Call to correct draft bill to regulate organizations
The Nepal Bar Association and NGO Federation along with the civil society representatives have called for corrections in the draft of a new bill prepared by the government to regulate and supervise social organizations.
At a discussion jointly organized by the Nepal Bar Association and the NGO Federation in the capital on Friday, speakers emphasized the need to make revisions in the draft bill arguing it would breach the rights and shrink the spaces of civil society organizations.
It may be noted that the government has recently made public a draft bill, 2082 outlined to consolidate laws related to the registration, regulation, and management of organizations by integrating the National Directive Act, 2018, Organization Act, 2034, and Social Welfare Act, 2049.
On the occasion, NGO Federation President Arjun Bhattarai demanded rewriting of the draft bill by mending flaws to ensure democratic values, constitutional rights, civil liberties, and meaningful participation of stakeholders.
'Soliciting inputs and recommendations to fulfill only the formality for the purpose of Clause 6 (2) of the Legislative Act, 2081 without consulting relevant stakeholders undermine civil society.' he said.
General Secretary of the NGO Federation, Devi Khadka said the draft underestimates the spirit of civil society by limiting its scope.
Senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai also mentioned that the draft bill is more about control than regulation, and discourage social workers who want to engage social and NGO sectors in Nepal.
He stressed that the draft should be passed only after comprehensive reforms and the removal of control-oriented provisions.
Similarly, advocate and theme expert Sanjeeb Ghimire stated that the draft legislation has based organization registration and regulation excessively on administrative and discretionary powers, and proposed legal frameworks that cannot promote civil rights.
“The classification based on the geographical working area of the organization, resources, and the nature of work is fundamentally a violation of rights and impractical,” Ghimire said. (RSS)
Nine highways across the country blocked due to rainfall
Continuous rainfall has caused disruption to as many as nine major highways across the country at present, reported Nepal Police.
The rain-triggered landslides and floods have completely blocked the Koshi Highway at Bhotkhola in Sankhuwasabha district, the bridge connecting Nepal and China in Rasuwa district, Pasang Lhamu highway in Rasuwa and Arniko Highway in Sindhupalchowk district, said the Nepal Police.
Similarly, the Kaligandaki Corridor in Baglung district, Beni-Darbang road in Myagdi, Jajarkot road in Rukum Paschim, Bheri Corridor in Dolpa and Gokuleshwor-Darchula road in Darchula have come to a standstill due to monsoon-induced disaster, police informed.
However, some highways and roads that were also obstructed due to landslide and flood have been operated for one-way traffic, police added.
Those roads and highways include Mid-Hill Highway in Terahthum district, Uttargaya road and Pasang Lhamu Highway in Rasuwa and Prithivi Highway in Tanahu.
Likewise, Kaligandaki Corridor towards the Nawalparashi East, Prithivi Highway in Rapti Highway in Dang and Saljhandi-Dhorpatan road section in Arghakhanchi are currently operating on a one-way basis, according to the police. (RSS)
Trump still working for a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelenskiy, says White House
US President Donald Trump is continuing efforts to arrange a Russia-Ukraine peace summit, the White House confirmed Friday. A senior official said Trump and his national security team are in contact with Russian and Ukrainian officials to pursue a bilateral meeting aimed at ending the war, Firstpost reported.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the prospect of talks but warned that if Russia fails to meet a Monday deadline, it could indicate Putin has “played” Trump. After recent meetings with both leaders and European officials, Trump announced plans for direct talks, though Russia has downplayed the likelihood of a summit.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller rejected suggestions Trump was being manipulated, praising the president’s commitment to advancing peace, according to Firstpost.
Russia, China blast deployment of US ‘Typhon’ missiles to Japan
Russia and China have criticized Japan’s plan to host US “Typhon” intermediate-range missiles during joint exercises next month, calling it a threat to regional stability, Al Jazeera reported.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned the deployment poses a direct strategic threat and said Moscow may take “appropriate military-technical measures” if Japan does not reconsider. The ministry also cited Japan’s accelerated militarization and close cooperation with the US.
China urged Japan to act prudently and respect regional trust, calling on Washington and Tokyo to prioritize peace and stability and avoid repeating historical mistakes.
According to Al Jazeera, the Typhon missiles, part of US efforts to strengthen antiship capabilities in Asia, will be stationed at the US Marine Air Station in Iwakuni, Honshu, ahead of the “Resolute Dragon” exercises from September 11–25.
Three dead after protests over death of taxi driver in Indonesia
Mass protests have erupted across Indonesia after 21-year-old ride-sharing driver Affan Kurniawan was killed by a police vehicle during a demonstration. Clashes have left at least three dead and several injured, including in Makassar, where the regional parliament was set on fire, BBC reported.
Protesters, many from Kurniawan’s employer Gojek, demand justice, higher wages, lower taxes, and stronger anti-corruption measures. Frustration over lawmakers’ new allowance, nearly 10 times Jakarta’s minimum wage, has fueled unrest.
President Prabowo Subianto, Jakarta officials, and police have expressed condolences and issued apologies. Seven police officers were found to have violated professional ethics. Despite this, demonstrations continued, with some protesters blocking police convoys and throwing projectiles, according to BBC.
Thousands attended Kurniawan’s funeral, highlighting the human cost of the tragedy. Gojek pledged support to his family, calling his death a profound loss.
US court rules many of Trump's global tariffs are illegal
A US federal appeals court has struck down most tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, ruling they exceed his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). According to BBC, the decision affects tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and dozens of other countries, but does not apply to steel and aluminium levies imposed under separate authority.
The court said setting tariffs is a core Congressional power and that IEEPA does not grant the president unlimited authority. The ruling responds to lawsuits from small businesses and several US states challenging Trump’s executive orders that imposed a baseline 10 percent tariff on almost all imports.
Trump condemned the ruling as partisan, warning it would weaken the US economically, while White House lawyers argued overturning the tariffs could trigger a financial crisis. The decision will take effect on 14 October unless the Supreme Court intervenes, likely setting up a high-stakes showdown over presidential power and trade policy, BBC reported.
PM Oli leaves for China
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has departed for China on an official visit on Saturday morning.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is paying a visit to the People's Republic of China from August 30 to September 3, at the cordial invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Prime Minister has been invited to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya.
During the visit, Prime Minister Oli is scheduled to meet with President Xi in Tianjin. He will also address the SCO Plus Summit in Tianjin on September 1. On the sidelines of SCO Summit, the Prime Minister will meet some world leaders attending the Summit. (RSS)
North Korea’s Kim consoles families of soldiers killed fighting for Russia
Kim Jong Un has met families of North Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, offering condolences and promising state support for their children.
According to Al Jazeera, he pledged to build a monument and name a street in honour of the fallen, saying the state would raise their children “as courageous fighters like their fathers.”
South Korea estimates about 600 North Korean troops have died and thousands more were wounded, though Pyongyang has not confirmed numbers. The meeting highlights deepening ties between Kim and Moscow after last year’s military alliance.
