Day: April 4, 2024

Kathmandu: The country has witnessed a total trade deficit of Rs 929.61 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year. Stating that the trade deficit decreased 2.5 per cent compared to the same period of the last fiscal year, the Nepal Rastra Bank mentioned that the export-import ratio in the country decreased to 9.8 per cent in the review period. In the review period, the country's merchandise imports totaled Rs 1030.22 billion, according to the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation released by Nepal Rastra Bank on Thursday. Destination-wise, imports from India and other countries decreased 2.8 per cent and 22.9 per cent respectively while imports from China increased 33.7 per cent. On the import side, imports from Bhairahawa, Dry Port, Jaleshwor, Kanchanpur, Krishnanagar, Nepalgunj, Rasuwa and Tatopani Customs Offices increased, it said. Likewise, merchandise imports from India against payment in convertible foreign currency amounted Rs 98.29 billion. Such amount was Rs 85.12 billion in the same period of the previous year. "Imports of readymade garments, transport equipment, vehicle and other vehicle spare parts, aircraft spare parts, electrical equipment, textiles among others increased whereas imports of crude soyabean oil, gold, petroleum products, crude palm oil, paddy among others decreased," the NRB said. Exports from Bhairahawa, Dry Port, Jaleswor, Kanchanpur, Krishnanagar, Mechi, Rasuwa and Tatopani increased whereas exports from all the other major customs points decreased during the period, according to the NRB. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said the government is taking all measures so that all can celebrate the holy Eid-ul-Fitr with joy. "Instead of organising iftar parties, the poor and needy people are being supported in various ways as per instructions of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We will always stand by the people in the future too," he said while addressing a food item distribution programme here. The Eid gifts were distributed among the people of Ward No-2 of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on the occasion of the coming holy Eid-ul-Fitr. Speaking as the chief guest, Saber Hossain said the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan are going on. "The holy Eid will come at the end of the month of Ramadan. Eid gifts will be distributed in every ward of my constituency to make Eid happy," he said. Later, the minister distributed Eid gifts among 500 families in need. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, Dilli Bahadur Chaudhari, has announced resignation while addressing the Province Assembly on Thursday. During his address, CM Chaudhari admitted that the province government failed to ensure effective and smooth administration. "We could not make governance effective. Sycophancy does not make governance result-oriented," he said, blaming that development budget could not be spent because of employees' noncooperation. Power is temporary, so all sides' unity is essential for protecting and promoting federalism, he reminded. The CM tendered resignation from the post as after effects of change in ruling coalition in the federal government. Preparation is on among the new coalition partners to make new Chief Minister to the parliamentary party leader of CPN Maoist Centre, Jokh Bahadur Mahara. For anyone to be elected Chief Minister, he/she requires 44 votes in the 87-member Lumbini Province Assembly. The UML has 29 members, CPN Maoist Centre 10 excluding Speaker, Janata Sam ajbadi Party three, Unified Socialist one and an independent one. They have agreed for Mahara as new CM. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A mobile court of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has fined seven business institutions Taka 47 lakh for stocking, selling and manufacturing adulterated food and products in capital. A mobile court of RAB-10 led by executive magistrate Md. Majharul Islam conducted different drives in Demra and Jatrabari areas and fined Taka 47 lakh on Wednesday, RAB-10 assistant police super and assistant director (media) M.J. Sohel told BSS today. He said the mobile court fined Muntaha Food Beverage Limited Taka five lakh, Microtac Electric Company Taka five lakh, Empress Mator and Fan Industries Taka five lakh, Electro Mart Automation and Engineering Taka 15 lakh, Fair Oil Industries Taka five lakh, Asian Shop Factory Taka two lakh and r.k. Cables Industries Taka 10 lakh. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Nepali Congress (NC) has picked the party's candidates for the upcoming by-elections to be held in Ilam Constituency No. 2 for House of Representatives (HoR) and Bajhang Constituency No. 1 (A) for Sudurpaschim Province Assembly. A meeting of the NC parliamentary board and work execution committee held on Thursday finalized the name of Dambar Bahadur Khadka for Ilam and Abishekh Bahadur Singh for Bajhang, NC central office's Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel said. The by-elections are taking place on April 27 in Ilam Constituency No. 2 and Bajhang Constituency No. 1 (A). The NC has also appealed to the voters in the two constituencies to cast their vote for the party's candidates and make the party candidates victorious. Filing of nomination papers for the by-elections is scheduled to be held on April 6. The final list of candidates will be published on April 9. The other major political parties have already announced their candidates for the by-elections in Ilam-2 and Bajhang-1 'A'. Source: National News Agency Nepal

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today received credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors of Portugal and Bahrain to Bangladesh. The two non-resident ambassadors are Joao Ribeiro de Almeida of Portugal and Abdulrahman Mohammed AlGaoud of Bahrain. Welcoming the envoys, the President said Bangladesh is working to develop bilateral and multilateral relations with all the countries of the world. President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin disclosed this to media during a briefing. The President said it is very important at present to increase trade and investment along with the strengthening of diplomatic ties with the countries. Highlighting the existing potentials in Bangladesh's various sectors, including readymade garments (RMG), medicine, ceramics, leather and leather goods, the head of state told the envoys to take initiatives to explore the mutual potentials. During the meeting, the ambassadors of Portugal and Bahrain lauded the socio-economic development in Bangladesh. They highlighted the contr ibution of the peace-loving and skilled workers of Bangladesh to the economic development of their respective countries. The envoys sought the President's full cooperation in doing their assignments in Bangladesh. Earlier, on their arrivals at the Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoys guards of honour as part of the ceremony. Secretaries concerned to the President and high officials of the Foreign Ministry were present there. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Chairman of CPN (Unified Socialist) and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the civil servants need incentives. Adoption of reward and punishment policy is essential to recognize devoted government employees, he stressed. Addressing a function organized on the 26th anniversary of the Rautahat Times weekly in Kathmandu on Thursday, Chairman Nepal viewed State has important role to produce qualified and competent employees. Those involved in wrongdoing warrant punishment while excellent ones rewards, he reiterated. "Country is getting plagued with corruption. It is because of the failure of State administration," he observed, adding that he and prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal had talked a lot on adoption of such policies that elevate country's economy. Also speaking on the occasion were former minister Banshidhar Mishra, Spokesperson at CIAA, Narahari Ghimire, FNJ President Bipul Pokhrel, Press Council Nepal Chair Balkrishna Basnet, and Editor at Rautahat Times Weekly, Govinda Chaulaga in. They spoke on the need of press for good governance. Source: National News Agency Nepal

At least 611 people remain trapped in the mountainous Tianxiang region of eastern Taiwan, an emergency response center dealing with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake said. The people were staying at a hotel in the Taroko National Park when the quake struck. Subsequent rockfalls blocked roads, making it impossible for them to leave the resort on their own. The strongest earthquake in 25 years hit Taiwan on the morning of April 3. The magnitude 7.2 quake, which was recorded in Hualien County at 7:58 a.m. local time (11:58 p.m. GMT on April 2), was felt all across the island. According to seismologists, the epicenter was off the east coast of Taiwan, 25 kilometers southeast of Hualien City, and had a depth of 15.5 kilometers. Tremors were also felt in the provinces of Fujian and Jiangxi in eastern China. According to the latest data from emergency services, the earthquake killed nine people and left 1,064 injured, while 42 are missing. Another 642 people are waiting for help in hard-to-reach areas. So urce: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Central member of Nepali Congress (NC), Dr Sekhar Koirala, has stressed urgency of forming a new coalition government having NC and UML for country's political stability. Talking to media persons briefly at Biratnagar airport on Thursday, central leader Koirala viewed new coalition government is imperative to end present chaos and pave way for economic development. There was no option but to establish a stable government of NC and UML so that problem of frequent change of government at province would fizzle out. Frequent change of government at federal and province levels create problems in country, he argued, reminding that although four leftist leaders became prime ministers, NC was inevitable to bring new constitution. "I've begun initiative to form a NC-UML government," he disclosed and expressed belief that it would be realized at a proper time. Comprehensive discussion would be held on how leaders, parties and electoral system could be corrected before forming a coalition government. Moreover, the l eader viewed amendment in constitution, dynamic economy and political stability were essential for country's development. In response to a query, he said the Koshi Province government need not take vote of confidence. Although other parties withdrew support, Koshi government is not in minority. It is not necessary Chief Minister steps down at present, Koirala underlined. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over three divisions and it may spread in the next twenty-four hours begins from 9am today. "Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Khulna divisions and it may spread. Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase", according to the met office release. Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and the districts of Kishoreganj and B. Baria with hails at isolated places. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay. Country's maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded 38.5 degree Celsius jointly at Ishurdi and Chuadanga. Minimum temperature today was recorded 18.9degree Celsius at Dinajpur. Country's maximum rainfall for the last twenty-four hours till 6am today was recorded 22 milli meters (mm) at Sylhet. The sun sets at 06-15 PM and rises tomorrow at 05-46 AM in the capital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said government was at work to conduct regular international flights from Pokhara and Gautam Buddha International Airports soon. Responding to the questions of lawmakers at Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee of the National Assembly on Thursday, PM Dahal informed that talks were being held with the Indian government for the air route to Gautam Buddha International Airport, while similar dialogues were continued for direct flights with China and Sri Lanka from the airports. Similarly, he shared that efforts were on to convert the loan received from Chinese government into a grant in relations to Pokhara International Airport. According to him, government was in action for reviving sick industries of Hetauda, Butwal, Janakpur, and Biratnagar cities. The process of embankment construction along the Koshi River was underway. The meeting witnessed PM's commitment to increase production through irrigation facilities by promoting project s and land reforms. Land reform works are not simply the distribution of the land ownership certificates to the landless squatters but creation of foundation of socialism, the PM reminded. He also informed lawmakers on government's seriousness towards justice and relief to the families of the martyrs, injured and missing persons of the conflict-era. He believed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill would be finalized by the parliamentary committee soon. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in an anti-crime drive arrested an alleged drug peddler with 3 kilograms of heroin in the district early this morning. The arrested person is: Rassel, 25, son of Zillur Rahman of Car Bhubanpara village under Godagari Upazila in the district. On a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted a sudden search in the residence of Rassel, recovered the drugs and arrested him. A case was recorded with Godagari Police Station in this connection and the arrested person along with the seized contraband items was handed over to the police. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha