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Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that the CPN-UML should become the decisive force in the 2027 election. Speaking at a program organized by the Madan Bhandari Foundation on Saturday, she expressed her best wishes for the UML to secure all positions including President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairperson of the National Assembly after the 2027 election.

Bhandari was serving as the Vice-chairperson of CPN-UML when she was elected as the President following the 2017 polls. “I sincerely hope that UML becomes the national decisive force in the country from the upcoming election. Please make it happen,” she said. “Strengthen the country’s economy by securing all important positions. This is also my best wish on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the Madan Bhandari Foundation.”

Bhandari also said UML should now produce another President. “Until UML produces another President, I have to continue being the chief guest at social forums. Besides me, other leaders have also reached important positions from UML,” she said. “But people seek me out for social forums.”

Bhandari requested UML to produce another President. “After that, I’ll be free from this duty,” she added.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, who is in New York to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly, has urged the global community to take initiatives for the safe release of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student, believed to be in the captivity of the extremist group Hamas.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement on Monday, she called attention of the world community for Joshi's release. Minister Rana said Nepal is eagerly waiting for Bipin Joshi's release and wanted the world community to support in this cause.

Ten Nepalis lost their lives in the Hamas' assault in Israel on October 7, 2023. Hamas had taken Joshi captive after the attack.

The foreign minister said the Government of Nepal condemned the raid by Hamas and it has been calling for Joshi's safe release.  

Stressing on the need for collective international efforts for establishing global peace, she said, "We are at a critical confluence in history, facing the highest number of conflicts. So, we have to work with high priority to protect citizens from armed conflicts."

The minister rued that despite international efforts, the world continues to fail to stop wars, bring solutions, restore peace and tranquility, and give hope.

"Even as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, the principles designed to protect civilians are being systematically ignored or misinterpreted by the resourceful and powerful countries," she said, calling for an immediate end to this situation, and for all to move forward with peace and co-existence.

Referencing ongoing conflicts such as the wars in Israel and Palestine, and Russia and Ukraine, the minister called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages and full implementation of Council Resolution 2735 (2024).

She further called for the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws, ensure accountability for violations and respect for international law, including the UN Charter.

Minister Rana condemned the indiscriminate attack on civilians, including the UN officials, humanitarian workers, journalists and health professionals, saying the devastation of Gaza on such a scale and the relentless death of civilians cannot be justified.

She also drew global attention to the near-total destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and basic infrastructure, which has left the entire population in constant fear and deprived of basic necessities like food, education, health, and clean water.

Minister Rana on the occasion urged the international community to put pressure on the warring parties, and find creative solutions to conflicts. She appealed to the world community to be united for peace and co-existence, reaffirming Nepal's commitment as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has pledged to open the Consulate General of Nepal in the western region of the US, California, soon.

Prime Minister Oli, who is currently in New York to participate in the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, leading a Nepali delegation, made the commitment responding to the demand for the same by various organizations of the Nepali community.

There are around 100,000 Nepalis residing in the State. The Nepali Public Relations Committee, Nepali Association of Northern California and other organizations had called for the opening of a consulate office in San Francisco, California reasoning that it has been inconvenient for them to access the service by reaching New York or Washington DC, where the Consulate General of Nepal is currently located.

They have urged for the establishment of a consulate general office in the region as it would address the problems facing the Nepali community for the services, including passport renewal, to a great extent. 

Noting that he was positive to the demand, PM Oli assured that the government would take a decision in this regard soon. "We have already planned to open a Consulate General of Nepal in California soon", he said.

California State is a hub of science and technology as well as Silicon Valley, so Nepal and Nepalis can reap benefits from it, the demand paper stated.

The Committee also called on Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba to draw her attention to the same issue and extended an invitation to visit California.

The Nepali Diaspora representatives had also expressed their interest before the PM that Nepalis living abroad would also play a role for the country's prosperity and development. 

They also discussed with the PM about the issue of dual citizenship and its proper address through amendment to the constitutional provisions. Prime Minister Oli showed concern over disputes within the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

Prime Minister Oli urged all to work with the belief that a one-time Nepali would be a Nepali forever while hinting provision such as nullifying the abroad citizenship for exercising political rights in the country could be made,

In responding to queries from the participants in the political context, PM Oli said there would be no amendments to the constitution on issues such as democratic values, federalism, protection of republican system and sovereignty of the country.

He said that the constitution amendment issue would take the shape of consensus among the parties.

Meanwhile, different Nepali community organizations called on PM Oli and demanded the opening of Nepali Consulate General office in Texas. Likewise, Nepali community representatives based in Canada also urged the PM to take initiative for the establishment of the Canadian Embassy in Nepal.  

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged the Nepali youths living abroad to return home and create employment opportunities.

Prime Minister Oli, who is leading a Nepali delegation to the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, said this at the World Leaders Forum organized by Columbia University on Monday.

He clarified that the national aspiration of 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali' has been put forward to eradicate poverty and ensure the right of all to live with dignity.

Speaking as the keynote speaker at a dialogue on 'Nepal's Journey of Democracy and Economic Development', he said there is only the data of students and youths who have gone abroad from Nepal but not that of returnees.

Noting that the government has brought out programs such as small-scale industries and 'startups' for employment opportunities, PM Oli urged the youths to unite in nation-building as he was clear that the country could not transform without the youth. 

"Nepal's economic situation is not very weak. On the contrary, I see a lot of potential for its prosperity, which we will be able to achieve within a short time if we work hard", he said, adding, "We are a rising democracy. We are also neighbors of economic powers like India and China. In that sense, Nepal is in a position to become a multi-dimensional economy for economic development".

Saying that he was leading a government with two major parliamentary parties that had played a decisive role in Nepal's democratic movement, PM Oli said he had a resolution to maintain good governance and transparency.

"We have no other intention but to make Nepalis prosperous and happy. We are fully committed to the journey of prosperity", the PM shared.

Addressing the 'Lead Free Future: Partnership Launch and Pledging Event' organized by USAID and UNICEF, PM Oli expressed solidarity with the lead-free campaign. He said that Nepal has already understood that the use of lead has affected the health of children.

He clarified that Nepal has been implementing the policy of freeing lead from its use with the understanding that it has affected the health of children and recently brought a bill related to food security in the parliament.

US President Joe Biden's wife Dr Jill Biden, the President of Dominica, the President of Malawi, among others, also spoke on the occasion.