Day: October 8, 2023

The CPN (UML) has urged the government to ensure safety of Nepali citizens living in Israel.

Inaugurating the convention of the CPN (UML) Sudurpaschim Province Committee in Dhangadhi on Sunday, CPN (UML) general secretary Shankar Pokharel urged the government to rescue the Nepali citizens injured in the terrorist attacks happened in Israel on Saturday and also ensure safety and security of Nepalis living there.

The UML leader also asked the government to become serious to the status of injured Nepalis adding that the government was not serious to the concerns of those injured.

Source: National News Agency Nepal

The theoretical discussion on the Electricity Bill, 2080 was completed in the House of Representatives (HoR) on Sunday.

In the deliberations, the lawmakers asked the government to ensure corrections after a thorough review in all aspects of the Bill.

The lawmakers said that development of the country's energy sector was possible only through the collective efforts of public-private partnership.

The lawmakers also urged to create industry-friendly environment to increase power consumption in the country and said that the Bill should make clear stance on utilization of water that is collected after the development of the reservoir-based mega projects.

Minister for Energy Shakti Bahadur Basnet is to respond to the lawmakers' concerns in the next meeting of the HoR scheduled at 3:30 PM on Monday.

In the deliberations at the HoR meeting on Sunday, lawmakers have criticized the Bill arguing that most of the issues are unclear and suggested that the government should revise the Bill.

In the House, Nepali Congress chief whip Ramesh Lekhak said that the Bill should pay special attention to the security of the private sector's investment stating that process for the development of law in country's paramount issue has advanced.

Likewise, CPN (UML)'s Gokarna Bista said that provision on the license for the hydel projects should be made further clear and the domestic investment should be promoted by considering the national interests while developing the mega projects.

Similarly, lawmaker Dr Swarnim Wagle said that the Bill should clarify issues such as ownership of share of public.

Hitaraj Pandey thanked the government for specially emphasizing semi-reservoir and reservoir based hydro power projects. He also extended gratitude to the government for addressing the issues of the people affected from the hydro power projects.

Basanta Newang, Abdul Khan, Ram Prakash Chaudhary, Sishir Khanal, Rajendra Bajagain, Damodar Poudel, Pradeep Poudel, Kiran Kumar Shah, Raju Thapa presented their viewpoints on the theoretical aspect of the bill.

Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Centre) deputy general-secretary Barshaman Pun, in the meeting, said that Nepal's hydro electricity sector had made a stride in the past five years and was, according to him, due to the exemplary collaboration between the government and the private sector.

Pun dubbed the proposed bill as the 'policy departure' in the hydropower sector. According to him, the total connected capacity was around 1,000 five years ago. It had reached 3,000 now. In five years, it will reach 10,000 megawatt of electricity.

He lauded that the government for proposed bill that presented simultaneously presented policies to ensure energy supply, optimization of the natural resources as well as conservation.

Source: National News Agency Nepal

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha instructed the Armed Police Force (APF) to use its qualifications and abilities for the greater good of the country.

At a graduation ceremony of the APF's police inspectors training at the APF Training Academy in Matatirtha, Kathmandu on Sunday, DPM Shrestha said the APF should adapt to the changing situations so that it would fulfill sensitive and serious responsibility of maintaining peace and order and ensuring good-governance.

Shrestha underscored leveraging available resources to address security challenges which are increasing along with technological progress. Sharing that he had accorded top priority to capacity enhancement of security personnel, the DPM expressed his intent that he was willing to develop the APF as a special squad.

He instructed the newly graduated police inspectors to devote themselves to the service of country and countrymen even in adverse situation.

Similarly, APF's Inspector General of Police Raju Aryal pledged to take forward the organization by strictly following the instructions received from the government. He was confident that the trained human resources would be useful in obtaining the goals of the organization.

In the event, altogether 49 police inspectors including five female were graduated.

Likewise, Gyanchandra Parajuli, Puskar Bahadur Bom, Eijan Khadka and Roshan Ghimire were feted as the best trainees. The graduate police inspectors were deployed in their respective duty stations from Sunday itself.

Source: National News Agency Nepal

The Nepali Embassy in Israel has informed that 10 Nepali students died in the terrorist attacks in various places of Israel while one went missing.

The Embassy was holding discussion with the concerned Israeli officials for the management of the dead bodies, and coordinating with the Foreign Ministry here to bring the dead bodies to home.

Those killed in Hamas attacks are- Narayan Prasad Neupane from Ghodaghodi-4, Kailali; Ganesh Kumar Nepali from Jayprithvi-6, Bajhang; Ashish Chaudhary from Bauniya-3, Kailali; Dipesh Raj Bista from Lekham-5, Darchula; Lokendra Singh Dhami from Mallikarjun-4, Darchula.

Similarly, Anand Saha from Sapahi-6, Dhanusha; Rajesh Kumar Swarnakar from Madhuwan-1, Sunsari; Rajan Phulara from Panchali-3, Doti; Padma Thapa from Lamikhal-8, Doti; and Prabesh Bhandari from Sharada-3, Salyan were also killed in the terrorist attack in Israel.

The Embassy further informed that six Nepalis injured in the attacks were receiving treatment at different hospitals. Bipin Joshi from Bhimdatta Municipality-3, Kanchanpur had gone missing.

Source: National News Agency Nepal

The Chitwan-based Agriculture and Forestry University has urged the government and concerned bodies to relocate the university students gone to Israel under 'agricultural study programme'. It however said the university students were so far safe.

The university urged the Office of the Prime Minister, Home Ministry, Education Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and Nepali Embassy in Israel to shift the students to a safer location.

Issuing a press release on Sunday, the Office of Registrar at university informed that a total of 113 students went to Israel in 2023 and six in 2022 from the university under the programme. "As per information received so far, all of the students are safe," the press release added.

The university further said it was regularly in contact with the students and they were urged to stay alert and adopt safety measures. The university condemned the attack on Israel.

Source: National News Agency Nepal

A court here today convicted and sentenced former managing director of the then NRB Global Bank and Reliance Finance, Proshanta Kumar Halder alias PK Halder to 22-year jail in a case lodged over amassing illegal wealth and laundering the money abroad.

The court also convicted and sentenced other 13 accused in the case to seven years of jail each in the case. Of the 13, Abantika Boral, Shonkho Bepari, Sukumar Mridha and Anindita Mridha were present at the court during the pronouncement of the judgment.

Judge Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-10 pronounced the judgment, sentencing Halder to 10-year jail under section 27 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act and 12-year jail in Money Laundering Prevention Act.

The court in its judgment said the two sentences of jail will run separately, meaning the crook Halder will have to suffer behind bars for a total 22 years.

Earlier on October 4, the court had set today to pronounce the judgment as both the defence and prosecution concluded their arguments in the case on that day.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Imrul Qayesh on March 27 issued arrest warrant against 10 fugitive accused in the case including Proshanta Kumar Halder alias PK Halder.

The court also issued arrest warrant against PK Halder's mother Lilaboti Halder, Purnima Rani Halder, Uttam Kumar Mistri, Amitabh Adhikari, Pritish Kumar Halder, Rajib Shom, Subrata Das, Anang Mohan Roy and Swapan Kumar Mistri.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on January 8, 2020, filed the case against Halder for amassing illegal wealth of around Taka 275 crore and laundering the money abroad.

It is the first out of total 52 cases filed against PK Halder, one of the most notorious financial criminals in the country's history, in which the judgment was delivered. The other cases are still in probing stage.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Light to moderate rain is likely to occur at most places over north-eastern regions at a few places over south and central part of the country at one or two places over northern regions.

"Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Sylhet division; at a few places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal and Chattogram divisions; at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Sylhet division", said a met office forecast for the next 24 hours begins from 9am today.

Day and night temperature may rise slightly over the country, it said.

Country's maximum temperature on Saturday was recorded 33.8 degree celsius at Rangamati while the lowest temperature was recorded 23.6 degree celsius at Sylhet.

Country's maximum rainfall for the last twenty-four hours till 6am today was recorded 107 millimeters(mm) at Sylhet.

The low over central part of Bangladesh has become unimportant and merged with the monsoon axis. The axis monsoon trough runs through East Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs extends up to North Bay.

Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate over North Bay.

Today's sunset at Dhaka at 05-39 PM while Tomorrow's sunrise at 05-53 AM.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Cashew nut (Kaju Badam) is being grown

experimentally in the Garo hills of the district as hilly region is suitable

for its cultivation.

Farmers of the district are happy as the cashew nuts have started to ripen.

Orchard owners are dreaming of economic prosperity cultivating in cashew nuts

as it is sold at higher prices. Indigenous hilly people think that Kaju Badam

would change their livelihoods and native bengali farmers also thinking so.

The land of Sherpur is suitable for Kaju Badam. Flowers and fruits are seen

on cashew tree in short time. That's why farmers are been interested to

cultivate the nuts. Particularly young people of the district are intended to

plant cashew trees on their lands.

Farmer Soleman from Gazni area in Jhenaigati upazila said he has 200 cashew

trees on his 50 decimal of lands. He hopes that he would get 15-20 kilograms

(kg) of Kaju Badam from each of the trees which would be sold at Taka 800 to

Taka 1000 per kg.

Mentioning Kaju Badam a new cash crop, Deputy Director (DD) of the district

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) Dr Sukalpa Das said they have

taken pilot projects to boost Cashew nut cultivation in the district. "We

expend a lot to import cashew nuts every season," he added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A medical officer was killed when a sand-laden truck hit his motorbike on the Jamalpur-Nandina highway in Jamalpur Sadar upazila this morning.

The victim was identified as Dr Hafizur Rahman, 38, son of Dulal Miah, a resident of Mesta village of the upazila

He was a medical officer at the Nandina Government Health Centre of the upazila.

The accident took place in the area while he was on his way to work from home on his motorbike.

Officer-in-Charge of Jamalpur Sadar Police Station Kazi Shahnewaj said a sand-laden truck hit his motorbike from opposite direction. Critically injured Hafizur was sent to Jamalpur General Hospital where the attending doctors declared him dead.

Police have seized the truck, but the driver managed to flee, he said.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

ternity just ahead of the World Cup, there was doubt if Bangladesh can stay focused to attain the goal they are craving for.

Shakib Al Hasan later came down heavily on Tamim, sparking the doubt further. These issues and Bangladesh's recent inconsistency put a question mark on the team's ability and even many one predicted a defeat of Bangladesh at the hands of Afghanistan.

But after crushing Afghanistan effortlessly, it seemed Bangladesh are on right track as they are eyeing a semifinal spot in the World Cup.

The players body language and approach indicated they are highly focused to achieve their goal, leaving behind the issues which could be a distraction.

And behind it, there was a Shakib Al Hasan, who talked to the players and inspired them in a meeting ahead of the first game of the World Cup. Shakib himself was super charged in the match as he showed his emotion and even celebrated widely, which was very rare.

"It's a World Cup match and he took wicket," said pacer Shoriful Islam when he was asked about Shakib's on the field demeanor against Afghanistan.

But those who were aware about Bangladesh cricket's recent tumultuous situation knew well as to why Shakib was highly charged up. It is not that his three wickets that took his World Cup wicket tally to 36, eclipsed the likes of Brett Lee, Daniel Vettori in taking the highest World Cup wicket and Bangladesh's current fast bowler Alan Donald was just two wickets away to be surpassed by him.

In fact it is the issue that he wants his team to be united and focused for which he needs to lead from the front.

Tactically his captaincy was flawless and earned plaudits from Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, considered as best ever captain in Bangladesh and others. And when the performance added with such highly inspiring captaincy, it made Bangladesh a team to beat. His stat said he brought out his best, when he and his team is in concerned situation.

"At this moment, we have many players who have the captaincy material but the best option is Shakib. He is experienced and he knows how to absorb the pressure and how to take away the pressure from his players," BCB media committee chairman Tanvir Ahmed Titu said.

"To be honest, we have been tensed before the match against Afghanistan. The fans were tensed and even you people also. But there was no sign of pressure amongst the players. They were mentally strong and more focused," Titu added.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

To integrate underprivileged children to cultural life and to give them hope for the future, Summit has pledged grants to Music for Development (MfD) programme of Shurer Dhara.

On the occasion, Managing Director of Summit Power Engr Mozammel Hossain and Chairperson of Shurer Dhara Prof Rezwana Choudhury Bannya have signed a grant agreement on behalf of their respective institutions at a function at Summit Centre in the city, said a press release today.

Director of Summit Group Azeeza Aziz Khan ACCA said: "At Summit, we deeply believe that children's access to performing arts, regardless of their backgrounds, will enrich social cohesion. I would like to thank MfD's esteemed Board of Trustees, brilliant music teachers, volunteers and children for their endeavour."

Summit has been supporting the Music for Development (MfD) programme of Shurer Dhara for over 12 years which integrates performing arts schooling along with regular subjects for the underprivileged children.

Many alumni of MfD are now graduates while some are presently attending colleges and universities.

Senior officials of the organizations were also present at the signing ceremony.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Mobile phone operator, Robi has so far deployed

L2600 spectrum in half of its total sites that were dealing with high levels

of data traffic and helped the operator to improve data speed by 50 percent.

"Going forward, further deployment of the L2600 spectrum will continue to

improve network experience across the country," Robi said today in a media

release.

It said, doubling a site's capacity means that the site can carry double data

volume with better experience. This is also enabling the VoLTE users to enjoy

the best quality of voice in their devices.

While improving the data network, deployment of L2600 spectrum is also

ensuring Robi's readiness to launch 5G service, as Robi had acquired 60 MHz

spectrum from 2600 band last year from an open auction.

Regarding their network development initiatives, Robi's Chief Corporate and

Regulatory Officer, Shahed Alam said that they have been investing around

$200million over a number of years.

"With the deployment of L2600 spectrum, we believe our network development is

now helping us to deliver a far better quality of service for our valued

customers," he said, adding, "This drive will continue across the country

going forward."

Besides, the network optimization activities directly contributed towards

reducing call drop rate by around 60 percent over the last year for users of

both- Robi and Airtel brand users, claimed the second largest mobile operator

of Bangladesh.

It added that Mean Opinion Score (MOS), a parameter that indicates overall

the call quality had improved by around 50 percent since the start of the

ongoing year.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha