Category: General

Kathmandu: Nepal lost to Namibia by 2 wickets in its third match of the triangular series under the ICC Men's World Cup Cricket League-2. In the match held today at TU cricket ground, a modest victory target of 169 runs set by Nepal for Namibia was achieved by the visitors at the loss of 8 wickets in 40 overs. Gerhard Erasmus top scored for Namibia with 52 runs. Similarly, JJ Smith scored an unbeaten 34 while Michael Van Lingen scored 31 runs. For the bowling side, Kushal Bhurtel took three wickets while captain Rohit Kumar Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Malla took one wicket each. Earlier, invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal lost all its wickets in 37.1 overs with only 168 runs on the board. Aashif Sheikh scored 58 runs while Kushal Malla scored 38, Bhim Sarki 26, Kushal Bhurtel 18 and Karan KC scored 12 runs. For Namibia, Bernard Scholtz and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton took four wickets each, while Jack Brassel and Gerhard Erasmus took one wicket each. This is Nepal' s second straight defeat against Namibia, after losing the inaugural match of the series, also including the Netherlands, by 4 wickets. Nepal however won its second match against the Netherlands by 9 wickets. With this win, Namibia has added a total of four points while Nepal and the Netherlands have two points each. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Members of the Nepali Congress are continuing to express their views and opinion at the party's Mahasamiti (general council) meeting that kicked off on February 19. On the third day of the meeting held at Sunrise Conference Centre in Godawari of Lalitpur today, discussions are being held in four different halls on the policy proposal of Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, organizational proposal of General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, contemporary political proposal of General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma, Spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat's report on country's current economic situation, prospects and future direction, audit report of accounts committee coordinator Shyam Ghimire, informed NC publicity department chief Min Bahadur Bishwakarma. "Mahasamiti members of the Koshi and Sudurpaschim provinces have been divided into Godavari Hall, Bishankhunarayan Hall for Karnali and Madhes provinces, Phulchoki Hall for Bagmati and Gandaki provinces and Lumbini and fraternal and well-wisher organisations a nd public relations committees at Konjyosom Hall to discuss the report," he said. According to Bishwakarma, the remaining members of the committee will express their views tomorrow as well. "The office-bearers and central members representing the respective provinces in all the four halls are taking the notes of the suggestions of Mahasamiti members," he said. According to him, the Mahasamiti members have also submitted some suggestions for improvement in all the five reports submitted to the Mahasamiti. A total of 110 Mahasamiti members at Godavari Hall, 95 at Bishankhunarayan Hall, 90 at Phulchoki Hall and 90 at Konjyosom Hall expressed their views during the discussion, according to Bishwakarma. The members who participated in the Mahasamiti meeting expressed their views on the need for the NC to play an effective role in the implementation of the constitution, abide by the party statute, give authority to strengthen the province structure, play a leadership role to prevent the threat to the republic, ac tivate the party organization and complete the sister and well-wisher organizations, he said. The Mahasamiti members further said the party should establish linkage with social movement for social justice, emphasize modern agricultural system, emphasize on tourism promotion by protecting the environment, accelerate infrastructure development, make international relations balanced and enable environment for foreign investment. Among other recommendations were expanding employment opportunities to check brain drain, increasing coordination between the party and the government, taking initiative to stop trade in education and health and devising effective measures against climate change impacts, among others. "The presidents of all the seven provinces are scheduled to present the issues raised in the group discussion before the delegates. After that, the hall will jointly discuss all those proposals and pass them," said Bishwakarma. He informed that the closing ceremony will be held from 2:30 pm on Thursday. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: President Ramchandra Paudel has said the objectives of judiciary could be achieved only if victims get justice on time. President Paudel said so while receiving the annual report of fiscal year 2079/80 of the Supreme Court, Judicial Council and Judicial Service Commission submitted by Chief Justice, Bishowambher Prasad Shrestha at a programme held at Sheetal Niwas on Wednesday. Stating that the judiciary could win people's faith in coming days, the President stressed on easy access of poor, helpless and marginalized communities to justice. "I believe that independence, integrity and competence of judiciary will be maintained if victim gets justice on time and if it becomes victim-friendly", he mentioned. President Paudel said that it will be easy to guarantee rule of law if policy reforms, plan and reports of judicial sectors are fully implemented. He laid emphasis that judiciary should play an independent role in making people's faith stronger, adding, "Present situation of pressure of cases a nd their settlement is the big challenge of the Supreme Court and a solution should be sought. Necessary reforms in laws is a must to solve it." Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The draft of the Film Censor Working Procedure 2080 BS prepared by the Central Film Censor Board has drawn concerns from the film producers' fraternity. In a discussion programme held here recently, film director Dayaram Dahal said the proposed draft of the procedure failed to encourage filmmakers. As he said, the filmmaking community doesn't entertain the term censor. The matter should be simplified. It should be kept within the jurisdiction of the Film Development Board instead of the Ministry. "The classification of films is needed instead of censor. The concept of film censor itself prevents film makers to work on the project freely. Instead of the external censorship, self-censorship is needed," he reminded. On the occasion, film director Manoj Pundit argued that the State's direct surveillance in film is unwarranted. He said the proposed draft prevents the production of film in a creative, realistic and independent way in compatible as per time and relevance. Member of the Central Film Ce nsor Board of Nepal, Rishiraj Acahrya, however, claimed the draft was prepared in accordance with the relevant law. It is for time being- until a dedicated Act is formulated- and it would be taken ahead on the basis of wider consensus. During the discussions, Film Development Board member Rabi Adhikari demanded the inclusion of experts in the censor board, while the term of each board members should have at least for five years. "The issues in the Film Censor Board have implications in the FDB. These are different bodies and the FDB is authorized for recommending the film censor," he viewed. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Discussions in five separate reports presented on Tuesday at the Nepali Congress (NC) Mahasamiti Meeting are scheduled to take place from today. Coordinator of NC's Information, Communications and Publicity Department Min Bahadur Bishwakarma told RSS that four groups have been formed to hold discussions on the reports put forth by party the Vice President, two general secretaries, spokesperson and accounts committee coordinator. Five separate reports were presented on Tuesday in the NC Mahasamiti Meeting that began on Monday at Godavari, Lalitpur. As shared by the NC, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka shared the Policy Report while General Secretary Gagan Thapa presented the Organizational Proposal. Another General Secretary Bishow Prakash Sharma put forth his report on contemporary political situation while party Spokesperson and Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat presented the Report on Nepal's Present Economic Status, Possibilities and Future Course. Similarly, Accou nts Committee Coordinator Shyam Kumar Ghimire tabled the party's Audit Report sharing the state of party's economic status, source of income and expenses. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The government is launching an immunization campaign from February 25 to March 20 across the country in view of the risk of measles and rubella infection. Spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, shared that the vaccination against measles and rubella is going to be launched for all children below 15 years. He mentioned that all children from nine months to below 15 years of 24 districts--21 districts bordering with India and three in Kathmandu Valley, would be immunized. Similarly, children from nine months to five years of other 51 districts would also participate in the vaccination campaign. Budhathoki added that however, the immunization campaign was launched in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts after Jajarkot earthquake occurred in November, 2023. Chief of Child Health and Immunization Section, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, said children who missed to get regular vaccines would also be immunized in course of vaccination campaign. Sharing that all preparations for t he immunization campaign have been completed, he added that health workers have already been imparted with training about the vaccine in all seven provinces. Dr Gautam shared that 6.330 million doses of vaccines have already been brought for the campaign, stating that a target has been set to immunize vaccine against measles and rubella to around 5.7 million children during the campaign. The government has launched the immunization campaign with an objective of eliminating measles and rubella by 2026. Outbreak of measles and rubella was reported in 19 districts last year. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: National Assembly (NA) Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina has argued that the National Inclusion Commission should work to justify its relevance as per the spirit of the constitution. At a programme organized here on 3rd anniversary of the Commission on Tuesday, NA Chairman Timilsina suggested that the constitutional commissions should conduct interaction programmes time to time and should carry out their jobs in time. "The Commission members are required to make their jobs effective. Along with the review of the Commission's performance, assessment of the past activities should be conducted," the NA Chairman added. He emphasized that the Commission should create enabling environment to ensure special priorities to the marginalized communities. Commission's Chairman Dr Ram Krishna Timalsena expressed his rue towards lack of seriousness on the part of government and federal parliament to the Commission's recommendations on inclusion. He added that the Commission was always proactive to bring the backward community in the mainstream and ensure social justice. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Snowfall along with rainfall occurred in the upper belt of Bajura district. Farmers are elated with rain and snowfall that took place after six months. High-hill areas of Budhinanda municipality, Gaumul rural municipality, Jagannath, Badimalika, Khaptad Chhededaha, Swamikartik Khapar municipality, and Tribeni municipality have witnessed snowfall. Temperature has dropped in the areas with the snow and rain. Normal life has been affected due to snowfall at most of the high-hill areas since Monday night. High-hill areas of Badimalika, Budhinanda municipalities and Himali rural municipalities have been covered with snow this year. With abrupt drop in temperature, teaching and learning activities have also been affected after students faced problems in their movement. Acting Chief of District Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Bajura, Min Prasad Jaisi, said farmers are happy with winter rainfall as it is expected to benefit different crops, fruits and vegetable cultivation. Transport service along Martadi road sec tion that geographically connects four Palikas in the northern part of Bajura district, some Palikas of Humla, Mugu and Kalikot has been affected due to snowfall.- Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Nepal and the UK have signed two grants agreements- Nepal in Business (NIB) programmes, and implementation of Green Growth Nepal (GGN) programmes on Tuesday. Shreekrishna Nepal, Joint-Secretary of Ministry of Finance, on the behalf of the government of Nepal and Pippa Bird, Development Director at the British Embassy in Nepal, on the behalf of the British government, signed the agreement. Present in the agreement signing ceremony were Minister for Finance, Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat, and visiting British Minister for Development of Africa, Andrew Mitchell, according to the Finance Ministry. The agreement totaling over Pound Sterling 70 million (some Rs 11.70 billion) will be implemented for the period of seven years. The grant for NIB programme is expected to help unlock Nepal's economic prosperity by generating and addressing income poverty in Nepal. It will also support and finance small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to build organizations effectiveness through improved management and prod uctivity to achieve business growth and create jobs. Similarly, the grant for GGN programmes will support the government of Nepal to increase green, resilient and inclusive growth by expanding investment in green industries and services, improving climate-resilient infrastructures and strengthening sustainable economic policy and facilitating economic opportunities across Nepal, the Ministry added. Minister Mahat, on the occasion, highlighted the longstanding bilateral relationships between Nepal and the UK and extended his gratitude towards the British government for its support in meeting Nepal's development priorities. Mahat acknowledged, "The agreement is important for achieving Nepal's goals of fostering economic growth, promoting sustainability and reducing poverty. The grant programmes are also important for economic transformation, climate resilience, stronger social services and inclusion." He expressed his confidence that the implementation of NIB and GGN programmes would contribute to improving the foreign direct investment and developing climate-friendly investment projects in Nepal. Similarly, visiting British Minister Mitchell observed, "There are plenty of issues for cooperation and collaboration between Nepal and the UK in the areas of economic transformation, climate actions and resilience, stronger social serviced and promotion of inclusion among others." Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: The multinational Exercise- 'Shanti Prayas IV' commenced at local Tundikhel in Kathmandu on the participation of 1,925 Nepali Army personnel deployed in the peace keeping operations at the call of the United Nations. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' inaugurated the event amidst a special ceremony held today. The pre-deployment training for the contingents and individual soldiers prior to their deployment in various peacekeeping missions will be conducted at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Kavrepalanchowk. The training, supported by the US Global Peace Operation Initiative, was undertaken in collaboration with the US Army. Nepal hosted the inaugural Multi Platoon Training Event, Exercise "Shanti Prayas" in the year 2000 and since then, three successful multi platoon exercises have taken place, on the participation of military forces from various nations. The event will run till 4 March 2024. According to the Centre, the objective of the exercise is to increase inte roperability and peace keeping skills at various levels prior to their deployment to the UN missions and operational level staff training ( STE). The tactical level field training event (FTE) and critical enabler and capability enhancement (2CE) are the key events of the Exercise. At an inaugural session, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Prabhuram Sharma said the participation of NA personnel in UN missions and other international peacekeeping bids is the priority of the NA. "The Nepali Army has given priority and importance to inclusive participation in peacekeeping missions, and the world has commended the bravery it has demonstrated from highly sensitive Golan height to Sahara desert of Africa. We have a long experience and historical presence in global peace." Rachel Schiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Programs and Operations in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM), US Department of State said the US government has already invested 1.5 billion dollar since 2005 in nations contributing to the wo rld peace and security for regional peacekeeping efforts. As she said, multi-dimensional challenges for world peacekeeping mission are rising and the US is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission. Nepal became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and since 1958, Nepal has been actively engaged in the broader spectrum of UN Peace Operations. Over the course of over sic and half decade, Nepal has participated in 44 UN peacekeeping missions and during this period, 167,000 Nepali peacekeepers have contributed to these missions and among them, the NA personnel number 149,890. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Construction of recharge ponds is underway in two local government units in Dhankuta, aiming to prevent drying up of water resources and revive those that have already dried. The project, technically supported by ICIMOD and financially assisted by the local NGO HUSADEC Nepal, is being implemented in Dhankuta municipality and Chhathar Jorpati rural municipality. HUSADEC Chair Saroj Bhujel said the recharge ponds have already been constructed in eight out of 10 wards of Dhankuta municipality and two out of six wards of Chhathar. The five-year project, initiated last year in Chhathar, has been expanded to Dhankuta municipality this year. Currently, 22 ponds have been built in Dhankuta municipality, and 58 in Chhathar Jorpati, with positive results observed in rejuvenating the depleting water resources. Wangda Tamang, a local representative and Chair of Dhankuta ward no 1, shared that ICIMOD organized their exposure visit to Sikkim, providing an opportunity to inspect water resources revived through recharge p onds. Inspired by the success, they plan to construct 70-100 additional ponds in the current fiscal year at the local Ranatole. Dhankuta municipality mayor, Chintan Tamang, acknowledged the role of recharge ponds in preserving water resources and committed to sustaining the program in the future. Source: National News Agency Nepal

Kathmandu: Nepal has been elected the Chair of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD). The 11th APFSD began  under the theme: 'Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions in Asia and the Pacific' at the United Nations Conference Center (UNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand. National Vice Chair of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr Min Bahadur Shrestha was elected the APFSD Chair. Nepal's candidacy was proposed by Japan and it was backed by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Following the election, Dr Shrestha expresses his gratitude to all the meeting representatives. The 11th APFSD will conclude on February 23 and it will primarily focus on discussions on the goals numbers 1 (Poverty), 2 (Zero hunger),13 (Climate action), 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals), according to NPC spokesperson Yamlal Bhusal. The Forum will ass ess progress on the SDGs under review the above mentioned goals. This regional platform is dedicated to informing, empowering, and supporting countries in the Asia-Pacific region, with a particular focus on least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and Small Island developing States. The platform strives to facilitate the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their corresponding targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda, it is said. Being based on the discussions and consensus in the Forum, a report will be presented to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum to be held in July, 2024, assessing progress and challenges in the implementation of the SDGS in the Asia-Pacific. Source: National News Agency Nepal