KATHMANDU, Sept 25: Nepal’s foreign trade volume declined 5.32 percent with a decline in both imports and exports in the first two months of the current fiscal year.

A positive momentum for bilateral growth

September 25, 2023 07:48 am

Nepal and India have recently witnessed a shift in their bilateral relationship, with India demonstrating a notable commitment to fulfilling promises and driving the implementation of key agreements.

KATHMANDU, Sept 24: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given the green light for a concessional loan of $100 million (equivalent to 13.29 billion Nepalese rupees) aimed at bolstering Nepal's financial management.

KATHMANDU, Sept 24: Despite ongoing challenges in the domestic economy, Nepal is witnessing a positive trend in foreign investment commitments. In the first two months of the current fiscal year 2023/24, spanning from mid-July to mid-September (Shrawan and Bhadra), the Department of Industries has recorded foreign investment commitments amounting to approximately Rs 18 billion.

KATHMANDU, Sept 24: India, often criticized in Nepal for unfulfilled promises, is now making significant strides in delivering on agreements made between the two countries. Recent years have seen a notable acceleration in the implementation of several crucial accords, according to government officials.

BRICS and Beyond

September 24, 2023 08:30 am

The fifteenth BRICS summit, the first in-person gathering since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22nd to 24th. This summit was part of a series initiated in 2009 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. It gained more global attention than previous summits, occurring amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and escalating geopolitical tensions between the USA and China.

Nepal’s trade deficit with China widens

September 23, 2023 19:41 pm

KATHMANDU, Sept 23: Nepal has not been able to benefit from trade with its northern neighbor China, which has the second largest economy in the world. Since China does not prioritize trade with Nepal, the trade deficit with China is deepening.

KATHMANDU, Sept 23: Nepal's tourism sector has found respite through an influx of domestic tourists. In recent years, Nepali residents have increasingly embarked on trips with their families, friends, and relatives, contributing significantly to the promotion of domestic tourism.

19th Asian Games: Nepal loses to Vietnam

September 23, 2023 10:23 am

KATHMANDU, Sept 23: Nepal lost an opening match of Group D in women's football to Vietnam in the 19th Asian Games. In the match held at Hangzhou of China on Friday, the Vietnamese squad emerged victorious against Nepal by 2-0. In the first half, both teams played a goalless draw.

KATHMANDU, Sept 21: The Yunnan Province of China has shown interest in forging a collaboration between Chinese and Nepali media.

Nepal ratifies BBNJ Treaty

September 21, 2023 09:45 am

NEW YORK, Sept 21: Nepal has ratified the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty proposed by the United Nations. Minister for Foreign Affairs NP Saud, who is in New York to attend the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations, signed the agreement on behalf of Nepal.

What Ails Nepali Entrepreneurship?

September 21, 2023 08:45 am

These last few weeks, I had opportunities to interact with a variety of entrepreneurs—taxi drivers, pharmacists, retail store owners, streetside vegetable vendors, automobile mechanics, non-profit organization directors, and for-profit organization directors. One consistent theme that emerged out of these interactions was that Nepal does not have a supportive climate to be an entrepreneur.

NEW YORK, Sept 20: U.S. Secretary of State Antoni Blinken said the Nepal-America citizen level relations were spectacular.

It’s your ninth birthday today. And the people who whipped you up eight years ago have decided to throw you a shindig. Get ready for the extravaganza! They've got "grand" programs loaded with political speeches that are essentially just verbal fireworks, and they're happening in every district HQ today.

Awakening Nepal: A Stark Warning

September 20, 2023 09:30 am

In the land of the Himalayas, where the majestic peaks have long symbolized the heights of human potential, Nepal finds itself at a perilous juncture. It's a nation yearning for change, crying out against corruption that has tainted our very identity on the global stage.

Happy Constitution Day!

September 20, 2023 07:30 am

Today marks the ninth Constitution Day, a momentous occasion for reflection and a fervent call for action. On September 20, 2015, our nation celebrated a significant milestone - the promulgation of a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly. This constitution ushered in a federal system of governance, bringing power closer to the people at the grassroots level—an essential achievement in Nepal's constitutional journey, which has witnessed a series of experiments since the introduction of the initial constitution in 1948.

Erosion of Professional Ethics

September 19, 2023 09:00 am

In the grand chessboard of politics, are the people still paramount, or have they become mere pawns in a larger power play?

Nepal has witnessed an unprecedented surge in remittances, a vital component of the country's economy, reaching a staggering Rs 116.02 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year. While the immediate economic benefits of this influx are undeniable, it is crucial to emphasize the imperative for long-term economic sustainability.

KATHMANDU, Sept 18: Nepal received a one-month record high remittance of Rs 116.02 billion in the first month of the current fiscal year.

KATHMANDU, Sept 15: A giant white teddy bear has travelled from Nepal to New York with a child campaigner to draw attention to the impact of air pollution on children and push world leaders attending the global goals summit to take action to protect children’s futures.

KATHMANDU, Sept 15: The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a directive urging the government to seek a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing border dispute between Nepal and India. The apex court's decision emphasizes the importance of achieving clarity and demarcation in border areas, aligning with previous treaties and historical documents.

Make Sure Medical Professionals Are Safe

September 15, 2023 08:03 am

In recent times, a deeply troubling trend of physical assaults against medical professionals has been on the rise. Medical professionals, who have committed their lives to the noble cause of healing and saving lives, are now themselves becoming victims of violence. Social media posts are filled with the frustration of medical professionals, regretting their decision to stay at home.

PM Dahal is likely to lead a 12-member delegation to New York.

KATHMANDU, Sept 10: The Armed Police Force of Nepal marked a significant development on Friday by establishing a Border Out Post (BOP) at Tinker, situated in the Darchula district, near the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. During the inauguration ceremony, Additional Inspector General (AIG) Banshiraj Dahal, who oversees the Border Security Department, underscored the paramount importance of border security and the role of the armed police. However, he did not address the ongoing language barrier challenge affecting border patrols.

Nepal's pursuit of sustainable development and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 represent a complex interplay of socio-economic ambition and environmental responsibility.

KATHMANDU, Sept 9: Nepal has successfully imported goods from a third country through Chinese ports, marking a significant milestone seven years after the Nepal-China transit agreement was signed. A shipment of turmeric, originating from Vietnam, made its way into Nepal via China's Tianjin port.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has been making headlines in Nepal over the past few days. On September 2, the envoy reportedly stated, “India’s policy towards Nepal and other neighbors is not friendly and not beneficial to Nepal.

Transforming Nepal’s Agriculture Sector

September 9, 2023 07:45 am

The Seventh National Agricultural Census data released recently by the National Statistics Office (NSO) paints a grim picture of the state of our agriculture, raising ominous signs for an agrarian country like ours. Over the past decade, Nepal's cultivable land area has dwindled by a staggering 300,000 hectares, plummeting from 2.5 million to 2.2 million hectares.

The idea of euthanasia, set out by American philosopher Dan W. Brock, supports the idea of a good death with a dignified exit under some circumstances, such as when a patient is experiencing "irreversible and incurable suffering”.

The simultaneous inauguration of 51 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in different parts of the country on Wednesday marks a significant stride towards a cleaner and a more sustainable future.

The situation of vehicle accidents in Nepal is terrible. Road accidents result in the deaths of many people daily. Vehicles either collide with pedestrians or collide with each other, resulting in daily fatalities. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable victims in vehicle accidents.

KATHMANDU, Sept 7: The 40th edition of the 'Joint Combined Exchange Training' between the Nepali Army and the United States Army is going to start on September 10.

As the first Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, I followed the developments and general trends in other South Asian countries as well, since we do not have diplomatic relations with neighboring countries of Bangladesh. One of these countries is Nepal.

A Milestone in Nepal-India Power Trade

September 7, 2023 07:30 am

In a significant development for the Nepal-India power trade, the Indian government has officially given approval to purchase 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal. This landmark decision comes after several months of discussions and negotiations, and it holds immense potential for the energy sector and economic development in both nations.

KATHMANDU, Sept 5: The government has assured that it has food stocks sufficient to meet the market demand for the next three months.

KATHMANDU, Sep 5: Chinese airline company Sichuan Air is set to introduce a connecting flight between Nepal and Sydney, Australia, starting in October. Society International Travel Services, the official General Sales Agent (GSA), confirmed that the airline, which currently operates seven weekly flights between Chengdu and Kathmandu, will extend its services to include Sydney.

KATHMANDU, Sep 5: India's cabinet has granted approval for the purchase of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Nepal, marking a major milestone in bilateral cooperation. This agreement on electricity trade had been a priority for Nepal, and it has now received the green light, three months after the initial proposal.

KATHMANDU, Sept 5: Unbeaten half centuries from skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill helped India register a convincing 10-wicket victory over minnows Nepal in the rain-delayed Asia Cup match in Pallekele, Sri Lanka on Monday.

KANDY, Sri Lanka, Sept 4: Rain halted India at 17-0 in reply to Nepal's 230 in the final Group A match of the Asia Cup in Pallekele on Monday.

KANDY, Sri Lanka, Sept 4: The Group A clash of the Asia Cup between India and cricketing minnows Nepal in Pallekele in Sri Lanka was briefly halted by rainfall on Monday.

Nepal to face India in Asia Cup today

September 4, 2023 10:07 am

KATHMANDU, Sep 4: In today's Asia Cup showdown, Nepal is set to take on India, provided the weather holds up. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 PM at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

POKHARA, Sept 2: The Government of Nepal has set an ambitious target of welcoming one million foreign tourists in the year 2023. However, as of the end of August, just over 600,000 foreign visitors have arrived in Nepal via air route.

Loud screams. Dreadful touch. ‘NO!’ A vehement “NO!” she’s left breathless, suffocating. Echoes of terror stemming not from the external world but from the person you took vows with. Isn’t it obvious that you can force your significant other to physically satiate you, and neglect what the other person wants.

KATHMANDU, Sept 2: Nepal is participating in the World Weightlifting Championship after 16 years.

Critics argue that the international political and financial systems, created by the USA following the Second World War (1939-1945), are in a state of crumbling. The foreseeable international system cannot be predicted with certainty in the present context. Nonetheless, the hegemony of the West, particularly the USA, will not remain the same in the multipolar world, a situation in which more than one superpower exists, as it has been exercised since the dissolution of the Soviet Union from 1991 to 2017.

KATHMANDU, Sept 2: Kagbeni, a picturesque village in Mustang district, woke up to the shock of a devastating flash flood on August 13, 2023. Besides the unfortunate toll of the disaster resulting in damages worth millions of rupees, an alarming development has emerged — a surprising surge in heavy rains and ensuing floods in Mustang and Manang, regions renowned for their rain shadow status attributed to limited rainfall.

After an excruciating closure lasting eight and a half years, the Tatopani border crossing between Nepal and China has finally reopened its doors to human traffic on Friday. This momentous event marks a significant positive development, one that resonates with historical significance, fosters friendly ties between two nations, and holds the promise of economic resurgence for the region.

KATHMANDU, Sept 1: Nepal has urged its neighbors including China to respect the new political map that was endorsed by parliament in 2020. The new political map includes Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura that are currently held by India.

US senator Hollen arrives in Nepal

September 1, 2023 14:38 pm

KATHMANDU, Sep 1: Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the US Senate Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Sub-Committee on State and Foreign Operations, arrived in Nepal on Friday.

As the monsoon season brings relief through rain, it is a time to confront a crisis that has cast a long, perilous shadow over the lives of Nepalis. The air that once invigorated us has transformed into a silent killer, endangering our very existence. The recently unveiled international report, 'Air Quality Life Index-2023,' paints a grim picture of the disastrous consequences of air pollution in Nepal.