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Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has presented a proposal that his party should not form the pre-election alliance.

In the ongoing policy conclave of the party’s Mahasamiti meeting- at Godawari, General-Secretary Thapa floated the proposal that the NC should shun political alliance with any party in the periodic election in future.

"The Mahasamiti meeting's resolution is to contest the upcoming periodic election on its own," he viewed, pressing for creating an enabling environment where the voters could cast their vote to Nepali Congress.

In the 38-page organizational proposal, Thapa called for making NC more energetic and dynamic and increase public's confidence in the party and re-establish itself as a party which could alone secure two-thirds majority.

He, however, said that the NC is aware of demonstrating political honesty as per commitments made with the public and agreement with coalition partners during the election.

According to him, good-governance should be the main mantra for NC-led governments at all three levels with effective public service delivery. 

He further asserted that the NC should take ownership of the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic, which was promulgated under leadership of the party itself, and it should protect and implement the national charter with high level of confidence.

Furthermore, the General Secretary proposed party determination to unite the entire party at every level and make it further active in line with the party's aspiration- 'Prosperous Nepal: Honoured Nepali'.

He, in the proposal, highlighted the need for the party to prioritize the issues and concerns of public and communities and make the party a center of excellence through debate, dialogues, training and discussion and adopt policy of zero-tolerance against corruption in all forms and make the party a catalyst for social transformation.

The meeting, party's main policy-making body, has over 2,200 representatives taking part in the four-day event.

The curfew imposed in the Birgunj area for an indefinite period due to security concerns has been relaxed to some extent.

The prohibitory order enforced by the District Administration Office, Parsa for 36 hours was lifted from 6 am to 11 am today for the convenience of the local residents, said Chief District Officer (CDO) of Parsa, Dinesh Sagar Bhusal.

The prohibitory order would be further relaxed after assessing the situation, informed CDO Bhusal, adding that the decision to ease the prohibitory order was also taken so that the daily lives of the locals in the financial city of the country would not be adversely affected.

He reiterated that the restrictive order would be relaxed based on the situation and need. The situation in Birgunj is normal at present.

The curfew was clamped after a clash was about to erupt in a demonstration staged by Hindu Samaj after the protest between two parties. The local administration had imposed an indefinite curfew since last Monday evening.

It was effective in the areas within Nagawa Chowk in the east, Tilabe Bridge in the west, Parbanipur Parsa in north and Miteri Pul (Custom) in the south of Birgunj city.

Three members of a single family were found dead in Sitapaila of Kathmandu on Wednesday.

SP Nawaraj Adhikari of the District Police Range, Kathmandu said that they have recovered the bodies of three persons at Sitapaila in Nagarjun Municipality-6 this morning.

Preliminary investigation suggests that they might have been murdered by using a sharp weapon, Adhikari said.

Their bodies were found inside the room of the house.

A police team has already reached the incident site to carry out further investigation.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 400 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 118, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 118, 000 per tola on Tuesday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 117, 850 per tola. It was traded at Rs 117, 450 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,415 per tola today. 

Due to an impact of the westerly low-pressure system in the weather, light rain coupled with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places in Madesh Province and Bagmati Province of the country today, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. 

The weather would remain partly to generally cloudy throughout the country today while some parts in Gandaki and Madhes provinces are receiving rainfall, Meteorologist at the Division Sanjiv Adhikari said. "The temperature shall remain unchanged," he added.

The Division stated that chances of light to moderate snowfall are likely at some places of the high hilly and mountainous region of the country.

According to Adhikari, impacts of the westerly low-pressure system have gradually shifted to Gandaki, Bagmati and eastern belt of the country from the Sudurpaschim and Karnali.

The Division shared that chances of rain are more likely on Thursday compared to today and the weather shall be gradually clear from Friday.

Tonight, the weather is likely to remain partly to generally cloudy throughout the country and light rain or thunder and lightning is likely to occur at a few places in Gandaki, Karnali and Sudur Paschim provinces and hilly regions of the country.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the 9th edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.

The Dialogue will be held from 21-23 February, 2024.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, and deliver the keynote address.

​​The 9th Raisina Dialogue will witness the participation of representatives from over 100 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of Industry, Technology Leaders, Academics, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth.

​​​ The theme of the 2024 edition is "Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create”. Over three days, decision-makers and thought leaders of the world will engage each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars: (i) Tech Frontiers: Regulations & Realities; (ii) Peace with the Planet: Invest & Innovate; (iii) War & Peace: Armouries & Asymmetries; (iv) Decolonising Multilateralism: Institutions & Inclusion; (v) The Post 2030 Agenda: People & Progress; and (vi) Defending Democracy: Society & Sovereignty.

Over 2500 participants from about 115 countries will be joining the Dialogue in person, and the proceedings will be viewed by millions across the world on various digital platforms.

Nepal's tourism promotional program was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In the Tourism Promotion Program organized recently by the Embassy of Nepal in Colombo under the theme of "Discover the Himalaya Wonder: Explore the Cultural Treasures", a large number of travel agent operators, journalists and business persons from Sri Lanka and Nepal attended the event.

On the occasion, Nepal's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Basudev Mishra said that the tourism industry is crucial for both Nepal and Sri Lanka for revitalization of economy and called for synergy in the tourism sector.

Ambassador Mishra invited the Sri Lankan nationals to visit Nepal adding that Nepal offers a welcoming atmosphere to the tourists with several tourism products and competitive prices.

Saying that Nepal is all set to hold an Investment Summit in May, Ambassador Mishra urged the Sri Lankan business community for more collaboration and cooperation in the areas of investment and business in Nepal. 

During the event, the participants from Sri Lanka expressed their willingness to visit Lumbini, the Birth Place of Lord Buddha, and other sites too.

Likewise, Managing Director of Nepal's Adventure Outdoor Trek and Expedition Company Dr Kalyan Raj Sharma made a presentation about Nepal's tourism products by including offers by the tourism industry. He said that tourism avenue in Nepal carries a larger scope beyond religious tourism and the trend is on the rise in recent days.

Dr Sharma urged Sri Lankan visitors to explore adventure tourism, go trekking and enjoy diverse wildlife in Nepal within its small geographic zone.

On the occasion, Nepali tourism and business products were put on display and information about Nepal's tourism industry was shared. Similarly, promotional videos of tourist destinations, cultures of Nepal and Nepali songs, among others were performed.

Nepali business persons, who participated at the event, have pinned hopes on receiving more tourists from Sri Lanka and also announced their competitive tour packages targeting the Sri Lankan visitors.  

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced for Nepal a new grant assistance package of £400m ($505m), to be utilized till 2030, reinforcing the importance it attaches to the Asia-Pacific region and Nepal, with which it has diplomatic relations spanning more than two centuries.

The two countries signed grant agreements for Nepal in Business and Green Growth Nepal Program in the presence of UK's Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell, here on a two-day visit (Feb19-20) and Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat.⁦

In a press release, the British Embassy in Nepal said: a) The new development portfolio will help Nepal tackle the climate crisis, mobilize international finance for development, deliver economic transformation, and support governance and inclusion. b) UK development support will see £400m ($505m) in grants delivered by 2030. c) Impacts will include helping create 13,500 jobs, attracting more than $1bn in investment and supporting access to quality health and education services for two million women and girls.