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Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, has urged girls aged 10-14 to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps protect against cervical cancer.

In a video message released on Friday, the Minister highlighted the increasing risk of cervical cancer in Nepal and stressed that vaccination is a key preventive measure.

"The nationwide vaccination campaign will target girls from grade six to 10, and the Department of Health Services will also ensure access to the vaccine for out-of-school girls aged 10-14," said Minister Paudel in his message.

He also called for the enthusiastic participation of all relevant stakeholders, including women community health volunteers and representatives from the health and education sectors, to help make the campaign a success.

Minister Paudel urged girls from the target age group to get vaccinated at their respective schools or nearby centers.

The government is set to launch the HPV vaccination drive from February 4-18, aiming to vaccinate 1.68 million girls.

The government has expressed grief over the death of 12 people including seven Nepalis in a rail accident occurred in Jalgaon near the Pardhade railroad station in Maharashtra.

The accident occurred on January 22.

Issuing a press statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and wished for a speedy recovery for the injured.

The Ministry confirmed the demise of Nepali citizens Kamala Nabin Bhandari, Lachhiram Pasi, Himu Nandaram Bishwakarma, Nandaram Padhma Bishwakarma, Maisara Kami Bishwakarma, Jokla Kami and Radheshyam Radh Nepali.

Out of the four injured Nepalis, three are receiving treatment at a local health facility and one is in critical condition at Godawari Hospital, Jalgaon.

The Ministry stated that officials are coordinating with the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi and concerned Indian agencies through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to repatriate the bodies of the deceased Nepalis and provide necessary medical treatment to the injured passengers.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire has said that Nepal has been adhering to the 'one China' principle with strong commitment.

The Speaker said this while addressing a program organized by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China on Thursday evening, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and the Chinese New Year 2025.

On the occasion, he said that China has been a reliable and important development partner of Nepal for a long time.

"Nepal and China have age-old, close, friendly and cooperative relations. Our relationship is cordial, harmonious and multifaceted, built on a strong foundation of mutual trust. Geographical and cultural commonalities as well as people-to-people ties have further strengthened our bilateral relations," the Speaker said.

He said such programs would contribute a lot in further strengthening the existing economic, social and cultural ties between the two countries.

Stating that this year is the Year of Snake as per Chinese tradition, he expressed the belief that this New Year would bring more happiness, progress and prosperity to the Chinese friends.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song said that China has made excellent progress in the last year facing various challenging situations.

Ambassador Chen said that under the central leadership of the Communist Party of China, especially under the guidance of Chairman Xi Jinping, China has ensured its economic development in the midst of a complex international situation.

He said that during the visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China, the Cooperation Framework Agreement was forwarded to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative to take ahead the China-Nepal Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

The Chinese Ambassador said that this has taken the strategic partnership of long-term friendship between Nepal and China towards development and prosperity to a new height.

"The development of a three-dimensional connectivity network between the two countries is gaining momentum, 14 traditional border trade points have been fully operational and 48 direct flights are operating in a week," he said and expressed pleasure to see friends of the two countries visiting each other for tourism, more Chinese entrepreneurs coming to Nepal to invest and do business in Nepal and export of more and more Nepali goods to China.

This week, opposition parties have become increasingly united against the KP Sharma Oli-led government. In response to mounting pressure, the government has called for the winter session of Parliament to begin on Jan 31. A key issue remains the government’s controversial decision to introduce nearly half a dozen ordinances, which has sparked national debate. Criticism has come not only from opposition parties but also from within the ruling coalition, with senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Shekhar Koirala openly expressing his displeasure.

Dissent within the NC is growing more pronounced. While some leaders, like Koirala, are covertly working to alter the coalition dynamics, others, including NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, are focused on improving the government’s performance. Meanwhile, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has intensified efforts to disrupt the coalition. In the recently concluded Central Committee meeting of his party, Dahal presented a political document emphasizing alliances with revolutionary forces rather than with parties like the NC or CPN-UML. This week, Dahal openly stated his intent to topple the government, declaring: “This government will not last long. If it collapses, NC will become our partner.” Dahal’s public suggestion that Prime Minister Oli should step down is a significant shift, marking the first time such an open challenge has been issued since the coalition’s formation. One NC leader remarked, “The game to remove Oli has already begun, but we cannot predict how long it will take.”

Dahal is actively engaging with opposition parties to bolster parliamentary support and enhance his bargaining position with the NC, should the government fall. However, Janata Samajbadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav has publicly stated his refusal to support Dahal, complicating Dahal’s plans. Within the NC, the dynamics are equally intriguing. While Koirala’s faction is quietly maneuvering against the government, Deuba and Thapa are determined to stabilize the coalition. Thapa, in particular, is collaborating with senior UML leaders to explore ways to improve the government’s performance. Deuba has also urged NC ministers to deliver better results, reaffirming his commitment to maintaining the coalition.

Within the ruling UML, preparations are underway for the party’s general convention to elect a new chairman. While Oli’s position appears secure, some senior leaders have started aligning with former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, potentially posing a challenge to his leadership. In a significant development, UML announced it would not pursue unification with its splinter group, CPN (Unified Socialist), led by Madhav Kumar Nepal. However, it extended an invitation to leaders and cadres from the splinter group—excluding Nepal himself. This week, Bam Dev Gautam, a prominent figure who had been sidelined in party politics, announced his return to the UML. Gautam’s re-entry could alter the party’s internal dynamics, as he is expected to strongly back Oli. To consolidate his position, Oli might elevate Gautam within the party, potentially sidelining senior leaders who are shifting toward Bhandari’s camp.

On the international front this week, Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US President has sparked concerns in Nepal. His executive orders and policy decisions, including potential deportations of undocumented Nepalis in the US, could have significant repercussions. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization could also impact Nepal’s climate change initiatives and health sector, which rely heavily on international support. Additionally, US assistance for Nepal’s gender and sexual minority communities might be affected. These developments have prompted government officials and foreign policy experts to assess the potential implications for Nepal.

To highlight the effects of climate change in the Himalayas, Nepal has scheduled the Sagarmatha Sambad, a global dialogue, from May 16-18 in Kathmandu. This event, originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will focus on the theme “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity.” If successful, it will mark Nepal’s first major international dialogue of this kind, offering a platform to spotlight critical issues such as the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers. The government faces the challenge of ensuring high-level participation from countries and multilateral organizations to enhance the event’s significance. Strong collaboration between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be crucial to its success. Social media has already drawn attention to the issue, with many users sharing photos of snowless mountains, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change.

In another development this week, the Department of Immigration’s latest Nepali Departure Report reveals a troubling trend. In 2024, 66,835 Nepalis left the country permanently, obtaining residency abroad, compared to approximately 70,000 in 2023. Additionally, 856,422 Nepalis sought foreign employment. These figures highlight an ongoing exodus, with no signs of abating.

Meanwhile, the dry winter season has persisted, raising concerns about a prolonged drought. Rising temperatures may offer some respite from the cold but pose significant risks to agriculture, water resources and public health. The dry conditions also increase the likelihood of wildfires, some of which have already been reported. The government must prioritize preparations to address these challenges.

In another story, the Cabinet has endorsed a bill regulating social media in Nepal, though its contents have yet to be disclosed. This move has sparked curiosity and concern among the public, who are eager to learn about the bill’s potential implications for digital freedoms and expression.