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Nepal has urged the United Nations to support the country for the development of technology and sustainable tourism.

A delegation of the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), which is presently on the Europe trip, made a call for this during its meeting with the UN Tourism official at Madrid of Spain.

The delegation led by Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Binod Prakash Singh acknowledged the UN support so far, calling for additional cooperation in technology specifically in the area of artificial intelligence, digital innovation and sustainable tourism development.

During a recent meeting with Harry Hwang, Director, Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Nepali delegation's visit to the UN Tourism Headquarters was historic being the first one, pledging the continuity of the UN cooperation to Nepal. He urged Nepal to actively engage in UN tourism related activities and come up with formal proposals with the statement of priorities for additional support.

Director General of the Department of Tourism, Dr Narayan Prasad Regmi, apprised that Nepal is committed to further consolidating the partnership with the UN tourism body to promote the bilateral tourism relations.

Nepal needs the support of UN Tourism to improve its tourism policy, promote inclusive tourism and ensure just distributions of tourism benefits.

The NTB representatives highlighted Nepal's potential for adventure tourism, eco-tourism and rural tourism. "Nepal needs the UN projects and further cooperation to take its tourism industry to a new height," they said.

Prior to this, the NTB organized a promotional program highlighting Nepal's tourism destinations in collaboration with the Nepali Embassy in Spain.

The event aimed to enhance the tourism relations between Nepal and Spain was attended by tour and travel entrepreneurs and media persons.

On the occasion, Nepal's ambassador to Spain, Sanil Nepal, talked about the long-standing relations between Nepal and Spain.

NTB senior manager Khadga Bikram Shah gave his presentation focusing on Nepal's natural beauty, adventurous tourism, cultural heritages and hospitality services, suggesting that Nepal could be a major touristic destination for the Spaniards.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a financing package of USD 150 million for Nepal’s Third Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP-III). The support is to help strengthen the resilience of bridges in the Strategic Road Network, ensuring safer and uninterrupted connectivity across the country’s diverse and challenging terrain. 

Nepal's bridge system serves as critical lifelines connecting remote and urban communities to essential services, including healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Vulnerabilities caused by frequent climate-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes severely affect the bridge infrastructure.

The program, led by Nepal’s Department of Roads, will focus on climate-resilient measures such as enhanced structural designs and innovative technologies, including real-time monitoring systems to safeguard bridges against extreme weather events. The program will also support bridge designs prioritizing accessibility for all users, connecting marginalized communities to vital services, according to a press release issued by the Bank today.

Meanwhile, Division Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen has said the resilience of Nepal’s bridge network is fundamental for safe and sustained connectivity. This program emphasizes resilient infrastructure development and promoting access to markets and services for vulnerable communities while promoting Nepal’s sustainable growth.

The program includes capacity-building initiatives for the Department of Roads, promoting innovative solutions and strengthening institutional systems for effective infrastructure management.

Israeli forces launch a new ground assault on Rafah in southern Gaza as the death toll from Israel’s attacks on Saturday rises to 24.

Israel has made a "counter-proposal," according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following Hamas' announcement that it had agreed to a revised ceasefire proposal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, Alzajeera reported.

At least 50,277 Palestinians have been reported dead and 114,095 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza, says the Gaza Health Ministry. As reported by Gaza's Government Media Office, thousands of Palestinians who went missing beneath the debris are most likely dead, and the death toll has been updated to nearly 61,700, according to Alzajeera.

Over 200 people were captured and at least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, strikes led by Hamas.

The death count from a massive earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 1,644 while 3,408 people were injured.

Large swaths of central Myanmar were devastated by Friday's shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck northwest of the city of Sagaing, NDTV World reported.

Rescuers in neighboring Thailand are attempting to free the workers who are stuck at a collapse site in Bangkok.

The dead toll from the building collapse in Bangkok, Thailand, has grown to twelve. The overall number of deaths in Bangkok stands at 17.  Yesterday, some remains were recovered from the concrete and steel rubble, but at least 70 workers are still believed to be trapped. Hundreds of rescuers and big cranes have been deployed for the rescue mission, according to NDTV from Bangkok.