Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources, held a productive meeting with the Environment Secretaries of Nepal and Bhutan at the Bangladesh Pavilion during the ongoing COP-29 Climate Change Conference, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan this year. Environment Secretary of Bangladesh Dr. Farhina Ahmed was also present at the meeting. During the discussion, Adviser Rizwana Hasan highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing climate challenges. She emphasized the need for actionable joint initiatives in key areas such as energy, agriculture, forestry, and rivers, stating: “Let’s work together to outline steps for effective collaboration and progress. To identify areas for meaningful joint action, we should focus on energy, agriculture, forestry, and potentially rivers. These sectors are interconnected with climate resilience and provide significant opportunities for collaboration and shared learning.” She warned against the adoption of false solutions promoted by agro-giants and called for prioritizing sustainable practices that genuinely support farmers and communities. Sharing experiences on forest conservation and its role in achieving climate goals and protecting vulnerable populations was another key area she underscored. On energy, the adviser stressed the importance of regional cooperation and investment in renewable energy to meet growing demands while reducing emissions. She urged countries to share strategies to accelerate transitions to sustainable energy, enhancing both national and regional resilience. Rivers, as a critical resource for climate adaptation and agriculture, were also identified as a potential focus for collaboration. She proposed mechanisms to address challenges related to price-sensitive crops. Bangladesh-India FS-level meeting in Dhaka next month to address key issues, including Hasina’s potential extradition The Adviser further emphasized the need for innovative solutions such as community seed banks and resilient crop varieties. She remarked: By establishing mechanisms to share innovations, such as community seed banks or resilient crop varieties, we can amplify benefits with minimal investment. These areas are practical and actionable, requiring fewer political hurdles, making them ideal for joint action. The meeting underscored the shared commitment of the participating countries to collaborate on sustainable and climate-resilient development pathways. Later, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan met with Ministers of Least Developed Countries.    

Sharing an idea of greater electricity connectivity in the region, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday called for creating a South Asian grid to share the hydroelectricity generated by Nepal and Bhutan. "Bangladesh can easily bring hydroelectricity from Nepal as it is only 40 miles from Bangladesh. Nepalese hydroelectricity will also be cheap," Professor Yunus said, adding Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan should think of creating a South Asian grid. In a meeting with the Social Business Group on the sidelines of the climate conference in Baku, he said much of the hydroelectricity potentials of the Himalayan nations remain untapped due to a lack of electricity grids connecting Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Nepal officials have said the country has the potential to generate 40,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity, which can help lessen the reliance on fossil fuels in bigger countries such as India and Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser, who has joined the COP29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital, said Bangladesh has put the highest priority on water management to prevent floods and to make the best use of water to boost the country's economic growth. "Water is our main environmental issue. We have to do water management in a way that it supports nature," Prof Yunus said.  

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari on Monday met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed bilateral issues and the revival of Saarc to enhance regional cooperation. The hour-long meeting, which began around 10:30am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office in the capital. BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, party’s international affairs committee member Shama Obaed, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Nepali embassy in Dhaka, Lalita Silwal, were present at the meeting. After the meeting, Amir Khosru briefed reporters on the outcomes of the meeting. "Our relationship with Nepal is long-standing. We discussed various issues related to bilateral interests, regional cooperation and potentials," he said. Khosru said that their party believes Bangladesh should strengthen its ties with Nepal as a democratic state in South Asia. “We hope to see a reflection of human rights, good governance, and improved bilateral and regional relations in the days ahead." He said Bangladesh has enjoyed a strong relationship and cooperation with Nepal for a long time. “But we have not fully exploited the potential of the friendly ties as we should have." Khosru mentioned that they discussed with the Nepalese Ambassador how to utilise Saarc for regional development, people-to-people relations, and enhancing connectivity and economic progress in South Asia. “We have not been able to take Saarc to the level envisioned by the late President Ziaur Rahman. The Nepalese ambassador also shares the view that the region's potential has not been fully unlocked through SAARC,” he stated. The BNP leader said they also talked about collaborating to elevate Saarc for better regional cooperation and development. Khosru said they also discussed the possibility of importing Nepal's affordable hydroelectric power to Bangladesh.

A four-member team from the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) is en route to Nepal following an investigation in India, to probe the murder of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar. The team, led by the DB Chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, is focusing on the main accused in the murder, Akhtaruzzaman Shaheen. MP Anar murder investigation sees remarkable progress: DB Chief Before departing Dhaka, Harun addressed media reports about the arrest of a person named Siam in Nepal. “I can't say anything at this moment. But we are going for an investigation. We will let you know soon,” Harun told journalists at Dhaka Airport this morning. Harun revealed that the suspects in Anar's murder had used the Nepal route. "We have spoken to Jihad in India. We have several suspects related to Anar's murder, apart from the main culprit. Both sides have discussed this matter," he said. Motive behind MP Anar murder yet to be ascertained: DMP Commissioner He also noted that several major criminals from Bangladesh, including suspects in Anar's murder, have recently been using the Kolkata route. “Considering everything, we have also written to Interpol to check if there are any criminals in that area. Overall, we are going to Nepal mainly for investigation," Harun added. DB mum about possible recovery of MP Anar's body parts

Former champions Bangladesh will start the super six campaign of the ICC U-19 Men's World Cup' 2024 taking on their South Asian rivals Nepal, the 3rd ranked team of Group D on Wednesday  (Jan 31). The match will kick at 2 pm ( Bangladesh time) at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein in South Africa. They will play Group D champions Pakistan in the other super six match at Benoni in South Africa on Saturday (February 3). After the 16- team first group phase ended on Sunday, top 12 teams,  divided in two groups, entered the super six stage. BCB Special Committee meets with Shakib, Tamim to evaluate World Cup performance The Super Six will involve the top three sides from each of the four round-robin groups, with teams progressing from Groups A and D comprising one Group while the teams  from B and C in another group. Each of the teams will  carry forward their points and net run rate (NRR) in the super six stage which  they earned in the group stage matches. The six teams, which made super six berth  from group A and D are:  India, Bangladesh, Ireland (Group A)  Pakistan, New Zealand and Nepal ( Group D). South Africa, England, West Indies, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe qualified for the super six stage  from  Group B and C respectively. The remaining four teams --USA, Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland –  which didn't make the super six berth-– will compete in the  play-off matches for the last four places of the tournament. The teams will play two matches in the Super Six stage against their opponents from the corresponding group which  finished in a different position in their group. BPL 2024: Chattogram's winning streak continue That means India (toppers of Group A) will face off against New Zealand (second position in Group D while Nepal, third position in Group D) will play Bangladesh, the 2nd team of Group A) . The top two sides from the two Super Six groups will qualify  for the semi-final stage. The two semi-final matches  scheduled to be held on February 6 and 8 respectively while the final is set to take place on ( February 11)  , with all three knockout games set to take place in Benoni.   Complete  fixtures of the Super Six matches January 30: India v New Zealand in Bloemfontein Sri Lanka v West Indies in Kimberley Pakistan v Ireland in Potchefstroom   BCB to Discuss Bangladesh’s World Cup Disappointment with Shakib   January  31: Nepal v Bangladesh in Bloemfontein Australia v England in Kimberley Zimbabwe v South Africa in Potchefstroom   February 02: India v Nepal in Bloemfontein West Indies v Australia in Kimberley South Africa v Sri Lanka in Potchefstroom   February 03: Pakistan v Bangladesh in Benoni New Zealand v Ireland in Bloemfontein England v Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom

The prize distribution and launching of the book titled "From Himalayas to Bay of Bengal: Chronicles of Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship" was held on Saturday at the Nepal Embassy. The programme jointly organised by the Embassy of Nepal and Bangladesh - Nepal Friendship Society (BNFS) was organised to facilitate the winners of the essay writing 2023. The book is a compilation of twenty outstanding essays exploring diverse aspects of Nepal-Bangladesh relations, selected from the 'Essay Writing Competition' held in October November 2023. Bangladesh’s security forces remain alert along Myanmar border: Foreign Minister  The competition was a collaborative effort of the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka and the Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society aimed at promoting socio-cultural linkages between Bangladesh and Nepal through academic and intellectual discourses among university students in Bangladesh. The participating students from Grade XI up to Masters level in Bangladesh were asked to choose the theme of their essays from three topics: 'Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship: Connecting Himalayas and Bay of Bengal', 'Ways to Enhance Economic Cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh', and 'Cultural and People-to-people contacts between Nepal and Bangladesh'. Vice- chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Medical University Sharfuddin Ahmed delivered his speech as the chief guest while Ambassador of Nepal Ghanshyam Bhandari presided over the event. The President of  BNFS Lion Moshiur Ahmed also delivered his speech.Vice- Chancellor Sharfuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh and Nepal can exchange more students from the educational institutions as the two countries have a big similarity in many aspects.Mentioning the successful role of a physician who passed from Bangladesh medical colleges, he said this role will encourage more students of Nepal to take the opportunity of studying in Bangladesh in a homely environment. S Korea has no strategic interests; Dhaka-Seoul ties can be deepened further in a mutually beneficial way: Ambassador Park Young-sik Ambasador Ghanshyam Bhandari said this is not the sole event for the embassy. Last year they had a similar event painting competition where 600 participants from the different schools attended.  "As an embassy, it is our objective to reach out to different levels of Bangladeshi people. Essay Writing Completion is one such effort to engage with the college going students and enrich their understanding about Nepal-Bangladesh relationship", he said. Aanika Hasan from BRAC University, Dhaka ( first prize), Al Rabby Siemens from Jahangirnagar University (second) and Maxim Gorky Samya from North South University while each winner received a cash prize, a crest, and a certificate of participation. British parliamentary delegation in Bangladesh to strengthen trade, economic and Indo-Pacific partnership

Despite an understanding among Bangladesh, Nepal and India, state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) still cannot import electricity from the Himalayan nation. On August 28 this year, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid had said that import of hydropower from Nepal was almost final. It seems unlikely that the power trade will happen before November. That means, Bangladesh will not get the opportunity to export its surplus electricity to Nepal during peak demand season in winter in the Himalayan nation. Electricity demand decreases during winter in Bangladesh while it increases in Nepal. According to official sources, after a long discussion at political and bureaucratic levels among the countries, India finally agreed to allow Bangladesh to initially import 40 MW electricity from Nepal. The import was supposed to start between August and September 2023, but negotiation on tariff remained incomplete. Sources said the decision to start the import of 40 MW power from Nepal was finalised in a two-day meeting of the joint steering committee (JSC) and joint working committee (JWC) on Bangladesh-Nepal power and energy sector cooperation on May 14-15 this year at Patuakhali in Bangladesh. Ahead of the meeting, Nepalese Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud visited Dhaka and held a meeting with Bangladeshi public and private sector officials where he urged them to invest in the hydropower sector in the Himalayan nation, holding about 60,000 MW of clean energy potentials. Read: Power tariff raised again by 5 percent at retail level, effective from Wednesday After the meeting at Nepalese Embassy in Dhaka, Saud had told UNB that he was expecting all issues to be resolved during the Nepalese prime minister’s visit to India – to facilitate Nepal’s export of electricity to Bangladesh. In the follow-up, according to a report of the Kathmandu Post, during the Nepalese prime minister’s India visit (May 30-June 1), India agreed to facilitate Nepal to export 40 MW electricity to Bangladesh through Indian transmission infrastructure. India also made an announcement to buy 10,000 MW electricity from Nepal over the next 10 years. According to a recent report of The Kathmandu Post, “The Bangladeshi side has notified Nepal that they are seeking clearance from the political authorities on the agreement reached between the two sides at the bureaucratic level,” said Kul Man Ghising, managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). “We are awaiting a final response from the Bangladeshi side to move on to tariff negotiation,” he added. NEA officials said that the two sides have concluded discussion on everything except tariff at the bureaucratic level. Read: Adani Power team likely to visit Bangladesh to discuss coal price, power tariff Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain said that he is not aware of the latest situation in this regard. He, however, noted that all necessary arrangements have been made for the cross-border power trade from both Bangladesh and Nepal sides. He said that 40 MW electricity was to be imported through Baharampur-Bheramara transmission lines which have enough capacity to import electricity from Nepal through Indian territory. Sources said under the planned arrangement, Bangladesh will import electricity from Nepal through an Indian company as a service provider which will first import electricity from Nepal through Indian transmission line and then sell it to Bangladesh. They said Bangladesh and Nepal prefer a tripartite or regional agreement while India wants bilateral deal in this regard. Explaining the matter, they said, if Bangladesh wants to import power from Nepal, it has to first sign a deal with India, not directly with Nepal. Then Nepal will sign a separate deal with India. Each deal will be on bilateral basis, and then a trilateral agreement among the three nations will be signed to facilitate the cross-border power trade. Read more: Hike in retail power tariff is less than in developed countries: Info Minister Currently, Bangladesh is importing electricity from India through a similar arrangement where the Indian company NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) is selling power to BPDB. In case of electricity trade between Dhaka and Kathmandu, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) will have to sign agreements with both NVVN and BPDB. Apart from the 40 MW import plan, Bangladesh wants to import 500 MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal via Indian company GMR. Also read: Retail power tariff hiked 5% to Tk0.19 per unit for lifeline consumers, Tk0.36 on average for others Officials said Bangladesh and Nepal are still pursuing India to sign the tripartite deal to facilitate the sub-regional power trade among the three nations.

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a traveller's paradise. This city offers a perfect blend of rich cultural experiences and excellent shopping opportunities. The city is known for its diverse markets and traditional bazaars that showcase the unique essence of Nepali culture. When in Kathmandu, shopping becomes an integral part of the travel experience, and it is worth exploring the local markets to find extraordinary items. Best Souvenirs to Buy in Kathmandu On the bustling streets of Kathmandu, travellers can discover a captivating array of souvenirs. Each one encapsulates the rich culture and traditions of Nepal. Pashmina shawls are a must-buy, renowned for their luxurious softness and warmth. Made from the fine wool of Himalayan goats, they embody not only exquisite craftsmanship but also symbolise Nepali elegance. For adventure enthusiasts and trekkers, Kathmandu stands as a hub for top-quality trekking gear.  Moreover, immersing yourself in the local culture becomes possible through unique items like ayurvedic soaps, Tibetan juniper incense, and handicrafts made from natural fibres and intricately hand-carved woodwork. These items showcase Nepal's artistry and add a touch of its heritage. Read more: 8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh Tea and coffee in Nepal have distinct flavours and are delightful purchases. It is perfect as either a personal indulgence or a thoughtful gift. The markets in Kathmandu offer a stunning variety of jewellery, ranging from traditional silver pieces to modern designs. These jewelleries provide a perfect piece to adorn yourself or a loved one.  Lastly, for culinary enthusiasts, spices from Kathmandu are a must. From fiery chilli to aromatic herbs, these spices add a dash of Nepali flavour to your cooking. Additionally, Gurkha knives (Kukri) and honey sourced from skilled honey hunters in the Nepali mountains are distinctive souvenirs, reflecting Nepal's rich heritage. Each unique item you purchase will not only serve as a reminder of your time in Nepal but also contribute to supporting local artisans and preserving Nepal's cultural heritage. Read more: Best Hotels and Resorts in Kuakata

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari has underscored the need for promoting economic partnership as the centerpiece of Bangladesh-Nepal relations. He also shed light on the strong bilateral cooperation existing between Nepal and Bangladesh in areas including trade, transit, energy, tourism, connectivity, and education. The Nepalese Embassy hosted a reception on Wednesday evening to celebrate the National Day and Constitution Day of Nepal. Bangladesh keen to export readymade garments to Nepal, seeks collaboration to unlock opportunities The Ambassador highlighted that the day was a reminder of the moment in which political issues were settled and democratic gains institutionalized with the promulgation of the constitution in 2015.  

Particulate air pollution remains the greatest external risk to human health, but most of its impact on global life expectancy is concentrated in just six countries, with Bangladesh being one of the most polluted in the world. As global pollution edged upward in 2021, so did its burden on human health, according to new data from the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI). If the world were to permanently reduce fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline, the average person would add 2.3 years onto their life expectancy—or a combined 17.8 billion life-years saved worldwide. This data makes clear that particulate pollution remains the world’s greatest external risk to human health, with the impact on life expectancy comparable to that of smoking, more than 3 times that of alcohol use and unsafe water, and more than 5 times that of transport injuries like car crashes. Yet, the pollution challenge worldwide is vastly unequal. Read: Urgent, coordinated actions needed to curb air pollution in South Asia: World Bank In no other location on the planet is the deadly impact of pollution more visible than in South Asia, home to the four most polluted countries in the world and nearly a quarter of the global population. In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the AQLI data reveal that residents are expected to lose about 5 years off their lives on average if the current high levels of pollution persist. “Three-quarters of air pollution’s impact on global life expectancy occurs in just six countries, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Indonesia, where people lose one to more than six years off their lives because of the air they breathe,” said Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and creator of the AQLI along with colleagues at the Energy Policy Institute in University of Chicago (EPIC). For the last five years, the AQLI’s local information on air quality and its health consequences has generated substantial media and political coverage, but there is an opportunity to complement this annual information with more frequent—for example, daily—and locally generated data. Read: Dhaka’s air pollution: HC asks what steps have been taken Indeed, many polluted countries lack basic air pollution infrastructure. Asia and Africa are the two most poignant examples. They contribute 92.7 percent of life-years lost due to pollution. Yet, just 6.8 and 3.7 percent of governments in Asia and Africa, respectively, provide their citizens with fully open air quality data. Furthermore, just 35.6 and 4.9 percent of countries in Asia and Africa, respectively, have air quality standards—the most basic building block for policies. The collective current investments in global air quality infrastructure also do not match where air pollution is having its greatest toll on human life. While there is a large global fund for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis that annually disburses USD 4 billion towards the issues, there is no equivalent set of coordinated resources for air pollution. Read: Air pollution 2nd biggest cause of deaths in Bangladesh in 2019, cost about 3.9-4.4% of GDP: World Bank In fact, the entire continent of Africa receives under USD 300,000 in philanthropic funds towards air pollution (i.e. the current average price of a single-family home in the United States). Only USD 1.4 million goes to Asia, outside of China and India. Europe, the United States, and Canada, meanwhile, receive USD 34 million, according to the Clean Air Fund. “Timely, reliable, open air quality data in particular can be the backbone of civil society and government’s clean air efforts—providing the information that people and governments lack and that allows for more informed policy decisions,” said Christa Hasenkopf, the director of AQLI and air quality programs at EPIC. “Fortunately, we see an immense opportunity to play a role in reversing this by better targeting—and increasing—our funding dollars to collaboratively build the infrastructure that is missing today,” she added. Read: Effects of Air Pollution on Unborn Children, Neonates, Infants China Although the challenge of reducing air pollution across the world may seem daunting, China has had remarkable success, reducing pollution by 42.3 percent since 2013, the year before the country began a “war against pollution.” Due to these improvements, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live 2.2 years longer, provided the reductions are sustained. However, the pollution in China is still six times higher than the WHO guideline, taking 2.5 years off life expectancy. Southeast Asia Like South Asia, almost all of Southeast Asia (99.9 percent) is now considered to have unsafe levels of pollution, with pollution increasing in a single year by as much as 25 percent in some regions. Residents living in the most polluted parts of Southeast Asia are expected to lose 2 to 3 years of life expectancy on average. Central and West Africa While Asian countries rightly receive the most media coverage about extreme levels of air pollution, the African countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Republic of Congo are amongst the ten most polluted countries in the world. In the most polluted areas of these regions, pollution levels are 12 times the WHO guideline and taking as much as 5.4 years off lives—becoming as much of a health threat as well-known killers in the region like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Read: UN report: Climate pollution reductions 'highly inadequate' Latin America While average air quality is at an unsafe but relatively low level across the region, the most polluted areas—located within Guatemala, Bolivia, and Peru—experience air quality similar to pollution hotspots like Pune in India and Harbin in China. In these regions, the average resident would gain 3 to 4.4 years of life expectancy if their air quality met the WHO guideline. United States In the United States, Americans are exposed to 64.9 percent less particulate pollution than in 1970—prior to the passage of the Clean Air Act—and they’re living 1.4 years longer because of it. Yet, 96 percent of the country still doesn’t meet the WHO’s new guideline of 5 µg/m³. This year, the EPA proposed to lower the national standard from 12 μg/m³ to 9-10 µg/m³, gaining 3.2 million total life years if the upper limit of that proposed standard were met. In 2021, 20 out of the top 30 most polluted counties were in California due to the impact of wildfires. Europe In Europe, residents are exposed to about 23.5 percent less pollution than they were in 1998, soon after the Air Quality Framework Directive started, gaining 4.5 months of life expectancy because of it. Yet, 98.4 percent of Europe still doesn’t meet the WHO’s new guideline. In 2022, the EU proposed ratcheting down their standard of 25 µg/m³ to 10 µg/m³ by 2030, gaining 80.3 million total life years if the proposed standard were met. Residents in eastern Europe are living 7.2 months less than their western neighbors due to dirtier air. Read more: 9-point directive on air pollution: HC asks DoE to submit report within 2 weeks