Submit your Article

With 30 days remaining for the federal and provincial elections, the role of media in making the upcoming polls free and fair was discussed here today staying that countering misinformation and hate speech as well as promoting inclusive media is key to free and fair elections. The workshop on fair media coverage, the seventh in a series, was organised by Media Action Nepal and supported by Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). It covered topics such as professional standards and code of conduct for journalists, media approach to human rights, countering hate speech, and promoting inclusive news content. "Media persons have a vital role to play to ensure free and fair elections as they are responsible for facilitating free flow of information to help people make informed choices about which party and leader to vote for," said Chairperson of Media Action Nepal Laxman Datt Pant. Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson of the Kaski chapter of Federation of Nepali Journalists Bimala Bhandari urged journalists to meet public expectations during the elections through fair reporting and practice objective, impartial and balanced journalism every day. Secretary of Media Action Nepal, Ganesh Ghimire said, "Journalists must remind the government of its obligations to uphold human rights protected by Nepal’s constitution as well as those provisions set out in the international human rights treaties." At the event, human rights expert SB Chhetri shared how media persons can contribute to ending disinformation and hate speech in a world dominated by social media. While commenting on the workshop, a Pokhara-based journalist, Suman Gurung, said, "Through the event I have developed my understanding about new approaches to develop inclusive and diverse media content." A total of 175 journalists, half of them women, benefitted from the seven series of the workshop organized by Media Action Nepal with CFLI funding in the headquarters of all seven provinces.

A photo exhibition showing China's achievements in poverty alleviation, infrastructure, science and technology, health care and green development over the past decade was held Thursday in Lalitpur, Nepal. Nepal and the world could learn from China's achievements in poverty alleviation, infrastructure and technology development, said Nepal's Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha. "High priority given to ecological preservation and green technology is also exemplary," Shrestha said, adding that China has made unusual achievements as a populous country. China has achieved its target of building a moderately prosperous society, said Chandra Prakash Mainali, general secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist), adding that China will realize the Second Centenary Goal of transforming China into a great modern socialist country in all respects under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). China has achieved great changes in the past decade under the strong leadership of the CPC, said Wang Xin, political counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. China-Nepal relations have developed rapidly in the past 10 years, Wang said, adding that China is ready to work together with Nepal to build a closer China-Nepal community with a shared future and write a new chapter of China-Nepal friendship, Xinhua reported. The exhibition, hosted by Friends of the Silk Road Club-Nepal, also showed China's efforts in better delivery of basic public services and public infrastructure as well as progress achieved under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Indian police have arrested a Chinese woman for carrying out anti-national activities from New Delhi, India on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, Cai Ruo of Hainan Province was arrested yesterday afternoon. It has been learnt that a Nepali citizenship certificate in the name of Dolma Lama was recovered from her possession. During the investigation police found that Cai was a Chinese national who had traveled to India in 2019. The woman has been sent to the police custody for 14 days for investigation.  

On October, Nepal Rastra Bank has come up with its current macro-economic and financial situation of last two months. If you have been watching Nepal’s economic situation and do not have the time to read the full report, here is a 10-point catch-up on the latest situation. ·         Inflation stands at 8.64 percent ·         Imports decreased 13 percent, exports decreased 34.9 percent and trade deficit decreased 9.4 percent ·         Remittances increased 19.8 percent in NPR terms and 11.3 percent in USD terms ·         Balance of Payments remained at a deficit of Rs.23.68 billion. ·         Gross foreign exchange reserves stood at $ 9.35 billion. ·         Federal Government spending amounted to Rs.134.34 billion and revenue collection Rs.143.81 ·         The foreign exchange reserves of the banking sector is sufficient to cover the prospective merchandise imports of 9.0 months ·         Gross foreign exchange reserves decreased 2.2 percent to Rs.1189.16 billion in mid-September 2022 from Rs.1215.80 billion in mid-July 2022. ·         Number of Nepali workers (institutional and individual-new) taking approval for foreign employment increased 169.9 percent to 103,898 in the review period. ·         Broad money (M2) decreased 1.1 percent in the review period in contrast to an increase of 0.2 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year Based on two months data produced by Nepal Rastra Bank, ending mid-September 2022\23

A group of sixty Israeli trekkers arrived in Nepal on Wednesday with the goal to trek around Annapurna trail. The group includes ten physically challenged trekkers, assisted by wheelchairs. The team has set off to the Annapurna trail today. An EPSA Nepal (Disabled Center Nepal) Representative also joined the expedition together with her aid. Ambassador Hanan Goder along with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Nepal Tourism Board had welcomed the trekkers upon their arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Through this audacious activity, the delegation hopes to inspire and send out a message of inclusiveness. Physical challenges should not set limitations for trekking the beautiful mountains of Nepal. The Embassy of Israel wishes them a successful expedition.  

Police have arrested a man for secretly recording videos inside the rooms of a guest house. The suspect has been identified as Mukesh Mali (42) of Chandragiri-15, Kathmandu. He had been working as the manager at the Bansbari Restro and Café in Bansbari. Police said that Mali was arrested as he was accused of secretly recording the obscene videos of the guests who had come to stay at the Restro Café and Lodge. Acting on a tip-off, a team deployed from the Metropolitan Police Circle, Maharajgunj reached the lodge and took his mobile phone under control. When police checked the phone, they found recorded videos of the various people who had come to stay in the lodge. Police said that they have recovered an iPhone 12 Pro Max from Mali’s possession. Further investigation into the incident is underway.  

At least 31 extremist militants were killed in anti-terror operations by troops in Nigeria's northeast region in the past two weeks, a military official said Thursday, Xinhua reported. Musa Danmadami, the spokesman for the military, told reporters in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, that 70 other suspected members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) groups were arrested during the operations involving all the military agencies. Out of the 70 suspects detained, 60 were logistics suppliers conveying grains, ammunition, and fuel, among others, to the militant groups, Danmadami said. Two civilian hostages were freed during the period, the official said, noting a total of 366 militants and their families surrendered in various locations to the troops in that part of the country, according to Xinhua. The surrendered militants and their families are being profiled for further action, he added. The ISWAP has been collaborating with its sister group Boko Haram to establish an Islamist state in northeast Nigeria. The groups have also extended their attacks to other countries in the Lake Chad Basin.

The service at the Provincial Hospital in Lahan of Sarlahi has been disrupted after a local assaulted a doctor. Local Lalita Yadav assaulted Dr Anshu Saurav in front of the Hospital Development Committee Chairman and Medical Superintendent on Thursday. The doctors halted the service at the hospital since this morning demanding action against the culprit. Dr Saurav said that she was attacked in a premeditated way by calling people from outside. “I was attacked with a water bottle and tried to tear my clothes. I need justice,” she said, adding, “There is no environment to work in this situation. The Hospital Development Committee Chairman and Medical Superintendent should answer on the issue.” Hospital Superintendent Dr Sushil Kumar Kusahawa said that discussions are underway to resolve the problem. The Area Police Office, Lahan said that they are looking into the case.