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The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Development Association under the World Bank Group, and the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) are set to support disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and resilient infrastructure development in Nepal.

The three donor agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the next three years, the World Bank office said on Wednesday.

As per the tripartite understanding, priority will be given to climate-related risk assessment, strengthening of information systems, and climate risk management.

Stating that assistance is indispensable as Nepal is vulnerable to climate-related risks such as floods, landslides, droughts, and melting glaciers, the Office has expressed confidence that it would contribute to Nepal's economic development.

A total of 5,174 prisoners and detainees who escaped during the GenZ protest on Sept 8 are still at large. According to the Department of Prison Management, 14,549 inmates had escaped from various prisons and juvenile reform centers across Nepal. Of them, 8,856 prisoners and 597 juveniles have since turned themselves in or rearrested. Earlier, on Sept 11, the Department had issued a public notice urging escaped inmates and juveniles to surrender at their respective prisons. The notice warned that those who failed to return by Oct 6 would face additional legal penalties under the Prison Management Act, 2079 (2022), and other prevailing laws.

Following the notice, Nepal Police Headquarters also repeatedly called on the fugitives to contact nearby prisons.

Director of the Department of Prison Management, Chomendra Neupane, said correspondence has been made to place the foreign fugitives on a blacklist. Considering the possibility of escape across the open border with India, the Department has shared details of the fugitives with border checkpoints and intensified surveillance along frontier areas.

Similarly, Director General of the Department of Immigration Ram Chandra Tiwari said all escaped inmates have been blacklisted to prevent them from fleeing through Nepal’s airports or open borders. “Given the open border with India, there’s a high chance that some of these fugitives may cross over. We have tightened checks at all border points and circulated their records to every airport,” Tiwari said.

According to Director Neupane, the Prison Act provisions stipulate up to five years in prison or a fine of Rs 50,000—or both for those who escape from prisons, reform centers, or rehabilitation homes while on probation or parole. In cases where inmates were involved in damaging prison property or aiding destruction during the escape, they could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs 100,000.

Neupane further warned that those who knowingly shelter, protect, or conceal escaped prisoners will also face punishment under the same Act. “If anyone is found helping fugitives evade capture or providing them shelter, they could face up to three years in jail or fines of Rs 30,000—or both,” he said.

The Department has formed a ‘Fugitive Search and Arrest Task Force’ in each district, coordinated by the Assistant Chief District Officer, to locate and apprehend the escaped inmates. Despite the large number of fugitives, authorities remain confident. “Since prison administrations have the inmates’ addresses and family records, they cannot hide for long,” Director Nyaupane asserted.

There is a possibility of light rain or snowfall at one or two places in the hilly regions of Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces today.

The weather will remain partly cloudy in the hilly regions and mainly fair in the rest of the country, according to the Weather Forecasting Division.

As per the meteorological analysis, there is a partial effect of the westerly low pressure system in the western region of the country.

The 3rd Trans-Himalaya Communication Conference on Communication and Social Development, jointly organized by the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (CDJMC), Tribhuvan University (TU), and the School of Public Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China will be held on November 7–8 at the Camera Building CDJMC TU. 

The two-day conference will bring together scholars and researchers from the United States, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Nepal to present their research on various aspects of communication.

Prof. Deepak Aryal, PhD, Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, will deliver the inaugural address, while Prof. Khadga KC, PhD, Rector of TU, will speak on “Changing Geopolitical Dynamics and the Rationale of Global Communication.”

“The conference will serve as a platform for cross-border dialogue and collaboration, fostering knowledge exchange on communication, social development, and emerging challenges in the Trans-Himalaya region,” said Dr Kundan Aryal, Head of the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Prominent scholars will include Prof. Arvind Singhal from The University of Texas at El Paso, who will discuss “The Potential of Transcultural Characters and Transmedia Narratives: Implications for Trans-Himalaya Cooperation,” and Prof. Chen Changfeng of Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication, who will present “People vs. the Algorithm: From GEO to Everyday Algorithmic Imaginaries.”

“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China. On this occasion, organizing such a conference is an effort to honor the traditional friendship between Nepal and China and the Trans-Himalaya region,” said Hanhong, Professor at UESTC.

Scholars and participants will engage in presentations, discussions, and workshops over the course of the event, highlighting innovative research and exploring pathways for international cooperation.