Submit your Article

South Asian journalists reporting on climate change and environmental issues have formed a regional forum to highlight the growing climate crisis and the need for increased climate actions in the region. The South Asian Climate Change Journalist's Forum (SACCJF) elected an 18 members Executive Committee representing all SAARC countries last Sunday after rounds of consultations among the member countries. The forum has also finalized its constitution and working procedures. According to the forum, Asish Gupta (India) and Karamot Ullah Biplob (Bangladesh) were elected the President and Executive President respectively. The forum has elected three Vice Presidents, namely, Mahinda Pathirana (Sri Lanka), Shree Ram Subedi (Nepal) and Mohammad Rabnewaz Chowdhury (Pakistan). Also, Asaduzzaman Samrat (Bangladesh) was elected to the post of Secretary General, Bhishma Raj Ojha (Nepal) and Rae Munavvar (Maldives) to the post of Assistant Secretary-General and Masum Billah (Bangladesh) has been elected as the Treasurer of the Forum. The executive members of the forum include, C K Nayak, Kuntak Chatterjee, Sunit kumar Bhuyan (all from India), Rinzin Wangchuk (Bhutan), Imran Y. Choudhry, K J Faiza Gillani (Pakistan), Kelum Bandara (Sri Lanka), Pragati Dhakal (Nepal) and Rafiqul Islam Sabuj (Bangladesh). The South Asian Climate Change Journalists’ Forum made its debut with journalists from South Asia at the World Climate Conference (COP 27) held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November last year. The forum will organize its general assembly later this year. SAARC member countries will have their national chapters to be represented to the regional body. The organization has begun its process to get recognition from SAARC, the forum said in a statement.

At least 59 people were killed in two countries after one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Turkey in more than 100 years sent tremors across the region, collapsing buildings and sending residents running into the streets, CNN reported.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, Gaziantep province at a depth of 24.1 kilometers (14.9 miles), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. Nurdagi is located along the Turkey-Syria border and the quake was felt in several countries across the region, including Syria and Lebanon.

At least 17 people were killed in Turkey, according to local officials, while in neighboring Syria, at least 42 people died and around 200 more were injured, Syrian state run news agency SANA reported, citing a health ministry official.

In Syria, the deaths were reported in Aleppo, Hama and Latakia, SANA said. Dozens of people are trapped under rubble, according to the “White Helmets” group, officially known as Syria Civil Defense, according to CNN.

The quake struck while residents were likely asleep and unprepared for the impact. Video shared on social media show dozens of collapsed buildings, while frightened residents huddled on the darkened streets amid the chaos. Rescue workers can be seen conducting search-and-rescue operations by flashlight.

Monday’s quake is believed to be the strongest to hit Turkey since 1939, when an earthquake of the same magnitude killed 30,000 people, according to the USGS. Earthquakes of this magnitude are rare, with fewer than five occurring each year on average, anywhere in the world. Seven quakes with magnitude 7.0 or greater have struck Turkey in the past 25 years – but Monday’s is the most powerful.

Karl Lang, an assistant professor at Georgia Tech University’s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, told CNN the area hit by the quake Monday is prone to seismic activity. “It’s a very large fault zone, but this is a larger earthquake than they’ve experienced any time in recent memory,” Lang said

Himalaya Shumsher Rana, the first governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, passed away on Sunday. He was 95. The great-grandson of Rana Prime Minister Dev Shumsher breathed his last during the course of treatment at the Thapathali-based Norvic Hospital. Born on January 8, 1928, he joined the Ministry of Finance in 1951. He served as the finance secretary for five years. He was offered the job of the governor at Nepal Rastra Bank by the then King Mahendra. Also Read: Himalaya Shumsher Rana: Economist par excellence Rana served as the governor for four years and eight months. He was conferred with the title of The Order of Japan (The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star) in recognition of his contribution.  

Annapurna Media Network organized a cycle rally to mark World Cancer Day on Saturday. A total of 1, 500 people participated in the event titled ‘Annapurna Ride for Life-2023’. The organizer distributed various prizes to the participants through lucky draw. Saying that all the contestants played an important role to raise awareness against cancer, all of them were made eligible for the lucky draw contests. Sujit Lama won the Gosaikunda helicopter round trip through a lucky draw. Under which, a couple will receive a round trip to Gosaikunda, an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, from Simrik Helicopter. Similarly, Anil Sigdel will get the facility of one-night stay at the Chandragiri Hills Resort. Under which, a couple will get the facility of one-day stay at the Chandragiri Hills with dinner. The Punchbike distributed cycling jackets among other materials to 10 people. Manju Shakya, Rajendra Bajracharya, Sapana Bajracharya, Rameshwor Ghimire, Santoshmani Baidhya, Sujesh Maharjan, Deepak Bajracharya, Rabi Manandhar and Pemba Tsering Lama won the cycling materials. Likewise, The Foodmandu provided food packages to 10 people. Jibesh Shrestha, Suraj Khadka, Ranjit Bogati, Ram Chandra GC, Sachin Shrestha, Nitij Raj Bhandari, Abhisekh Shrestha, Samsad Alam, Shekhar Tamrakar and Janak Tiwari won the food packages. Rajesh Maharjan, Amu Raj Bhandari and Laxman Dangol won one year's subscription of the Annapurna Express daily and Dev Raj KC, Narayan Kumar Shrestha and Mukesh Kumar Shah will get the Annapurna Post daily for one year. Annapurna Media Network Director Sachan Thapa, editor-in-chief Akhanda Bhandari, Deputy General Manager Bikash Shrestha, Politburo Chief of the Annapurna Post Narendra Saud and Finance Head Sunil Poudel among others distributed prizes to the participants.