Radio journalist Jitendra Raut has been appointed the new head of the BBC Nepali Service to succeed Rabindra Mishra, who left two months ago to start the new Sajha Party. Raut started his career at Radio Sagarmatha and has been with the BBC Nepali Service for the past 17 years, reporting from the studios in London and later from the Kathmandu bureau.
iPhone prices drop
Generation Next Communications Pvt Ltd, authorised distributor for Apple in Nepal, has announced a drop in prices for a range of iPhones. For example, the new price for the iPhone 7, 32GB, black, is RS86,000, while the iPhone 7 with 128GB in a variety of colours is now RS99,800.
All the iPhones come with a special offer, which includes 1GB Ncell data per month for up to 6 months, a back cover, a tempered glass front cover and EMI option.
Generation Next advises customers to buy genuine Apple products from authorised channels only. You can check if a product is genuine by going to the company’s website and entering the serial number or IMEI number.
NIC branches out
NIC ASIA Bank inaugurated nine new branches on 17 May. They are located at Sau-Pharsatikar and Dhakdhahi in Rupandehi, Bhumahi in Nawalparasi, Bansgadhi in Bardia, Dulegauda and Bhimad in Tanahun and Parsa, Tandi and Hakimchowk in Chitwan. NIC ASIA Bank is now providing services in 107 branches across the country.
Gyan’s new products
KL Dugar group, manufacturer of popular wheat flour brand Gyan Chakki Atta, has launched three new products: Gyan Maize Atta, Gyan Maize Grit and Gyan Lito. They are available in all major department stores and local general stores in 5kg and 2kg packs.
Gyan Maize Atta is made from clean and yellow/white maize grains while Gyan Maize Grit can be served as a tasty porridge snack or main course with vegetables. Gyan Premium Lito is a cereal-based fortified food made from pre extrusion cooked wheat, rice and soya, together with whole milk powder, sugar and corn oil. It is fortified with 16 vitamins and micronutrients.
Ready for emergencies
Qatar Airways recently completed its annual emergency exercise, a simulation of a crash in the sea adjacent to Hamad International Airport (HIA), in Doha. It involved more than 28 government agencies, stakeholders and partners, including Hamad International Airport, Qatar Coastguard, Internal Security Forces, Qatar Navy and the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
In accordance with requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), airports are required to hold an emergency exercise every two years. As an airport located directly beside the sea, HIA is also required by ICAO regulations to ensure adequate emergency procedures are in place in the event that occupants have to be rescued from an aircraft that has crashed into the sea.
Fly a million miles
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Star Alliance and its member carriers will name 21 ‘Mileage Millionaires’. You can enter by going to the Star Alliance website and sharing your favourite cultural experience with other travellers. One winner will be selected from each Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Program.
The competition ends on 31 July and winners will be announced on 28 September.