Day: April 3, 2024

A total of 30,199 foreign tourists visited the Annapurna region in the month of March. This includes 14,668 tourists from South Asian countries and 15,531 tourists from other countries, according to According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). The arrival of tourists has increased with the end of the cold season and the number is expected to grow further in April, said Chief of ACAP Dr Rabin Kadaria. In 2023, a total of 191,558 tourists from 173 countries had visited the Annapurna region, a record so far. It surpassed the highest so far of 181,000 before Corona Virus pandemic in 2019. The number was 129,733 in 2022. The Annapurna base camp, Mardi Himal, Ghandruk, Tilicho Lake in Manang, Thorangla Pass, Upper Mustang, Muktinath area, Ghodepani in Myagdi on the Annapurna circuit are major attractions for tourists visiting the region. Kaski, Lamjung, Manang, Myagdi and Mustang fall under the ACAP spread over an area of 7600 square kilometers. Source: National News Agency RSS

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen today said Bangladesh and China exchanged feasibility study reports on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries last week and will officially launch the negotiations soon. "We are committed to concluding the feasibility study reports as early as possible within this year, and will officially launch the negotiations soon afterwards," he said. The ambassador sees this latest development between the two countries as a major step forward in Dhaka-Beijing economic and trade cooperation. The Chinese Ambassador was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 2024 Chinese government training programs held this evening at the Embassy in Dhaka. Economic Relations Division (ERD) Wing Chief of Finance Ministry Additional Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain joined the event as the chief guest while Disaster Management and Relief Ministry's Additional Secretary Md. Hasan Sarwar spoke at the event, among others. Ambassador Yao said under the leadership of Prime Minister S heikh Hasina, Bangladesh successfully held the general election as scheduled. "It's my conviction that under the strong and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will be stronger, more united, more prosperous and more resilient in the next five years, which will also guarantee the continuous improvement and upgrading of China-Bangladesh cooperation," he said. The Chinese government training programs are important platforms for China-Bangladesh economic and social development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, which have trained more than 5,500 government officials and experts for Bangladesh so far. "As the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, I am pleased to see that China has deeply participated and played an important role in Bangladesh's economic and social development," the envoy said. On the road to modernization, China has been and will always be Bangladesh's most reliable partner and trustworthy friend. China and Bangladesh have set a good example of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, he added. The Installation of Single Point Mooring with Double Pipe Line Project and the Bhanga-Rupdia Section of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project have been successfully put into trial operation, said the envoy. Cox's Bazar Wind Power Project, S. Alam Coal Fired Power Plant and Barishal Power Plant have started generating electricity. Construction of the Waste to Energy Power Plant Project in North Dhaka, Rajshahi Surface Water Treatment Plant and the China-Aid Project of Burn Unit of Chittagong Medical College Hospital will all start this year. More direct flights from Dhaka to Beijing will start very soon, Yao said. Last week, he said, the Center for China Studies of Dhaka University was launched, which will promote the academic circles of the two countries in conducting joint study and exploration of bilateral, regional, and global affairs, strengthening people-to-people exchange. Last August, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met on t he sidelines of the fifteenth annual BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The two leaders reached a consensus that the two countries need to strengthen personnel exchanges and deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, which has injected vigour and vitality into the development of bilateral relations, Ambassador Yao said. "It is my firm conviction that the prospect of China and Bangladesh relations will be even brighter with your participation and dedication," the Ambassador said. This year, with support from the Chinese government, the number of training programs and personnel provided by the Chinese government to Bangladesh has reached a new high, with the total number of trainees exceeding 500. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A total of 61 marginalized female farmers were given lambs free of cost aimed at improving their living and livelihood condition through rearing the sheep properly. Each of them was given four female sheep and one male lamb in two phases. Earlier, they were imparted two-day training in this regard. On behalf of the "Up-scaling of small-scale sheep rearing model for land production in Barind area" project, Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF) distributed the lambs among farmers of different places in Godagari and Paba upazilas in the district. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Rajshahi University (RU) has been implementing the project financially supported by KGF with the main thrust of elevating the rural people through income generating activities. Earlier, 59 grassroots farmers were given sheep on behalf of their previously implemented "Validation of Good Practices of On-farm Lamb Production System" project. A lamb distribution ceremony was organized at Narkelbaria campus of RU on Tues day afternoon. RU Vice-chancellor (VC) Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar attended and addressed the ceremony as the chief guest, while Pro-VCs Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir spoke as special guests with former Dean of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Faculty and Principal Investigator of the project Professor Jalal Uddin Sarder in the chair. Faculty Dean Prof Khandaker Mozaffar Hossain, Registrar Prof Tariqul Hassan, Proctor Prof Asabul Haque and Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Hemayetul Islam also spoke. Prof Jalal Uddin Sarder told BSS that they have attained remarkable success through giving the sheep under the project. In his remarks, VC Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar said boosting lamb farming can be the best way of meeting the existing demands of animal protein besides improving living and livelihood conditions of the people, particularly the marginalized and ethnic minorities, in the region. Promotion of commercial sheep farming can also be an effective means of exploring the vast opportu nity to boost woolen fiber and production of more meat and milk. Prof Jalal Uddin Sarder said quick economic growth of the region can be possible through proper uses and development of livestock resources and urged the rural people to boost commercial sheep farming to meet the nutritional demand. As a whole, the project intends to boost the supply of nutritious lamb meat with improving the living and livelihood conditions of the marginal farmers through rearing lambs. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated her firm stance against any Israeli plan for control over any part of Gaza, no expulsion of the Gazans from their own territory and no rejection of Palestinian rights to a separate and independent state alongside Israel. In a letter sent to President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, the premier said, "I avail this opportunity to convey my sincerest condolences to the government and brotherly people of Palestine for the tragic loss of innocent lives including children, women and men during the unabated Israel's genocide in Gaza and west Bank since October 8, 2023". "I acknowledge the receipt of your letter addressed to me delivered through your envoy and General Secretary of Fatah Central Committee on March 19, 2024," she added. Sheikh Hasina restated her call for a long term ceasefire and urged all concerned to exercise restraint to protect civilian's lives and infrastructures. She said, "I am aware of the Israeli Prime Minister's "Day After" post war p lan for Gaza and endorse your grave concerns over it. The plan is contempt to the rights of the Palestinian people and violation of the International Law and Accords". The premier said it is disappointing to see that the plan fails to provide any tangible pathway to this protracted conflict rather it aims at suppressing the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians in Gaza while perpetuating Israeli control over the land. "In this context, we reiterate our firm position that we are dead against any Israeli plan for reoccupation of any part of Gaza, no expulsion of the Gazans from their own territory, no reduction of the Gaza territory, no restriction on UNRWA's ability to implement its mandate, and no rejection of Palestinian rights to a separate and independent state alongside Israel," said Sheikh Hasina. She said, "We also hold that military means is not a solution to this conflict. Building on the UN Security Council Resolutions and the International Court of Justice order, it is time to imple ment a credible process to resolve the ongoing crisis, which could only be achieved through a two-state solution with Palestinians and Israelites living side by side." The premier said, "As a nation which has suffered occupation, and genocide, we truly feel the plight of the occupied and persecuted Palestinians. Thus, we extend our full solidarity with people of Palestine on international platforms, condemning the Israeli occupation and advocating for a just resolution based on international law". She said, "As Muslim brothers, we would continue to remain committed and steadfast in our support to your legitimate aspiration for independent statehood along with 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. In this context, we reiterate our pledge to support your endeavors in obtaining full membership of Palestine in the United Nations through our advocacy in all international forums and beyond". She said, "Upholding justice, peace and harmony is a core teaching of Islam and all great religions. It is what we consider an anti-dote to all conflicts and sufferings". Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Four coal miners lost their lives and seven others were injured on Wednesday in a methane gas fire in Vietnam's northern province of Quang Ninh, Vietnam News Agency reported. The mine, which covers 23 square meters in Cam Pha city, was reportedly under excavation when the accident occurred. The mine operates under Thong Nhat coal mine company of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group. The seven injured workers were being treated at a local hospital. The case was under investigations. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman today said that no additional fares can be charged to the commuters in all public transports during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr. "No ticket can be sold without counter. Selling of tickets outside the counter will be considered as black marketing. Legal action will be taken against those who sell tickets through black marketing," he said. He was addressing a press briefing after a special coordination meeting on overall law and order situation of Dhaka metropolis with various stakeholders on the occasion of upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at the DMP headquarters here. He said the leaders of the owners and workers' associations have given their consensus that no vehicle without fitness certificate will ply on the roads. In replying to a query, the DMP Commissioner said that the police will take immediate action against any extortion. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A devastating fire swept through a municipal market in Kyauktaga Township of Myanmar's Bago region, engulfing shops and houses, an official from the Bago region Fire Services Department said Wednesday. No casualties have been reported in the fire that broke out at around 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, he told Xinhua. Due to the incident, 450 out of the nearly 500 shops in the market, as well as nine nearby houses, were engulfed in flames, he said. It took nearly six hours to extinguish the flames, which originated from a barbershop. The cause of the fire, supposed to be an electrical wire failure, is still under investigation, the official said. The fire damaged many groceries, clothing, and food items. Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage and losses, he added. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was adjusted downward by Tk 3.34 per kg to Tk 120.18 per kg against the existing rate of Tk 123.52 per kg. The new price will come into effect from 6:00pm today, said the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). According to BERC, the price for a standard 12kg LPG cylinder will now be Tk 1,442, lower by Tk 40 from the previous price of Tk 1,482. The price for 'auto gas', the LPG variant used in motor vehicles, has also been lowered to Tk 66.21 from the existing price of Tk 67.68 per litre. However, the LPG prices marketed by the state-owned LP Gas Company will remain unchanged. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal Dr Daniel Meuli paid a courtesy call on Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Dol Prasad Aryal at the Ministry on Wednesday. In the meeting, Minister Aryal said Nepal government was working actively to create labour market, promote self-employment and entrepreneurship by building skilled workforce. He said that development partners have an important role to promote employment in the country. On the occasion, Ambassador Dr Daniel enquired how employment service centres operated under the Prime Minister's Employment Programme would be strengthened. Source: National News Agency RSS

For the first time in 16 years, Bangladesh Bank (BB) today auctioned 25 kilogrammes of gold at nearly Tk 18 crore. BB Spokesperson and Executive Director Mazbaul Haque said 25.312 kgs of gold of various qualities were sold for Tk17.99 crore. After completing all the processes on Wednesday, these golds were handed over to the buyer company Venus Jewelers, he added. He said the gold was seized by customs intelligence. The money received against the sale has been deposited in the account of Bangladesh Customs, he added. The central bank had earlier tried to auction the gold in late 2022 but failed to find suitable bidders. BB last sold 21.822 kgs of gold through auction on July 23, 2008. Moreover, another 25, 21 and 20 kgs of gold were sold in three phases earlier that year. However, due to various reasons including not getting the expected bidders, gold auctioning was stopped for a long time Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha