With Nepali parliament unanimously passing the constitution amendment for a new political map in the national emblem, Nepal-India relation is on a new and uncharted territory. The amendment included territories controlled by India since the Sino-India war in 1962, the area known as Kalapani, also inclusive of Lipu Lekh and Limpiyadhura. The constitution revision was passed by over two thirds majority and without any dissent.

Madheshis are angry and worried that the state might deny citizenship to their spouses because a parliamentary committee has endorsed the Citizenship Amendment Bill.  They are angry also because they have been misinformed by politicians and NGO activists about what is there in the Bill.   Lies, propaganda and misinterpretation could breed hate and tear the social fabric, if they are not told the truth on time.

Nepal has been under lockdown for more than three month now due to the ongoing pandemic of Covid-19. Nepal has taken lockdown as a major strategy to control pandemic due to lack of resources and test kits. The government of Nepal has been trying to get enough test kits required to control the pandemic from taking root in the country. As an effort to fulfill that demand, the government initiated procurement effort as well first via the Health Ministry directly through a contract that was awarded to Omni group and recently to Nepal army via government-to-government model. Both procurement done by the government has not been without controversies.

In the past two decades, the concept of smart city has been gaining popularity globally. While several cities such as Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Barcelona, Chicago and Hong Kong have been implementing elements of smart city planning and design concepts, some city planners and civic leaders are also speaking about the benefits of adopting smart city notions for Nepal.

HONG KONG – Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton’s new book The Room Where It Happened bills itself as “the most comprehensive and substantial account” of President Donald Trump’s administration. And, indeed, it has quickly become a critical resource for those seeking to understand Trump. But, despite Bolton’s juicy revelations about Trump’s conduct of foreign policy (which his administration tried in vain to keep off bookshelves), the book does little to answer the fundamental question facing the US: Is its current foreign-policy muddle Trump’s fault, or the result of something deeper and more structural?

With the passing by the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the Citizenship Bill, many are thinking: Will the country come up with a progressive piece of legislation that can truly be in the best interests of the nation and its people?

As a mother, reminiscing and reflecting on my daughter’s life gives me both pride and joy. Her childhood, the transition to teenage, and every single memory where I have been with her. But of late, things have changed. I feel the distance and my bonding with her is being replaced by conflicting views. Things we agreed before, we disagree today. I often console myself that these differences shouldn’t be taken with a pinch of salt, as it is a given. “Teenage angst” that’s what it is called. But then, I can’t help but wonder, what can I do in this situation, as this metamorphosis of thoughts and ideas, and the differences, if not handled well can loosen the bond that we share.  The question here is, do I let her go, or do I let her grow?

NEW HAVEN – Pandemic time runs at warp speed. That’s true of the COVID-19 infection rate, as well as the unprecedented scientific efforts under way to find a vaccine. It is also true of transformational developments currently playing out in pandemic-affected economies. Just as a lockdown-induced recession brought global economic activity to a virtual standstill in a mere two months, hopes for a V-shaped recovery are premised on an equally quick reopening of shuttered economies.

Sushant Singh Rajput, the Bollywood actor, is no more and the news of his suicide is unfortunate. His last Instagram post was a collage of his mother along with his picture, which he captioned it poetically, ‘Blurred past evaporating from teardrops, unending dreams carving an arc of smile and a fleeting life, negotiating between the two...Maa.’

The use of cannabis is on the rise in Nepal and has been a matter of concern for those working in areas of crime investigation and public health. While there have been increasing debates about cannabis production and sales legalisation, including Nepal’s parliament, we feel the need to inform the general public and policy makers so as to enable informed decision on the issue.