News from Nepal

Nepal and China on Wednesday agreed to set up a system to deliver effectively various Chinese government-aided projects in Nepal. This agreement follows official talks between Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali and Chinese Vice-president Wang Qishan, and Foreign Minister of China and State Councillor Wang Yi in Beijing. In both the meetings, Gyawali conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, and said Nepal appreciates President Xi Jinping’s vision of ‘building a community of shared future for humanity’, and supports China’s thrust on enhancing co-operation among nations. Vice-president Wang Qishan stressed on fully tapping the potential of bilateral ties between the two countries that historically enjoy excellent relations. Speaking at the joint press conference with his Chinese counterpart Wang, Gyawali said Nepal’s foreign policy gives top priority to neighbourhood. “We attach great importance to our relations with China. In line with our prin...

BBC Studios has inked a deal that will see a Nepali version of the iconic BBC format Dancing with the Stars on television . This deal with local production house ANC will see the Nepali version, Dancing with the Stars Nepal, premiere by the end of 2018. ANC will both produce and distribute the 26-episode series in Nepal. Multi-award-winning primetime entertainment format Dancing with the Stars from the BBC sees local celebrities partner professional dancers to compete in a competition. Every week, contestants have to learn a new dance and showcase their footwork on the dance floor, in a bid to impress a distinguished panel of judges and avoid elimination. To date, over 3500 episodes and 300 series have been recorded around the world. With this format deal in Nepal, Dancing with the Stars will have been sold to 57 countries worldwide.  The licensing deal was sealed by the newly appointed Vice President, BBC Studios, Ron Crasto. Ron heads the New Business Development, OTT and Digi...

Nepal Army on Thursday agreed to relinquish its land at ‘Putali Bagaicha’ and clear the way for the government to construct a new parliament building on it. This decision follows the government’s move to provide Nepal Army land near the Ministry of Home Affairs. The new building will comprise the House of Representatives (HoR) and the National Assembly (NA). According to Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the Secretariat is in the process of acquiring 151 ropani of land for the parliament building. The Cabinet would announce the decision regarding the land. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli took the decision to construct parliament building, besides four other decisions, on the first day of assuming the office of the executive head of the country. He had announced to construct the new building within two years.  Preparations for the parliament building started in the last week of March by setting up a committee led by Chief Secretary Lok Darshan Regmi. The panel includes Gen...

Shrinkhala Khatiwada has been crowned Miss Nepal 2018 at the 23rd edition of the Hidden Treasure Miss Nepal pageant in Kathmandu on Wednesday evening. A permanent resident of Hetauda, Khatiwada, 22, beat 24 contestants to win the coveted title. An architect by profession, Khatiwada was crowned the winner by last year’s winner Nikita Chandak at a special ceremony held in Hotel Annapurna. Khatiwada will represent Nepal in the upcoming Miss World Pageant. After winning the title, she posted a photo in her Instagram account. "Words are often inadequate to express my joy for your help. For sharing my dreams; for your invaluable help, support and patience, I say thank you all," she wrote in the caption.  In the grand finale, Manita Devkota of Gorkha bagged the title of Miss Universe while Priya Sigdel of Kathmandu won the title of Miss Earth and Ronali Amatya, 22, was announced Miss International. Devkota received the crown from Nagma Shrestha. She will repres...

Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were conferred insignia on Thursday. Nepal Police IGP Sarbendra Khanal and APF IGP Shailendra Khanal were conferred with insignia by Home Secretary Prem Kumar Rai amid a programme at Home Ministry. A cabinet meeting on Tuesday had promoted Khanal duo to the top posts.

Breakthrough ceremony was organised on Thursday to mark the completion of the excavation of the longest tunnel in Nepal. The 26-km tunnel, to be fully operational in a few months, will carry water from Melamchi River to the Kathmandu Valley for supply by the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL).  Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Minister for Drinking Water Bina Magar and ADB’s Director General for South Asia Hun Kim participated in the programme. “The completion of the excavation marks a very important milestone in the project's history and is indeed a giant leap forward for the project, one that will soon help alleviate the water stress experienced by the inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley,” said Kim, speaking on the occasion. Kim also appreciated the strong commitment of the government that has enabled the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) to overcome countless challenges in the past, including the 2015 earthquake and the subsequent shortage of mater...

Nepal Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ramesh Kharel has announced his resignation from his post. Kharel took to Facebook to announce his resignation on Wednesday a day after the government promoted DIG Sarbendra Khanal to the post of Inspector General of Police (IGP). He was in the race for the top post of Nepal Police. Khanal was ahead in the performance evaluation conducted by the erstwhile government followed by DIG Pushkar Karki. In his facebook post, Kharel wished a successful tenure to the newly-appointed IGP Khanal and thanked Nepal Police family.

The much-awaited construction work of the tunnel for Melamchi Water Supply Project has been completed on Tuesday. The project which began in 1998 has been completed after a span of 20 long years.  The construction of the 27.5 kilometres long tunnel has been completed today bringing cheers to capital denizens, who have been facing acute shortage of drinking water since a long time.  The Melamchi Water Supply Project is preparing to announce the completion of tunnel digging project by organising a press meet on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', Minister for Drinking Water Bina Magar and other VIPs.  At a press meet organised at the Ministry today, Minister Magar shared that the most-awaited project is near completion. However, the capital dwellers will have to still wait for six months to get water from the project at their homes. 

The total 45 groups of mountaineers have acquired permission so far to climb various mountains, including the highest peak of the world Mount Everest, Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Amadablam this spring season, according to the Department of Tourism.  Of them including mountaineers from home and abroad, 226 mountaineers from 23 groups have got the permission to climb Sagarmatha, said Director General of the Department Dinesh Bhattarai. They have already set out for the expedition, it added. The Department has so far deputed 38 liaison officers for mountaineering. The government sends liaison officers with mountaineering expedition teams climbing peaks above 6,500 metres high. According to Director General Bhattarai, the mountaineers have started going to their destinations one after the other. More teams are expected to come for climbing mountains in this season. 

Joint Statement during the State Visit of Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli of Nepal to India (6-8 April 2018) 1. The Rt. Hon’ble Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli, Prime Minister of Nepal, is on a State visit to India from April 6-8, 2018, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. 2. On April 7, 2018, the two Prime Ministers comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum of multifaceted ties between the two countries. They welcomed the growing partnership between the two governments, private sector and at the people’s level. The two Prime Ministers resolved to work together to take bilateral relations to newer heights on the basis of equality, mutual trust, respect and benefit. 3. Recalling that the close and friendly India-Nepal relations are built on the strong foundation of shared historical and cultural links and close people to people contacts, the two Prime Ministers underscored the importance of regular high-level political exchanges in cementing bilateral tie...

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has embarked on a three-day state visit to India today, leading a 54-member delegation.  This is his first foreign visit which is taking place 50 days since he was elected the Prime Minister. The PM is visiting India at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister left for India at 9 am today on a regular flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation. Defence Minister Ishwar Pokharel, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Gokarna Bista, Education Minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel, CPN (UML) vice-chairman Bamdev Gautam, deputy general secretary Bishnu Poudel, former speaker Subas Nemwang and the secretaries of various ministries of the Government of Nepal were present at the airport to see off the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Oli is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya; Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali; Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Matrika Prasad Yadav; Ministe...