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Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has said it is obvious that the least developed and mountainous countries like Nepal are facing severe and disproportionate impacts of climate change.

"But the global climate agenda and climate processes are yet to sufficiently reflect the plight of developing and mountainous countries," she said while attending wrap up of New York Times- Nepal Republic Media Climate Conclave as the Chief Guest today.

The event was held with the theme of ‘The call of Mt. Everest for Global Climate Action’ and the Minister expressed accolades to the organizers also for choosing to highlight a theme that has threatened the very existence of planet and the humanity.

The theme embodies the clarion call from both a least developed and a mountainous nation for commensurate climate action and climate justice, she said. "We are talking about climate crisis today on the heels of catastrophic floods and landslides that devastated central region of Nepal barely a month ago," the Foreign Minister said, adding that these disasters were evidently the result of an extreme weather event, as the rainfall in many places during the fateful three days amounted to as much as half of the total rainfall Nepal receives throughout the monsoon.

She appraised the gathering that as a result of such disasters, Nepal had to bear a tragic loss of more than 250 lives, in addition to the same number of people in the preceding period of the rainy season. "We are yet to fully appraise the damage to our roads, bridges, hydroelectricity projects, and other public and private property," the Minister added.

She went on to say that scientific community, in particular through the IPCC reports, has unanimously attested that such extreme weather and climate events are caused by global warming and climate change. "It is a matter of gross injustice to Nepal, and similar other nations, with a negligible contribution to Global greenhouse gas emissions to be the victims of such climate disasters." Reminding the assessment of UN Secretary General António Guterres that ‘terrible impact of the climate crisis in the Himalayas’ during his visit to Nepal last October, the Foreign Affairs Minister said this assessment was based on his tour to the Everest and Annapurna Regions, where he witnessed the grim realities of unfolding crisis in the mountain lives and ecosystem. "At this juncture, I recall and re-emphasize his urgent appeal to the international community to ‘move forward with climate action’. "I also echo the distinguished speakers’ call this morning for the urgent need of climate justice.

The developed countries, whose actions precipitated the climate crisis, must provide adequate resources, technology and other supports to the developing countries for their adaptation and resilience building." The promises, from the UNFCCC to the Paris Agreement to the annual CoPs, have been aplenty, but the delivery has been sorely wanting, the Minister said.

She stressed that all climate finance commitments must be met and up-scaled, keeping in mind the need to invest 5-7 trillion dollars annually to green the economy by 2030. "There must be adequate grant based and concessional resources for developing countries to meet their needs for adaptation and resilience building." She sought that all climate funds and facilities, including the loss damage fund that was operationalized from COP28, must be adequately capitalized and their resources should be easily accessible to the developing countries.

The upcoming COP29 in Baku should be an opportunity to take stock and to make concrete progress on all tracks of the climate agenda. For COP29, we are making preparations for effective participation by reiterating the concerns, needs and priorities of climate vulnerable countries, mountain countries and also as the chair of LDCs, the Minister apprised the gathering.

As she shared with them on the occasion, Nepal will underscore the need of easy, smooth, predictable and adequate access to climate finance for the most vulnerable and poor countries.

As underscored by the British Ambassador in today’s event, I agree on the need of collaboration between Global south and Global north to fight global warming and climate change and to ensure climate justice. In particular, without the generous resource and technological support of the north, the countries in the south will not able to weather this crisis, she said. "I also appreciate the New York Times for its extensive coverage on the climate change issues.

Stephen’s made an insightful analysis on the implications of climate change in the global economy, energy transformation, and society and world order as a whole. I believe that the role of media is crucial in the internationalization as well as raising awareness regarding the intensifying climate change impacts and incorporating the voice of the voiceless," she stated. She added that in the COP28 last year in United Arab Emirates, Nepal promoted the mountain agenda to bring awareness of the impacts of climate change in the mountain ecosystem and communities.

Turning to our national plans, the recently implemented 16th Development plan of Nepal includes internationalization of the issues of climate change as an important policy strategy and has prioritised climate diplomacy.

It incorporates programmes to enhance access to climate financing to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation plans to meet our financial and technological gaps, according to Minister Rana. "Similarly, we are committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2045.We are utilizing our vast hydropower potentials to secure clean energy and have already reached 45 percent forest cover in our total area. Global warming and climate change transcend borders, and yet their effects and impacts have varied across regions," she said.

That is why, the Government of Nepal decided in April 2019 to organise Sagarmatha Sambad, a forum meant to discuss on the most pertinent issues of the time in the fields of environment, economy, and other socio-cultural fields.

However, we have not been successful to organise one due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other pressing issues since then. Now, we are working to organise this dialogue in 2025. "Finally, let me reiterate that the discussions today were lively and enlightening with strong call for the global climate action. I believe that they will be really helpful as we prepare for the COP29 as well as in our climate negotiations. I wish that such discussions were held more frequently and that our problems and challenges get the limelight they deserve," she concluded.

More than 237,000 people traveled by air through the Tribhuvan International Airport during the five days of Badadashain festival.

According to the statistics of the TIA office, 160,910 people traveled through the domestic terminal while 78,512 people flew to and from the international terminal of the airport from Phulpati to Duwadashi, i.e. from October 10 to 14.

A total of 2,159 domestic flights and 781 international flights took place on the seven days of Dashain, i.e. from October 10 to 16, said TIA spokesperson Rinji Sherpa.

Due to the increase in the number of both domestic and international flights at the TIA, the domestic as well as international terminal building of the airport was crowded with passengers.

According to the airport office, air flights are becoming normal now. –––

Five dead bodies of the Russian climbers which were retrieved from the Dhaulagiri Peak here earlier today have been transported to Kathmandu by air.

District Police Office Myagdi's Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bharat Shrestha, said the lifeless bodies were collected from an altitude of 7,100 metres of the world's seventh-highest peak (8,167 metres).

A team of Sherpas led by Mingma Sherpa, the proprietor of Seven Summit Treks, Kathmandu picked up the bodies with the help of a high-altitude helicopter and brought them down to the Italian Base Camp of the peak before sending them to the TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj for postmortem.

The climbers had spent a night at the base camp before their ascent. They lost contact with authorities at 11:00 am on October 7 while at an altitude of 7,600 metres on the peak that is located at the Dhawalagiri municipality-14.

They were confirmed dead on October 9.

The expedition was organized by IAM Trekking & Expedition for a total of 14 climbers, but nine decided to cancel their trip midway.

Shrestha said the site is challenging for helicopter landings and cannot be reached on foot. -----

National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal and Swiss National Council's President Eric Nussbaumer held a bilateral meeting in Geneva, Switzerland today.

The meeting took place during NA Chairperson Dahal's participation in the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Switzerland.

During the meeting, they discussed further enhancing bilateral and economic relations between the two countries as well as addressing the international issues and bolstering multilateral cooperation, according to Federal Parliament's Secretariat.

On the occasion, Dahal expressed gratitude on the behalf of Nepali people towards the Swiss government for its important support in Nepal's peace process and conflict management.

Mentioning the common viewpoint that both countries had been upholding in various international multilateral forums such as the United Nations and IPU, he articulated Nepal's readiness for further strengthening the mutual interests and friendly ties between Nepal and Switzerland in bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, the Secretariat said.

Noting Switzerland's exemplary practice of democracy and federalism, he said that Nepal seeks to learn from these practices and further strengthen democracy and democratic institutions.

He highlighted the commitment of government of Nepal towards principle of inclusiveness to ensure participation of marginalized communities in the State apparatus and appraised of the provision of at least 33 per cent participation of women in the federal parliament and province assembly and at least 41 per cent in local levels.

Reaffirming Nepal's commitment towards completing the remaining works of peace process, he said that Nepal was moving towards the goal of sustainable peace, stability and development. "We expect the Swiss government's significant support to conclude the peace process in Nepal," he appealed.

Dahal also informed that the Federal Parliament had formed Nepal-Switzerland Parliamentary Friendly Group, opening the door for the parliaments of the both countries to exchange their experiences, knowledge and support.

Acknowledging Switzerland as one of the important development partners of Nepal, he expressed his gratitude to the government of Switzerland and Swiss citizens for their continuous development assistance.

Likewise, Swiss National Council's President Nussbaumer discussed the strong ties sharing Nepal and Switzerland and expressed his happiness to hold a meeting with his Nepali counterpart, the Secretariat said. Congratulating Nepal for introducing a legislation aimed at transitional justice, President Nussbaumer expressed Switzerland's readiness to assist in its implementation.

He also lauded Nepal for adopting federal governance system through the provision in new constitution, and pledged Swiss government's support in implementation of federalism.

In recognition to the potential of tourism in Nepal, Nussbaumer vowed utmost assistance from the Swiss government in tourism promotion of Nepal. 

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today.

During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, they discussed traditional relations between the two countries, mutual welfare and exchange of cooperation.

Possible support from Japanese government for reconstruction of BP highway damaged by recent landslide and flood also featured in the meeting.

Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transport, Keshav Kumar Sharma, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, among others were present on the occasion.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 43. 22 points to close at 2, 842. 88 points on Wednesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 7. 68 points to close at 493. 98 points.

A total of 13,224,322-unit shares of 320 companies were traded for Rs 5. 66 billion.

Meanwhile, Vijaya laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. (VLBS) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 79. 90 percent.

Likewise, Upper Syange Hydropower Limited (USHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 54 trillion.

The law enforcement body and the air service providers have launched initiative to collect bodies of the five Russian climbers, who died during an expedition to Dhaulagiri peak.

The bodies of the Russian climbers were found at an altitude of 7,100 metres.

Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, Myagdi, Bharat Shrestha, said a five-member team of Sherpa reached the Dhaulagiri peak in a chopper of Air Altitude and started collecting the lifeless bodies.

The five-member team under the leadership of proprietor of Seven Summit Trek, Mingma Sherpa, has been deputed to retrieve the bodies.

The rescue team brought one body at Italy Basecamp from the incident site till 11:00 am and preparation was underway to bring others at the Basecamp, he added.

The climbers had spent a night at the base camp before their ascent. However, they lost contact with authorities at 11:00 am on October 7 They were confirmed dead on October 9.

Collection of the lifeless bodies was delayed due to adverse weather and hostile territory.

The expedition was organized by IAM Trekking & Expedition for a total of 14 climbers, but seven decided to cancel their trip midway.

However, two climbers were successful to reach atop the peak. Earlier, a helicopter had reached the peak to bring the bodies, but returned empty hand. Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest peak in the world.

It is located at Dhaulagiri Municipality-14.

According to the Department of Tourism, only 14 climbers had received permits for the autumn ascent.

 With over 380,000 foreign students, Germany ranks  fourth worldwide among the most popular study destinations.  According to the study carried out by Fintiba, for the first time since 2024, the Indian make up the largest share within this group, replacing the Chinese as the most prominent population group. And the  numbers of Nepali students in German universities are increasing over the past few years. 

A survey conducted by Fintiba, the leading finance and insurance platform for international students and job seekers, reveals that Germany is primarily valued for its career opportunities and openness. Moreover, the German universities can set themselves apart from other top nations for international students (USA, United Kingdom, Australia) with a unique selling point. 

Overall, 71 percent of the surveyed international students indicate that they want to work in Germany, thus seeing their studies in Germany as a springboard for their professional careers. As the most important factor for their career plans, 73 percent of all participatns in the Fintiba survey cite the good career opportunities in the German job market compared to their places of origin. Jonas Marggat, CEO of Fintiba says: Foreign students are generally in a very comfortable situation in the Germany. The high quality standards and almost no tuition fees combined with the subsequent great career opportunities are almost unique world-wide. 

Nevertheless, the remaining challenges, especially the language barrier, must to taken very seriously. Therefore, we at Fintiba ensure that actual complications such as bank accounts and insurances are provided quickly and securely for the students so that they have enough time for the state and university-organized integration courses, he said. Administrative hurdles represent another obstacle for around 20 percent of international students. According to the study, 22 percent of students reported difficulties with immigration authorities, while 17 percent had problems adapting to new academic structures. 

Not only the students, the migrant workers from South Asian countries to Germany is increasing over the past few years. According to Federal Statistical Office, 10565 Nepalese are living in Germany for the study and works.  Similarly, around 2000 temporary residence permit has been granted to Nepali students for the educational purposes. More than 8,000 Nepali are studying in the various universities and every year number is increasing. Over the past decade, Germany is increasing the scholarships quotas for the Nepali students.