Author: The Dispatch Staff

Moscow:  The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has issued a warning for Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula after two quakes — the larger with a magnitude of 7.4 — struck in the sea nearby on Sunday. The larger quake was at a depth of 20 kilometers and was 144 kilometers east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000, according to the US Geological Survey. A few minutes earlier, a quake with a magnitude of 6.7 was recorded nearby. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) indicated twin earthquakes of over 6.5 magnitude struck near the coast of Kamchatka, in…

Islamabad:  The death toll in Pakistan due to monsoon rains crossed 200 on Sunday as another 10 people have been killed, according to the country’s chief disaster control body. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said another 10 people were killed and 18 injured on Saturday, taking the cumulative death toll to 203 and that of injured to 562. The seasonal downpour began on June 26 when the first spell of monsoon rain was recorded, triggering flash floods in the northwest of the country. Of the latest deaths, nine were in Punjab and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), while of…

Tokyo, Jul 20 (AP) Japanese were voting Sunday for seats in the smaller of Japan’s two parliamentary houses in a key election with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his ruling coalition facing a possible defeat that could worsen the country’s political instability. Voters were deciding half of the 248 seats in the upper house, the less powerful of the two chambers in Japan’s Diet. Early results were expected Sunday night. Ishiba has set the bar low, wanting a simple majority of 125 seats, which means his Liberal Democratic Party and its Buddhist-backed junior coalition partner Komeito need to win 50…

Colombo:  A deputy inspector general of police in Sri Lanka has been sacked from the service following a disciplinary inquiry related to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Nilantha Jayawardena, who previously served as the head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), was placed on compulsory leave by the National Police Commission (NPC) in July 2024, pending an internal investigation. Following the conclusion of the inquiry, the NPC decided to dismiss Jayawardena from service. “It was decided at the meeting of the police commission held on July 17 to order the immediate dismissal from police service of the senior deputy…

Damascus: Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa urged Sunni Muslim Bedouin tribes Saturday to “fully commit” to a ceasefire aimed at ending clashes with Druze-linked militias that left hundreds dead and threatened to unravel the country’s postwar transition. Despite the call, clashes continued in the southern province of Sweida. Government forces that were initially sent to restore order but effectively sided with the Bedouins against the Druze were redeployed to halt renewed fighting that erupted Thursday in the southern province of Sweida. The violence also drew airstrikes against Syrian forces by neighbouring Israel before a truce was reached. In his second…

Vietnam: A boat carrying tourists capsized during a sudden thunderstorm in Vietnam on Saturday afternoon during a sightseeing excursion, killing 34 people, state media reported. Eight others remain missing. The Wonder Sea boat was carrying 48 passengers and five crew members — all of them Vietnamese — during the tour of Ha Long Bay, a popular destination for visitors, according to the reports. Rescue workers saved 11 people, and recovered the dead near the site of the capsizing, VNExpress newspaper said. Twenty-three people remain missing. Authorities had earlier reported that 12 people had been rescued, but later revised the figure…

Leh: In a landmark move under the ongoing “Mission Indus” initiative, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh has issued a strong message to major corporations such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, warning of a district-wide boycott if they continue to ignore their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Ladakh. The decision came during a multi-stakeholder interactive session held at Hotel Zen Ladakh, chaired by LAHDC Leh Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Tashi Gyalson. https://youtube.com/shorts/_Z4b4odNYio?si=FvLZea3aFgfiOtx0 The session brought together community leaders, civil society groups, religious organisations, trade and tourism bodies, and local administrative heads to review the progress of Mission…

Leh: The first-ever Shaam Festival 2025 concluded on a high note after two enriching days of cultural celebration, heritage exploration, and community bonding across the picturesque villages of Tia and Tingmosgang in the Sham region of Ladakh. https://youtube.com/shorts/kajd3Qu_fMI?si=YA3FO2jDvwNyLG_0 Day two offered a deep dive into Ladakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The day began in Tia village with a serene prayer session and guided meditation at the towering 97-ft statue of Jambeyang (Manjushree) — the tallest of its kind. This was followed by the Tongtum Heritage Walk, where visitors explored ancient Ladakhi homes such as Shingkan, Kachepa, and Changri houses. Locals…

Leh: A group of international tourists had a memorable cultural experience in Ladakh as they attended a traditional polo match in Leh, capturing the essence of the region’s vibrant heritage. https://youtube.com/shorts/CdqiHd0BqVY?si=KhehPYRB5M6muw06 A short video titled “Foreigners React to Ladakhi Culture” has gone viral online, showing their excitement and admiration for the local traditions. Set against the stunning backdrop of Leh’s rugged mountains, the tourists were seen soaking in the atmosphere — cheering for the players, interacting with locals, and even trying Ladakhi snacks during the match. Their genuine reactions reflected a deep appreciation for the warmth of Ladakhi hospitality and…

Mumbai:  Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer “Don”, passed away on Sunday due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mumbai, his wife said. He was 86. Barot was battling ‘Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis’ (IPF-fibrosis of lungs) for the past 11 years and had been receiving treatment at the Guru Nanak Hospital, as per his family. “Chandra passed away at the Guru Nanak Hospital this morning at 6.30 due to cardiac arrest caused by a chest infection. He had IPF, which is fibrosis of the lungs, for the past 11 years,” his wife, Deepa Barot told…

Leh: Former Presidents of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) from Nubra, Sham, and Aryan Valley have strongly opposed the demand for statehood for Ladakh, citing concerns over land rights, administrative control, and the preservation of Ladakh’s unique cultural diversity. Addressing a press conference, the leaders urged newly appointed Lieutenant Governor to expedite the formation of new districts in the Union Territory. https://youtu.be/5DqNl5OXNkc?si=YekAQc9nLTf85eH8 They emphasized that any new composition of the Apex Body of Leh (ABL) should ensure fair representation from all regions of Ladakh. “The existing composition is no longer understandable or relevant,” they said, advocating for a 15–20-member ABL…

Kargil: The Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, conducted an extensive inspection of Community Health Center (CHC) Padum and Government Degree College Zanskar to assess healthcare services and review ongoing development in the education sector. At CHC Padum, Dr. Akhoon interacted with patients and staff to understand service gaps and evaluated both medical and non-medical infrastructure. During his visit to the lab, OT, ICU, and sterilization unit, he flagged serious underutilization of diagnostic equipment and facilities. Concerned about the gaps, he instructed Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar to expedite the provision of essential diagnostic…

Kargil: The Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP) under the Enterprising Ladakh initiative concluded today at Government Degree College Sankoo. The three-day event, organized by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, was held from July 17 to 19, 2025, and aimed to equip students with foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship, innovation, and business planning. This initiative, guided by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, and Secretary of Higher/Technical Education and Skill Development Bhanu Prabha, IAS, is envisioned by Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII, and Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Director – Projects (Government), EDII. Over…

Leh : In a firm directive to ensure accountability and high standards in public works, Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar (IAS), chaired a comprehensive review meeting with officials of various line departments at Dak Bungalow Padum today. He emphasized that strict quality control must be maintained across all ongoing and upcoming developmental projects. Departments were instructed to send work samples to the district laboratory for verification, with a clear warning not to compromise on execution standards. The meeting was attended by SDM Zanskar, Executive Engineer ZDA/R&B, and officers from departments including PHE, PDD, KREDA, Tourism, Information, Degree College Zanskar, and…

Leh: In his first high-level interaction with the administration since assuming office, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta chaired an introductory meeting with Secretaries and Heads of Departments (HoDs) of the Union Territory of Ladakh. During the meeting, the Lt. Governor shared his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him by the Prime Minister and the President of India. He emphasized that collective effort, seamless coordination, and a shared vision among all departments will be crucial in accelerating Ladakh’s development journey. Gupta urged all Administrative Secretaries and HoDs to prepare a comprehensive 100-day action plan focused on impactful outcomes and tangible…

Leh : In a vibrant celebration of curiosity, confidence, and collaboration, Army Goodwill School Karu hosted the inter-school competition ‘Ignited Minds’ to foster team spirit, healthy competition, and the free exchange of ideas among school students from remote corners of Ladakh. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from various schools across the region, offering young learners a platform to showcase their intellectual abilities, creativity, and communication skills. The Chief Guest, GOC of the Trishul Division, commended the students for their clarity of thought, confidence, and spirited performances. He praised the efforts of Army Goodwill School in organizing such an initiative that…

Kargil: In a vital step towards enhancing disaster preparedness and public safety, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Depot in Kargil conducted a large-scale Emergency Response Drill today. The mock drill simulated a high-risk emergency scenario involving a suspected fuel leak and fire outbreak — a situation that demanded swift and coordinated action. Within moments of the simulated alert, multiple agencies sprang into action, testing their emergency response skills under real-time conditions. Teams from the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Fire & Emergency Services, Kargil District Police, and District Hospital Kargil took part in the exercise. Their joint response…

Leh: Fifteen unemployed women from Leh have embarked on a journey of skill development through a one-month beauty parlour training program at Princess Saloon, guided by renowned beautician Padma Chosdon. The intensive course covers key techniques such as threading, waxing, pedicure, manicure, hair spa, cutting, and coloring — essential skills for employment in the growing beauty and wellness sector. This training initiative, launched by the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, is designed to promote economic self-reliance among women. By equipping them with practical, job-oriented skills, the program aims to create new…

Leh: In a significant step towards strengthening the party’s organizational base in the Union Territory, J&K BJP President Sat Sharma (CA) held a strategic meeting with BJP Ladakh President Tashi Gyalson Khachu at the BJP Headquarters in Leh. The meeting focused on key organizational issues and the party’s roadmap for Ladakh, with an emphasis on coordination, grassroots outreach, and political strategy ahead of upcoming engagements. The presence of senior BJP legislators—Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal and Ch. Vikram Randhawa—added weight to the deliberations, reflecting the central leadership’s keen interest in deepening the party’s engagement in Ladakh. During the discussions, leaders reviewed…

Leh: Following a series of detailed presentations by major corporate and government stakeholders, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee (PAC) on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports—chaired by Member of Parliament Digvijaya Singh—highlighted several critical issues during its visit to Leh. The Committee underscored the urgent need for Para Athlete Sports Scholarships, called for greater transparency and effective utilization of CSR funds, and emphasized the importance of accelerating infrastructure development in Ladakh’s health and education sectors. Members of the Committee also recommended organizing specialized health camps, particularly for cervical cancer screening and awareness, to strengthen healthcare outreach in remote areas of…