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Newly-appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Nepal Police Chandra Kuber Khapung was conferred insignia on Thursday.

IGP Khapung was conferred with insignia by Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi amidst a program held at the Home Ministry this morning.

A Cabinet meeting held in Baluwatar on Friday decided to appoint the Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police, Khapung as the Inspector General of Nepal Police.

Khapung is the 32^nd IGP of Nepal Police.

The government has made it clear again that Nepal has not made any agreement on the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI). 

The government has urged one and all not to rely on the baseless news circulated stating Nepal's agreement on the GSI following a bilateral meeting of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Chinese President Xi Jinping held on August 30 in China's Tianjin city on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).  

Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said, "The government is firmly committed to the nation's non-aligned foreign policy. I urge all stakeholders not to make any comments without understanding such sensitive issues of the foreign policy."

Foreign Secretary Rai stated that the issues of the Global Security Initiative and other aspects of bilateral, regional and international concerns were discussed during the meeting between PM Oli and President Xi in Tianjin.

Following Prime Minister Oli's visit to China and his meeting with Chinese President Xi, the issue of Nepal's 'agreement' on GSI was raised by the lawmakers in the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Wednesday.

The HoR Members called for information to the House regarding the claims made by China through a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry.

Both ruling and opposition lawmakers insisted that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry should respond before the House on this matter.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has introduced a stricter legal framework requiring banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to channel their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds only into poverty alleviation and other priority sectors.  Issuing a circular to licensed banks and financial institutions last week, the central bank said it has amended the Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility, 2024, to prevent arbitrary spending by banks and financial institutions.

The move follows a directive order from the Supreme Court. The apex court had issued a directive order on 2 Dec 2024, hearing a writ petition filed by Advocate Shashi Basnet and eight others. The full text of the verdict released in the second week of July directed the government to register an umbrella bill in parliament within two years to regulate CSR activities more effectively.

Stating that many institutions were spending CSR money contrary to its intended purpose, including for branding exercises or private projects, the top court had ordered the government to ensure that CSR funds are used primarily for poverty alleviation and to hold institutions accountable if funds are diverted. The Supreme Court has clearly stated that such funds must be spent on housing, education, health, children and women's empowerment, specifically targeting communities living in extreme poverty.

Banks and financial institutions are required to set aside at least one percent of their annual profit for CSR initiatives. Given that class ‘A’ banks alone posted a combined net profit of Rs 71.51bn in fiscal year 2024/25, a substantial fund is collected in their CSR funds. However, spending from such funds had remained arbitrary so far. As per the new guidelines, these funds must now directly benefit the poor, marginalized and targeted communities rather than be used for institutional promotion and large-scale projects.

The central bank has said that CSR spending must align with national priorities and international principles of social responsibility, with the goal of uplifting disadvantaged groups and creating a more inclusive and sustainable society. 

The revised guidelines also make it mandatory for banks and financial institutions to prepare an annual CSR action plan. Likewise, banks and financial institutions are required to submit a list of their bi-annual  activities to the central bank at least 15 days before each half-year period begins. For the current fiscal year, banks have been given until mid-October to submit their first semi-annual plan.

The central bank has clearly stated that CSR funds must be used responsibly to enhance social welfare and not as a tool for corporate publicity. In the revised guidelines, the central bank has also upheld the Supreme Court’s call for stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure the funds reach communities in need.

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s decision to revoke over $2.2bn in research grants to Harvard University, calling the move ideologically driven and a violation of the First Amendment. The court found that claims of addressing campus anti-Semitism were a “smokescreen” for targeting the university.

Harvard had refused to comply with demands to change admissions, disciplinary policies, and diversity programs, arguing the measures threatened academic freedom. Critics said the funding cuts were politically motivated rather than a genuine effort to combat discrimination, according to Al Jazeera.

An overcrowded boat carrying more than 100 people capsized on Tuesday in Niger State, Nigeria, after hitting a submerged tree stump on the Kainji Reservoir. The vessel, which set off from Tungan Sule village for a condolence visit, lost contact shortly after departure and was later found capsized, according to Al Jazeera.

Rescue teams have recovered at least 60 bodies, with others still missing. Survivors said the boat was overloaded, a frequent cause of such disasters. Some victims have already been buried, while several remain in critical condition.

Boat accidents are common in Nigeria’s river communities, especially during the rainy season, Al Jazeera reported.

Hamas has urged the United Nations to intervene as Israel’s assault on Gaza intensifies, leaving dozens dead in a single day and entire families buried under rubble. Gaza City has been hit hardest, with residents describing the destruction as “apocalyptic”, Al Jazeera reported.

The humanitarian crisis is deepening. Aid agencies report famine spreading, with more than 360 Palestinians — including 131 children — already dead from hunger. UNICEF warns over 130,000 young children face severe malnutrition, while nearly a million people risk further displacement.

Hamas says it is ready for a ceasefire and prisoner swap, but Israel demands captives’ release and Hamas’s disarmament before any truce.

Global criticism is growing. Spain’s leader has accused Israel of genocide, Scotland is halting funds to arms firms tied to Israel, and the UAE has warned against annexing the West Bank. Utrecht University in the Netherlands has also launched an academic boycott of Israeli institutions, according to Al Jazeera.

A historic Gloria funicular railway car in Lisbon, Portugal, derailed on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18 others, several critically, BBC reported.

The Gloria funicular, a landmark link between downtown and Bairro Alto, came off its tracks and struck a building. Officials suspect a loosened cable, but a formal investigation is underway.

Victims include foreign nationals, though identities have not been released.

The Portuguese government declared a national day of mourning, and Lisbon announced three days of mourning as rescue teams worked to recover and aid passengers, according to BBC.

Florida plans to end all vaccine mandates, including those requiring children to be immunised against polio, measles, and other diseases to attend school, BBC reported.

Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo called the mandates “slavery” and pledged to eliminate “every last one,” though no timeline was given. Some rules may require legislative approval, while others could be repealed by the health department.

The move has drawn criticism from doctors and Democratic lawmakers, who warned it could spark a public health crisis. Currently, Florida requires vaccinations for illnesses like chickenpox, hepatitis B, and mumps.

In response, Democratic-led states including California, Oregon, and Washington formed an alliance to uphold vaccine guidance from national medical organizations, according to BBC.