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The World Tuberculosis Day is being observed today by organising a variety of programmes including Nepal. Every year, 24 March is observed as World TB Day to amplify the urgency of ending tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease. TB continues to devastate millions globally, inflicting severe health, social and economic consequences.

According to the World Health Organisation, this year’s theme is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”. It offers an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts and encourage stronger commitment at local, national and international levels to end TB, including by combating the growing threat of drug-resistant TB.

Stronger commitment is crucial, especially as declining international funding for TB in the current geopolitical climate threatens the achievement of global targets to end TB by 2030.

TB is a contagious airborne disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which most often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected, the WHO says.

Meanwhile, the National TB Control Center is organizing various public awareness programs on the occasion. 

Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in Nepal, with an estimated 68,000 new TB cases and an incidence rate of 229 per 100,000 population in 2023. The mortality rate is 54 per 100,000 population, according to WHO data.

During the year, the National Tuberculosis Program registered 40,776 TB patients for treatment. Of these, 39 percent were women and 61 percent were men. Furthermore, 756 people were diagnosed with drug-resistant TB, says Director of the Center, Dr Shriram Tiwari. 

TB has caused a high financial burden on the families of patients. According to the National Tuberculosis Patient Data Survey-2024, 51 percent of TB patients and their families in Nepal have suffered a high financial burden due to this disease.

The Center has clarified that further progress has not been achieved due to the lack of collaboration between all sectors to end the disease. To end the disease, it is necessary to have a significant contribution from the health sector, as well as other sectors such as education, labour and employment, social security, etc. In addition, the involvement of the private sector and the community is equally important, says Dr Tiwari in a statement released on the occasion.

Tuberculosis treatment services are available free of charge in 6,241 health institutions with diagnostic services in 800 health institutions across Nepal. Rapid testing services for the disease have reached 117 health institutions in 67 districts. 

The statement by Dr Tiwari states that the center is moving towards the goal of ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030 and achieving a tuberculosis-free Nepal by 2050.

Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu has celebrated Pakistan’s 85^th National Day. On the occasion, Pakistani Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H Hashmi hoisted Pakistan’s flag.

Messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister were read out on the occasion, Embassy said in a press statement. 

In his message, Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan while congratulating the national said that we honor the sacrifices of our founding fathers and the workers of the Pakistan Movement. By embracing the principles of Unity, Faith, and Discipline, we can strengthen national security, boost the economy, advance agriculture, ensure energy security, and create opportunities for youth. Pakistan seeks peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and strong global relationships, while defending its sovereignty, he said. 

Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, in his message, expressed March 23^rd marks a defining moment in South Asia’s history, when, eighty-five years ago, the visionary leadership of Muslims in the subcontinent, under Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, united to create an independent homeland where Muslims could live with dignity and freedom. 

Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in his message extended warm greetings to fellow Pakistanis living abroad and commend their patriotism, dedication, and hard work. 

 Ambassador Abrar H Hashmi in his remarks, congratulated the community and staff. On the occasion he said we salute our forefathers for their vision and heroic and peaceful struggle to achieve independence.  The key to Pakistan’s progress and prosperity lies in our unity, hard work, and determination. He also invited the community to stay engaged locally and contribute in whatsoever way to make Pakistan-Nepal friendship aloft. 

Two children died when a water tanker hit them at Betahani of Duduwa Rural Municipality-2 in Banke district on Sunday.

The deceased have been identified as nine-year-old Shiva Kumar Godiya and eight-year-old Bishal Godiya of Duduwa Rural Municipality, said Information Officer at Banke Police and Police Inspector Yam Bahadur Malla.

After the incident, the irate locals had torched the water tanker leaving it completely damaged. 

Chief District Officer Dharma Raj Joshi shared that police personnel opened fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

He further said details of the incident are awaited and the situation is still out of control. 

Three European allies provided millions of dollars that the United States was supposed to spend for low-income countries. Then the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s government-cutters arrived, Associated Press reported.

Government officials from Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands told The Associated Press that a combined $15 million they contributed for joint development work overseas has been parked at the U.S. Agency for International Development for months.

After the Republican administration and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cut USAID’s funding and the bulk of its programs, the Europeans asked whether their money would be funneled to projects as expected or refunded.

They have gotten no response.

“It’s a concern for us, especially as we want our partner organizations to be compensated for the work they have put into the programs,” said Julia Lindholm, a spokeswoman for the Swedish government’s international development agency, according to the Associated Press.

More than 50,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war began, the territory's Hamas-run health ministry has announced, BBC reported.

That number - 50,021 - equates to about 2.1% of the 2.3 million pre-war population of the territory, or around 1 in 50 people. 

A total of 113,274 others had been injured in the same period, the health ministry said. 

Figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health (MoH) have been widely used in times of conflict and are seen as reliable by the United Nations (UN) and international institutions. But Israel has consistently refuted data published by Gaza's authorities, according to BBC.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that there is no possibility of the return of monarchy in Nepal.

Speaking at a program organized by the Training Department of the Nepali Congress Bagmati Province Committee here today, party President Deuba, hinting to the activities of the pro-monarchists since some days back, said former King Gyanendra Shah could not be a constitutional king.

"There is no possibility of the return of monarchy in Nepal. Gyanendra is not even a person worthy of becoming a constitutional monarch. Rather the Rastriya Prajatantra Party will make Gyanendra the party president,” he said, addressing the inauguration of a training programme for the office-bearers and members of the NC Province Working Committee here today.

The Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister suggested former King Gyanendra to open a political party if he really was interested in politics.

"Better open a party if you really want to do politics! But those joining that party will suffer a lot," he said and directed the leaders and cadres to work unitedly in favour of the republic.

NC Bagmati Province Vice-President and Province Training Department Chief Chandra Maharjan presided over the training program which was attended by party spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, NC Bagmati Province President Indra Bahadur Baniya, Director of the party's Central Policy, Research and Training Academy Dr Krishna Prasad Poudel, Treasurer of Bagmati Province Dr Bhadra Parajuli Bhandari, Executive Director of the Central Policy Research and Training Department Dr Buddhiman Shrestha, among other leaders and office-bearers of the party.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru thumped Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens in the IPL season opener on Saturday with fifties from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt lighting up a flawless chase. Skipper Rajat Patidar also chipped in with a brisk knock before Liam Livingstone sealed the chase with a couple of quick hits, The Indian Express reported.

A superb bowling performance led by Krunal Pandya’s 3/29 and Josh Hazlewood double strikes helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru restrict Kolkata Knight Riders to 174/8 after opting to bowl at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. 

While Ajinkya Rahane lit up Kolkata with a 25-ball fifty on his captaincy debut alongside Sunil Narine in a century partnership, RCB clawed back into the game with the slower bowlers gaining momentum through the middle-overs.

The pesticide examination laboratory set up in Harre of Bheriganga Municipality-4, Surkhet to test the quantity of pesticide residue in vegetables and fruits entering Karnali Province has been left abandoned. The laboratory remains unused as the provincial government has not managed the required funds and human resources for its operation.

The Karnali Provincial Government had constructed a building to house the pesticide testing laboratory six years ago at a cost of about Rs 7 million. However, the building has not been used yet due to lack of sufficient funds to purchase the necessary equipment for the staff and laboratory. 

According to Senior agricultural economist Chitra Bahadur Rokaya,  the Chief of Integrated Agricultural Laboratory of Karnali Province, although the laboratory building was constructed six years ago it has not been operational due to lack of budget and human resources. He said that the office has requested the line ministry to manage funds and human resources but it has not been managed so far.

The ministry has allocated only Rs 2.9 million for the operation of the laboratories in Harre and Kapurkot, Salyan. Rokaya said a budget of Rs 6.5 million was sought but less than fifty per cent was received, which is not sufficient to procure the necessary equipment and goods for the laboratories.

The office had also requested at least six employees each for the laboratories in Harre and Kapurkot but they have not been available so far.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Karnali Province is working to transfer funds from other headings to address the lack of funds for the operation of the laboratories, said the ministry's spokesperson, Agricultural Extension Officer Dhan Bahadur Kathayat.