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The Department of Health Services has launched the National Vitamin 'A' program for children under five years from today.

Vitamin 'A' capsules are being administered to children from six months to 59 months of age and de-worming tablets to children from one year to five years in the two-day program.

Nutrition Section Head of the Department, Lila Bikram Thapa, said the Department has set a target of administering Vitamin 'A' capsules to around 3.2 million children while de-worming tablets to around 2.9 million children.

Health volunteers would administer Vitamin 'A' and de-worming tablets to children in every ward, he mentioned. 

A total of 52,000 women health volunteers and 10,000 health workers are deputed for the two-day program. 

The government administers Vitamin 'A' capsules and de-worming tablets to children free of cost in Baishakh and Kartik every year.

President Ram Chandra Paudel on Thursday nominated Dr Anjana Shakya as a member of the National on the recommendation of the government.

President Paudel nominated Shakya as the National Assembly member as per Article 86 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Nepal, reads a statement issued by the Office of the President.

Earlier on April 12, the government had decided to recommend President Paudel to nominate Shakya a member of the National Assembly.

According to Article 86 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Nepal, the President can nominate three persons including at least one woman in the National Assembly on the recommendation of the government.

Similarly, President Paudel appointed Toyam Raya as the Auditor General on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council.

President Paudel appointed Raya of Morang as the Auditor General as per Article 240 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, the President’s Office spokesperson Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai said.

Eight Chinese tourists were injured in a road accident in Pokhara on Thursday.

According to Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Kaski, Mohan Kumar Thapa, the accident took place when a microbus (Ba 1 pa 851) heading towards Mustang Chowk from Lakeside and a jeep (Ba 13 Cha 513) en route to Ratna Chowk collided with each other at Rastra Bank Chowk in Pokhara this morning.

All the injured are receiving treatment at Gandaki Medical College, said Kaski Police. All of them are out of danger, according to the Hospital.

Police have arrested both drivers.

The families of the youths of Nepalis, who were killed and injured during the Russia-Ukraine war, staged a demonstration in the southern gate of Singha Durbar on Thursday.

They staged the demonstration demanding that the government provide treatment and compensation to the Nepalis injured in the war and create an environment to bring Nepalis serving in the Russian army back home among others.

Police had intervened after they staged the demonstration.

Some of the demonstrators have also been arrested from the scene.  They also chanted various slogans carrying placards.

They have been drawing the attention of the government demanding that the Nepalis serving in the Russian army be brought back to Nepal and secure the release of Nepalis held captive by Ukrainian forces.

Finance Minister Barshaman Pun has said that underdeveloped and Himalayan nations like Nepal should be prioritized for access to compensation, biodiversity, and adaptation funds established to address the damages caused by climate change.

He also urged developed countries to uphold their commitments and work earnestly to protect the world from the effects of climate change, while calling on the global community to recognize and address the challenges faced by developing countries, such as Nepal, which face significant risks from climate change.

Speaking at the 12th ministerial meeting of the V-20 (a group of countries at risk due to the effects of climate change) in Washington, DC, USA on Wednesday, Minister Pun emphasized the need for global collective commitment to mitigate the risks associated with climate change, according to the Nepali Embassy in Washington DC.

Pun highlighted the plight of the poor and marginalized populations in Nepal who are suffering from the effects of climate change. He also drew attention to the alarming impact of climate change on Nepal’s environment, such as the rapid melting of snow in the Himalayas, decreased water flow in glaciers, and increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods.

Other problems like irregular rainfall patterns, floods, landslides, and droughts are intensifying.

Moreover, Minister Pun noted that natural disasters resulting from climate change threaten sustainable development efforts, human health, and livelihoods.

Pun stressed the importance of developed nations providing financial assistance for climate adaptation programs in third-world countries like Nepal, which face high risks despite contributing minimally to climate change.

Minister Pun’s visit to the United States also included participation in the joint spring meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

The V-20 is a body advocating for reducing the risk of climate change and increasing financial support to manage the global economic transition resulting from climate change.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 138, 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 139, 200 per tola on Wednesday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 137, 950 per tola. It was traded at Rs 138, 550 per tola.

Meanwhile, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,725 per tola today.

The third Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Nepal and Bangladesh was held in Kathmandu on Wednesday. Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal led the Nepali delegation while Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladeshi delegation.   

The two sides discussed regional issues of mutual interest, underscoring the need to revitalize SAARC and strengthen BIMSTEC for the promotion of regional cooperation. They agreed to cooperate at various multilateral forums, especially at the UN, for pursuing common interests, especially in the areas of LDC graduation, poverty alleviation, climate change, and safety and security of migrant workers.

They discussed all major issues of mutual interest and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially trade and commerce, transit and connectivity, power and energy, tourism, culture and education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release.

Both foreign secretaries emphasized the operationalization of the BBIN MVA framework to contribute to the individual country’s economy not only by expanding trade and connectivity, but also by creating more opportunities to promote people-to-people contacts.

Foreign Secretary Lamsal highlighted the need to tap full potential in economic, cultural and educational sectors through a meaningful collaborative partnership between the two neighbors by involving their private sectors. 

Nepal would like to enhance trade and investment cooperation with Bangladesh, Lamsal said and asked Bangladesh to explore investment opportunities in Nepal, including in the hydropower sector. Furthermore, she requested the Government of Bangladesh to eliminate the Other Duties and Charges (ODCs) levied on Nepali products being exported to Bangladesh. Lamsal also emphasized the exchange of visits at different levels.

Foreign Secretary Momen stressed the need for an early conclusion of a power agreement between Bangladesh, India and Nepal to enable his country to import power from Nepal. He thanked the Government of Nepal for allocating land for the construction of a monastery in Lumbini, expressing hope that it would turn out to be a milestone in bilateral relations.

Checkpoints in Sudurpaschim Province bordering with India will remain closed till April 19 evening.

The border crossings - Jhulaghat of Baitadi, Pulghat of Darchula, Gaddachauki and Brahmadev of Kanchanpur - have remained closed since Tuesday evening.

Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Bhimkant Sharma, said the checkpoints were closed in view of Lok Sabha election taking place in India.

The election is taking place in Uttarakhand and Champawat in India on April 19. The movement along the checkpoints has been completely prohibited during the period due to security sensitivity, he added.

The checkpoints were closed in coordination with Indian officials.