United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman joined a joint meeting with Prime Minister of Nepal Balendra Shah, along with other ambassadors based in Kathmandu. Taking the floor during the interaction, the Bangladesh envoy extended warm greetings and felicitations to the Prime Minister on the assumption of his responsibilities, on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh. He emphasised the excellent relationship between Bangladesh and Nepal, premised on mutual respect, trust, and shared collaboration in various areas, stemming from common cultural and societal values, beliefs, and long-standing civilisational links marked by strong people-to-people contact.

Nepal has expressed interest in working with the new government in Bangladesh to take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new height. Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman on Monday paid a courtesy call on with Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Vice-President of Nepal, in his office to extend the invitation to the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the National Day of Bangladesh. The Vice-President kindly accepted the invitation to grace the event as the chief guest. During the call on, they exchanged views on issues of mutual interests pertaining to the long-standing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Nepal. The Vice-President congratulated Bangladesh for successfully holding the elections and expressed interests to work with the new government to take the bilateral relations between the two countries to a new height. In response, Bangladesh Ambassador conveyed the keenness of the new government of Bangladesh to work closely with the new government of Nepal, which is on the process to be formed very soon.

Bangladesh and Nepal on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across various sectors and strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam congratulated the government and people of Nepal on the successful conduct of the recent parliamentary elections. Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari met the State Minister on Sunday and both sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest including trade and commerce, energy cooperation, connectivity, education, tourism, cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts. Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee also called on the State Minister. During the meetings, views were also exchanged on enhancing regional cooperation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister of Nepal Sushila Karki on Friday congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, stating that her country eyes strong ties with Bangladesh. "Warm congratulations to the Government and the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the 13th parliamentary elections," she said in a message. The Nepalese Prime Minister extended her heartiest congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a remarkable victory in Thursday’s elections. Nepal’s Ambassador meets Tarique Rahman "I look forward to working closely with you to strengthen our neighbourly ties and consolidate cooperation in areas of mutual interest," she said.

Italy celebrated a landmark moment in its cricket history by registering its first-ever win at a T20 World Cup, thrashing Nepal by 10 wickets on Thursday, while India and Sri Lanka maintained their perfect starts to the tournament. At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, brothers Anthony and Justin Mosca powered Italy to victory with an unbeaten 124-run opening stand after Nepal were bowled out for 123. Anthony smashed 62 off 32 balls and Justin added 60 off 44 as Italy chased down the target in just 12.4 overs. It was Italy’s first win at a global cricket event and only the second 10-wicket victory by an associate nation in T20 World Cup history. Messi suffers hamstring strain, doubtful for Inter Miami’s MLS opener Earlier, Crishan Kalugamage claimed 3-18 and Ben Manenti took 2-9 as Nepal collapsed, losing seven wickets for 30 runs. In New Delhi, defending champion and co-host India defeated Namibia by 93 runs. Ishan Kishan struck 61 off 24 balls, while Hardik Pandya shone with 52 off 28 deliveries and 2-21 with the ball. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy triggered Namibia’s collapse with 3-7. Meanwhile, in Pallekele, Sri Lanka crushed Oman by 105 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka blasted a 19-ball half-century as Sri Lanka posted 225-5, the highest total of the tournament so far. Oman managed 120-9 in reply. India top Group A, while Sri Lanka have two wins from two matches.

The second tranche of election-related assistance from India was gifted to Nepal, in presence of Minister for Finance of Nepal Rameshore Prasad Khanal. Charge d’affaires Dr. Rakesh Pandey, ceremonially handed over more than 250 vehicles to the government of Nepal, in a ceremony held in the Ministry of Finance in Kathmandu on January 29. These supplies are a part of the assistance sought by the government of Nepal, in connection with preparations for the upcoming elections in the country. In his remarks, Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal mentioned the longstanding cooperation and friendly ties between India and Nepal. He also thanked the Government and people of India for the supplies and appreciated their significance in preparations for upcoming elections. Ambassador to Nepal attends Bangladesh Medical Education Fair in Kathmandu The first tranche of such election-related assistance by the Government of India, was handed over to Nepal on January 20. More deliveries are expected to take place in batches in the coming weeks. The ongoing cooperation and support from the Indian side is not only an apt reflection of the multi-faceted and multi-sectoral development partnership that exists between both countries, but also symbolizes the deep mutual trust and friendship between the people of India and Nepal, said a media release.

ICIMOD Director General Dr Pema Gyamtsho said on Wednesday that by focusing on the knowledge, leadership and priorities of women and indigenous people in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, they are not only boosting climate resilience but also giving more power to those who have long protected mountain ecosystems.  “As implementation begins, I am reminded that meaningful climate action is not only about technologies or policies, but about people, equity, and dignity,” he said, reflecting not only on what the ICIMOD has achieved but also on what this year has meant to him personally. By working closely with national partners in all three countries, HI-CAS is laying the foundation for integrated, ecosystem-based adaptation solutions that respond to local realities and ensure that those most affected by climate change are at the centre of adaptation planning and action, Dr Pema said. “What gives me confidence is HI-CAS’s clear focus on locally led, gender-responsive adaptation,” he said in a message. In 2025, ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development) began implementation of the Integrated Climate Adaptation Solutions for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region (HI-CAS) project, a multi-country initiative focused on strengthening climate adaptation for women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. In 2025, ICIMOD further strengthened its partnership with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) through a GBIF-Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP)-supported capacity-building programme that enhanced institutional capabilities for biodiversity data management across the HKH. Working with national institutions in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, partners published 20 biodiversity datasets using the regional open-access infrastructure, the Hindu Kush Himalayan Biodiversity Information Facility (HKHBIF), hosted by ICIMOD. The Third Regional Science, Policy, and Finance Dialogue on Air Quality Management in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and Himalayan Foothills took place in Paro, Bhutan, in December 2025 and brought key partners from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan to discuss on developing a voluntary collaborative platform and talk about the factors required to make regional collaboration for air quality management a success. The project ‘Reducing air pollution by creative use of pelletisation’ was a three-year initiative implemented from September 2023 to September 2026, funded by the United States Department of State, Dr Pema said. The project focused on Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, and aimed to address severe regional air pollution linked to agricultural residue burning. The proposed pilot unit was designed as a demonstration facility to showcase the technical, economic, and environmental viability of converting agricultural residues into clean energy products. Dr Pema said it was also expected to generate practical evidence on operational performance, supply-chain linkages with farmers, and emission reduction benefits, thereby supporting knowledge exchange and facilitating replication of the model in countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. ICIMOD chief hails SANDEE’s 25 years of shaping South Asia’s environmental economics The Green Alliance for Women’s Economic Security in the HKH was a 24-month regional initiative awarded to ICIMOD by the US Embassy in Nepal to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship across Bangladesh, India and Nepal. The project aimed to support 60 young women entrepreneurs through small grants, business incubation, mentorship, and the establishment of a regional alliance of incubators to promote inclusive, resilient and sustainable enterprises.

Authorities in southern Nepal imposed a strict curfew in the border city of Birgunj after tensions flared between Hindu and Muslim communities following the vandalism of a mosque over the weekend, officials said Tuesday. The Parsa District Administration ordered residents to stay off the streets, banning all public movement, demonstrations and gatherings. Security forces were authorized to take strong action against anyone violating the curfew, including the use of firearms if necessary, according to the official notice. Police and army units armed with automatic weapons were deployed across Birgunj, a major commercial hub located about 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of Kathmandu. The city serves as Nepal’s most important land border crossing with India and is a critical gateway for fuel, food and other essential imports entering the country. Nepal’s Gen Z Protesters disillusioned with government they helped install The unrest began Sunday when Muslim groups organized protests after a mosque in a nearby town was vandalized. Later the same day, Hindu groups held their own demonstrations, raising fears that the situation could escalate. Protest activity has continued intermittently since then, prompting authorities to impose the curfew to prevent violence. Officials said there have been no serious injuries or large-scale clashes between the two communities so far. Some minor scuffles were reported between protesters and riot police as officers worked to keep the groups apart and restore calm. Interreligious violence is uncommon in Nepal, a predominantly Hindu country where Muslims make up a small minority of the population. Most Muslim communities are concentrated in southern districts near the Indian border, including areas such as Birgunj, where close cultural and economic ties exist across the frontier. Local officials said the curfew would remain in place until tensions ease and warned residents to comply with security directives as authorities continue monitoring the situation closely.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday congratulated newly appointed interim Prime Minister of Nepal Sushila Karki, hoping that Nepal and its resilient people will continue to progress on the path of peace, development and stability under her leadership and guidance. "As a longstanding friend and neighbour of Nepal, we are confident that under your able leadership and guidance, Nepal and its resilient people will continue to progress on the path of peace, development and stability," he said in a message. Prof Yunus said he looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Karki to further strengthen the deep rooted ties of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect. In his message, the Chief Adviser said on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh and on his own behalf, he extends his warmest congratulations to Karki as the Prime Minister. “Your assumption of this high office, at a critical and challenging time, is a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed in you by the people of Nepal," Prof Yunus said. He also expressed heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of lives during the recent political developments in Nepal. Bangladesh envoy attends swearing-in of Nepal's interim PM “We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and wish a swift and full recovery to all those who were injured. Wish you good health and success, and the people of Nepal continued peace and prosperity,” he said. Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal Md Shafiqur Rahman on Friday evening attended the swearing-in ceremony of Sushila Karki as Prime Minister of the interim government of Nepal. The Ambassador exchanged greetings with the newly appointed Prime Minister of Nepal. "Privileged to witness a historic moment of transition in Nepal," said Ambassador Rahman. The President of Nepal on Friday appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister and the first woman to head the Himalayan nation’s government following fiery protests that caused the collapse of the previous administration. President Ram Chandra Poudel also dissolved parliament and set March 5 as the date for elections based on the recommendation of the new prime minister, the president’s office said in a statement late Friday. The most recent legislative elections were held in 2022. Karki, a popular figure while serving as the court’s only female chief justice in 2016 and 2017, was sworn in by the president Friday in a small ceremony at the presidential residence that was broadcast on state-run television. Karki was known for her stand against corruption in the government while serving as chief justice. Some lawmakers tried to impeach her in April 2017 and made accusations of bias, but the move was unsuccessful and criticized as an attack on the judiciary.  

Nepal's mountaineering community celebrated the conquest of the world's highest mountain with a rally of climbers, guides and others who gathered for International Everest Day. The event Thursday marked the 72nd anniversary of the first summit climb of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, reports AP. Nepal's minister for culture and tourism led the celebration in the capital, Kathmandu,that included a walk around the city and a gathering at the old palace. “We are celebrating May 29 as the international Sagarmatha (Everest) day because the world needs to continue to recognize the achievement and contribution of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay,” said Ang Tshering, who runs Kathmandu-based Asian Trekking.  Nepal hosts environment conference as Himalayan glaciers melt The event was not just a celebration for the mountaineering community but also a festival for Nepal and the world, said Tshering, who has helped hundreds of clients scale the Himalayan peaks. Nepal contains eight of the highest peaks in the world and every year hundreds of foreign climbers fly to the country in South Asia to tackle the mountains. The climbers hire thousands of people in Nepal to assist their climbs by carrying gear, cooking food and generally taking care of them as they spend weeks in the mountains. Nepal's government collects money from the climbers through permit fees. The end of May also marks the end of the popular spring mountaineering season, when climbers finish their adventures and retreat from the peaks before the monsoon season brings foul weather. "This day is celebrated also to mark the end of the climbing season where we gather climbers and the community," Jiban Ghimire of Shangri-La Nepal Trek said. According to Nepal’s Department of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries received permits to climb Everest by the end of May, along with a roughly equal number of Nepalese mountain guides. Many were able to scale the peak, but officials were still working to verify how many reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit. Climbers must report to the department with proof they reached the summit and cleared their garbage before they are issued the official certificate. Nepal seeks partnerships with Bangladesh in key areas Famed Sherpa guide Kami Rita reached the Everest summit for the 31st time Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most climbs to the top of the famed mountain.