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Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that the CPN-UML should become the decisive force in the 2027 election. Speaking at a program organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation on Saturday, she expressed her best wishes for the UML to secure all positions including President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairperson of the National Assembly after the 2027 election.

Bhandari was serving as the Vice-chairperson of CPN-UML when she was elected as the President following the 2017 polls. “I sincerely hope that UML becomes the national decisive force in the country from the upcoming election. Please make it happen,” she said. “Strengthen the country’s economy by securing all important positions. This is also my best wish on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the Madan Bhandari Foundation.”

Bhandari also said UML should now produce another President. “Until UML produces another President, I have to continue being the chief guest at social forums. Besides me, other leaders have also reached important positions from UML,” she said. “But people seek me out for social forums.”

Bhandari requested UML to produce another President. “After that, I’ll be free from this duty,” she added.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Nepal have officially launched the USAID Agricultural Direct Financing project, a $21m government-to-government (G2G) initiative aimed at advancing food security in Nepal. The announcement was made during a virtual event on Monday, which also saw the unveiling of the US government’s new five-year Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) Nepal Country Plan 2024-2028.

The Agricultural Direct Financing project will support the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Lumbini and Sudurpaschim provinces, helping them plan and implement agricultural development programs. The initiative aims to benefit 69,000 people across 53,000 hectares, introducing modern farming technologies to boost agricultural productivity.

The newly announced GFSS Nepal Country Plan 2024-2028 seeks to reform Nepal’s agricultural and food systems to reduce poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. It focuses on 26 districts in the Tarai and select hill regions, with an expanded emphasis on Madhesh province to better assist vulnerable communities.

Speaking at the launch event, US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R Thompson, said, “This new GFSS Nepal Country Plan will strengthen the United States’ partnership with Nepal, the private sector, and local communities to achieve inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth. Our new government-to-government agreement is a testament to our collective commitment to advancing food security in Nepal.”

Nepal’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, described the launch as a significant milestone in the longstanding partnership between Nepal and the US. “Nepal is committed to this collaboration as we work together to enhance food security and promote sustainable development,” he added.

Two decades ago, there used to be 40 to 50 sheep pens in the highlands of Batasedanda of Thasang Rural Municipality-1 of Mustang during the three months of monsoon.

There were only 15 sheep pens in Batasedanda highlands this year. Batasedanda serves as the common pasture land for farmers from Raghunganga and Annapurna rural municipality of Myagdi and Thasang of Mustang.

Nanda Bahadur Bhandari (68) from Bhagawati in Raghuganga-2 of Myagdi, who moved down his sheep pen from Batase pasture to Lete in Thasang-3 last week, said that the practice of rearing sheep, goats and cattle is disappearing due to increasing attraction among youths towards foreign employment and urban life.

Bhandari has been moving his sheep between highlands and lowlands with the change in season for the past 54 years. With a herd of more than 500 sheep and goats, he moves to the highlands in summer and lowlands in winter. He, however, is worried that this nomadic animal farming practice will vanish with his generation.

“The culture of feeling ashamed to work in our own country but being ready to serve others abroad has led to the disappearance of sheep pens,” he said. “Only elderly like us are giving continuity to this profession.”

Ran Bahadur BK (72) from Khungkhani in Tamakhola-5 of Baglung, who has been raising sheep since his grandfather's time, has been gradually reducing the number of his sheep and goats in his farm.

BK, who has been grazing cattle in the grazing grounds in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, said he is looking to sell his sheep farm that he has maintained for 32 years. “Earlier, I used to move between highlands and lowlands with a hundred sheep and goats, along with other cattle. I have sold all the big cattle. Now I have about 40 sheep and goats,” he said. “My children did not choose this profession. They went abroad. As I am getting older and finding it difficult to move around, I am planning to sell the remaining sheep and goats and retire.”

The mobile pens maintained by the elderly are decreasing with their increasing age. Young and middle-aged herders are hard to find.

Netra Prasad Ramjali from Dova in Annapurna-1 of Myagdi, said that this traditional profession, which is a good source of livelihood and income, is in crisis due to the attraction of youths towards foreign employment, the lack of willingness to work hard in one's own country and the lack of a conducive working environment. “It has become impossible to find herders to stay in the pens,” said Ramjali, who owns 500 sheep. “We can earn as much as Rs 800,000 a year. But it is getting difficult to find herders.”

Herders are paid an annual pay of Rs 150,000 in the highlands of Myagdi and Mustang.

As the temperature rises, there’s a practice of taking animals to graze in highland pastures rich in medicinal herbs. According to Ramjali, animals which graze in the highlands become healthier, fatter, produce more milk and have tastier meat.

Farmers start to bring down their sheep to the lowlands once cold days of winter arrive. 

Farmers say the new generation finds it difficult to stay in temporary sheds in the highlands for months, disconnected from their families

Ganga Bahadur Pahare Pun (77) from Muna in Dhaulagiri-3 of Baglung said every household used to keep cows for manure, dairy products and religious purposes, and oxen to till the farm, and practiced seasonal migration between highlands and lowlands in the past. “As people started going abroad for work, it became hard to find people to stay in the village, let alone animal sheds in the highlands,” he said. “The arrival of hand tractors have made oxen obsolete.”

According to Pun, now one person takes care of the livestock from an entire neighborhood in a single pen.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 58. 93 points to close at 2,470.39 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 9. 52 points to close at 444. 88 points.

A total of 15,504,929-unit shares of 309 companies were traded for Rs 5. 68 billion.

Meanwhile, Upper Syange Hydropower Limited (USHL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 7. 83 percent. Likewise, Himalayan Hydropower Limited (HHL) the top loser with its price dropped by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 92 trillion.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who is in New York to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly, has urged the global community to take initiatives for the safe release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, believed to be in the captivity of the extremist group Hamas.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on Monday, she called attention of the world community for Joshi's release. Minister Rana said Nepal is eagerly waiting for Bipin Joshi's release and wanted the world community to support in this cause.

Ten Nepalis lost their lives in the Hamas' assault in Israel on October 7, 2023. Hamas had taken Joshi captive after the attack.

The foreign minister said the Government of Nepal condemned the raid by Hamas and it has been calling for Joshi's safe release.  

Stressing on the need for collective international efforts for establishing global peace, she said, "We are at a critical confluence in history, facing the highest number of conflicts. So, we have to work with high priority to protect citizens from armed conflicts."

The minister rued that despite international efforts, the world continues to fail to stop wars, bring solutions, restore peace and tranquility, and give hope.

"Even as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the principles designed to protect civilians are being systematically ignored or misinterpreted by the resourceful and powerful countries," she said, calling for an immediate end to this situation, and for all to move forward with peace and co-existence.

Referencing ongoing conflicts such as the wars in Israel and Palestine, and Russia and Ukraine, the minister called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and full implementation of Council Resolution 2735 (2024).

She further called for the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws, ensure accountability for violations and respect for international law, including the UN Charter.

Minister Rana condemned the indiscriminate attack on civilians, including the UN officials, humanitarian workers, journalists and health professionals, saying the devastation of Gaza on such a scale and the relentless death of civilians cannot be justified.

She also drew global attention to the near-total destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and basic infrastructure, which has left the entire population in constant fear and deprived of basic necessities like food, education, health, and clean water.

Minister Rana on the occasion urged the international community to put pressure on the warring parties, and find creative solutions to conflicts. She appealed to the world community to be united for peace and co-existence, reaffirming Nepal's commitment as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 500 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 159, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 159, 200 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,915 per tola today.

India’s efforts to boost its one-horned rhino population are being hailed as a major success, drawing parallels to Nepal’s conservation achievements. Over the past four decades, India’s rhino population has surged from 1,500 to over 4,000, according to data released on World Rhino Day.

This progress mirrors Nepal’s own triumph in protecting the one-horned rhinoceros, particularly in Chitwan National Park, where community involvement and anti-poaching efforts have been key. Nepal has long been recognized for its effective conservation strategies, serving as a model for neighboring India.

Much like Nepal’s approach, India’s success has hinged on collaboration between forest departments and local communities. The rhino populations in both countries are vital to maintaining the biodiversity of the region, with Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Nepal’s Chitwan National Park being prime habitats.

Globally, rhino populations have drastically decreased, but the greater one-horned rhino has made a strong comeback in both Nepal and India. Yet, challenges remain. Poaching, fueled by the demand for rhino horns in China and Vietnam, still threatens these vulnerable species. As India follows in Nepal's footsteps, both nations must continue to enhance their conservation efforts to ensure these iconic animals thrive for future generations.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has pledged to open the Consulate General of Nepal in the western region of the US, California, soon.

Prime Minister Oli, who is currently in New York to participate in the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, leading a Nepali delegation, made the commitment responding to the demand for the same by various organizations of the Nepali community.

There are around 100,000 Nepalis residing in the State. The Nepali Public Relations Committee, Nepali Association of Northern California and other organizations had called for the opening of a consulate office in San Francisco, California reasoning that it has been inconvenient for them to access the service by reaching New York or Washington DC, where the Consulate General of Nepal is currently located.

They have urged for the establishment of a consulate general office in the region as it would address the problems facing the Nepali community for the services, including passport renewal, to a great extent. 

Noting that he was positive to the demand, PM Oli assured that the government would take a decision in this regard soon. "We have already planned to open a Consulate General of Nepal in California soon", he said.

California State is a hub of science and technology as well as Silicon Valley, so Nepal and Nepalis can reap benefits from it, the demand paper stated.

The Committee also called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba to draw her attention to the same issue and extended an invitation to visit California.

The Nepali Diaspora representatives had also expressed their interest before the PM that Nepalis living abroad would also play a role for the country's prosperity and development. 

They also discussed with the PM about the issue of dual citizenship and its proper address through amendment to the constitutional provisions. Prime Minister Oli showed concern over disputes within the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

Prime Minister Oli urged all to work with the belief that a one-time Nepali would be a Nepali forever while hinting provision such as nullifying the abroad citizenship for exercising political rights in the country could be made,

In responding to queries from the participants in the political context, PM Oli said there would be no amendments to the constitution on issues such as democratic values, federalism, protection of republican system and sovereignty of the country.

He said that the constitution amendment issue would take the shape of consensus among the parties.

Meanwhile, different Nepali community organizations called on PM Oli and demanded the opening of Nepali Consulate General office in Texas. Likewise, Nepali community representatives based in Canada also urged the PM to take initiative for the establishment of the Canadian Embassy in Nepal.