Saarc Nations

Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced on Monday, hailing the breakthrough as a “remarkable achievement”. Rubella – which is commonly known as German measles – is a highly contagious viral infection, and particularly serious for pregnant women as it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or a range of debilitating birth defects. Safe and cost-effective vaccines have made it highly preventable. “Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, persistent…

Kathmandu Aug 2025 : India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday morning for a two-day official visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Nepal. Misri landed in the Nepalese capital at 9 a.m. (local time) aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. He was received at the airport by Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and the Indian Ambassador to Nepal. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described…

Nepal will waive climbing permit fees for 97 peaks in two of its most remote provinces in a bid to encourage mountaineers and tourists to explore beyond the country’s well-trodden routes. The move is part of a broader strategy to tackle overcrowding on Mount Everest, where, in contrast, fees are set to rise sharply from $11,000 to $15,000 starting September 2025. The fee waiver will apply to peaks ranging from 5,870 metres to 7,132 metres, with 77 located in Karnali…

Putrajaya, Aug 2025 : Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, held a high-level bilateral meeting in Putrajaya this morning, marking the first day of Prof Yunus’s three-day state visit to Malaysia. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Anwar welcomed Prof Yunus with an official ceremony that included a guard of honour and the playing of the national anthems of both countries. According to Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser,…

New Delhi, Aug 2025 : Bangladesh’s interim government, widely criticised for its authoritarian tendencies, has announced that parliamentary elections will be held in February 2026. This will be the nation’s first general election since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The announcement was made by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during a televised address marking the anniversary of the July Uprising, signalling a significant step towards restoring electoral democracy in Bangladesh. Yunus, who assumed leadership of…

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed two separate cases against former Chief of the Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal (retd) Shaikh Abdul Hannan, and his wife, Tahmida Begum, on allegations of amassing illegal wealth and conducting suspicious financial transactions through numerous bank accounts. The cases were filed on Saturday at the ACC’s Integrated District Office in Dhaka by Deputy Director Tanzir Hasib Sarkar, confirmed ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain. According to the ACC, in the first case, Shaikh…

The Home Secretary Level Talks between India and Nepal were held on 22 July 2025 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Govind Mohan, Home Secretary, Government of India and the Nepali delegation was led by Shri Gokarna Mani Duwadee, Home Secretary, Government of Nepal. During the talks, both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral security cooperation as well as border management and agreed to strengthen it further. Their deliberations included issues related to the repair…

Thousands gather in Dhaka as party presses seven-point demand for electoral reforms and justice ahead of upcoming polls In a significant show of political strength, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held its first-ever national rally at the iconic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Thursday, drawing tens of thousands of supporters from across the country. The rally aims to press home the party’s seven-point charter demanding electoral reform, justice, and democratic rights ahead of the upcoming national election. The day-long event began in the…

VP Lauren Dreyer praises government efficiency; Prof. Yunus outlines digital health and education goals for remote regions Dhaka : SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer has lauded Bangladesh’s remarkable efficiency and decisiveness in facilitating the launch of Starlink satellite internet services in the country. Her remarks came during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna, according to a release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. “We operate in 150 countries and territories, but we…

The Botes are an Indigenous community comprising 0.04% of Nepal’s total population. For generations, they have lived in close connection with the country’s rivers and streams and earned their livings by fishing in their waters and navigating wooden boats that once transported people and goods. But this centuries-old way of life is now at risk. A moratorium on fishing licenses has restricted their access to natural resources and ancestral rights, leaving them with limited economic opportunities. Who are the Botes?…