Day: April 14, 2024

Kathmandu: There is possibility of thunderstorms in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces after noon today. Furthermore, the weather will remain partial cloudy in the hilly parts of the country including Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, and the weather will remain clear in the rest of the country. This is due to the partial influence of westerly winds and local wind in the country, according to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. There is possibility of light rain along with lightning in some places of hilly areas of the country including Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali provinces. Later tonight, the weather will remain clear in the Sudur Paschim and Karnali provinces with partial cloudy in the remaining parts of the country. There is possibility of light snowfall at one or two places in the high hills and mountain regions of Gandaki and Karnali provinces. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said Bangladesh wants to see that all countries would play effective role in deescalating the Iran-Israel tension and stop the Israeli killings in Gaza. "We hope that all the countries that are supposed to play a role will immediately take effective measures to resolve the Iran-Israel tension and stop the indiscriminate killing of people in Gaza," he said. The foreign minister made the remarks while replying to a query of a reporter after a meeting with the visiting foreign minister of Antigua and Barbuda Chet Greene at the state guest house Padma this evening. "We are never for war, we are for peace," Hasan said. Replying to another query about the rescue of the kidnapped Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah, the foreign minister said that the hostage sailors and the ship were safely rescued due to the all-out efforts of the government and those concerned. Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel Saturday evening, after pledging retaliation for a s trike on its consular building in Syria that killed seven Revolutionary Guards members, two of them generals. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Nepal Academy of Fine Arts has begun an exhibition of arts at its premises in Naxal. The Academy has named the weeklong exhibition as 'Himalayako Rahasya' and 'Srijanabriti'. Academy's Chancellor Naradmani Hartamchhai inaugurated the exhibition that depicts the serious impacts of climate change on Nepal's Himalayas and others. The arts put in the section of 'Himalayako Rahasya' (the mystery of Himalayas) shows the serious impacts of climate change on the mountains and mountain lives. Likewise, Srijanabriti (career in creative works) is aimed at promoting the winners of National Fine Arts, 2080 BS. On the occasion, Chancellor Hartamchhali said the exhibition was organized to highlight the artist's role in saving the Himalayas. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The international community cannot afford another war, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, commenting on Iran's latest drone and missile attack on Israel. "I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East," he said. "I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war." Israeli Permanent Representative to the UN Gilad Erdan believes that Iran's attack violates the UN Charter. At the same time, Iran's mission to the UN said the attack came as a response to Israel's attack on its diplomatic facilities In Syria and was carried out in line with the Charter's clause on legitimate self-defense. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported late on Saturday that Iran had launched drones from its territory towards Israel. The Israeli military remained vigilant and tracked all targets approaching the country, the press service said. Later, missiles were also fired by Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite force within the Iranian Armed Forces, later confirmed that a massive drone and missile attack on Israel was under way. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has viewed small and medium scale enterprises should be paid adequate attention at investment summit. During a programme organized at Nepal Academy on Sunday, the former PM said the government could list the prioritized area for comprehensive discussion in the summit. Bhattarai was speaking at an interaction on 'impact of foreign investment in Nepal's socioeconomic sector'. "Even the small businesspersons are leaving country in recent days. So, the investment summit must be utilized as a moment to create conducive atmosphere so that all businesspersons could be retained," he reminded. The areas that ensure benefits should be identified and made investment accordingly, he said, adding that development of human resources and technology are equally important for industrial progress. He also pointed out the need of serious debate on how the economy could be recovered in the wake of recession. Uniformity in understanding of economic problems helps us what t o explore. Capitalist market must be dynamic, Bhattarai underscored. Promotion of exports, agriculture, education and health sectors are other important pillars of development. "Exodus of Plus Two graduates is worrying trend. Guarantee of quality education is must within country," he emphasized. The former PM suggested the government that it invested 40 percent of its GDP in development activities. Green energy is also present need in Nepal, he reminded. Source: National News Agency Nepal

A three-day Baishakhi Fair and Cultural Programme began in Shailojaranjan Cultural Center of Mohanganj upazila in the district today. Shailojaranjan cultural center organized the fair and cultural programme to welcome the "Pahela Baishakh" the first day of Bengali New Year. Chairman of the standing committee on Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism Sajjadul Hassan formally inaugurated the three-day Baishakhi Fair and Cultural Function as the chief guest while renowned cultural personality and valiant Freedom Fighter M Hamid addressed the inaugural function as an honorable guest. Chaired by deputy commissioner of Netrakona Shahed Parvez, the inaugural function was addressed, among others, by prominent cultural personality and writer Falguni Hamid, chairman of Netrakona Zilla Parishad Asit Kumar Sarker Sazal, police super, Netrakona Foyaz Ahmed, chairman of Mohanganj upazila parishad Shahid Ikbal and mayor of Mohanganj municipality Latifur Rahman Ratan and upazila nirbahi officer of Mohanganj upazila parisa hd Rejwana Kabir. A total of 20 colorful stalls of handi-crafts and cottage industries products and traditional Bengali food-items were put on display in the fair. Later, the chief guest accompanied by the other guests and local officers and public representatives visited the colorful stalls of the fair and witnessed the musical soirees based on folk and Baishakhi songs at the fair ground. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A woman died on Sunday after being crushed in a running thresher machine at Bhimdutta Municipality, Kanchanpur. Kausha Devi Joshi, 42, of Bhimdutta Municipality-9 died being crushed in a wheat harvester machine fixed with a tractor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Kanchanpur Umesh Joshi said. DSP Joshi said further investigations into the case are initiated. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today greeted the people on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year 1431. 'The people have to stand against sectarianism, conspiracy and the politics of terrorism,' said Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, in a video message on the new year. Pahela Baishakh, a real festival of the Bengali people, has arrived again, he said, adding: 'A new chapter will begin and people will celebrate every moment with their dreams.' 'We will march toward the horizon of glorious achievement under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina overcoming all the challenges …and it is our expectation', he said in his message. Terming the ruling AL as the party of mass people, the AL general secretary said, 'We pledge for continuous positive advancement of our party aiming to fulfill the dream of the mass people of the country as a more disciplined, well-organized, modern and smart political party'. 'The unstoppable progress of development and prosperity of the AL would be kept constant under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,' he said. 'We will keep more robust and speedy the progress of our beloved organization -Bangladesh Awami League - continuously in a positive way of development and prosperity, taking lessons from the mistake of the past', Quader added. The Awami League is firm to encourage non-communal spirit in the arena of politics through upholding the spirit of the liberation war. 'We never support communalism, conspiracy and the politics of terror,' he said. 'We call upon all the democratic and progressive forces to contribute with due responsibility with an objective to institutionalize democracy', said the AL leader. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Two children in Dang district died from the injuries they received after getting buried in a mound accidently on Sunday. The deceased were 12-year-old Ashish Chaudhary of Andrabharaiya of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-9 and 12-year-old Madhav Chaudhary from the same place, according to the District Police Office (DPO), Dang. DPO Dang's Chief and Superintendent of Police (SP) Ram Bahadur KC shared that incident took place when four children had been to Babai riverbank some 500 metres away their house to play. But two of them got buried in the mound. Among three children who fell into a ditch, one remained unscathed while two sustained critical injuries. The buried two children were rescued and rushed to Rapti Health Sciences in Ghorahi for treatment, but doctors declared them dead, informed SP KC. Further investigation into the incident is underway. The dead bodies have been kept at the Hospital for post-mortem, police said. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today predicted that the existing mild to moderate heat wave sweeping over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and the districts of Nilphamari and Netrokona may spread in the next 24 hours from 9am today. 'Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may rise slightly over the country,' the weather bulletin said. Country's maximum temperature on Saturday was recorded 40.0 degrees Celsius at Rangamati and the minimum temperature today was 20.4 degrees Celsius at Tetulia. The sun sets at 6:20 PM today and rises at 5:37 AM tomorrow in the capital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Australian mountaineer, Alliee Pepper successfully scaled Mt Annapurna-I without the use of supplementary oxygen. However, the officials are yet to verify the information. Pepper, 47, conquered the world's 10th tallest peak at 12:07 PM on Sunday, according to the Chairman of Seven Summit Treks Company, Minga Sherpa. The Company said tour guides Michael Sherpa and Nima Sherpa accompanied the Australian climber. Earlier, 17 years old Nepali mountaineer Rinzi Sherpa also scaled the same peak on April 12 without the use of supplementary oxygen. Likewise, Director of Tourism Department Rakesh Gurung said information was received on the successful ascend to Annapurna-I by two persons without the use of supplementary oxygen. Gurung said, "Climbing to Mt Annapurna-I is happening in a large number after the success in rope fixing." "Information has been received about two persons climbing (Mt Annapurna-I) without the use of supplementary oxygen. We are yet to verify this officially," Gurung added. Pe pper has planned to climb the world's 14 peaks above 8000 metres within two years and has successfully climbed three mountains so far including Mt Annapurna-I. After her ascend to Mt Annapurna-I, Pepper is all set to scale Mt Kanchanjungha and Mt Makalu. She started climbing mountains in 2007 after scaling Mt Choyu then without oxygen from China's Tibet side. According to the Department, as many as 25 climbers including 11 women and 14 men of three expedition teams have taken permit to climb Mt Annapurna-I in this spring season. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has urged the countrymen to unite against evil forces and build a strong Bangladesh having communal harmony. He made the call while speaking at the 'Borshoboron Utshab- 1431' on the Nagar Bhaban premises, organized by Dhaka South City Corporation this morning, said a press release. 'People's leader Sheikh Hasina wants to show the world the way of light, to materialize the cherished dream of Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. By building a non-communal Bangladesh, she is moving this country forward. To keep the wheel of her efforts running, you will have to come forward from respective your positions.' Local Member of the Parliament and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, AFM Bahauddin Nasim was also present at the function. In his speech, Nasim said, 'Pahela Baishakh is one of the most celebrated public festivals of Bengali people. This festival is one of the foundations of non-communal spirit . However, the anti-communal forces in the country have always tried to thwart this festival.' 'Bangladesh Awami League under the leadership of People's Leader Sheikh Hasina has once again spread this festival to every home of the Bengalis. It is under her leadership that Bengali culture is moving forward and will continue to move forward,' he added, said the release. DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman, Dhaka City South Awami League President FF Abu Ahmed Mannafi, General Secretary Md Humayun Kabir, Dhaka-10 Constituency MP and eminent actor Ferdous Ahmed, Dhaka-4 Constituency MP Dr. Awlad Hossain, Barrister Biplab Barua, DSCC Secretary Akramuzzaman, DSCC Councilors and their family members, senior officials and City South Awami League leaders were also present at the event. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha