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Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at latter's office in Singha Durbar today.

On the occasion, PM Oli appreciated the European Union's cooperation with Nepal in its economic and social development, and informed Ambassador Lorenzo that the topic related to transitional justice, the remaining work of the peace process, is to be finalized on the basis of political agreement.

He stated that the bill designed to amend the Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Act-2071 BS is in the process of moving ahead, keeping the spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), the Supreme Court's order, the international practices and the survivors' issues at the center.

Recalling that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the European Union entering the 50th year, Prime Minister Oli said that the support of development partners was anticipated as Nepal prepares to graduate to the developing country status by 2026 and to a middle-income country by 2030.

He reiterated that Nepal works actively towards poverty alleviation and economic development while remaining fully committed to guaranteeing democracy and human rights.

Ambassador Lorenzo wished that the government's priorities and objectives reach success. She also wished Prime Minister Oli for a successful term in office.

Five persons died when a helicopter of Air Dynasty crashed at Suryachaur in Shivapuri Rural Municipality-7, Nuwakot on Wednesday.

Captain Arun Malla and four Chinese nationals died in the incident.

Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal spokesperson Hansaraj Pandey confirmed the death of five persons onboard the chopper.

The deceased Chinese nationals have been identified as Jutad Tang (38), Jie Li (36), Yiyad Wo (31) and Zeming Xie (41).

The helicopter with four Chinese tourists was heading to Syabrubesi of Rasuwa from Kathmandu when the tragedy took place this afternoon.

It has been found that all the Chinese tourists, who lost their lives in the Air Dynasty helicopter crash, had entered Nepal through Kerung, Rasuwa.

They entered Nepal through the Rasuwa border at 9 am on Monday.

The Chinese tourists came to Nepal on multiple entry visas. 

 The reason behind the crash is yet to be established.  

A helicopter of Air Dynasty crashed at Surya Chaur area in Shivapuri-7, Nuwakot on Wednesday.

The chopper was heading to Syabrubesi of Rasuwa from Kathmandu when the incident occurred.

According to the District Police Office, Nuwakot, there were five persons onboard the ill-fated helicopter.

District Police Office spokesperson Tikal Bharati informed that all the parts of the chopper except the tail were found burnt.

More details to follow.....

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said an agreement on the bill regarding transitional justice is a milestone for Nepal's peace process.

Receiving a report of the agreement reached at the task force for finalizing the transitional justice in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Accord at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers today, the Prime Minister said with the availability of the document, there shall be no confusions to provide a legal ground to conclude the remaining tasks of the peace process.

He expressed his commitment that the transitional justice-related bill will be unanimously endorsed by the ongoing session of the Parliament.

"We experienced a painful past. The nation went through a conflict. The country suffered significant damage. However, there have been positive changes, but again we are warranted to conclude the peace process. With incorporating all the dimensions of conflict-era violence into the peace process, there is no need to leave behind their vestiges," the Prime Minister said.

According to him, this agreement considers the verdicts from the respected Supreme Court, international norms and values and the survivors-friendly approach. This has proven to be a milestone in the peace process. The bill aims to prevent such conflict from reoccurring.  Once the bill is passed by parliament, we will proceed ahead with forming commissions on the basis of mutual consultation and the consensus he added.

"Although there were various practices in the past, at the time when democracy was established, there was no need for violence and lawlessness," PM Oli clarified.

He said that the incumbent government upheld the value that democracy should be considered a way of life and thus he made it clear that he would move forward for the protection and implementation of the federal democratic republic system.

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba lauded that the task force had set a unique example to the world that Nepalis would resolve their disputes on their own. He extended best wishes for the implementation of the consensus forged by the task force.

Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal dubbed the task force's report as the ''good work'' post the formation of a new government.

He wished that the report be finalized through the legitimate process of the parliament thereby sending the message of peace, stability and development among the Nepali people.

The political task force, formed in connection with the bill to amend the Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation Act-2071 BS, handed over their report to the top leaders of major three political parties today.

The report was presented to Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers at Singha Durbar.

The task force consisted of Minister for Home Affairs and NC leader Ramesh Lekhak, CPN-UML's Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula and CPN (Maoist Center)'s Janardan Sharma.

The report is the gist of the several discussions held by the task force on the major concerns and agendas of the Bill related to transitional justice. The bill is under consideration in the parliamentary committee for Law, Justice and Human Rights.

Consensus has been forged in a victim-friendly approach on the matters concerning reconciliation, compensation to those mutilated and punishment for the perpetrator during armed conflict, Minister Lekhak said.

Sheep and yak farming is on the decline in mountainous districts of Karnali Province. As farmers abandon their herds, yaks are facing extinction, and sheep numbers are also decreasing. This decline has directly impacted the livelihoods of people living in these mountainous areas. 

To address the issue, the Karnali Province Government has adopted a policy to encourage farmers to engage in commercial sheep and yak farming. The provincial government has begun offering various incentives to farmers in mountainous districts to promote commercial sheep and yak farming. According to the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, this initiative aims to support and expand yak and sheep farming by encouraging farmers.

The ministry has begun providing cash incentives to farmers who are into sheep and yak farming. In the previous fiscal year alone, the provincial government distributed Rs 8.3m in incentives to sheep and yak farmers.

Ministry Spokesperson Dhan Bahadur Kathayat said that the ministry has adopted a policy of promoting commercial sheep and yak farming by providing cash incentives. “Farmers with more than 50 sheep or 10 yaks are eligible for these incentives,” he said. “Each farmer receives Rs 18,000 annually, which is deposited directly into their accounts in two installments.”

According to Kathayat,the province government began providing incentives to address concerns about the declining numbers and potential extinction of sheep and yaks. In the last fiscal year, the ministry distributed Rs 8.3m to 463 sheep farmers and 41 yak farmers.

Farmers in Humla, Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, Kalikot, Jajarkot, and Rukum West are the targeted beneficiaries of these incentives. Sheep and yak farming has been a primary occupation for people in these mountainous districts for generations, but interest in this traditional profession has waned in recent years due to its lack of commercial viability.

The provincial government hopes that commercial sheep and yak farming will improve farmers’ livelihoods and boost the province's income. Sheep are raised for meat and wool, while yaks are primarily kept for milk. Yak tails, which are valued for their use in religious ceremonies, also provide some income for farmers.

Karnali exports farm products worth Rs 4.11bn

Karnali Province exported agricultural and livestock products worth Rs 4.11bn in the fiscal year 2023/24.

According to the ministry, fruits, honey, and spices worth Rs 2.26bn were exported from the province during the previous fiscal year. Additionally, livestock products, including goats, milk, fish, traditional woolen blankets, and chhurpi (hardened cheese), contributed Rs 1.84bn.

Minister for Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, Binod Kumar Shah, said that the export of farm products from the province is gradually increasing. “We plan to invest more in agriculture and support farmers to make the province self-reliant,” he added.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is arriving in Nepal next week.

This is the first high-level visit from India after the formation of the CPN-UML-Nepali Congress coalition government.

According to a source at the Foreign Ministry, Foreign Secretary Misri is scheduled to come to Nepal next week.

During his stay in Nepal, he will pay courtesy calls on President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.

Foreign Secretary Misri is also scheduled to meet his Nepali counterpart Sewa Lamsal and high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government officials of Nepal and India have not said anything about Misri’s Nepal visit.

He was appointed as the Foreign Secretary of India on June 28.

A report of the understanding reached at the task force for finalizing the transitional justice in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) signed between the Government of Nepal and the then rebelling CPN (Maoist) has been handed over to the top leaders of the three major political parties, including Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The task force submitted the report to Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair Oli, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Center) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal, amidst a program at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar today.

Members of the task force – Home Minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, UML Chief Whip Mahesh Kumar Bartaula and Maoist Center leader Janardan Sharma – presented the report to the top leaders.

The task force had on August 1 forged an agreement on topics as interpretation of the conflict-era incidents, and relief, compensation, reparation and justice to the victims which had remained contentious for long.

PM Oli, NC president Deuba, UML general-secretary Shankar Pokhrel, PM's chief political advisor Bishnu Rimal, Attorney General Ramesh Badal, Government Chief Secretary Liladevi Gadtaula, among other officials were present in the program.

The main political parties had reached a four-point agreement on settling the topic of transitional justice which was being seen with much interest nationally as well as internationally.

As per the agreement, intentional or arbitrary killing will be included under the definition of murder; the families of the security persons who lost lives in the conflict would be provided relief, compensation and reparation, while a similar scheme is planned for the combatants who were termed disqualified ones.

Similarly, in case the victim side does not consent to the conflict era case, it would be recommended to the Attorney General. Such cases would now be adjudicated based on the existing principle of criminal justice, but in line with transitional justice.

The task force has stated that the agreement was made based on the principles of transitional justice and national and international standards where victims' concerns are kept in center. Also paid heed is the decisions made by the Supreme Court. It is an agreement in which the whole country wins, rather than someone winning and some other side losing.

As per the agreement, the victims and perpetrators would be brought together and assimilated in a way that it would prevent future conflict. The victims would be ensured justice and the perpetrator brought to book, he added.

The agreement among the major political parties on this significant backlog of peace process has been taken as a measure to alleviate the conflict-era wounds. It has been 17 years since the signing of the CPA, the big parties became able to strike a deal to fully settle the peace process.

Irrespective of the formation of two transitional justice mechanisms and officials put in place for multiple times since CPA, they were unable to give impetus to the finalization of the peace process owing to political differences earlier.

The first-ever South Asia Regional Media Workshop to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) will be held in Kathmandu on Aug 7.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), AMR is a top global public health threat, with the South Asia region being particularly vulnerable. 

Kalpana Acharya, Editor-in-Chief of Health TV Online and Organizing Chairperson of the workshop, emphasized the role of media in raising awareness about AMR. She highlighted that Nepal was chosen to host the workshop to leverage the media’s crucial role in effective communication.

Shobha Shukla, Managing Editor of CNS India and Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA), stressed the need for a shared understanding of AMR among journalists. 

The workshop will host over 200 journalists from South Asia, both virtually and in person. The event will feature participation from the Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office and high-ranking officials from various sectors. 

It is organized by Health TV Online, with co-hosts including the Ministry of Health and Population Government of Nepal, GAMA, Outreach Media Pvt Ltd, CNS, Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), Health Aawaj, and the Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media).