Day: April 9, 2024

The province assembly members of the CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) in Koshi Province have asked Chief Minister Kedar Karki to resign immediately from the post. Organizing a news conference on Tuesday, Chief Whip of UML Koshi Province Assembly Rewati Raman Bhandari said Chief Minister Karki should step down from the post as 52 province assembly members on April 8 had submitted a letter to Koshi Province Chief Parshuram Khapung about the withdrawal of their support to the Karki-led province government. Bhandari argued that the present Koshi Province Government is constitutionally obliged to take the vote of confidence in between April 8 to 12 after the lawmakers withdrew their support as per Article 188 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal. On the occasion, Chief Whip Bhandari urged Chief Minister Karki to tender his resignation through the parliamentary process. During the event, Durga Prasad Chapagain of CPN (Maoist Centre) said Chief Minister Karki should resign to open the door for the formation of a ne w government in Koshi Province. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA, A four-day 'NAP Expo 2024 Bangladesh' will begin in Dhaka on April 22 aiming to showcase how people successfully deal with climate change impacts. The NAP expo will be held on April 22-25 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the conference on April 22. Speaking at a preparatory meeting on the international conference held at Bangladesh Secretariat here today, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said everyone will be mutually benefited from the adaption meet as various adaptation programmes taken by different countries to address climate change impacts will be exhibited during the conference. He said rainwater harvesting, water extraction system through solar energy in hilly areas, issues related to climate tolerant seeds and other agricultural activities, various activities of Delta Plan in support of adaptation activities, cyclone shelters for climate adaptation, construction of roads, culv erts etc will be showcased as climate adaptation issues. 'The history, culture and heritage of Bangladesh will also be presented to foreigners. We can also gain experience from the adaptation activities displayed at foreign stalls,' Saber Hossain said. He said the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Agriculture Ministry, the Department of Economic Relations, the Local Government Division of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry, the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will participate in the exhibition. Also, the environment minister said, UNFCC, GCF UNDP, IOM, GCA and NGOs BRAC, OSHE, WINROCK and other development partners will participate in it too. Representatives of 114 countries will join the meet. The NAP Expo 2024 will be held in Bangladesh in collaboration with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and managed by the Least Developed Counties Expert Group (LEG). Additional Secretary (administration) of the ministry Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Additional Secretary (pollution control) Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary (environment) Dr Fahmida Khanam and Director General of Directorate of Environment (DoE) Dr Abdul Hamid were, among others, present at the meeting. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Telephone services have been halted in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality in the northern area of Sankhuwasabha district since last Monday night. People residing in this rural area have been deprived of communication services since the telephone tower installed at Lachi Danda witnessed problems after the lightning strike. Chief of the Telecom Office in Khadbari, Prem Kumar Rai, shared that issues have occurred in the telephone tower since the lightning strike and the charge of the generator has been running flat since the lightning stroke. Towers in high hill areas suffer problems due to storms and lightning, he shared, adding that a technical team has been demanded from Dhankuta to address the problem. People residing in a dozen of villages in the rural municipality such as Hatiya, Chyamtang, Chepuwa, Lingam, Chumsur and Ridak among others have been bereft of communication services since the incident, said ward chairperson Wangchedar Bhote. The BTS towers of the telecom have been running on solar power in the rural areas not having access to electricity. Since the rural municipality lacks electricity access, consumers have been relying on fair weather to use telecommunication services Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP, a symbol of undemocratic force, always hatches conspiracy to destroy the country's democratic and stable environment. "BNP's principle, ideology and activity are opposing to democratic values. BNP's stance is at the opposite pole of democracy in the political arena," he said in a statement. Quader said BNP is the enemy of the country's democracy and internationally recognized terrorist organization. He said BNP, which was born at the hands of military dictator, actually bears undemocratic spirit in disguise of democracy. So, they (BNP) have no respect towards constitutional and systematic approach, he said. The AL general secretary said BNP had resorted to terrorism and anarchy in order to thwart the elections without joining it. The party tries to hide their ingrained terrorist characteristic through political programme, he said. But today their characteristic is known to the nation as well as international arena, he said adding BNP was dubbed as terrorist organization by the Canadian Federal Court. Quader said BNP has been submerged in the quicksand of errors due to taking up wrong policies and programmes constantly. Due to wrong politics, BNP's leaders and workers have also become depressed, he said. Perplexed leaders and workers of failed BNP are now making evil attempts to sow seeds of frustration among the people, he said. As BNP has no dream ahead, its leaders don't see any positive thing in the country, he said. They always hatch conspiracy to make damage to the country and the people through their negative politics, he said. Quader said AL leaders and workers are making their all-out strides to sustain the country's independence, sovereignty and democracy under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina. He expressed his optimism that the country will become a developed, prosperous and safe Smart Bangladesh in the days to come overcoming all odds. Source: Bangladesh San gbad Sangstha

The parliamentary party leader of CPN (UML) Karnali Province Assembly, Yamlal Kandel, was appointed the Chief Minister of Karnali Province Government. Chief of Karnali Province Tilak Pariyar appointed Kandel to the post as per Article 168 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal. Kandel has the support of the CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist Centre) and CPN (Unified Socialist) in the 40-member Karnali Province Assembly. As per the letter submitted to the Chief of Karnali Province, 13 province assembly members of the CPN (Maoist Centre), 10 of the UML and one province assembly member of the CPN (US) have backed Kandel's bid for the chief ministerial berth. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA, The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of police has arrested a fugitive member of the banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir from city's Dakshinkhan Police Station area last night. The arrested was identified as Md Ashikur Rahman alias Drubo, 34, son of Md Kutubur Rahman a resident of ward no - 49 under Dakshinkhan Police Station in the city. Acting on a tip off, a team of ATU police conducted a drive in city's Dakshinkhan Police Station area and arrested him on Monday night, ATU Media and Awareness Wing police super Barrister Mahfuzul Alam Russel told BSS today. Necessary legal action has been taken against him. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has asserted that the incumbent government was effortful to fulfill the responsibility of economic development and prosperity in the country. Inaugurating the 73rd annual general assembly of Nepal Chamber of Commerce here today, DPM Shrestha assured the government was very serious about promoting and protecting the private sector for economic progress. According to him, the major tasks of the incumbent government include capital formation, expediting capital expenditure and reducing trade deficit. The DPM viewed that the need of the hour is to reduce trade deficit by increasing capital and enhancing the implementation capacity of capital expenditure for which, he saw the need for open discussion and debate between the government and private sector. Stating that the government should roll out policies, programme and budget to give impetus to economic activities, DPM Shrestha called for ending the idea of running the Sta te at the behest of remittance, revenue and foreign aid. Similarly, Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Rajendra Malla emphasized achieving economic prosperity through effective coordination between the country's budget and monetary policy. He opined that the upcoming budget be objective and achievable besides aiming for an increase in revenue collection by expanding economic activities. He suggested that instead of increasing the tax rate, the scope of the tax should be expanded and the PAN card should be provided. "Although there are some signs of improvement in the external factor of the economy, the internal indicators continue to slow down," he shared. The trade deficit was higher this fiscal year since the exports remained very low compared to imports, he assessed. He observed that it would be challenging for the government to achieve 6 per cent economic growth due to failure to spend capital expenditure and infuse investment in the productive sector. Malla spoke of the need to increase production and productivity in all sectors to make the country self-reliant. The President also recommended attracting domestic and foreign investors in agriculture, tourism and information technology sectors which have comparative advantages. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh today said all necessary preparations have been completed for holding the main Jamaat of Eid-ul-Fitr at the National Eidgah in the capital. "Dhaka South City Corporation has taken all necessary preparations to hold the main Jamaat of Eid-ul-Fitr at the National Eidgah," he told journalists after inspecting preparations for holding the main Jamaat of Eid-ul-fitr at the National Eidgah here, an official release said. Chief Executive officer of the DSCC Mizanur Rahman, Secretary Akramuzzaman, Acting Chief Engineer Ashikur Rahman, Transport General Manager Md. Haider Ali and Joint General Secretary of Dhaka south city unit of Awami League Kazi Morshed Hossain Kamal, among others, were present on the occasion. The main jamaat of Eid-ul-Fitr is scheduled to be held at 8.30am at the National Eidgah in the capital, he said, adding the jamaat will be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 9:00am in case of inclement weather. Th is year, a total of 35,000 Muslims will offer Eid prayers at the main pandal of Eidgah maidan while many others will offer prayers outside it, said the press release. Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mawlana mufti Ruhul Amin and its Muezzin Qari Muhammad Habibur Rahman will lead the congregation. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The Tribhuvan University (TU) and China's Beijing Foreign Studies University on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on exchanges for studies and research works at the TU, Kirtipur. TU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Keshar Jung Baral and Chairman of the University Council of Beijing Foreign Studies University Prof Dr Wang Dinghua signed the MoU. Issuing a press statement, the TU has termed the deal 'a significant step towards fostering academic collaboration and cultural exchange'. The MoU is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two esteemed institutions. The agreement encompasses various facets of academic exchange and collaboration, including exchanges of students, faculty, scholars, and administrative staff, the officials said. "Both universities have committed to engaging in research collaboration in fields of mutual interest, as well as exchanging and sharing academic materials and information to enrich their respective academic environments," according to the TU. On the occasion, TU V C Prof Dr Baral commended the cultivation and fostering of indigenous knowledge and expertise in China and reiterated TU's commitment to robust research and collaboration, language exchanges, and the exchange of students and faculty members. Similarly, Prof Dr Dinghua expressed his keen interest in working jointly with the TU to promote academic excellence and cultural understanding between the two nations. Source: National News Agency Nepal

DHAKA, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his spouse Dr. Rebeka Sutana will exchange greetings with the cross section of people at Bangabhaban on the occasion of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the greatest religious festival of the Muslims, likely to be celebrated on Thursday. "The President will say his Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the National Eidgah in front of the High Court in the capital at 8.30 am . . . He will also exchange Eid greetings with people of all classes at Bangabhaban from 10am to 11:30am," President's press secretary Md Joynal Abedin told BSS this afternoon. He added: "The President will also convey his Eid greetings to the countrymen through media at the Credentials Hall of the Bangabhaban here." The Head of the State will exchange Eid greetings with the people of all classes and professions, including distinguished personalities, senior politicians, judges, poets, litterateurs, writers, journalists, teachers, intellectuals, diplomats and civil and military officials. As many as 1500 distinguished p ersonalities and people were invited at the Bangabhaban on the occasion. They will be entertained with delicious food items as a traditional manner. After the ceremony, the President will spend his time with family members at the Presidential palace. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has urged diplomatic missions in Nepal and the development partners to make the Nepal Investment Summit 2024 a success. The government is organizing the Summit on the 28th and 29th of this month. Addressing the meeting of diplomatic missions and development partners in Nepal organised at Singha Durbar today, Prime Minister said the role of development partners and diplomatic missions in Nepal is important to establish Nepal as the destination of investment. "We expect active participation in investment summit as well support of development partners as well as bilateral and multilateral development partners to increase maximum capacity", he shared. Stating that projects of province and local governments have given equal priority along with ministries of federal government, the Prime Minister clarified that the government is committed to ensure the environment to revise laws in order to create investment-friendly environment, procedural reforms and not to allow any obstruction for investors during project period. He underlined, "The summit will provide a platform to connect Nepali production and service to the global market as well as make stakeholders including investors, development partners and financial institutions easy to unite, to seek opportunity and to promote long-term partnership." The government of Nepal was ready to provide any type of support needed to incumbent and possible investors, he underscored. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Dhaka, The Supreme Court (SC) has relaxed its dress code, saying due to the ongoing severe heatwave across the country, judges and lawyers of the apex court, its subordinate courts and tribunals are not required to wear black coats and gowns. According to a notification signed by the Registrar General of the SC M. Golam Rabbani, the decision regarding the dress code of the judges and lawyers was taken at a discussion of the Chief Justice and other senior judges of the Supreme Court. Due to the ongoing intense heat wave across the country, various lawyers association of the country made applications for a new dress code. The directive came into effect in the SC and all subordinate civil and criminal courts and tribunals in the country yesterday. It will remain in force until further order, the notification said. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha