Submit your Article

India will not “bow down” to Washington, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal said Friday, after the US imposed 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods over its Russian oil purchases. He pledged to boost exports through new markets and government support, Al Jazeera reported.

The tariffs, denounced by New Delhi as “unfair,” have already forced cancellations in sectors like textiles, seafood and jewelry, raising job loss concerns.

Separately, a US appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority with blanket tariffs, though the levies remain in force until at least October 14 pending a Supreme Court appeal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged allies to raise security guarantee talks to the leaders’ level, saying US President Donald Trump must be part of the process. He is seeking “NATO-like” commitments to protect Ukraine from future Russian aggression, according to Reuters.

Zelenskiy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, met US envoy Steve Witkoff in New York, stressing the need to step up pressure on Moscow after a Russian strike on Kyiv killed 25 people. Yermak said the attack showed Russia has no interest in peace.

Trump has given Vladimir Putin two weeks to agree to a direct meeting with Zelenskiy, though Moscow says no summit is planned. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko is courting US investors to support Ukraine’s recovery, Reuters reported.

Discovering new artists can be such a wonderful thing, whether you are looking to add art to your walls or simply find some inspiration. Various farmer’s markets and pop-up markets are great places to discover new artists, as many of them have taken to exhibiting and selling their works at these popular places. However, if you are too lazy to head out on a hot weekend afternoon that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on this creative greatness. You’ll find many of them on Instagram. Here are three of our top favorites. 

Aashish Arts

A self taught artist, Aashish exhibits his drawings and paintings on his Instagram page. There is quite a variety of landscape paintings and portraits as well and you are bound to find one that appeals to you. You can also commission him to make a painting or sketch from a photo of your choice. We recommend you scroll through the Instagram page to get a feel of the artist’s works before making a purchase or placing an order. 

Sangee Shrestha

A freelance visual artist and academician, Sangee Shrestha’s page on Instagram gives you a glimpse into her vibrant world of paintings and sculptures. Her work is captivating because of the use of colors and juxtaposition of ideas. The ceramic pieces are also intriguing and might be great conversation starters should you choose to bring one home. We also love her contemporary artworks that are visually enthralling. 

Nibhaa Art

We first discovered her at Labim Mall’s Saturday market where she was quietly selling her paintings. Since then, we have bought quite a few of her works and they adorn our living room walls. Though Nibhaa is marketed as a lifestyle brand that makes crafts and functional pieces for your home, paintings and prints of her work are also available at really affordable prices. 

The 66th meeting of Investment Board Nepal has approved the draft of the project license for the 669 MW-capacity Lower Arun Hydropower Project and decided to authorize the Chief Executive Officer of IBN to issue the license for the project.

The meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli took the decision, shared Pradyumna Prasad Upadhyay, spokesperson of IBN office.

The draft related to direct investment in the Arun-3 Hydropower Project under construction in Sankhuwasabha was approved and a decision made to recommend submitting the proposal to the Council of Ministers for necessary decision.

Similarly, the IBN has decided to authorize its Chief Executive Officer to issue a survey license for reaching an agreement with the company that has proposed the 'Auto Service Eco-Industrial Park' project. The project proposal was received as an unsolicited proposal at the IBN office. (RSS)

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)

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)

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 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.