- Monday, 10 November 2025
Turkmenistan, Aug 4: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli arrived in Turkmenistan today to attend the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC).
Prime Minister Oli was welcomed at the Turkmenbashi International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, Resident Representative of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, in New York, USA, Lok Bahadur Thapa, among others.
The delegation led by Prime Minister Oli arrived in the city of Awaza, Turkmenistan via Dubai International Airport.
Prime Minister Oli has arrived here at the official invitation of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the conference to be held in Awaza from August 5 to 8.
—
President Paudel observes heritage sites in Basantapur Area
Kathmandu, Aug 4: President Ramchandra Paudel today inspected various heritage sites in Basantapur Area of Kathmandu, which are enlisted as a World Heritage Site.
Accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel, President Paudel also visited the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum within the historical site.
The Head of the State was welcomed by Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hari Prasad Mainali, Director General of the Department of Archeology, Shaubhagya Pradhananga, Executive Director at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Museum Development Committee, Kajiman Pyakurel among others at the Basantapur Durbar Square area.
During the visit, President Paudel observed several temples and other heritages within the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square including Kalbhairav, Taleju Temple, Nautale Durbar (Nine-storey Palace), Nasalchowk, Mulchowk and Trishulchowk among others.
Also present during the visit were House of Representatives member Sapana Rajbhandari, Province Assembly Shailendra Bajracharya and ward chairpersons from various wards in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
—
Public Accounts Committee’s 23rd report approved
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) has unanimously approved the 23rd report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
In today’s meeting, President of the PAC, Rishikesh Pokharel had presented a proposal seeking endorsement of the ’23rd Annual Report, 2082 of the Public Accounts Committee’ as per the Clause 41 (2) of the Financial Procedure and Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2076.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire informed the House of Representatives (HoR) that a letter was received from the Office of the President with information that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh will carry out daily administrative works of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in latter’s absence.
Likewise, General Secretary of the Federal Parliament, Padma Prasad Pandey had informed the House about the message received from the President on ‘Constitutional Council Duties, Responsibilities, Rights and Work Procedure (First Amendment), 2089’.
Pandeya said that the President had returned the bill which was sent to the Office of the President for authentication noting the need to re-study and analyze the bill.
Likewise, in today’s meeting, HoR Secretary Harka Rai tabled the Customs Bill, 2080 originated in the HoR, with the message received from the National Assembly.
Minister for Youth and Sports Tejulal Chaudhary tabled a proposal seeking consideration on the ‘National Sports Development (First Amendment) Bill, 2082’. The proposal was unanimously approved.
—
Adhikari elected president of Association of Pharmaceutical Producers
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Biplav Adhikari has been elected the new President of Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal (APPON). He was elected by the 31st annual general meeting of the Association that elected a new 13-member working committee today.
Adhikari was unanimously elected after another candidate for the post of president, Deepak Dahal, withdrew his candidacy.
Likewise, Prabhat Rungta has been elected as senior vice-president, Prithviraj Bhandari as vice-president, Santosh Baral as general secretary, Giriraj Pathak as secretary and Sumit Chandra Shrestha as treasurer.
Shailesh Baidya, Pankaj Tiwari, Ishwor Bhandari, Sharad Chandra Ojha, Sajalraj Regmi and Praban Dahal have been elected as members of the new executive committee.
—
Halesi accident update: Identities of the dead and injured revealed
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The identity of the deceased and injured in the road accident involving a passenger micro-bus at Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-1 in Bahunidanda has been made public.
One person was killed and 17 others were injured when the micro-bus (2-01-001 J0053) went out of control and fell some 200 meters off the road while returning to Golbazaar in Siraha this morning after visiting the religious site Halesi.
Mamta Devi Yadav, a 28-year-old resident of Siraha Narah Rural Municopality-5, died in the accident.
The injured have been identified as 70-year-old Raju Yadav, 49-year-old Sarita Devi Thakur, 32-year-old Savita Kumari Yadav, 40-year-old Mithila Kumari Yadav, 30-year-old Poonam Yadav, 32-year-old Laxmi Sharma, 32-year-old Nadin Sharma, Jhaludevi Yadav.
Similarly, Dhaneswar Yadav, 57, a resident of Chandra Ayodhyapur and Duryodhan Yadav, 79, a resident of Sabela Municipality-4, Paterwa in Dhanusha district are injured.
All of them were sent to the National Trauma Centre Kathmandu by ambulance for further treatment after first aid, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Pratik Bista of Khotang District Police Office.
According to the police, those with minor injuries were discharged after first aid at the Public Service Polyclinic in Ghurmi, Udayapur.
The driver of the micro-bus, 28-year-old Ramnath Sah of Sarsor in Siraha Municipality-3, is absconding.
—
‘Awaza Programme of Action will be helpful for attaining SDGs’
Turkmenistan, Aug 4: Lawmaker Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri has expressed his confidence that the Awaza programme of action will be useful towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the stipulated time by addressing challenges facing the Landlocked Developing Countries.
He said this while delivering his remarks on behalf of Nepal at a thematic session organized by the United Nations Office and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at Awaza City of Turkmenistan today amidst the presence of lawmakers of Turkmenistan and high-level representatives from Least Developed Countries, landlocked and island developing countries.
He noted it a crucial responsibility of the parliament to effectively implement the programme of action.
Lawmaker Chhetri suggested to develop a mechanism to monitor, evaluate and review the progress made in the enforcement of the action plan and encourage the government to take concrete initiative to that end.
Noting that peace, trust, and good governance are essential and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development, particularly for LLDCs, he claimed that Nepal has entered into an era of political stability and socio-economic transformation after promulgating the Constitution.
“In many LLDCs, however, parliaments face systemic capacity constraints, and marginalized voices—especially those of women, youth, and vulnerable communities—are often underrepresented in decision-making processes’, it is shared.
‘Nepal is effortful to attain SDGs in the designated time through its mechanisms and total capability of the society’, he shared, calling for extra support from development partners to avert gaps and challenges in some sectors.
He stressed the need to raise the voice of LLDCs with solid evidence to attain SDGs through effective implementation of the programme of action.
Lawmaker Chhetri further noted the need to use regional and global forums, including IPU and high-level political mechanisms for enhancing mutual trust, peace and collaboration among the LLDCs and neighbouring countries.
—
Bar draws attention of judicial leadership to three key concerns
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The Nepal Bar Association (NBA) has drawn attention of the judicial leadership and the Judicial Council towards three key concerns.
In a press statement issued by Bar’s General-Secretary Kedar Prasad Koirala here on Monday, the umbrella organization of lawyers in the country demanded revocation of the changes made in the Judicial Council Regulations-2074 BS (First Amendment 2080 BS) regarding the seniority order of long-serving judges.
It also urged not to take forward any process of appointing Judges at any level until the amendment is repealed.
Likewise, the Bar called for ensuring at least 50 per cent of vacant posts for Judges in the Supreme Court of High Courts are filled from among legal practitioners.
Furthermore, the Bar insisted that the process of appointing judges is based on seniority, experience, in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, efficiency, honesty, impartiality, professional integrity and ethical conduct and the impartiality be taken into consideration while transferring the judges.
The Bar, expressing its dismay at the recent amendment to Judicial Council Regulations-2074 BS (First Amendment 2080 BS), called it discriminatory in the appointment and hierarchy of judges.
Stating that the amendment contradicts with the Constitutions, the Bar demanded its revocation.
The Bar declared that it will launch a rigorous campaign with an objective to strengthen judiciary and increase public’s confidence in the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, since the concerns raised by the Bar were overlooked in the ongoing judicial appointment process.
—
Dhauliganga dam gates to open, residents along Mahakali banks urged to be vigilant
Khalanga, Aug 4: Residents living along the banks of the Mahakali River have been urged to remain vigilant as India is opening the dam gate of the Dhauliganga Hydropower Project connected to Nepal’s Darchula.
The District Administration Office, Darchula, has stated that the Indian side has informed that the dam gate will be opened on Tuesday for silt cleaning of the hydropower project in Uttarakhand.
In a notice issued by Darchula Assistant Chief District Officer Mohan Singh Dhami, it is stated that information has been received that the gate will be opened for cleaning purposes from 6 am August 5 to 6 am on August 7 due to the accumulation of soil, sand and other materials. Residents living in the coastal areas downstream have been urged to adopt precautionary measures as the water level in the Mahakali River may rise during the period.
—
NEB publishes Grade 12 examination results
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The National Examination Board (NEB) has published the results of Grade 12 today. According to the results published this evening, 61.17% of regular students and 36.49% of partial students have passed the grade 12 examinations.
In the examinations held last Baishakh, a total of 396,347 candidates had participated in the regular category of which 242,765 students were able to received grades. Among them, 38.83% of students received ‘non-grade’ results, the board said.
Similarly, out of 114,640 students participating in the partial category, 41,840 received grades. In total, out of 511,525 candidates, 284,305 received grades, as informed by the chair of the board, Mahashram Sharma.
Additionally, examinations of 11 regular and 6 partial students have been canceled. The grade upgradation examination for students with non-grades will be conducted on August 13 and 14, the board said.
—
Legislation committee meeting on Tuesday
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has convened a meeting of the legislation committee under the Council of Ministers. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday morning at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singhadurbar, as informed by the Home Minister’s secretariat.
It is reported that the meeting will discuss the proposed law that aims to amend the Muluki Criminal Code Act, 2074, to legalize polygamy under certain specific circumstances, among other topics. While various opinions regarding this proposed bill have been expressed, Home Minister Lekhak, who is also the coordinator of the Legislation Committee, has called for the meeting.
The Minister is also reportedly holding discussions with the concerned ministers and senior government officials regarding this matter.
—
Proposal seeking endorsement of WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies passed
Kathmandu, Aug 4: In today’s meeting of the Federal Parliament’s House of Representatives, a proposal seeking approval of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has been endorsed by a majority.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies Damodar Bhandari presented a proposal seeking discussion in the House on the provisions of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
After deliberations on the proposal, the agreement has been approved. Lawmakers, including Rama Koirala Paudel, Hemraj Rai, Hitraj Pandey, and Prem Suwal participated in the discussion.
Minister Bhandari stated that it is a multilateral agreement which once implemented will help Nepal assert its demands and issues at World Trade Organization.
He mentioned, “106 countries have so far expressed their support. This agreement will benefit the country. We are a landlocked nation, but also have rights to use the sea. With the agreement coming into effect, fishes produced in Nepal will get access to market”.
Next meeting of the HoR will be held at 1.00 pm on Tuesday.
—
Govt should pay attention to millet production
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, emphasized that the government should lay its focus on millet production.
Minister Khadka called on the government for the same while observing the food exhibition organized by the Nepali Cuisine Promotion Campaign here on Monday featuring 10 different types of dishes made from millet.
“We can contribute to food security by conserving millet, promoting its commercial production and incorporating it into our dishes. Relying on locally grown grains will enable us to be self-reliant. A food system dependent on import is not a sustainable solution to food security,” argued Khadka.
It may be noted that the government officially declared Saun 16 in the Lunar Calendar as the National Millet Day from this year with the aim of promoting the importance of millet and fostering its production.
The Minister, while tasting the dishes, expressed that millet is not just as an ingredient for dishes but as a vital part of our food culture and identity. He also highlighted the tremendous nutritional value of this cereal crop.
The exhibition displayed pancake, pudding, muffin, biscuit, mo:mo, tempura and malpuwa, dhindo and sel roti made from indigenous crop-millet where visitors also relished these local delicacies.
The event, fifth edition of the Bhojan Lipi Swad under the Nepali Cuisine Promotion Campaign, was held in collaboration with the Narayani Chamena Griha in Singha Durbar, Kathmandu where international chefs Durga Khadka and Ghanashyam Kandel prepared a wide variety of Nepali cuisines made from millet.
—
Medical entrepreneur Prasai released on bail
Kathmandu, Aug 4: The Patan High Court has ordered to release medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai on a bail in both cases related to banking offences and those related to the royalist movement.
Justices Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Munendra Prasad Awasthi on Monday ordered to release Prasai on a bail of Rs 2.5 million in the banking offence. The court ordered to release him on bail on medical grounds as well.
Similarly, today, a bench of Patan High Court Justices Tanka Prasad Gurung and Dilli Ratna Shrestha has ordered his release on a bail in a case related to the violent protests that took place in the name of the royalist movement last March. The order has been issued for release on a bail of Rs 300,000.
A case had been registered against Prasai in the District Court, Kathmandu for crimes against the state, attempted murder and criminal offense. The court had ordered Prasai to be sent to custody for trial.
The order to release on bail came after hearing Prasai’s petition filed in the Patan High Court against the district’s order.
—
Prime Minister congratulates Grade 12 students
Kathmandu, Aug 4: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has congratulated the students who have passed the Grade 12 examinations.
Taking to his social media account today, the Prime Minister has congratulated the students who passed the exams in the results announced by the National Examinations Board today. “I am currently in Turkmenistan to attend the international conference of landlocked developing countries. While I came to know that Grade 12 results were announced in Nepal. Congratulations to all students,” the Prime Minister has said in the post.
Stating that the hard work of students had become successful, he urged the students to continue their education in Nepal and start a new journey for doing something in the country itself.
In the results announced by the NEB this evening, 61.17% of regular students and 36.49% of partial students have passed the grade 12 examinations.
—
