19th Democracy Day being observed today
The 19th Democracy Day (Loktantra Diwas) is being observed across the country today by organizing several programs, including offering tributes to the martyrs who sacrificed their precious lives in democratic struggles.
Democracy Day has been observed in commemoration of the historic event when the direct rule and autocratic regime of the King came to an end after the reinstatement of dissolved Parliament..
It may be noted that the autocratic regime was abolished on April 24, 2006 AD ( Baisakh 11, 2063 BS) when the Parliament that was dissolved on May 22, 2002 AD (Jetha 8, 2059 BS) was reinstated.
On the day, former King Shah's proclamation noted, "The House of Representatives (HoR) has been reinstated in accordance with the public sentiment expressed through the present people's movement, keeping in mind the fact that the source of state power rests on the Nepali people and the sovereignty and state power of Nepal lies with the Nepali people".
A meeting of the HoR was convened on April 28, 2006 AD on the strength of the People's Movement with the participation of seven political parties agitating against autocracy and the then rebel Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist).
The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal was proclaimed on September 20, 2015 by the Constituent Assembly through epochal Constituent Assembly elections.
Accordingly, the country is now in the practice of federalism after holding two elections at the federal, provincial and local levels.
Meanwhile, extending best wishes on the occasion of Democracy Day, the leaders of political parties have stressed the need for all forces to unite for the prosperity of the country. It is noted that there cannot be another system of governance better than democracy, so there is an essence to focus all political power towards prosperity keeping this in mind.
Democracy Day has been observed annually since 2008 AD to commemorate the end of the direct and autocratic rule of the then king after the 2006 April Uprising.
India's big move against Pakistan after Pahalgam attack
In reaction to a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people—25 Indians and one Nepalese tourist, India has declared a number of important diplomatic and strategic steps against Pakistan.
According to Firstpost, the Indian government has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which was a long-standing water-sharing arrangement between the two countries.This suspension will remain in effect until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible steps to end its support for cross-border terrorism.
Additionally, India has closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing, a key land route between the two countries, with immediate effect. The government has also revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), requiring those currently in India under this scheme to leave within 48 hours.
Further actions include the deportation of Pakistan's military, naval, and air advisors stationed in New Delhi, who have been deemed persona non grata and given one week to leave. India would also withdraw its own defense, navy, and air advisors, as well as five support personnel, from the High Commission in Islamabad, Firstpost reported.
These actions reflect a decisive shift in India’s approach to cross-border terrorism and signify a substantial escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Trump attacks Zelensky over possibility of Crimea going to Russia
President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday for rejecting a proposed US peace deal that includes recognizing Russian control of Crimea. Trump called Zelensky’s stance a barrier to ending the war, urging him to choose between peace or prolonged conflict, BBC reported.
The US-backed proposal, essential to recent talks, would create a truce along the current combat lines and legally acknowledge Russia's annexation of Crimea, terms Ukraine strongly opposes.
As Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from peace talks in London, Vice President JD Vance warned the US could walk away from negotiations if Kyiv refuses to engage, according to BBC.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s refusal to concede any occupied territory, saying it violates the constitution and international law.
Government to provide Rs 1 million each to family of people killed in Tinkune incident
The government has decided to provide Rs 1 million each to the family of two people killed in the Tinkine incident.
A Cabinet meeting held recently decided to provide Rs 1 million to the families of Sabin Maharjan and Suresh Rajak who died in the Tinkune incident on March 28, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung said.
Similarly, the government has decided to form a 15-member high-level governance reform commission under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
Minister Gurung said that the government has decided to give consent to obtain a loan assistance of USD 100 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for the implementation of an Electricity Transmission and Distribution Project and to form a negotiation team under the coordination of the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to finalize the financial agreement related to the loan.
The government has decided to exempt the royalty for the mountaineering team comprising 10 mountaineers from the Indian Army and 13 from the Nepali Army going to climb Mount Kanchenjunga under the 'Joint Indo-Nepal Summit to Mt Kanchenjunga' program.
The Cabinet has decided to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of Nepal and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
The government has decided to amend the existing organizational structure and posts of the Supreme Court and its subordinate bodies.
Minister Gurung shared that a decision has been taken to approve the Foreign Aid Mobilization Policy, 2082, the Public Procurement (Fourteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2082.
