Kathmandu, June 30: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has emphasised the need for global cooperation among vulnerable countries to address growing risks of climate change.
Addressing the session on “Four Betters for Small Island Developing States (SIDs), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)” during the Ministerial Special Session of Forty-Fourth Session of Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome, Foreign Minister Rana highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries.
“Least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states are at great risk of climate change. It is also adversely affecting agricultural production and livelihoods,” she said.
She referred to the “Sagarmatha Sambaad” recently held in Nepal, which brought together global leaders, fostering global collaboration on climate change issues.
Furthermore, Dr Rana stressed the need for climate adaptation financial assistance, early warning systems and development of rural infrastructure for the Himalayan countries to address these challenges, calling for international investment and capacity building with accessible and inclusive measures.
“Only technology, collaboration and solidarity can bridge the gap between potential and achievement. Nepal has always called for the promotion of South-South and North-South cooperation, technology transfer, market access and expansion, and access to financial resources”, she mentioned.
Highlighting the growing challenges facing vulnerable countries, Minister Rana stressed that shared crises such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change are reversing achievements made so far.
She noted that Nepal continues to face multifaceted challenges such as climate-related disasters, weak infrastructure, biodiversity loss, and limited access to technology and finance.
Dr Rana reiterated Nepal’s commitment to FAO’s ‘The Four Betters’–Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life–as guiding principles in transforming the country’s agricultural system. Under Better Production, Nepal is scaling up climate-smart farming, high-value mountain crops, and local innovation to modernize value chains, and under Better Nutrition, the country is promoting diverse, safe, and nutrient-rich foods, especially in rural and vulnerable communities.
Under Better Environment, Nepal is prioritising agroecology, regenerative agriculture, sustainable soil and water management and biodiversity conservation to restore ecosystems.
In line with Better Life, the country has focused on promoting decent livelihood, rural development, and social protection and promoting employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. It is also focused on empowerment of women, youth, smallholders and marginalised communities and enhancing public services, infrastructures and safety nets in rural communities.
Foreign Minister Rana opined that more than 60 percent of the workforce in Nepal is engaged in the agricultural sector, which contributes 23 percent to the Gross Domestic Product, adding that agriculture is not only a means of employment but also a means of nutrition and livelihood.
—
Speaker Ghimire’s message of best wishes on Parliament Day 2082
Kathmandu, June 30: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has called on the political parties represented in the Parliament to maintain the dignity of the parliament high fostering inter-party consensus through dialogue and collaboration as well as to move ahead in unity in addressing the people’s aspirations.
On the occasion of Parliament Day, 2082 BS, today, Speaker Ghimire expressed best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters, current and former members of the federal parliament, and representatives of provincial assemblies and local levels. He expressed gratitude for the contributions of the free press, civil society, and the conscious citizens towards making the parliament more effective, accountable, and responsive to the people.
On the historic occasion of Parliament Day, while paying heartfelt tribute to the martyrs who dedicated their lives to the movement for parliamentary democracy, he also recalled the contributions of political warriors.
Parliament Day is celebrated every year on the 16th of Ashad in commemoration of the first meeting of the people-elected the House of Representatives in Nepal.
Today is also a day to remember democracy, constitutionalism, the rights of the people, and the accountability of representatives to the people, according to Speaker Ghimire.
Mentioning that the parliament is a key institution for exercising the sovereignty of the people, he stated that the essence of democracy lies in the participation of the people.
The message states, “Important tasks such as policy-making, law-making, and effective monitoring of implementation are carried out through the parliament, which ensures policies and laws according to the will of the people through administrative procedures.”
There is a need for improvement in parliamentary practices: Deputy Speaker Rana
On the occasion, Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar has stated that the need for reform in parliamentary practices to ensure the effectiveness, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness of Parliament has become increasingly important.
The message of good wishes states, “On the occasion of Parliament Day, I hope it inspires members of the federal parliament, constituent assembly members, former parliamentarians, parliamentary secretariat staff, and the general Nepali population to protect and strengthen parliamentary democracy.”
—
Landslide Blocks Karnali Highway
Manma (Kalikot), June 30: The Karnali Highway has been blocked due to a landslide. Since this morning, the Surkhet–Jumla Road section along the Karnali Highway from Gagane Khola, Kalikot to Humma has been blocked.
The highway was obstructed as various places from Gagane Khola to Humma experienced landslides following the rain that started Sunday evening. Due to heavy rain overnight, a landslide fell into Gagane Khola, causing the blockage, said Kalikot’s Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tek Bahadur Rawat.
“There is no condition to operate the vehicle therefore a JCB has been sent to remove the landslide,” he said.
The police reported that due to the road blockade, vehicles heading to and from Kalikot, Jumla, Mugu, Bajura, Humla to Surkhet are halted.
—
Message of NA Chair, Vice-Chair on Parliament Day
Kathmandu, June 30: National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has laid emphasis on the need of focusing attention to make the Parliament more effective, accountable, transparent and people-oriented.
In a message of best wishes on the occasion of Parliament Day, 2082, today, Chair Dahal mentioned, “Our shared objective should be focused for making the Parliament more effective, accountable, transparent and people-oriented. It is necessary to use modern technology in parliamentary practice, as well as improve the relations with people along with capacity building of the lawmakers.”
Sharing that the Parliament should work further effectively for the welfare of the society and nation at a time when the Parliament Day is being observed, he argued, “We all should pay attention on how the Parliament can be established as the place to raise voices of more people.”
The NA Chair expressed the belief that the Parliament Day would encourage all to develop the Parliament as the place to strongly raise the voices of people and to make necessary laws in order to develop prosperous Nepal.
Wishing for happiness, peace, prosperity and progress among all Nepali sisters and brothers on the occasion of the Parliament Day, 2082, Dahal extended tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in different movements launched to establish democracy, reads the message.
Parliament Day is celebrated every year on the 16th of Ashad in commemoration of the first meeting of the people-elected the House of Representatives in Nepal on Ashad 16, 2016 BS.
Similarly, NA Vice-Chairperson Bimala Ghimire pointed out the need of reviewing the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of the Parliament.
In a message of best wishes on the 67th Parliament Day today, Ghimire congratulated all Nepali sisters and brothers and extended heartfelt condolences to those who sacrificed their lives in all movements launched for the establishment of democratic system.
“Lawmakers, civil society, media, and people should make shared efforts to conduct parliamentary procedures in an original manner. Constitution is implemented, and people can feel about good governance only if Parliament becomes strong”, she mentioned.
“After a long struggle, Nepal has established Parliament as the supreme representative body of the people by adopting democracy and federal system”, reads the message.
—
Gradual improvement in Health Minister’s health
Kathmandu, June 30: There is a gradual improvement in the health of Health and Population Minister Pradip Paudel, said the Bir Hospital in a press release today. Minister Paudel is receiving treatment at the Bir Hospital after suffering from fever.
The statement mentioned that treatment is being carried out under the direct supervision of doctors led by the Hospital’s director, Dr Dilip Sharma.
Director Sharma said that Minister Paudel has been admitted to the hospital due to fever and is currently showing improvement in health. The Minister was admitted to the Hospital on June 28 after returning home from an event held in Thailand.
—
Jeep safari suspends in CNP from today
Chitwan, June 30: The jeep safari services operated inside the Chitwan National Park (CNP) have been suspended from today (June 30) in view of the monsoon and the breeding season of wildlife and birds.
CNP closes the jungle safari every year during the monsoon season. As the monsoon ends, the safari is opened around mid-September when the festivals begin. If the monsoon prolongs, the opening time is also postponed accordingly.
Avinash Thapamagar, the CNP Information Officer, said the jungle safari will be reopened after repairing the roads damaged due to rain during the monsoon.
It is said that during the monsoon season, floods occur and rivers swell, trees fall, roads become slippery and muddy, and with the growth of grass and shrubs, even wild animals cannot be seen easily.
Although the jungle safari inside the park will be stopped, he mentioned that jeep safaris will continue in the community forest of the park buffer zone.
Information Officer Thapamagar said that tourist activities including trekking inside the reserve and observing the crocodile breeding centre will be regularly conducted.
Thirty-two jeeps are operated from Sauraha area, 10 from Kasara, seven from Meghauli, and five from Amaltari providing jungle safari to tourists.
—
Various areas of Dhangadhi waterlogged
Kailali, June 30: Different areas in Dhangadhi including Dhangadhi bazaar have been waterlogged due to incessant rainfall occurred from last night.
Mainly, Bishalnagar, Milanchowk, Shivanagar, Hasanpur, Campus road, Malikatol, Krishnanagar, as well as other surrounding areas of Dhangadhi have been waterlogged.
Similarly, most of the shops have been waterlogged. Locals have been facing problems in their movement due to this. Locals said that the settlements here are inundated every year due to encroachment rivulets.
A local leader Shiva Raj Joshi said the settlements here are waterlogged due to blacktopping of road without sewerage management.
According to the District Police Office, Kailali, though various places in Dhangadhi have been waterlogged, no human casualty has been reported.
—
8.6 million tree saplings to be planted in Madhes
Janakpurdham, June 30: The Madhes Province government is initiating a tree plantation campaign to prevent the destruction of the Chure region and to protect the environment.
Under the campaign, the Madhes Province government will plant 8.6 million saplings of various varieties of trees.
The Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment of the provincial government, Uddhav Bahadur Ghimire, said that the campaign aims to plant 400 thousand saplings only along the roadside in the province.
“In the current fiscal year, the tree plantation would be carried out on 50 kilometers of roadside and an area of 278 hectares,” Ghimire added.
The Ministry stated that out of 8.6 million saplings, 6.2 million plants will be produced from the provincial government’s budget and the remaining through conditional grants from the federal government.
He said that those plants will be distributed to the public free of charge. Among the produced plants, about eight percent will be planted in areas under government forests and the division forest offices, while the remaining 80 percent will be planted on private land.
The provincial government has set the long-term goal of maintaining environmental balance along with the expansion of greenery through this initiative. It is believed that this campaign will contribute positively to the conservation of forests, the protection of the Chure region, the prevention of river and land erosion, and environmental protection and improvement.
According to Anil Sah, the Forest Officer of the Division Forest Office Dhanusha, the planting of 4,400 saplings has already begun in both sides of the Janakpur-Dhalkebar road section in Dhanusha district.
—
Goma, a brick kiln worker, scored 4GPA in SEE, aims to be a doctor
Bhaktapur, June 30: Goma Shrestha had just gotten back from planting paddy at a local farmer’s land when the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) 2081 results came out on Friday. So, a SEE result being out, it is to be expected that she wanted to know her score. She was on the internet looking at the results. The maximum GPA was 4, and she knew she scored the same grade.
Goma appeared was a student of Mahendragram Secondary School in Changunarayan-8 Sudal and she appeared in the SEE from the same school.
She became the best student in Changunarayan Municipality as well as one of the top 30 students of Bhaktapur despite attending a community school and achieving the GPA of 4.
Despite studying in a community school and achieving 4 GPA, she managed to become one of the 30 best students in Bhaktapur, while becoming the best-performing student in Changunarayan Municipality as well. Originally from Ramechhap, she came to Bhaktapur from Khanyapani with her parents at the age of four. Goma’s father, Meen Bahadur Shrestha, said that Goma came to Bhaktapur due to the family’s poor financial condition.
“On the one hand, poor economic condition, on the other hand, I came to Bhaktapur leaving my native place as my daughter Goma was interested in studies since childhood. At that time she was four years old, “said Meen Bahadur,”
Meen Bahadur came to Bhaktapur and started working in a brick kiln; meanwhile, Goma got admission to the nearby Mahendragram Secondary School Meen Bahadur enrolled her daughter in the school next to the brick kiln.
With age, Goma started assisting her parents in the work, with the daily routine of school in the afternoon and laying bricks in the morning. In the same way, Goma boarded the daily until ninth grade almost daily. In grade 10, she changed her daily routine. “Parents also told me to concentrate on studies for one more year.” Goma said.
The school also recommended her to focus on study because SEE was nearer. So, I modified my daily routine a bit and started studying more. As a result, I got good marks in the SEE today, she stated. Goma said that the goal for the future was to become a doctor. But for that, she said hard work had no alternative except enrolling in a scholarship.
“The target before me is to study MBS through the scholarship from any medical college of Nepal with my plus two in science. At present, I want to become a good doctor and serve my birth place, the country, and the people with selfless acts. It is believed to require hard work. I am ready for it,” she said.
—
Acting PM and Communications Minister discuss on making info flow effective during disaster
Kathmandu, June 30: Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh and Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung today held discussions on making the disaster information system effective.
The discussion was held at the Ministry of Urban Development regarding the work that the Ministry of Communications can do for effective information flow during disaster.
The meeting of the National Disaster Management Council chaired by Acting Prime Minister Singh on Sunday has decided to effectively implement preemptive information following weather forecasts, taking into account disaster risks, according to the Ministry of Urban Development.
In the meeting today, Acting Prime Minister Singh and Communication Minister Gurung discussed on sending SMS to local residents for safety during heavy rainfall, broadcasting weather bulletins and information through local FM and social media, and timely alerting at-risk areas by ringing an ‘early warning ring’ on mobile phones.
In this regard, Minister of Communication Gurung stated that he would coordinate with the concerned bodies after discussions.
Acting Prime Minister Singh emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing early warnings according to weather forecasts during times of disaster, stating that this would play a crucial role in reducing potential risks and preventing damage. He also highlighted the need for effective information dissemination during disaster time.
—
Government forms Debt Recovery Tribunal under chairmanship of Basnet
Kathmandu, June 30: The government has decided to form Debt Recovery Tribunal under chairmanship of Under-Secretary of the Supreme Court, Kriti Bahadur Basnet, where Basant Raj Puri of Dhankuta and Govinda Sharma Gaire of Tanahun are members.
Similarly, it also approved temporary quota of three officer-level posts for fiscal year 2081/82 for the Tribunal.
Making public the decisions of the cabinet held on June 27 here today, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Spokesperson of the government, Prithvi Subba Gurung, shared that the government would provide financial assistance of Rs 500,000 to family of Akub Ahmed of Duduwa rural municipality in Banke district as compensation.
The government has decided to appoint former Secretary Raghuram Bista as the Chairperson of Public Procurement Decision Briefing Committee, while former joint-secretaries—Rohit Kumar Bisural and Thaneshwor Gautam as the members.
Similarly, decision was taken to approve the principle for formulation of Bill related to Foreign Exchange (Regulation and Systematization) as well as for the formulation of Bill related to Property Management.
Permission was granted to Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development to participate in a programme ‘High-Level Interregional Knowledge Exchange on One Country One Priority Project (OCOP) Models’ organised at Hanoi of Vietnam from July 14-17, he mentioned.
The government has given permission to sign on ‘Prime Ministerial Commitment: A National Transformation In, and Through, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ on the behalf of the government to transform the significant progress of drinking water and sanitation sector into sustainable impact.
Likewise, permission has been granted for Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to participate in 47th session of ‘Of the World Heritage Commission’ to be organised in Paris of France.
The government has decided to appoint Ram Sharan Pudasaini to the vacant post of executive director of the Nepal Administrative Staff College, to celebrate Asoj 15 as National Film Day every year, and to sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding ‘Cooperation In the Field of Health and Medicine’ to be signed between governments of Nepal and India.
Approving the National Tourism Policy, 2082, as well as approving the foreign visits of secretaries of Ministry of Water Supply, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Ministry of Health and Population are other decisions of the cabinet meeting.
—
4th International Conference on Financing for Development begins in Spain
Sevilla (Spain), June 30: The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development opened today at the Fabius Exhibition Centre in Sevilla, Spain.
The summit is being attended by heads of state and head of the government, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The opening session was addressed by King Philip II of Spain, President of the Government of Spain (Prime Minister) Pedro Sanchez, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres.
Prime Minister Oli is accompanied by Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amrit Bahadur Rai, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations Lok Bahadur Thapa, and Chief of the Protocol at the MoFA Kumar Raj Kharel.
The visit from Prime Minister Oli made at the friendly invitation of UN Secretary-General Guterres and Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez for the International Conference on Financing for Development of the United Nations (FfD-4).
The Conference on Financing for Development brings together leaders of all world governments, global and regional organizations, financial and business institutions, business leaders, civil society and relevant representatives of the UN system. Nepal will advocate in the conference by leading the voices of the least developed, small and island countries.
The conference will also discuss the implementation of investment commitments made by rich countries to poor and small countries.
It will be an important platform for promoting international cooperation for the UN Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. The summit will focus on the challenges of immediate and long-term cooperation and investment for sustainable development while improving the global financial architecture. It will discuss and draw conclusions on issues including sustainable development, finance for development, and in particular development assistance, investment, and technology transfer.
—
Ex-parliamentarians’ role important in disseminating positive message
Kathmandu, June 30: Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that the role of former parliamentarians will be important in conveying a positive message to the people towards democracy.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Ex- Parliamentarians Forum to mark the 67th Parliament Day here today, he said the contribution of former parliamentarians would be important against the current attempt to increase people’s disenchantment with democracy.
He stressed the need for all democrats, including former parliamentarians, to be aware of the challenge being posed to the parliamentary democratic system.
The Speaker pointed out the need for a ‘think tank’ to discuss the issue of making Parliament effective.
Noting that the federal civil law bill and the transitional justice law, which had been stalled for ten years, have moved forward, he expressed confidence that it will be brought to conclusion in the current session. He said that last year’s exercise of discussing the principles and priorities of the budget from three months ago had not been effective.
Experience of former parliamentarians important in law making process: NA Chair Dahal
Chairman of the National Assembly Narayan Prasad Dahal has said that the former parliamentarians have a lot of experience and it should be included in the business of the parliament. Speaking on the occasion of the 67th Parliament Day here today, the former parliamentarian expressed confidence that the law could be made better with the experience of the previous parliamentarians.
Chair Dahal informed that the National Assembly is working in coordination with the provincial and local levels for the implementation of federalism.
He also stressed the need for equal participation of all MPs in policy debates in Parliament. Chairman Dahal said that political parties should help in creating an environment for MPs to work by rising above party interests. President of the forum and former MP Omkar Shrestha said that he was saddened by the end of the atmosphere of attendance and debate in the parliament.
The vice presidents of the forum, including Govind Bahadur Shah, Bishnu Bahadur Raut, Rameshwar Ray Yadav, pledged to help make the role of parliament more effective.
On the occasion, former parliamentarian Parashuram Meghi Gurung gave a presentation on the activities of the parliament from Baishakh to Chait 2081 BS.
Parliament Day is celebrated to commemorate the first meeting of the elected Parliament on the 16th of Ashad in 2016 BS.
—
PHC completes hearing on three proposed justices
Kathmandu, June 30: The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has completed hearing on three proposed justices of the Supreme Court.
Similarly, hearing on a member of Judicial Council has also concluded.
A meeting of the Committee held at Singha Durbar today conducted hearing on proposed justice Shanti Singh Thapa, and proposed member of judicial council, Mahesh Nepal. The Committee on Sunday had conducted hearing on two proposed justices—Megh Raj Pokharel and Shreekanta Poudel.
With this, hearing on three proposed justices at SC and one member proposed at Judicial Council have completed. However, the next meeting of the committee would took the decision, said Committee Joint-Secretary Nirmala Devi Lamichhane.
In course of hearing, the proposed justices and member of Judicial Council presented their competence, interest, thinking and concept. They also expressed commitment to deliver justice impartially remaining within the limits of constitution and law.
—
Today’s weather forecast: Rainfall to take place across the country
Kathmandu, June 30: The monsoon winds now have the influence across the country. With the low pressure line of the monsoon is positioned to the north near western Nepal, now the weather across the country is seen generally cloudy.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted light to moderate rainfall along with thunder in many hilly areas of the country, including Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces, as well as in some areas of the remaining provinces.
There is also a possibility of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in a few locations in Sudurpashchim Province and a couple of locations in the hilly areas of the remaining provinces.
The department has noted a chance of light to moderate rain or snowfall in a few places in the high-hilly and Himalayan regions of the country.
Similarly, tonight the weather is expected to generally remain cloudy across the country.
According to the weather bulletin issued by the department, light to moderate rainfall along with thunderstorms is likely to take places in some areas of the hilly regions of the country, including Koshi, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces, as well as in a few areas of the remaining regions.
—
NC CWC meeting today: Party’s future strategy and organizational consolidation to be discussed
Kathmandu, June 30: Ruling Nepali Congress (NC) party’s central working committee meeting is taking place today, focusing on the agendas, including its future strategy and organizational consolidation.
The meeting of the party’s office-bearers and former office-bearers earlier had set the agenda for the central working committee meeting convening today.
NC Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat informed that the performance of the coalition government, status of sisterly organizations and distribution and renewal of party’s active membership will be discussed in the meeting.
The ministers in the federal and provincial governments will also inform the central committee about their performance in the meeting, it is informed.
Dr Mahat shared that the effectiveness of the coalition government and future strategies will be discussed in the meeting.
He stated that the meeting will decide whether or not to extend the term of the ad-hoc committee of sister organizations failing to hold their general convention in the stipulated time.
As per the agenda, the General Secretary will also inform the meeting about the progress regarding the distribution of active membership in the party.
Spokesperson Dr Mahat said that the meeting kicking off today will play a significant role in charting out the party’s upcoming strategies and strengthening the organization base.
The NC has expected that the progress of the coalition government’s performance and management of sister organizations will further strengthen its internal unity and effectiveness at external level.
—
PM Oli stresses on reforms in international financial system
Seville, (Spain), June 30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasized on the reforms of international financial system
He said this during his address to the plenary closing session of the Civil Society Forum in the capacity of the chief guest.
PM Oli who is on an official visit to Spain to attend the United Nations (UN)’s ‘Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4)’ stressed the need for the developed countries to translate their commitments for financial investment to action.
The Prime Minister also urged the civil society to consistently raise their voice for development assistance, debt sustainability and international financial system reforms. “You are not merely the participants of the conference, but also the catalyst and strong voice for change. Your advocacy and voice can contribute to bring tangible changes”, he said, adding, “Nepal is advancing to development and prosperity being emboldened to the norms and values of good governance, rule of law and democracy”.
He went on saying, “Nepal has clear stance that the global investment should be made based on inclusion, necessity and proportionality. I appreciate the civil society’s global partnership and participation”.
Noting that civil society’s advocacy will enable the people, planet and shared responsibility, PM Oli called for the civil society to take initiative towards building equitable and sustainable future by leaving no one behind.
At another programme, the PM said all should discharge the shared responsibility for creating decent job opportunities through mobilization of the private sector capital, promoting inclusive growth and exploring sources for development.
The declaration endorsed by the Civil Society Forum will be adopted by the ‘Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development’.
PM Oli attends dinner hosted by Spanish King
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has attended the dinner hosted by the King of Spain, Felipe VI, in honour of the Heads of States and Governments participating in the ‘Fourth United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4)’.
Prime Minister Oli and the first lady, Radhika Shakya, attended the official dinner hosted at the Royal Alcazar of Seville on Sunday.
Earlier, Prime Minister Oli and Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, had a bilateral meeting on Sunday.
—
4.3-magnitude earthquake jolts Mugu
Kathmandu, June 30: An earthquake has occurred with its epicenter in Kotdanda of Mugu.
The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre in Lainchaur informed that the earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale occurred near Kotdanda at 8:39 am on Monday.
On June 29, an earthquake of 4.8- magnitude had occurred with its epicenter in Jima of Mugu.
Nepal has experienced several earthquakes and aftershocks with varying magnitudes.
The country is considered earthquake prone zone as it lies in the Himalayan region.
—
Democratic fighter Kandel passes away
Kathmandu, June 30: Relentless freedom fighter Govinda Prasad Sharma Kandel has passed away in Chitwan on Sunday. He was 87.
Former President of the Nepali Congress Baglung Kandel was a member of the House of Representatives from Baglung constituency-1 in 2048 BS and a former member of the senior politicians’ assembly of the NC.
Kandel hailing from Baglung’s Bihunkot received party membership from the people’s leader B.P. Koirala in 2010 BS.
He had served the party as the commander of Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, and Palpa in and around 2019 BS, the NC sources said.
During the struggles and movements against the autocratic Panchayat regime and in favor of democracy, he spent a total of 7 years in jail from 2019 BS to 2046 BS.
He played a leading role in the expansion of the party organization, states a condolence message issued by the NC.
His lifestyle was exemplary, marked by simplicity, humility, dignity, and inspiration. With his passing, the NC has lost a senior and experienced politician, it is noted in the message.
The late Kandel is survived by two sons and one daughter.
Meanwhile, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba expressed deep sorrow on the demise of Kandel. “The news of the passing of former President of the NC Baglung, former lawmaker and an unwavering fighter of Nepal’s democratic movement, Govinda Prasad Sharma Kandel, has left me profoundly shocked and saddened.
The contributions by the late Kandel in building the party organization and Nepal’s democratic movements will always be remembered in the party”, Deuba noted.
—