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About this category: Health
Nepali Army soldiers deployed in Haiti under the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission are safe, the Nepal Army said on Wednesday. However, one soldier was injured in the earhquake. Over 1,100 Nepalis are part of the United Nations Stabilisation Misssion in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since 2004. The Army said all Nepali peace keepers are safe and that they have been pressed into service for the relief and rescue efforts in Haiti. MINUSTAH's mandate is to restore a secure and stable environement, to promote the political process and to strengthen Haiti's government instituions and rule-of-law structures.
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About this category: Environment
COPENHAGEN: U.N. climate talks were thrown into disarray Monday as developing countries blocked negotiations, demanding that rich countries raise their pledges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Representatives from developing countries said they refused to participate in any working groups at the 192-nation summit until the issue was resolved.
The move was a setback for the Copenhagen talks, which were already faltering over long-running disputes between rich and poor nations over emissions cuts and financing for developing countries to deal withclimate change.
Representatives from developing countries said they refused to participate in any working groups at the 192-nation summit until the issue was resolved.
The move was a setback for the Copenhagen talks, which were already faltering over long-running disputes between rich and poor nations over emissions cuts and financing for developing countries to deal withclimate change.
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About this category: Environment
Makwanpur is facing shortage of urea fertilizer, the most essential ingredient of modern agriculture. The crisis has hit winter crops and seasonal vegetables, the main sources of livelihood of farmers in the district. The Birgunj branch office of Agricultural Materials Corporations, a state-owned body assigned to import and supply fertilizer, had shipped 95 quintals of urea some weeks ago to various VDCs and Hetauda municipality. However, farmers said the supply was far less than the demand. The district agricultural development office said it is will bring 1,500 metric tonnes of fertilizer.
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About this category: Culture
To the fury of United Nations officials in Kabul, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced that it planned to open 155 more polling stations — up from 6,167 to 6,322 — than during the first vote on August 20, despite repeated claims by the UN that there would be a reduction.
Ever since an official inquiry uncovered almost 1m fraudulent votes cast in favour of the president, Hamid Karzai, the country’s western backers have insisted fewer centres would be opened in the run-off on November 7. But the IEC said assurances by Afghanistan’s security chiefs that conditions had improved in some areas of the country allowed for the opening of more centres. In the first round, polling stations operated in areas that were so insecure that election monitors were unable to deter wholesale ballot stuffing. Karzai’s main opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, has said he would only participate if 500 polling centres were closed and the head of the IEC was sacked.
UN staff said the IEC decision meant voting would still take place in areas where fraud was known to have been committed first time round or in areas where almost no one turned out to vote. A western diplomat closely involved in organising the vote said the news was a “punch in the stomach because everything we asked them to do they rejected”. He said it had shattered morale among election workers, already at a low ebb after six UN members of staff involved in election preparations were killed by a Taliban hit squad in an attack on a guesthouse in Kabul on Wednesday.
“This coming on top of yesterday’s incident — there really is only so much you can take for this progress,” he said. Another official said the decision was “absurd” and that “one really has to question the motives of the IEC”. Despite claims that fraud would be reduced in the second round, election observers believe a clean vote is impossible.
Ever since an official inquiry uncovered almost 1m fraudulent votes cast in favour of the president, Hamid Karzai, the country’s western backers have insisted fewer centres would be opened in the run-off on November 7. But the IEC said assurances by Afghanistan’s security chiefs that conditions had improved in some areas of the country allowed for the opening of more centres. In the first round, polling stations operated in areas that were so insecure that election monitors were unable to deter wholesale ballot stuffing. Karzai’s main opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, has said he would only participate if 500 polling centres were closed and the head of the IEC was sacked.
UN staff said the IEC decision meant voting would still take place in areas where fraud was known to have been committed first time round or in areas where almost no one turned out to vote. A western diplomat closely involved in organising the vote said the news was a “punch in the stomach because everything we asked them to do they rejected”. He said it had shattered morale among election workers, already at a low ebb after six UN members of staff involved in election preparations were killed by a Taliban hit squad in an attack on a guesthouse in Kabul on Wednesday.
“This coming on top of yesterday’s incident — there really is only so much you can take for this progress,” he said. Another official said the decision was “absurd” and that “one really has to question the motives of the IEC”. Despite claims that fraud would be reduced in the second round, election observers believe a clean vote is impossible.
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About this category: Globalization
Japan will fund a programme costing up to five billion dollars to help build roads and boost agriculture in conflict-torn Afghanistan, a newspaper reported on Saturday.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has outlined the proposal, which would include water control and irrigation technology, the Nikkei business daily reported.
The five-year programme, starting next year, would also help provide job training for former Taliban with stipends of 100-200 dollars a month, while giving time with Japanese companies in Japan, the newspaper said.
Hatoyama plans to announce the initiative, which would be on top of existing financial support for Afghanistan, when US President Barack Obama visits Japan in mid-November, it said.
Hatoyama's centre-left government, which won a general election on August 30, has already told the United States it will end a naval refuelling mission that supports the war in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has outlined the proposal, which would include water control and irrigation technology, the Nikkei business daily reported.
The five-year programme, starting next year, would also help provide job training for former Taliban with stipends of 100-200 dollars a month, while giving time with Japanese companies in Japan, the newspaper said.
Hatoyama plans to announce the initiative, which would be on top of existing financial support for Afghanistan, when US President Barack Obama visits Japan in mid-November, it said.
Hatoyama's centre-left government, which won a general election on August 30, has already told the United States it will end a naval refuelling mission that supports the war in Afghanistan.
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About this category: Health
Diarrhoea claimed one life in the flood-hit Gangapur area today. The deceased has been identified at 55-year-old Kani Godiya.
Her five-year-old daughter Sudha and three-year-old daughter Asha are undergoing treatment in a local health post. Their condition is said to be critical. Ram Bahadur Chand of District Public Health Office, however, said he had not got details about the outbreak since most health workers were on leave. Diarrhoea cases have also been found in Phuletekra and Kachanapur villages. A medical team had returned from the area before Tihar. Meanwhile, diarrhoea patients have been increasing at Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj. Hospital sources said cases of diarrhoea, typhoid and pneumonia were on the rise.
Her five-year-old daughter Sudha and three-year-old daughter Asha are undergoing treatment in a local health post. Their condition is said to be critical. Ram Bahadur Chand of District Public Health Office, however, said he had not got details about the outbreak since most health workers were on leave. Diarrhoea cases have also been found in Phuletekra and Kachanapur villages. A medical team had returned from the area before Tihar. Meanwhile, diarrhoea patients have been increasing at Bheri Zonal Hospital in Nepalgunj. Hospital sources said cases of diarrhoea, typhoid and pneumonia were on the rise.
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About this category: Technology
Ford Motor Co. reached a tentative deal with its main union that includes the same concessions granted to rivals General Motors and Chrysler as they restructured under bankruptcy protection, union sources said Tuesday.
The United Auto Workers said the deal will be presented to union delegates Tuesday, but declined to confirm the details until its members have an opportunity to vote.
However, union sources said it includes key changes such as a no-strike clause for the 2011 contract which would extend through 2015, work rule changes and a six-year wage freeze for any new hires.
The agreement - which would cover about 41,000 Ford workers - follows the historical pattern of replicating contracts at the Detroit Three automakers to avoid unfair advantages.
Ford also received major concessions in February such as the elimination of automatic cost of living adjustments, dramatically reduced health care costs and deferral of previously agreed future raises.
The contract changes have run into opposition from some local union officials and workers.
"Accepting a no-strike clause would be like letting the company bust the union," said Gary Walkowicz, a committeeman at the Dearborn Truck Plant who has been critical of the union's concessions in the past.
"We would have no bargaining power in 2011 when Ford might be making big profits again," Walkowicz said in a note which was circulated on the Internet.
"Not only would this mean that we would not get back the concessions we have already lost, it would also mean an arbitrator could lower our wages even further."
Ford declined to comment on the content of the deal, but said it would help the company "improve its current and long-term competitiveness in the United States."
The United Auto Workers said the deal will be presented to union delegates Tuesday, but declined to confirm the details until its members have an opportunity to vote.
However, union sources said it includes key changes such as a no-strike clause for the 2011 contract which would extend through 2015, work rule changes and a six-year wage freeze for any new hires.
The agreement - which would cover about 41,000 Ford workers - follows the historical pattern of replicating contracts at the Detroit Three automakers to avoid unfair advantages.
Ford also received major concessions in February such as the elimination of automatic cost of living adjustments, dramatically reduced health care costs and deferral of previously agreed future raises.
The contract changes have run into opposition from some local union officials and workers.
"Accepting a no-strike clause would be like letting the company bust the union," said Gary Walkowicz, a committeeman at the Dearborn Truck Plant who has been critical of the union's concessions in the past.
"We would have no bargaining power in 2011 when Ford might be making big profits again," Walkowicz said in a note which was circulated on the Internet.
"Not only would this mean that we would not get back the concessions we have already lost, it would also mean an arbitrator could lower our wages even further."
Ford declined to comment on the content of the deal, but said it would help the company "improve its current and long-term competitiveness in the United States."
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About this category: Globalization
World leaders announced Friday the Group of 20 developed and developing nations would become the top economic forum, spreading influence to emerging powers such as China and India.
The dramatic shift was announced by the White House as President Barack Obama hosted his first major summit in Pittsburgh, which was marred by occasional violence as anti-capitalist protesters clashed with police.
"Today, leaders endorsed the G20 as the premier forum for their international economic cooperation," a statement said.
"This decision brings to the table the countries needed to build a stronger, more balanced global economy, reform the financial system, and lift the lives of the poorest."
The G8, which included only wealthy nations Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States, has served as the premier economic forum for decades and held closely watched annual summits.
The announcement came as G20 leaders closed in on a deal to tighten financial regulations after last year's meltdown, with China signaling emerging countries would be granted more clout on the IMF.
The dramatic shift was announced by the White House as President Barack Obama hosted his first major summit in Pittsburgh, which was marred by occasional violence as anti-capitalist protesters clashed with police.
"Today, leaders endorsed the G20 as the premier forum for their international economic cooperation," a statement said.
"This decision brings to the table the countries needed to build a stronger, more balanced global economy, reform the financial system, and lift the lives of the poorest."
The G8, which included only wealthy nations Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States, has served as the premier economic forum for decades and held closely watched annual summits.
The announcement came as G20 leaders closed in on a deal to tighten financial regulations after last year's meltdown, with China signaling emerging countries would be granted more clout on the IMF.
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About this category: Globalization
Leaders have agreed to restructure the world economy by reducing imbalances between countries running massive deficits and those with surpluses, according to a draft of the G20 summit communique seen Friday.
Ahead of the summit of the leaders of the world's biggest economies, big exporters like Germany and China had disagreed with major debtors like the United States on the need for measures to adderess these imbalances.
But the draft final summit communique, seen by AFP, suggested that the members were ready to endorse a plan that would see China encouraging its own people to spend more at home and the United States to cut its yawning deficit.
"We recognize that the process to ensure more balanced global growth must be undertaken in an orderly manner. All G20 members agree to address the respective weaknesses of their economies," the agreement read.
"G20 members with sustained, significant external deficits pledge to undertake policies to support private savings and undertake fiscal consolidation while maintaining open markets and strengthening export sectors.
"G20 members with sustained, significant external surpluses pledge to strengthen domestic sources of growth," it read.
The G20 leaders are to announce the results of their two-day summit in the US city of Pittsburgh later Friday.
Ahead of the summit of the leaders of the world's biggest economies, big exporters like Germany and China had disagreed with major debtors like the United States on the need for measures to adderess these imbalances.
But the draft final summit communique, seen by AFP, suggested that the members were ready to endorse a plan that would see China encouraging its own people to spend more at home and the United States to cut its yawning deficit.
"We recognize that the process to ensure more balanced global growth must be undertaken in an orderly manner. All G20 members agree to address the respective weaknesses of their economies," the agreement read.
"G20 members with sustained, significant external deficits pledge to undertake policies to support private savings and undertake fiscal consolidation while maintaining open markets and strengthening export sectors.
"G20 members with sustained, significant external surpluses pledge to strengthen domestic sources of growth," it read.
The G20 leaders are to announce the results of their two-day summit in the US city of Pittsburgh later Friday.
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About this category: Technology
Iran has told the U.N. nuclear agency that it is running a new, previously undeclared, facility to enrich uranium, officials told The Associated Press Friday.
Iran is under three sets of U.N. Security Council sanctions for refusing to freeze enrichment. The officials said that Iran revealed the existence of a second enrichment plant in a letter sent Monday to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei.
It had previously said it was operating only one plant, which is being monitored by the IAEA.
The Islamic Republic insists that it has the right to the activity to generate fuel for what it says will be a nationwide chain of nuclear reactors.
But because enrichment can make both nuclear fuel and weapons-grade uranium, the international community fears Tehran will use the technology to generate the fissile material used on the tip of nuclear warheads.
The revelation further burdens the chances of progress in scheduled Oct. 1 talks between Iran and six world powers.
At that planned meeting the first in more than a year the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany will be pressing Iran to scale back on its enrichment activities. But Tehran has declared that it will not bargain on enrichment.
Iran is under three sets of U.N. Security Council sanctions for refusing to freeze enrichment. The officials said that Iran revealed the existence of a second enrichment plant in a letter sent Monday to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei.
It had previously said it was operating only one plant, which is being monitored by the IAEA.
The Islamic Republic insists that it has the right to the activity to generate fuel for what it says will be a nationwide chain of nuclear reactors.
But because enrichment can make both nuclear fuel and weapons-grade uranium, the international community fears Tehran will use the technology to generate the fissile material used on the tip of nuclear warheads.
The revelation further burdens the chances of progress in scheduled Oct. 1 talks between Iran and six world powers.
At that planned meeting the first in more than a year the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany will be pressing Iran to scale back on its enrichment activities. But Tehran has declared that it will not bargain on enrichment.
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About this category: Technology
I was shocked when i saw just 49 blog post in my profile page. I have posted around 150 blogs already but it was only 49/50. Technology team can you hear me!!!!
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About this category: Globalization
Zelaya cools his heels
Tegucigalpa: Diplomats and activists streamed out of the increasingly isolated Brazilian Embassy in Honduras where ousted President Manuel Zelaya holed up with a shrinking core of supporters and relatives, prompting Brazil to urge the UN Security Council to guarantee the compound’s safety. Zelaya’s backers ventured out at several points in Honduras’ capital to skirmish with police, after hundreds of their colleagues were routed by baton-wielding soldiers from the street in front of the embassy and police roadblocks sealed off the mission building on Tuesday.— AP
Baby weighs 8.7kg
JAKARTA: An Indonesian woman has given birth to an 8.7-kg baby boy, the heaviest newborn ever recorded in the country, a doctor said on Wednesday. The baby, who is still unnamed and is 62 centimetres long, was born by caesarean section on Monday at a public hospital in North Sumatra province. The boy is in a healthy condition despite having to initially be given oxygen to overcome breathing problems.— AFP
Knut’s companion
BERLIN: Giovanna, the new
companion of Berlin’s favourite polar bear, Knut, has star qualities, as well. The female polar bear from Munich delighted photographers and visitors at the Berlin zoo on Wednesday but without Knut. Giovanna has to get used to her new environment and get a grip on her nerves before she meets superstar Knut in public. — AP
Tegucigalpa: Diplomats and activists streamed out of the increasingly isolated Brazilian Embassy in Honduras where ousted President Manuel Zelaya holed up with a shrinking core of supporters and relatives, prompting Brazil to urge the UN Security Council to guarantee the compound’s safety. Zelaya’s backers ventured out at several points in Honduras’ capital to skirmish with police, after hundreds of their colleagues were routed by baton-wielding soldiers from the street in front of the embassy and police roadblocks sealed off the mission building on Tuesday.— AP
Baby weighs 8.7kg
JAKARTA: An Indonesian woman has given birth to an 8.7-kg baby boy, the heaviest newborn ever recorded in the country, a doctor said on Wednesday. The baby, who is still unnamed and is 62 centimetres long, was born by caesarean section on Monday at a public hospital in North Sumatra province. The boy is in a healthy condition despite having to initially be given oxygen to overcome breathing problems.— AFP
Knut’s companion
BERLIN: Giovanna, the new
companion of Berlin’s favourite polar bear, Knut, has star qualities, as well. The female polar bear from Munich delighted photographers and visitors at the Berlin zoo on Wednesday but without Knut. Giovanna has to get used to her new environment and get a grip on her nerves before she meets superstar Knut in public. — AP
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About this category: Globalization
US President Barack Obama geared up Saturday for whirlwind meetings next week with counterparts from China, Japan and Russia, but Iran's firebrand leader looked set to be left out in the cold.
As world leaders converge on New York for the annual United Nations general assembly, officials said Obama would kick off a flurry of high-profile bilateral encounters by meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday.
With the G20 summit of leading economies to follow in Pittsburgh later in the week and Obama due to make his first visit to China as president in November, they will look to resolve a simmering trade row.
The United States last week slapped punitive tariffs of an additional 35 percent on Chinese-made tire imports, prompting Beijing to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Beijing says Washington's move violated WTO rules and has warned it will damage trade relations, but the United States has denied it amounted to protectionism.
As world leaders converge on New York for the annual United Nations general assembly, officials said Obama would kick off a flurry of high-profile bilateral encounters by meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday.
With the G20 summit of leading economies to follow in Pittsburgh later in the week and Obama due to make his first visit to China as president in November, they will look to resolve a simmering trade row.
The United States last week slapped punitive tariffs of an additional 35 percent on Chinese-made tire imports, prompting Beijing to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Beijing says Washington's move violated WTO rules and has warned it will damage trade relations, but the United States has denied it amounted to protectionism.
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About this category: Environment
The World Meteorological Organisation said Wednesday that the ozone hole is expected to be smaller in 2009 than a year ago.
"The meteorological conditions observed so far could indicate that the 2009 ozone hole will be smaller than those of 2006 and 2008 and close to that of 2007," said the UN agency in a statement.
The hole in the layer over the Antarctic was discovered in the 1980s. It regularly tends to form in August, reaching a maximum size late September or early October before it fills again in December.
The size is dependent on weather conditions.
This year the hole began forming "earlier than before" said WMO's expert on the ozone Geir Braathen.
On September 16, it stood at 24 million square kilometers, he said.
In 2008, the maximum reached was 27 million square km while in 2007, the maximum was 25 million square km.
Experts have warned that the damage to the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultra-violet rays, is so bad that it will only attain full recovery in 2075.
Ozone provides a natural protective filter against harmful ultra-violet rays from the sun, which can cause sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer as well as damage vegetation.
Its depletion is caused by extreme cold at high altitude and a particular type of pollution, from chemicals often used in refrigeration, some plastic foams, or aerosol sprays, which have accumulated in the atmosphere.
Most of these chemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are being phased out under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, but they linger in the atmosphere for many years.
"The meteorological conditions observed so far could indicate that the 2009 ozone hole will be smaller than those of 2006 and 2008 and close to that of 2007," said the UN agency in a statement.
The hole in the layer over the Antarctic was discovered in the 1980s. It regularly tends to form in August, reaching a maximum size late September or early October before it fills again in December.
The size is dependent on weather conditions.
This year the hole began forming "earlier than before" said WMO's expert on the ozone Geir Braathen.
On September 16, it stood at 24 million square kilometers, he said.
In 2008, the maximum reached was 27 million square km while in 2007, the maximum was 25 million square km.
Experts have warned that the damage to the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultra-violet rays, is so bad that it will only attain full recovery in 2075.
Ozone provides a natural protective filter against harmful ultra-violet rays from the sun, which can cause sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer as well as damage vegetation.
Its depletion is caused by extreme cold at high altitude and a particular type of pollution, from chemicals often used in refrigeration, some plastic foams, or aerosol sprays, which have accumulated in the atmosphere.
Most of these chemicals, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), are being phased out under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, but they linger in the atmosphere for many years.
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About this category: Peace & Conflict
MORANG: A man has been arrested on charges of impersonating a doctor at Koshi Zonal Hospital on Tuesday morning.
The accused has been identified as Arun Sharma resident of Biratnagar. He was examining patients at the gynecology ward when he was arrested.
Irate staff and visitors of the patients manhandled him and handed him over to the police.
Most of the story i have posted in TIG blog is from the daily post the himalayan times, Nepal
The accused has been identified as Arun Sharma resident of Biratnagar. He was examining patients at the gynecology ward when he was arrested.
Irate staff and visitors of the patients manhandled him and handed him over to the police.
Most of the story i have posted in TIG blog is from the daily post the himalayan times, Nepal
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