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In a stride towards sustainable development, the Youth-Led Voluntary National Review Program successfully concluded in all seven provinces of Nepal. Organized by Youth Initiative and the National Youth Council, in collaboration with Youth Advocacy Nepal, Nepal Development Initiative, Sustainable Development Forum, and various youth organizations, the program brought together diverse stakeholders to evaluate and discuss Nepal’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs, adopted by 193 countries on 15 Sep 2015, outline 17 global goals to be achieved by 2030, focusing on critical areas such as poverty eradication, hunger elimination, climate action, peace, justice, and partnership for goal implementation. These goals are supported by 169 targets and 232 indicators globally, with Nepal having identified 479 specific indicators for its national context.

This year, Nepal prepares to submit a comprehensive report to the United Nations Assembly, spotlighting its progress and challenges in meeting SDGs, particularly focusing on Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The program, held on May 4, utilized both physical and digital (virtual) platforms to facilitate widespread participation. It saw active involvement from youth organizations, provincial and local government representatives, youth councils, politicians, international donor agencies, the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations, and the National Planning Commission.

Through this initiative, the youth underscored the importance of sustainable development as an integrated approach to address social, economic, and environmental challenges. Discussions highlighted key challenges such as limited resource access, lack of decision-making power, and the need for inclusive governance. Nonetheless, the youth participants recognized the SDGs as a potent catalyst for positive change, envisioning a just and equitable society.

We are familiar with the account Nepal Food on Instagram. Everyone who loves to eat out probably knows about it. Blogger Siddhartha Ghimire runs the famous page that’s filled with restaurant reviews, simple recipes, and the occasional roundup of small, local eateries where you can get mouthwatering snacks.

But there are many Nepali digital creators on Instagram that many of us know nothing about. Believe us when we say this, your online experience will be so much better and entertaining when you start following these pages. From makeup and fashion tips to little cultural escapades, these young Nepalis on Instagram are doing everything like a pro. To get you started, we recommend these three lifestyle accounts.

Aaku (aakkkkuuuuuu)

For aesthetic a day in my life blogs and shopping trips and hauls

According to her bio, she’s ‘just a girl who loves to romanticize life while she shops and strolls’. Her reels attest to that statement. Her enjoyment as she shops and strolls is evident. She has 22k followers and over 250 posts. The account was created in 2016 as a personal page but slowly it evolved into something more when she started creating vlogs and reels about her shopping trips. Her videos are cute, fun, entertaining, and informative. She will run you through places where you can buy some amazing stuff at cheap prices (mostly in New Road, Kathmandu). The voiceovers add to the content as she has this extremely friendly way of speaking. It’s almost like she’s talking to you. She makes you want to shop but also not give in to impulse buys but instead savor the process of finding something you really love.

Lajja Uprety (laj_chaina)

For funny, relatable, satirical content that shed light on the problems in our society 

Fair warning, don’t watch her videos if you just have a few minutes to spare because chances are you will want to binge watch the content on Uprety’s Instagram page and spend at least half an hour scrolling through it. She has just 123 posts till date but Nepalis will relate to her content. She’s speaking your mind when she’s responding to an aunt who calls her skinny, or trying to dodge a ‘small’ favor. Her posts on ‘NRN aunty on her Nepal visits’ are hilarious and will have you nodding your head in agreement. The deadpan expression with which she carries out her skits will have you in splits. Here’s a woman who’s calling out things she finds annoying without a care in the world but with a dash of humor that blunts the offensive edge. Laj_chaina is an entertaining page that shows you the ridiculous side of some universal problems making you realize that perhaps some things aren’t worth the importance you often give them.

Sushma Thapa (thapa_sush_) 

For makeup tutorials, outfit ideas, and other little tips and tricks 

Branding herself as Thapa ji, digital creator Sushma Thapa’s page on Instagram has mostly Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos. Watching her style herself will give you some handy pointers on how to glam up a simple outfit or style a look around an item of clothing you love or just got. She also gives space to skincare, making you realize the importance of a good routine for ravishing skin. There are some collaboration videos for bags and other daily items that you might want to check out as well. She currently lives in the United Kingdom as an international student and there are glimpses of her life there too—reels on what she eats in a day and her London explorations are nicely done. All in all, the content is fun and wholesome, making you want to stop and enjoy the process of getting ready for the day.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government has placed the development of the energy sector in high priority.

Inaugurating the 'breakthrough' of the tunnel of Arun-3 Hydropower Project based at Amrang, Makalu Rural Municipality-5 in Sankhuwasabha today, he stated that the government, which is moving ahead prioritizing graduating to a developed country status in 2026 and attaining the sustainable development goals by 2030, has accorded high priority to the infrastructure development.

"I have been directly and indirectly acquiring information about this Project. It is currently under construction after the signing of the power development agreement on November 25, 2014. I am pleased to know that it has made 74.09 percent progress towards production and 37.95 percent progress towards the transmission line," he said.

Prime Minister Dahal expressed the confidence that with the completion this project will make a significant contribution in the power trade sector of Nepal.

"I direct the authorities concerned to complete the remaining works of the project in the stipulated time, extending the required cooperation and facilitation in acquiring the land necessary for  it," PM Dahal said.

Stating that the government has placed the development of the energy sector in high priority in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, he said the capacity of the national power system would be increased to 4500 megawatts, including the 900 megawatts of electricity to be generated from this project.

"I make special request to the political parties, the civil society and the locals active at the local level for making the necessary facilitation for the timely completion of the project in view of the government bearing an economic loss of Rs 22.7 million per day if the commercial production is not started on the stipulated date or if power production is delayed for some reason," he added.

Stating that he is aware of the demands of the locals affected by the project, the Prime Minister said the government is serious about addressing their concerns.

He said that it would be better to seek a solution through cooperation and facilitation to any challenges in the development endeavors. It will be for the collective interest of all of us, he added.

On the occasion, Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, expressed his hope that the project will contribute significantly to the promotion of Nepal's energy sector.

He also reminded of the government's target of generating 28,500 megawatts of electricity in the next 12 years. 

On the occasion, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said the project is important in the course of the implementation of the agreement of power trade of 10,000 mw between Nepal and India in the next 10 years.

Arun has high potential for power generation and such potentialities should be explored through a collaborative effort between the two countries, he asserted. He said that the government of India is ready to cooperate with Nepal to explore the possibilities for launching other projects based in the Arun River.

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam's Chief Managing Director Sushil Kumar Sharma said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has been facilitating the implementation of the project since the beginning.

So far, the project reports 75 percent progress, he said, urging the Prime Minister to enable the atmosphere to complete it on time. He insisted on the upgrading of the Koshi Highway and the facilitation of the land acquisition procedures for the construction of a transmission mine.

He advised the government to form a high-level coordination committee and to seek solutions to the challenges regarding the project implementation in collaboration with the Investment Board of Nepal.

The project is expected to enter the production phase by March, 2025.  The production of 900 MW of electricity will be supported by tour turbines of 225 MW each.

Its power house is based in Pukuwa of Chichila rural municipality-3 and the project will have an 11.8-kilometer tunnel.

Investment Board CEO Sushil Bhatta and the local people's representatives were also present on the occasion.  The project is being developed by India's public company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and of the powers to be generated by it, Nepal will have access to 21.9 percent of the production (around 200 MW) free of cost, and the remaining will be exported to India. It will come to the ownership of Nepal after 25 years of the commencement of the power production.

It was jointly inaugurated by the then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 11, 2018. Its PDA was observed on November 26, 2014.

Kamal Kumar Basnet/ RSS

CPN-UML lawmaker Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai has urged Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah not to make provocative statements towards political leadership.

During the special time in today's meeting of the House of Representatives, leader Bhattarai objected to Mayor Shah mocking the jail life of leaders of political parties, who were responsible for bringing about epoch-making political change in the country.

"We are ready to support the KMC mayor. CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli-led government had supported the waste management of Kathmandu Valley," he said.

Indicating to Mayor Shah, lawmaker Bhattarai underlined, "What is your plan to make Kathmandu more beautiful. Let's work together. I urge you not to carry out disorderly activities."

He expressed the belief that a parliamentary probe committee formed to investigate the cooperative fraud would present a clear concept regarding policy-level problems of cooperatives, adding the UML was ready for investigation into all scams.

"Our party and party chairperson were accused in a premeditated manner on the Giribandhu issue," the lawmaker expressed, stating that many issues related to the people could not be raised due to House obstruction by the Nepali Congress.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 6.22 points to close at 2,085.30 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 1.95 points to close at 372. 02 points.

A total of 8,305,786-unit shares of 315 companies were traded for Rs 4. 08 billion.

Meanwhile, Global IME Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (GILB) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC) was the top loser as its price fell by 5.51 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 30 trillion.

The Kathmandu Valley witnessed a thunderstorm due to the influence of the local wind today.

According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division, the local wind developed from the vicinity of Butwal, southwest of Katmandu, entered the Valley via Dhading, causing the rainfall. 

According to the Division's senior meteorologist Min Kumar Aryal, the wind triggered the rains for one-and-a-half hours before moving towards the north.  This is a pre-monsoon phenomenon, he said.

At present, Nepal is experiencing the influence of local winds, partial impact of the Westerly wind, and a low-pressure system that is currently spread from the Northwest State of India to East Bengal.

According to the Division, it is partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces along with the hilly regions and partly cloudy in the rest of the country.

Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to take place at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces and at one/two places in the rest of the country.

There are chances of light snowfall at one or two places in the country's high hilly and mountainous region.

Similarly, tonight, it will be partly to generally cloudy in Koshi, Madhesh, and Gandaki Provinces along with the hilly regions and partly cloudy to mainly fair in the rest of the country. Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places in Koshi, Madhesh, and Gandaki provinces and at one/two places in the rest of the country.

Monsoon is anticipated to enter Nepal on June 13, although this date may vary by a couple of days. In Nepal, the monsoon period is tentatively set from June 1 to September 30.

More rainfall than average has been predicted during monsoon this year in Nepal.

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Deputy Vice President Jonathan Brooks called on Finance Minister Barshaman Pun on Tuesday.

A team led by Vice President Brooks called on Finance Minister Pun at Singha Durbar today.

During the meeting, Minister Pun said that the government is committed to complete the MCC Projects within the deadline.

He said that there will be coordination and cooperation from the Ministry to complete the project on time.

“The government is committed to completing the project of the MCC Compact on time,” he said.

Saying that the works are being carried out in full swing, Minister Pun said that he is confident that the project would be completed on time.

Minister Pun assured that the problems like land compensation and use of forest area among others to be surfaced during the implementation of the project would be resolved through MCC Nepal.

Vice President Brooks informed Minister Pun about the progress being made in the construction of transmission lines and roads under the project.

He expressed his satisfaction over the progress.

Nearly Rs 60 billion under the MCC would construct 315 km long transmission lines and 77 km roads in five years.

According to the agreement, out of Rs 60 million, MCC would provide Rs 45 billion as a subsidy while the Nepal government has to invest Rs 15 billion.

Out of Rs 45 billion grant, most of the amount will be spent on the construction of the Nepal-India international transmission line.

The project will build a cross-border transmission line from Butwal to Gorakhpur in India.

A 315 km long double circuit 400 KV transmission line will be constructed.

Similarly, the construction of substations at Ratmate in Belkotgadhi Municipality of Nuwakot, Damauli in Tanahun and Bhumhi in Nawalparasi West has already been started.

Likewise, the electricity to both the 400 KV sub-station under construction by the Nepal Electricity Authority at Lapsiphedi in Kathmandu and the authority's 400 KV sub-station at Hetauda in Makawanpur will be supplied from Ratmate.

This is the largest transmission line in Nepal that can transmit 400 KV high- capacity electricity.

A total of 856 towers will be constructed under the project.

The transmission lines will be built in Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, Dhanding, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Tanahun, Palpa, Nawalpur and West Nawalparasi.

The quality of the 305 km strategic road network will be improved under the project.

The 40 km Dhankhola-Lamahi road section from Bhaluwang of Dang along the Mahendra Highway to the west has been expanded through new technology and the 35 km Lamahi-Shivakhola road section of the same highway has been repaired.

The expansion of the Pokhara-Baglung road section of the Mid-Hill Pushpalal Lokmarga has almost been completed.

Nepal and the US signed the MCC project in 2017 and it was implemented with the endorsement of the House two years back after a prolonged debate and discussion at the high political leadership.

Nepal are locking their horns against the Netherlands in their first match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup today.

Nepal, which are in Group D, will play against the Netherlands at 9:15 pm Nepali time at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas, USA.

Along with Nepal, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa are in Group D.

Nepal will play their second match against Sri Lanka on June 11, third against South Africa on June 14 and fourth against Bangladesh on June 16.

Nepal are playing in the World Cup after a decade.

It is necessary for Nepal, which are aiming to make into Super Eight, to register a victory in the first match.

So far, out of 12 T20I matches, Nepal have won five matches, lost six matches and made one match draw.

Nepal and the Netherlands are competing for the first time in the World Cup.

Nepali team

Rohit Paudel (team captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Asif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Lalit Rajbansi, Karan KC, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratik GC, Sandeep Jora, Abhinas Bohara, Sagar Dhakal and Kamal Singh Airee.