relatives of the dead joined political leaders for a remembrance ceremony at the military museum Les Invalides in the capital.

The militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Nov. 13 attacks, which targeted cafes, restaurants, a sports stadium and a rock concert. More than 350 people were wounded and nearly 100 of them remain in hospital.

Under a wintry sky, the names and ages of the 130 victims were read out. A majority were under 35 and they came from all over France and from 17 other countries.

In a poignant but defiant speech, President Francois Hollande vowed to destroy Islamic State and urged his compatriots to help combat the group simply by continuing to go to bars, restaurants and cultural and sporting events and to enjoy the simple pleasures he said the militants hated.

“I solemnly promise you all that France will do everything to defeat the army of fanatics who have committed these crimes, that she will act tirelessly to protect her children,” he said.

“The terrorists want to divide us, to oppose us, to pit us against one another. They will fail. They have the cult of death, we have the love of life,” he said.

Hollande said the Nov. 13 attacks were part of a chain stretching back to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, and he noted that many other countries – including, this month alone, Mali and Tunisia – had been hit by militant groups.

Most of the assailants in the Paris attacks killed themselves using suicide vests or were killed by police but French and Belgian authorities are still hunting others suspected of involvement or possibly plotting new attacks.

Last week the French parliament backed a three-month extension of a state of emergency declared immediately after the attacks to allow security forces greater scope in combating militant Islamist groups.

France has also stepped up its aerial bombing campaign of Islamic State targets in Syria. This week, Hollande held separate talks with the leaders of the United States, Russia, Britain, Germany and Italy on how to crush the militants.

“We will defeat this enemy. Together. With our forces, those of the republic. With our arms, those of democracy. With our institutions, with international law,” a sombre Hollande said.

The Nov. 13 attacks came 11 months after Islamist militants killed 17 people in Paris, most of them at the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper and at a kosher supermarket.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Obama visits Paris attack site, pays tribute to victims

Nov 30, 2015- President Barack Obama laid a single rose at a memorial for the victims of the Paris attacks on Monday shortly after arriving in the city, visiting the Bataclan, the concert hall where the deadliest attacks took place during the onslaught some two weeks ago.

Obama, who is in town for international talks to curb climate change, was joined at the site by French President Francois Hollande not long after Air Force One touched down around midnight local time.

After solemnly placing the rose among the flowers and candles at the makeshift memorial, Obama stood silently in tribute, his head bowed and his hands clasped in front of him.

Afterwards he walked away with his arms around Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was also present.

He did not make remarks.

Obama has made a concerted effort to show U.S. solidarity with France after the Nov. 13 attacks, which killed 130 people. He and Hollande agreed during a meeting in Washington last week to ramp up military operations against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq and coordinate intelligence on domestic threats.

By visiting the memorial so soon after his arrival in Paris, Obama signaled the importance he placed on continuing to show support to the people of France.

His motorcade snaked through the city past several of its key landmarks before arriving at the memorial.

The surprise nighttime visit did not appear on Obama’s public schedule.

Obama is scheduled to stay in Paris until Tuesday for talks to hash out an agreement with world leaders to fight global warming.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt .Ltd

Nepal can use Chittagong and Mangalpur ports: Bangladeshi Ambassador

30 Nov, Kathmandu: Ambassador of Bangladesh to Nepal Mashfee Binte Shams has said that her country could permit Nepal to use Chittagong and Mangalpur ports.

At a face to face programme organized by Reporters’ Club in the capital city today the Bangladeshi Ambassador informed that a Nepalese delegation recently visited Bangladesh to discuss the possibilities of matters related to trade and transits.

Ambassador Shams added that Nepal and Bangladesh enjoy a very harmonious relations and her country has recently provided relief materials of 12 million US dollars to the earthquake-survivors in Nepal.

Similarly, Ambassador Shams informed that Bangladesh had exported different 40 electric and lubricant items worth 6 million US dollars to Nepal in the last fiscal year.

Likewise, in response to journalists’ query on supplying fuel to Nepal, Ambassador Shams said Bangladesh itself was the user of large quantity of petroleum products in the country.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt . Ltd

Major parties draft three-point proposal

Three major parties the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the Unified CPN-Maoist today drafted a three-point proposal to be tabled during the major parties’ talks with the agitating Madhesi parties.

As the United Democratic Madhesi Front refused to sit for talks called by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today, citing the government’s use of excessive force against agitators in Sarlahi yesterday, scheduled talks between the major parties and the UDMF did not materialise today.

According to UCPN-M Vice-chairperson Narayan Kaji Shrestha, the three major parties today decided to begin the process of amending the new constitution through the Constitution Amendment Bill registered by the erstwhile NC-led government regarding proportional inclusion and delineation of election constituencies on the basis of population.

The three-party meeting held in Baluwatar this evening also decided to make a constitutional provision regarding the provincial borders through political consensus and discussion, for which a political committee would be formed to finalise the issue within three months and the agitating parties would be urged to withdraw all their agitation programmes.

Shrestha said he was not aware why UDMF did not join today’s talks even though PM KP Sharma Oli himself invited them for talks.

Co-chairperson of the Sadbhawana Party Laxman Lal Karna claimed that the UDMF did not attend today’s meeting to protest against the use of excessive force that resulted in the death of one protester and injured 13 people.

He, however, said UDMF could sit for talks later if approached by the major parties.

Sadbhawana Party Chairperson Rajendra Mahato said there would be no solution to Tarai unrest if the major parties did not agree to resolve all issues, including the question of provincial boundaries together in a package.

Talking to THT over phone from Malangwa, Mahato said there was no ground for the major parties to argue against two provinces in Madhes.

Mahato said the UDMF’s stance of two provinces in Madhes was based on reports of erstwhile State Restructuring Commission and first CA’s thematic committee.

“These mechanisms had prepared their reports after a lot of deliberation and study. If anybody talks of forming another mechanism, such as a commission or political committee, it means they are trying to put Madhesis at a disadvantage,” Mahato said.

He said there was no rift among the leaders of the UDMF, as the front had officially accepted two provinces in Madhes.

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Madhesi leaders to visit New Delhi

KATHMANDU: Sadbhawana Party Chairperson Rajendra Mahato said the chiefs of the constituents of the UDMF were planning to visit New Delhi to apprise the Indian leaders of their concerns.

Mahato claimed leaders of other political parties, particularly the ruling parties, had misled Indian leaders about the Madhes agitation and Madhesi leaders and, therefore, Madhesi leaders thought it was necessary to visit Delhi to clear the doubts of the Indian leaders.

A Madhesi leader said the chiefs of the constituents of UDMF were likely to go to New Delhi on Sunday.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt .Ltd

NOC to distribute fuel to private vehicles from Monday

Dec 5, 2015- Nepal Oil Corporation NOC to distribute fuel (petrol) to private automobiles in the Kathmandu Valley from Monday.

The NOC said the fuel would be distributed in a bid to control the black marketeering of fuel. Many private vehicles have not got fuel after Tihar festival, but the traffic congestion has been normal. So, the distribution would help discourage black marketeering, the NOC added.

Motorcycles would get petrol for first four days after Monday, while it is car and jeep’s turn for next four days.

Similarly, the emergency vehicles would get the fuel regularly.

This is the third time in two and a half months that NOC will be distributing petrol for private vehicles.

The NOC had stopped providing oil to the private vehicles following the unofficial blockade imposed by India on Nepal in late September.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Three-party’s proposal doesn’t address Madhes demands: Upendra Yadav

Dec 5, 2015- Sanghiya Samajbadi Nepal Forum (SSNF) Chairman Upendra Yadav has remarked that the proposal brought by big three political parities doesn’t address the demands raised by Madhes agitation. He said the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has rejected the proposal outright.

“The current proposal is the same that was brought by Sushil Koirala led government,” said leader Yadav. “This proposal won’t address the demands of Madhesi, indigenous and Tharu.” He claimed that the proposal was brought by Nepali Congress to achieve its own ends.

“It has been learnt that the other parties are now trying to make it common,” claimed Chairman Yadav.

He claimed that he had no knowledge of any talks slated to be held in Baluwatar on Friday evening.

In a separate context, leader Yadav said the purpose of Madhesi leaders’ visit to New Delhi is to clear the misconceptions of India leaders, who have been influenced by false claims of ruling party leaders, and to exchange views regarding Nepal’s problems.

“Leaders of ruling parties including the CPN-UML have been living in New Delhi. And it has not come to public,” said Yadav. He urged the media to publicise Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa’s purported visit to Delhi to meet his Guru.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Nepal needs better environment for better performance, says Dassanayake

Pubudu Dassanayake was the man behind Nepali cricket team’s tremendous success since 2011. During his four-year stay, the Sri Lanka-born Canadian coach guided Nepal to World Twenty20 and also bagged a lot of accolades with the national team. Dassanayake has resigned from his job and is returning to his country this week. In this context, Mahesh Acharya of The Himalayan Times had a rendezvous with Dassanayke. Excerpts:

What brought you to Nepal when you accepted the job?

In 2011 World Cup in India, I was with the Canadian team. I got an email from the then Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) President Binaya Raj Pandey asking me if I was interested to join Nepal. I even didn’t have plans to leave Canada then. But after going through the Nepali team and whole country structure, I thought this is the place to go thinking that I can bring some changes take the team forward. So I decided to join Nepal.

Did you know about Nepal cricket at that time?

I had not watched Nepali cricket. At that time, Roy Dias was here and he was coaching the team for a while. I think it’s in 2000 when Nepal came for U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka when I was doing commentary for a television. I was able to do one match but I was not that aware of the players. When Pandey offered me the job, I went through YouTube and Google and talked with Roy and other ACC officials. I got a lot of positive feedback from them which made my decision easier.

What was the challenge for you?

I was actually looking for a team where I can prove myself and bring it above in the ranking and I think I made the right decision at that time.

What was your target when you took over the job?

I came here only for six months. Actually I came for ACC T20 Cup, so my job was to get through it. After looking at all the aspects, I had mentioned that if I stay here for a long time, I will guide Nepal to the World Cup and bring the team to World Cricket League Division-I.

How was your four-year stay in Nepal?

For me personally it’s memorable, there were lots of good time here with the team and with the whole cricketing culture here and I am glad that we came in the ICC ranking from Division-IV to Division-I. Winning the ACC Elite Division was not that easy against the likes of UAE and Afghanistan and that was a big tournament to win. And I enjoyed the players’ improvement during that time, every player came up pretty well. When I came here our fast bowling attack was not that penetrative and now we have a very good fast bowling attack. Even the batting, I would say, has improved a lot. As we are in Division-I, which is more challenging, still we are not powerful at opening pair. But it’s not weak. We have highly talented players and they need to adjust into that level. All of them are in right shape.

What is the difference in Nepali cricket then and now?

It’s all about mental toughness. Now the players believe that they belong to Division-I or above. And they believe that they can go to another World Cup and winning tournaments. They are very strong characters in the team.

How did controversies affect in cricket development?

In the last three years when we were playing in lower divisions, we had few issues…It was all about how much we support players financially and how can they be benefited. Structure-wise we needed best facilities to train to create good pathway and opportunities to the players. All these come in a chain. We had to struggle for all these but the team was strong enough to perform in that environment in lower division. But now we are in Division-I. For me the best example was against PNG. They have been in Division-I for a long time but Nepal and Hong Kong were playing for the first time in this tournament. Every team understand what they need to perform, everything matters — players’ payment, practice facilities and the environment along with encouragement to the players. Every team is trying hard with the best programmes. We are way behind in these aspects.

Any special moment with players?

There are many special moments with the players. But I would like to remember incidents with Sharad (Vesawkar) and Shakti Gauchan during the World Cup Qualifiers camp in 2012. I spoke with both of them and told them they were one of the best players for 50-over format and asked them to concentrate on that. The other day, both of them came to me and said that they would work hard for Twenty20 format. I considered them seeing their confidence and commitment. If we look back to the qualifiers and the World Cup, Sharad was the key batsman and Shakti was another pillar in our campaign. For me, these two incidents are highlights of my coaching which I can tell others to encourage them.

The happiest moment or the most satisfied moment as a coach?

Qualifying for the World Twenty20 was the best satisfactory one. But every tournament that we won and every match we played in Division-IV, III, II and I are special. The biggest horror was in Division-III in Bermuda when we lost the first two games and people started saying give up cricket and there is no future in cricket. The success came at the last hour, we are waiting for the USA-Bermuda match result and when we heard USA lost the game, it was a great moment altogether. We regrouped with passion and when we won the tournament we sang Rato ra Chandra Surya…..These are the moments I will never forget.

Disappointing moments?

There are many…my main disappointing factor was in earlier days when the players did not have financial support despite putting in huge amount of efforts by them. They needed to support their family and future was not certain. You need to some financial backing from your field. That side was slow and I think that is still not managed properly. Another aspect if we have a lot of challenges with the environments from the management side.

How was your relation with CAN, especially after ministry hired you?

From my side there was no issue. I fought for the things for Nepal cricket and I don’t have any personal grudges to anyone. May be my mistake was to be straightforward for the benefit for cricket and the team. Except for that, many people helped me. I will take only my good memories with me.

Don’t you think that you are leaving Nepali cricket midway through the journey?

Someone can say that. But if I cannot perform well, I can’t stay here. I have to perform well…. There are so many factors when it comes to players’ performance and I didn’t have those powers to get them on my own. If we are in a situation to get those factors, I am happy to come back if Nepal needs me. I know how much these boys put hard work, they are going to struggle in WCL if they don’t get that environment and support from the administrators.

Is that the reason you decided to leave?

There are two reasons. One is personal and I want to be with my family. Another is performance factor. If I am here, there is no doubt that I need to take this side again in the World Cup. For that a lot of things needed to be changed and at present we have not taken the first step towards that.

Do you think that your mission is accomplished?

Personally, I wanted to see Nepal as an ODI nation and playing I-Cup, four-day cricket. Now Nepal is playing WCL Division-I, I still think that team is still in hot water because we don’t have environment to play at that level. If you will be an ODI country or I-Cup team, we will be in more trouble, especially the players. The preparation part and other matters are not good enough and that has to be changed to move forward. At this point, Nepal is in very important crossroad. We need to change things to support the team and if it will not happen the team will be at the bottom in the WCL.

Are there any chances to come back?

My heart is always with Nepal. Some people said that I came here because I was paid a handsome amount. I never asked a figure as my salary. I took whatever I got. I just wanted to see Nepal team grow and do well. There is another aspect, CAN election is coming. A new board will come. The ball is in their court, whether they want me to come or not.

Message for the fans

I am pretty sure fans are disappointed that we lost few games. But on the ground, especially in the WCL, Nepal played against high-quality opponent. The team has improved but we lost as others teams are way ahead of us. I just want to say fans to have little faith until this team settles down in this level. And I am hundred per cent sure that they will come back and do well again. Nepal will go to the World Cup again and also become an ODI nation. This is a tough period and I hope fans will keep supporting the team.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

The Diary of a Teenage Girl

The Diary of a Teenage Girl is the American comedy drama movie that is written & directed by the Marielle Heller which is based on graphic novel “The Diary of a Teenage Girl”: An Account in the Word & Pictures by the Phoebe Gloeckner. The film stars of this movie “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” are Alexander Skarsgård, Kristen Wiig, Bel Powley, Quinn Nagle, Christopher Meloni & Austin Lyon. The movie premiere at 2015 Sun dance Film Festivals. The film was schedule to be release in the limited release on the August 7, 2015 by the Sony Pictures Classics.A story of the Minnie Goetze’s diary which she had written about her affairs with mother Charlotte’s boyfriend, Monroe.

Principal photography had began on the January 10, 2014 in the San Francisco, California. On the January 22, the crew were spotted filming. On the February 4, the Christopher Meloni had announce via the Twitter that he was in the San Francisco for the shooting.

Writer/director Heller received graphic novel “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” as the Christmas gift from younger sister who is around eight years ago.

On the January 10, 2014 Alexander Skarsgård, Kristen Wiig & Bel Powley joined the cast of the movie as the lead, Caviar shall co-finance with the Cold Iron Pictures and shall co-produce with the Archer Gray Production. There is the casting call for the extras on the January 29, 2014.

Before it’s a film, Heller had adapted the Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novels, The Diary of a Teenage Girl into the play, in which she had played the lead role. The piece of the theater is originally conceived with the Rachel Eckerling and the developed from the 2007 to 2010 with the Eckerling & Sarah Cameron Sunde. Sunde & Eckerling went on to the co-direct full production. The Diary of a Teenage Girl: the play premiere at the 3LD Arts & Technology Center.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Kabaddi Kabaddi can feel like an amped-up retread of its predecessor

Dec 5, 2015- Given that last year’s Kabaddi, directed by Ram Babu Gurung, had pleasantly exceeded my expectations—thanks to a number of strong performances, a picturesque and utterly believable small-community setting, and good whacks of playful humour to tie it all together—the release of its sequel had naturally been something to look forward to. But while the new Kabaddi Kabaddi does retain much of what was good about its predecessor, it perhaps also clings to that brief a little too strongly: the film can frequently feel like an amped-up retread of the older one. It might boast a star-studded extended cast and cameos, more stylish visuals, catchier tunes and a slightly longer running time, but its all in the service of largely repetitive jokes (alongside the occasional distasteful one, but more on that later) as part of a script that often runs around in circles, not quite sure of where its going or what it wants to say. We’re back in the village of Naurikot, Mustang, and back in the company of the remarkably self-important Kaji (Dayahang Rai), who is more than a little surprised that the girl of his dreams, cousin Maiya (Rishma Gurung) is still being standoffish with him, despite him having exerted himself greatly to rescue her from the clutches of a young vengeance-seeking thug from Kathmandu (Nischal Basnet) in the last film. He had thought it a done deal, but try as he might to suit up (shiny shades perched just so on his nose) whenever he goes to see her, she seems intent on rebuffing him each time. And to make matters worse, there’s a new guy from the city sniffing around her now, the flashy Bom (Saugat Malla), who is in town to help his father, a village elder, to run in the upcoming elections. It’s a cause Kaji himself, as youth leader of the same party, really should be supporting, but Bom’s advances towards Maiya, and the fact that she seems to be falling for them, has him miffed. His dilemma is furthered when his uncle—and Maiya’s father (Shishir Bangdel)—drops in to run against Bom’s father, and is soon luring poor Kaji’s loyalties with an offer that is very, very difficult to turn down. Kaji and his two besties (Buddhi Tamang and Bijay Baral), having changed sides, must now go about convincing the rest of Naurikot’s residents to do the same. But party duties come a paltry second to the ups and downs of their love lives—all three are undergoing particular tangles in that area at the moment—to be poured and slurred over in the dimly-lit innards of their local bhatti. Kabaddi Kabaddi ropes in a few more big names this time, most prominent among these being Malla. But the performance is rather perfunctory, the kind of role the otherwise-talented actor has, for some reason, been inclined towards of late, and could probably do with his eyes closed by now—namely, the roguish charmer with the fancy coif and clothes. I found his character difficult to believe, and that over-the top posturing can get exasperating. Gurung, meanwhile, as the centre of all the fuss, is still a touch wooden, although that’s very possibly the fault of a script that allows her little to do except snap at people and glower. Thankfully, we have Rai, Tamang and Baral returning as the three none-too-brainy chums, and they are terrific as ever, exhibiting wonderful chemistry. To be honest, had the film included more scenes with these three in it—no grand hijinks necessary, just the usual silly bantering—it would’ve made for a far more likeable watch, given that the conversations between them comprise the brightest spots in the whole enterprise. As it is, however, it just packs in too much, tries too hard, and loses its way. It clearly wants to outdo the previous instalment, but its approach to that end largely involves showing more of the same stuff—including a basic plotline featuring yet another city slicker come to whisk Maiya away, the same sort of verbal sparring and never-ending awkward foot-and-fistfights between her two contenders, among others. These might have been funny the first time around, but just punching them in over and over again throughout the second film only serves to prolong scenes unnecessarily. There is, of course, the change of premise offered by the election, rife with comedic possibility, though sadly not mined to the extent that it could’ve been. And Bom’s back story, revealed in protracted bits, proves pretty darn underwhelming.   But what is, by far, most problematic about Kabaddi Kabaddi is a particular sub-plot that I felt to be in extremely poor taste. The long-running “gag”, although I won’t go into it in detail here, basically involves the drugging and raping of one of the female characters, which, to my intense surprise, most people in the theatre that I was watching the film in seemed to find absolutely, roll-on-the-floor hilarious. Now, before you roll your eyes and spew forth about how “it’s a comedy!” and how this should give it license to push limits—I hear you, and I agree that jokes treading such sensitive ground can be funny, even important, when done right. But it’s a very, very, very fine line between targeting misogyny with creative humour, and actually falling into the misogynistic trap oneself—and unfortunately, it’s the latter case for the new film. And so it was a hard sell for me from that point on, especially given that the joke is reiterated many times over throughout. To be fair to the filmmakers, they do make some reparations towards the end, but the fact that the subject is treated with such flippancy for such a long time by both the film and the audience means that the damage is well and truly done by then. To put it plainly, though its title might suggest twice as much entertainment as the first film, Kabaddi Kabaddi gets nowhere close in reality. Let’s just say, I’m not exactly holding my breath for a round three.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Delays plague Gautam Buddha Airport project

Dec 5, 2015- The upgradation of Bhairahawa’s Gautam Buddha Airport to an international airport will be delayed by at least six months as work has been disrupted by shortages of fuel and building materials due to the Tarai banda that has gone on for months. The project was due for completion in December 2017.

If the situation does not improve soon, the completion date may be pushed back even further, project officials said.

On January 15, the then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had laid the foundation stone of the long-planned airport upgradation project.

Bhairahawa in south central Nepal is the gateway to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, which attracts pilgrims from across the world. Expanding the airport has been seen as being key to boosting religious tourism in the country.

However, the airport project has been plagued by misfortunes since the start. Three months after construction began, the country was rocked by a massive earthquake on April 25.

Although, the Tarai belt was not affected by the tremor, the project came to a halt for one and a half months as terrified workers refused to return to work.

Then from mid-August, violent protests have been erupting continuously in the Tarai districts, which has brought the airport project to a near standstill.

Om Prakash Sharma, chief of the project, said that the project completion deadline could be extended further if the situation did not improve. “However, we have options to make up for the delay if things become better,” he said, adding that the October-May period was crucial for any construction work.

According to government officials, half of the project site lies in sensitive areas where protest activity is high. Besides, the project has to bring construction materials from 90 km away. “We are facing difficulties in transporting materials due to the protests and fuel problems.”

The project is set to table a proposal at the Cabinet demanding security and a regular supply of construction materials so that work is not hampered any more, he said. Currently, an international terminal building is being built.

On November 13, 2013, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) had awarded the contract to upgrade the airport to China’s Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group.

Of the $90.6 million project cost, the civil works component is valued at Rs6.30 billion. The planned airport will have a 3,000-metre runway and a capacity to serve 760,000 passengers annually after the completion of the first phase of upgradation.

The Asian Development Bank has provided $58.50 million ($42.75 in loans and $15.75 million in grants), the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) will give a $15 million loan and Caan will bear the rest of the cost as counterpart funding.

During the second phase of development which will commence after 10 years, the airport is projected to handle up to 2 million passengers. After the airport is complete, it will be able to handle up to 6 million passengers annually. The airport will have six international parking bays.

Gautam Buddha Airport Upgrading Component was actually a five-year project (2010-15) under the South Asia Tourism Infrastructure Development Project – Nepal. But it became a non-starter for lack of funding.

The importance of the improvement plan lies in the airport’s being the front door to Lumbini which has been rapidly gaining popularity as an international pilgrimage, but suffers from poor access which has hindered further growth.

Source:-Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Everest

Everest is the British – American biographical disaster thriller and adventure movie that is directed by the Baltasar Kormákur & written by the William Nicholson & Simon Beaufoy. The movie stars of “Everest” are Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Josh Brolin, Michael Kelly, Robin Wright, Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Emily Watson & Jake Gyllenhaal.

The movie was set for the release date of September 18 2015. It was based on real event of 1996 Mount Everest disasters. It has focus on summit & survival attempt of the two expedition group, the one has led by the Scott Fischer that is role by the Gyllenhaal & the one led by the Rob Hall role by Clarke.On the date of February 12, 2014 the 1st photo from set of the movie is reveal featuring the Clarke. On the date of June 4, 2015 the 1st trailer for the movie has been release online, with the appeal for the relief for April 2015 Nepal earthquake has through Oxfam America in coda.

Universal Picture has originally slated the movie for the September 18 2015 release date in United State & Canada. However, date was then pushed back to the September 25 2015 in order to build the word of mouth. The movie shall be the first release in the IMAX & premium large formats theater on the September 18 2015, followed by the wide theatrical releases on the September 25 2015. In United States & Canada, it shall be release in the Dolby Vision format in the Dolby Cinema, which was the 1st ever for the Universal Pictures. It was screen at 2015 CineEurope on the June 23 2015 at Centre Convencions International Barcelona in the full 3D Dolby Atmos. The movie’s world premiere shall take place on the September 2 2015 at 72nd Venice International Film Festival at the Sala Grande on the city’s Palazzo del Cinema in the Venice. It is announced that the Dario Marianelli shall be composing music for adventure movie.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Nepali industries lost Rs 200 billion past 100 days

Entrepreneurs said the Nepali industrial sector has incurred a whopping loss of Rs 200 billion in the agitation ongoing in the Madhes for the past 100 days.

At an interaction on condition of Nepal’s industries during blockade held by Media International here in the Capital today, Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)’s Industry Committee Chairman Umesh Lal Shrestha, National Trade Association Chairman Nayan Bahadur Chhetri and Remittance Association Chairman Devi Prasad Bhattachan claimed the loss was so huge.

They appealed to the government to create an environment allowing the industries to resume operation.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Industry Som Prasad Pandey on Monday stressed the need for ushering the country forward on a path of self-dependence.

Minister Pandey insisted on introducing new views and planning in agriculture and hydro power sector, and urged the neighbouring countries to facilitate Nepal’s transit facility.

The Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal’s Senior Vice-Chairman Deepak Prasad Dahal attributed the problems emerging in the medicine sector to the government’s open market policy.

Nepali industries Problems

On the occasion, coffee traders pointed out that they were facing difficulties in processing produced coffees due to shortage of raw materials.

Footwear Association Vice Chairman Krishna Prasad Funyal said the lack of raw materials had forced the shutdown of many companies while Nepal Bottled Water Association Chairman Subash Bhandari said 50 per cent of water industries were shut due to shortage of fuel products.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt .Ltd

Nepalese in US stage demonstrations against blockade

Nepalese living in the United States on Sunday staged protests in Washington DC, the US Capital, against the unofficial blockade imposed by India at the Indo-Nepal border points.

Organisations representing Nepali diaspora had staged protests in front of the White House from 11 am to 3 pm yesterday, according to the Rastriya Samachar Samiti.

As many as 4,000 Nepalis were present in the protest and it was the largest demonstration carried out by US-living Nepalis, according to theRSS.

The protesters also staged a rally from the White House to the US-based Indian Embassy.

Meanwhile, Association of Nepalis in America would submit a memorandum to the US President Barack Obama urging him to speak against the blockade.

The protesters claimed the blockade was against Nepal’s transport rights as a land-locked nation and related international trade laws and treaties.

Earlier in November, Nepalis in the United Kingdom had staged a large protest in front of visiting Indian PM Narendra Modi.

Nepali communities living in other nations as well have staged protests in various parts of the world.

Separate demonstration of Nepalese Madhesis

Meanwhile, people from the Madhesi community living in the States held a separate protest in front of the White House.

They chanted various slogans including “Down with terrorist government”, “we want justice” and “stop killing” against the use of force to contain the ongoing agitation in Tarai districts in Nepal.

Madhesi Human Rights (MADHUR) and Association of Nepalese Teraian in America (ANTA) had led the protest.

Source:-Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

This year’s SLC exams likely to commence in April second week

The Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE), Sanothimi, is preparing to hold this year’s school leaving certificate (SLC) examinations from the second week of April 2016. The OCE had conducted the last year’s SLC examinations from March 5 to 30.

The Office is planning to set back the SLC examinations by some days as the regular classes were affected due April 25 ‘Gorkha Earthquake’ and ongoing Tarai agitations in this academic session.

Bishnu Bahadur Dware said that the examinations date could be prorogued for some days due to earthquake and Madhes movement though the Office was preparing to conduct the examinations in time like previous years.

“Processes have been started for setting question papers and printing answer sheets. The examinations date could be postponed for some days due to disturbances in regular classes though the Office can conduct the examinations in the second week of March,” Dware added.

The regular classes in quake-hit 14 districts were disturbed for nearly one and a half months while the classes in Tarai districts were affected due to ongoing Tarai unrest.

Likewise, the OCE source said that discussions were going on to conduct the SLC examinations in two phases by holding the SLC examinations in April second week in Tarai districts and prior to that date in others. 

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Mr. Nepal now represent at Mr. World

Mr. Nepal winner will represent Nepal at Mr. World. Expose Nepal dot com is been organizing Mr. Nepal pageant and from this year 2016, the event would take its international shape

.One of the mega events for male candidates Mr. Nepal pageant is now going to take its grand shape. As per this, the pageant will finally prepare its winner to represent Nepal at World stage through Mr. World. According to the organizing team Expose Nepal dot com, the winner of Mr. Nepal 2016 will represent Nepal at Mr. World 2016.

The Mister World competition is a male beauty pageant sponsored by the Miss World Organization. The competition is being occurred every two years that is biennial and was founded in 1996. Tom Nuyens from Belgium was the winner for first ever Mister World competition held on 1996. The first edition of the Mister World Pageant was held on September 20, 1996, in Istanbul, Turkey.

About 50 countries competed for the title. The entrants of Mister World competition compete in various activities including waterskiing, mountain biking, and marathon running. The current Mister World is Nicklas Pedersen of Denmark who was crowned on June 15, 2014 in Torbay, England. So far Belgium, Venezuela, Uruguay, Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Colombia and Denmark has won the title of Mister World.

Mr. Nepal pageant was premiered back in the year 2001 organized by Fashion Link Model Bank and Rohit Thebe was chosen as first ever Mr. Nepal. From some years back Expose Nepal dot com is been organizing Mr. Nepal pageant and from this year the event would take its international shape.

The makers have announced for the enrollment of Mr. Nepal 2016. The finale for the event is scheduled in the month of Falgun 2072. For this the candidates would be screened throughout the country and auditions would be conducted in the major cities of Nepal.

The interested male candidates can apply for the event where the organizers have whole lot of thing to offer in grooming process. As the major part personality and confidence enhancement classes, communication skill development classes, stage performance polishing classes would be included. Besides these activities like sports, fitness, photo shoot, celebrity interaction classes would also be incorporated.

The deserving candidates would enjoy the opportunities various modeling assignments, TV series, movies and media promotion. Rohit Thebe, Jiwan Luitel, Gautam Subedi, Ujjwal Karki, Somesh Ghimire, Aayushman Ghhimire, Suresh Gauli, Suraj Chiluwal and Sandeep Pokharel have proved it, would you be the next to Prove and first to represent Nepal at Mr. World pageant?

Source:-Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

Seven petrol pumps sealed in Kavre for cheating consumers

BANEPA: At least seven petrol pumps have been sealed in Kavre district for their alleged involvement in cheating consumers by tampering with fuel meter.

The petrol pumps were found of installing instruments in the refueling machines to sell lesser quantity of petroleum products aimed at cheating the customers.

Director General of Department of Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology Bishow Babu Pudasaini said that a total of seven petrol pumps were found cheating the consumers.

He said that the Hetaunda-based Regional Office of Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology has been given responsibility for additional investigations into the case.

Ugrachandi Oil Store and Mata Ugrachandi Oil Store based in Banepa, Jaya Ambe Petrol Pump in Panauti and Narayan Petrol Pump in Janaga, Panchkhal Oil Store of Panchkhal and Mata Palanchowk Fuel Centre were sealed for irregularities.

source:-Sabkura News Pvt.Ltd

25th death anniversary of Narayan Gopal being celebrated

KATHMANDU: On the occasion of 25th death anniversary of Swar Samrat Narayan Gopal, various programmes are being organised in different parts of the Capital on Saturday.

Gopal, the most prominent and popular singer and composer in the history of Nepali music, was born in a Newar family in Kilagal Tole, Kathmandu, on October 4, 1939 to father Asha Gopal Guruacharya and mother Ram Devi Guruacharya.

Some of his most popular songs include Euta Manche Ko Maya le Kati, Jhareko Paat Jhai, Yo Samjhine Man Cha , Manche ko Maya, Mero Pyaro Okhaldhunga, Ma ta Laligurans Bhayechu.

Gopal, who has enchanted millions of listeners by his immortal melodies, was awarded with several national honors like Indra Rajya Laxmi Award, Chhinalata Award for vocals, Jagadamba Shree and Trishakti Patta third among others.

Gopal, a patient of diabetes had breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Bir Hospital on December 5, 1990.

Source:- Sabkura News Pvt .Ltd