Nepal-China Bilateral Economic Cooperation Empowering Nepalese Economy

Bilateral economic cooperation is one of means for improving economic, social and political relations between two countries. Nepal and China have been enjoying good neighborly respects and benefit since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955. Both countries behave a good neighborhood relations and enjoyed fruitful bilateral cooperation and mutual support and following the social and economic development activities by exchanging cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, investment and connectivity, building human capital and infrastructure and deepening people to people relations is at the center of Nepal-China bilateral relations. Within Nepal and China, there are marvelous possibilities promoting socio-economic transformation and raising the living standard of people through the mutual cooperation in the areas of mutual interest. Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is of great significance for Nepal and China. The present study is conducted with the aim of examining the economic impact of bilateral economic cooperation between Nepal and China. The impact of bilateral cooperation with China in Nepalese economy has been analyzed in terms of FDI flows, trade between Nepal, China and economic assistance from China to Nepal and tourists arrivals from China over the period of 2000-2019 by applying simple statistical tools and simple linear regression model. The results show that there have been positive influences on Nepalese economy with bilateral economic cooperation of China.

The Grand Strategy of China Towards Central Asia: An Assessment of Chinese New Regionalism Strategy and its Geopolitical Implications for US in the Post-9/11 Era

The main objective of this study is to investigate ‘why does China adopted the strategy of new regionalism, and is it looking for an era of US decline in the region in the post 9/11 era’? Both US and China have made noticeable diplomatic, foreign policy, and cultural advances in their appeal and influence in the region since the 9/11 era. In addition, the Chinese regional integration approach (SCO) with the Central Asian states and Russia and its implication for US geopolitical interest are closely analyzed in this paper. It is markedly considered that Beijing has adopted a couple of measures to undermine the US attention in the region, either in the form of a new regionalism policy (SCO), soft power, to the advanced multipolar system, to promote mutual and multifaceted dealings with its bordering countries. The results of this descriptive study indicate that the dynamic role of China has ultimately weakened the emerging role of the US in the region where Washington has already triggered and enhanced its bilateral relations with the Central Asian states. Moreover, this inclusive study examined China’s regionalism approach from distinguishing perspectives such as Economic assistance, oil diplomacy, and economic and political strategies in its rapid ascendance in world politics.

Varieties of international reconciliation: the configuration of interest and reflection after conflict

After conflict, states occasionally succeed in reconciling with former adversaries. When they do, they do so in different ways. Some grudgingly sign a treaty to signal the end of a conflict. Others provide for not only reparations and compensations but also economic assistance as material evidence of reconciliation. Yet others offer apologies, official and unofficial, and engage their former adversaries in reflective dialog that transforms their relationship from enmity to amity. Is there a way to systemically organize different ways in which states reconcile? Can different types of reconciliation be identified? If so, what explains the types? We address these questions in this article. Based on our survey of war terminations in the post-World War II period, we identify four different types of reconciliation that former injurious states have made with their victim states – procedural, material, ideational, and substantial. We hypothesize that their choice of a reconciliation type can be explained in terms of a configuration of national interest and national reflection. In this article, we engage in a structured comparative analysis of the cases of reconciliation between France-Algeria, Japan-Korea, Germany-Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic, and Germany-Poland – that we argue closely resemble the four ideal types – and demonstrate that our hypotheses are confirmed. We conclude with a consideration of how likely it is for ideational and material reconciliation to develop into substantial reconciliation

STUDI PENGELOLAAN ZAKAT PRODUKTIF PADA LEMBAGA AMIL ZAKAT NAHDLATUL ULAMA KABUPATEN LAMONGAN

The purpose of zakat to develop the social economic value of society is difficult to materialize if there is no active role of zakat managers (amil) who are required to be professional and innovative in managing zakat funds. The main function of the amil zakat institution lies in the activities of collecting, distributing, and utilizing zakat. The activity of collecting zakat in the history of Islam, is an activity or effort of amil in collecting zakat by picking up or taking from the place of amil. In addition to taking zakat, the amils who are in charge of taking zakat must also pray for those who pay zakat.This study aims to determine the implementation of productive zakat fund management and empowerment of the poor on zakat funds that are given by LAIZSNU Lamongan. By using the case study method, so as to be able to photograph how LAZISNU Lamongan's performance is in managing productive zakat funds . Lazisnu Lamongan has 3 zakat distribution programs, namely humanitarian, health and economic assistance. The mustahik empowerment program is included in the economic assistance program.

Caregiver Burden Is Associated With Dementia Patient Cognitive Performance in NHATS

Informal caregivers of dementia patients engage in multicomponent care that is often stressful. In heart failure patients, caregiver burden has been associated with occurrence of cardiovascular events. However, little is known about how caregiver burden affects patient cognition in dementia care dyads. Using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving, we examined the association between caregiver burden, assessed on 38 aspects of caring, and patient cognition, assessed with the immediate and delay word recall, Clock Drawing, and self-rated memory. In fully adjusted models at round 7 (2017) higher caregiver burden was cross-sectionally associated with lower immediate (B=-0.02, 95% CI -0.03, -0.01) and delayed (B=-0.03, 95% CI -0.04, -0.02) word recall. Longitudinally, across rounds 7-9 (2017-2019) higher burden was associated with lower patient Clock Draw score (B=-0.01, 95% CI -0.03, -0.001). These findings have implications for economic assistance and interventions in dementia care dyad.

FOREIGN CAPITAL INFLOWS IN CENTRAL AND EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Free cross-border movement of goods and capital correlates with the general economic state of a country in both apparent and subtle ways. The intensity of financial and economic interactions with the outside world is an indicator of the sustainability and efficiency of the national economy. After joining the EU, all Member States liberalized the balance of payments (BoP), i.e. ensured free and unrestricted cross-border movement of goods and capital. For certain countries the liberalization of BoP was a considerable challenge, which they managed to successfully overcome. These were the EU countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) was active among the former socialist countries until 1990, or the so-called "CMEA-EU countries". For an economic comparison to be plausible, it has to be made between the dynamics of comparable economies. Such a group of economies is formed by the CMEA-EU countries. EU membership provided them with the opportunity to use on their own their potential in property, intellect, power and resources. This is the reason why the present study has adopted a comparative analysis based on CMEA-EU countries. An attempt has been made to comprehensively monitor and analytically assess all major financial flows, especially in the CMEA-EU countries, and their impact on economic dynamics. A comparison is made for both the positive and negative aspects of the incoming financial resources in these countries. Particular emphasis is placed on macroeconomic elements and policies that outline, create conditions, and predetermine the scale, interactions and projections of cross-border financial flows.

Fatalistic Views and the Impact on Combating COVID-19: Bangladesh Context

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the people of Bangladesh to become more fatalistic or not. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study is of a descriptive design. The study follows a mixed-method research approach where an online survey was conducted among 406 individuals and 15 interviews of experts in different criteria have been assembled to validate the survey results properly. This survey data were analyzed based on the age and economic condition of the respondents. The in-depth interviews were collected based on six categories: Academicians, religious scholars, medical practitioners, Coronavirus-infected individuals, law enforcement officials, and journalists. Findings: The study shows that most of the people of Bangladesh are not influenced by the fatalistic views. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made people more dependent on fate lately. Senior citizens of the society and people with low income are more fatalists than other groups of people in the society. Senior citizens are suffering the most from anxiety, youths of Bangladesh are facing the most uncertainty in this pandemic. None of the population groups are completely dependent on fate yet confident about the situation at the same time. Practical Implications: The findings of this study will pave the way forward for further research in this area and help policymakers to take necessary initiatives. In short term, it will help formulating policies for the vulnerable groups. Such as, providing economic assistance for the lowest range of income group, guaranteeing old age pension for the senior citizens, access to right information, and psychological stability. In long term, this study will allow practitioners to create awareness during disasters and pandemics through expert narratives, news, and social media awareness. Originality/value: This paper explores how the belief system of people is influenced by their socio-economic condition and how it affects their behavior in terms of combating pandemics. It also emphasizes that during disasters and pandemics, policymakers should take special initiatives for senior citizens and people with low income.

Socio-Economic Responses from the Disaster Management Committee on Natural Disaster Management in Iringa District Council, Tanzania

The purpose of the study was to assess the socio-economic responses from Iringa District Council Natural Disaster Management Committee. The research used both quantitative and qualitative research approaches whereby questionnaires were used to collect data from community members and interviews were conducted with the key informants from Iringa District Council Disaster Management Committee. Cross-sectional design was used to gather data to answer the research problem and summarize the results. Targeted population was 11675 community members and key informants from District, Ward and Village Disaster Management Committees (DMC, WDMC AND VDMC) in Iringa District Council whereby a sample size of 133 was drawn out of it. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used for the selection of respondents. Descriptive statistical analysis and contents analysis were used in data analysis. The findings of this study revealed that the DMC has been providing both social and economic responses to the disaster victims such as temporary shelters and housing, supply of water and food as well as a relief package to the disaster victims. However, the social responses were considered minimal as compared to the economic responses by the DMC. The study recommended for the WDMCs and VDMCs to be empowered to be able to mobilize social economic assistance within and outside the community. This will help the local community to restore their lives and properties before the assistance from the DDMC. The DDMC is advised to establish training schedules with proper skills and techniques on natural disaster management in wards, villages, involving the academic institutions in the respective areas, definitely will facilitate to handle the situation effectively. Furthermore, the WDMCs and the VDMCs should re-enforce the legal disaster management Act, and Village by laws of (2019).

Taliban politics will hinder international acceptance

Significance The Taliban have focused on negotiating a government among themselves and show little sign of heeding international concerns about their policies, even if these obstruct the recognition and economic assistance they seek. Impacts US and European recognition appears a remote prospect, though some countries will engage informally. Western policy will inhibit recognition of the Taliban by neighbouring countries and the Gulf states. Islamic State militants will use violence to undermine the Taliban, who will try to crush them.