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Ukraine urged Global South countries on Friday to do more to prevent their citizens from being recruited to fight for Russia in its war on Ukraine, presenting to the public what it said were eight prisoners of war from such countries.

Those people included five men from Nepal, and one each from Cuba, Somalia and Sierra Leone, according to Petro Yatsenko, a representative at the Ukrainian government’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

“By showing these citizens who are captured, we are saying that perhaps it is necessary to use more radical, more effective steps so that tens, hundreds of these people won’t be conned by agitators,” he told reporters in Kyiv.

“If we take a country with a low level of income per population, there is a high probability that some citizens of that country may be recruited by Russia and used as storm-troopers, cannon fodder,” Yatsenko said.

Last week, India said it uncovered a major trafficking network which it said lured young men to take jobs in Russia before sending them to the front. In December, Nepal said it asked Moscow not to recruit its citizens into the Russian army and to send back any Nepali soldier serving there.

“As long as they aren’t decreed by a court to be mercenaries, we are treating them in the same way we are treating other prisoners of war,” Yatsenko added. He said the number of foreigners fighting for Russia appeared to have risen as the flow from Russian prisons dropped.

Russian response

French President Emmanuel Macron should stop sending weapons to Kiev and propose a ceasefire agreement to parties to the Middle East conflict, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. Commenting on the latest initiative by the French leader who said he would ask Russia to observe a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Paris Olympics, the Russian diplomat said: “I come forward with a proposal in response to Macron’s: Stop supplying weapons being used to kill (civilians) and also stop sponsoring terrorism.” “I also suggest that Macron come up with a similar proposal to the parties to the Middle East conflict. A lot probably depends on what France says there,” Zakharova maintained. — TASS

The main opposition Nepali Congress has called for an impartial investigation into cases of cooperative fraud.

When a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) commenced, NC lawmakers stood up from their seats, prompting Speaker Devraj Ghimire to grant time to NC general secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa to express his views.

Thapa highlighted allegations against incumbent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Rabi Lamichhane, in cooperative disputes, questioning his suitability to remain in office amid these controversies.

According to Thapa, Minister Lamichhane is allegedly embroiled in disputes related to Surya Darshan and Suprim Cooperatives, casting doubt on his eligibility for the ministerial position until these issues are resolved. Thapa underlined the need for an impartial investigation, stating, "It is uncertain whether he is guilty or not. He will undergo an investigation. However, he faces allegations of cooperative misappropriation. The question arises whether the accused individual can ensure an impartial investigation."

Thapa stressed on the need of creating an environment for cooperative victims to reclaim their deposits, calling on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to make efforts towards establishing such an atmosphere.

He said while the NC wished for a smooth operation of the House, they awaited a prompt response from the Prime Minister regarding its concerns.

After listening to Thapa, the Speaker expressed hope that the government would pay attention to the matter, acknowledging its significance.

Police have arrested CPN (Maoist Center) Vice-Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara in connection to the gold smuggling case.

According to a police source, he was apprehended from Bhairahawa on Monday morning.

Police nabbed Mahara while he was going to Rolpa via Rupandehi.

Earlier, a high-level commission formed to probe the gold smuggling had recommended action against 21 individuals including nine Chinese nationals.

The commission had also recommended action against 12 persons including former Speaker of the House of Representatives Mahara.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane submitted the report, presented by the commission on Thursday, to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday.

Later, a meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to implement the report of the commission.

As per the same, Home Minister Lamichhane directed the concerned security agencies to arrest the people involved in the gold smuggling.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pledged to lend necessary support and cooperation for the development of Pokhara, the Tourism Capital of Nepal.

In his address to a function organized to announce Pokhara as the Tourism Capital of Nepal today, the Prime Minister said the government will accord top priority to develop Pokhara as further green, safe, systematized, beautiful and prosperous city.

He also assured of seeking support and cooperation from the international development partners for the enrichment of infrastructure development needed for the tourism capital. The Prime Minister said the Investment Summit that Nepal is hosting next month will be helpful in such efforts.

The Prime Minister on the occasion announced that the government will take initiatives to operate commercial international flights from the Pokhara International Airport.

According to the Prime Minister, the government will take further measures to effectively operate the Korala-Tribeni transit serving as the gateway to Muktinath, the famous religious shrine.

He said that the scale of cooperation and monitoring will be intensified to conclude the Mid-Hill Highway and the Muglin-Pokhara section along the Prithvi Highway. He called for cooperation among the private, government and civic level to promote internal tourism.

On the occasion, Gandaki Province Chief Minister, Surendra Raj Pandey, said the announcement of Pokhara as the Tourism Capital will help in its branding.

Pokhara metropolis mayor Dhanraj Acharya was of the opinion that the announcement would contribute to improving the living standard of the citizens of Pokhara, creating employment opportunities and eliminating poverty.

He pledged to intensify the infrastructure development in Pokhara through combined efforts among the three-tier government.