THIMPHU, 3 May, 2021 (TON): Thrompon-elect of Gelephu, Tshering Norbu, won more than 50 percent of total votes cast at Jampeling demkhong on Thursday.

His win may unseat former thrompon who was nominated from the demkhong with the majority votes during dhamngoi zomdu in March.

“This was because I could include their hopes and expectation in my pledges. The support improved this time,” Tshering Norbu said.

The support for Tshering Norbu had doubled in almost all demkhongs since he first contested for the same post in 2016.

Tshering Norbu said, “Namkhaling was left behind over the years. They hope to see improvements in roads, drainage, streetlights, and sewerage system.”

He added, “Things are underway, but there is a need for a coordinated effort from the thromde to report the situation again.”

However, the residents of Gelephu said that the thrompon-elect secured a landslide win, as he contested in election repeatedly.

DHAKA, 3 May, 2021 (TON): On Monday, a sand-laden bulk carrier and an overcrowded speedboat collided that killed at least 18 people.

The collision took place in the Bangladesh's Padma River, police said.

The police said the speedboat was heading to Shibchar Upazila in Madaripur from Munshiganj,

 However, according to the officials the death toll is expected to increase.

KABUL, 3 May, 2021 (TON): On Sunday, the Senators raised questions over recent fires in Kabul, Farah and Herat province that mainly targeted fuel imports.

The senators said, there are "some hands behind such incidents" that seek to harm the country’s economy.

Nine people were killed and 14 more were wounded in the major fire at a tanker truck station in the Qala-e-Murad Bek area north of Kabul along the key highway that connects the capital city with Northern provinces, said the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

The Chamber of Trade and Investment stated that an investigation into the incident has begun, but added that the use of a magnetic bomb is one of the possible reasons for the massive fire.

The chamber estimates the losses of the fire at around $20 million.

On Saturday, fire broke out around at 9:00 pm, that completely damaged at least 60 vehicles, including fuel tanker trucks as well as trucks carrying food and other goods.

The Kabul fire was the fourth in less than three months, following a major fire at Herat customs office and two more at a border town in Farah that shares a border with Iran.

“Such incidents need a thorough probe to determine whether it was an enemy action,” said Mohammad Khan, a senator.

One of the reasons can be a lack of attention by government officials in the proper management of the country’s border towns, ports and customs, the senators claimed.

Senate Speaker Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said, “A fire happened at Kabul gate. All these incidents must be probed thoroughly.”

 “There is no one responsible. The culture of impunity has expanded more than in the past,” Deputy Senate Speaker Mohammad Alam Ezedyar said.

However, it was learnt that the fire spread rapidly after it broke out as the fuel tankers were parked very close to each other  and they exploded one after another in five seconds.

DHAKA, 3 May, 2021 (TON): Despite criticizing the government’s way of handling the pandemic, opposition parties should assist the people suffering from it, said PM Hasina on Sunday.

The prime minister made the remark as she spoke in a video conference during the inauguration of the second phase of financial assistance provided by the government through mobile banking services for poor and disadvantaged people.

As many as 3.6 million people from the lower-income group will receive financial aid for three days as an Eid gift from Hasina.

At least 22,895 people have received financial aid under the program on its inaugural day. 

 “The Awami League has always rushed to help people in any disaster, even while they were the opposition party. This is what any opposition party should do,” the prime minister said.

“But what are the opposition doing nowadays? How many people have received food aid or even shrouds for the dead from them? None."

“If the opposition party can help and support people and show others the help you have provided, then the people will have more faith in them and trust them more,” Hasina said.

However, in the end, the prime minister also urged the rich to come forward and help the poor.

COLOMBO, 3 May, 2021 (TON): An instruction to design plans for the urban development for maximum productivity has been provided by the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation said, as the public eye is on any government institution, it should be transformed into a state institution that minimizes waste, makes a profit and gives maximum results to the people.

The Minister further stated that steps are being taken to maintain the financial management of the Ministry at a very high level and that a number of urban development plans are being implemented with the aim of maximum productivity.

The Minister made this observation at a special discussion held on the instructions of the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Urban Development and Housing.

The discussion was held to review the progress made so far in all government institutions under the Ministry, the new development plans and future strategies for development.

KATHMANDU, 3 May, 2021 (TON): On Sunday, at the meeting of Council of Ministers, the Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma shared that he will seek a vote of parliamentary confidence.

His decision comes amid the current chaotic state of political affairs in the country that emerged since the Prime Minister's move to dissolve the House of Representatives in December last year.

The government has decided to call the monsoon session of the House of Representatives on 10 May.

 However, it is learnt that the Prime Minister is currently in consultation with President Bidya Devi Bhandari, the cabinet meeting to be continued upon his return, to discuss his decision and to recommend her to summon the House session.

WEST BENGAL, 3 May 2021, (TON): Still there are official announcements but in the West Bengal election result Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress landslide victory. Counting of votes for the 294-seat West Bengal election 2021 is underway, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) has already a majority in the West Bengal assembly by winning 196 of the 292 seats where polling was held.

According to the Election Commission website, the party was also leading in 34 places. The state has a 294-member assembly but election was countermanded in Shamsherganj and Jangipur constituencies due to the death of candidates. Trinamool Congress has already gained a simple majority in the House.

Meanwhile, challenger Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell way below its expected number of seats and managed to win only 57 till late night.

BEIJING, 02 May, 2021(TON): China’s Shandong aircraft carrier task group recently conducted an exercise in the South China Sea, the country's People's Liberation Army (PLA) said on Sunday. 

China has repeatedly complained about United States Navy ships getting close to islands it occupies in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan all also have competing claims. 

U.S. carrier groups have sailed near Chinese-controlled islands in the disputed waters several times this year, drawing denunciation from China.  

The exercise was described as routine training and part of the Chinese navy's annual work plan. The Shandong entered service in 2019 and is the newer of China’s two carriers. 

"It is completely legitimate and beneficial in improving the country's ability to uphold national sovereignty and security," Gao Xiucheng, a spokesman from the PLA navy said in a statement. 

He added that China hopes the world will see the exercise from an objective and rational viewpoint. He said the Chinese navy will continue conducting such exercises according to its schedule. 

China’s navy said last month similar drills will come more regularly amid escalating tensions with the island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its sovereign territory. 

China increased its military activity in the South China Sea by conducting a series of naval maneuvers and exercises. 

China continues to construct military and industrial outposts on artificial islands it has built in disputed waters. The United States has also stepped up its military activity and naval presence in the region in recent years.  

NEW DELHI, 02 May, 2021(TON): India's trade deficit in goods was $15.24 billion in April, preliminary data released by the government on Sunday showed. 

Merchandise exports rose to $30.21 billion for the month from $10.17 billion a year earlier, while imports rose to $45.45 billion from $17.09 billion, the data showed. 

Last year India was under a strict national lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus, leading to a significant reduction in international trade volumes. 

The coronavirus pandemic has had a very severe impact on the economy and small and medium-sized companies across the country facing the brunt of the impact. 

India's economy is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent in 2021, even as it is estimated to contract by 9.6 per cent in 2020 as lockdowns and other efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic slashed domestic consumption.