Day: April 23, 2024

Jhapa rural municipality in Jhapa district has provided scholarships to 630 students from three community schools. The 11th and 12th graders from poor financial background were provided the scholarships to help them complete education, according to Anju Thapaliya, acting chairperson of the rural municipality. Each student from Grade 11 was provided Rs 9,650 while Rs 11,200 to each student from Grade 12. The students from technical stream were however awarded Rs 12,000 each. The Janakalyan Secondary School got the monetary assistance for its 56 students, while the Dilliraj Secondary School for to 352 students and the Janata Secondary School 222. There are 21 community schools, 14 institutional ones and 18 madarsa running in Jhapa rural municipality. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has stressed on the need to adopt various protective measures and increase public awareness to reduce the risk and damages caused by an earthquake. In a message today on the occasion of the 9th Earthquake Memorial Day, President Paudel said that increasing urbanization is also increasing the risk of quake-induced damages. "Though earthquakes cannot be prevented we can protect ourselves from its possible risks and damages ", President Paudel has said in the message. Stating that Nepal is at a high risk of natural disasters including earthquake, President Paudel has said that natural disasters are a risk for everyone and earthquakes can be addressed only if preparedness based on past experiences and risk management are done proactively. He has also paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that took place on Baisakh 12, 2072 BS (25 April 2015) with epicentre in Barpak of Gorkha. Source: National News Agency RS S

Kathmandu: A photo exhibition is to be organised in memory of the Gorka Earthquake. The Department of Mines and Geology, Lainchaur, is organising the photo expo at its premises on Wednesday. Sambahika Samaj Nepal is the co-organiser of the event. Gorkha Earthquake took place on Baisakh 12, 2072 BS, which coincides tomorrow. Director General of the Department, Ram Prasad Ghimire, said the photo exhibition is going to be organised to recall the damages caused by the devastating earthquake. A total of 50 photos reflecting the damages caused by earthquake and problems faced by the general people would be put on display in the expo. Around 10,000 people lost their lives and thousands of physical infrastructures got damaged in the earthquake measuring 7.8 in the Richer scale that occurred at 11:56 am on Baisakh 12, 2072 BS (25 April 2015) with its epicentre at Barpak of Gorkha. Source: National News Agency RSS

The border checkpoints sharing border with Jhapa and Ilam districts have been closed for 72 hours since 6.00 pm today. The Nepali border entry points have been shut in view of the second phase of Lok Sabha elections taking place in India from coming April 26. According to the local administration, movement of the general people and vehicles would be prohibited during the closure period. Chief District Officer of Jhapa, Bandhu Prasad Bastola informed that the border checkpoints based in Kakadbhitta, Bhadrapur, Taghandubba and Gaurigunj would be closed during the stated time. With the enforcement in place, the checkpoints which were closed since 6.00 this evening would open at 6.00 pm on April 26. The Indian Lok Sabha election (second phase) is taking place in Darjeeling of West-Bengal and Kisangunj district of Bihar on April 26 at once. Both the districts of India are geographically linked with Jhapa district of Nepal. Source: National News Agency RSS

Chief Minister of Karnali Province, Yam Lal Kandel, is to seek vote of confidence on coming Thursday. Chief Minister Kandel registered a letter at the Province Assembly Secretariat seeking a motion of confidence on April 25. Chief Whip of CPN (Maoist Centre) in Karnali Province Assembly, Rana Singh Pariyar, said the date to take vote of confidence by Chief Minister Kandel was fixed after an environment to expand the cabinet was built providing four ministries to the CPN (Maoist Centre). Similarly, Chief Whip of CPN (UML) in Karnali Province Assembly, Tek Raj Pachhai, shared that an understanding was reached among power-sharing parties about expanding province government and distribution of ministries. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel hosted a state banquet in honour of the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is in Kathmandu for a two-day state visit. On the occasion, different cultural performances were performed. In the banquet, First Lady Sabita Paudel, Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Speaker Devraj Ghimire and National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal were present. Also present were the Chief Justice, Deputy Prime Ministers, former PMs, ministers, lawmakers, industrialists and other dignitaries. Earlier today, President Paudel and Emir of the State of Qatar held bilateral talks at the Office of the President in Shital Niwas. Likewise, two countries' delegations are scheduled to hold bilateral meetings on Wednesday. Source: National News Agency RSS

A leopard stuck in a trap set up by locals has been rescued in Baitadi today. The leopard was rescued from a trap set up at Bhuwa Bherikhola of Sigas rural municipality-9. Chief of Division Forest Office, Baitadi, Dilip Kumar Yadav, said a team of National Trust for Nature Conservation and Shuklaphanta National Park rescued the trapped leopard. The leopard has been released in Sigas Conservation Forest, he added. The leopard of around two-year-old suffered minor leg injury and was released after treatment. Locals had informed the police and Division Forest Office after seeing the leopard stuck in the trap. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has requested Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar for his help in the release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, who has gone missing since the attack by Hamas in Israel. President Paudel made this request during a bilateral meeting held with the Qatari Emir at Rastrapati Bhawan Sheetal Niwas earlier this afternoon. At the cordial invitation of President Paudel, Emir Al Thani of Qatar arrived here this afternoon on a two-day state visit to Nepal. On the occasion, President Paudel said that Bipin's release was a matter of interest and concern and urged the Emir of Qatar to take initiative for his release, according to Kiran Pokharel, the President's Press Advisor. In response, the Emir of Qatar said that he had taken some initiative on the matter in the past and that he would take further initiatives in this regard. Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student in Israel, remains missing following the attack in Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The 58th meeting of Investment Board of Nepal held today has approved the list of projects for which letters of intent will be sought, showcased and market sounding will be carried out during the near-coming the third Nepal investment Summit. During the summit, a total of 148 projects including both government and private will be showcased. The meeting today also decided to increase investment in two projects. An additional investment worth Rs.6 billion 634 million has been approved for the Huaxin Narayani Cement Project. Likewise, Dabur Nepal has proposed reinvestment of Rs 9 billion 680 million for capacity expansion and product diversification. The detailed project report of the project was received and after the assessment the negotiation process was been taken ahead. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' directed to work to make the investment summit more result-oriented rather than being limited to formalities. The Prime Minister also instructed the authorit ies to form a special unit to facilitate the mobilization of capital and credits from domestic, foreign and private sectors. Stating that the prosperity of the country will be achieved only through the partnership between the public and private sectors, Prime Minister Dahal said the government has initiated the work of amending laws to remove obstacles to investment. Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Board, Sushil Bhatta, shed light on the status of implementation of the decision of the previous board meeting and the preparations for the investment summit. The investment summit is being held in Kathmandu on April 28 and 29. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has urged Qatar to deepen cooperation between Nepal and Qatar on issues of common interests like saving the earth from climate change impacts, protecting the Himalayas, preserving the sources of water, and maintaining environmental balance. President Paudel said so at a meeting with the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at the Office of the President in Shital Niwas earlier today. The Emir of the State of Qatar arrived here this afternoon on a two-day state visit to Nepal at the invitation of President Paudel. "The common challenge of today's world is saving the earth from climate change; protecting our Himalayas; preserving the source of water and maintaining the environmental balance. Cooperation of all is imperative in these areas. This is an issue of human existence. I consider mostly the developing countries should be more serious in such issues, President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel quoted President Paudel as saying. The President also said that the conflict in the Middle East has 'made us worried', Pokharel told the RSS. Likewise, President Paudel praised the role played by Qatar for peace building and wished for the end to the war and restoration of peace in the Middle East. On the occasion, the Emir of the State of Qatar Al Thani said the entire world is suffering from climate change impacts, and good results will come and a good environment will be created if all abided by the international agreements on climate change. He also expressed the confidence that his visit would be fruitful to explore new areas of cooperation by further deepening Nepal-Qatar relations. Furthermore, the Amir of Qatar praised and expressed appreciation to Nepali migrant workers stating that they have huge contributions to the development of Qatar. The Emir of Qatar Al Thani viewed that new possibilities could be explored for investments in water resources, agriculture, tourism and other sectors in Nepal. On the occasion, President Paudel also express ed the confidence that the agreement and memorandum of understanding to be reached on Wednesday would unleash new potentials for investment in the areas such as water resource, agriculture and tourism in Nepal. Noting that Nepal and Qatar have ever enjoyed cordial bilateral relations, President Paudel clarified that the relations between Nepal and Qatar are bound by the sense of friendship, mutual respect, trust and good will. There has been a tradition of exchange of high-level visits between the two countries in a regular way which he claimed had played spectacular role in expanding the bilateral relations. The historical visit has taken the Nepal-Qatar relations to a new height, he further said. Noting that Nepal has moved towards the journey of economic development and prosperity now with the agendas of political transformation reaching to a conclusion of late, he expressed his belief that there would be continuous support from Qatar to Nepal's efforts towards attaining development and prosperity. Pr esident Paudel further expressed his optimism that the bilateral cooperation and collaboration would be further deepened in coming days in the context when there are arrays of potential for partnership in trade, tourism and investment areas. Qatar has been a prime and attractive destination of foreign employment for Nepali workers and Nepali workforce has also substantially contributed in the making of modern Qatar, he recalled. Expressing happiness over the sustainable development and prosperity of Qatar under the visionary leadership of the Emir, President Paudel lauded his far-reaching thinking and unswerving commitment to make Qatar a highly-developed nation. On the occasion, the visiting dignitary also signed the visitors' book placed at the Office of the President. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani called on President Ramchandra Paudel at the latter's office in Shital Niwas this afternoon. During the meeting, matters related to bilateral interests and diplomatic relations have been discussed. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Shakti Bahadur Basnet and other officials are also present in the meeting taking place at the Gandaki Hall of Sheetal Niwas. The Emir of Qatar arrived at Shital Niwas directly from Tribhuvan International Airport, where he was welcomed at the VVIP lounge by President Paudel, Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and other senior government officials. Later this evening, President Paudel is scheduled to host a banquet in honor of Qatari Emir Al Thani. Furthermore, bilateral talks are scheduled to take place between Emir Al Thani and Prime Minister Dahal on Wednesday . At the invitation of President Paudel, Amir Al Thani of Qatar arrived Kathmandu earlier today on a two-day state visit to Nepal. Source: National News Agency RSS

Kathmandu: The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived here on a two-day State visit to Nepal at the friendly invitation of President Ramchandra Paudel. He landed here at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) this afternoon. Upon arrival at TIA, President Paudel welcomed him at the VVIP lounge. Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Speaker Devraj Ghimire, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha reached TIA to receive the distinguished guest from Qatar. Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Raghubir Mahaseth, members of the Council of Ministers, high-ranking government officials, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu were at TIA to welcome the Qatari Emir. The Qatari Emir arrived here this afternoon on a special plane upon completion of his State visit to Bangladesh. A contingent of the Nepali Army presented a guard of honour and fired 21 canon salvoes, welcoming the visiting dignitary. The Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Ramchandra Paudel will hold a high-level meeting at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas this evening. President Paudel will also organize a state banquet in honour of the Emir this evening. Nepal and Qatar will sign MoUs on various areas including on youth and sports, and education and scientific research during the Emir's visit. This is the first visit by any Qatari Emir to Nepal ever since the two countries established diplomatic relations on January 21, 1977. Nepal opened its embassy in Doha, Qatar on July 11, 2000 and Qatar its embassy in Nepal in Kathmandu in August 2011. Source: National News Agency RSS