Day: June 26, 2024

Traffic along the Narayangadh-Muglin road section in Chitwan has been disrupted after a landslide occurred at Jalbire of Ichchhakamana rural municipality-6. District Police Office Chitwan's information officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Bheshraj Rijal, said that incessant rain since this morning triggered the landslide. Rain continues, hampering efforts to clear the landslide deposition, he added. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Four people have died when a landslide buried three houses at Bagum of Kwoholasothar rural municipality-3 in Lamjung district last night. They had gone missing since the incident and their bodies have been found now, Chitra Ghale, a local, told RSS. According to Ghale, those killed in the incident are 67-year-old Rudra Man Gurung, his daughter-in-law Pancha Kumari Gurung, 36, and granddaughters Namrata Gurung, 4, and Ichchha Gurung, 8. Police and locals retrieved their bodies from the landslide debris, it is said. Three houses in the locality were buried by the landslide while three remained unscathed, it was shared. Meanwhile, a person died due to lightning at Tallo Kemligaon of Kwoholasothar rural municipality-7 last night. He is 65-year-old Dan Bahadur Gharti. Lightning struck him when he came out of his house for loo, said Police Inspector Meghnath Chapagain at the District Police Office, Lamjung. Thirty-eight years old Ram Chandra Adhikari of Dhad Kalaunche, Rainas municipality-9 was injured in ligh tning strike, Police Inspector Chapagain said. Adhikari is undergoing treatment at Namuna Hospital in Sundarbazar. An ox belonging to Madan Pariyar also died due to lightning strike at Shera of Beshisahar municipality-6 in the district. Source: National News Agency Nepal

In a significant stride towards enhancing digital governance, Bangladesh is set to accelerate its digital transformation through a collaborative effort with the open-source community GovStack formed by International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This initiative was revealed at a two-day international workshop titled 'Whole-of-Government Digital Transformation Leveraging GovStack' in the city today, said an a2i press release. Aspire to Innovate (a2i) of the ICT Division in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) organized the event while State Minister of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present at the event. The release said this initiative will focus on the development and implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) through public-private collaboration, said an a2i press release. By leveraging the expertise of GovStack and fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, Bangladesh aimed at crea ting more efficient, transparent, and accessible public services, ensuring a smarter and more connected government. Speaking on the occasion, Palak emphasized on the Vision 2041 and said it will be realized through collaborative partnerships with the government, academia, industry, NGOs, international organizations and media. Highlighting Prime Minister's transformative leadership, which has driven significant advancements in realizing the Digital Bangladesh vision over the past decade, he said within the next 17 years, Bangladesh set target to achieve a knowledge, innovation and technology-based Smart Bangladesh vision. "Our goals include reaching a trillion-dollar economy, achieving a per capita income of $12,500, fostering at least 50 unicorns, and growing our ICT industry to a value of $50 billion," Palak said. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, ICT Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin, ITU Regional Director Atsuko Okuda and a2i Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury spoke at the event while a2i Project Director (Addit ional Secretary) and CEO of Agency to Innovate Md Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan gave the opening remarks at the workshop. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Two people were killed when lightning struck them in Kailali. The deceased are 31-year-old Jayaram Dagaura of Bhitariya, Joshipur rural municipality and Salim Chaudhary, 27, of F Gaun, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-18, the District Police Office said. Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Office Kabindra Singh Bohara said that Dagaura, who was injured due to the lightning strike while working in his field, died while under treatment at the local Mahaparbati Clinic while Chaudhary also died at the Seti Provincial Hospital, Dhangadhi. Lightning hit Chaudhary when he was working in his field. Six people have been injured due to the lightning, police said. They are 29-year-old Rita Kathariya and 23-year-old Sushma Dagaura of Belpur, Janaki rural municipality-4, 55-year-old Ram Bahadur Chaudhary of Bhajani municipality-6 and Saraswati Bhul, 9, Paru Kathayat,7, and Khima Kathayat, 10, of Budeni, Ghodaghodi municipality-9 of Kailali district. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) today expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of its former executive member and renowned sports organiser Kutubuddin Aksir, said a BOA press release. The national sports awardee Kutubuddin Aksir passed away this (Wednesday) afternoon while undergoing treatment at a city hospital at the age of 79. He served as the team leader (chef de mission) of the Bangladesh team in the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in 2006. In a condolence message, BOA president General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, its secretary general Syed Shahed Reza, officials and employees of BOA prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has congratulated Nepal Idol season 5 winner Karan Pariyar. Pariyar was invited to the Prime Minister's Residence Baluwatar this morning, where the Prime Minister also gifted him a guitar. On the occasion, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated Pariyar in person while also sharing his interest in watching special musical programs. Dahal also said that he was always with the youths of the country in their times of happiness and sorrow. The Prime Minister also expressed his belief that Pariyar would continue his work hard and dedication through continuous sadhana to realize his good prospects and future in the field of music, and thereby help enhance the reputation of the country. Source: National News Agency Nepal

One person was killed and two others were injured in a landslide that took place in Okhaldhunga early this morning. Police Inspector Bijay Karki of the District Police Office said that Devkumari Khatri,35, died when a landslide destroyed her house in Thumki of Chisankhugadhi Rural Municipality-5. Devakumari's husband Baburam Khatri, 39, and daughter Menuka, 18, were seriously injured in the incident. They were rescued with the help of a police team deployed from Serna Police Post and the locals. They have been taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. A house and a shed were buried by the landslide. Source: National News Agency Nepal

The meeting of Bagmati Provincial Assembly is taking place today at 11:30 am. The agenda of the meeting is to discuss the ministry-wide budget of the provincial government. Discussion of various ministries under various headings of the Bill designed made to make provisions regarding the allocation and spending of funds from the Provincial Reserve Fund for the services and activities of the Provincial Government for the next fiscal year 2023/24 had started on Tuesday. It may be noted that Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, Jagannath Thapaliya, had presented a budget of Rs.64.54 billion for the new fiscal year 2023/24. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Sanjeev Sharma has been appointed as the Honorary Consul for Melbourne, Australia. The government recently appointed Sharma, who has been involved in various institutions and activities of Nepalis in Australia, to this position. Sharma is engaging in social work and business. Sharma has pursued higher education in migration law, business accounting, and finance from various universities in Australia. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He has been residing in Australia for approximately 27 years and has been actively working for the benefit of the Nepali community there since the beginning of his stay. Known as a businessman and social worker, Sharma has promoted Nepali arts and culture in Australia through events like the Nepal Festival, addressing issues faced by the Nepali diaspora, and encouraging them to invest in Nepal. For nearly 27 years, Sharma has played a significant role in improving relations between Nepal and Australia. He has been act ively promoting tourism, technology transfer, and investment in sectors such as hydropower and infrastructure development in Nepal while residing in Australia. He has advocated for investment in Nepal's tourism and hospitality sectors, exemplified by his company, Rara Holdings, signing an agreement to operate a four-star resort in the Rara Lake area of Mugu district during a recent investment summit. His group is also proposing a similar resort in Butwal. In addition to his involvement in education and health, Sharma has initiated notable investments in tourism and hospitality in Nepal. He has invested in institutions like Achievers College in Butwal, New Capital College in Chitwan, Meditech in Butwal, and Deukhuri Community Hospital in Dang. Sharma's philanthropic efforts extend through the establishment of The Expert Foundation, which has provided financial assistance in various regions of Nepal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation offered financial and logistical support worth 230,000 Australian dollars to Nepali students in Australia. The foundation also contributed during the 2015 Nepal earthquake by providing financial aid, food relief, and building a school in Sindhupalchok, one of the worst-affected districts. It has also provided flood relief in districts like Bara, Birtamod, Itahari, Chitwan, Dang, and Nepalgunj. Through the Nepal Festival in Australia, Sharma has actively promoted Nepali arts and culture, helping to foster a sense of Nepali identity and tradition among the large Nepali diaspora. This festival has played a crucial role in creating a sense of closeness and goodwill among Nepalis in Australia. Upon his appointment as Honorary Consul, Sharma expressed his commitment to further strengthening the relationship between the two countries and establishing it at the grassroots level. He thanked the Government of Nepal for recognizing his capabilities and appointing him to this position. Sharma stated, 'I want to thank the government. I have always worked for the Nepali diaspora in Aus tralia, and with their support, I will continue to work for them and my homeland, Nepal. Now, as an official representative of the Government of Nepal in Australia, I will strive to enhance the relationship between the two countries.' He emphasized the potential of Nepal, stating that despite being a country full of possibilities, Nepal has not been able to achieve the desired outcomes due to a lack of necessary investments. Sharma committed to working on bringing Australian investment to Nepal in the future. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Visiting Chinese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong today paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel. In the meeting held at the Office of the President in Shital Niwas, matters relating to Nepal-China relations and mutual interests and concerns were discussed, according to the Office of the President. On occasion, President Paudel said China remains a major development partner of Nepal for long, acknowledging China's assistance to Nepal's development endeavours for over seven decades. Sun has been on a three-day official visit to Nepal beginning on Monday to attend the 16th meeting of the Nepal-China Foreign Secretary Level Diplomatic Consultation Mechanism. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Two children died in two separate incidents of landslides triggered by incessant rain in Kaski. One person was injured in the incident. Thirteen-year-old Ayusma Ranabhat died after being buried in a landslide last night in Chitepani Ghumti of Madi Rural Municipality-5, according to District Police Office Kaski Spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police Basant Kumar Sharma. In the same incident, Ayusma's grandmother Lalmaya Banjara, 70, was rescued by police. Granddaughter and grandmother were the only ones in the house when the incident happened. Similarly, last night three-year-old son Anmol of Hari Sunar died when their two-room mud house collapsed due to a landslide in Arupata of Pokhara Metropolitan City-27. Hari's 27-year-old wife Ritu was injured in the incident. She is undergoing treatment at Gandaki Medical College. Hari and his nine-year-old daughter Anjali were rescued safely. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Chandra Prasad Dhakal, has urged the OPEC Fund to increase investment in Nepal, stating that Nepal offers abundant investment potential. During a meeting with the President of the OPEC Fund Abdulhamid Alkhalifa and Vice President Tareq Alnassar in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday, President Dhakal urged the OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) to expand its investments in the country. "Nepal could become a new and significant investment destination for the OPEC Fund," he asserted. Nepal situating in between two rising economic powers - China and India - is capable of reaping benefits from their markets, the tourism industry, and the development of both countries due to its strategic location, he said as reported by the FNCCI. Stating that the investment-friendly environment in Nepal is becoming increasingly conducive, the FNCCI President highlighted significant investment opportunities in Nepal in t ourism, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and information technology sectors including others. Referring to the long-term power trade agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of India, Dhakal said. "It opens up opportunities for investment in hydropower and renewable energy by making Nepal's vast energy potential accessible to the market." Similarly, he appraised the OPEC Fund high-level delegation that the power trade agreement with another neighboring country, Bangladesh, is in its final stages. Dhakal utilized the moment to highlight Nepal's cultural heritage, natural beauty, and youthful and energetic workforce, suggesting that investments in the development of tourism, agriculture, and information technology infrastructure could yield significant benefits. Sharing about the recent amendments to some old laws that were considered obstacles to investment, Dhakal stated that the Nepal government, in cooperation with FNCCI, is committed to creating an investment-friendly environmen t in the country. He added a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) framework, prepared with the initiative of FNCCI, has been approved by the Council of Ministers. "This framework will help ensure the security of foreign investments and create a conducive investment environment." The FNCCI President highlighted that FNCCI has been continuously working to attract investments and improve the investment climate in Nepal. Recently, FNCCI organized business summits in New Delhi, Beijing, and Dubai, he apprised the team. Promising that FNCCI is ready to facilitate any investor in Nepal, he said that Nepalese investors are willing to partner with foreign investments in any sector. OPEC Fund President Abdul Hamid Alkhalifa, while discussing the investments made by the OPEC Fund in Nepal, expressed readiness to increase investments in Nepal's renewable energy, hydropower, and the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises. On the occasion, the OPEC Fund has signed a US$25 million loan agreement with Global IM E Bank Limited to increase access to financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including women-owned enterprises, as well as climate-smart projects. Source: National News Agency Nepal