United News of Bangladesh

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a mesmerising destination rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as the "City of Temples," Kathmandu offers a unique blend of traditional heritage and modern attractions. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or a foodie, Kathmandu has something for everyone. For Bangladeshis, Nepal is an accessible and affordable travel destination with visa-on-arrival facilities. Let's dive into a detailed city guide to Kathmundu with the best places to see, exciting things to do, and adventurous activities to explore. Best Things to Do in Kathmand . Explore Swayambhunath Stupa – The Monkey Temple Swayambhunath, known as the Monkey Temple, is one of Kathmandu’s iconic landmarks. Perched on a hill, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the valley. The temple, dating back over 2,000 years, is accessed by climbing 365 steps, where playful monkeys may accompany your journey.  Reaching the top of the temple, you can explore the stupa, enjoy its intricate artwork, and embrace the peaceful spiritual atmosphere. This site is perfect for photography and quiet reflection, making it a must-visit for holidaymakers. Experience the Vibrant Streets of Thamel Thamel is the lively heart of Kathmandu, known for its bustling streets, markets, cafes, and restaurants. Here, you can shop for Nepali souvenirs, enjoy local delicacies, and experience the blend of Nepali culture and modern conveniences. Thamel is also a hub for nightlife, making it a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing and exploring. Read more: Safety Precautions for Traveling on Buses or Public Transport at Night Visit Bhaktapur – A UNESCO World Heritage Site Located just outside Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is a short drive away and rich in cultural history. The city boasts impressive temples like Nyatapola Temple and the 55-Window Palace. As you stroll through its narrow streets, you will encounter traditional Newari architecture, local crafts, and vibrant squares like Taumadhi Square. B Bhaktapur is also famous for its food, especially the delicious momo (dumplings). A visit here will take you back in time, immersing you in the mediaeval charm of Nepal. Discover Pashupatinath Temple Pashupatinath Temple, one of the holiest Hindu sites in Nepal, is located along the Bagmati River. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it attracts millions of pilgrims annually. The sprawling temple complex is home to numerous shrines and pagodas, where visitors can witness religious ceremonies, including public cremations on the riverbanks. The site provides a peaceful yet powerful experience, offering deep insight into Hindu rituals and spiritual practices. Read more: Top Reasons Why London Is Tripadvisor's Best Travel Destination for 2025

Nepal has invited Bangladesh to attend 'Sagarmatha Sambaad', a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum committed to deliberating on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance.  Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari on Tuesday met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and handed over an invitation letter from Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba to attend the inaugural edition of 'Sagarmatha Sambaad,' scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from May 16-18. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the positive recent developments in economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal. They discussed key areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, tourism, climate change, and the strengthening of people-to-people contacts. Russia seeks continued cooperation in Bangladesh’s gas exploration efforts The discussions also focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation within regional and sub-regional frameworks, including Saarc, Bimstec, and BBIN, aiming to accelerate mutual benefits for both nations.

Thousands of supporters greeted Nepal's former king in capital Kathmandu on Sunday and demanded his abolished monarchy be reinstated and Hinduism brought back as a state religion. An estimated 10,000 supporters of Gyanendra Shah blocked the main entrance to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport as he arrived from a tour of western Nepal. "Vacate the royal palace for the king. Come back king, save the country. Long live our beloved king. We want monarchy,” the crowds chanted. Passengers were forced to walk to and from the airport. Hundreds of riot police blocked the protesters from entering the airport and there was no violence. Massive street protests in 2006 forced Gyanendra to give up his authoritarian rule, and two years later the parliament voted to abolish the monarchy as Gyanendra left the Royal Palace to live the life of a commoner. Wealthy Indians rush to secure EB-5 Visas amid uncertainty over Trump’s Gold Card Plan But many Nepalis have grown frustrated with the republic, saying it has failed to bring about political stability and blaming it for a struggling economy and widespread corruption. Nepal has had 13 governments since the monarchy was abolished in 2008. Rally participants said they were hoping for a change in the political system to stop the country from further deteriorating. “We are here to give the king our full support and to rally behind him all the way to reinstating him in the royal throne,” said Thir Bahadur Bhandari, 72. Among the thousands was 50-year-old carpenter Kulraj Shrestha, who had taken part in the 2006 protests against the king but has changed his mind and now supports the monarchy. “The worst thing that is happening to the country is massive corruption and all politicians in power are not doing anything for the country,” Shrestha said. "I was in the protests that took away monarchy hoping it would help the country, but I was mistaken and the nation has further plunged so I have changed my mind." Gyanendra has not commented on the calls for the return of monarchy. Despite growing support for the former king, Gyanendra has slim chances of immediately returning to power. Myanmar's military leader announces dates for general election He became the king in 2002, after his brother and family were massacred in the palace. He ruled as the constitutional head of state without executive or political powers until 2005, when he seized absolute power. He disbanded the government and parliament, jailed politicians and journalists and cut off communications, declaring a state of emergency and using the army to rule the country.

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.