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The Ministry of Forest and Environment is in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, as the constitutional anti-graft body has questioned it for sending a large delegation to COP29, which kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) wrote a letter to the ministry on Monday, questioning the rationale behind sending a large delegation to Baku when only three representatives would have been sufficient.

President Ramchandra Paudel is leading the Nepali delegation to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference or the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known as the COP29. He is scheduled to address the conference on Tuesday.

The ministry has sent a 31-member team to Baku. The delegation includes Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi, Secretary Deepak Kumar Kharal, Administration Division Chief and Joint-secretary Bhupal Baral, and Administration Division Under-secretary Shobhakar Regmi.

It has been learned that several non-government organizations funded the delegation's expenses from their regular program and activity budgets in Nepal.

Ministry sources say the CIAA has asked the ministry to explain the responsibilities of all team members in Baku.

A source at the ministry says a reply will be sent to the CIAA after Administration Division Chief Baral returns to Kathmandu. While Baral is expected to return on Nov 16, Minister Shahi is scheduled to return on Nov 19. Minister of State for Forest and Environment Rupa BK is scheduled to fly to Baku on Nov 14. However, a member of her secretariat said she is reluctant to travel, given the negative media coverage the Nepali delegation has received.

On Tuesday, China Southern Airlines launched a new direct flight between Guangzhou and Kathmandu, using its A320 Neo aircraft. 

The A320 Neo offers greater seat capacity and a more spacious cabin compared to previous models, providing passengers with a comfortable and convenient travel experience. China Southern Airlines plans to further promote tourism, trade, and cultural interactions between the two countries through this upgraded service.

Celebrating 32 years of musical legacy, iconic Nepali band Kandara delivered a historic performance at Club LOD in Kathmandu on Nov 9. Part of their “Kathmandu Calling Kandara” tour, the concert drew fans from across the city and beyond for the band’s first-ever live show in the capital—a night filled with energy, nostalgia, and cultural pride.

The evening kicked off with a dynamic opening act by Devendra Bablu and the Firantee, whose fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds set the stage for Kandara’s much-anticipated performance. The opening act’s energy was the perfect prelude to Kandara's celebrated mix of folk, rock, and pop.

Kandara’s powerful lineup—featuring vocalist Bivek Shrestha, guitarist Dev Lama, bassist Pankaj Jha, madalist Avinash Gayak, keyboardist Neil Ghatani, and drummer Sunil Thapa—delivered a set of their greatest hits, including fan favorites like “Timi Pari,” “Lekaki Hey Maya,” and “Hongkong Pokhara.” Their performance showcased the enduring appeal of their unique sound, blending traditional Nepali folk with modern influences that have captivated audiences for over three decades.

The packed venue pulsed with excitement as Kandara’s electrifying performance celebrated three decades of music that has defined a generation. Lead vocalist Bivek Shrestha addressed the crowd, saying, “Performing in Kathmandu for the first time, surrounded by the energy of our incredible fans, is a dream come true. This night is dedicated to each and every one of you who has supported us through the years.”

Kandara expressed heartfelt gratitude to Club LOD for hosting, Arbitrary Events and TRN Events for organizing, and Khalti for handling ticketing. Special thanks were given to Sushil Nepal for his charismatic hosting and to Devendra Bablu and the Firantee for their memorable opening act, setting a tone of celebration and unity.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has announced it will reconnect electricity to industries whose supply was previously cut due to unpaid tariffs. NEA’s Board Chairperson and Energy Minister, Deepak Khadka, confirmed the decision following a board meeting at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.

The move follows a Cabinet decision, mandating the immediate restoration of power to affected industries within 24 hours. The Council of Ministers had stipulated that outstanding payments must be collected within 15 days based on the Time of Day (TOD) meter system.

Minister Khadka emphasized that the NEA is responsible for issuing invoices to industries using dedicated feeder and trunk lines. He added that NEA employees would face action if bills are not issued promptly, while industrialists could face penalties if payments are not settled as invoiced.

Your home starts feeling tired and uninspired if you don’t change things up every once in a while. But renovations can be expensive and time-consuming and thus unfeasible when you just want to shake things up a bit. Does that mean you are doomed to living in the same space till you eventually muster up the courage to rent another place for a change of scene or decide to redesign your home? Rest assured you don’t have to invest a lot of time and effort to give your home a fresh new feel. This week, we will show you how you can liven up your space without buying anything new, using what you already have, or with minimal spending.

Move your furniture around  

Have you had the same layout in your living and dining space since you moved in? If yes, consider changing the placements of the pieces to change the look of the space. If you have pushed your sofas against the wall, pull them away from it. This gives your space an open look, making it feel airy and large. There are many apps that help you redesign your space with what you already have. Consider asking a friend for a new perspective on where to put what. If you are feeling experimentative, move furniture pieces from one room to another to serve different purposes than the ones they were being used for earlier.

Create a rotating gallery wall

More often than not, our homes are cluttered with memorabilia from trips, special occasions, and random things we picked up because we thought they were cute or nice to have. Over time, they accumulate and make our spaces look clumsy and unmanaged. We’re not telling you to part away with your prized possessions. But consider displaying only a few items at a time. You can create a rotating gallery of sorts. Simply change the items on display to change the aesthetics of your space.

Organize your books

Books can double as functional décor. But they can make your home look cluttered if they are just lying around in random places. Try to keep your books in a particular place, mixed in with some bookish knick-knacks and plants like the British Ivy or Pothos. You can also arrange your books by the colors of their spines for a more cohesive look. While you are at it, you might want to create a cozy reading nook. Place a few floor cushions and a throw in a corner of the same room your books are in, hang some fairy lights, add an element of style with a small table with speakers or a tray with some candles and vase of flowers and you are good to go.  

Let your space breathe

We are all guilty of overstuffing our homes. We all have far too many things than we require. Who hasn’t had the urge to fill an empty, unused space to make it functional and then ended up neglecting the area once we’ve put something there? The result is we often bang into furniture as we move about or knock jars or frames off the shelves and tabletops while trying to get what we need. Stow away some coffee tables and stools to open up your space. Get rid of visual clutter by stowing away what you don’t need. Let your space breathe by keeping it a little empty and see how you feel about it before deciding to put anything back.

President Ramchandra Paudel emphasized the need to redirect vast resources currently spent on arms towards adaptation and mitigation efforts to protect human civilization and ensure a habitable planet for future generations.

Speaking as the leader of the Nepali delegation at the COP29 World Leaders Climate Action Summit underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, President Paudel noted that countries like Nepal are forced to divert their limited resources, initially allocated for poverty reduction, toward adaptation and mitigation—a significant injustice.

"While pledges for climate funding were insufficient from the start, they have also remained unmet. It is even more troubling that targeted communities do not receive these funds due to complicated processes," he said, calling for urgent implementation of the "polluter pays and compensates" principle.

He also urged the immediate operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable developing countries. Climate finance, he said, must recognize contributions from countries like Nepal in preserving biodiversity, protecting the Himalayan cryosphere, and supplying freshwater. These nations should be adequately compensated for climate-related loss and damage.

Highlighting Nepal's commitment to sustainable resource use, President Paudel noted that Nepal has increased forest cover and enhanced clean energy production in line with its ambitious emission reduction target under the second NDC, contributing to global well-being and environmental protection. However, he added, "The challenges of global warming and climate change far exceed our capacity and resources."

Delivering his statement in Nepali, the President also stressed the need for technology transfer and adequate capacity-building grants under the Paris Agreement. He insisted climate finance be provided as grants, disbursed through national treasuries to ensure effectiveness.

He expressed hope that the Conference would achieve concrete progress on setting a clear NCQG vector, based on climate justice, equity, and capacity, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees and advance sustainable development in least-developed and Himalayan nations.

The full text of President Paudel’s statement is as follows:

Mr President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I begin by thanking the Republic of Azerbaijan for organizing the 29th climate change conference.

Mr President,

1. Climate justice and reparations for loss and damage are my paramount concerns today.

2. Nepal's carbon emissions are negligible, yet we suffer from the severe impacts of global warming and climate change. Recent climate-induced disasters, such as glacial lake outbursts and devastating floods, have caused damages worth billions. Recovery and reconstruction are challenging given our limited resources.

3. Climate change affects the entire planet, but its impacts are especially severe for poor, least-developed, and developing nations, as well as small island developing states (SIDS).

Mr President,

4. Nepal is committed to sustainable resource use. We have increased forest cover and clean energy production as part of our ambitious emission reduction targets under our second NDC.

5. However, the challenges posed by global warming exceed our capacity and resources.

Mr President,

6. We are forced to divert scarce resources originally meant for poverty reduction towards climate adaptation and mitigation—a profound injustice. Urgent implementation of the "polluter pays" principle is essential, with responsibility for reducing emissions resting on those who contribute the most.

7. Climate fund pledges have been insufficient and often unmet. Complicated processes further prevent targeted communities from receiving these funds.

8. I call for the urgent operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund to support vulnerable developing countries. Climate finance should recognize the contributions of countries like Nepal in protecting biodiversity, the Himalayan cryosphere, and freshwater resources. These nations deserve compensation for climate-related loss and damage.

9. I call for technology transfer and adequate capacity-building grants in line with the Paris Agreement and developed countries' commitments.

10. Climate finance must be grants-based and should be disbursed through national treasuries for maximum effectiveness.

Mr President,

11. The vast resources spent on arms should be redirected to adaptation and mitigation efforts, preserving human civilization and ensuring a habitable planet for future generations.

12. I hope this Conference will make concrete progress toward establishing a clear NCQG vector based on climate justice, equity, and capacity, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, and ensuring climate justice and sustainable development for least-developed and Himalayan nations.

13. As Nepal’s snow-covered mountains turn into black rocks, the world must recognize that these effects reach coastal nations as well. It is time to implement integrated adaptation strategies connecting mountains to the sea. Nepal is organizing the “Sagarmatha Sambad”—Everest Dialogue—to promote this concept.

14. In conclusion, protecting the Himalayas is essential to protecting humanity worldwide.

Thank you for your attention.

Former Gandaki Province Minister Deepak Manange has been detained by Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers in Kathmandu's Sano Bharyang area this morning. Manange, whose real name is Rajiv Gurung, was convicted of attempted murder in connection with a plot to kill notorious gangster Milan Gurung, known as Chakre Milan.

On Nov 5, the Supreme Court upheld a previous Patan Appellate Court ruling, which had sentenced Manange to five years in prison. This ruling superseded an earlier Kathmandu District Court verdict from 2007, which had initially handed him a two-year prison term. After a government appeal, the Patan Appellate Court escalated his sentence to five years in 2012, though he had remained at large until recently.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Manange avoided arrest until today. He was presented in court, where he was ordered to be detained at Dillibazar Jail. While Manange had previously refrained from appealing the Court of Appeal's decision for six years, he only filed an appeal with the Supreme Court after his arrest. Although initially dismissed for late filing, the court eventually accepted his appeal, releasing him on a bond of Rs 27,375.

Manange, elected unopposed to Gandaki Province's Assembly from Manang, previously served as a minister and was aligned with the Unified Socialist Party led by Madhav Nepal. Despite frequently voting against his party, he faced no disciplinary action. Now, following the Supreme Court's ruling, he will return to Dillibazar Jail to serve his sentence.

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation unveiled the Lal Commission report on dedicated feeder and trunk lines in a press conference on Monday. The report, commissioned to address disputes between industrialists and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) over electricity supply, was made public following a decision by the Council of Ministers on Sunday.

Key decisions from the Council include reconnecting electricity to industries whose power lines had been cut, and enforcing a 15-day deadline for industries on dedicated and trunk lines to clear outstanding arrears as per their TOD meter readings. The commission, led by former judge Girish Chandra Lal, was established on Jan 9 and submitted its findings to the ministry on May 5, aiming to bring resolution and reforms in industrial electricity supply management.