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The United Nations (UN) Ad Hoc Committee finally adopted the convention on cybercrime.

The recent meeting of the UN Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes adopted the convention, which would be presented before the UN General Assembly later this year.

The UN member states at the Ad Hoc Committee brought the first global instrument on cybercrime after three years of debates. But human rights experts and civil society organizations across the globe have shown concern over the convention.

The updated draft text of the convention stressed the need for enhancing coordination and cooperation among States along with technical assistance and capacity-building, and transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms.

It also underscored improvement of national laws and frameworks to make national authorities resourceful so that cybercrimes would be dealt effectively in all its forms.

It has further necessitated cooperation among the states to prevent and fight one of the pressing problems of time, cybercrime, where the national, regional and international organizations, civil society, academia and private entities could play their roles.

Addressing the Ad Hoc Committee meeting, Nepali diplomat at Nepal's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, Shivani Basnet, viewed, "We firmly believe this convention not only amplifies the voice of all nations but also reinforces the principle of multilateralism as we come together to tackle shared challenges of cybercrime."

She laid emphasis on the need of technical assistance and capacity building of Nepal to bridge the cooperation gap and enhance readiness to combat cybercrime.

Basnet reminded that like other countries irrespective of affluence and less privilege. Nepal is at risk of cybercrime.

"Nepal also deeply appreciates robust safeguard and emphasis on human rights in the convention," she reminded.

About the development, the Geneva Internet Platform mentioned, "The Committee Chair emphasized that the convention is a criminal justice legal instrument and the aim is, therefore, to combat cybercrime by prohibiting certain behaviors by physical persons, rather than to regulate the behavior of member states."

The global organizations working in the sector of technological freedoms and human rights had put forth their suggestions and amendments to the document. They showed concern whether convention would foment State surveillance while coping with cybercrimes.

Even a CSO from Nepal, Freedom Forum, had joined the global alliance of civil society organizations seeking guarantee of human rights in the convention.

The effect of monsoon wind is still continuous in the country.

The low-pressure belt of monsoon is slightly towards the northern part of its average location, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.

The Division informed that some parts of Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces have witnessed light to moderate rainfall, while one or two places of the rest of the provinces are witnessing light to moderate rainfall along with thunder and lightning.

There will be general weather change across the country in the afternoon. But, few places in Gandaki and Lumbini provinces and one to two places of rest of the provinces will have heavy rainfall.

The traditional festival of Gaijatra or the ‘cow festival’ is being observed in three cities of Kathmandu Valley and some other places in the country amidst much fun, gaiety, humor, satire, and entertainment.

The festival, beginning on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Pratiprada) as per the lunar calendar, lasts for a week.

During this time-honored tradition, people of all ages in the guise of cows and lunatics go around the city, wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who died during the past one year.

The bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession including the cows.

This festival is believed to have started during the time of King Pratap Malla, who, in a bid to console his queen, grieved at the death of her son in a smallpox epidemic and ordered his people to organize humor and satire programs in various comic postures.

This tradition continued in the form of the Gaijatra festival during which people also vent out their feelings towards social and political anomalies, human follies and other contemporary affairs through comic skits, cartoons, and the like.

The government has announced a public holiday in Kathmandu Valley on this day. Apart from the Valley, the festival is also observed in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Trishuli, Dolakha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Chainpur, Ilam, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bahrabise, Hetauda and Pokhara.

Nepal is going to export an additional 251 megawatts of electricity to Bihar and Haryana states of India.

 The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Ministry of Power of India has given approval to the Nepal Electricity Authority to export an additional 125.89 megawatts to the state of Haryana and 125 MW to Bihar.

The NEA is currently selling 190 megawatts of electricity to the state of Haryana.

The surplus electricity in Nepal is sold to Bihar and Haryana every year from June to October. Along with this, the amount of electricity to be sold to the state-level distribution companies of India has reached 360 megawatts.

The Student Council of Thames International College (SCOTIC) organized an inter-college student meet titled ‘Dristi’ on Aug 9. The event brought together over 50 students from various Bachelor-level colleges across Kathmandu. It featured a public speaking and leadership seminar, as well as an educational summit where students from different institutions shared their experiences and perspectives on educational issues.

Participating colleges included Thames International College, Prime College, Kathmandu Model College (KMC), Kantipur College of Management and Information Technology (KCMIT), Presidential Graduate School, King’s College Nepal, The Westminster College, IIMS College, and Uniglobe College.

The event’s first major highlight was the Public Speaking Seminar, designed specifically for students in leadership roles. The seminar focused on enhancing communication and leadership skills, providing attendees with valuable insights and practical techniques to improve their public speaking abilities—essential for both academic and future professional success.

After the seminar, participants were divided into discussion groups focusing on key topics related to their academic and extracurricular experiences. Avenue 1 explored ‘Academic Affairs’, comparing traditional exam-based assessments with assignment-based evaluation methods. Avenue 2 examined the ‘Importance and Impact of Extracurricular Activities’, discussing how these activities influence student life. Each group engaged in robust discussions, sharing ideas and building networks with peers from other institutions. 

Following the group discussions, an Educational Summit was held where students presented their insights on the topics. The entire summit was documented, and the conclusions will be circulated as needed.

Thames International College’s Inter-College Student Meet was a resounding success, showcasing the benefits of collaborative learning and the importance of building connections across academic institutions. The event facilitated meaningful interactions and highlighted the value of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing contemporary challenges. The Student Council looks forward to continuing this tradition and enhancing student engagement in future editions.

Nirwan Maharjan

Thames International College

In today’s ever-evolving workforce structures and requirements, aging can be a significant topic for discussion. The skill sets that young people offer to the workforce vary immensely from ones presented by older people, and so do crucial contributing factors such as work ethics, performance, expertise, technological proficiency, and stability. The question lies in whether the benefits of employing one age group greatly outweighs the other, or is embracing generational diversity the way to go. 

With the advancing role of technology in almost every field concerning human lives—including and prominently in the workforce—the youth of today seem to stand an advantage compared to the old. According to a study on digital literacy among different age groups published in the Journal of Communication Vol 5, in 2024, among 1,200 Korean participants, younger ones aged 18-35 demonstrated higher digital literacy compared to participants aged 50-65.

On the flipside, the expertise and experience of older people can simply not be matched by the younger ones. Due to the level of job security in the past—which has now been on the decline - the older employees have  mostly committed to one field of work, sometimes even to one firm. Such commitment ensures immense expertise in the respective field. According to a survey of 35,00 published in the Forbes, 43 percent of younger workers (18-24) say that they are scared of losing their job, 10 percent more than last year’s number. 

However, the lack of job security in recent years, especially after the pandemic, might be advantageous to the youth. As they are forced to switch between jobs, exposed to multiple fields of labor, and even take on multiple part-time jobs at once, the youth tend to carry a broader set of skills and an interdisciplinary understanding of matters. They are also—as is obvious—more skilled in physically-demanding fields, such as construction. 

Work ethics are seen to be more engraved in older people. According to an article from Effulgence published in July 2021, a study investigating work ethic across generations found the theory that older generations score higher in hard work to be true. Scores of hard work increased with age, with Gen Z (12-27) scoring 3.7 and Gen X (44-59) and Baby Boomer (60-69) scoring 4.0. 

With arguments working in favor of both young and old employees, it can be established that a diversity in the workforce ensures optimum productivity and results. While younger workers are more physically and technologically inclined with tendencies to engage in broader fields of work, older ones contribute with their expertise, experience, and impeccable ethics. A mixture of both can be deemed necessary for a successful workforce. 

Sadikshya Khadka

A-level graduate

Rato Bangala School

The NADA Auto Show 2024 is set to take place from Aug 27 to Sept 1 at the Bhrikuti Mandap in Kathmandu. The event, now in its 16th edition, will provide a platform for industry players to showcase their latest innovations, amid efforts to revitalize the sector facing economic challenges, claims the organizer.

This year’s event will feature 95 exhibitors across 130 stalls, representing 24 four-wheeler brands, 19 two-wheeler brands, and 12 light commercial vehicle brands. In addition, 33 companies specializing in lubricants, tires, batteries, and other auto components will participate, along with seven financial institutions offering financing solutions for prospective buyers.

The NADA Auto Show 2024 comes at a time when Nepal’s automotive industry is facing economic difficulties, with organizers hoping the event will help stimulate the market. The strong participation from both exhibitors and financial institutions signals optimism within the industry, according to the NADA Automobiles Association of Nepal.

The exhibition will be divided into sections, including areas for four-wheelers, two-wheelers, light commercial vehicles, and auto components, to facilitate a smooth experience for attendees. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore new vehicle models and technology, along with financing options and business opportunities, says the organizer. “The event is expected to attract around 75,000 visitors over its six-day duration.” In addition to the exhibits, attendees will have a chance to win a HERO XOOM Scooter as part of the door prize.

Gold prices have been breaking records in the international as well as national markets for the past four to five months. In the beginning month of this fiscal year, the price of gold per tola (11.66 grams) surpassed Rs 150,000. Trading at Rs 152,600 per tola, a new record has been set in the domestic market on Sunday. 

This is an all time high. Will the record remain? Analysts claim it might even go higher. Improvements seen in US economy and the share market have affected the prices of gold, says Kiran Bhai Bajracharya, general secretary of Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association (FENEGOSIDA)

Why are prices escalating?

Compared to the international market, Nepali markets seem to be experiencing higher increases. Due to the increase in customs on gold imports from 15 percent to 20 percent this fiscal year, gold prices are soaring, says Manik Ratna Shakya, former chairperson of FENEGOSIDA. Appreciation of the American dollar, as well as rise in taxes, have led to higher gold prices in Nepal compared to international markets. Traded at $1,288 per ounce five years ago, gold price in the international market today has almost doubled. In the domestic market, however, the price has increased by around two and a half times. 

“The reason for increasing gold prices in Nepal is the high customs rate. This increases the cost.” says Shakya. “A few years ago, Rs 10,000 was paid in customs duty. Now, the customs charge Rs 28,000,  making gold more expensive. Along with that, the dollar exchange rate has also been increasing. As the value of the dollar increases, so does the price of gold.” 

Looking at previous patterns, Shakya analyzes the price to rise further. Prolonged Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Palestine wars have also contributed to the increase in gold price, as many countries consider gold a secure and rewarding asset.

How much gold do countries have?

As gold is valued all around the world, all countries want to secure it as a source of wealth. According to the World Gold Council, in recent times, China, Germany, and India rank highest in the purchase of gold. Although America currently owns more than eight thousand tons of gold, its lead has diminished in the past decade, with China holding more than 20,000 tons of gold.