- Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Khotang, Aug 17: Cases of dengue and scrub typhus are on rise in Khotang district, according to the District Health Office (DHO), Khotang.
Altogether 12 dengue cases and 14 scrub typhus cases were detected in the district in the month of Shrawan alone.
According to Jivan Prasad Chaulagain, Chief of the DHO, two patients infected with each- of dengue and scrub typhus- were referred to Kathmandu for further treatment. The health condition of the infected ones is gradually improving, he said.
The district having 10 local levels is witnessing increasing number of mosquito-borne infection and bacterial infection in the recent days with six men and six women infected with dengue and nine men and five women down with scrub typhus.
While some patients returned home upon recovery, some are still undergoing treatment in the District Hospital, said Dr Rupesh Sangraula, Chief of the District Hospital in Khotang. According to him, issues of dengue and scrub typhus are common in the monsoon season. He, however, expressed concern that the Hospital lacks facilities to treat severe cases.
There is also a surge of patients with ailments other than dengue and scrub typhus in the District Hospital, informed Dr Sangraula, adding that around 150-200 patients visit the Hospital on a daily basis. “We are facing problems in rendering services to the patients in lack of necessary equipment and adequate beds,” added Sangraula.
In view of rising cases of dengue and scrub typhus in the district, an all-party meeting convened in Diktel on Sunday decided to launch ‘Larvae Search and Destroy’ campaign in all 10 local levels. As a preventive measure, the infection-bearing mosquito larvae will be searched and perished.
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23- India’s Foreign Secretary Misri calls on Chair Dahal
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Visiting Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, paid a courtesy call on CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Sunday.
The courtesy meeting was held at Chairperson Dahal’s personal residence in Lalitpur, according to Dahal’s secretariat.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on various dimensions of Nepal-India relations. Foreign Secretary Misri is currently in Kathmandu in a two-day official visit at the invitation of Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.
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24- No regressive laws in democratic republic: PM Oli
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has ruled out the possibility of regressive laws in a democratic republic.
For the enforcement of constitution and laws, all agencies require to play a balanced role, ensuring principle of separation of powers. PM Oli was addressing a programme organized by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on the occasion of Civil Code Day on Sunday.
“We’re at work to amend the existing laws and bring new ones based on need and experiences. Most of the bills are brought in this very session of the parliament,” PM Oli reminded, adding that only political democracy is not enough, so a full-fledged democracy is prioritized. In the full-fledged democracy, there is no inequality, discrimination and oppression, he assured.
Flaws in the Civil Code could be corrected. There is no point in getting swayed after the rumour that a law on polygamy is in the offing. “We can not even think of such provision at modern time,” PM Oli reminded.
The Head of the Government pledged support in guaranteeing prompt justice to the citizens. The executive respects independence of judiciary. This said, the paean as that of the Panchayat era is not entertained either, he made it clear.
On the occasion, Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut said all organs of State have equally significant role in building just society and adhering to the rule of law in the country.
Similarly, Attorney General Ramesh Badal informed that efforts were afoot to make amendment to the Civil Code.
Civil Code is a foundational law to establish and abide by the rule of law in the country, according to Chairman of the Nepal Bar Association, Prof Dr Bijay Prasad Mishra.
The Civil Code had come into enforcement on Bhadra 1, 2075BS.
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26- PM Oli receives invitation for India visit
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has been officially invited for India visit. On behalf of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, extended invitation to PM Oli on Sunday.
Misri who arrived in Kathmandu in a two-day visit paid a courtesy call on PM Oli at the latter office, Singh Durbar, and handed over the invitation letter. PM’s Chief Advisor Bishnu Rimal shared this information.
During the meeting, they discussed the issues spanning from the exchange of high level visits to the bilateral relations and mutual interests.
However, both sides have not formally announced the date for the visit yet. It is learnt the schedule would be made public based on mutual understanding of the diplomatic channels between the two countries.
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27- Indian Foreign Secretary discuss bilateral issues with NC President Deuba
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Visiting Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, paid a courtesy call on Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, on Sunday.
In the courtesy meeting held at the residence of NC President, Budhanilakantha, they discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and mutual interests, according to Bhanu Deuba, Chief Personal Secretary of President Deuba.
The two also deliberated on further strengthening close and multifaceted relations between Nepal and India.
Indian Foreign Secretary Misri arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday morning for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.
Nepal and India have cordial relations. The Indian Foreign Secretary’s visit has continued the tradition of high-level visits between the two countries.
The visit is believed to contribute in bolstering bilateral ties between the two countries.
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28- Indian Foreign Secretary calls on Foreign Minister Dr Rana
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba at the Ministry on Sunday. The meeting focused on various dimensions of Nepal-India relations, mutual interests and shared concerns.
Issues like the Nepal-India Transit Treaty, trade facilitation, concerns of the Nepali private sector over the export of plywood, steel and other products to India, and the BIS Standards were also discussed during the meeting.
On the occasion, Dr Rana expressed Nepal’s continued commitment to maintaining cordial relations with India, and described India as Nepal’s important development partner, according to the Foreign Ministry. She also thanked the Indian government and people for their support in Nepal’s economic and technical sectors.
Foreign Minister Dr Rana expressed appreciation for the efforts in increasing connectivity between the two countries, expanding bilateral meetings, high-level visits and diplomatic engagements at various levels. Citing significant contribution of connectivity to the relationship between the two countries, promoting tourism and economic activities on both sides, she called for further expanding connectivity through air routes, railways and land routes.
Dr Rana sought India’s cooperation in creating an environment for additional flights and air routes between Indian cities and the Gautam Buddha International Airport and the Pokhara International Airport in Nepal.
She also advocated for a push for direct flights from Nepalgunj to Delhi in the coming days.
Dr Rana stressed the need for expediting the construction of the Fapla Cricket Stadium in Dhangadhi, which is being built with the assistance of the Indian government. Stating that both sides could benefit from the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project, she called for accelerating its implementation and for cooperation in controlling floods and inundations.
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29- Socialism-oriented economy reduces inequality: Chair Nepal
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Madhav Kumar Nepal, has said socialism-oriented economy helps in ending the existing social and cultural discriminations.
Addressing a programme organized by the All Nepal Women’s Association close to the party on the occasion of Teej festival in the federal capital on Sunday, Chairman Nepal viewed socialism-oriented economy could be established on the basis of equality, justice, human rights, and inclusive and proportional systems.
According to him, the present system based on justice and equality has increased women representation in the political and administrative spheres, which he believed, would bring a positive change in education, health and entrepreneurship.
Efforts are on in the national and international levels to reduce violence against women, he said, urging women to observe Teej festival as a festival of social empowerment and harmony.
On the occasion, In-Charge of the Women Association and Vice Chairperson of the party, Jayanti Rai, said originality should be respected while celebrating Teej festival. Best practices of women empowerments should also be promoted together, she underlined.
Even a cultural session was held on the occasion.
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30- Ruling coalition delivering as per agreement: DPM Paudel
Tansen, Aug 17: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Bishnu Prasad Paudel asserted that the current coalition government was performing in accordance with the agreement forged between the two political parties.
At a press meet organized by the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Palpa chapter here Sunday, DPM Paudel said the partnership between the two biggest political parties was ongoing on the basis of shared polices and common programmes. He also asserted that the current coalition between CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress would continue till the next general election in 2084 BS.
Moreover, the DPM said the incumbent government was delivering on political stability while some individuals and parties tend to spread the rumour about its collapse. “It is a baseless rumour,” he remarked, ruling out the toppling of the incumbent government.
Hitting out the fringe parties that have come to join the mainstream politics, the DPM cautioned that parties causing instability do not have a future.
After observing the Bhagawati Jatra, a festival celebrated in the locality, DPM Paudel expressed that preservation of cultures and traditions counts much. “In the same spirit, the government has allocated budget for the reconstruction of Bhagawati Temple,” he informed.
Also speaking during the programme, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey highlighted the government’s commitment to preserving the archeological heritages and developing religious and touristic areas.Acknowledging Palpa as a place with a huge potential, he urged all the local public to be effortful to make it prosper.
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31- IT linking dreams to opportunities: Minister Gurung
Lalitpur, Aug 17: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has said the information technology (IT) is linking dreams to opportunities and building a digital movement of innovation, leadership and collaboration.
“Today, thousands of Nepali youths are virtually connected from the remote valleys of Jumla to the global innovation hubs of Silicon Valley, and beyond. This is a proof that technology has no boundaries,” he said, asserting that it is the reflection of the vision uniting 10 million Nepali youths from home country to the diaspora.
In his address to the ‘International IT Youth Conference’ organized by the National Youth Association in Lalitpur on Sunday, Minister Gurung said in the perspective of ‘from inspiration to innovation’, this is not just a conference but a launch of a global digital youth movement to rewrite both the future of technology and the destiny of Nepal. It is an action, providing a platform to discuss Nepal’s IT-related policies, laws, and frameworks, he added.
The event was organized under the theme, ‘Connecting Nepali Youths Globally, For Connecting Nepal Globally’.
The Minister urged the stakeholders to conduct a SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity and threat) analysis of our digital ecosystem, strengthening our advantages and addressing our challenges. According to him, it is time to explore careers, entrepreneurship, and global investment opportunities for youths, and learn from global best practices and inspiring success stories. Building bridges between policy, practice, and innovation across borders is equally significant,” Gurung reminded.
“The ‘Nepalese in global it: Possibilities and collaborations’ perfectly reflects this ambition. With our youth on the forefront, Nepal can emerge not only as a participant but as a contributor to the global digital revolution,” the Minister argued.
Moreover, he shared through the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the government is fully committed to translating inspiration into innovation. Our focus areas include: Digital Nepal Framework 2.0, accelerating policy, infrastructure and human Resource, connectivity, digital governance and cyber security to protect our systems, businesses, and citizens in the digital age. He also featured 5G rollout, data centers, and satellite projects to ensure nationwide access to advanced digital services, while AI, block chain, and emerging technologies need to be applied in governance, education, and entrepreneurship.
“From smart schools in every village to AI innovation hubs in global cities, from digital literacy campaigns to international investment partnerships, Nepal is building the foundation for a future where technology uplifts every citizen.
Regarding Nepals Global Digital Diplomacy, on the global stage, Nepal has been raising its voice for inclusive digital transformation: At WSIS+20, and released and element paper included Nepal Agendas. So, Nepal is one of the member out of five in negotiation bloc advocating for the priorities of Group-G77 where 134 member states are there including China and India,” he explained.
The Minister reminded that at the World AI Conference held recently in Shanghai, Nepal raised voice for AI that leaves no one behind. From Geneva to Shanghai, and New York to Tokyo, from London to Kathmandu, Nepal is shaping and projecting for future hub of IT, AI, and innovation, powered by clean energy, natural cooling advantages, and our talented youth, he addressed.
He stressed togetherness for connection, contribution and co-creation in Nepal’s digital journey.
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32- Time for prosperity thru IT: PM Oli
Kathmandu, Aug 17: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli underscored the need to secure good-governance, development and prosperity through the leverage of information technology (IT).
Addressing the International Information and Technology Youth Summit-2025 virtually on Sunday, PM Oli, also the chairman of the CPN (UML), said it is essential to leverage IT to materialize the national ambition of ‘Prosperous Nepal: Happy Nepali’.
He reminded that the ‘digital Nepal framework’ that is being implemented at present was devised during his first term as the Prime Minister. The PM also mentioned that the incumbent government recently introduced a policy related to the Artificial Intelligence (AI).
At the event organized by the National Youth Association, PM Oli claimed the legal reforms made during this premiership enabled IT companies to register, operate and thrive gradually in Nepal. He stressed that we should use IT to further advance our country, society and human race.
The Head of the Government urged one and all to utilize IT for promoting good-governance, controlling corruption and fostering social amity and innovation.
Moreover, PM Oli attributed the improvement in the results of SEE by up to 14 per cent to the online classes conducted for the students. The PM stated that IT was being used in health and other sectors for the effective delivery. He, however, cautioned everyone against the misuse of it.
Highlighting the government’s firm commitment towards the press freedom and freedom of expression, he insisted that any information that harms society should not be disseminated.
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