Feb 8: 6 things to know by 6 PM

Published On: February 8, 2019 06:00 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

Truth and Reconciliation Commission's tenure extends for a year

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of the Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons have been extended for a year. The extension comes after President Bidya Devi Bhandari authenticated an amendment bill on the 'Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons Act-2071' in line with Article 113 (2) of the Constitution.

Govt completes adjustment of secretaries, joint secretaries and undersecretaries so far

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has completed the adjustment of 56 secretaries, 662 joint secretaries, and 848 undersecretaries to the three tiers of government so far.

Immigration pact needed to thwart dodgy brokers targeting Nepalese heading to Japan, experts say

As Japan prepares to welcome a wave of new foreign workers, experts are cautioning Nepalese over unethical immigration brokers and urging their government to conclude an agreement with Japan for greater transparency in movements of migrant workers. With job opportunities scarce in Nepal, many people head overseas in search of work. According to a survey by the International Labor Organization, overseas remittances accounted for one-third of Nepal’s gross domestic product in 2015.

Journalists victim to violence in a divided world: IFJ

The International Federation of Journalists has published its 29th report on journalists and media staff killed during their duties in 2018. The report, In the Shadow of Violence: journalists and media killed in 2018, details cases of 95 journalists and media professionals who lost their lives in targeted killings, bomb attacks or crossfire incidents. The number represents an increase of twelve killings more than in 2017.

As India election looms, politics infiltrates the world's biggest religious festival

At the world’s biggest religious festival, the Hindu Kumbh Mela in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state, the spiritual message for the faithful is deep and profound. The federal and Uttar Pradesh state governments - both controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - are spending nearly $600 million on the giant event, according to the state government. Some Hindu religious and political figures say they expect a return on their efforts, not only from the gods but from voters when Modi battles for a second term in an election that must be held by May.

Historic candidacy of princess upends tradition in Thailand

A Thai political party on Friday named a princess as its nominee to be the next prime minister, upending tradition that the royal palace plays no public role in politics and upsetting all predictions about what may happen in next month’s election.