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The government has decided to endorse the recently issued ordinances through a fast track.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers today agreed to proceed with the endorsements of documents through a fast track by the Federal Parliament's winter session commencing on January 31, according to government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Talking to media in brief following the meeting, he said, "The ordinances issued by the President have been registered in the Federal Parliament. It has been decided to formulate regulations to implement the ordinances."

Stating that it is the constitutional right of the government to introduce an ordinance on a need basis, he said the recent ordinances were meant for promoting good governance and addressing economic challenges.

The meeting decided to observe the "Martyrs Day" tomorrow by organizing various programs.

Ambassador of Nepal to Malaysia, Dr Netra Prasad Timsina, presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia amid a special ceremony organized at Istana Negara (State Palace) in Kuala Lumpur today.

Upon arrival at the Palace, the Ambassador was accorded a Grand Salute by the Prestige Guard. The ceremony was collectively held for six incoming ambassadors in Kuala Lumpur today.

Welcoming the ambassadors, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim congratulated them and extended best wishes for their successful tenure, the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur said in a press release.

Ambassador Dr Timsina was granted an audience by His Majesty Sultan Abrahim where he conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Ram Chandra Paudel to His Majesty and the people of Malaysia.

The Credentials Ceremony was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Deputy Secretary General (Bilateral Affairs) Dato’ Ahmad Rozian bin Abd. Ghani, and Chief of Protocol Dato’ Yubazlan bin Yusof of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador was accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission/Counsellor Mudita Bajracharya.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that all castes and communities in Nepal have unique traditions, customs, and cultures that should be protected and promoted. He highlighted Nepal’s identity as a multi-caste, multi-language, multi-cultural, and multi-religious nation, with each community contributing its distinct cultural heritage.

In his address today during the inauguration of the Sonam Lhosar festival at the Office of the President, Shital Niwas, the Head of State expressed his belief that festivals like Sonam Lhosar play a significant role in strengthening national unity. He hoped the festival would promote mutual goodwill, tolerance, and unity among Nepali citizens.

The Tamang community, with its rich cultural features, remains as a significant group and the Lhosar has its specific and important place and value in the socio-cultural and religious life of the Tamang people, according to the President.

The President inaugurated the festival by lighting a lamp followed by a special puja performed by the Lama priests who chanted mantras. Cultural presentations were also made during the ceremony.

The President shared his understanding that the Sonam Lhosar festival reflects the origin, civilization, cultural existence and identity of the Tamang community. He wished good health, prosperity, and progress for all, as well as the welfare of the entire humanity on this auspicious occasion.

As per the Manjushree calendar, the Sonam Lhosar is celebrated on the Magh Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Magh). This year the festival falls on January 30, Thursday.

Now, there is no ambiguity and speculation, the United States of America has officially said that all foreign assistances funded by or through the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) have been paused for the review. Tammy Bruce, Department Spokesperson, said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is initiating a review of all foreign assistance programs to ensure they are efficient and consistent with US foreign policy under the America First agenda. 

Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and US Agency for International Development (USAID) for review, the Spokesperson said.  President Trump stated clearly that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people, the Spokesperson says, reviewing and realigning foreign assistance on behalf of hardworking taxpayers is not just the right thing to do, and it is a moral imperative. The Secretary is proud to protect America’s investment with a deliberate and judicious review of how we spend foreign assistance dollars overseas, according to the Spokesperson. 

The mandate from the American people was clear – we must refocus on American national interests. The Department and USAID take their role as stewards of taxpayer dollars very seriously, the Spokesperson further added.  The implementation of this Executive Order and the Secretary’s direction furthers that mission. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, “Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” Following the decision, all activities funded by the State Department and USAID have been suspended in Nepal. The Donald Trump Administration has said that it could take 3 months to review all the assistances.