Trump hints at possible name change for Persian Gulf during Mideast visit
President Donald Trump has indicated he may change how the United States refers to the Persian Gulf during his upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from May 13 to 16.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the name of the waterway could be raised during meetings with regional leaders. US media reports suggest he may announce a shift to calling it the “Arabian Gulf” or “Gulf of Arabia”, according to Al Jazeera.
The naming of the strategic waterway has long been a point of contention between Iran and Arab states. Iran insists on using the historical name "Persian Gulf," citing old maps and archives. In contrast, numerous Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prefer to be known as "Arabian Gulf."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed the proposed modification, calling it a "hostile act" that will incite enormous resentment among Iranians, Al Jazeera reported.
Red Cross Day being marked today
The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is being marked today in different countries of the globe with the theme 'Keeping Humanity Alive'.
The Day has been observed on May 8 every year to celebrate the unwavering dedication of those involved in the humanitarian service through the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement across the world.
It may be noted that Founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant – also the Nobel Peace laureate was born today.
The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant by paying tribute to those who spread awareness about the principles and works of the global Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations dedicated to social service with compassion, selflessness and solidarity in the face of natural disasters, wars, medical emergencies and other disasters.
In today's world of rising inequality, health problems and conflict, it is difficult to uphold human ideals.
In such a situation, the Volunteers of the Red Cross believe that this day will be useful to keep humanity alive and to spread peace and hope to the world community.
Weather likely to remain fair in most parts of the country
There is an influence of the westerly and local winds in the country at present.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, there is a partial influence of the water vapor-rich air coming from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly region and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon, the Division forecasted.
Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of the hilly and mountainous regions of the country. There is a possibility of light snowfall in some places of the mountainous region.
Similarly, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly region and fair in the rest of the country tonight.
Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly region.
There are chances of light rain and snowfall at one or two places in the mountainous region.
Pheasants census conducted in Annapurna Conservation Area
A bird census focusing on pheasant species, including the Himalayan monal (Danfe), has been conducted in the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) area within Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality of Kaski.
The census was jointly organized by the Biodiversity Conservation Society Nepal (BIOCOS Nepal) and the World Pheasant Association, in collaboration with the ACAP. It covered regions such as Pilicho, Pipar, Khumai, Korchon, Lubrachhu and Chichimle in the Machhapuchhre Himal area. Researchers recorded 146 Danfe (Himalayan monals, 148 Satyr tragopans (Munal), 170 Hill partridges (Pyura) and 19 Kolass pheasants (Fokras) during the census.
In total, over 200 bird species were identified, according to Paras Bikram Singh, Director of BIOCOS Nepal.
Nineteen researchers and assistants conducted the census in teams across various locations. Previous surveys, carried out intermittently since 1976, have documented 314 bird species in this region. Nepal is home to 899 bird species, representing about eight percent of the world’s total. Despite its small size, the country’s ecological diversity—from the Himalayas to the Tarai—makes it rich in global biodiversity. Annapurna Conservation Area alone is home to 518 bird species.
The Machhapuchhre area is one of the few places globally where six pheasant species coexist, making it an exceptional site for birdwatching. However, experts say tourism infrastructure in the area remains underdeveloped. The region is particularly known for the Pipar Sanctuary, which has drawn ornithologists and researchers—especially from Britain—long before the ACAP was established, said Laxman Paudel, Chairperson of BIOCOS Nepal.
Dr Hum Gurung, Senior Asia Partnership Manager at BirdLife International, said Nepal has the potential to become a top bird watching destination in the world. "Nepal has 42 important bird areas. The Annapurna Conservation Area is one of them," Dr Gurung said. "Bird tourism can generate significant economic benefits for the local people if birds are protected, rather than hunted."
Traps threaten birds
Poaching, however, has emerged as a significant threat to bird conservation in Annapurna Conservation Area.
During the recent census, researchers discovered traps set to kill pheasants. “We found birds dead in some traps, while others were rescued and released,” said researcher Pawan Rai.
To combat poaching, BIOCOS Nepal and ACAP have implemented a mobile app-based patrol system known as SMART. Likewise, cameras have been installed on different trails to strengthen surveillance. Plans are also underway to install real-time spy cameras in high-risk poaching zones, said Dr Rabin Kadariya, chief of ACAP. “This will help us identify poachers and bring them to book,” he said. “Local communities will continue to play a key role in anti-poaching patrols.”
Killing a Danfe, the national bird, carries a prison sentence of up to three years, while killing other birds can result in fines of up to Rs 30,000.
ACAP has strengthened conservation efforts in partnerships with Machhapuchhre Rural Municipality, Great Machhapuchhre Trail Committee and other community groups to protect and increase the population of native pheasants, and help establish the Machhapuchhre region as a premier destination for bird tourism.
Note: The photo used in this news is taken by photographer Sherpa French Pemba in Dobate, Ilam. The photographer's name was mistakenly omitted in the previously published news, which has now been corrected.
