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About 68,000 children and their families who survived Nepal’s deadliest quake in eight years need further humanitarian aid to rebuild their lives, UNICEF said on Sunday, 100 days after the tremors that devastated parts of west Nepal.

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck two districts of Jajarkot and Rukum West in the remote western region of Nepal on Nov 3, killing at least 154 people, more than half of them children.

The tremors, the deadliest in Nepal since two quakes killed about 9,000 people in 2015, flattened more than 26,000 houses and partially damaged 35,000 buildings, rendering them unfit to live, according to official estimates.

UNICEF said about 200,000 people, including 68,000 children, many of whom spent a cold winter in temporary shelters, still need humanitarian assistance to recover from the disaster.

The UN agency said it is appealing for $14.7m funding to support these children.

“Thousands of children affected by the destructive earthquake are still dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones. Their development is at risk as they lost their belongings, homes and schools, among others,” Alice Akunga, UNICEF representative to Nepal, said in a statement.

“Even as temperatures rise, the needs are still high as children require nutritious food, clean water, education and shelter. One of the best ways to rebuild children’s lives and restore a sense of normalcy is to get them back to school and learning, so that they can play with their friends, learn and heal,” Akunga said.

Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that time demands all forces that advocated for and contributed to bring about change to unite.

In his address to a party program on the occasion of the 29th People's War Day here today, leader Dahal was of the view that institutionalization of the political achievements so far is possible only through unity among progressive forces.

He also utilized the moment to call on Maoist leaders and cadres to take responsibility for protecting the achievements of the people's war. Highlighting the challenges faced, he warned that some forces are attempting to reverse the accomplishments made in the areas of socialism, good governance, social justice, and prosperity.

Party Chair Dahal also welcomed newcomers to the party from Dang and Surkhet who formally joined the party.

Party Standing Committee member and Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, was also present on the occasion.

The party observed Falgun 1 each year in the Nepali calendar as the People's War Day in commemoration of the formal commencement of the people's war (1996-2005).

Individuals climbing Mt Everest will now have to clean up after themselves, meaning no more disposing of their poo in the mountains. Mingmar Sherpa, chairman of Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, said climbers will be required to bring back all their waste to the base camp for proper disposal. 

He added that climbers must mandatorily carry poop bags or eco-friendly receptacles along with special chemicals to make sure that their waste is safely contained and odor-free.

The initiative is aimed at mitigating pollution and health hazards posed by human excrement on Mt Everest. There is a lavatory facility at the Everest base camp, but as the climbers make their way up to the world’s highest peak, the only place for them to answer nature’s call is out in the open.

Sherpa had earlier told the BBC about the complaints of visible human stools en route to the summit and some climbers falling sick. “This is not acceptable and erodes our image.”

The decision has also been implemented in Lhotse, Nuptse and Amadablam mountains. According to the new rules,  climbers should now bring back eight kilograms of waste from Everest, Lhotse and Nhuptse and three kilograms from Amadablam. A list of items necessary above the base camp should be prepared and registered. The rural municipality has also made it mandatory to bring back the equipment and ropes used during the expedition.

Additionally, to keep the base camp area clean, every expedition team has to conduct regular cleaning campaigns around the camp.

Other rules for the base camp include a maximum of four toilet tents, two urine toilet tents and two shower tents for a group of 15 people. Each expedition should also ensure a sleeping area of maximum 80 square feet and 10 square feet for dining. Lighting bright lights visible from a long distance have also been discouraged.

The National Assembly today endorsed the 'Martyr Dashrath Chand Health Science University Bill, 2080 BS'. 

The Minister of State for Education, Science, and Technology, Pramila Kumari, proposed the meeting to pass the bill, highlighting the government's objective to ensure quality health services for citizens through the establishment of the university.

Prior to this, various lawmakers took part in the deliberations on the bill and in response to their queries, the state minister said the bill aimed to provide quality medical education and healthcare facilities, particularly focusing on the Sudur Paschim Province.

Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), Yubraj Sharma, Suresh Ale Magar, and Kamala Panta contributed to the deliberations.

Furthermore, the meeting unanimously accepted a proposal to amend some acts related to preventing money laundering and promoting a business-friendly atmosphere in the country.

The proposal was tabled by Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Dhan Raj Gurung.

Bhagawati Neupane, Dr Bimala Rai Poudyal, Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa (Parbati), Radheshyam Paswan, Bhairav Sundar Shrestha, Tulasa Kumari Dahal, Ram Chandra Ray and Devendra Dahal took part in the deliberations,

In response to queries raised during the deliberations on the proposal, the Minister said the bill aimed to strengthen laws against financial crimes. Besides, it is expected to be helpful in promoting financial transparency, building an investment-friendly atmosphere and establishing good governance, according to him.

The minister highlighted that the bill is proposed to discourage illegal financial practices such as the Hundi business, transactions involving crypto currency, and activities related to terrorism.

During the meeting, Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee President, Prakash Panth, tabled the committee's annual reports for the fiscal years 2079-80 BS (2022-23).

The NA shall meet again at 1:01 pm on Sunday, February 18. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that there will be no public holiday on Falgun 1 (February 13) this year.

In a notice issued today, Ministry's joint-secretary and spokesperson, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai informed that the decision to revoke the holiday is being based on the Supreme Court's ruling.

Earlier, the government had announced a public holiday on Falgun 1 to commemorate the 'people's war day'.

However, the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, leading to the apex court's directive ordering the government to rescind it.

Consequently, the Council of Ministers on February 8 officially decided to discontinue the provision of a public holiday on Fa;gun 1 each year.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also the Chair of the National Security Council, called on President Ramchandra Paudel today to present the Council's annual report.

Upon receiving the report, President Paudel expressed hope that the Council would consistently act with caution in promoting the interests of nationality, sovereignty, independence, integrity, and national security.

During the meeting, the President spoke of the need of enhancing the nation's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and autonomy.

He also stressed the need for promoting cultural, religious, linguistic, and communal harmony, social tolerance and unity, and strengthening the national social security system. Furthermore, he underscored the effective implementation of the national security policy.

President Paudel commended the Council for presenting the report with a strategic outlook concerning nationality, sovereignty, integrity, and security.

According to Article 266(3) of the Constitution, the Council is mandated to submit its annual report to the President.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat were present on the occasion.

Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) Prem Kumar Rai has called for support from all sides to combat corruption.

Addressing an event to mark the 33rd establishment day of the CIAA in Kathmandu on Sunday, Rai said CIAA has been playing an active role in checking corruption and promoting good governance in the nation.  

Noting that there is a widespread public complaint that the country’s good governance situation has not improved as expected, the CIAA chief stressed the need for all to work actively and responsibly for good governance.

“The fight against corruption is not that of CIAA alone; there is a need for collective efforts as it is a multi-dimensional topic. Every citizen should play an active role for the establishment of good governance,” reiterated the CIAA Chief Commissioner.

According to Rai, a significant number of complaints have been lodged at CIAA after implementation of federalism began. He said the plaints are related to misuse of public assets in development and construction works, budget appropriation, subsidy distribution, service delivery, among other works, to giving and taking of bribe and inducements, to carrying out works with the ill intention of taking illegal benefit and amassing illegal assets at all the three tiers of the government 

The CIAA chief stated that transparency is not seen in public procurement and construction, and called on responsible authorities and office-bearers to become more responsible for fulfilling their legal duties on protecting and preserving public property. He noted that the misuse of public land has increased and the tendency of selling government land for personal gains has also been observed.

Rai said the CIAA is moving ahead with all seriousness toward expanding its jurisdiction and carrying out effective investigations related to the quality of infrastructure in view of growing public complaints of misappropriation in this sector. 

He stressed the need to put an end to anomalies and aberrations seen in public entities promptly and to promote good governance in the country so as to increase the citizens' faith in the government.

Rai said CIAA will move ahead to bring those involved in illegal activities within the purview of law. 

Reminding that it would be difficult to achieve expected success in corruption control until the political officials in the executive role in all the three tiers of the government, the civil servants and the general public realized their responsibility, the CIAA chief called upon all to contribute from their respective fields to the national campaign aimed at controlling corruption. 

The CIAA marked its 33rd establishment day today around the theme—‘Let Us Improve Mindset, Culture and Attitude: Corruption Will Come Under Control.’

President Ramchandra Paudel, Vice-president Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chief Justice Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, Deputy Prime Minister, lawmakers, government high officials, among others, were present on the occasion.

At the program, President Paudel launched the CIAA Souvenir-2080. Journalists associated with different media outlets were presented with a cash award of Rs 20,000 each and a letter of commendation in recognition of their contribution to corruption control and promotion of good governance through news dissemination. The recipients are Matrika Dahal of Kantipur daily, Jaya Kumar Mishra (Anuragi) of Lokantaar.com, Subash Gotame of Ratopati.com and freelance journalist Sudarshan Acharya. 

CIAA also honored Rajesh Kumar Das, Deputy Superintendent of Police Prakash Budhathoki and deputy attorney Niranjan Sthapit with the Outstanding Investigator and Outstanding CIAA Service Award carrying a purse of Rs 35,000 and a copper plaque each. 

The constitutional ombudsman, CIAA, has been adopting control and promotional strategy, in addition to preventive measures for corruption control and promotion of a culture of integrity. It has been conducting an awareness program against corruption, in collaboration with the three-tier government, the civil society, public organizations, schools and the media.

Nepali mercenaries are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, lured to kill far from their Himalayan homeland by promises of a passport and cash, but wounded returnees warn anyone tempted to join the war: “Do not come.”

While Nepali soldiers-for-hire can bank in a month nearly double what they could earn in a year back home, conditionsare brutal and many have been killed or wounded.

 “I watched my friends die in front of me,” said Surya Sharma, who asked to use a pseudonym for legal reasons.

 “Nepalis going probably cannot even imagine how horrific the war is.”

 Shortly after the 24-year-old underwent basic training with Russian forces, his unit was attacked on their way to a frontline in eastern Ukraine.

 “When the bombs and bullets were raining, I thought my life was ending, that was it,” he said. “I was there to die.”

 Combining tough Himalayan terrain with grinding poverty, Nepal has long been a source of ferocious soldiers to fight others’ wars, with the British army’s Gurkhas the best-known example.

 But it is only legal for Nepalis to sign up for combat with a foreign military if there is a government agreement in place—which only applies to Britain and India.

 From early on in its war in Ukraine, Russia has used mercenaries, including the paramilitary group Wagner, before its aborted mutiny last June.

 Neither Russia nor Ukraine will provide figures for how many foreign fighters are in their militaries, nor the number they are holding as prisoners of war.

 But the Nepali government says more than 200 of the country's citizens have enlisted in the Russian army since it invaded Ukraine two years ago.

 Sharma believes there could be 10 times as many, including students, ex-soldiers and even former Maoist combatants.

 “We were among the early ones to join, but now there are many Nepalis, there must be 2,500 to 3,000,” he said.

 At least 12 Nepalis have been killed and another five are prisoners of war in Ukraine, the foreign ministry in Kathmandu said.

 Returnees say the true number of dead is also much higher, and according to local media Nepalis have fought for Ukraine too.

 To attract fighters, Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Russian citizenship—which allows recipients to work—on top of monthly salaries as high as $2,200.

 That tempts some in a country with a GDP per capita of little more than $1,300, according to the World Bank—one of the lowest in Asia.

 ‘Like a movie’

Videos by Nepali recruits undergoing military training in Russia started to surface on TikTok last year, prompting one former veteran to enlist in July.

 “It is a war, and we are taking a risk,” the 39-year-old told AFP, asking not to be named because of the illegality of his actions.

 The man, who had served for more than a decade in Nepal’s army before working for the police in Dubai, accumulated about $15,000 in six months before being wounded and having to return to Nepal, and is using it to build a house.

 “If there were good employment opportunities in Nepal, no one would go,” he added.

 Sharma, the 24-year-old, suffers searing pain every step he takes from the metal fragments buried in his legs.

He says he was duped by a Nepali agent.

 Every year, hundreds of thousands of Nepalis seek employment abroad—400,000 officially, many others illicitly—and many pay agents thousands of dollars to facilitate their journeys.

 Sharma borrowed money to go to Russia on a student visa but discovered he was not allowed to work, and the only job he found was to fight.

 “I had loans to pay at home and couldn't send money,” he said in his rented room in Kathmandu.

 Despite having no prior military experience, he “chose to join the army because I had heard that the money was good. It was not because I wanted to, but my situation forced me to.”

 He underwent a medical check-up before two months of basic training.

 “I was employed with the government, but I’ve heard there are Nepalis fighting in private forces too,” he said.

 The recruits—15 of them Nepalis—woke at six to start the drills.

 “We learnt firing positions, how to make bunkers and how to target drones,” he said.

 But “the language is also a problem,” he added. “We cannot understand the instructions they give, and in the battleground that can be dangerous.”

 Sent to the frontlines in Ukraine, Sharma’s unit—mostly Russian, with six Nepalis—was ambushed even before they reached Kupiansk in the east.

 Explosions killed several of Sharma’s comrades and he was wounded in the legs and hand.

 “Sometimes it felt like a movie.”

 He spent months in hospital before deserting as he neared recovery to seek help from Nepal’s embassy in Moscow.

 “I just couldn’t return” to the front, he said. “So, I took a risk to return to Nepal, thinking I will either go to jail or home.”

 ‘Do not come’

Nepal has banned its citizens from working in Russia or Ukraine in any capacity, to try to prevent their recruitment.

 At least 12 people have been arrested in Nepal for sending people to fight for Russia.

 The men are often taken via India or the United Arab Emirates and taught elaborate lies to dupe authorities, say police.

 “Nepal is a country that believes in non-alignment and in peace,” Nepal’s Foreign Minister NP Saud told AFP.

 “We do not have an agreement with Russia and have requested immediate return of those people.”

 The Russian embassy in Kathmandu did not respond to requests for comment.

 Speaking to AFP by phone from his Russian hospital bed, one wounded Nepali warned his countrymen to resist the lure.

 “No matter how much you prepare, it does not work when the bombs fall and the drones attack,” said the 27-year-old.

 “I request others—do not come.”