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Police have arrested the main accused in connection with the murder of Haribhusam Kushawaha, Chief at the Ramraja Mohan Bikram Sah Multiple Campus in Kalaiya, Bara.

Kushawaha was shot dead at Khajuriya in Adarshakotwal Rural Municipality-2, Bara on June 14, 2024.

Surendra Kushawaha (41) of Adarshakotwal Rural Municipality-2 was apprehended six months after the murder.

DSP Prakash Sapkota informed that Kushawaha, who had been hiding in India after the incident, was nabbed from Morang on Wednesday.

Kushwaha is also a fugitive from the Nepali Army, according to police.

Earlier, police had detained 10 persons for their alleged involvement in the murder of the campus chief.

Among them, two were released on bail and eight are in jail.

Police had recovered a pistol, seven rounds of bullets, four motorbikes, four sets of mobile phones, two laptops and seven sim cards used in the murder of Kushawaha.

A person died and another sustained critical injuries when a truck hit a scooter they were riding on at Gaththaghar in Madhyapurthimi Municipality-3, Bhaktapur on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Nabina of Dyula in Bhaktapur Municipality-5. Her husband Jite Dyula was injured in the incident.

The injured one is undergoing treatment at the Citizen Community Hospital.

Police have impounded the truck and arrested its driver Buddha Bahadur Ghalan of Makawanpurgadhi Rural Municipality-4 for investigation.

The Sarlahi Police on Wednesday took control of a truck and container carrying goods illegally imported via the Bagmatii check post at Karmaiya.

A police squad deputed from the Area Police Office, Karmaiya had seized a truck (Province 1-01-001 Kha 4190) with Chinese garlic. The items exceed the invoice by Rs 2.75 million.

Similarly, a container (Na 7 Kha 9465) en route to Birtamode in Jhapa from Birgunj carrying illegally imported motor parts was also impounded, police said.

Police recovered motorcycle parts, tires and other items such as utensils and ready-made clothes that were not mentioned in the invoice were recovered.

Spokesperson of the District Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Shrestha, said that the goods were worth Rs 8.66 million. The recovered illegally-imported goods were sent to the Revenue Investigation Office in Pathlaiya.

Nepali delegates attending the UN Conference of Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), concluded this week in Azerbaijan's capital city Baku, dubbed the climate finance related decision unveiled in the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) 'weak'.  

Although the climate crisis is fast approaching, the decision on the new climate finance goal has been criticized for delaying the implementation of climate finance targets.

The Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), including Nepal, among others, have been pushing for including decisions such as increasing the size of climate finance, providing easy access to the finance, and timely getting compensation for countries facing climate-related crises in the NCQG.

The delegates present at the COP29 are disappointed that the process of implementing the goals is elusive and the decision has been taken in a delayed manner.

In this connection, Chief of the Climate Management Division under the Ministry of Forest and Environment Dr Sindhu Prasad Dhungana commented that the achievements of COP were not as anticipated while coming to the final decision regarding NCQG. "We have not achieved the expected success in the COP. Out of our demand for climate finance assistance of 1.3 trillion USD, only 300 billion was said to be provided. This was not justified as we thought", he said.

Climate finance expert Raju Pandit Chhetri noted that rich and developed countries have always been reluctant to increase the size of climate finance and the decision to extend the deadline for providing assistance is lax.

"Least developed countries like Nepal have been constantly advocating for increased size of climate finance needed to address climate-related crises", he said, adding that only $300 billion was agreed to be provided by 2035.

The agreement regarding the assistance is not for every year, he said, noting the target of reaching $ 300 billion by 2035 is quite a low. "The rich and developed countries have backtracked from implementing the ambitious targets of climate finance this time too".

According to him, the decisions taken in the COP were like a victory of rich countries and a defeat of the least developed countries like Nepal. 

The 300 billion dollars is also stated to come from private and various sources. It is not clear how much developed countries will invest. Nepal has been lobbying for assurance of climate finance subsidies for adaptation and loss and damage. Yet, it was written in language only, not sure.

Another climate expert, Dr Popular Gentle Bhusal, said the decisions taken on the agenda, including the NCQG, were not productive. "It seems that the finances required for the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and adaptation plan prepared by Nepal will not be realized in time. It poses challenges in the implementation of these plans," he said, adding that if the NDC can be implemented, carbon emissions can be reduced and global temperature rise can be limited.

Bhusal added the failure to increase the size of climate finance as expected in the climate summit is a neglect in implementing the agenda of least developed countries including Nepal. The Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) has also drafted the NCQG.

On the concluding day of the COP, the Group of LDCs had expressed reservation noting COP was not productive and rather a betrayal for the climate sensitive and vulnerable countries.

What is NCQG?

The NCQG is a quantitatively determined new target of financial assistance provided by developed countries to developing countries under the UNFCCC. This goal has been set to find new sustainable and effective ways to ensure the management, distribution and impact of climate finance for the year 2025.

The NCQG, as stated, has been launched with the aim of improving the financial structure after 2025 as developed countries have failed to meet the target of raising $ 100 billion per year by 2020.

It is expected to support adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage. Its prime goal is to ensure the flow of financial resources according to the needs of the countries at risk of climate.

Climate expert Manjeet Dhakal said the new climate finance goal should set the target by agreeing between developed and developing countries.

Dhakal further clarified, "The essence of NCQG is to ensure sustainable financial resources to ensure sustainable development of developing and least developed countries by addressing their needs to cope with the adverse effects of climate change".

The Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) organized a national seminar on “Navigating Strategic Implications of BRI for Nepal.”

The seminar aimed to discuss the strategic opportunities and challenges posed by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for Nepal.

Focusing on BRI’s geopolitical significance for the country, the seminar sought to generate consensus on Nepal’s priorities to maximize the Initiative’s benefits while safeguarding Nepal’s national interests.

The seminar began with welcoming remarks by CESIF’s Executive Chairperson, Vijay Kant Karna, who also set the context for the speeches, presentation, and discussions to follow.

Noting that the Nepal-China relations currently stand at a crucial juncture, Karna stressed that the BRI is a strategic tool for China to advance its vision for an alternative world order, and the Implementation Plan mimics a comprehensive agreement with long-term strategic implications for Nepal. “Instead of signing a separate Implementation Plan, Nepal should negotiate on specific projects under the Initiative,” argued Karna, reads a statement issued by CESIF.

Following the welcome speech, CESIF’s Research Director Ajaya Bhadra Khanal delivered opening remarks. His speech also highlighted the geopolitical complexities and long-term implications of BRI as China’s comprehensive vision for a new world order. “The BRI Implementation Plan is not just an infrastructure development plan but a comprehensive strategic framework, negotiating which must involve a detailed assessment of their social, political, economic, and strategic consequences for Nepal,” emphasized Mr. Khanal.

Pawan Adhikari, Research Fellow at CESIF, presented on “BRI in Nepal: Status, Challenges, and Way Forward,” shedding light on the regional and global BRI experiences, the current state of Nepal’s engagement with BRI, and potential paths for negotiation and project implementation. He stated that Nepal should prioritize feasible “small but beautiful” pilot projects before implementing “mega projects.”

The seminar featured three keynote speeches by Prakash Sharan Mahat, Former Minister for Finance / Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Pradeep Gyawali, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, and Raj Kishore Yadav, Chairperson, International Relations and Tourism Committee, House of Representatives, Nepal.

Mahat echoed the observation that BRI is China’s strategic tool to globalize its engagement and increase its presence and influence to achieve its national interests and broader visions. He also highlighted his party Nepali Congress (NC)’s stance, “there should be a common yardstick for Nepal’s engagement with all partners, which must prioritize the country’s national interests.” However, Nepal has had “the tendency to lack preparations and make last-minute decisions, due to which we face problems eventually,” he added, “therefore, we must take as long as it takes to reach a consensus based on Nepal’s own national interests and priorities, and not sign the Implementation Plan in haste.” Irrespective of all other dimensions, in summary, Nepal should not accept loans under the Initiative, especially when China is yet to deliver on its several grant commitments to Nepal.

Similaly, Gyawali also emphasized the need for sufficient discussions on important bilateral and multilateral agreements, especially in its dealings with the neighboring countries and superpowers, before committing to agreements with long-term consequences. “Instead of assessing where Nepal’s interests and priorities align with the Chinese Initiative and how to benefit from it, our discussions and debates have been limited to a loan versus grant narrative,” he stated, “nevertheless, Nepal should not accept loans to advance any large infrastructure project under current circumstances.”

Citing the example of Pokhara International Airport, Yadav warned that Nepal must consider some serious concerns, such as debt-sustainability, lack of transparency, and geopolitical implications of the BRI-funded projects. “Transparent discussions on major foreign policy choices constitute a fundamental aspect of democracy, but neither the MoU nor the Implementation Plan of the BRI has been discussed in the parliament and civil society platforms,” Hon. Yadav stressed, “Nepal should not sign the Implementation Plan without proper and transparent discussions.”

CESIF brought together experts and practitioners to discuss various dimensions of BRI in two different panels. The first panel included speakers Govinda Raj Pokharel, Former Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission of Nepal, Madhuraman Acharya, Former Foreign Secretary and Foreign Policy Expert, and Bishnu Rijal, Central Committee Member, CPN-UML, and was moderated by Vijay Kant Karna.

The discussion centered on BRI’s negotiations and their strategic implications for Nepal. Acharya characterized BRI in Nepal as a “classic case of how not to negotiate,” as it featured negotiation under duress, top-down negotiations, and politicization. “BRI Implementation Plan is essentially an explanation or formalization of the ‘strategic partnership’ between Nepal and China, agreed during Xi Jinping’s Nepal visit in 2019,” he contended, “such a comprehensive agreement should not be signed in haste, without negotiating on Nepal’s national interests.”

Pokharel emphasized that Nepal’s top priority should be on securing a trade route with China, which is “one of the most important national priorities but is often overlooked in negotiations.” He underscored the importance of identifying national priorities well in advance, because a failure to do so “significantly undermines our ability to negotiate effectively.” Bishnu Rijal discussed the necessity of external borrowing for Nepal to meet its growth targets because “Nepal cannot sustain major projects with internal resources alone.” However, Pokharel argued that Nepal can take loans only for projects with high debt-sustainability and rate of return. Mr. Rijal also highlighted the historical ties between Nepali and Chinese communists and dispelled concerns about potential policy infiltrations, arguing that these relationships do not compromise Nepal’s policy making autonomy.

The second panel discussion on “Navigating BRI: Debt, Diplomacy, and Development,” hosted experts who explored different aspects of BRI’s implementation in Nepal. Moderated by Mr. Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, the panel included speakers Kewal Prasad Bhandari, Secretary (Retd.), Government of Nepal, Prof. Bishwambhar Pyakurel Senior Economist Mr. Anil Giri, Senior Journalist, The Kathmandu Post.

Arpan Gelal, Research and Program Coordinator at CESIF, wrapped up the event by summarizing the key issues raised and the consensus reached on the seminar.

More than a hundred participants including policymakers, politicians, national and international experts, analysts, academics, diplomats, bureaucrats, and journalists attended the event.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the Cabinet members and secretaries to ensure effective delivery.

During the first quarterly meeting on the implementation of the current fiscal year's policy, programs and budget on Wednesday, PM Oli stressed for changes in the present working style so that expected results can be achieved.

He, however, said it was not that easy to forward works as the previous government had brought the budget. The working style needs radical change, PM Oli stressed.

According to him, 11,000 fake projects were foisted under the government framework, which had to be corrected and anomalies wiped out. The multi-year budget planning must warrant proper homework not a random scattering of budget, he argued.

"Time has come to mull how we can bring sweeping change in production, agriculture, energy, information, and technology. Preaching does not work for national development and mobilization of the economy. Policy must be adopted in a way that creates jobs. Let's act boldly," he said, wondering why we could not think of giving responsibility to the able ones (private sectors) if the government fails to run the industries well.

The PM further reminded the top government officials that we had no time to delay work for economic strides. Government employees need to work with zeal.

The PM, minister and secretary can intervene for a positive result. The employees shirking responsibility not only deserves transfer but action, PM Oli directed.

Oli reiterated that the government's achievements must be reflected in practices.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba will be paying an official visit to China beginning tomorrow.

Minister Rana is scheduled to visit the People's Republic of China on 28-30 at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who is also the Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

During the three-day visit, the Foreign Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Wang on November 29.

The two leaders will have comprehensive discussions on matters of mutual interest between the two countries including the preparation of the upcoming official visit of Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli to China.

The Foreign Minister will return to Kathmandu on November 30.

An agreement has been signed with Kathmandu University to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the construction of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC)'s Lumbini Regional Storage Facility in Omsatiya and Rohini rural municipalities of Rupandehi.

In a program organized today, Pradeep Yadav, Deputy Director of Corporation and Head of Storage Capacity Expansion Project and Bibek Baral, Head of Kathmandu University (Consultancy Department) signed the agreement for the purpose.

According to the agreement, KU will prepare the DPR within six months. NOC Deputy Director Yadav said that the construction of the depot will be started as soon as the DPR is prepared and the depot at Bhalbari will be shifted by November 2025.

Earlier, the NOC had signed an agreement with Pulchowk Engineering Campus last week to construct a DPR for the relocation of the aviation fuel depot located in the Tribhuvan International Airport complex in Kathmandu.

The current Lumbini regional office is located in about five and a half bigha of land connected to the Bhairahawa-Butwal main highway. There are tankers with storage capacity of 519 kiloliters of petrol, 3000 kiloliters of diesel and 140 kiloliters of kerosene.

According to the corporation, the current storage capacity is very low compared to the increasing consumption. Deputy Director Yadav informed that the current storage capacity can only meet the demand of two days of petrol and five days of diesel.

The corporation has fuel storage depots at Biratnagar, Dhanusha, Birgunj, Amlekhgunj, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi. Currently, the petroleum product storage capacity of the corporation is 60,384 kiloliters. For Nepal, which is dependent on imports for petroleum products, the corporation has been purchasing fuel from India's state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).