PM Oli leaving for Spain on June 28

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is leaving for Spain on June 28.

Prime Minister Oli is leaving for Spain at the invitation of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

A Cabinet meeting held on Monday approved Prime Minister Oli's visit to Spain.

He will return home on July 4.

Similarly, the meeting has decided to withdraw the Water Resources Bill. 

 

Government calls for safety of Nepalis based in Israel

Minister for Foreign Affairs Arzu Rana met with Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, on Monday to discuss the evolving situation resulting from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Rana inquired about the condition of Nepali citizens currently in Israel amid the conflict. She expressed concern over the safety of Nepalis living there and requested the ambassador to ensure their protection.

Ambassador Bass assured the minister that Nepalis in Israel are currently safe and that the Israeli government is committed to the security of all foreign nationals, including Nepalis.

The Foreign Ministry has instructed Nepali embassies in Israel and Qatar to prioritize the safety and well-being of Nepali citizens residing in Israel and Iran. Minister Deuba also held telephone conversations with Nepali ambassadors in Tel Aviv and Doha, directing them to remain in close contact with Nepali nationals and provide regular updates on security advisories issued by the respective governments.

According to the ministry, around 5,500 Nepalis are currently in Israel and 12 in Iran. Given the escalating conflict, the Government of Nepal is “closely monitoring the developments and will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and interests of Nepali nationals in the region”.

The ministry has also requested Nepalis in need of assistance to contact the Nepali embassies in Tel Aviv and Doha (Qatar). The Nepali Embassy in Pakistan concurrently looks after matters concerning Iran in the absence of an embassy in the Gulf nation. Nepal and Iran established diplomatic relations in 1964. However, Nepal closed its embassy in Tehran in 1981 following the Islamic Revolution.

Against this backdrop, coordination for Nepalis in Iran is facilitated through the Nepali Embassy in Qatar.

Meanwhile, Biratnagar Metropolitan City Mayor Nagesh Koirala, who had traveled to Israel to study cooperative practices, remains stranded due to the closure of international borders amid the conflict. Mayor Koirala is reportedly taking shelter in a bunker. He stated that he is currently safe in a city located 30 kilometers from the capital. He was scheduled to return to Nepal on June 20, but the escalating tensions and airport closures have made his return uncertain.

 

Student killed in Kalanki school van hit

A student died after being hit by a school van inside the compound of Edify International School in Kalanki, Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14 on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as nine-year-old Sonakshi Yadav of Kuleshwor, Kathmandu, DSP Apil Raj Bohara, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Kathmandu.

Seriously injured in the accident, Yadav died during the course of treatment at the Shaheed Memorial Hospital, Kalankit. 

Six persons were injured in the incident and of them five are undergoing treatment at the Nepal National Hospital and one at the Vayodha Hospital, Balkhu.

The driver of the van was also injured in the accident and is undergoing treatment at the Vayodha Hospital, Balkhu, according to police.

Further investigation into the incident is underway, said police.

 

 

Court orders release of Rana on Rs 300, 000 bail

The Kathmandu District Court on Monday ordered the release of Rastriya Prajatantra Party General Secretary Dhawal Shumsher Rana on bail.

A single bench of Judge Shiva Prasad Khanal ordered the release of Rana on a bail amount of Rs 300, 000.

Earlier, Rana was released on a general date.

Police had arrested and started an investigation after the pro-monarchy demonstration at Tinkune on March 28 turned violent.

On June 13, seven people including Durga Prasain, who is said to be the "field commander" of the protest, were sent to judicial custody on charge of inciting criminal activities in the Capital City.

A single bench of Judge Dhruba Raj Karki of the Kathmandu District Court issued an order to send seven people including Prasain to judicial custody and release 32 others on bail. 

Foreign Minister Rana meets with Israeli Ambassador Bass

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba held a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass at her office on Monday and took updates about the Israel-Iran conflict and latest political developments there.

On the occasion, the Minister expressed her concerns over the situation of Nepali nationals in Israel, urging the government of Israel to ensure their safety.

The ambassador apprised the Minister that Nepalis in Israel are so far safe.. 

On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Nepali nationals currently in Israel and Iran are safe. 

The Foreign Minister also spoke with the Nepali ambassadors to Israel in Tel Aviv and Qatar in Doha, requesting them to remain vigilant regarding the safety of Nepali citizens in their respective regions. 

Qatar is playing a facilitator's role in efforts to de-escalate the Israel-Iran conflict.

The Ministry stated that it is closely monitoring the situation, which has been unfolding over the past few days, and will take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of Nepali nationals when necessary.

 

Iran says parliament is preparing bill to leave nuclear non-proliferation treaty

Iranian parliamentarians are preparing a bill that could push Tehran toward exiting the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty the foreign ministry said on Monday, while reiterating Tehran’s official stance against developing nuclear weapons, Reuters reported.

“In light of recent developments, we will take an appropriate decision. Government has to enforce parliament bills but such a proposal is just being prepared and we will coordinate in the later stages with parliament,” the ministry’s spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, when asked at a press conference about Tehran potentially leaving the NPT.

The NPT, which Iran ratified in 1970, guarantees countries the right to pursue civilian nuclear power in return for requiring them to forego atomic weapons and cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.

Israel began bombing Iran last week, saying Tehran was on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Iran has always said its nuclear program is peaceful, although the IAEA declared last week that Tehran was in violation of its NPT obligations, according to Reuters.

 

Israel says Tehran residents to 'pay price' after Tel Aviv, Haifa attacks

Iranian missiles struck Israel's Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa before dawn on Monday, killing at least eight people and destroying homes, prompting Israel's defence minister to warn that Tehran residents would "pay the price and soon," Reuters reported.

Iran said its parliament was preparing a bill to leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding that Tehran remains opposed to developing weapons of mass destruction. Passing the bill could take several weeks.

Israel is presumed to have a sizable nuclear arsenal but neither confirms nor denies it. It is the only Middle East state that has not signed the NPT.

Israel's military, which has gutted Iran's nuclear and military leadership with airstrikes, said on Monday it had killed four senior intelligence officials including the head of the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence organisation, according to Reuters.

Elderly man dies in Chitwan rhino attack

An elderly man died in a rhino attack in Chitwan.

The deceased has been identified as Jange Kumal (60) of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-28 in Chitwan.

Kumal, who was critically injured in the attack while fishing in the Rapti River behind the Meghouli Serai Hotel on Sunday night, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bharatpur, DSP Rabindra Khanal, spokesperson at the Distrct Police Office, said. 

Police said that they are looking into the case.