Day: May 18, 2024

Fishes in two ponds in the Aandhimul temple premises of Aanbukhaireni rural municipality-1 in Tanahu district started dying all of sudden since last Monday. According to Veterinary Laboratory, Pokhara, it was the 'acid death'. Use of acid killed fishes in the pond. The lab test was conducted after thousands of fishes started perishing. The Lab test confirmed huge amount of 'e.coli' bacteria in the pond water. As per lab report received on Friday, huge amount of 'e.coli' bacteria was found in the pond and the acid use is the cause behind the death of fishes, said Chief of Livestock Service Section of the rural municipality, Dr Santosh Devkota. A technical team collected the samples of pond water, fishes and feed and sent these to Pokhara for lab test. The samples were later sent to Central Veterinary Laboratory, Tripureshwor, for further test and National Forensic Science Lab, Lalitpur, for pesticide test. Meanwhile, preparation has been made to perform forgiveness worship coming Monday after fishes in t he ponds continued perishing. Source: National News Agency RSS

Canada's Indo-Pacific Trade Representative Paul Thoppil will arrive in Dhaka on a three-day visit beginning on Sunday. "While in Bangladesh, he will meet with officials and key partners to promote Canada's commitment to the region through its Indo-Pacific Strategy," according to a press release issued by the Canadian High Commission in Dhaka today. The high commission said Thoppil will discuss to identify ways to expand and diversify trade between Bangladesh and Canada and explore how the two countries can work together to foster two-way investment. On September 5, 2023, Canada announced the appointment of Paul Thoppil as the first Canadian Indo-Pacific trade representative, which will facilitate and promote the implementation of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy as it relates to trade, investment, and supply chain resilience. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Nepal Police has decided to recommend four Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to be promoted to the post of Deputy Inspector General. The SSPs recommended to be promoted as DIGs are Krishna Hari Sharma, Dan Bahadur Karki, Dr Manoj Kumar KC and Rajan Adhikari. The meeting of the Home Ministry's Promotion Committee on Friday decided to recommend them for the promotion. The recommendation was made in accordance with Rule 27 (4) of the Police Regulations, 2071 B.S., according to the Ministry. Source: National News Agency RSS

The chairs of various thematic committees under the Bagmati Provincial Assembly are being selected today. The names for the committee chairs will be tabled for approval at the meeting of the Provincial Assembly. Speaker Bhuvan Kumar Pathak has summoned the meeting for 11:00 am today. NC's Sriram Lamichhane and Tshering Dorje Lama have filed nominations for Chairperson of Public Accounts Committee and Provincial Affairs Committee respectively. Likewise, CPN (MC)'s Thakur Prasad Dhakal has filed nomination for the post of Agriculture, Education and Health Committee Chair while RPP's Nuraj Bajracharya has filed nomination for the post of Chair of Finance and Development Committee, according to Provincial Assembly Secretariat. No nomination papers were filed for the post of Industry, Tourism and Environment Committee. The parties have reportedly agreed to award the position to the CPN-UML. Source: National News Agency RSS

A media conference has begun at Surunga of Kankai municipality in Jhapa district to hold discussion on communications policy. Jhapa chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists organised the event. Minister for Internal Affairs and Planning of Koshi Province, Ram Rana, inaugurated the conference. Most of the journalists of Koshi Province as well as Executive Chairperson of the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS), Dharmendra Jha, senior vice-president of FNJ, Ramesh Bista, Chairperson of Advertisement Board, Laxman Humagain, Director of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, Bharat Gautam, and former president of FNJ, Shiva Gaule, have been participating in the conference. Similarly, FNJ presidents and representatives of 14 districts in Koshi Province are attending the conference. President of FNJ, Jhapa, Ekraj Giri, said discussion would be held on communication policy in federalism, opportunity and challenge of 'digital journalism', journalism and advertisement during the conference. Source: Na tional News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Top leaders of different political parties held discussion on how they could sort out problems that are obstructing parliament. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' held meetings with the leaders including President of major opposition Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba, this morning. PM Dahal is scheduled to hold separate meetings with Speaker of House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, and Chairman of CPN UML, KP Sharma Oli, among others this afternoon. Following the meeting between PM Dahal and NC President Deuba, NC Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak, informed that PM Dahal was positive to sort out problems and forge consensus so that parliamentary impasse could be cleared. As the constitutionally stipulated date of Jestha 15 (May 28), the deadline to present annual budget is approaching near, the political parties representing in the parliament are under pressure to pass the government policies and programmes and prepare for the budget announcement for next fiscal year. The major opposit ion Nepali Congress has been obstructing both Houses of federal of parliament, demanding a parliamentary probe committee on the embezzlement of cooperatives' fund. The next meeting of the House of Representatives is scheduled for May 19. The House of Representatives is yet to extend thanks to President Ram Chandra Paudel for presenting government policies and programmes. Source: National News Agency RSS

A journalist Shibendra Rohita died in a road accident at Janakpurdham sub-metropolis-9 this morning. Rohita, 32, of Sahidnagar municipality-8 died on the spot when a car (Ba 21 Cha 3343) hit a motorcycle (Province 2 Ja 5694) he was riding, said Superintendent of Police, Bhuwaneshwor Tiwari. He was proprietor of 'Janakpur online' as well as a reporter for the Makalu Khabar. A pillion rider Jaynath Yadav, 25, sustained injuries in the incident and has been undergoing treatment at Sita Hospital, Janakpur. Police have arrested the car driver and further investigation into the incident is underway, added Tiwari. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: Total 6,000 tree saplings were planted so far under the Bagmati River clean-up mega campaign. Such a number of saplings were planted on the Bagmati riverbank in 12 years. At a special programme organised on the occasion of 12th years of the launch of the mega campaign here today, campaigner and former Chief Secretary Leela Mani Paudyal said such number of saplings were planted on the riverbanks along with cleanup drive. "Many people had planted saplings but we raised them. We have given a life to almost dead river, but it is not done as per expectation", he mentioned. The former Chief Secretary shared that it was a big achievement to get continuity to the campaign. Around 21,000 metric tonnes of waste were collected from Bagmati riverbank so far. Similarly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hit Bahadur Tamang, pointed out the need for continuing the Bagmati River clean-up campaign and concerned state bodies should make a practical plan for the cleaning drive. Stating that publ ic awareness about the drive should be increased, he expressed commitment to take necessary initiatives from the ministry for it. Likewise, Secretary at the Ministry of Urban Development, Maniram Gelal, assured of making Bagmati free of sewerage, adding they have eased the traffic management by constructing corridor along the Bagmati River. The mega campaign had begun on May 19, 2013. A total of 200 campaigners participated in today's clean-up campaign near the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. Source: National News Agency RSS

Executive Chairman of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, Dharmendra Jha, said present journalism is not able to properly reflect social reality. Chairman Jha said it while putting forth his views during a media conference organized by FNJ Jhapa chapter at Surunga of Kankai municipality here today. Journalism's capacity to reflect society waned after it failed to keep in centre the social transformation, he argued. He urged journalists to disseminate factual and credible information. "Current journalism is embroiled in give-and-take business," he blamed, adding that it badly dents credibility of journalism. According to him, capacity building is an everyday need. The inaction to bring timely reform in policies and laws on media and mass communications has created problems. FNJ senior vice chair Ramesh Bista said it had been difficult to protect journalism credibility. He also suggested journalists to work in a way that helps sustain profession. Other speakers in the event are former chair of FNJ, Shiva Gaunle, Kh osi Province Minister Leela Ballav Adhikari, and Director at Department of Information and Broadcasting, Bharat Gautam, among others. The conference is attended by the journalists from 14 districts of Koshi Province. Source: National News Agency RSS

Professor Md Wali Ullah, former president of Hatia upazila Awami League unit of Noakhali district and former lawmaker valiant Freedom Fighter, died of old-age complications at a hospital in the capital today. He was 87. Wali Ullah left behind wife, two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death. Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Wali Ullah. In a condolence message, Quader prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and convoyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Cabinet Secretary and Officers Club President Md Mahbub Hossain today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj. After laying the wreath, the cabinet secretary stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation. Later, he offered prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs who had to embrace martyrdom on the fateful August 15, 1975. A special prayer was offered seeking longevity of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. The cabinet secretary signed the visitors' book at the administrative building of Tungipara Mausoleum Complex. Former Secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry and General Secretary of Officers Club Mesbah Uddin, Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Division Mohammad Sabirul Islam, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kazi Mahbubul Alam and Superintendent of Police Al Beli Afifa, among others, were present. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mojammel Hoque has visited the Islamic spiritual hub of Maizbhandar Darbar on the outskirts of the port city when he offered prayers and paid tributes to the Sufi saints at their shrines here. According to a Darbar press release, Hoque visited the hub coinciding with the Friday weekend, offered his Jumma prayers and thereafter he visited the shrines of the Sufi saints of Maizbhandar order. Incumbent leader of the Darbar Dr Sayed Saifuddin Ahmed Al Hasani Maizbhandari received and accompanied him during the visit of the centuries-old spiritual hub, which promotes inter-faith harmony and social coherence in line with the universal spirit of Sufism. During a brief discussion, Hoque recalled Maizbhandar Darbar's contributions to the 1971 Liberation War when it sheltered as well thousands of people and provided them food and other facilities. 'Maizbhandar Darbar holds the spirit of the Liberation War, non-communalism, equity and humanity,' he said. The minister said Bangla desh is a role model of communal harmony and 'undoubtedly, Sufis have a strong influence behind this achievement'. He specially remembered the contribution of Hazrat Syed Mainuddin Ahmed Maizbhandari in preaching the message of Islam and Sufism worldwide. Saifuddin Ahmed said since 19th century Maizbhandar Darbar continued to work for peace and harmony and people irrespective of religion, caste and ethnic identity spontaneously visit here for their spiritual comfort and peace. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha