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The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal organized the ‘2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum’ on Dec 14 in Kathmandu to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal. The forum highlighted the enduring partnership between the two countries, focusing on the contributions of Korean companies to Nepal’s social and economic development.

The seminar’s guest of honor, Baburam Adhikari, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies, praised South Korea’s significant support in Nepal’s development, especially in the areas of social progress and investment. He described the 50-year journey as a shared tale of mutual respect and values, which has contributed to both personal and economic development in Nepal.

Park Taeyoung, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, underscored the importance of policy development and investment in key potential areas. He reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Nepal as a ‘RAMRO SATHI’ (Good Friend) and emphasized the need for collaboration to foster sustainable development.

In his speech, Ambassador Park stated, “This year holds special significance as we mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Nepal. This milestone reflects the depth of friendship, cooperation, and shared aspirations between our peoples.”

He highlighted the significant contributions of Korean companies in supporting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and CSR activities in Nepal. These initiatives, including sustainable development projects and community empowerment programs, reflect the unwavering commitment of Korean companies to positively impact the environment and society.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to the visionary Korean companies whose donations and capacity-building efforts have not only strengthened economic ties but also improved the lives of many Nepalis. He also called for continued cooperation from the Government of Nepal to ensure a favorable environment for foreign investment.

“This forum represents an opportunity to deepen our understanding of how CSR initiatives can drive sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity,” Park added. “It also symbolizes the enduring friendship between Korea and Nepal, built on mutual respect and shared goals. Let us work together to make the next 50 years of our partnership even more remarkable.”

Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that consensus from all political parties will be ensured to amend the Constitution.

He was speaking at a press meet organized by the Nepal Press Union, Chitwan chapter today.

He stressed the need of the constitution amendment for strengthening the federal democratic republic and the inclusion. "The preliminary dialogue on this issue has commenced. But, the constitution amendment will not be determined by two political parties."

He went on to say that the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, the largest parties in the parliament, had decided to form the incumbent coalition government to promote political stability, prevent corruption, strengthen good governance and economic activities and accelerate the pace of development.

The Minister announced that the existing political alliance between the NC and UML has no issues and it will continue until the next general election to take place in 2084 BS. On a different note, he claimed that the government is highly aware of the guarantee of human rights of each citizen.

He added that the government has no feeling of 'revenge' against Rabi Lamichhane, the Chair of Rastriya Swatantra Party, as the current investigation against him is a legal issue. "It is not expected to raise questions over the legal proceedings in the case," he added.

Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli has urged the entire party rank and file to move ahead in unison and with activeness for bringing positive change in people's lives.

He said so while addressing a two-day national workshop entitled 'Problems of Party's Works at Local Level and Solution', organized by the UML Central Organization Department at the party's central office at Chyasal, Lalitpur today.

PM and Party Chair Oli on the occasion called on the party's leaders and workers, in their capacity as the leaders and workers of a party established in favour of the people and the country, to actively and with unity be dedicated to the national campaign of improving the living standard of the people.

Referring to the struggle and success of the Communist Party of China, and China's present rapid economic development as examples, Chairman Oli said the party needs to be one on bringing positive change in the lives of the people.

He pointed out that ideological clarity and unity should be maintained within the party and it should be oriented towards the journey of socialism, stressing on the need of the workshop's participants to reach its message to the masses.

Presenting the example of the Communist Party of China reaching to power from a situation of nought and achieving supremacy and thereby making China an economic super power now, the UML Chairman reminded that in China there is no system of any party leader opposing the party leadership.

Stating that China has started its journey of socialism with its unique features without copying from other socialist nations, he said in Nepal the UML is also moving ahead towards the goal of socialism.

"Our party is born not only for the sake of politics. It is a party that was born to make the country developed and bring positive change carrying with it the goals of socialism and nationalism. It has been consistently working from the beginning to give the advanced shape to the social condition. The Communist Party of Nepal was established with the objective of fulfilling the people's basic needs like food, clothes, health care and education, and their political rights. The political rights have been achieved and now is the time to work towards economic production and prosperity by maintaining political stability," PM and Party Chair Oli said.

Stating that the desired achievements could not be secured due to the lack of ideological clarity and unity within the party since the historical period, he said a tendency to express one's differences but failing to explore the right way ahead has been seen within the party.

He called for the party to be free of such tendency now. Although the reactionaries have adopted the policy of dividing the Communist Party and rule the country, the Party Chair Oli recalled how the founding leader Pushpalal had made efforts at maintaining the party unity.

He urged one and all to be free from the tendency of 'my way or highway' and to work for the interest of the people and the country by adopting the right thinking. The chairpersons, secretaries and chiefs of the organization departments of the UML's all the province and district committees, two additional women from province committees, the central chairpersons and general secretaries of the people's organizations and the mayors and deputy mayors elected from the party are attending the National Workshop that kicked off on Saturday.

President Ram Chandr Paudel has appointed ambassadors to various five countries in accordance with the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

Spokesperson at President's Office, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, informed that President Paudel appointed Prakash Mani Paudel as Nepal's resident ambassador to Portugal, while Sanil Nepal to Spain, Prof Dr Kapilman Shrestha to South Africa, Sewa Lamsal to Belgium and Dr Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe to South Korea. 

The Biratnagar Kings defeated Chitwan Rhinos by 51 runs in the second match of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) held at TU Cricket Ground in Kathmandu today.

The Chitwan Rhinos, chasing the target of 182 runs set by the Biratnagar Kings, scored only 130 runs losing six wickets in 20 overs.

Amar Rautela of Chitwan Rhinos made the highest scores of 42 runs. He hit two sixes and three fours over 29 balls.

Likewise, Santosh Karki of the same team scored 28 runs, team captain Kushal Malla managed 25 runs and Rabi Bopara 20 runs. Other players from the Chitwan Rhinos, however, failed to score double digits.

Chitwan Rhinos' Rijan Dhakal took two wickets. Captain Kushal Malla, players Sohail Tanvir and Basil Hameed each claimed one wicket.

Likewise, Biratnagar Kings' captain stood as a standout bowler in the match fetching two wickets for his team. Other team members- Chris Sole, Basir Ahmad, Subash Bhandari and Lokesh Bom took one wicket each.

The Biratnagar Kings, which had won the toss and opted to bat first, garnered 181 runs losing five wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Basir Ahmad emerged top scorer for his team by securing half century for his team.

He made 68 runs off 44 balls which included four sixes and four fours. Likewise, Martin Guptill chipped in 45 runs while Rajesh Pulami contributed 33 runs, Nicholas Kirton 8 runs and Deepak Bohora 4 runs. Victorious Biratnagar Kings made 23 additional runs.

The Tanahun Hydropower Project, under construction on the Seti River in Tanahun, has achieved 63 percent completion. With a reservoir capacity of 140 MW, the project is scheduled for completion by July 2025. It is being developed with major investment from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and is closely monitored by a high-level team from ADB and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

On Monday, a team led by ADB’s Nepal Resident Mission Director, Arnaud Kushwa, and NEA’s Executive Director and Chairman of the Tanahun Hydropower Board of Directors, Kulman Ghising, conducted an on-site inspection. They reviewed the construction progress, including the 140-meter-high main dam (Package-1), the underground powerhouse, hydromechanical and electromechanical installations, and the main tunnel (Package-2).

The team held detailed discussions with project management, consultants, and contractors to assess progress, identify challenges, and evaluate the construction schedule. Tanahun Hydropower Managing Director Kiran Kumar Shrestha and Project Chief Shyamji Bhandari provided updates on ongoing activities and existing hurdles.

Highlighting ADB’s focus on the project’s environmental and social safeguards, Mission Director Kushwa urged swift resolution of current challenges to ensure timely and high-quality completion. NEA Executive Director Ghising emphasized the significance of the reservoir-based project in addressing the seasonal electricity demand-supply imbalance and called for collective responsibility to meet the project deadline.

Ghising noted that while structures like the powerhouse and transmission lines are nearing completion, the dam construction remains particularly challenging and sensitive. He directed all stakeholders to prioritize dam construction. Under Package-1, grouting work is ongoing in the lower section of the main dam, with crusher and moisture plants prepared for operations. Main dam construction is set to begin soon, with Package-1, undertaken by Song Da Corporation, Vietnam-Kalika Construction Nepal JV, currently 36% complete.

Package-2, which includes the construction of tunnels, the powerhouse, and hydromechanical and electromechanical equipment installation, is being executed by SinoHydro Corporation of China. The civil structure of the powerhouse is nearly complete, and the tailrace construction has been finished, bringing overall physical progress of this package to 62 percent.

Package-3 involves the construction of a 220 kV double-circuit transmission line from Damauli to Bharatpur in Chitwan, being implemented by KEC International Limited, India. Of the 94 towers required along the 34.7 km route, foundations for 78 towers have been laid, and 69 towers have been erected. The overall progress of this package stands at 74 percent.

Kathmandu Gurkhas defeated Lumbini Lions by 18 runs in the second match of the Nepal Premier League on Wednesday.

In the match held at the TU International Cricket Ground, Lumbini failed to reach the target of 104 runs set by Kathmandu Gurkhas.

Sandeep Zora was the highest scorer with 26 runs for Lumbini. For Kathmandu, captain Karan KC took four wickets and Dipesh Kandel took three wickets. Similarly, Jehard Erasmus took two wickets.

Earlier, Kathmandu, won the toss and decided to bat first and scored 103 runs in 19.2 overs.

Bhim Sarki top-scored with 31 runs followed by Dan Dwthwaite who contributed 21 runs.

For the bowling side, Saad Win Zafar took three wickets while Abhishesh Gautam and Ramon Simmonds took two wickets each.

Lumbini managed to collect just two points in six matches with five loss and one win.

With this defeat, Lumbini have been eliminated from the competition in the league stage, before playing one last game.

With the win, Kathmandu have risen to the fifth place in the points table.

A prominent global advocate for media rights and Chairperson of Media Action Nepal, Laxman Datt Pant, has urged authorities to uphold independent journalism and critical voices in Nepal, emphasizing that dissent should not be stifled under the pretext of combating misinformation or disinformation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Digital Rights Conference organized by the Digital Freedom Coalition in Kathmandu, Pant highlighted the need for respect for both online and offline criticism, urging the government to address governance shortcomings instead of silencing independent media or netizens.

Pant called on lawmakers to ensure that reforms in laws governing digital spaces and media are grounded in Nepal’s constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights and its commitments to international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

“Suppressing free expression in digital spaces without assessing actual harm contradicts the principles of a democratic state,” Pant remarked. He stressed the dual importance of producing factual information while respecting criticism aimed at enhancing governance and strengthening democratic checks and balances.

Pant further reminded that Nepal’s constitution prohibits pre-censorship of journalistic content, warning that any demands for journalists to take down news before publication violate fundamental rights. Pant's comments come amid growing concerns over increasing restrictions on digital space in Nepal.