Kathmandu- Addressing a program organized on the occasion of the 34th Foundation Day of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, President Ram Chandra Poudel has said that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority should not yield to anyone’s pressure or influence and work without considering the offense and the offender big or small.
He also said that in a situation where the nature and form of corruption is changing, the investigation and prosecution process should also be modernized and that the attention of all parties concerned should be drawn to the issue as some problems and complaints are being received even if the bills related to corruption are not disposed of for a long time.
He also said that by qualitatively improving the living standards of the citizens, we should work for the interest, welfare and international image of the country by making integrity, impartiality, transparency and fearlessness fulfilling the high aspirations of the people for development and good governance, and since Nepal is also a party to the International Convention on the Control of Corruption, it is necessary to amend our laws and mechanisms in accordance with the provisions mentioned in it.
Pokhara- Pokhara Metropolitan City, which was declared the tourism capital on Chaitra 4, is preparing to celebrate 2025 as Pokhara Visit Year.
A 1,051-member main organizing committee has been formed under the coordination of Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, a 51-member director committee led by Mayor Acharya, and another 15-member work execution committee.
The metropolis has set a target of bringing 2 million tourists to Pokhara during the visit year.
The metropolis has also urged tourism entrepreneurs to promote tourism and provide various package programs for tourists during the visit year. The information issued by the metropolis states that the packages should be made available in the metropolis by Magh 28.
Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya has planned to run programs to promote Pokhara throughout the visit year and also announce a goodwill ambassador to promote Pokhara abroad.
Biratnagar – Speaking in a press conference at Biratnagar on Monday morning, CPN-UML leader and former Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal said that the government is moving towards dictatorship and the authoritarianism of the Congress-UML is taking the country towards decline.
Stating that the country is currently facing a political crisis and is becoming weaker overall, he said that the authoritarianism of the two parties is pushing the country towards decline rather than progress.
He also said that there is no justification for amending the constitution when the constitution is not being fully implemented, saying that the government’s attitude has challenged democratic values and corrupt people are getting immunity after the formation of the Congress-UML coalition government.
Kathmandu – Today’s meeting of the House of Representatives under the federal parliament will be held at 1 pm at the Parliament Building, New Baneshwor.
Today’s agenda includes the presentation of the ‘Annual Report of the National Natural Resources and Finance Commission, 2080/81’ by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
In the assembly, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel will present a proposal to ‘discuss the Secure Transactions (First Amendment) Bill, 2080 along with the report of the Finance Committee.’
Similarly, the Finance Minister will present a proposal to ‘pass the Secure Transactions (First Amendment) Bill, 2081’.
Kathmandu- The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case against suspended mayor of Nagarjuna Municipality Mohan Bahadur Basnet on charges of abusing his position to acquire illegal assets worth around Rs 87 million.
CIAA claims that during his term in office he purchased land, constructed and renovated houses, and purchased apartments from the money he received illegally.
The CIAA has called it ‘abuse of public office’, saying that the trend of unnatural income has increased since he became the mayor of Nagarjuna Municipality. The CIAA has also filed a case against his wife Urmila Basnet to seize the assets that were hidden and managed by her.
The CIAA has already filed a corruption case against Nagarjuna Mayor Basnet. The case filed by the CIAA against him for illegally engaging in plotting and misusing municipal resources to benefit from the plotting is pending in a special court.
Taplejung — Talks between the ‘No Cable Car’ group and the government negotiation team have ended without a conclusion.
Khagendra Makhim, a participant in the talks from the agitating group, has said that the talks with the government have ended without a conclusion. However, the coordinator of the government negotiation team, Prem Prasad Maharai, has said that more information will be provided by issuing a press release.
The No Cable Car group has said that the talks did not reach a conclusion after the government team raised the issue of where to place the poles and how to build the cable car structure while their demand is only to abolish the cable car construction .
The agitating group has proposed to form a ministerial-level negotiation committee and has said that if the talks are not successful, the agitating group will announce the program of the protest from tomorrow.
Dolakha — Houses built encroaching on Nepali Army land have been removed. 39 houses built encroaching on the land of Melung Rural Municipality-6, Tudikhel, have been removed, said Chief District Officer Shivaram Gelal.
The houses built encroaching on Nepali Army land were removed by a team including the Garuda Dal, APF and Armed Police of the Nepali Army. The houses built on army land were demolished by using a dozer, he said.
‘We have started the work as part of the campaign to remove encroachment by issuing a notice to demolish houses built on public land,’ he said. ‘We have asked to remove and not build permanent and temporary structures from areas where public land has been encroached on throughout the district.’
In 2007 BS, there was an army contingent in Melung, which was the headquarters of Dolakha and Ramechhap. In 2018 BS, Melung, which was an administrative unit of two districts, was removed as the headquarters after the political division that took place in the same year.
The Garuda Dal Battalion of the Nepali Army had requested the administration to remove the encroachment on its land to conduct training. In Melung, 69 ropanis of land has been acquired in the name of the Nepali Army. The Garuda Dal Battalion has stated that it will conduct training after the encroachment is removed.
Kathmandu – The National Democracy Day, 2081 Main Celebration Committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. As per the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been decided to celebrate the day with grandeur by passing the proposal of the Main Celebration Committee, various sub-committees and various programs after discussion.
The Main Celebration Committee formed under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister will include Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Ministers of State, Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Chief Secretary to the Government of Nepal, Chief of Army Staff, Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Secretaries to the Government of Nepal and Special Category Gazetted Officers, Chiefs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department, and Mayors of Municipalities in Kathmandu Valley.
Similarly, a sub-committee has been formed with the participation of concerned bodies and parties for publicity, stage decoration, ground parade and exercise management, cultural tableau management, and cultural diversity display management. Similarly, it has been decided to form a provincial-level celebration committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister in all seven provinces and celebrate the day by organizing various programs.
This day is celebrated every Falgun 7 in memory of the historic day of the establishment of democracy on Falgun 7, 2007. This year, democracy day will be celebrated for three days on Falgun 6, 7 and 8 at Nepalese embassies, diplomatic missions and consulates in Nepal and abroad, and the main program will be organized at the Nepal Army Forum, Tundikhel on Falgun 7.
Kathmandu – The Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Nepal, an organization of private medical and dental colleges, has decided not to provide government-level (eighth-level) subsistence allowance to studying resident doctors.
Earlier, the 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission chaired by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had decided to provide a subsistence allowance to resident doctors studying in private medical colleges at the same rate as government-level eighth-level medical officers.
Similarly, on 14th Magh, Health Minister Pradeep Poudel and Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai made a three-point decision, the first of which was to provide a subsistence allowance of Rs. 25,000 for the first year, Rs. 30,000 for the second year, and Rs. 35,000 for the third year to resident doctors studying at the postgraduate level in private medical colleges. The second point was to provide a subsistence allowance to resident doctors studying at the postgraduate level from the academic session 2081 and 2082 as per the scholarship guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Population, and the resident doctors who want to study for free should commit to serving in the same educational institution for two years after their studies.
Expressing disagreement with the government’s decision, the Association of Private Medical and Dental Colleges of Nepal, an organization of private medical and dental colleges, issued a statement on Saturday, stating that it would not be possible to provide postgraduate teaching with a subsistence allowance equivalent to the eighth level without ensuring the resources to operate postgraduate educational programs.
It was decided that private medical colleges would provide decent facilities to resident doctors studying at the postgraduate (PG) level in accordance with the university and medical council and prevailing labor laws. After the decision, resident doctors expressed dissatisfaction and intensified their agitation, the government has been providing a subsistence allowance similar to the government (eighth level).
Pokhara- Speaking at the inauguration of the Gandaki Province Convention of the Unified Socialist Party held in Pokhara, Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has accused the government of bringing the ordinance to loot the country, benefit middlemen and encourage the corruption.
If the ordinance was brought for the people, why was it brought overnight and for what purpose, he questioned, and accused the government of trying to loot the country by trying to amend 30 laws through 6 ordinances brought by deceiving the parliament.
He urged the leaders and workers present to face the challenges without getting discouraged and move forward, clarifying that there will be no unity with the UML or the Maoist parties as rumored in the market. However, he said that cooperation with parties with similar views is possible.
The convention was attended by 400 representatives from 11 districts of the province and 550 people including organizers, informed the party’s Gandaki Province Chairman Srinath Baral. The convention will elect a 143-member provincial committee, including a chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, a secretary, and three joint secretaries, representing different geographical and sectoral backgrounds. Baral informed that the committee’s tenure will be four years.
Kathmandu – The first general convention of Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti) led by Dr. Baburam Bhattarai is beginning today at Nepal Pragya Pratishthan.
All preparations for the general convention to be held from Magh 27 to 29 have been completed and around 1,500 delegates from across the country will participate in the general convention,Coordinator of the general convention management committee Hisila Yami informed.
She said Nepal Samajwadi Party (Naya Shakti) will strengthen internal democracy within the political party and prioritize party consolidation, good political practice, and building an organization with an inclusive character in line with the spirit of the constitution. At the same time, a 99-member central committee including 11 office bearers will be elected through the general convention, Naya Shakti has stated that there is a possibility of collaboration with the country’s progressive, alternative and transformative political forces.
Coordinator Yami said that the general convention will prioritize strengthening the internal democracy within the political party, strengthening the party, practicing good political practices, and building an organization with an inclusive character in line with the spirit of the constitution.
Janakpur- Most private hospitals in Janakpur have been found to be operating illegally. Most private hospitals from Mujelia to Bhramarpurachowk in Janakpurdham have been found to be operating illegally.
Following continuous complaints of serious negligence in treatment, Madhesh Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh had monitored 20 hospitals in Janakpurdham on Saturday.
During the monitoring, it was found that most of the hospitals were operating without registration and those that were registered were also operating against standards, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
On Saturday, the Chief Minister had monitored Jeevan Jyoti Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., BN Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., Janakpur Sita Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Janakpur Grande Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Rama Memorial Hospital and Research Center, Multi-Specialty Hospital and Trauma Center.
Similarly, the Chief Minister also visited Summer Hospital, Care Medical Center Pvt. Ltd., Nepal Apollo Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Shriram Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Nayana Hospital & Pvt. Ltd., Armaan Hospital Pvt. Ltd., andMihilal International Pvt. Ltd.
During the monitoring, Chief Minister Singh also visited Sahyog Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Janakpur Modern Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., Maa Gayatri Memorial Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Max Hospital and Research Center Pvt. Ltd., Swastika Healthcare Hospital Pvt. Ltd., Life Care and Research Center Pvt. Ltd. and Om Dirghayu Hospital Pvt. Ltd.
The Chief Minister directed the immediate closure of hospitals operating without permission from the federal, provincial and local governments as per the law. After it was found that most hospitals in Janakpurdham were operating without meeting the standards of manpower, physical infrastructure, equipment, cleanliness, etc., the Chief Minister directed the hospital operators to lock them by Sunday.
Chief Minister Singh has directed the operators of hospitals that have been operating illegally and have not met the criteria despite receiving approval to contact the government on Sunday with all documents. He has also warned hospitals that have received approval but not renewed, are in the approval process, and are operating without approval to operate their services only after obtaining legality.
Kathmandu – Speaking about the social media bill brought by the government to curb freedom of press and expression, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has said that no law to curb freedom of press and expression will be passed as long as the Congress remains in power in Nepali politics.
Speaking at the first meeting of the Arghakhanchi-Kathmandu Liaison Committee in Kathmandu, General Secretary Thapa also said that as long as the Congress remains in power, there will be no need to worry much about protecting the right to freedom of expression of citizens.
‘No law can be passed by the current parliament that curtails freedom of expression. The Congress is currently the largest party in the country. We are clear on the issue of press freedom, democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. These are the basic values of the Nepali Congress. The Congress cannot back down from these issues,’ he said. He urged everyone to be confident in the matter, saying that as long as the Congress is in power or in opposition, no law can and will be made that would conflict with these issues.
Kathmandu- Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to deliver a special address at the Lumbini Provincial Assembly. He will deliver a special address on Falgun 5, informed Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Tula Ram Gharti Magar. According to him, Prime Minister Oli will address the Provincial Assembly meeting on Falgun 5 at 1 pm.
Speaker Tula Ram Gharti Magar has sent an invitation letter to Prime Minister Oli through Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya on behalf of the Provincial Assembly for a special address at the Provincial Assembly meeting. The invitation has been made in accordance with Sub-rule (2) of Rule 220 of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly Rules, 2079 BS.
Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to address a meeting to be held in Ghorahi after the special address at the Provincial Assembly meeting and to participate in the Senate meeting of the Rapti Institute of Health Sciences on the 6th falgun.
Kathmandu- Senior advocate Rabinarayan Khanal has won the position of councilor of the Legal Practitioners Council from Bagmati Province.
He defeated rival senior advocate Parshuram Koirala by a margin of 578 votes. Khanal received 2,355 votes, while Koirala received 1,777 votes, according to the election committee.
Khanal belongs to the Progressive Professional Legal Practitioners Organization close to UML. He was also supported by the Revolutionary Legal Practitioners Organization close to Maoists.
Koirala had filed his candidacy on behalf of the Nepal Democratic Lawyers Association close to the Congress. He was supported by the Legal Practitioners Organization close to the Unified Socialist Party of Nepal.
The council is an organization that monitors and regulates the professional code of conduct of legal practitioners. Its chairman is the Attorney General.According to the system of selecting one councilor from each of the seven provinces, the voting for the Bagmati Province councilor was held at the Supreme Court premises.
There were 8,200 voters in Bagmati Province alone.Earlier, senior advocate Dr. Chandrakant Gyawali was elected as the councilor of Bagmati Province.The term of office of a councilor is five years.
Similarly,Raju Dhakal from Koshi Province, Sanjeev Kumar Mallik from Madhes, Dayaram Gautam from Gandaki, Ishwori Prasad Gyawali from Lumbini, Matrika Prasad Khanal from Karnali and Tek Bahadur Kathayat from Sudurpaschim have won the election.
Candidates of the DLA (Congress)-led alliance have won in Koshi, Madhes, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces. An alliance was formed between the Nepali Congress and the organization of legal practitioners close to the Unified Socialist Party in this election.
Candidates of the UML-Maoist alliance have won only in Bagmati and Karnali.
Kathmandu – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Nepal Police to conduct a fair investigation based on evidence and facts without any pressure.
Inaugurating ‘The Blue Pavilion’ built on the premises of the Nepal Police Club in Bhrikutimandap, Prime Minister Oli has directed them to move forward firmly in maintaining the rule of law and peace and security in the country.
‘You should act according to the expectations of the people. The people expect impartial and good behavior from the police. Therefore, you should work according to the constitution and law, keeping the interests of the country and the people at the center,’ he said. ‘Investigate any smugglers, corrupt people and fraudsters with confidence. Work more effectively by maintaining peace and order in the country and keeping in mind national interests and unity.’
At the program, Prime Minister Oli released the History of Nepal Police Part-2 and honored the officers, technicians, and builders who contributed to the construction of the building.
Gulmi- The government-leading CPN-UML has sought the support of the main opposition party, the CPN-Maoist Center, to pass the ordinance in parliament.
UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has called Maoist Center Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun and requested his help in the ordinance.
Maoist Center Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun said that UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel had called him to seek his help in the ordinance. Pun said that Pokharel had called him while addressing the Chandrakot Rural Municipality convention of the Maoist Center Gulmi but he made it clear during the conversation that he could not help the government in the ordinance. Deputy Secretary General Pun commented that the UML is worried that the ordinance will be rejected.Pun said that the UML, which had bypassed them by being arrogant to govern through the ordinance, started asking for help after it got into trouble. He urged that if there is a good intention to solve the country’s problems, the ordinance should be withdrawn and the bill should be brought procedurally.
The ordinances were to be submitted for decision in the meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly on Thursday. However, despite having a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives, the government had requested the Speaker to remove them from the agenda at the last minute because they were in a minority in the National Assembly.
Nuwakot – CPN-UML Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel has claimed that the ordinance brought in parliament by the government will be passed.
At a press conference organized by Press Chautari in Bidur, Nuwakot on Saturday, Pokharel, who is also a former Deputy Prime Minister, said that there is no point in those outside the government opposing the ordinance. He claimed that the ordinance has been submitted to the House of Representatives and will be passed by both the houses.
Senior Vice President Pokharel said that discussions and agreement are underway on passing the bill by both houses with a majority . He also said that the current government will continue for the specified period as per the agreement made by the equation.
He said that the current equation has been created to get the country out of problems. Pokharel said that the current government will continue as long as the ruling parties, Congress and UML, continue to be honest.
The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the Ukrainian military’s attack on the city of Makeyevka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
“We strongly condemn this heinous act of terrorism. The Kiev regime’s Western sponsors are directly involved in it as they keep provoking the current Ukrainian authorities to commit atrocities. Apart from Ukrainian neo-Nazis, the West’s ruling circles are also responsible for this as they continue to stubbornly and irresponsibly flood the Ukrainian army with weapons,” the statement reads.
“We call on all responsible governments and international organizations to condemn another terrorist attack. Silence in response to the barbaric crimes of Ukrainian Nazis amounts to complicity in their atrocities,” Zakharova noted.
According to her, attacks on residential areas make it clear that Vladimir Zelensky’s regime is in agony as it is trying to kill as many Russians as possible in order to please its Western handlers.
According to the latest reports, the attack killed a young girl and left another 11 people, including two children, injured.
A judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from placing 2,200 workers at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) on paid leave, hours before it was due to happen.
Judge Carl Nichols issued a “limited” temporary restraining order, in response to a last-minute lawsuit filed by two unions trying to save the agency.The order will remain in place for a week, until 14 February at midnight.
Trump has argued that USAID, the overseas aid agency, is not a valuable use of taxpayer money and wants to dismantle it – he plans to put nearly all of the agency’s 10,000 employees on leave, except 611 workers.Some 500 staff had already been put on administrative leave and another 2,200 were due to join them from midnight on Friday (05:00 GMT).
But the last-minute lawsuit on Friday argued the government was violating the US Constitution, and also that the workers were suffering harm.The judge will also consider a request for a longer-term pause at a hearing on Wednesday.
It is unclear from the court order what will happen to the remaining staff’s jobs.As the ruling came, officials had been removing and covering USAID signs at the organisation’s headquarters in Washington DC.
All 10 people aboard the Bering Air plane that crashed in Alaska on Thursday were killed, the Associated Press reported, citing the US Coast Guard.
It is unclear yet what caused the accident. The plane was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome with nine passengers and a pilot when it went missing.
NBC reported the plane’s debris were found 34 miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Nome.
This is the third serious plane crash in the US in less than two weeks. On January 31, a Learjet 55 medical flight crashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The accident killed at least 7 people and 19 others were hospitalized.
On January 29, an American Airlines jetliner and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan Airport, killing 67 people.
Kathmandu – Health workers, including doctors, have been assaulted at Bir Hospital.
The attack on health workers, including doctors, was reported at 4:30 pm on Friday in the hospital’s operating room, according to hospital director Dr. Santosh Poudel.
Professor Dr. Sharad Pokharel and Sanumaya Magar, who were deployed in the surgical service, and other health workers were attacked.
The hospital has stated that 21-year-old Ramchandra Khadka of Gokulganga Rural Municipality-6 in Ramechhap was involved in the incident. Director Poudel has demanded that he be taken to the fullest extent of the law.
Kathmandu – Police have said that the fire at the Ministry of Water Supply in Singha Durbar has been brought under control.
A fire broke out on the fourth floor of the building of the Ministry of Water Supply, which is attached to the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure , at 8:46 this morning. The fire broke out in the minister’s office in the morning and the police were able to bring the fire under control as soon as it was discovered.
According to the police, the building of the Ministry of Water Supply has been damaged in the fire. Ministry of Water Supply has been damaged due to the fire and the details of other damage have not yet been confirmed.
Police have also said that two employees of the ministry have been taken into custody and are being questioned as the incident is suspicious.
Janakpur- Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh has directed to immediately close Muskan Hospital in Janakpur, citing negligence in treatment and registration.
After news was published that there was negligence in the gallbladder surgery and the patient had not recovered even 20 days after the surgery, Chief Minister Singh, who went to monitor the hospital, came to know that the hospital was being operated illegally without even registering it and ordered to close the hospital and hand over the keys.
After it was found that the hospital was not registered, Chief Minister Singh directed to manage the three patients undergoing treatment here in other hospitals and to lock the hospital by 11 am and hand over the keys to the government, and also directed to immediately take Babita Kumari Yadav out in another hospital and provide proper treatment.
After undergoing gallbladder surgery on Magh 3, 25-year-old Babita Kumari Yadav of Haripurwa Municipality Ward No. 5 in Sarlahi is still unconscious.
Kathmandu — 17 Americans and 1 Indian national have been arrested on charges of religious propaganda. They were arrested on charges of religious propaganda under the guise of labor donations while coming on tourist visas.
Police said that they were arrested after they preached religion while coming on labor donations to build a building for the Prerna Kalyankari Samaj at Deurali Saugat Chowk, Dharan Sub-metropolitan City-5, Sunsari. The District Administration Office, Sunsari, has handed them over to the Immigration Department for further investigation.
According to the Sunsari administration, American citizens Ryan Matthew Carter, Silas Daniel Fox, Russell Thomas Howells, Rose Brian Howells, Mark Alan Summers Matthew Brian Kennedy, Patrick Irvin Summers, Duane Michael Godling, Benjamin Ward Kaufman, Brian Ward Kaufman, Dylan Jackson Bonzo, Kathleen Sue Moore, Dawson Andrew Carter, James Nathan Austin, William Raymond Viviano Jr., Kenneth David Gray and James Ray Murphy III have been arrested. Similarly, a citizen of the Indian state of West Bengal, Basant Lama has also been arrested.
They have been taken into custody at the District Police Office, Sunsari, and their passports have been sent to the Immigration Department for investigation. According to the police, the investigation process was initiated against them after it was learned that they had reached Dharan for construction on Magh 22. An official said, “When their passports were checked, they were found to have entered Nepal on a tourist visa, but they violated their visa and build a church building. Therefore, further investigation is underway by taking their passports into custody.”
The arrested American citizens entered Nepal only on a 15-day visa, an official involved in the investigation said. According to immigration sources, an investigation is underway to determine what action to take against them based on the severity of their offense. The Immigration Act-2049 provides for the possibility of deporting them, preventing them from entering Nepal for a certain period.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has vowed to continue its judicial work after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose sanctions on its staff.
The ICC said it “stands firmly” by its personnel and the order seeks to harm its “independent and impartial” work.
Trump’s order accuses it of “illegitimate and baseless actions”, after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander.
The ICC is a global court, although the US and Israel are not members, with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
In recent years, it has also issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Taliban leaders for “persecuting Afghan girls and women” and Myanmar’s military leader for crimes against the Rohingya Muslims.
The sanctions place financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations of American citizens or allies.
Reacting to Trump’s order, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said on X that the ICC “must be able to freely pursue the fight against global impunity”.”Europe will always stand for justice and the respect of international law,” she said.The Netherlands, which hosts the court, said it “regrets” Trump’s order.
The US has repeatedly rejected any jurisdiction by the body over American officials or citizens, and has accused the ICC of placing constraints on Israel’s right to self-defence, while ignoring Iran and anti-Israel groups.
While the US is not a member of the ICC, the former clerk to the court’s first chief prosecutor warned the sanctions could have “a profound practical impact” on its operations.
“The sanctions… do have the potential of freezing property and assets, as well as suspending entry into the United States of ICC officials and their immediate family members,” said Zachary Kaufman.
In his first term in office in 2020, Trump imposed sanctions on ICC officials who were investigating whether US forces had committed war crimes in Afghanistan.This included a travel ban and asset freezes against former chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.Those sanctions were lifted by President Joe Biden’s administration.
Last month, the US House of Representatives voted to sanction the ICC, but the bill foundered in the Senate.
The BRICS congress will be held in June where it is planned to establish the BRICS Agrarian Alliance, told Lyudmila Orlova, president of the National Movement for Conservation Agriculture . The official proposal to join the alliance as a founding member has already been sent to Brazil, the group’s chairing nation in 2025. Other members and observer states have already expressed an interest in the new alliance, for example, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The new alliance aims to unite the countries’ efforts in the field of agriculture and technologies in the environmental sphere by proposing an alternative to Western cooperation models. Orlova noted that various programs are being developed with separate leaders, not necessarily representing the Russian side. It is possible that the BRICS Agrarian Alliance will function on the basis of a rotating chairmanship.
“We do remember that earlier, both within BRICS and G20, platforms were created precisely to exchange information in the area of agricultural collaboration. Each BRICS country was responsible for a certain track. And it was much better organized precisely in this group,” said Viktoriya Panova, head of the BRICS Expert Council.
The formation of the BRICS Agrarian Alliance in 2025 has been triggered not only by economic but by strategic reasons as well. Amid the growing competition between global centers, the countries in the group aim to bolster food security and lower dependence on Western institutions. An important factor is Washington and Brussels’ tough sanctions pressure on Russia which reverberates on themselves and on global food chains in general. African and Asian developing countries are the ones that suffer the most.
“This is happening amid the escalation of a food crisis across the world as well as a weak regulation of agricultural trade for main supplying countries. The agrarian alliance will allow for organizing controlled tenders, concluding profitable trade contracts and formulating the rules of payment in national currencies in order to control prices on the global agricultural market. The fact that this idea is being promoted by the leaders of the developing world can be viewed as an attempt to influence the global management in the field without the involvement of Western countries,” said associate professor at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University) Denis Kuznetsov .
Kathmandu – The Education, Health and Information Technology Committee under the House of Representatives, which met at Singha Durbar on Friday, has directed the government to hold the 10th National Games on the scheduled date.
Committee Chairman Ammar Bahadur Thapa said that the committee meeting has directed the Sports Ministry to hold the National Games to be held in Karnali Province on the scheduled date.
Sports Minister Tejulal Chaudhary said in the meeting that although the National Games were supposed to be held in Falgun, it had to be postponed to Chaitra for various reasons. Due to legal problems, preparations for infrastructure and other things could not be made on time and there was no coordination between the ministry and the National Sports Council.
In the meeting, the committee members suggested that the government should coordinate among sports bodies and hold the competition on time. The committee held discussions with the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the current status of the National Games to be held in the coming days, the activities done, the problems and the future direction.
Kathmandu- Resident doctors studying in private medical colleges will receive a maintenance allowance equivalent to the government level (8th level).
The 16th meeting of the Medical Education Commission held on Friday has taken this decision, informed the Secretariat of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
In the meeting of the commission held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, it was decided to maintain the same facilities for resident doctors at 48,700 per month based on discussions with the concerned parties and reports received. Currently, private medical colleges are providing a maintenance allowance of 20,000 per month.
The secretariat has said that a decision will be taken soon from the commission meeting after further discussions on other issues. The meeting also discussed the issue of charging an annual fee of 2.3 million from students who do not agree to work after study in the concerned college for two years.
In the meeting, Private Medical College Association Chairman Prof. Dr. Gyanendra Man Singh Karki had urged a decision to be made after the working procedures were finalized. However, the secretariat said that Prime Minister Oli, co-chairmen Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel and Minister for Education, Science and Technology Bidya Bhattarai had made it clear that they could not back down from their commitment to providing equal facilities to resident doctors.
Kathmandu – Dalit rights activists have protested at the Nepali Congress central office in Sanepa, demanding the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak and action against him, saying that Satyandra Kumar Ram (Chamar) and Neha Rauniyar, who had an inter-caste marriage were arrested on the instructions of the Home Minister.
A team led by Dalit rights activist Khagendra Sunar reached the central office, Sanepa and protested, demanding the resignation of the Home Minister and action against him. The team has submitted a letter of attention to the Secretary of the Central Office, Dr. Pradeep Parajuli.
They reached the Congress office carrying placards with slogans such as ‘Take action against the Home Minister who commits violence against Dalits, dismiss the Home Minister involved in caste violence’.
Pokhara – Britain’s Prince Edward, who is on a visit to Nepal, has administered the oath of office and secrecy to 274 Nepali new recruits in the British Army.
After reciting the Swastishanti mantra according to Hindu scriptures, the duke and duchess of Edinburgh administered the oath to the Nepali soldiers at a ceremony organized at the British Camp in Pokhara. They also presented medals to British ex-servicemen who had served for a long time. Prince Edward and his wife arrived in Kathmandu last Tuesday on a private visit. They will return home on Magh 27.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), the White House said.
“I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, find that the International Criminal Court (ICC), as established by the Rome Statute, has engaged in illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel. The ICC has, without a legitimate basis, asserted jurisdiction over and opened preliminary investigations concerning personnel of the United States and certain of its allies, including Israel, and has further abused its power by issuing baseless arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant,” the document said.
“The United States unequivocally opposes and expects our allies to oppose any ICC actions against the United States, Israel, or any other ally of the United States that has not consented to ICC jurisdiction. The United States remains committed to accountability and to the peaceful cultivation of international order, but the ICC and parties to the Rome Statute must respect the decisions of the United States and other countries not to subject their personnel to the ICC’s jurisdiction, consistent with their respective sovereign prerogatives,” the executive order said.
“The United States will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions, some of which may include the blocking of property and assets, as well as the suspension of entry into the United States of ICC officials, employees, and agents, as well as their immediate family members, as their entry into our nation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States,” the document said.
“I therefore determine that any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute protected persons <…> constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to address that threat,” Trump said in his executive order.
On November 21, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, between at least October 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024. Both men could be criminally liable for murder, persecution and other inhumane acts, as well as for deliberately inflicting starvation on civilians as a method of warfare, the judges said.
In June 2020, Trump had already signed a similar executive order during his first term as US president, which also allowed for the introduction of restrictions on ICC members. Then the next US administration, led by Joe Biden, lifted the sanctions against the ICC that Trump had imposed during his first term in the White House from 2017-2021.
Kathmandu- The meeting of the House of Representatives is scheduled for second consecutive day today . The work related to the ordinance, which was on the daily agenda on Thursday but could not be moved forward, is not on the possible agenda for today’s meeting too.
The ‘Report of the Committee on the Electronic Commerce Bill’ will be presented in the meeting to be held at 1 pm.
Similarly, there is an agenda to pass the legislative bill. There is also a possible agenda to present a report on the mechanisms of international labor standards.
Kathmandu – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is scheduled to hold a virtual dialogue with the Chief Ministers of all seven provinces from the Action Room of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at 1 pm today.
Even as the seven months of the current fiscal year are about to end, the capital expenditure situation of the provincial governments is not satisfactory, and on the other hand, the work done by the provincial governments is not seen to be effective due to the frequent changes of provincial secretaries, lack of necessary laws, etc., so Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to hold a dialogue with the Chief Ministers of all seven provinces regarding the progress of development and construction projects, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.
After discussing with the Chief Ministers for about an hour, Prime Minister Oli will participate in the preparatory meeting for the Sagarmatha Sambad at 2 pm, according to his Secretariat.
Kathmandu- The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed another corruption case against Sunil Poudel, former Managing Director of Nepal Telecom and then Executive Director of the National Information Technology Center, on charges of accepting bribe by supplying goods in collusion with a contractor company.
The charge sheet of the authority states that Poudel, the then Executive Director of the center, prepared the bid in collusion and even accepted the proposal for the procurement of supply, delivery, and installation of security appliances and network equipment called for in the fiscal year 2074/75, and that he accepted a bribe of Rs 30 million, 850 thousand, 400 while purchasing goods worth Rs 124 million, 280 thousand. The CIAA has also made Deepak Anand, the owner of the supplier company Actors Computers Nepal Pvt. Ltd., a defendant.
The charge sheet states that the bribe was received in bank accounts in the US, Singapore, and India. The Commission has filed a case after analyzing the technical tests conducted on the mobile and laptop recovered from Poudel and verifying the conversations regarding the house setting and bribery transactions from the beginning. There was a series of conversations between them on WhatsApp and email regarding this. The Commission has also filed a case based on that as evidence.
Corruption cases have been filed against Poudel, who is currently in Dillibazaar Jail. He has even been found guilty in some cases.
Kathmandu- The Nepal LP Gas Industry Association has announced a protest program with various 19-point demands, saying that the industry cannot continue to operate if the government’s strategy is to unilaterally discourage investment instead of protecting it.
The association has announced the protest programs, demanding that the government should effectively conduct a public awareness program on gas safety to prevent LP gas accidents, tighten the use of substandard pipes and regulators, implement legal provisions to ensure compliance with safety rules, dealer commission, transportation, and overhead expenses should be increased immediately as there has been no increase for the past 6 years and that arrangements should be made to adjust them according to the inflation rate every year.
Association President Shiva Ghimire has also said that since Nepal does not have an explosives law and regulatory body, it had to obtain a license from India as per Indian laws and regulations and that billions of rupees are being sent to foreign country annually due to the lack of Nepali transportation vehicles.
The association has said that from Wednesday, Magh 30, all 59 LP gas industries across the country will not purchase Product Delivery Orders (PDOs) from Nepal Oil Corporation, from Thursday, Falgun 1 to Monday, Falgun 5, 2081, all gas industries will publicize the protest programs through all local organizations and media and the Nepal LP Gas Industry Association at the center, from Tuesday, Falgun 6, no gas bullets of LP gas loaded for Nepal from Indian Oil of India will be loaded, from Monday, Falgun 2, no gas bullets loaded for Nepal will be released from any customs checkpoint, from Sunday, Falgun 18, all 59 gas industries in Nepal will be closed indefinitely, and from Saturday, Falgun 22, gas sales depots across the country will be requested to close completely.
Chitwan- The Chitwan District Court has ordered the release of Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane on bail of Rs 5.4 million.
After closed arguments in the Sahara Chitwan cooperative fraud case, the bench of Judge Dayaram Dhakal ordered his release on bail of Rs 5.4 million. Although cases of organized crime have been registered against Rabi in Kaski, Kathmandu and Rupandehi, only a case of fraud has been filed in Chitwan.
The Government Attorney’s Office, Chitwan, has registered a case against Lamichhane and 15 other individuals and six organizations for embezzling funds from the cooperative.
Rabi has been registered only for cooperative fraud, while 12 others have also been registered for organized crime, according to the Government Attorney’s Office. The police investigation report states that 389 million 79 thousand rupees were embezzled from this cooperative.
Kathmandu: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhek has said that his serious attention has been drawn to the issues raised regarding the inter-caste marriage of Satyandra Kumar Ram Chamar and Neha Rauniyar of Barhathawa in Sarlahi. In a meeting of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Home Minister Lekhek also said that it is a fabrication to say that atrocities were committed on the instructions of the Home Minister in inter-caste marriage.
He said that he is against caste discrimination and being prejudiced against inter-caste marriage is a devaluing of his ideals. He mentioned that he has been fighting for the guarantee of individual freedom and human rights since his student days. Home Minister Lakhek said that inter-caste marriage is recognized by law and he believed that it is his duty to ensure that the law is followed.
He said, ‘The Ministry of Home Affairs is active in protecting the right against discrimination and the natural human rights of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal and creating an environment where they can enjoy them.’
He clarified that he had already made his views on the incident clear and had made the report public as instructed by the police. He pledged to ensure full security for Satyendra Kumar and Neha and to investigate and take action if any wrongdoing is found.
Kathmandu – Addressing a meeting of the federal parliament, the chairman of the main opposition party, Maoist, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, has accused the government of trying to circumvent the parliament by belittling and insulting it.
He has expressed his displeasure over the government’s failure to appear responsible even when they urged the parliament to convene, but has unilaterally passed the ordinance by bypassing the parliament.
He has said that the ordinance was brought through a wrong path overnight and trying to run the government through the ordinance is an act of belittling the parliament.
Kathmandu – Seventeen protesters of the “No Cable Car” campaign who were arrested while protesting against the construction of a cable car in the Pathibhara area of Taplejung have been released.
During the protest police arrested 3 people from Taplejung, 8 from Jhapa Damak and 6 from Dharan and filed a case for indecent behavior. Those in custody have been released as per the decision of the District Administration Office, according to the Koshi Province Police Office.
Earlier, after a six-point agreement was reached between the government and the protesting parties, the cable car construction process has also been suspended for the time being.
Kathmandu – The government has already submitted 6 ordinances to the National Assembly and the House of Representatives. These ordinances will be submitted for decision in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives. The meeting of the House of Representatives will be held at 1 pm and the meeting of the National Assembly will be held at 1:15 pm.
Even though the ruling party has a majority in the House of Representatives, the government will not have a majority to get the ordinance approved by the National Assembly. Therefore, the top leaders of the ruling party, Congress President Deuba and UML President and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, have been urging the JASAPA Nepal to support the ordinance.In the meantime, discussions are going on between Yadav and the top leaders of the ruling party.
In fact, the JASAPA had formed a task force under the leadership of Rajkishore Yadav to study the ordinance. However, while the JASAPA has not yet decided whether to support the ordinance brought by the government or not, top leaders of the ruling party are making strenuous efforts to bring the JASAPA Nepal to their fold.
Before taking a decision on the ordinance, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav is meeting with Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, Congress leaders, and Prime Minister and UML Chairman Oli for discussions.
Kathmandu- A gas cylinder explosion has occurred at a Sandar Mo:Mo shop in Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu.
At least 14 people have been injured in the explosion that took place at 8:45 am this morning. 11 of the injured have been taken to the hospital while three are in a normal condition.
Police have said that one of the injured, Sanjog Magar, 24, of Udayapur, is seriously injured. Five of the injured have been taken to the Burn Hospital in Kirtipur.
The ceiling of the house collapsed after the cylinder explosion. Police have said that search operations are ongoing there. The Nepal Police Disaster Management Team and Maligaun Police Team have been deployed at the scene.
Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress parliamentary party meeting is being held today.
The parliamentary party meeting is to be held again today as the ministers and party officials from the Congress party are yet to speak in the meeting held on Magh 18. In the previous meeting, the party central committee had urged the lawmakers to speak unitedly on the issue of the ordinance. However, the lawmakers are seen divided on the issue of the ordinance.
It is said that the ordinance brought by the government and other issues will be discussed in the meeting.
Kathmandu- The government has decided not to pay meeting allowances from now on. The criteria for public expenditure austerity have decided not to pay meeting allowances for regular work. The Council of Ministers meeting has passed the ‘Criteria for Making Public Expenditure Economical and Effective’ and has made arrangements for cutting such facilities.
It is mentioned that no incentive allowance, overtime allowance, risk allowance, special allowance, etc. will be provided except as per the law. However, the Ministry of Finance will be allowed to distribute risk allowances based on resource availability. There is a provision that meeting allowances cannot be paid for committees or task forces formed under the law if they work before or after office hours. The officials of an investigation or investigation committee, task force or commission formed for a specific work will not receive meeting allowances for predetermined work. Regular work cannot be carried out under program expenses. Expenses such as maintenance, fuel, meeting allowances cannot be written off from program expenses.
There is a provision that government expenditure cannot be spent on banquets except for hospitality for foreign guests.
Similarly, provisions have been made to reduce government expenditure by including provisions such as those using government housing will not receive housing allowance, financial assistance and grants will be given only with the consent of the government, electrical equipment must be used for at least 5 years, external consulting services cannot be used for government work, additional fuel will not be given to employees who use transportation facilities, residential seminars cannot be held from government sources and foreign loans, domestic goods must be used in government works and offices, and the purchase of medicines must be placed on the website.
Kathmandu: The second meeting of the House of Representatives under the winter session is being held today. The meeting will begin at 1 pm at the Federal Parliament Building in New Baneshwor.
The agenda for today’s meeting is to submit a proposal to pass the ordinance. Similarly, the agenda for today’s meeting of the House of Representatives includes submitting proposals to reject the ordinance.
Opposition party lawmakers have registered 50 proposals in the House of Representatives and 16 in the National Assembly to reject the ordinance.
Since the ruling party has a majority in the House of Representatives, it is seen that the ordinance will be easily passed there. However, since the ruling parties don’t have a majority in the National Assembly, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba have sought the support of JASAPA Nepal. For that, top leaders of the ruling party are trying their best to bring Upendra Yadav in favor of the ordinance.
Chitwan- A wild elephant named Makuna has died after being shot by a Natioanl park security personnel, the Chitwan National Park has said.
The park said that Makuna died after being shot to scare the elephant as it was spreading fear in the settlements around Sauraha in Chitwan.
The park said in a statement that it had taken various measures to prevent the wild elephant from causing damage to people and property at various stages, but while the elephant sweep patrol team was on a sweeping patrol, Makuna was suddenly found in the Lamital area of the Kumroj Intermediate Community Forest and came to attack a domesticated elephant (Churegaj) and had no other option. In a situation where there was no other option, the park said that two rounds of warning air fire were fired for self-defense as per the provisions of Section 21 of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029.
“When the elephant did not run away even after firing in the air, Ranger Shyam Tamang, riding the small elephant Khagendra Prasad, fell from the elephant, making it extremely difficult to protect his life. After firing three rounds, he ran away and returned to attack again. When the security personnel fired one more round, Mukuna ran away and was later found lying about 1 km away while searching for him ,” the statement said.
The park confirmed that the elephant died from a single bullet wound to the right side of the neck during the post-mortem.
Kathmandu- According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Weather Forecasting Division, the country is currently experiencing a general effect of westerly winds. Currently, the weather is partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province and mainly clear in the rest of the country. There is a misty/foggy situation in the Terai areas.
Weather forecast for the next three days:
2081 Magh 24 (Thursday)
In the afternoon: The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province and Gandaki Province and mainly clear in the rest of the country. There is a possibility of light snowfall in one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi Province and Gandaki Province.
At night: The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province and Gandaki Province and mainly clear in the rest of the country.
2081 Magh 25 (Friday)
In the afternoon: The weather will be mainly clear across the country.
At night: Partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province and Sudur Paschim Province, while the weather will remain mainly clear in the rest of the country.
2081 Magh 26 (Saturday)
In the afternoon: Partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province, Gandaki Province, Karnali Province and Sudur Paschim Province, while the weather will remain mainly clear in the rest of the country.
At night: Partly cloudy in the hilly areas of the country, while the weather will remain mainly clear in the rest of the country. There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Gandaki Province.
Warnings and advisories for the next 24 hours:
There is a possibility of light snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Koshi Province and Gandaki Province, and there is a possibility of mist/fog in the Terai areas in the morning. As its impact may affect daily life, health, road and air traffic, it is requested to take necessary measures and precautions to avoid possible impacts.
Chitwan- An order has been issued to send Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, who is accused of fraud in the Sahara Multipurpose Cooperative, to judicial custody.
The bench of District Judge Dayaram Dhakal has handed Lamichhane over to security personnel and sent him to the District Police Office as the hearing was not completed.
After the final hearing, an order will be issued either to send Lamichhane to custody, release him on bail, or release him on a regular date.
District Attorney Rabi Neupane and Assistant Attorney Buddha Bahadur Thapa will argue on behalf of the government. On the other hand, 10 legal practitioners will argue on behalf of the defendant in the case.
A case was registered against Lamichhane and 15 others, including Ram Bahadur Khanal, Rabina Rimal, Bishal Tamang, Navin Achhami, Kabita Tamang, Deepak Lama, Asraf Ali Siddiqui, Bhagwati Bamjan, Laxmi Prasad Poudel, Vigyan Rai, Netrapani Bastola, Shiv Bahadur Gurung and Pragati Shrestha, on charges of embezzling funds from Sahara Multipurpose Cooperative.
Earlier, Lamichhane has been released on bail by the Kaski, Rupandehi and Kathmandu District Courts in the case of embezzlement of the cooperative’s funds.
Kathmandu – Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire has called a meeting of the chief whips of the major parties today to discuss issues including the ordinance.
The second parliament meeting of the winter session is being held on Thursday, amid strong opposition from opposition parties to the ordinance brought by the government. Therefore, discussions are being held with the party chief whips to discuss the controversial issues.
The meeting is scheduled to be held at Singha Durbar at 3 pm today, according to the Speaker’s secretariat.
Kathmandu: The construction of the cable car in Mukkumlung Pathibhara in Taplejung district has been suspended. The construction work has been stopped after an agreement was reached on the dispute over the construction of the cable car.
On Tuesday night, talks were held between the Home Ministry’s negotiation team and representatives of the team opposing the construction of the cable car. A six-point agreement was reached in the talks.
The agreement states that the construction work on the Pathibhara cable car station will be suspended and detailed discussions will be held in the talks to be held on Magh 27.
The agreement includes issues such as providing free and effective medical treatment to those injured during the protest, investigating the incident on Magh 12 and taking legal action, initiating the process of unconditionally releasing those detained during the protest, and suspending the indefinite transport shutdown by the Mukkumlung protectors.
A detailed discussion on the disagreements and other issues related to the construction of the Pathibhara Cable Car Project has been scheduled for 11 am on Magh 27.
Kathmandu- The government has prepared a draft of the ‘National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2081’ for the development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nepal. The draft mentions the establishment of an AI Regulatory Council, AI Center, and AI Excellence Center.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology made the draft ‘National Artificial Intelligence Policy 2081’ public through its website and sought suggestions.
The draft mentions that the government has proposed the formation of an ‘AI Regulatory Council’ to work in a manner that is consistent with policy guidelines and international norms for the development and use of AI. It mentions the establishment of a ‘National AI Center’ as the main body related to AI, the establishment of coordination and collaboration related to AI at the provincial and local levels, and the establishment of an ‘AI Excellence Center’ for the study, research, and development of AI.
Strategies 8.2 and 8.3 of the draft state that institutional structures such as councils, centers, and hubs will be created to research, develop, use, regulate, and promote AI, and that the necessary digital infrastructure will be created for the development and use of AI.
Kathmandu-The Cabinet meeting held on Monday has made 18 decisions public. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung made the decisions of the meeting public at a press conference on Tuesday.
The decisions of the Cabinet meeting are as follows:
To approve the Electricity Authority to purchase 29,73,163 promoter shares of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) in the Cross Border Power Transmission Company established for the construction of a transmission line from the Nepal-India border to Muzaffarpur, India
To form a consumer court with jurisdiction to adjudicate related cases within Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts with the headquarters in Kathmandu Valley
To delegate the authority to perform the work referred to in Section 3 of the National Directives Act, 2018 to the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs
To grant permission to Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Devendra Dahal to participate in the program on the theme of ‘Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety’ to be held in Morocco from 2081 Falgun 6 to 8.
To extend the period of the agreement between the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens and the Educational Program for Children Without Minimum Facilities for the operation and management of the Children’s Reformatory Homes in Bhaktapur, Morang, Kaski Banke until mid-Asad 2082 BS.
To grant permission to Sainamaina Municipality Rupandehi to use 3.5 hectares of land in the National Forest in Ward No. 10 of Sainamaina Municipality, Rupandehi District, for the construction of the Sainamaina Waste Management Center.
To organize ‘Sagarmatha Samvad’ in Kathmandu on the topic of ‘Climate Change, Mountains and Future of Humanity’ on 2082 Jestha 2, 3 and 4.
Approval to use 3.2 hectares of land in the national forest located in Wards 8, 11 and 12 of Birendranagar Municipality and Ward 10 of Lekhbesi Municipality of Surkhet district for the construction of the Bheri Pumping Sub-Project
Approval to Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharad Singh Bhandari to participate in the World Government Summit 2025 to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 29th Magh to 1st Falgun 2081
Approval to establish new Land Revenue and Survey Offices in Pokhariya of Birgunj, Bodgaun of Kapilvastu and Narakota Sinja of Jumla
Approval of 10 additional temporary officer-level positions for the fiscal year 081-82 for programs to be operated under the Ministry of Urban Development
Approval of the University Grants Commission Financial Procedures-Regulations 2081
Approval of the Internal Control System Guidelines 2081
To approve the criteria for making public expenditure economical and effective, 2081
To approve the Eighth Amendment Regulation of Government of Nepal Performance, 2081
To approve the Third Amendment Regulation of Good Governance, Management and Operation, 2081
To approve the Second Amendment Regulation of Special Economic Zone, 2081
To promote and appoint seven officers of the Gazetted Second Class of various service groups and subgroups of the civil service to the post of Gazetted First Class Joint Secretary or equivalent of the relevant service, group and subgroup.
Kathmandu – The Attorney General’s Office has decided not to prosecute those involved in the land forgery incident of the Bansbari leather shoe factory.
Attorney General Ramesh Badal has approved the opinion prepared by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the police that those involved in registering government land in the name of individuals should not be prosecuted.
Based on the report submitted by the CIB, the District Attorney’s Office had prepared an opinion that there should be no prosecution. The file was approved by the Office of the High Attorney and reached the Attorney General’s Office.
At a press conference organized at the Attorney General’s Office on earlier , Attorney General Ramesh Badal said that there was no point in prosecuting cases when state property has already been returned, and that it would be appropriate to conclude the investigation without prosecuting them.
Kathmandu – In the clause-by-clause discussion of the Shaheed Dasharath Chand Health Sciences University Bill under the Education, Health and Technology Committee of the House of Representatives, Nepali Congress MP Dr. Chandra Bhandari has proposed to make a former president or former prime minister the chancellor, as it would not be possible to give time to the incumbent prime minister to be the chancellor.
Stating that this is a practice in the world, MP Bhandari said that if a person holding a prestigious position is given one university each, a leap forward can be made in transforming the society.
Meanwhile, Maoist MP Mahindra Raya Yadav said that it would not be possible to keep the university out of politics by making the chancellor when former heads of state are trying to attend party meetings, and suggested that the education minister be the chancellor and vice-chancellor through competition among experts.
The Shaheed Dasharath Chand Health Sciences University Bill has a provision that the chancellor be the prime minister. The lawmakers have made different proposals on this.
Maoist MP Rekha Sharma has suggested that the Education Minister can be made more responsible by making the Prime Minister a protector, but the Vice-Chancellor should be made an expert.
Section 6 of the bill states that the university officials will be the Chancellor, Associate Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, Principal and Hospital Director. However, there are differences of opinion among the committee officials on who should be the chief official in the committee. Since the committee could not reach a conclusion on who should be the Chancellor, Section 6 has been put on hold, saying that further consultations will be held.
Since the promulgation of the 2072 BS Constitution, Nepal adopted a federal structure, dividing the country into seven provinces. This system was introduced with the aim of decentralizing power, ensuring regional development, and fostering inclusivity. However, nearly a decade into its implementation, the provincial system has largely failed to deliver on its promises, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and calls for reform. Nepal, with a population of around 30 million and a land area of 147,516 square kilometers, is relatively small compared to other federal nations. The complexities of a provincial system are better suited for larger, more diverse countries with significant regional disparities. But in Nepal’s case, the provincial system has been proved nothing more than a burden to the country.
The introduction of provincial governments has added an extra layer of bureaucracy, creating redundancies in governance. Instead of streamlining decision-making, it has led to confusion and inefficiencies, with overlapping responsibilities between federal, provincial, and local bodies.Establishing and maintaining provincial governments has placed a significant financial strain on the national budget. The costs associated with running provincial assemblies, paying salaries to ministers and staff, and building infrastructure have diverted funds from essential sectors like health, education, and infrastructure development.The unclear delineation of powers between federal and provincial governments has led to frequent conflicts. Provinces often find themselves at odds with the central government, leading to political instability and a lack of coherent policy implementation.Rather than improving access to public services, the provincial system has often complicated it. Citizens face delays and inconsistencies in service delivery due to the added bureaucratic layers and coordination challenges among different levels of government.The federal system has exacerbated political fragmentation, with regional parties gaining prominence and contributing to frequent government changes and policy inconsistencies. This has hindered long-term planning and sustainable development.
Before federalism, Nepal operated under a centralized system that, despite its flaws, managed to maintain national unity and governance without the administrative complexities now faced. Nepal’s compact geography and population can be effectively managed through a centralized system complemented by empowered local governments. The distances and population sizes do not warrant a separate provincial tier. Strengthening local municipalities and rural municipalities (gaunpalikas) can ensure grassroots development without the need for an intermediate provincial level, leading to more direct and efficient governance.
To address the shortcomings of the provincial system and promote sustainable political and economic development, Nepal should consider eliminating the provincial level of government which can reduce administrative costs . This would allow for a more efficient allocation of resources directly to local governments, which are closer to the people and better understand their needs. Empowering local governments with greater autonomy, resources, and decision-making power can enhance service delivery and foster regional development. Local bodies should have the authority to plan and implement development projects tailored to their specific needs.The central government should focus on creating a more transparent, accountable, and efficient governance structure. Simplifying administrative procedures and reducing corruption will be key to restoring public trust and ensuring effective governance.
The provincial system in Nepal has proven to be an inefficient and costly experiment. Given the country’s size and administrative needs, a more streamlined governance model focusing on strong local governments and efficient central administration offers a more sustainable path forward. By adopting these reforms, Nepal can foster political stability, drive development, and ensure a better future for its citizens.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and her United States counterpart Donald Trump have announced a month-long pause to the sweeping US tariffs that were threatened for exports from Mexico.
Both leaders confirmed the agreement in social media posts on Monday, a day before the tariffs were supposed to come into effect. Sheinbaum was the first to reveal the pause, writing on the platform X.
“We had a good conversation with President Trump with great respect for our relationship and sovereignty,” she said.She explained that, as a result of their discussion, Mexico would send 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border to “prevent drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States”.Sheinbaum added that the US was, in return, working to prevent the trafficking of high-powered firearms to Mexico, which has long strengthened organised crime in the country.
Trump followed with his own announcement, describing the conversation with Sheinbaum as “very friendly” and praising the deployment of Mexico’s National Guard.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that Ukraine will disappear if it suffers defeat in the conflict with Russia .
Addressing the event organized by the Europa Press agency he said,”Nothing can be decided about Ukraine without Ukraine and nothing can be decided about European security without Europeans”.
“If Russia loses this war, <…> then Russia simply lost the war, but if Ukraine loses this war, Ukraine will disappear,” he said.
The European Union is preparing for a possible trade war with the US, but the winner in this situation will be China, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters upon arrival at the informal summit of the community in Brussels.
“We were listening carefully to those words and, of course, we are preparing on our side. But what is clear is that there are no winners in trade wars. If the EU and the United States start a trade war than the one who is laughing on the side is China,” she said.
According to her, introduction of tariffs on European goods by US would lead to higher prices and other negative consequences for both sides. In addition, such a decision will negatively affect jobs.
“We are very interlinked. We need America and America needs us as well,” she added.
On February 2, US President Donald Trump said that the United States is determined to impose additional customs duties on imports from the European Union. According to him, this will happen “very soon.” He complained that EU member countries do not buy products from the American automobile industry and agriculture.
Kathmandu – The Council of Ministers meeting held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Monday evening has passed various implementation regulations made for the ordinances.
On the first day of the winter session held on the 18th Magh, the government had submitted various bills and ordinances to the parliament to amend the laws. The Council of Ministers meeting has passed the implementation regulations prepared by the government for the implementation of the same laws and ordinances.
Taplejung — The ‘No Cable Car Group’ has formed a four-member negotiation facilitation committee to hold talks with the negotiation committee formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The negotiation committee formed by the No Cable Car Group, coordinated by Amar Tumyahang, has four members, including Ram Maden, Shankar Limbu, and Saru Singh.
Khagendra Phembu Limbu, coordinator of the Cable Car Abolition Joint Struggle Committee, said that this committee will create an environment for coordination for negotiations, but they have also said that decisions made by the government at the level of joint secretary may not be implemented.
The group has taken a stand that construction work should be suspended before sitting for talks, three people including the arrested Pradeep Maden should be released, and that security personnel should be withdrawn from the construction area.
Kathmandu- Prince Edward and his wife Sophie from the British Royal family will be arriving Nepal tomorrow , kicking off their first international tour of 2025.
As per the Royal Family’s official website, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Nepal to mark a state visit to the South Asian nation.Prince Edward, the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will be in Nepal for five days.
According to a Home Ministry source, they will arrive on Tuesday afternoon and return on Saturday. The Home Ministry has instructed the police to make security arrangements for the visit of the prince and his team. The Police Headquarters is preparing to deploy PSOs for their security.
According to the source, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend the attestation parade for new Gurkha recruits at British Gurkha Camp in Pokhara on February 7. The prince and his team are scheduled to visit Maiti Nepal, Kirtipur Eye Hospital, and SOS Children’s Village in Bhaktapur.During their five-day visit, the royal family members are scheduled to meet the high-level government officials and families of Gurkha veterans and they will also inspect the United Kingdom-funded development projects in Nepal.According to sources, preparations are under way to take Edward and Sophie for mountain flight in the Mt Everest region. “They will also trek to the Ghandruk area exploring the Annapurna foothills,” sources added.
In recent times, British Gurkhas have not only served in the UK but also been deployed in Cyprus, Macedonia, Romania, Germany, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand. The Gurkhas have served in the British army for over 200 years and have a reputation for being brave and tenacious fighters.
Earlier, Prince Harry had visited Nepal in March 2016 for 11 days and travelled to Kathmandu, Bardiya and Pokhara. Prince Philip had also visited Nepal in 2000.
Kathmandu- The ‘No Cable Car Group’, which has been protesting to stop the construction of the Pathibhara Cable Car, has today demonstrated in Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu, demanding the resignation of the Home Minister.
The Mukkumlung Conservation and Cable Car Abolition Struggle Committee has been intensifying its agitation in various parts of the country after two people were shot during a clash with the police during the ‘No Cable Car Group’ demonstration on Magh 2.
They demonstrated in Maitighar Mandala today, displaying placards with slogans such as ‘Water, land, forest are our life’, ‘Return the Armed Police Force from Mundhumi Mukkumsung’, and ‘Stop state terror’. The protesting parties who took out the demonstration in Maitighar Mandala have also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies have left a lasting impact on international trade, particularly with neighboring countries and major global economies. Under his administration, tariffs are imposed on a wide range of goods from countries like Canada, Mexico, and China, igniting trade wars that reverberated across the global economy.
In 2018, Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Canada and Mexico, the United States’ closest trading partners, were significantly affected. The tariffs were set at 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum, leading to strained diplomatic relations and economic uncertainty.
The tariffs disrupted North American supply chains, increased production costs for U.S. manufacturers, and led to higher prices for consumers. In Canada, industries reliant on steel and aluminum exports faced immediate challenges, while Mexico saw a decline in cross-border trade efficiency. The U.S. economy experienced mixed outcomes—while some domestic industries benefited from reduced foreign competition, others, particularly in the automotive and construction sectors, faced increased costs.
Retaliatory Measures by China, Canada, and Mexico In response to U.S. tariffs, Canada, Mexico, and China implemented their own retaliatory measures:
Canada Imposed tariffs on $12.6 billion worth of U.S. goods, including whiskey, orange juice, and dairy products, directly targeting industries in politically significant U.S. states.
Mexico Applied tariffs on U.S. agricultural products like pork, cheese, and apples, affecting American farmers who heavily relied on exports to Mexico.
China Launched extensive retaliatory tariffs on $110 billion worth of U.S. goods, focusing on soybeans, automobiles, and chemicals, which significantly impacted American farmers and manufacturers.
After being re-elected as the 47th President of the United States in 2024, Trump reinstated and expanded several of his earlier tariff policies. In 2025, new tariffs were imposed on a broader range of goods from China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. The tariffs on Chinese technology and electronics were increased to 35%, while Canadian and Mexican agricultural products faced additional duties of up to 20%.
As BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—moved forward with de-dollarization efforts, aiming to reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar in international trade, Trump threatened to impose sanctions on these countries. The de-dollarization initiative posed a potential challenge to the dominance of the U.S. dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency, prompting strong reactions from the Trump administration. Such sanctions could further escalate tensions between the U.S. and emerging economies, potentially destabilizing global financial markets.
Trump also signaled the possibility of imposing tariffs on European Union nations, citing unfair trade practices and imbalances in automotive and agricultural sectors. Proposed tariffs on European cars and luxury goods raised concerns among EU leaders, who warned of reciprocal measures that could trigger a broader transatlantic trade war. The threat of such tariffs strained U.S.-EU relations and introduced additional volatility into global markets.
Trump’s tariff policies and threats of sanctions have had far-reaching implications, affecting not only bilateral trade relationships but also the broader dynamics of global commerce. The retaliatory measures by Canada, Mexico, China, and now the European Union highlight the interconnectedness of the global economy and the risks of protectionist policies. As BRICS nations continue their de-dollarization efforts and the EU remains engaged in trade disputes, the long-term impact of these conflicts on the U.S. economy and its global standing remains a critical issue for policymakers and economists alike.
Established in 2006, BRICS is an influential group of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Initially formed as “BRIC” with Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the group expanded to include South Africa in 2010, becoming BRICS. This coalition aims to foster economic growth, political collaboration, and advocate for reforms in international financial institutions.
The formation of BRICS marked a significant shift in global economic dynamics. These nations, each with unique economic strengths, collectively represent over 40% of the world’s population and about 25% of the global GDP. Brazil, known for its rich natural resources and agricultural exports, pairs with Russia, a global energy powerhouse abundant in oil and natural gas. India brings rapid economic growth and a robust technology sector, while China, the world’s second-largest economy, dominates in manufacturing and exports. South Africa, the continent’s most developed economy, serves as a crucial gateway to Africa, rich in minerals and resources.
The objectives of BRICS are ambitious and multifaceted. The group seeks to promote peace, security, and development within its member states, while also pushing for a more equitable representation of emerging economies in global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Enhancing trade and investment among the members, fostering cooperation in science, technology, education, and health, and advocating for a multipolar world order are central to BRICS’ mission.
Over the years, BRICS has made notable achievements. The establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB) in 2014 stands out as a major milestone. This institution finances infrastructure and sustainable development projects within BRICS nations and other emerging economies, providing a credible alternative to Western-dominated financial bodies. The Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) was also created to offer financial support to members facing balance of payments crises. Regular annual summits facilitate discussions on global and regional issues, with the presidency rotating among member countries, ensuring equal representation and influence.
In terms of trade, BRICS nations have initiated agreements aimed at boosting intra-BRICS commerce and reducing reliance on Western currencies. This move towards de-dollarization reflects the group’s broader strategy to diversify global economic power and reduce dependency on the US dollar.
The rise of BRICS is significantly impacting the global economy. By diversifying economic power away from traditional Western economies, the group is reshaping global financial structures. The creation of alternative institutions like the NDB and CRA challenges the dominance of entities such as the IMF and World Bank. Furthermore, BRICS’ push to use local currencies in trade could diminish the global demand for the US dollar, potentially weakening its status as the world’s primary reserve currency.
For the US economy, the implications are profound. The de-dollarization efforts by BRICS could reduce the dollar’s global dominance, affecting its value and influence. Increased economic competition from BRICS nations could challenge US markets, resources, and geopolitical standing. Additionally, BRICS’ advocacy for reforming international institutions might lead to a diminished US role in global decision-making bodies.
In conclusion, BRICS is not just a coalition of emerging economies; it is a powerful force driving the shift towards a multipolar world order. Its efforts to promote economic cooperation and reform global governance challenge the traditional dominance of Western powers. While the full extent of its impact on the global economy and the US remains to be seen, BRICS undoubtedly plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of international relations and economic policies.
Kathmandu – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has called a cabinet meeting today. The meeting has been called to be held at 4 pm today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar.
The meeting will discuss the regular work of the government. It is said that some decisions including appointments and promotions will be made from the meeting.
Kathmandu: Although the country’s domestic economy is sluggish, there has been a good improvement in the external sector of the economy. According to the 6-month data published by the National Bank, more foreign exchange is entering the country than leaving it.
That is why the balance of payments situation is continuously in surplus. The size of remittances is increasing . The size of the country’s foreign exchange reserves has also increased significantly to 2316.84 billion. This has made it possible for the country to meet the import of goods and services for 14 months.
Especially, despite the government spending billions and holding an investment conference, it is a reality that foreign direct investment (FDI) has not been able to inflow. However, the latest data shows a slight improvement in FDI. As of December of the current fiscal year, 6.5 billion rupees of direct foreign investment (equity only) have been inflow. This is 43.14 percent or 1.96 billion rupees more than the same period of the last fiscal year. In the same period of the previous year, such direct foreign investment (equity only) had inflows of Rs 4.54 billion.
The country’s total foreign exchange reserves have increased by 13.5 percent to Rs 2.3 trillion 16 billion 84 million. This is the data up to Poush of the current fiscal year. In US dollars, such reserves have increased by 10.3 percent compared to Ashar and have reached Rs 16.84 billion. Of which, Nepal Rastra Bank has foreign exchange reserves of Rs 2.0 trillion 72.34 billion and banks and financial institutions (excluding Nepal Rastra Bank) have foreign exchange reserves of Rs 2.4 trillion 44.5 billion. The share of Indian currency in such reserves is 24.3 percent.
Overall, based on the six months of imports in the fiscal year 2081/82, the foreign exchange reserves held by the banking sector are sufficient to cover 17.3 months of goods imports and 14.4 months of goods and services imports, the Rastra Bank has said.
As foreign exchange inflows are more than outflows, the balance of payments position is in surplus of Rs 249 billion 260 million in the first six months. In the same period last year, the balance of payments position was in surplus of Rs 273 billion 520 million. In US dollar terms, the balance of payments position, which was in surplus of Rs 260 million in the same period last year, is in surplus of Rs 1.82 billion in the review period. Along with this, the country’s current account is in surplus of Rs 148 billion 170 million.
In the same period last year, it was in surplus of Rs 162 billion 560 million. In US dollar terms, it is in surplus of Rs 1.88 billion. Similarly, net capital transfer is Rs 4.29 billion.
Kathmandu – The hearing on the writ petition against Kulman Ghising, the Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, is being held today.
Hitendra Man Shakya had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court alleging that he was removed from his position and Kulman was appointed as the Executive Director of the Authority.
After the initial hearing of the writ petition filed three and a half years ago was on pending and the case scheduled for presentation was postponed several times, but after the Supreme Court issued a priority order to give priority to that case the hearing has been moved forward.
He has demanded an order to remove Ghising from the post and reinstate him in the same post.
Kathmandu – Protesting resident doctors have boycotted OPD services for three hours today, demanding government-level wages.
The protesting resident doctors, under the name of the ‘Sangharsh Samiti for a Safe Workplace for Healthcare Workers’, have announced to demonstrate with banners/placards and boycott OPD services at health institutions other than medical colleges and institutes across the country from 9 am to 12 pm. They have also announced that they will continue the protest at Maitighar Mandala.
The resident doctors had earlier protested with ‘pen down’ and aprons at their respective institutions.
The Sangharsh Samiti has been demanding that the minimum wage for interns and doctors studying MD, MS, MDS, DM and MCH be maintained at the same level as the government. They have also demanded that all PG programs be made completely fee-free .
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have decided to make a legal provision to provide a living allowance of Rs 25,000 for the first year, Rs 30,000 for the second year and Rs 35,000 for the third year to resident doctors studying in private medical colleges.
Coordinator of the Sangharsh Samiti, Dr. Sheshraj Ghimire, said that the agitation will continue until the four-point demands, including getting government-like service facilities, are met. Stating that they have boycotted OPD services for only three hours so that patients do not suffer much, he warned that if their demands are ignored, all services except emergency services will be completely stopped.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced retaliatory 25% tariffs on American goods, hours after US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping trade restrictions on Canadian imports.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has accused the US of fueling cartel violence by allowing powerful firearms to flow south, pushing back against President Donald Trump’s claims that Mexico is failing to stop illegal migration and drug trafficking.
“Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25% trade tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods,” Trudeau said at a news conference on Saturday.
The first wave of tariffs, covering $30 billion worth of US goods, will take effect on Tuesday, with broader measures following in 21 days to allow Canadian companies to adjust.
“These tariffs will be far-reaching and include everyday items,” the Canadian leader said, listing alcohol, fruits, vegetables, clothing, and shoes. In addition to direct tariffs, Ottawa is exploring “several non-tariff measures,” which could include restrictions on critical minerals, energy procurement, and other trade partnerships.
“We will stand strong for Canada,” Trudeau said. “We will stand strong to ensure our countries continue to be the best neighbors in the world,” he added, urging citizens to support domestic businesses.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s has ordered retaliatory tariffs on US goods in response to Trump’s sweeping 25% duties on imports from Mexico and Canada.
“We categorically reject the slander made by the White House against the Government of Mexico, accusing it of having alliances with criminal organizations,” Sheinbaum wrote in a fiery post on X. “If such an alliance exists anywhere, it is in the armories of the United States that sell high-powered weapons to these criminal groups – as demonstrated by the US Department of Justice itself.”
Kathmandu – The government has registered a bill in the parliament on air services and civil aviation authorities to differentiate between the two functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, which has been performing both regulatory and service provider functions.
Now, the construction, operation and management of airports will be done through the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and this body will be responsible for the construction, upgrading, operation and management of airports.
According to this bill, the authority has opened the way for the private sector to be able to hand over the responsibility of operation and management of airports under its jurisdiction to any government or non-government agency or through a competitive process, with the approval of the Government of Nepal.
The authority will be able to give necessary instructions to all government or non-government organizations, individuals or stakeholders working at the airport, keeping in mind passenger service, safety and facilities, and airport security.
Kathmandu- Nepal has suffered its third consecutive defeat in the ongoing women’s T20I series at the Tribhuvan University Kirtipur Cricket Ground.
Nepal, who lost in the first match against the Netherlands, has also lost in today’s second match.
Nepal, who played against the Netherlands after being given a target of 141 runs, managed to score only 125 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs.
Nepal has lost three consecutive matches in the tri-nation series including Thailand and the Netherlands along with today’s match.
Kathmandu – Nepali Congress MP Narayan Dutta Bhatta, who arrived at the National Assembly meeting while it was in progress, collapsed during the meeting.
Bhatta, who suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes, had also registered to speak in today’s meeting. After he fell unwell, National Assembly Speaker Narayan Prasad Dahal gave time to Congress MP Bishnukumari Sapkota to speak in his place.
He is currently undergoing treatment at the National Assembly’s health room inside the parliament building.
Kathmandu – Separate bills on Air Services and Civil Aviation Authority have been registered in Parliament.
The Federal Parliament Secretariat has filed a Bill-2081 to amend the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Act and a Bill-2081 to establish and manage the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has said.
The Bill has been brought to differentiate the two functions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, which is performing both regulatory and service provider functions.
Kathmandu- Police have arrested District Coordination Committee Myagdi chief Rajkumar Thapa, who is accused of embezzling Rs 10.5 million from Kumari Cooperative Society in Beni, Myagdi.
An investigation report conducted by the Office of the Cooperative Registrar, Pokhara a year ago stated that Rs 10.5 million was embezzled from Kumari Cooperative Society on Thapa’s plan and that Thapa and his team misused the money by using it to purchase private schools and houses and land.
On 28th Magh 2079, the chairman of the cooperative, Yama Bahadur Rokka, had submitted a written application to the Office of the Cooperative Registrar, demanding an investigation into the matter of Kumari Multi-Purpose Cooperative, but Thapa had not been arrested yet. He was elected as the District coordiantion committee chief from UML.
Janakpur – A contempt case has been registered against Prabhu Sah, a member of the House of Representatives elected from Rautahat Constituency No. 3 and Aam Janata Party Chairman, at the Rautahat District Court.
Mayor of Boudhimai Municipality Pradeep Kumar Yadav has registered a case against him saying that he has insulted the judiciary system and the court. Earlier Shah wrote some ill statement on his facebook wall about the Rautahat district court judge.
Shah is also accused of threatening to kill mayor yadav in the court premises. Earlier, an order was issued to send Gangaram Baitha to remand for trial, who attacked and misbehaved Mayor Yadav while clearing the road, and Mayor Yadav had said that Shah threatened to kill him in the court premises before the court order came in the matter. The hearing in the case is going on today.
Pokhara- The preparations for the 24th Aaha Rara Gold Cup football tournament, which will start in Pokhara from next Tuesday, have been completed.
The organizers, Sahara Club, informed that the preparations for the tournament have been completed in a press conference in Pokhara on Sunday morning.The tournament trophy and jersey have been unveiled at the event. The tournament will start at the Pokhara Stadium from Tuesday.The tournament opening match will be held between the organizers, Sahara Club and Nepal Police Club.
The tournament, which will feature 12 teams, includes the Black Bulls of Uzbekistan, the former winners of the ‘A’ division team, Tribhuvan Army Football Club, Three Star Club, Machhindra, NRT, Church Boys, Sankata Club, and Nepal Police Club.
In addition, the organizers, Sahara, APF, Brigade Boys UK, and Thunderbolt North United of Sikkim are also competing.Manang Marsyangdi Club will not participate in this edition of the tournament. Manang is a 7-time title winner.
The winner of the competition will receive Rs. 1,201,000 and the runner-up will receive Rs. 601,000. The ticket price for the pre-quarterfinal matches in the competition is Rs. 100 for general and Rs. 200 for VIP.The semi-finals ticket will cost Rs. 200 for general and Rs. 400 for VIP.
The organizers have stated that the money saved from the competition will be spent on orphaned children at the Surya Bahadur KC Academy run by the club.The competition will be held from Magh 22 to Falgun 3.
Strike impact on East-West Highway and Mechi Highway
The Biratnagar-Mukumlung Protection Inter-Party Struggle Committee has called for General strike( Banda) in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Ilam and Panchthar districts for today and tomorrow to protest the construction of the Pathibhara Cable Car. The first day of the strike seems to have had a general effect.
Passenger vehicles are not seen on the highways in the areas where the strike has been called on Sunday morning, while protesters can be seen taking to the streets and squares. The strike seems to have had the most impact on the East-West Highway and Mechi Highway. Traffic on the East-West Highway and Mechi Highway is almost at a standstill.
The strike has been called by the supporters of the “no cablecar movement”, demanding that the decision to build the cable car be revoked, leaders and cadres arrested during the “No Cable Car movement” be released, a judicial investigation be conducted into the shooting incident in Mukumlung be conducted, and the security forces be withdrawn from the Kafle Party.
Kathmandu — Nepal and Saudi Arabia have agreed to sign a bilateral labor agreement during a meeting held in Riyadh between Minister for Labor, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari and his Saudi counterpart Ahmed bin Salman bin Abdullah Al Rajhi.
The final draft will be finalized after both sides complete the legal process and the date for signing the agreement. Saudi Arabia has proposed to Nepal to sign agreements related to general labor, domestic labor and the skills certification program. Out of these three, the draft of the labor agreement related to the recruitment of general labor has been finalized.
Currently, around 400 thousands Nepalese workers are working in Saudi Arabia, excluding domestic workers.
Janakpur- A prisoner has died in Jaleshwor Prison in Mahottari. The death has been recorded for 56-year-old Jogendra Mahara of Bateshwor Rural Municipality-1, Dhanusha, who was in the prison.
Mahara, who was already taking medication, was admitted to the Jaleshwor Provincial Hospital at midnight after suffering from severe stomach pain and died at 2:30 am on Saturday during treatment, said Ashok Chhetri, head of the prison administration.
The District Court in Dhanusha had convicted him of an arson incident in a village field in 2038 BS and sentenced him to imprisonment. Since then, he had been on the list of fugitives and was arrested by the police two years ago and sent to prison to serve his sentence.
According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Weather Forecasting Division, there is a general influence of westerly winds in the country. Currently, the weather is partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Koshi Province, including Bagmati Province and Gandaki Province, and mainly clear in the rest of the country. There is fog in many places in the Terai.
2081 Magh 20 (Sunday)
In the afternoon: the hilly areas of Koshi Province will be partly cloudy, while the weather will be mainly clear in the rest of the country.
At night: the hilly areas of Koshi Province will be partly cloudy, while the weather will be mainly clear in the rest of the country.
2081 Magh 21 (Monday)
In the afternoon: the hilly areas of Koshi Province will be partly cloudy, while the weather will be mainly clear in the rest of the country.
At night: The weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province, Lumbini Province and Koshi Province, while the rest of the region will be mainly clear.
2081 Magh 22 (Tuesday)
In the afternoon: The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province, Lumbini Province and Gandaki Province, while the rest of the region will be partly cloudy to mainly clear. There is a possibility of light rain in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim Province and Karnali Province, including Lumbini Province and Gandaki Province. There is a possibility of light snowfall in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province and Gandaki Province.
At night: The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province and Gandaki Province, while the rest of the region will be partly cloudy to mainly clear. There is a possibility of light rain in the hilly areas of Sudurpaschim Province and Karnali Province, including Gandaki Province. There is a possibility of light snowfall in the high hilly and mountainous areas of Sudurpaschim Province, Karnali Province, including Gandaki Province.
Warning/Advisory for next 24 hours:
There is a possibility of mist/fog in some places in the Terai and Valley of the country in the morning, which may affect daily life, agriculture, health, transport and air flights, so it is requested to take necessary precautions.
Kathmandu- The Maoist Center is going to start a postal highway-focused campaign from Kachanakawal Rural Municipality of Jhapa from Falgun 3.
The campaign starting from Kachanakawal will last for 6 months. The Maoists have stated that this postal highway-focused campaign will be nationwide.
The campaign starting from Kachanakawal will reach Mahakali and then focus on Madan Bhandari Highway again. After that, the Maoists are preparing to reach the foothills of Mount Everest in Solukhumbu and conclude the campaign.
The fifth plenary meeting of the Maoist Center Jhapa has also divided the work for the postal highway-focused campaign. Currently, programs ranging from mobilizing party workers to holding village-town conventions are underway, informed the party’s District Secretary Mohan Tudu.
The party’s Deputy General Secretary Haribol Gajurel said that the campaign is going to start from Jhapa as per the party’s central program.
He also claimed that this campaign will strengthen the party by removing contradictions within the party. “The weakness of the leaders is not the only reason for the party’s weakness,” he said. “The party has become weak due to political errors. We will now correct them and move forward.”
In the meeting, party central members Dharmashila Chapagain and Indra Bahadur Angbo claimed that the Maoist party has been gaining popularity in recent times. They stressed that the party should work in the areas of production and employment.
Central member and Jhapa in-charge Jhalak Singh Darlami said that a special campaign is being launched to strengthen the party.
Washington wants Kiev to have presidential and parliamentary elections, potentially by this year’s end, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg.
According to the report, Kellogg and other White House officials have discussed asking Kiev to hold the votes as part of a potential truce deal with Moscow. Speaking to the agency, Kellogg said that both the presidential and parliamentary elections “need to be done.”
“Most democratic nations have elections in their time of war. I think it is important they do so,” the special envoy said. “I think it is good for democracy. That’s the beauty of a solid democracy, you have more than one person potentially running.”
Parliamentary and presidential elections in Ukraine scheduled for October 2023 and March 2024 were not held after Vladimir Zelensky announced in December 2023 that they would not take place while martial law imposed during the conflict with Russia remains in force.
Martial law was declared after the escalation of hostilities between Kiev and Moscow in February 2022 and has been repeatedly extended ever since. In November 2024, it was prolonged once again and is now expected to continue at least until February 7, 2025.
US President Doland Trump has repeatedly vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine conflict. On Friday, he claimed that the US was “having very serious discussions about that war” with Russia – something that Moscow has not confirmed so far.
The American president also stated on multiple occasions that he was ready to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible to negotiate an end to the fighting. Moscow has repeatedly stated it its ready for dialogue at any time, but has received no specific signals from the US. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, no such talks are currently planned and all communications are being conducted at the embassy level.
If the US plan eventually involves a temporary ceasefire deal prior to a more permanent agreement, the winner of the Ukrainian presidential election could be responsible for negotiating the terms of the final treaty, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing discussions in the White House.
Moscow has questioned Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s legitimacy and said that he is no longer qualified to sign international agreements on behalf of Ukraine as his presidential term officially expired in May 2024.
Earlier this week, Putin said that although Zelensky could take part in any potential negotiations, he could not be part of a final deal. “It’s possible to negotiate with anyone,” the Russian leader said, adding that any agreement would be a “very serious question” and must “guarantee the security of both Ukraine and Russia” for a “serious” period of time.
Putin had previously stated on multiple occasions that the Ukrainian constitution does not envisage any extensions of the president’s term, only authorizing this for the parliament. Moscow has also said it will not agree to a temporary truce and that a settlement must include “reliable, legally binding agreements eliminating the root causes of the conflict.”RT
Kathmandu: Nepal is playing its third match against Netherlands in the triangular women’s T20 international series. The match will be held at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground at 12:15 pm today.
Nepal has already suffered its second consecutive defeat. On Saturday, Nepal lost to Thailand by 4 wickets. In the previous match, Nepal lost to Netherlands by 20 runs.
The series features Nepal, Thailand and Netherlands.
NATO is trying to turn the Baltic Sea into internal waters of the alliance but Russia will do everything to protect its interests, Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin told TASS, commenting on the decision of NATO member-countries to launch patrols in the Baltic Sea with the use of warships and aviation.
“This is an attempt to turn the Baltic Sea into internal waters of NATO, limit the freedom of navigation and put observation of sanctions introduced by the West against our country under the NATO’s stringent control. Russia will do everything needed to protect its interests with reliance on international law. Our opponents should not have any illusions in this regard,” the diplomat said.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said earlier that the alliance would launch a patrol operation in the Baltic Sea to protect the subsea infrastructure of member-countries, with frigates and marine aviation to be involved. He did not detail the number of warships and aircraft to take part in the operation.
Kathmandu — The Central Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Department of the CPN-UML and the National Cooperative Federation Limited Nepal have suggested to the Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli to amend some provisions of the ordinance brought to amend some Nepal Acts related to cooperatives through a replacement bill.
Khagaraj Adhikari, Chief of the Central Cooperatives Department of the UML and Chairman of the Federation Omdevi Malla have reached the Prime Minister’s residence and submitted separate suggestions to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Oli has said that the issues presented through the replacement bill will be discussed and that the ruling party should also be consulted on the issues that have been drawn to the government’s attention.
Kathmandu – While some leaders of the party have been saying that the general convention will be held only after the upcoming elections, Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has said that the party’s 15th general convention will be held before the 2084 elections.
Addressing the ward meeting of the Congress’s Kathmandu Metropolitan City-7, he said that the Congress general convention should be held on time as per the scheduled date and there is no alternative to it.
He also said that i have heard some leaders have been talking about the general convention to be held only after the 2084 elections but i would like to remind all of you that even the constitution won’t allow this and i want you to be sure that the party’s general convention will be held before the 2084 elections.
Taplejung — The Ministry of Home Affairs has written to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to resolve the cable car construction dispute in the Pathibhara area.
Since the issue of cable car regulation falls under federal affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs has written a letter to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration to coordinate and facilitate the issues and concerns of the locals and take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
The letter states that immediate steps should be taken to resolve the issue by coordinating and facilitating the issues and concerns raised locally, taking into account the issues and concerns raised locally.
Earlier, on Magh 12, five people, including two from the protesting group, and 21 people on the police side were injured when police opened fire on them. The police have arrested three people in the incident.
Achham — Police have released details of the incident through a press conference, concluding that the two teenage girls, 14-year-old Ishara Khadka and 15-year-old Saraswati Khadka, found dead in Achham, were murdered.
Police have arrested two teenagers, aged 17 and 15, studying in grades 10 and 8 at Gurukul Secondary School in Dhakari, on charges of murder. According to the police, Ishara and Saraswati were talking to the teenagers on phone and social media and had planned to meet in the forest two days ago. During the meeting, a 15 year old teenage boy among arrested proposed to Saraswati for love and sex, and when she refused, he hit her on the head with a stone.
After Saraswati died of a stone, it has been revealed that Ishara was also killed to cover up the murder.
Police have said that the two teenagers have confessed to the murder and that an investigation is underway to determine the involvement of others, but the investigation is ongoing as the final post-mortem report and technical reports are yet to come. The police also stated that the juveniles in police custody are being investigated after being remanded for five days by the Achham District Court.
US President Donald Trump will impose tariffs on Saturday of 25% on Mexico, 25% on Canada and 10% on China, says the White House.
But Trump said on Friday that Canadian oil would be hit with lower tariffs of 10%, which could take effect later, on 18 February. The president also said he planned to impose tariffs on the European Union in the future, saying the bloc had not treated the US well.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Canada and Mexico duties were in response to “the illegal fentanyl that they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country, which has killed 10s of millions of Americans”.Trump has also repeatedly said the move was to address the large amounts of undocumented migrants that have come across US borders as well as trade deficits with its neighbours.
During the election campaign, Trump threatened to hit Chinese-made products with tariffs of up to 60%, but held off on any immediate action on his first day back in the White House, instead ordering his administration to study the issue.
China, Canada and Mexico are the top US trading partners, accounting for 40% of the goods imported into the US last year, and fears are rising that the new steep levies could kick off a major trade war as well as push up prices in the US.
Kathmandu- The Supreme Court has issued a three-point directive order in the name of the government, dismissing the writ petition filed against the government’s decision to make the national identity card mandatory in a phased manner.
On 24 Jestha, 2081, the government had decided to make the national identity card mandatory for renewal of social security allowance in 28 districts from 1st Shrawan in the first phase. In the second phase, it had decided to make the national identity card mandatory in 38 districts from 1st Magh and in all the remaining districts from 1st Shrawan in the second phase. Five writ petitions were filed in the Supreme Court against that decision. The Supreme Court, putting all the writ petitions together, issued the order by a full bench of Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, Justice Abdul Aziz Musalman and Nripadhwaj Niraula.
The Supreme Court has ordered the government to expedite the distribution of national identity cards at points near the citizens’ residences. In the directive order, the Supreme Court said, “The hassle, inconvenience and difficulty faced in the delivery of public services due to the lack of a national identity card should be ended.”
Court has ordered the establishment of stations for the collection and distribution of national identity card details in public service delivery bodies.
The Supreme Court has ordered the scientific recording of national identity card details to prevent unauthorized use or misuse of personal information. The Supreme Court has also ordered the National Identity Card Management Information System and other bodies that provide services using the National Identity Card or Identity Card number to conduct a security audit and secure the electronic details of individuals. The Supreme Court has also ordered the development of policy, legal, and structural arrangements to ensure the protection of privacy.
Kathmandu – Nepal Oil Corporation has increased the price of petroleum products. Effective from midnight last night, the Corporation has increased the price of petrol by Rs 2, diesel and kerosene by Rs 4.
Similarly, the Corporation has also increased the price of aviation fuel. According to the Corporation, aviation fuel has increased by Rs 6 per liter domestically and by US$ 43 for international flights to Kathmandu.
According to the new price, the price of petrol will now be Rs 167 per liter in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dipayal areas. It will be Rs 166 in Surkhet and Dang areas and Rs 164.50 in other areas.
Similarly, the price of diesel and kerosene will be Rs 160 per liter in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Dipayal areas. It will be Rs 159 in Surkhet and Dang areas and Rs 157.50 in other areas.
US President Donald Trump has reiterated plans to hold a conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported.
According to the report, Trump said on Friday that he would be speaking to Putin and they would perhaps do something he described as significant. However, the US president did not elaborate.
Trump also said that Washington was having serious discussions with Moscow, Reuters added.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Moscow remained open to communication with the US at the level of the two countries’ presidents but had not received any requests on the matter from Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told that any attack by Israel or the United States on Iran’s nuclear facilities would plunge the region into an “all-out war”.In an interview with during a visit to Qatar, Araghchi warned that launching a military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would be “one of the biggest historical mistakes the US could make”.He said Iran would respond “immediately and decisively” to any attack and that it would lead to an “all-out war in the region”.
“We highly commend Qatar’s mediation role in reaching the ceasefire in Gaza,” Araghchi said in an interview broadcast on Friday. “I hope all other issues will be ironed out.”He also met Hamas officials while in Qatar and said Palestinians had achieved “victory” in Gaza, despite the devastation of Israel’s war on the enclave.“Despite all the killings and destruction the whole world witnessed, the Palestinian people held their ground and upheld their values and principles. I believe this stands as a victory,” he said.“The Israeli occupation forces did all in their power to eliminate Hamas and free their captives, but they were forced at the end of the day to sit and negotiate with Hamas. This represents victory for Hamas,” he added.
Regarding developments in Syria, Araghchi said Iran supports the formation of a government in which all segments of Syrian society can participate following the toppling of former President Bashar al-Assad, who was a strong ally of Iran.Araghchi said Iran’s goals are for stability in Syria and to preserve the unity of the country’s territory.
“We endorse any government chosen and supported by the Syrian people. We want peace and security for Syrian, which is a precursor to the same in the region,” he said.“We don’t wish to see Syria as the epicentre of endless tension or ethnic conflicts, which may turn it into a safe haven for terrorists. Instability in Syria would spill over the region.”
Iran had supported al-Assad since Syria’s war broke out in 2011, providing him with fighters, weapons and other military support that aimed to keep him in power, as well as to maintain Tehran’s regional “axis of resistance” to Israel and the US.Regarding the re-election of Trump, Araghchi said the history of Iranian-American relations was “full of hostility and mistrust”.He pointed out that the US under the last Trump administration withdrew from the nuclear agreement and assassinated Qaseem Solieimani, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC’s) Quds Force.He called on the new Trump administration to take practical steps to restore confidence, such as returning frozen Iranian funds, and said Iran does not object to direct dialogue with the US, but insists on limiting negotiations to the nuclear issue.
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