Day: May 3, 2024

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has expressed his commitment that there will not be any kind of control or curtailment on press freedom. Addressing a programme organized today on the occasion of the 27th General Convention of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), he said that rather than controlling the mass media, self-regulation should be done. "My request to the press fraternity is to protect the freedom of the press and create an environment conducive for media consumption, along with stopping the deluge of false information," Prime Minister Dahal said and urged the mass media to develop a self-regulation system for checking the publication and transmission of content that misleads the Nepali society due to dissemination of false, misleading and misinformation, develops a negative mentality, disrupts social harmony or attacks Nepali civilization and culture. Stating that the FNJ has taken the press freedom as the primary issue, PM Dahal said press freedom is an inevitable aspect of political freedom as the latter was attained with the participation of the journalism sector. "The strong basis for measuring if any system is pro-people and democratic is whether or not that system guarantees the freedom of the press and the rights of journalists," he said, adding that unlike during the time of the monarchical rule the journalists do not have to go to jail, are not killed, have news content censored and the media is not forced to shut down these days. Noting that since the Constitution of Nepal has institutionalized full press freedom by mentioning it in its very preamble, press freedom has become a part of the federal democratic republic, Prime Minister Dahal clarified that no one can now curtail press freedom. "The Nepali journalism sector is the main stakeholder of the federal democratic republic that we have achieved. Without the involvement of the journalism sector it would not have been possible to achieve such a great political accomplishment in the country," he said and called on the journalism sector to participate in protecting the achievements achieved and create a mission to constantly play the role of a watchdog and monitor the state. Mentioning the government's emphasis on the agenda of good governance, social justice and prosperity, the Prime Minister said that the present government wants to institutionalize the agenda of change and achieve rapid economic growth in the country by working hand in hand with the press world. The government has been making preparation to make arrangement of sustenance allowance to senior journalists and disabled journalists, added PM Dahal. He assured that the government was always positive for the welfare of the journalists and it would move ahead accordingly in coming days. "The government has adopted a policy of protecting and promoting to media by recognizing media as the national service-oriented industry for the professional and institutional development of media sector", the Prime Minister shared, adding, "An arrangement is be ing made to distribute all government advertisement in a judicial manner." Stating that Nepal's press sector is always stand in favour of change, he explained that it used to directly involve in some of the movements as well as express solidarity to some of the agendas. PM Dahal recalled the significant contribution of Nepali press sector for the establishment of federal democratic republic, transformation of the society and to establish people's rights. Recalling that Nepali press had to face severe domination and harassment from rulers during autocratic regime, he mentioned that the press sector has always been standing strong in resistance against oppression. "The Nepali press has significant contribution even in armed conflict period, not only in democratic movements of different era of history, establishment of republicanism. It also made positive contribution in course of peace process", added the PM. Sharing that the government is aware about the current situation of Nepali press, challenges and p roblems it has been facing, he opined that the Nepali media industry has become financially weak due to earthquake, blockade, COVID-19 and recent economic crisis. Prime Minister Dahal expressed commitment to take a concrete step for capacity building of journalists, creating opportunity for career development and social security including health treatment, accepting that the problems of working journalists are not being addressed as they should be. "Though some policy-level bases have been prepared for restructuring of the mass media sector, there is a need to make laws and structures", he underscored, adding, "The government is serious on the issues of press freedom, freedom of expression and right to expression and is effortful to address them." He, however, shared that some of the issues of journalism sectors would be addressed through coming policy, programme and budget. "The issues of establishing training academy for capacity development of journalists, bringing working journalists and staffs under the ambit of social security, advertisement, financial crisis facing any media industry will be forwarded keeping in priority", explained PM Dahal. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The issue of disaster risk reduction has been discussed in a meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee. On the occasion, Committee President Sonam Geljen Sherpa stressed the need to enable local level for disaster risk management. "Our legal arrangement is complex. We formulate laws on whim so they are not implemented. The disasters management should be put under the local level jurisdiction. Minor changes can also make big impact. The security personnel should also be trained on disaster management. The disaster management should be taken into the federal model", President Sherpa added. Lawmaker Udaya bahadur Bohora said disaster management could be improved well with enhancing capacity from the lowe level. Lawmaker Durga Gurung stressed that the government should be the good friend of the people in the times of disaster. Another lawmaker Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami said disaster risk could be managed if settlements were arranged by identifying vulnerable areas. Home Secretary Eknarayan Aryal said Nepal has been the most disaster vulnerable country. "Nepal ranks 11th position in earthquake vulnerability, 4th in climate change vulnerability, 31st in water-induced disaster vulnerability and 20th in disaster risk", he informed. Source: National News Agency RSS

CPN UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has said UML should be established as a decisive force in Nepali politics. Inaugurating the ninth district convention of UML Nawalparasi Paschim here Friday, Chair Oli argued his party would emerge a decisive power from the next election. For this, the party should be consolidated. Meanwhile, Chairman Oli inspected an under-construction suspension bridge linking Susta to Nawalparasi Paschim on Friday itself. The former PM also visited the Gajendra Moksha Dham, Triveni. He reminded that he was jailed by then system as he involved in the campaign for border protection at this place. Source: National News Agency RSS

A total of 41pc of potential US voters believe that the United States may face a new civil war within the next five years, including 16pc who said the scenario is 'very likely,' according to an opinion poll published by Rasmussen Reports. Meanwhile, 49pc of responders don't think another civil war is likely in the next five years. The remaining 10pc are not sure. The survey also found that 37pc of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected, while 25pc think the scenario is more likely if former President Donald Trump wins. The margin of sampling error is estimated at 3 percentage points. The survey was carried out on April 21-23, among over 1,100 respondents who plan to cast their ballot in the US presidential election this year. The US presidential election is scheduled for November 5. Trump has already won the Republican nomination. Biden, who is seeking a second term, will be the Democrats' choice. Thus, the contest will be the same as it w as four years ago, when Biden won over Trump. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh and the Gambia today expressed hope to witness a speedy resolution of the case filed against Myanmar on the charge of Rohingya genocide with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The optimism was reflected at a meeting between Bangladesh foreign minister Dr Hasna Mahmud and Gambian Justice minister and Attorney General Dawda A. Jallow on the sideline of the preparatory meeting of the foreign ministers ahead of 15th summit of Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia, a foreign ministry press release said. During the meeting, Gambian minister expressed sincere thanks to the Bangladesh government for providing humanitarian shelter to forcefully displaced Rohingya people. He also expressed his gratitude to Bangladesh government for providing financial assistance to the Gambia for handling the Rohingya Genocide case. Hasan discussed about the Bangladesh's government's steps to provide humanitarian shelter to Rohingyas as well as the future obstacles regarding the crisis. He emphasi zed on the repatriation of the Rohingyas, staying in Bangladesh, to their homeland Myanmar in order to find a sustainable solution to the crisis. Gambia's Minister of Justice and Attorney General described the current scenario of the Rohingya Genocide case and expressed his confidence to prove the allegations of genocide against Myanmar. However, he also raised the issue of insufficient funds to run the case with ICJ. Hasan assured to provide necessary legal assistance and evidence from Bangladesh side to Gambia to continue the case. In 2019, the Gambia filed a case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging genocide following a consensus of the OIC member states. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A meeting of the ruling Awami League (AL) Parliamentary Nomination Board will be held tomorrow at 7pm at the Prime Minister's official residence Ganabhaban here. "Awami League President and Parliamentary Nomination Board President Sheikh Hasina will chair it," according to a party release here today. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urged all concerned to attend the meeting on time. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit a blazing half-century as Bangladesh made a winning start to the five-match T20 International series against Zimbabwe with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory in the opening game today at Zahur Ahmed Chowhdury Stadium in Chattogram. Tanzid blasted a 47 ball-67 not on his debut, helping Bangladesh reach 126-2 in just 15.2 overs after bowlers played their part brilliantly to bundle Zimbabwe out for paltry 124 in exact 20 overs. Tanzid survived thrice on his way to playing the match-winning knock. Towhid Hridoy made 18 ball-33 and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto added 21 in the game which was interrupted by rain twice. Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzurbani dismissed Liton Das for 1 in his first over and could have removed Tanzid in his second over had fielders not put down the chance twice in three balls. Tanzid who was struggling initially skied a short ball but wicket-keeper Joylord Gumbie, also a debutant for Zimbabwe dropped the chance. Three balls later, Brain Bennet put down a straightforward chance at cover. Tanzid made Zimbabwe paying heavily by treating Zimbabwe bowlers in disdain. Luke Jongwe, however, had Shanto caught by Sean Williams but Tanzid's free flowing batting ensured Bangladesh would win the game without further trouble. He raised his fifty off 36 balls, punching Sikandar Raza down to long-off for a single before Gumbie grassed another chance when Tanzid top-edged a delivery off fast bowler Richard Ngarava when on 56. Tanzid who hit eight fours and two sixes then confirmed the victory with a boundary of Jongwe. Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mohammad Saifuddin claimed three wickets apiece earlier to put Zimbabwe on sword. Clive Mandane made team-best 43 off 39 with six fours and Wellington Masakadza struck 34 to help Zimbabwe propel past 100 after the visitors slumped to 41-7. Put into bat first, Zimbabwe made an encouraging start when debutant Joylord Gumbie hit Shoriful Islam consecutive boundaries in the first two balls. But the morning doesn't show t he day always. Zimbabwe were brough down to the earth immediately when offspinner Mahedi Hasan bowled opener Craig Ervine for duck in the second over. Gumbie and Brian Bennet found boundaries at regular intervals to keep the side flowing but the rot began when Saifuddin who returned figures of 3-15, had Gumbie caught by Taskin. On his debut, Gumbie made 17. Bennet was then trapped run out for 16 before Mahedi dismissed Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza for naught in the same over to finish with 2-16. Taskin joined the party striking twice in his consecutive deliveries to get the better of Sean Williams and Ryan Burl, both out for duck. Saifuddin took the wicket of Luke Jongwe for 2 as Bangladesh sniffed a chance to bowl Zimbabwe out before they made it three-figure. Mandane and Masakadza resisted and added 75 runs for the eighth wicket to take the side past 100. However Taskin broke the partnership, rattling the stump of Mandane and Saifuddin them cleaned up the tail. Masakadza was run out in the last del ivery after hitting two fours and two sixes. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted Bangladesh's flagship annual resolution on the 'Culture of Peace' with an overwhelming number of co-sponsorships. Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN in New York Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith introduced the Resolution at the General Assembly Hall, on Thursday, according to a press release received here today. The adoption marks the 25th anniversary for the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. In 1999, during the first tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the delegation of Bangladesh led the intergovernmental negotiations for adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action which identified eight areas of action to promote culture of peace and non-violence. While introducing the Resolution, Ambassador Muhith highlighted the continued relevance of culture of peace, as the world faces spiraling conflicts and dereliction of human dignity. "To reverse the trend, we must rekindle the brighter and harmonious faculties of the human minds, foster respect for equality and equal value of all human beings; and most importantly we must make peace more profitable than war," he said. To observe and celebrate the 25th anniversary in a befitting manner, the President of the General Assembly has been requested to convene a day-long High-level Forum. Through this resolution, the General Assembly also invited the Member States, United Nations entities, international and regional organizations and other relevant stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, academia and the media to observe the 25th anniversary, in an appropriate manner, including through educational and public awareness-raising activities. Referring to Bangladesh's own experience of war and devastation, Ambassador Muhith said that, the initiative of Bangladesh to introduce the notion of culture of peace in the UN was inspired by the country's own experience. "Having born out of a devastating war that was rooted in discrimination, racial intol erance and subjugation, we made promotion of peace a fundamental principle of our foreign policy," he added. The consideration of the resolution was preceded by a general debate on the culture of peace. A large number of member states and groups of countries delivered statements in which they expressed their commitment to advancing the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a culture of Peace. The delegations particularly acknowledged the historic leadership of Bangladesh on this agenda. This year's Resolution has been cosponsored by 112 countries, showcasing a broad-based endorsement from a diverse representation of UN Member States. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Modern Europe is facing a triple existential threat; a new paradigm is needed to counter it, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with the British weekly The Economist. "It's this triple existential risk for our Europe: a military and security risk; an economic risk for our prosperity; an existential risk of internal incoherence and disruption to the functioning of our democracies," the French president said. "So these are the three risks that have accelerated in recent years, very strongly no doubt. Moreover, after the pandemic, we underestimated these tensions, even though Europe began to respond to them, but too timidly or sometimes a little too late," he added. According to Macron, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges. First of all, as the president believes, Europe must take care of its own security. In addition, it needs to ensure its strategic autonomy "in terms of energy, materials and rare resources, but also in term s of key skills and technologies." Among other things, this concerns the active participation of its companies in the development of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, where the United States and China may get a long-term advantage. Finally, Europe needs to address the vulnerabilities "created by social networks and the digitalization of our societies and the way democracy works," he went on to say. In reply to the question whether this will lead to a gradual death, or will it be a sudden death, Macron said: "Things can fall apart very quickly. In Europe and everywhere else, they are creating a rise in anger and resentment." Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10. The visits will be the Chinese president's first trip to Europe in the past nearly five years. Xi's trip is expected to enhance bilateral relations with the three countries and boost their mutually beneficial cooperation. Meanwhile, China and the European Union (EU) are two major forces advancing multipolarity, two major markets in support of globalization, and two major civilizations championing diversity. Xi's upcoming visits are expected to promote the sustained, steady and sound development of China-Europe relations, help provide more stability and certainty for a turbulent world, and further energize global development. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan today called for government efforts to protect near-extinct Kharia language. "Bangla is our state language, but different people have different mother tongues here. Though government has already taken some steps to protect the Kharia language, it should expedite its efforts in this regard," the chief justice said while talking to newsmen at Bangladesh Tea Research Institute in Moulvibazar today. Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan urged the government to establish Kharia language learning centre through Kharia alphabetization by setting up contacts with Indian regions where the language is still in use. Earlier in the day, Christina Kerkatta and her sister Veronica Kerkatta, the last two Kharia speaking persons in Bangladesh, from Rajghat tea garden of Srimangal called on the chief justice. The two sisters' parents came from Ranchi, India, and settled here in Bangladesh. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Although the rainfall on different parts of the country has declined heatwave intensity by this time in various places while medium to high range heatwave still being continued in several north and southern parts of the country. "Severe heatwave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts. Mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal divisions and rest part of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the district of Chandpur and it may abate from some places over the country," said a met office release for the next 24 hours begins from 9am today. Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Chattogram division and at one or two places over Dhaka, Barishal and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, the release added. Trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal to the No rth-east Bay across southwestern part of Bangladesh. Country's highest temperature on Thursday was recorded 41.8 degree Celsius at Chuadanga and today's minimum temperature 16.1 degree Celsius was recorded at Tetulia. Country's maximum rainfall for the last twenty-four hours till 6am today was recorded 67 millimeters (mm) at Rangamati. Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature may rise slightly over the country. The sun sets at 06.28 pm today and rises at 05.22 am tomorrow in the capital. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha