Posts - Page 5
Balloon Explosion Injures Nepal Officials at Tourism Event
Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel and Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya were injured by burn injuries Saturday when a gas-filled balloon exploded at the inaugural ceremony of Pokhara Tourism Year 2025. Paudel had head and hand injuries and Acharya had facial burns. The two officials were initially treated at local hospitals — Paudel at Gandaki Hospital and Acharya at Fishtail Hospital — before being airlifted to the Kirtipur Burn Hospital in the capital, Kathmandu, for specialized treatment. Both are stable and being cared for by medical professionals, the mayor’s private secretary, Pun Lama said.
NRCC to Host Panel on Boosting Research with Digital Tools and Collaboration
The Nepal Research and Collaboration Center (NRCC) is organising its annual panel discussion entitled, “Building a Sustainable Research Ecosystem in Nepal: Digital Tools, Collaboration, and Policy”, on 16th February at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, 11:00 am-3:00 pm. Open and free to all, the event will discuss how' frontier digital tools — AI and online platforms' can enable research in Nepal while fostering collaborative models between the government, the university, the private sectors and research organizations. Renowned speakers such as Minendra Rijal, Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Sunita Gautam, Bikash Gurung, and Bhaskar Bhatt will highlight issues like funding gaps and infrastructure deficits and suggest actionable policies to strengthen Nepal’s research landscape. As the only monthly Research Talks and STEM campaign, NRCC founded in 2019, has played its major role in promoting research and has contributed in establishing a research culture to drive Nepal forward. So take advantage of this time to go speak to specialists, and be a part of the history of research in the future of the country!
Nepal Moves Closer to Becoming a Middle-Income Country by 2026
Nepal is now at the brink of a transformational moment by graduating from the LDC category by 2026. The country’s progress and challenges are outlined in a comprehensive report recently certified by Nepal’s National Assembly Sustainable Development Sub-Committee. Under the leadership of Dr. Shakya, the subcommittee interacted with important stakeholders like the National Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry to evaluate Nepal’s economy in the backdrop of international standards. Though it has already been recognized on two of the three UN-mandated indices—the Human Assets Index and the Environmental Vulnerability Index—it is still working toward meeting the Gross National Income criterion. This report, commended by Committee President Kamala Devi Pant as a roadmap for Nepal’s government to strengthen its economy and catalogue paths to better living standards, is a major step on the road to development for Nepal.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Heads to Oman for Key Conference
Nepal’s four-member delegation to the Eighth Indian Ocean Conference to be held in Muscat, Oman, from February 15 has been led by Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana. The theme for the conference is "Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership" and will see global leaders come together to address pressing concerns such as trade, security as well as climate change in the Indian Ocean region. Minister Rana will also take part in a special session “Amplifying the Voice of the Global South” representing the interests of developing countries like Nepal at the global negotiations. Apart from the conference, Minister Rana is also expected to hold a series of high-level talks focusing on the areas that could further strengthen the Nepal-Oman relations including trade, tourism and cooperation in renewable energy, and four to five agreements would be signed. She will also virtually interact with the Nepali diplomats stationed in GCC countries to discuss the issues facing the Nepali diaspora and improving diplomatic outreach. This visit highlights Nepal’s increasing engagement in regional and global diplomacy, especially the strengthening of ties with major players like Oman. Minister Rana’s engagements underscore Nepal’s commitment to contribute to the resolution of global issues while pursuing its national interests.
Nepal and India Team Up to Boost Power Trade with New Transmission Lines
Cross-border electricity interconnections cement Nepal–India energy cooperation In a joint statement after a meeting this week, officials from both countries agreed to design new high-capacity transmission lines as well as strengthen existing connections to support efficient trading of power. Noteworthy efforts include Nijgadh-Harnaiya Motihari and Kohalpur-Lucknow lines that can carry 400 KV electricity, and the upgrading of the Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur line, which has the capacity of importing more than the current 800 megawatts. The two countries also agreed to transfer 1,000 megawatts of electricity between each other, which means that in case of demand, Nepal can either export or import electricity. This move is in line with Nepal’s ambitious plan to generate 28,500 megawatts by 2035 and reaffirms its status as a regional energy producing country. Nepal and India are scripting a story of energy security and mutual development with projects such as the Inaruwa-Purniya and Dodhara-Bareli projects in the pipeline.
Nationwide Campaign Launches to Tackle Against Non-Communicable Diseases
The government is launching a month-long nationwide campaign against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) starting this Thursday, said Bal Krishna Khand, joint minister of health and population.
Nepal, India Discuss Energy Cooperation During Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi
Nepal’s Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Dipak Khadka, met with India’s Minister of Power, Manohar Lal Khattar, in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss bilateral energy collaboration.
3 Students Killed, 40 Injured in Kathmandu School Bus Accident
Three students died and 40 others sustained injuries when a school bus crashed in Sankhu, Kathmandu, on Wednesday afternoon. The bus, operated by Sundarimai Yatayat (Ba 2 Kha 7958), lost control due to brake failure on the Sankhu-Nagarkot road in Kattike, according to Kathmandu Police.
Fire Breaks Out in Pune Apartment Building; No Injuries Reported
A fire broke out in an apartment at Sunshree Suvarnayug Society, located near RIMS International School on NIBM Road in Pune, earlier today. Thick smoke and flames were seen coming from one of the flats, causing panic among residents. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far.
Prime Minister Oli Says It’s “Too Early” to Predict Fate of New Government Laws
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli told reporters on Thursday that it is “too early” to know whether six temporary laws introduced by the government will be approved by Nepal’s parliament. The Prime Minister shared this while answering questions at the Federal Parliament Building in Kathmandu.