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Members of the Finance Committee under the House of Representatives have demanded that the government make public expenditures under the USAID programs in Nepal and launch a free, fair and impartial investigation into possible corruption, including the misuse of funds during the execution of the programs. 

They pointed out that such a move was necessary as most of the USAID fund had been spent, bypassing the government agencies. 

Through an unofficial channel, it has been learnt that the fund had been spent through the Natural Resources and Finance Commission and the commission should address this concern. 

Speaking at the committee meeting on Sunday, lawmaker Ganga Karki urged the government to disclose the details of expenditures through USAID programs, in view of US President Donald Trump’s accusations that the agency had committed ‘fraud’ in Nepal. 

Lawmaker Gyanendra Bahadur Karki called for “understanding the context of the allegation” coming from the US president. 

He added that the Nepal-US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact was signed during his term as Finance Minister and it was endorsed by the Parliament. Karki also stressed the need to conclude the bills that are under discussion in the Finance Committee.     

Surya Bahadur Thapa Chhetri called for discussions on the US president’s fraud charges in the full House—and not in the committee alone—by getting details of the expenditures under the USAID from the Ministry of Finance. He noted that the committee meeting exceeds the given timeframe and it is generally focused on discussions on topics that do not constitute its core agendas, making it less effective.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 170, 300 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 170, 000 per tola on Friday.

The price of silver, however, has dropped by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 1, 970 per tola today.

The local administration has imposed an indefinite prohibitory order in Phungling, Taplejung after the group opposing the cable car project in Pathibhara further escalated the protest.

An emergency meeting of the District Security Committee held on Saturday night decided to issue a prohibitory order in Phungling bazaar area and Balludanda area, Kaflepati from 5 am today until further notice.

According to Netra Prasad Sharma, Chief District Officer of Taplejung, the prohibitory order was issued in view of possible clashes and to prevent further deterioration of the peace and security situation.

The administration has banned gatherings of more than five people, rallies and demonstrations.

Earlier on Saturday, a clash had erupted between police and protestors who took out a torch rally at Birendra Chowk, Phungling.

CDO Sharma said that six police personnel and some protestors were injured in the clash.

Security personnel and protesters clashed on Thursday also over the Pathibhara cable car project.

The situation turned violent on Saturday after the protestors threw fire into the houses.  

CDO Sharma said that police have arrested some persons involved in the throwing the fire.

Altogether 95 percent of girl students between grades 6 to 10 in Kavrepalanchok have been vaccinated against HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which causes cervical cancer.

Though the target was to vaccinate 16,097 girl students, 15,344, or 95.32 percent, have been vaccinated, according to the District Health Office, Dhulikhel.

The vaccination campaign was conducted from February 4-18 for the prevention and control of cervical cancer under the National Vaccination Program.

The Government of Nepal has approved the World Health Organization (WHO)-certified vaccine for girl students studying in grades 6-10 and out-of-school girls aged 10 to 14.

"We received information from the school that some girl students refused to get vaccinated. Perhaps it is because of lack of awareness that 100 percent vaccination could not be achieved", said the Office Chief Ragishree Kakshapati Shrestha. However, the vaccination program is considered successful in general. Girls from 252 community schools and 84 institutional schools in the district have been vaccinated.

Most of the 13 local levels in the district have achieved 99 percent of the target.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, 2,200 women in Nepal are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. Of these, 1,300 women succumb to the disease.

There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning at one or two places in the hilly areas of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces today.

Furthermore, there is a possibility of light snowfall at a few places in the high hilly and mountainous areas of the country.

The weather today will be partly to generally clear in the hilly areas of the country including Koshi Province and partly cloudy to mostly clear in the rest of the country. This is due to the influence of westerly winds in the country, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

There is fog in some places in Tarai.

Tonight, the weather will remain partly to generally clear in the hilly areas of the country including Koshi Province and partly cloudy to mostly clear in the rest of the country.

My sister is a student who is overwhelmed by assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities. She feels the pressure to excel in everything. How can I help her manage academic stress and maintain a healthy life balance?

Answered by Sunita Mahat, counseling psychologist

Academic stress is a growing concern, especially among students in their pre-teen and teenage years, when the demands of school, social expectations, and personal goals often collide. Without proper support, this stress can negatively affect productivity, self-esteem, and mental well-being.

Academic stress has become increasingly common as students must balance assignments, exams, and extracurricular activities. The pressure to excel in all areas can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it impacts productivity, self-esteem, and overall mental well-being. However, it’s crucial to understand that every student reacts to stress differently. While some may thrive under pressure, others might struggle with the weight of unrealistic expectations.

Understanding your sister’s unique challenges is the first step toward offering meaningful support. If her stress appears persistent or overwhelming, seeking guidance from a school counselor or teacher could provide valuable additional support. Here’s how you can help her manage academic stress while ensuring a healthy balance in her life.

Understand her natural rhythms

To effectively support her, start by recognizing when she is most productive. Everyone has natural energy peaks—some work best in the morning, while others perform better in the evening. Ask her these simple questions to better understand her needs:

When do you feel the most and least energetic?

When do you concentrate best, and when is it hardest to focus?

What changes could help you manage your time more effectively?

By understanding her natural rhythms, she can schedule demanding tasks when her energy levels are highest, making study sessions more efficient and less taxing.

Prioritize sleep and wellbeing

Academic stress can sometimes interfere with sleep, which in turn impacts memory, focus, and emotional regulation. If she’s struggling with sleeplessness, it may be due to the anxiety created by her schoolwork. Encourage her to stick to a regular sleep schedule and avoid screens an hour before bedtime. You can even ask her to try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or journaling. Quality sleep is not a luxury, but an essential ingredient for both academic success and emotional resilience, so make it a priority in her routine.

Teach her to manage time effectively

A lack of structure can often lead to feelings of being overwhelmed. Help her break assignments down into smaller, manageable steps. A planner or a to-do list can be incredibly helpful for her to visualize tasks, making them feel more achievable. The Pomodoro Technique—studying in focused intervals (like 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break)—can also help reduce burnout and boost productivity.

If possible, help her organize her schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and downtime into a balanced schedule. Ensure that she isn’t overburdened with too many activities, and remind her that rest is just as important as academic success.

Encourage a balanced approach to success

Many students strive for perfection in every aspect of their lives, but true success lies in knowing when to prioritize and when to let go. Encourage her to set realistic, attainable goals. She must also reflect on her extracurricular activities—do they bring her joy or merely add pressure. It’s also important to understand that saying ‘no’ to non-essential tasks isn’t failure but self-awareness at its finest. Striking a balance between academics and personal life is a crucial skill that will serve her well throughout life.

Promote self-care and stress relief strategies

A healthy mind and body are the foundation of academic success. Encourage habits that nourish both: Take short breaks between study sessions to refresh her mind. Eat nutritious meals to maintain her energy levels. Engage in physical activity, even a brief walk, to relieve stress. Practice mindfulness or deep breathing exercises to manage anxiety. Self-care isn’t just a diversion; it’s a crucial part of her ability to thrive in both academics and life.

Be a safe space for her

Sometimes, what she needs most is someone who listens without offering immediate solutions. Rather than jumping into problem-solving mode, create a space where she feels truly heard and validated. Phrases like “I see how hard you’re working, and I’m really proud of you”, “It’s okay to take breaks. You don’t have to do everything at once” can be helpful. These words of encouragement can make a world of difference in helping her feel understood and supported.

Help her set healthy boundaries

If she feels overwhelmed by commitments, guide her in recognizing when it’s okay to say “no” or delegate tasks. Remember, no one can do everything at once, and learning to set boundaries is key to achieving both success and well-being. Encourage her to reflect on these questions: Is this task truly necessary for my growth? Am I taking this on because I want to, or because I feel pressured? Setting boundaries is a valuable skill that will help her balance school and life, and it will serve her well in the future.

Offer emotional support

Sometimes, all a student needs is someone to listen. Let her know you are there for her—without judgment. Validate her feelings and remind her that her worth is not defined by academic success. Your unwavering support will offer her the security she needs during stressful times.

Also, a peaceful, supportive home environment can significantly alleviate stress. Encourage open communication, create family routines, and provide her with a quiet, distraction-free space for studying. Minimizing distractions at home can make it easier for her to focus on her academic tasks.

Speak to her teacher(s)

You can play a pivotal role by talking to her teacher. They may be unaware of the internal struggles she is facing, and sharing her challenges could help them tailor their approach. Open a dialogue with the teacher, and ask if there is any way they can adjust their teaching style or offer additional support to help your sister learn more effectively. Simple conversations like these can help build a bridge of understanding between you, your sister, and her teachers.

Seek professional help when needed

If you notice her showing signs of stress, such as irritability, withdrawal, or a decline in mood, address it promptly. Encourage her to take breaks, seek help, or talk to a counselor if needed. Be proactive in ensuring her mental well-being is prioritized alongside her academic success. If her stress continues to be overwhelming despite these efforts, consider reaching out to a school counselor, therapist, or mentor. Professionals can offer personalized coping strategies and provide further guidance specific to her challenges.

While academic achievement is important, it should never come at the expense of mental or emotional health. Success is not about being perfect in everything—it’s about finding balance and recognizing that your sister’s well-being comes first.With small adjustments and a focus on maintaining a healthy life balance, she can continue to pursue her goals without compromising her happiness. Your presence, understanding, and encouragement—as both a sibling and a support system—are making a more profound impact than you may realize. 

The government has removed quantitative restrictions on the import of betel nuts, peas and pepper, raising specific concerns regarding smuggling of these imports. 

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies announced lifting of import restrictions imposed on peas, betel nuts, and white and black pepper for industrial purposes for the fiscal year 2024-25 through a notice published in the Nepal Gazette last Thursday.

Businesspeople say that since there are not many industries in Nepal that use betel nuts as raw materials, most of the betel nuts imported into the country are smuggled to India where traders get a high price due to India’s high customs duty.

The government had initially banned imports on 24 March 2020 under Section 3 (1) of the Export Import (Control) Act, 2013, following increased smuggling of betel nuts, peas, pepper and dates. Later, the government lifted the ban by setting quantitative restrictions in the fiscal year 2020-21, allowing businesses to import 80,000 tons of peas, 25,000 tons of betel nuts, 5,000 tons of dates and 15,000 tons of whole pepper annually.

Officials say the new permission for imports is specifically granted for manufacturing industries to import these items as raw materials. The Department of Commerce, Supply and Consumer Protection must recommend the quantity of peas, betel nuts and pepper needed after verifying the requirements for industrial purposes.
However, the government has not specified import quantity limits, meaning industries can now import betel nuts, peas and pepper in any amount they choose. Previously, imports were only allowed within specifically defined quantity limits.

Middlemen, who stood to make substantial profits through smuggling, had been lobbying the government to remove the quantitative restrictions on the import of these items. Traders have been following a pattern of importing betel nuts, peas and pepper from other countries and smuggling them to India.

Indian authorities have seized more than 6,000 tons of betel nuts as of December in the fiscal year 2023-24. India levies a customs duty of $8,140 per ton, nearly five times higher than Nepal, which makes betel nuts much cheaper in Nepal.
Nepal imported 3,160.95 tons of betel nuts worth Rs 417.77m over the first six months of the current fiscal year. In the fiscal year 2023-24, Nepal imported 5,643.5 tons of betel nuts worth Rs 1.05bn. Betel nuts are primarily imported from countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Canada.

The public debt obligation has crossed 45 percent of the gross domestic product of the country.

As per the report published by the Public Debt Management Office, the government loan stood at Rs 2.611 trillion till February 12 of the current fiscal year 2024/25.

"The public debt was Rs 2.434 trillion in the beginning of the current fiscal year and it was added by Rs 176 billion till February 12. The total public debt till February 12 stood at 45.77 per cent of the country's GDP," according to the report.

Of the total public debt, 50.87 percent is external loan and 49.13 per cent internal loan.  The internal loan reached Rs 1.282 trillion while the external loan was Rs 1.328 trillion.

The country faced an additional loan burden of Rs 36.59 billion till the period due to plummeting value of Nepali currency against the US dollar.

The government had set the target of mobilizing Rs 547 billion public debts for the current fiscal year. The Office said it has raised Rs 290.57 billion public loans so far. The total public debt raised so far is 53.12 per cent of the annual target.

The government has the target of raising Rs 330 billion in domestic loans and Rs 217 billion in external loans in the current fiscal year.

The Office said that Rs 229.15 billion towards internal and Rs 61.42 billion towards external public debt has been raised until February 12 of the current fiscal year 2024/25 starting July16, 2024. The loan raised so far towards domestic comprises 69 percent and towards external 28.31 percent of the annual target.

Similarly, the government has allocated Rs 402.85 billion for paying the principal and the interest of the public debt. The Office stated that Rs 178.75 billion has been paid as principal and interest in the last seven months. The debt servicing expenditure until February 12 is 3.31 percent of the GDP.