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Bangladesh’s former PM Khaleda Zia passes away 

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu – Bangladesh’s first female prime minister Khaleda Zia has passed away at the age of 80 after suffering from prolonged illness.

Zia became Bangladesh’s first female head of government in 1991 after leading her party to victory in the country’s first democratic election in 20 years.

Physicians had said on Monday said her condition was “extremely critical”. She was put on life support, but it was not possible to provide multiple treatments at the same time given her age and overall poor health, they said.

Despite her poor health, her party had earlier said that Zia would contest general elections expected in February, the first since a revolution which led to the ousting of Zia’s rival, Sheikh Hasina, BBC News reported. 

Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning, with Khaleda’s funeral to be held on Wednesday.

Bangladeshi politics had for decades been defined by the bitter feud between the two women, who alternated between government and opposition.

“Our favourite leader is no longer with us. She left us at 6am this morning,” Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Facebook on Tuesday.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus said Bangladesh “has lost a great guardian”.

“Through her uncompromising leadership, the nation was repeatedly freed from undemocratic conditions and inspired to regain liberty,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said in a statement.

“I pray for the eternal peace and forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia’s soul,” ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina said, in a statement on social media by her now banned Awami League party.

Zia was jailed for corruption in 2018 under Hasina’s government, which also blocked her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

She was released last year, shortly after Hasina was forced from power.

Her son, Tarique Rahman, returned to Dhaka last week after 17 years in self-imposed exile, where he was welcomed back by huge crowds of joyous supporters.

Rahman will lead the party through the February 12general election, and is expected to be put forward as prime minister if his party wins a majority, the Dawn newspaper reported.

Meditation and inner peace

Posted on by SAT News Desk

By Samina Sharma

Today’s life is very fast in a world that moves quicker every day. Silence has become rare. We wake
up to alarms, scroll through screens, and our minds are always busy. We think about studies, work,
family, money, the future, and many other things. Because of this constant mental activity, we
slowly become tired from the inside, even when everything looks fine on the outside. Inside, we
may feel heavy, confused, and restless. Meditation is a simple way to return to inner peace.
It is not something complicated, and it is not only for saints or monks. Meditation is for every
human being who wants to live with clarity, balance, and peace. In such a time, meditation is no
longer а luxury or a spiritual trend. It has become a necessity for maintaining mental balancе,
emotional health, and inner stability in everyday life.
What is Meditation?
In simple words, meditation means being aware. It is sitting calmly and watching our breath,
thoughts, and feelings without fighting them. We observe the waves of the mind and physical
sensations rather than trying to stop thoughts. Meditation teaches us to accept everything in a
positive and gentle way.
Just a few minutes of silent practice each day can bring real change. Meditation is not limited to
silence or posture. When we walk with awareness, eat with presence, or work with full attention and
joy, that too becomes meditation. Over time, this awareness naturally blends into daily life, and
meditation becomes a part of who we are. Meditation is not
Common misunderstandings about Meditation
Many people have wrong ideas about meditation. Some think meditation makes people weak, that it
is only for old people, or that it helps people escape from life. Others believe it gives immediate
results. These are common misunderstandings.
In reality, meditation makes us mentally strong. It helps us face life with courage and clarity. The
results may come slowly, but they are deep and lasting.
When practiced correctly, meditation does not distance us from life; it helps us live more fully and
consciously.”
Meditation and emotional healing
Most of our inner pain comes not from the world, but from our own reactions, anger, fear, jealousy,
sadness, and overthinking. These emotions exhaust the mind. Meditation helps us recognize these
emotions without being controlled by them. When we become aware, anger loses its grip, fear
softens, and sadness becomes lighter. Meditation heals in a gentle and silent way.
Meditation for youth
Today’s youth live under constant pressure, academic expectations, competition, social media
comparison, relationship struggles, and fear of the future. Meditation helps young people stay
mentally strong, focused, calm, and confident. It allows them to grow with a peaceful mind and
move forward without losing themselves. It helps youngster to devolove self discipline, emotional
maturity and deep scence of responsibility toward society. A peacefull mind can acheive great
things.
Meditation is not a religion
Many people think meditation is connected to religion, but meditation is not a religion. It is a
science of awareness. Modern science agrees that meditation benefits the brain: it improves
memory, focus, and emotional balance, reduces stress hormones, and creates mental clarity and
peace. Meditation is not blind belief, it is a direct personal experience.
There are many types of meditation, vipasana (breath awareness), mindfulness, mantra chanting,
guided meditation, loving-kindness meditation, movement, music, and rhythmic awareness. Though
the methods differ, they all lead to the same goal: awareness. There is no single perfect method. The
best method is the one you can practice daily with honesty.
Benefits of Meditation in daily life
Meditation does not require sitting for long hours. Even short practice can,reduce stress and
tension,control overthinking, improve sleep,build emotional strength, increase self-understanding
and help us stay calm in difficult situations. Meditation does not remove problems, but it changes
the way we face them.
My personal experience
My journey into meditation began through the path of yoga. A family elder guided me toward yogic
training and encouraged me to learn meditation more deeply. At first, I did not clearly understand
what meditation meant. In the beginning, my mind was very noisy, and I found it difficult to focus.
Thoughts came continuously, and my attention kept wandering.
Slowly, with regular practice, I began to notice positive changes. I became more aware of my
thoughts and emotions. I felt calmer and started understanding myself better. Meditation taught me
how to stay with myself without fear. Through disciplined guidance, I was introduced not only to
still meditation but also to movement, breath, music, and rhythmic awareness. By observing the
mind daily, it gradually became more balanced, and I started feeling lighter from within.This
personal experience has strengthened my belief that meditation is not separate from daily life, but
its very foundation.
Meditation is not about changing yourself; it is about understanding yourself.
Why Meditation is important today ?
In today’s world, stress, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and overthinking are very common. Many people
smile on the outside but cry on the inside. When people do not meditate, their minds remain
constantly active and stressed. This increases stress hormones like cortisol, keeps the body tense,
and over time can lead to physical problems such as high blood pressure, weakened immunity,
muscle tension, and sleep disorders.
Meditation gives the mind and body a chance to relax, reset, and heal.
Conclusion
Meditation is not magic. It is a gentle journey inward,back to oneself. It guides us from restlessness
to peace. Even of few moments of sincere awareness everyday can slowly transform the way we
think, feel and live.
On December 21, World Meditation Day, let us not only talk about meditation but also practice it,
even if only for a few minutes. The world around us may not slow down, but meditation teaches us
how to slow down within. That inner stillness can change everything.

The author is a Yoga & Meditation teacher based in Bangalore, India.

SAARC Celebrates 40 Years of Regional Cooperation and Shared Vision

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu — South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) marked a historic milestone on Monday, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the adoption of its Charter. It was on December 8, 1985, during the first SAARC Summit in Dhaka, that the leaders of South Asia endorsed the founding document, laying the groundwork for regional cooperation among member nations. Since then, December 8 has been observed annually as SAARC Charter Day, a moment for reflection, renewal, and recommitment.

To commemorate the occasion, Heads of State, Heads of Government and Foreign Ministers from the eight SAARC Member States issued special messages underlining the enduring importance of SAARC as a common platform. The leaders highlighted that the association—rooted in shared history, culture and values—continues to play a vital role in promoting mutual trust, collaboration and solidarity across the region. They reaffirmed their dedication to the Charter’s founding principles, emphasizing the need for collective action to tap into South Asia’s vast economic potential, promote sustainable and equitable development, and tackle common challenges.

In their messages, the leaders also extended warm greetings and felicitations to the peoples and governments of all SAARC countries, noting that the progress of the association is inseparable from the goodwill and aspirations of over a quarter of the world’s population residing in South Asia.

SAARC Secretary General Md. Golam Sarwar, in his special message for the 40th Charter Day, expressed deep gratitude to Member States, Observer States, Development Partners, Diplomatic Missions, and regional and international organizations for their invaluable support over the decades. He acknowledged the collective efforts that have helped strengthen SAARC’s institutional framework and expand its areas of cooperation.

Reflecting on the association’s evolution, the Secretary General noted that SAARC has come a long way—from initial efforts focused on institutional building and norm setting, to the implementation of wide-ranging programs aimed at advancing the shared development goals of the region. He emphasized that Charter Day is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a call to reinvigorate regional cooperation for the future.

To mark the anniversary, the Secretary General and his spouse will host a diplomatic reception in Kathmandu on the evening of December 9, 2025, bringing together representatives from across the region and beyond to honour SAARC’s four decades of unity and collective vision.

Global South cannot wait, warns Dr Karki

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Belém, Brazil – Dr Arjun Karki,  International Coordinator of LDC Watch, a civil society group advocating on behalf of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), has sharply criticized developed countries for failing to deliver on their climate finance commitments, warning that vulnerable nations are being “sacrificed” due to chronic underfunding of the Adaptation Fund (AF). Speaking on the sideline event, ‘Bridging the Climate Finance Gap: Make the Global North Deliver ‘ in Belém, Dr Karki said that the Adaptation Fund has raised only US$ 2 billion in 20 years.

“This delay costs lives. Global South cannot wait. We need urgent, public, grant-based adaptation finance,” he added. “Parties were expected to renew their commitments to the AF, yet meaningful pledges remain elusive.”

The Adaptation Fund has been “woefully underfunded,” receiving only around USD 2 billion since its establishment more than two decades ago, said Dr Karki. “This shows that rich countries are not interested in financing our future and survival,” he said, accusing developed nations of favouring private finance and market-based instruments while delaying their obligations for public climate finance. He added that developed countries failed to meet the Glasgow Climate Pact commitment to double adaptation finance by 2025.

The adaptation finance gap is now estimated at USD 310–365 billion per year — 12 to 14 times higher than current financial flows and greater than the expected New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). Dr Karki stressed that every dollar withheld in adaptation finance “translates to a hundredfold loss and damage cost for the Global South,” and each year of delay results in “avoidable loss of lives.”

He highlighted that frontline communities — including women, children, Indigenous Peoples, workers, and smallholder food producers — continue to bear the brunt of accelerating climate impacts. “At the heart of the issue is justice and reparations,” Dr Karki said, arguing that developed countries persistently stall adaptation negotiations to avoid acknowledging their historical and ongoing responsibility for the climate crisis and the disproportionate vulnerability it has created.

As COP30 draws to a close in Belém, Brazil, adaptation finance emerged as a defining fault line between developed and developing countries. Negotiators from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other vulnerable blocs have repeatedly warned that without predictable, grants-based public finance, adaptation planning and implementation will stall, undermining global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The summit has seen renewed appeals for scaling up adaptation funds, reforming global finance mechanisms, and operationalising a more equitable NCQG that responds to the real needs of climate-vulnerable nations.

“We have run out of time for excuses, delays, and lies,” Dr Karki declared. “Without urgent, public, grants-based adaptation finance, we are being condemned to permanent harm. We are not just being denied support; we are being sacrificed. We need adaptation justice NOW — not only to cope with our catastrophic realities, but to secure the future of our people.”

The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (also known as COP30) concluded in Belém on Saturday (22nd November)  without any new pledges to cut fossil fuels.

Gen Z Uprising Reshapes Nepal: Nation Heads to March 2026 Elections

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu, Nov. 22 — Nepal is in the throes of a profound political transformation driven by a digitally mobilised generation. What began as mass protests against a controversial social media ban in early September has cascaded into a nationwide movement that ousted the KP Oli government, catalysed the dissolution of the House of Representatives, and paved the way for an interim administration led by former chief justice Sushila Karki.

The protests of September 8–9, 2025 were among the largest youth-led demonstrations in decades, with activists decrying what they described as state overreach and entrenched corruption. The unrest turned deadly, claiming 76 lives, and left a lasting imprint on Nepal’s political trajectory. Authorities ultimately repealed the social media ban, a significant victory for the movement. Emboldened by that momentum, Gen Z organisers shifted gears from street mobilisation to digital deliberation. Using the group chat platform Discord, activists polled members and coordinated debate, eventually coalescing around Karki as a consensus figure to lead an interim government.

Under the transition plan, national elections have been set for March 5, 2026. Yet the political landscape remains deeply contested. The Nepali Congress has formally announced its participation in the polls, positioning itself as a stabilising force committed to constitutional process. In stark contrast, KP Oli’s CPN-UML has vowed to boycott the elections, calling for the restoration of the dissolved parliament and unveiling a national volunteer force to press its demands. A flurry of new parties has registered in recent weeks, reflecting a ferment of political experimentation, but Gen Z activists are not yet unified under a single party banner, relying instead on fluid networks and issue-based coalitions.

The resurgence of youth activism is rooted in grievances that go beyond the ban itself. Demonstrators say authorities have failed to deliver accountability for deaths and injuries during the September uprising, and they have continued to rally for justice, institutional reforms, and protections for digital freedoms. The movement’s decentralised structure—driven by social platforms, chat apps, and peer-to-peer organising—has proved resilient, enabling rapid coordination and nationwide turnout without traditional party machinery.

Human rights concerns have intensified. Human Rights Watch (HRW) this week released findings alleging excessive and indiscriminate use of force by Nepali security personnel during the September protests. HRW reported that police fired repeatedly over three hours, killing 17 people in Kathmandu on September 8 alone, and criticised authorities for failing to prevent subsequent arson and mob attacks on September 9 targeting government buildings and private institutions. The watchdog urged the interim government to conduct a thorough investigation into unlawful orders, use of force, and abuses committed during the unrest, as well as violence perpetrated by non-state actors.

Interim Prime Minister Karki’s administration faces a daunting dual mandate: stabilise the country ahead of elections while ensuring accountability for protest-related abuses. That includes establishing credible investigative mechanisms, safeguarding the rights of protesters, journalists, and political opponents, and restoring public trust in security institutions. Equally urgent is the need to craft a digital rights framework that balances public safety with freedom of expression, given the centrality of social media in Nepal’s civic discourse.

Analysts say the outcome of the March election will hinge on whether youth networks can translate their street power into coherent electoral strategies, whether established parties can rejuvenate their platforms to address anti-corruption and governance demands, and whether the interim authorities can guarantee a free, fair, and peaceful vote. For now, Nepal’s Gen Z movement has redefined the country’s political playbook—turning online mobilisation into real-world change and ushering in an uncertain but unmistakable new chapter in Nepal’s democratic journey.

Earthquake Kills ten, Injures Hundreds in Central Bangladesh

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Dhaka, Nov. 22 — A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck central Bangladesh on Friday morning, killing at least ten people and injuring over 600, authorities and local media reported. The tremor, which hit at 10:38 a.m. local time, sent buildings swaying in the capital Dhaka and triggered panic among residents who rushed into the streets.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was in Ghorashal, Narsingdi district, about 25 kilometers from Dhaka, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The impact was felt strongly in Dhaka, where three people died after building railings and concrete debris fell on them in the city’s old quarters. Another three victims were killed when a roof and wall collapsed elsewhere, local television reported.

Scenes of chaos unfolded at hospitals as injured residents sought treatment. Dhaka University students reportedly jumped from upper floors of dormitories in fear. Firefighters were deployed to stabilize tilting buildings and extinguish a blaze in the Baridhara neighborhood.

Authorities have ordered all medical facilities nationwide to remain on high alert. While northern and southeastern Bangladesh are known for seismic activity, experts note that central regions are typically less prone to earthquakes.

42 Glacial Lakes in Nepal at Critical Risk of Outburst Floods, Experts Warn

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha — Forty-two glacial lakes in Nepal have been classified as critically vulnerable to bursting, posing a severe threat to lives and infrastructure, experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) revealed on Friday.

Speaking at a discussion in Khandbari, ICIMOD expert Sharad Prasad Joshi highlighted findings from a recent report titled “Risks Arising From Rapid Changes in Nepal’s Glaciers and Glacial Lakes.” Of the 2,069 glacial lakes across the country, 42—located entirely in Koshi Province—are considered “highly at risk.”

In Sankhuwasabha district alone, four lakes, including those in Bhotkhola and Makalu areas, have been flagged as dangerous. The Tallopokhari glacial lake in the lower Barun region is the most vulnerable, stretching three kilometers in length and plunging to depths of around 206 meters. A large pond in the same area has also been included in risk mitigation plans.

Joshi warned that a potential glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) could devastate settlements and infrastructure in the Arun Valley. Additionally, 13 glacial lakes originating in Tibet pose further threats to northern Koshi areas.

ICIMOD, in partnership with Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and UNDP Nepal, is working on risk-reduction measures for the four high-risk lakes. “Greater vigilance and preparedness are essential,” Joshi stressed.

Neera Shrestha Pradhan, another ICIMOD expert, emphasized that women, children, and the elderly are often the most affected during such disasters. She said ICIMOD is implementing awareness programs and capacity-building initiatives to protect these vulnerable groups.

Experts urge immediate action to prevent catastrophic consequences as climate change accelerates glacial melt in the Himalayas.

South Asia Heads to COP30 as Climate Crisis Deepens

Posted on by Bhagirath Yogi

ISTANBUL – South Asia is preparing for COP30 in Brazil not as a passive participant but as a region already living the climate emergency. Cyclones, floods, and record-breaking heat waves have become routine across the subcontinent, underscoring the urgency of global climate action.
Despite contributing less than 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions, South Asia bears nearly one-third of climate-related losses worldwide, according to the World Bank. Over the past two decades, disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones have affected 750 million people. The World Meteorological Organization warns Asia is warming almost twice as fast as the global average, fueling extreme weather that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
“South Asia enters COP30 with glaciers retreating, deltas drowning, and heat extremes threatening 1.8 billion people,“ said Zakir Hossain Khan, CEO of the Change Initiative think tank. He stressed that adaptation must not lag behind mitigation and called for grant-based climate finance, transparent funding mechanisms, and innovative solutions like Debt-for-Nature and Climate Swaps to ease economic vulnerability.
Khan highlighted India’s responsibility as a major G20 emitter to expand renewable energy and technology transfer, while Least Developed Countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives need predictable, non-debt-creating finance for adaptation and loss-and-damage recovery.
At COP29 in Azerbaijan, developed nations pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 for vulnerable countries, with a long-term goal of $1.3 trillion. “The real work at COP30 is to turn that headline into architecture,“ Khan said, urging simplified access and direct community-level funding.
He warned that fragmented negotiations could weaken South Asia’s leverage. “If South Asia negotiates as individual emitters, it will lose; if it acts as a unified climate-vulnerable bloc, it gains power,“ he said, citing shared ecosystems like the Himalayas, Sundarbans, and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin as opportunities for cooperative governance.
Beyond finance, Khan called for technology access for renewables, early-warning systems, and climate-smart agriculture. He advocated a shift from exploiting ecosystems to recognizing them as “rights-bearing systems,“ making river health and delta protection constitutional priorities.
Failure at COP30 could lock South Asia into a 2.3°C warming trajectory, triggering infrastructure collapse, food and water crises, and mass displacement of up to 40 million people by 2050. “For South Asia, climate ambition is not a diplomatic preference; it’s a survival requirement,“ Khan warned.

Elections are the cornerstone of democracy, says Nepal’s Home Minister

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Photo: File/ RSS

Kathmandu, Nov 18: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that elections are the cornerstone of democracy and hence the opportunity to vote should not be missed.     

In a video message from his secretariat today, Minister Aryal stated that the government has been mandated to hold elections on March 5 by establishing good governance and rule of law. He also requested all eligible voters to register their names in the voter list to ensure their voting rights.     

“Elections are the cornerstone of democracy. Therefore, the main basis for ensuring everyone’s right to vote is to register their names in the voter list”, he said while referring to the latest provision that allows people to register their names through the online system based on the details of their national identity card.     

He also made a public appeal to not miss this opportunity as the registration period has been extended to November 21.(RSS)

Britain unveils tough plan to curb illegal immigration

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London – Britain’s Labour government has unveiled a tough plan  to tackle illegal migration amidst criticism from its own party’s MPs.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Monday, Home Minister Ms Shabana Mahmood  said , “”If we fail to deal with this crisis, we will draw more people down a path that starts with anger and ends in hatred.”

Under the new plan, people granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, with their status reviewed every 30 months.

The scheme mirrors the approach in Denmark, where refugees get two-year permits and must reapply when they expire, BBC reported.

Refugees will also need to be resident in the UK for 20 years before they can apply for permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain – up from the current five years.

Meanwhile, the government will create a new “work and study” visa route, and encourage refugees to find employment or begin education in order to switch onto this route and earn settlement more quickly.

Only those on this work and study route will be able to sponsor family members to join them in the UK.

New independent appeals body

Minister Mahmood, who is a qualified Barrister,  announced plans to end the process of allowing multiple appeals in asylum cases and replacing it with a single, consolidated appeal where all grounds must be raised at once.

A new independent appeals body will be created, staffed by trained adjudicators and supported by early legal advice, she said.

Only those with immediate relatives, like children or parents, will be able to remain in the UK in future.

A greater weight will be given to the public interest in removing foreign offenders and people who entered illegally.

The government will also narrow the application of Article 3 of the European Commission on Human Rights (ECHR), which bans inhuman or degrading treatment.

Ending housing and financial support

Minister Mahmood said the government will revoke the legal duty to provide asylum seekers with support, ending guaranteed housing and weekly pay.

Support would still be available for “those who are destitute” but will be withheld from those with permission to work who do not, and from people who break the law or defy removal directions.

Under plans, asylum seekers with assets will be required to contribute to the cost of their accommodation. 

This echoes Denmark’s approach where asylum seekers must use savings to pay for their accommodation and authorities can seize assets at the border.

The home secretary will set an annual cap on arrivals via these routes, based on local capacity. But those arriving on the legal routes will be on a streamlined ten-year route to settlement, the Home Office said.

Visa penalties

Visa penalties will be applied to countries who fail to co-operate with the returns policies, including an “emergency brake” on visas for countries with high asylum claims until they takes back its citizens who are in the UK illegally, the Minister said.

The UK has already identified three African countries it plans to penalise if their governments do not improve co-operation on removals.

The governments of Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo will have a month to start co-operating before a sliding scale of sanctions are imposed, the Home Office said on Monday.

The government is also planning to roll out new technologies to strengthen enforcement.

Alongside this, the government plans to introduce a digital ID by 2029. This will allow more accurate right-to-work checks by employers and make it harder for illegal workers to use fraudulent documents, officials said.

Former Bangladesh PM sentenced to death

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London- A special tribunal in Dhaka has handed

down the death sentence to Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina.

Delivering its verdict at a packed court on Monday, the Tribunal said she was responsible for ordering a violent crackdown on protesters during which up to 1,400 people died.

Hasina, 78, who is living in India in exile since she was ousted from power in August 2024, was tried in her absence.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also awarded the death penalty while former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who became a state witness, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in the case, Daily Star newspaper reported.

The court also ordered the confiscation of the properties of Hasina and Asaduzzaman in favour of the state. 

Hasina has denied all charges and claimed that the Tribunal was a ‘Kangaroo court.’

Asaduzzaman is a fugitive while Mamun is in custody and has pleaded guilty. 

The verdict will put India under pressure to extradite Hasina but it is unlikely to do so, BBC reported.

Security has been tightened across Bangladesh over fears of a backlash, with some protests already breaking out in some parts of the country.

Longest serving Prime Minister

Bangladesh’s longest-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a daughter of nation’s founder Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She ruled for 20 years as the country’s prime minister from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to 2024.

She is credited for the country’s socio-economic progress but also accused of running the country in an authoritarian way.

In 2022, anti-government protests broke out demanding the resignation of Hasina, which was followed by fresh protests in July 2024, demanding the reform of the quota system in the country’s civil service.

 Law-enforcement agencies and paramilitary forces suppressed the protests violently in July 2024.  By August, the protests intensified into ‘non-cooperation movement’ against the government, which eventually culminated in Hasina resigning and fleeing to India.

The World Bank provides over  $9 million to Nepal for reducing carbon emissions

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Kathmandu – Nepal has received a payment of $9.4 million from the World Bank’s  Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) for reducing approximately 1.88 million tons of carbon dioxide under its REDD+ Emission Reduction Program in the Terai Arc Landscape.

This is the first payment under the FCPF’s Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) — a major milestone in Nepal’s efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and promote inclusive, sustainable forest management, a statement by the World Bank’s country office in Kathmandu said.

The FCPF program in Nepal is characterized by its strong community-based approach to sustainable forestry. Implemented across the Terai Arc Landscape — home to both rich biodiversity and a dense human population — the program brings together local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society organizations to protect and restore forests while improving rural livelihoods.

“This milestone payment is testament to Nepal’s success in reducing deforestation, strengthening forest governance, enhancing biodiversity conservation, and expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities,” said David Sislen, World Bank Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The payment will be distributed in accordance with Nepal’s Benefit Sharing Plan developed through a participatory process that included consultations with local communities and key stakeholders. The plan ensures that forest-dependent communities and Indigenous Peoples directly benefit from the results of their efforts.  Investments will support continued forest restoration, community enterprises, and climate-resilient livelihoods — reinforcing Nepal’s global reputation as a pioneer of community forestry and participatory resource management.

“This results-based payment reflects the efforts and dedication of our forest-dependent communities, Indigenous Peoples, and the government in conserving and managing our forests. Nepal remains committed to advancing climate action through inclusive and community-led forest management,” said Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary of Ministry of Forests and Environment.

The FCPF is a global partnership that brings together governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector to help countries reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and strengthen sustainable forest management. As of November 2025, FCPF programs have reported more than 131 million tCO₂e in emission reductions, with 63.7 million credits issued and 46.5 million paid for—amounting to over US$232 million in results-based payments. These results reflect the FCPF’s emphasis on transparency, inclusion, and sustainability in supporting countries to tackle deforestation and climate change, the World Bank said.

At least 9 killed in bomb explosion in Delhi

Posted on by SAT News Desk


New Delhi – At least 9 people have been killed and 20 injured in an explosion in a slow-moving car at a signal near Gate No. 1 of Delhi’s Red Fort Metro Station around 6:50 pm local time on Monday. 

Many others remain in critical condition, reports said quoting hospital authorities.

Following the blast, half a dozen other vehicles also caught fire, eyewitnesses said.

Several fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames, while teams from the Bomb Disposal Squad, Forensic Department and Delhi Police cordoned off the area.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that all angles are being probed. He also visited the blast site and victims at the hospital.

The Home Minister said, “This evening, around 7 pm, a blast occurred in a Hyundai i20 car at the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort in Delhi. The blast injured some pedestrians and damaged some vehicles.”

Informing that orders have been given to examine all nearby CCTV cameras, Minister Shah said, “I have also spoken to the Delhi CP and the Special Branch in-charge. They are present at the spot. We are exploring all possibilities and will conduct a thorough investigation, taking all possibilities into account. All options would be investigated immediately and we will present the results to the public.”

Medical associations have appealed to people to come forward and donate blood.

In a message posted on social media X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,”Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the blast in Delhi earlier this evening. May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities. Reviewed the situation with Home Minister Amit Shah Ji and other officials.”

The city has been placed on high alert. Police in neighbouring states and major cities, including Mumbai, have also been put on alert.

The blast took place barely 40 km from Dhauj village in Faridabad where, earlier in the day, police recovered 300 kg of explosives, suspected to be ammonium nitrate, AK-47 rifle, a pistol, three magazines, 20 timers, a walkie-talkie set and ammunition from a rented accommodation and arrested one accused. Whether the two incidents are linked remains under investigation.

Zohran Mamdani elected Mayor of New York City

Posted on by SAT News Desk

New York – Zohran Mamdani, 34, has been elected Mayor of New York.

The self-described democratic socialist was relatively unknown just months ago, and surged to victory with promises to tax millionaires to pay for expanded social programmes

Who is Zohran Mamdani ?

Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York with his family aged seven. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Mamdani would be the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, and has referenced his identity as a way to build support across the diverse city, posting campaign videos of himself speaking Urdu and Spanish.

He has promised affordable housing, free public buses, rent freezes and universal childcare for children under five.

“This is a city where one in four of its people are living in poverty, a city where 500,000 kids go to sleep hungry every night,” he told the BBC at a recent event.

“And, ultimately, it’s a city that is in danger of losing that which it makes it so special.”

Congratulations amid Challenges

Congratulating Mamdani, former President of the US, Barack Obama, said  the future looked a little brighter after the results, albeit plenty of work is still to be done.

Independent senator Bernie Sanders described Mamdani’s win in New York as “one of the greatest political upsets in modern American history”.

Congratulating Mamdani, London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote  in a social media post, “New Yorkers faced a clear choice – between hope and fear – and just like we’ve seen in London – hope won. Huge congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his historic campaign.”

Like Mamdani, Khan was the first Muslim mayor in his city’s history when he was elected in 2016.

According to the BBC, three challenges of the newly elected Mayor include delivering on his promises, taking incoming fire from Republicans, and working with the Democratic leadership

Nearly 500 runners took part in ‘Northolt 10K Run’ in London

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London – The Northolt 10K Run, organised by Nepal Run UK on Sunday, concluded successfully with nearly 500 runners participating in person and many others joining virtually.

The event, held at Northala Fields Park, Northolt, featured the distribution of trophies to all winners, while every participant received a T-shirt and a medal.

Member of Parliament for Ealing North, James Murray, and Bipin Duwadi, the Acting Ambassador of Nepal to the UK, were special guests at the programme.

Dr. Jagan Karki, an official of Nepal Run UK, said that the Northolt 10K Run — one of the main highlights of Nepal Run UK — had helped promote community unity, health, and fitness awareness.

The trophy distribution ceremony was conducted by Samita Ale, while coach Atmaram Dahal led the warm-up exercise. The race began with Nepali coach Dahal blowing a traditional shankha (conch shell) as Gorkhali Army piper Pratap Gurung played the pipes. The park, decorated with the Swayambhu Stupa motif and Nepali flags, also offered Nepali food to participants. The trophies and T-shirts, made in Nepal, reflected a distinctly Nepali identity.

Before the main 10K race, a 2K Fun Run for children was also organised.

According to the organisation’s treasurer Ravindra Adhikari, the event aimed to support the Children’s Home run by Help Nepal Network in Dhulikhel and the High Altitude Training Centre in Jumla.

Programme director Santosh Rai extended special thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, and participants, expressing satisfaction that the event was successfully concluded.

Winners of the Event:

Overall (Women’s Category)
1st – Francesca Butti (40 min 02 sec)
2nd – Sarah Harris (43 min 10 sec)
3rd – Tej Maya Regmi Sigdel (45 min 51 sec)

Overall (Men’s Category)
1st – Elias Ahmad (34 min 01 sec)
2nd – Sandesh Rai (34 min 53 sec)
3rd – Twaylor Bwukambe (35 min 13 sec)

Veteran Category (Age 40–49)
Women:
1st – Manisha Limbu (49 min 25 sec)
2nd – Clarie Morris (49 min 38 sec)
3rd – Homa Devi Pun (50 min 29 sec)

Men:
1st – Seliment Berthet (37 min 49 sec)
2nd – Baldev Kunwar (38 min 23 sec)
3rd – Nigel Ribeiro (40 min 09 sec)

Veteran Category (Age 50–59)
Women:
1st – Rebecca Knight (46 min 58 sec)
2nd – Vanessa Pall (52 min 34 sec)
3rd – Rachel Ford (53 min 37 sec)

Men:
1st – Laxman Gurung (39 min 23 sec)
2nd – Padam Kunwar (39 min 25 sec)
3rd – Amrit Shrestha (41 min 02 sec)

Super Veteran Category (60+)
Women: Jennifer Hudson (55 min 15 sec)
Men: Martin Deode (Winner)

Nepal Run Club Winners
Women: Salina Rajbhandari (51 min 50 sec)
Men: Shiv Gurung (42 min 50 sec)

Runner Pushkar Nepal was also recognised for showing significant improvement in the club’s regular running activities.

Nepal is the world’s most “nature-connected” nation, while Britain is near the bottom

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Photo: Nepal Tourism Board

London –  Nepal is the world’s most “nature-connected” nation, reports said.

Britain was near the bottom, ranking 55th out of 61 countries, alongside the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, and Japan.

The study, published in the journal Ambio, surveyed 57,000 people across 61 nations and assessed how social, cultural, economic, and geographic factors shape attitudes toward nature.

Spain ranked last in the 61 nations surveyed, while the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, and Japan also scored below Britain.

Nepal ranked first, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Croatia and Bulgaria were the only European countries to make the top 10, with France the next-highest European country at 19th place.

The research team, led by British and Austrian academics including Miles Richardson, Professor of nature connectedness at the University of Derby, found that spirituality and religious faith were the strongest predictors of a close relationship with nature.

In contrast, the study also found that “ease of doing business” — a World Bank measurement of the business-friendly character of a country — was correlated with less nature connection.

According to the study, countries that rank high in “ease of doing business,” a World Bank metric that indicates a market-friendly economy, have a lower nature connection.