Category: Politics

  • President Paudel congratulates US president-elect Trump

    President Paudel congratulates US president-elect Trump

    Kathmandu, November 6 — President Ramchandra Paudel extended his congratulations to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday.

    In a post on his official X account, @OOP_Nepal, he wrote: “Warm Congratulations, President-elect @realDonaldTrump on your historic win! Wishing you all success for your second term as the President of the USA! I am confident that Nepal-US relations will further be strengthened during your tenure.”

    Trump, 78, recaptured the White House on Wednesday by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, Edison Research projected, following a campaign of dark rhetoric that deepened the polarization in the country.

  • PM Oli Reaffirms Nepal’s Commitment to Strengthening Ties with Neighbors

    PM Oli Reaffirms Nepal’s Commitment to Strengthening Ties with Neighbors

    Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reiterated Nepal’s commitment to strengthening relations with its neighboring countries. While addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, PM Oli emphasized that Nepal conducts its foreign policy under the principle of “Friendship with all, enmity with none.”

    In his speech, Oli also expressed his views on ongoing conflicts, including the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war. During his stay in New York, he met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and high-ranking officials from the U.S. aid agencies, including USAID and MCC.

    Oli’s 22-minute address touched on the climate crisis, increasing geopolitical conflicts, and the global rise in military spending, all of which, he warned, are leading to global instability.

    “Both humanity and the planet are on the brink of a climate crisis. Geopolitical conflicts have resurfaced. Military expenditures are rapidly increasing, and the competition for arms remains constant. The fear of nuclear conflict is higher than ever.”

    Oli called for global leaders to foster cooperation and mutual collaboration, especially in these adverse conditions. He also reaffirmed Nepal’s belief that dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

    Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, Oli reiterated Nepal’s support for a two-state solution, with both Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully within internationally recognized borders, as per UN resolutions.

    Though Nepal has long supported the two-state solution, the country remained neutral in a recent UN vote that called for the end of Israel’s “illegal presence” in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, within one year.

    Oli also underscored Nepal’s foreign policy, emphasizing that Nepal seeks peaceful and cooperative relations with all nations, particularly its neighbors.

    “Nepal wants to further enhance close, friendly, and constructive relations with its neighbors and beyond. This must be based on mutual trust, sovereign equality, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and the principle of peaceful coexistence,” he concluded.

  • Deceptive tactics tarnishing Oli’s reputation: UML leader Pokharel

    Deceptive tactics tarnishing Oli’s reputation: UML leader Pokharel

    KATHMANDU: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has emphasized the crucial role of party Chairman KP Oli in fostering good governance and development, declaring him the most capable individual in these areas.

    In a Facebook post, Pokharel denounced the attacks on Chairman Oli, highlighting that such assaults directly undermine the country’s future and its people.

    He further addressed the deceptive tactics employed to tarnish Oli’s reputation, citing instances where misleading information regarding Oli’s alleged assets has been circulated.

    “Earlier, the Maoists propagated confusion by misrepresenting the new Telecom building in Jawalakhel as Oli’s residence. Now, it appears that the royalists are sowing discord by falsely linking him to investments in Cambodia’s Telecom.”

    Pokhrel said that the propagation of misinformation remains the favored weapon of those with depleted political ideologies.

    He emphasized the necessity to remain vigilant and resolute in the face of such malicious schemes.

    “An attack on the individual most qualified for ensuring Nepal’s progress in terms of good governance and development equates to an attack on the country’s future. Let us not succumb to confusion; instead, let us collectively combat these conspiracies with utmost seriousness,” he asserted.

  • Election Commission Nepal mulls reducing campaign duration to 15 days

    Election Commission Nepal mulls reducing campaign duration to 15 days

    With the general and provincial elections announced for November 20, the Election Commission has expedited its preparations endorsing the poll schedule for its own use.

    In the internal schedule of the commission, the election commission has scheduled the first-past-the-post (FPTP) candidacy registration for October 9-12 after the Dashain festival.

    However, the political parties will be asked to submit their closed lists for the proportional representation (PR) electoral system on September 18-19. On September 27, election officers will be appointed and election offices will be set up on October 7.

    On November 20, the voting will take place all over Nepal from 7am to 5pm. The internal schedule has been endorsed for internal use, and there are chances of amendment if required, the officials say.

    The commission started registering political parties from August 7. Until Saturday, as many as 40 parties had been registered at the commission, Surya Prasad Aryal, information officer and assistant spokesperson for the Election Commission, said.

    According to him, discussions are underway to demand funds from the Finance Ministry. The work of modifying policies and directives is also underway.

  • UML to unveil election commitment paper today

    UML to unveil election commitment paper today

    KATHMANDU: Main opposition CPN-UML is making public its commitment paper for the local level elections today (Friday).

    UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli will unveil the commitment paper at a program to be organized at Tulsi Lal Memorial Foundation at 1 pm, said a UML leader.

    The policy and Research Academy and the Department of Local Development of the party have jointly prepared the commitment paper following a series of discussions.

    Meanwhile, the UML is shifting its central party office from Thapathali to Tulsilal Memorial Foundation at Cyasal in Lalitpur from today.

    Similarly, the party is observing its 74th Establishment Day today during which party chairman Oli will welcome new entrants to the party.

    The local level election is being held on May 13.

  • Free testing, treatment govt. priority: Minister Dhakal

    Free testing, treatment govt. priority: Minister Dhakal

    Kathmandu – The government has decided to conduct free test and treatment for coronavirus considering its responsibility. The free test and treatment would be provided at government hospital and laboratory. The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Monday took this decision.

    Talking to the National News Agency (RSS), Minister for Health and Population, Bhanubhakta Dhakal made it clear that government never shirk from its duty to provide service to the people. He further said government, though decided to charge the well to do people for it earlier, reconsidered its decision in the wake of the Supreme Court order and citizen’s suggestions.

    According to him, more than 1.5 million people had so far undergone PCR test in Nepal and out of them, almost 200 thousand had tested positive for coronavirus. Currently, a total of 73 laboratories including private run ones are providing coronavirus testing from across the country. From these laboratories, as many as 15,000 tests are conducted. For anyone willing to conduct test on his/her own, he/she is charged Rs 2000. The Ministry has set up some 26,000 ICU and 900 ventilators for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

  • ‘Improved’ badge ready for parliament Members

    ‘Improved’ badge ready for parliament Members

    Kathmandu: The Federal Parliament Secretariat says it has improved the badge for federal lawmakers after it drew criticisms from stakeholders including the lawmakers themselves and the public.

    Earlier in August, the secretariat had unveiled the new badge for the lawmakers so as to reflect the change made in the national emblem as per the country’s new political map. However, it was heavily criticised for being more kitschy than artistic. Following that, the secretariat had returned the badges to its producer, urging it to replace them by the improved ones at no cost.

    The secretariat’s spokesperson Roj Nath Pandey says the new badges have been ready to use. House of Representatives Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota and National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina have already begun using it, he says, adding other lawmakers can also visit the secretariat to collect their pieces.