Buddha's philosophy will remain alive until human existence: PM Dahal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today said the Buddhist philosophy would remain alive until human existence.
Wishing for world peace, which he said is required, today at a programme organised at the Ramagrama Stupa in West Nawalparasi district, the PM said we achieved the feat of spreading the message of peace across the globe.
Lord Gautam Buddha's teaching is confirmed as more necessary and relevant in the present time, he mentioned. The Prime Minister also pledged to implement the master plan for the development of the stupa while saying that far sighting work would be carried out for its restoration, conservation and development.
Stating that the programme would spread the message of global peace, he mentioned that the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and himself pledged for world peace.
"This programme is expected to not only spread a new message in the globe, but will also help play an important role in the religious, cultural and touristic development of the Ramagrama Stupa and the entire Lumbini area", underscored PM Dahal.
Saying that the international community has been appealed for the conservation and development of the Buddha-era heritages, he expressed his commitment to play an important role in the development of the Buddha-time heritages. He said that he is inspired by the philosophy, thoughts and teachings of Buddha.
Similarly, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati informed that the government had carried forward a comprehensive plan for the development of Tilaurakot, Lumbini and Ramagrama Stupa.
"Although Nepal is multi-lingual and multi-ethnic, people of all religions and communities follow the Buddhist philosophy; this is religious tolerance, this is a message of unity," stressed the Prime Minister.
The event was attended by representatives of various foreign countries and Buddhist followers from various countries.
RPP to hold Central Committee meeting from Dec 17
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to hold its Central Committee meeting on December 17-19 in Kathmandu.
Party senior leader Rajaram Shrestha said the meeting has been summoned to endorse the party's new regulations after discussing its draft. The meeting is likely to reshuffle roles and responsibilities of some party leaders.
During the party's unification convention, it was agreed to draft the party's new regulations. The meeting will discuss the party's candidacy in the upcoming National Assembly election announced for January 25 and the party's probable alliance with other political parties.
Similarly, the by-election of the House of Representatives to be held in Ilam is also the agenda of the meeting where party Chair Rajendra Lingden is scheduled to present a political report and general secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana will float the party's organizational report.
Likewise, the meeting is expected to review the country's latest political, social and economic scenario and the party's presence in the Parliament. The meeting aims to prepare strategies for further strengthening of the party organization.
Australia to halve immigration intake, toughen English test for students
The Australian government says it will halve the migration intake within two years in an attempt to fix the country's "broken" immigration system, BBC reported.
It aims to slash the annual intake to 250,000 - roughly in line with pre-pandemic levels - by June 2025.
Visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers will also be tightened under the new plan.
Migration has climbed to record levels in Australia, adding pressure to housing and infrastructure woes.
But there remains a shortage of skilled workers, and the country struggles to attract them.
Unveiling a new 10-year immigration strategy at a media briefing on Monday, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said the migration system had been left "in tatters" by the previous government.
A review earlier this year found the system was "badly broken" - unnecessarily complex, slow and inefficient - and in need of "major reform".
A record 510,000 people came to Australia in the year to June 2023, but the minister said her government would "bring numbers back under control" and reduce the annual migration intake by around 50%, according to BBC.
Among the new measures are tougher minimum English-language requirements for international students, and more scrutiny of those applying for a second visa - they must prove that any further study would advance their academic aspirations or their careers. There are some 650,000 foreign students in Australia, with many of them on their second visa, according to official data.
The visa pathways for migrants with "specialist" or "essential" skills - like highly-skilled tech workers or care workers - have also been improved to offer better prospects of permanent residency.
The new policies will attract more of the workers Australia needs and help reduce the risk of exploitation for those who live, work and study in the country, Ms O'Neil said.
Opposition migration spokesman Dan Tehan has said that the government was too slow to adjust migration policies designed to help Australia recover from the pandemic.
"The horse has bolted when it comes to migration and the government not only cannot catch it but cannot find it," he said at the weekend.
The Labor government's popularity has dwindled since its election last year, and in recent weeks it has been under pressure from some quarters to temporarily reduce migration to help ease Australia's housing crisis, BBC reported.
However others, like the Business Council of Australia, have said migrants are being used as a scapegoat for a lack of investment in affordable housing and decades of poor housing poli
Gajurel resigns over serious differences
Kathmandu: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s political advisor and a close confidante during the decade-long insurgency and after, Haribol Gaurel, has resigned in the wake of “some serious differences” with the head of the government. Gajurel said he put in papers a week ago after the PM turned down his suggestions on politics and governance.
The Cabinet is yet to endorse his resignation, though.
Multiple sources informed that Gajurel resigned after PM Dahal did not heed his suggestions on issues related to governance and politics. A source said Gajurel resigned as holding on to the job was likely to give rise to more disputes with PM Dahal.
