Day: May 7, 2024

Two people died when two motorcycles were hit by a school bus in Belkotgarhi Municipality-8 Kashitar of Nuwakot. Two others were injured. The deceased have been identified as Rubin Rawal and Akbar Rana, residents of Kathmandu, and students of Global College in Baneshwar, Kathmandu, District Police Office Nuwakot Spokesperson Deputy Superintendent of Police Tilak Bharti said. The injured are Upakar Thapa and Hrithik Tiwari, who have been sent to Kathmandu for further treatment. After completing the final examination of Grade 12, ten classmates were travelling on five motorcycles, headed to Dhading with. Among them, two motorcycles collided with a school bus (Ba. 3 Ka. 3722) of Orchid Academy in Battar, Nuwakot. Rubin, who was riding a motorcycle (Bagmati Province 02-046 Pa 1529) died on the spot while Akbar breathed his last at Trishuli Hospital during treatment, police said. Likewise, Upakar and Hrithik who were riding the motorcycle (Bagmati Pradesh 02-044 Pa 3692) were seriously injured and have been s ent to Kathmandu for treatment. The bus driver has been detained by police, while further investigation into the case is underway. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon all to create awareness to prevent Thalassemia. They made the call in separate messages on the eve of 'World Thalassemia Day' that would be observed tomorrow. The 'World Thalassemia Day' is celebrated every year on May 8 aiming to raise awareness about this disease among the people throughout the world. President Mohammed Shahabuddin, in his message, said Thalassemia is a genetically inherited disease and it passes on through a carrier. If both husband and wife are carriers of Thalassemia, it can spread to children through the gene of the parents, the head of the state said, adding that therefore, it is important to determine through pre-marital examination whether a man or a woman is a carrier of the disease. He said caution is exercised in establishing marital relations between men and women carrying the Thalassemia gene in different countries of the world in order to prevent the disease. He said it is very impor tant to create public awareness in Bangladesh to prevent this hereditary anemia. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said it is very important for married persons (both male and female) to know if they are carriers of this disease before marriage. The premier urged all professional individuals and organizations, voluntary organizations, the media, parents and conscious civil society to come forward, along with the government, to build social movements at home and in the neighborhoods of the country to prevent the incurable disease Thalassemia. The greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman undertook various activities including the establishment of hospitals for the development of medical system of the country soon after independence, she said. Following his (Bangabandhu's) footsteps, the present Awami League government is implementing massive development activities to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of the people and build a healthy, strong and funct ioning community by providing affordable quality health, nutrition and population (HNP) services to the people. "With the joint efforts of all, I will build 'Golden Bangladesh' as dreamt by Father of the Nation through the implementation of 'Vision-2041' in the health sector," she added. Both the president and the premier wished for the overall success of all the programmes taken on the occasion of 'World Thalassemia Day'. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: A writ petition has been filed at the Supreme Court (SC) arguing that the vote of confidence gained by Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Khagaraj Adhikari is 'unconstitutional'. In the writ petition registered by Gandaki Province Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader and former Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, it was claimed that the vote of confidence obtained by Chief Minister Adhiakri was unconstitutional. Supreme Court (SC)'s Spokesperson Bed Prasad Uprety shared that the hearing on the writ has been set for May 9. The writ claimed that the vote of confidence was secured by counting the votes of Province Assembly in an illegitimate way. CM Adhikari obtained 30 out of 60 votes in the Province Assembly. One has to get 31 votes to secure majority in the Province Assembly, it is mentioned in the writ. Source: National News Agency RSS

DHAKA, The election of the BFUJ-Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists will be held on October 19, 2024. The decision was taken at the BFUJ's executive council meeting held on May 5 at Jatiya Press Club here, said a press release today. BFUJ President Omar Faruque presided over the meeting and its Secretary General Dip Azad conducted it. The meeting also discussed about the formation of the 10th Wage Board and mentioned with reference of State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat that the 10th Wage Board will be formed soon. The meeting unanimously decided to include the print media, electronic media and online in the 10th Wage Board. Besides, the meeting also decided to inform the State Minister for Information and Broadcasting in written the name of print media that have implemented the wage board award. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: The Special Court has sentenced the then Managing Director of Nepal Telecom Sunil Poudel to nine years in jail and fined Rs 232.7 million after convicting him on a corruption charge in the procurement of Payment Gateway. Chairman of Special Court Tek Narayan Kunwar and its Member Murari Babu Shrestha handed down the verdict in the order issued on April 19 and the penalty to the convict was released on Tuesday. After the court's verdict, Sunil Poudel has been sent to the Dillibazar Prison. On the same charge sheet, the government's secretary Madhu Kumar Marasani and seven others were acquitted in the case. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had lodged the case at the Special Court some six months ago claiming that a huge amount of the state money was misused by procuring the national payment gateway six years ago by preparing an unusual estimate. The others getting a clean chit from the Special Court include the then Secretary of Ministry of Science and Technology, an d Chairman of National Information Technology Centre Sanjay Sharma, the then Executive Director of National Information Technology Centre Pranita Upadhyay and the then Director of Centre Saphal Shrestha. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal led by Upendra Yadav is going to seek legal recourse regarding party split. The informal meeting of the party's leaders at Balkumari on Tuesday took the decision to this effect, said Manish Kumar Suman, Spokesperson of the party. It may be noted that a faction of the party led by Ashok Rai had sought legitimacy of the party with the Election Commission of Nepal and the Commission on last Monday officially recognized the Janata Samajwadi Party led by Rai as a new political party. Leader Rai had garnered support from seven members of parliament at the time of submitting application to the Commission. "The central executive committee of the party is convening a meeting on coming Wednesday. The meeting will review latest development (party split) and decision on legal recourse would be taken," shared Spokesperson Suman. A press meet will be held following the party's meeting to make public the official opinion of the party, he added. Source: National News Ag ency RSS

Kathmandu: As many as 414 people have taken permission for expediting Mount Everest or Sagarmatha, the world's highest peak, in the spring season this year. According to the Department of Tourism, a total of 414 climbers, including 75 women and 339 men of 41 mountaineering groups have so far been permitted for the same. The highest number of climbers (478) had obtained permission for ascent to the Mount Everest last year. According to Section Officer at the Department, Chun Bahadur Tamang, a total of 971 mountaineers from 112 climbing group had obtained permission for ascending to 30 mountains, including the Mount Everest this season. A total royalty of Rs 674.7 million has been so far collected from mountaineering permission. Around Rs 592.3 million has been raised from the Mount Everest alone in the season. Source: National News Agency RSS

As many as 70 sheep fell off a cliff after they were chased by a wild bear at Thumalchaur of Baragaun in Tatopani Rural Municipality-7, Jumla. Amar Rawat, a teacher from Baragaun, confirmed that 70 sheep of local farmers Mage Rawat and Siyul Rawat died in the accident that occurred on Monday night. According to Topla Police Post, 70 sheep of the Rawat brothers died out of 102 sheep after falling from the cliff as the bear chased the sheep. It is said that 31 sheep are missing. Chairperson of Tatopani Rural Municipality Nanda Prasad Chaulagain said that the rural municipality is coordinating to provide some relief assistance to the Rawat brothers. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister of Women, Children and Senior Citizens Bhagwati Chaudhary has said that although the situation of women and children in the country has improved in the last decade there is still work to be done towards that end. Releasing a book titled 'Gender Equality in Nepal: Facts and Figures' published by the Ministry, she said that the book prepared by including the conclusions drawn from various studies is expected to be useful for everyone. She also suggested that it would have been more effective if the data could be analyzed covering all the 753 municipalities. Minister Chaudhury said that the statistics showing 79.8 percent of women still being subjected to violence is very sad. "Even though the participation of women in politics is 33 percent the number of elected women is only 5.5 percent. The number is high in reserved seats but our participation is low in competed seats." Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has informed that some parts in Bagmati and Koshi provinces are witnessing light rainfall now due to the low pressure system generated in the vicinity of Bihar, India along with the westerly and local winds. Similarly, Department forecast that some parts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini provinces will see moderate rainfall along with lightning, thunder and storm in the day, while some parts of Gandaki, Lumbini and Karnali provinces are predicted heavy rainfall. Few places in the upper hilly and mountainous region of the country will have light snowfall. In the coming night, partial change in weather is expected. The Department has requested the concerned sides for precaution in the wake of changes in weather. Agriculture, health, tourism, mountaineering, and road and air transports res reminded of safety measures. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: British Ambassador to Nepal Robert Dominic Russell Fenn paid a courtesy call on Vice-President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav today. In the meeting held at the Office of the Vice-President, matters relating to further strengthening the centuries-old friendly ties between Nepal and the United Kingdom (UK) and further promoting bilateral interest in coming days were discussed, according to the Vice-President's Secretariat. On the occasion, VP Yadav said that the UK was a major development stakeholder of Nepal and the two countries maintain an incredible friendship at various levels such as politics, economics, cultural and at people-to-people. The VP also expressed his happiness that Nepal and the UK had been coordinating efforts in various fields of common interests in the international level such as establishing world peace through the United Nations Peacekeeping force, climate action and women empowerment among others. During the meeting, VP Yadav urged the British Envoy to convey a message of persona l happiness and good health to King Charles on the behalf of Nepal and the Nepali people, said the Secretariat. British Ambassador Fenn, in response, articulated that the UK was willing to extend its cooperation to every sector in Nepal. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Minister for Defense Hari Prasad Upreti has said the Ministry of Defense is working as the body with a special responsibility to protect the identity and existence of the country. In today's meeting of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concern Committee, Minister Upreti mentioned that the ministry has been working with the direct concern on the important and sensitive issues like independence, sovereignty, integrity and national unity. Discussion was held on various issues including national security policy, situation of national security, activities carried out by the Defense Ministry, future course of action, progress of national pride projects and measures to resolve problems in the meeting. He explained, "The Nepali Army has been fulfilling all responsibilities from national security to disaster management given by the state." Sharing that it was necessary that all the ministries and bodies should work making the national security policy 2075 as the main policy, the Defense Ministry laid emphasis that all political parties should stand together for security and welfare of the nation. There should be coordination, common understanding and concept among bodies of the state for national security, he underscored, expressing the view that country's national security situation is now seem somehow weak. On the occasion, Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma said that the incidences of conflict and battles ongoing in the international arena are escalating the polarization among the world powers. "Because of the direct or indirect conflict between the powerful countries, the security concerns of the geographically and economically backward countries are increasing due to the changing situation and competition." Stating that Nepalese people are directly affected due to the conflict between the world powers, he said that the powerful nations are neglecting the sovereignty of small ones. "The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas has made the world complex and unce rtain, and Rohingya refugees in Nepal are likely to cause social, economic and religious problems," he added. On the occasion, Chief of Army Staff Sharma, while analyzing the international, regional and national security situation and challenges, mentioned that such incidents have some effect on the regional power balance and stability. Stating that there are security challenges created by sensitive geo-politics, open borders, climate change, labor migration, cyber threat, Artificial Intelligence, Chief of Army Staff Sharma opined that the events and activities conducted on the basis of ethnic identity are being analyzed by political parties. Stating that the Army will always be alert to this as national politics is always fluid, he said he is determined that no religious activity should disrupt social unity. Defence Ministry Secretary Kiran Raj Sharma said that national security is not only geographical integrity, but also includes political, economic, social, environmental impact, recognition of nationa l values, traditions, and culture. On that occasion, the committee was informed about the progress and challenges of the Kathmandu, Terai-Madhesh Expressway (Fast Track) so far. The head of the project, Brigadier General Bikas Pokharel, informed that the physical progress of the project so far is 33.20 percent and the financial progress is 33.71 percent. Source: National News Agency RSS