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A midair collision between an Army helicopter and a jetliner killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft, officials said Thursday, as they scrutinized the actions of the military pilot in the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in almost a quarter century, Associated Press reported.

At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the American Airlines regional jet late Wednesday while it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just across the river from Washington, officials said. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew members, and three soldiers were aboard the helicopter.

President Donald Trump told a White House news conference that no one survived.

“We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation,” said John Donnelly, the fire chief in the nation’s capital.

The crash occurred before 9 p.m. in some of the most tightly controlled and monitored airspace in the world, just over 3 miles (about 4.8 kilometers) south of the White House and the Capitol.

Air crash investigations can take months, and federal investigators told reporters they would not speculate on the cause, according to Associated Press.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder from the Bombardier CRJ700 airplane, agency spokesperson Peter Knudson said. They were at the agency’s labs for evaluation.

The plane was found upside-down in three sections in waist-deep water, and first responders were searching miles of the Potomac, Donnelly said. The helicopter wreckage was also found. Images from the river showed boats around the partly submerged wing and the mangled wreckage of the plane’s fuselage.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said the plane was making a normal approach when “the military aircraft came into the path” of the jet.

One air traffic controller was responsible for coordinating helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes when the collision happened, according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration that was obtained by The Associated Press. Those duties are often divided between two people, but the airport typically combines the roles at 9:30 p.m, once traffic begins to slow down. On Wednesday the tower supervisor directed that they be combined earlier.

“The position configuration was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” the report said. A person familiar with the matter, however, said the tower staffing that night was at a normal level.

The positions are regularly combined when controllers need to step away from the console for breaks, during shift changes or when air traffic is slow, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal procedures.

The Federal Aviation Administration has long struggled with a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas, carrying, among others, a group of elite young figure skaters, their parents and coaches, and four union steamfitters from the Washington area.

A top Army aviation official said the crew of the helicopter, a Black Hawk, was “very experienced” and familiar with the congested flying that occurs daily around the city, Associated Press reported.

“Both pilots had flown this specific route before, at night. This wasn’t something new to either one of them,” said Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation.

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. 

As in his first tenure (2017–2021), US President Donald Trump has signaled his intention to adopt an aggressive Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) to counter China's growing influence in the region. While his administration’s exact approach remains to be seen, Trump’s actions thus far suggest a more unilateral and hardline strategy compared to his predecessor, Joe Biden, who focused on fostering partnerships and multilateral cooperation in the region.

A key question is whether Trump will continue Biden’s approach of strengthening ties with allies and regional partners or pivot to a more isolated stance, prioritizing direct US action. Another point of uncertainty is whether his administration will focus on a military-centric strategy or emphasize economic engagement with countries in the Indo-Pacific. But one thing appears certain: the Trump administration's IPS strategy is likely to adopt a more confrontational tone. This approach could aggravate not only Beijing but also some US partners in the region.

Shortly after taking office, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a high-profile meeting with foreign ministers from Australia, India and Japan—the member nations of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or "Quad." A statement from the US State Department emphasized the group's shared commitment to a “"Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” where democratic values, rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are upheld.

The statement underscored the Quad's collective stance against unilateral actions that attempt to alter the regional status quo through coercion or force. “Our four nations maintain our conviction that international law, economic opportunity, peace, stability, and security—especially in the maritime domain—are essential for the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region," the statement declared. It also highlighted commitments to strengthening regional maritime, economic, and technological security in response to rising threats, while promoting reliable and resilient supply chains. India, as the next host of the Quad Leaders' Summit, is set to play a pivotal role in steering the group's agenda.

China has criticized the Quad, labeling it as an attempt to encircle Beijing and undermine its strategic interests. China's opposition to the Quad's initiatives could escalate tensions in the region, especially as the Trump administration doubles down on its Indo-Pacific focus.

The Indo-Pacific Strategy introduced by the Biden administration in 2022 emphasized collaboration with India and other regional groupings to promote stability in South Asia. During Biden's tenure, India-US relations saw a significant deepening of their strategic partnership. However, Trump's return to power could strain this partnership, particularly due to his hardline stance on tariffs and trade. Trump has already suggested the possibility of imposing a 100 percent tariff on imports from BRICS nations, including India—a move that could severely impact the trade relationship between Washington and New Delhi.

Trump's approach to China is also likely to exacerbate existing tensions. Having already initiated a trade war with Beijing during his first term, Trump has signaled his intent to escalate economic pressure on China. In a recent press conference, he hinted at imposing a 10 percent across-the-board tariff on all Chinese goods as early as Feb 1. Such a move would likely lead to further deterioration in US-China relations, with significant ramifications for the global economy.

Beyond trade, Trump’s previous decisions—such as withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization—have raised concerns about the US’ role in addressing global challenges. These moves could undermine US credibility and influence in the Indo-Pacific, where collaborative efforts on climate change, public health, and sustainable development are crucial.

Despite these challenges, Trump is expected to continue working with India to counter China's influence in the region. Reviving talks with North Korea, a hallmark of his first term, may also resurface as a diplomatic priority. However, Trump’s stance on Taiwan, a critical flashpoint in US-China relations, remains uncertain.

Nepal, a strategically located country in South Asia, is unlikely to remain unaffected by these geopolitical shifts. Nepal’s relations with both India and China are integral to its foreign policy, and any significant changes in US strategy toward these powers will have a ripple effect on Kathmandu's diplomatic calculus. For instance, further deterioration in US-China relations could constrain Nepal's ability to navigate its relationships with both nations.

Additionally, Trump's policies on global issues such as climate change, health and minority rights are likely to impact Nepal directly. The country, which is already grappling with the challenges of climate change, relies on international cooperation and funding to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies. A more isolationist US approach could hinder Nepal’s efforts in these areas. Changes in US funding or support for health services and rights related to sexual and gender minorities could also have social and economic repercussions.

As Trump’s administration takes shape, it will be crucial to monitor how his Indo-Pacific Strategy evolves and its implications for the region and beyond.

Donald J Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th President of the United States, marking a remarkable political comeback. On Sunday, Trump pledged to issue nearly 100 executive orders aimed at reversing or eliminating policies enacted by the Biden administration. These orders primarily target immigration, energy policy, and a range of other issues.

Foreign policy experts suggest that Trump’s return to office warrants close attention to his trade war with China, his approach toward Asian allies like Japan, South Korea and the Philippines, and his “America First” foreign policy. These stances could bring significant shifts to multilateralism and global diplomacy, with considerable effects on the Indo-Pacific region. Trump's transactional approach to diplomacy is expected to heighten tensions in critical areas such as the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan.

Regarding Nepal, shifting US global priorities could impact American assistance in climate change and health sectors. Political analyst Chandra Dev Bhatta notes that while American foreign policy has shown consistency over time, recent years have highlighted ideological differences between Republicans and Democrats. If Trump 2.0 adopts a more aggressive foreign policy, Bhatta predicts it will manifest through economic measures, particularly tariffs. “If Trump becomes a ‘tariff man,’ it will have a ripple effect globally due to the interconnected nature of the world economy,” Bhatta said.

For smaller countries like Nepal, where economic stakes are lower, the focus will remain on geopolitics over geo-economics. However, navigating this geopolitical landscape will become more challenging, Bhatta adds, as geopolitics and geo-economics are increasingly intertwined. He also highlights potential domestic implications for Nepal stemming from Trump’s policies, especially his declared funding cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency and Governance (DOGE) and the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda. If these cuts are implemented, they could significantly affect funding both domestically and internationally.

Trump’s immigration stance could also impact Nepalis in the US, particularly if he enforces stricter policies on undocumented immigrants. Bhatta speculates that such policies might be part of a bargaining strategy, commonly referred to as the ‘madman theory,’ or a genuine intent, the outcome of which remains uncertain. Additionally, Trump’s efforts to consolidate power in Asia under the MAGA banner will likely exert geopolitical pressure on countries like Nepal.

Strategic thinker Binoj Basnyat believes that Trump’s second term is likely to continue Biden’s legacy in Asia due to the region’s growing importance in global trade, security and geopolitics. He emphasizes that managing rising challenges, fostering alliances and ensuring stability will shape US strategies. India’s role as a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific region will be central to these efforts. The US will likely continue leveraging frameworks such as the 2017 “South Asia Policy”, the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” strategy and the 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Basnyat highlights that these strategies align with containing China’s rise while strengthening ties with India, designated as a major defense partner in 2016. Initiatives like the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, established in 2018, will continue to influence smaller South Asian nations, including Nepal. He notes that global competition and great power influence are shaping national politics in South Asia, with Nepal’s political parties also reflecting these dynamics.

Basnyat asserts that Nepal’s strategic stability is shaped by global geostrategic factors, including the Post-Cold War syndrome in Europe, the New Cold War in the Indo-Pacific and proxy wars in the Middle East. He suggests that under any potential geopolitical scenario, Nepal’s strategic trajectory will largely depend on its relationships with New Delhi and Beijing. However, Nepal should also prioritize its ties with Washington as a third neighbor, balancing national interests without falling into strategic traps.

During the Joe Biden administration, US engagement with Nepal increased significantly, with over $700m in foreign aid provided since 2019 through the US Department of State and USAID. These initiatives focused on health, economic growth, democracy, governance and food security. One of the primary US priorities in Nepal is the smooth implementation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project. Recently, American private companies have also expressed interest in investing in Nepal’s tourism, medical and other sectors. Meanwhile, the US push for the State Partnership Program (SPP), pending since 2022, remains a contentious issue.

During Trump’s previous tenure, the 2019 Indo-Pacific Strategy report sparked controversy over its implications for MCC and other bilateral initiatives. The Biden administration carefully avoided conflating these issues in bilateral discussions. Observers suggest Nepal should closely monitor Trump’s policies toward India and China, as they could indirectly affect Nepal.

In an interview with ApEx, Katie Donohoe, USAID’s mission director in Nepal, highlighted the agency’s enduring mission despite changes in US administrations. She remarked, “Since USAID was established in 1961, there have been 12 presidential administrations, and this will be my fifth transition working with USAID. While new administrations bring different policy priorities, USAID’s core mission has remained consistent.” Donohoe expressed confidence that USAID will adapt to align with the new administration’s priorities while continuing to collaborate with the government of Nepal and its people.

The United States supports Nepal in maintaining strong relationships with all its neighbors, including China, provided these ties are based on mutual respect and uphold Nepal’s sovereignty and independence, a senior US official has stated. Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, highlighted this message during his two-day visit to Nepal, which concluded on Monday.

Speaking with a select group of journalists, Lu said, “We support Nepal in making its own independent decisions without external influence.” His remarks underscore the US stance on fostering Nepal’s ability to act as a sovereign state in its foreign and domestic policies.

During his visit, Lu held meetings with key political leaders, including Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN (Maoist Center) Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and senior government officials. He assured them that US-Nepal collaboration would continue regardless of changes in Nepal’s political leadership. Lu, who has been actively engaged with Nepal for the past four years, played a pivotal role in securing the endorsement of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact in 2022. Reflecting on its progress, he noted, “There has been real progress in implementing the MCC compact, growing the USAID portfolio, increasing US investments in Nepal, and expanding the presence of US volunteers.”

Lu also praised the recent virtual meeting between Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and global tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. He described it as a promising development for boosting investment and trade between the two countries, calling it “fantastic.” Additionally, he commended Nepal’s political parties for advancing the transitional justice process, saying, “The passage of transitional justice bills through consensus marks a significant achievement, though challenges and difficult steps remain ahead.”

On the issue of climate change, Lu reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nepal in addressing its vulnerabilities. He recognized Nepal’s expectations for increased development assistance and private sector investment from the US, expressing optimism about further collaboration in tackling climate-related challenges.

However, Lu refrained from commenting on Nepal’s recent agreement with China on Framework Cooperation for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), citing the lack of public disclosure. “I have many questions about the BRI agreement, but I hope it will be shared transparently so Nepali citizens can understand its contents,” he said. He also declined to comment on provisions in the joint statement issued after Prime Minister Oli’s visit to China, particularly those concerning Taiwan. Nevertheless, he emphasized that transparency in such agreements is essential for ensuring public trust and accountability.

Lu’s visit reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening ties with Nepal while supporting its sovereignty, sustainable development, and independent decision-making.

Nepal and the United States signed an agreement on the bilateral consultation mechanism.

The signing ceremony was held at the State Department in the US on Monday.

Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba and Acting Undersecretary for Political Affairs, John Bass, signed the agreement from the respective sides.

The officials from Foreign Ministry of Nepal and the State Department of USA would dwell on a range of issues in the consultations and dialogues as per the agreement in Kathmandu and Washington DC.

The foreign ministers from both the countries held a discussion on the issues of common interest between Nepal and the USA.

The program was attended by Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, Nepal's Charge de Affaires in the USA, Kumar Raj Kharel, and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu.  

Foreign Minister Rana left for Doha on Monday itself.

The fourth edition of the joint military drill between the Nepali and US security forces has started today.

The exercise will see an exchange of knowledge regarding the methods and procedures to be adopted to make post-disaster search and rescue effective.

The joint drill will be held in Kathmandu, Makawanpur and Dhading districts, according to the Nepal Army, Directorate of Public Relations and Information.

The joint exercise has been conducted since 2012 with the aim of enhancing disaster response capacity through sharing of experiences in the field of disaster management and humanitarian assistance.

The drill will conclude on September 20.

Police have arrested a 51-year-old man from the state of Texas on the charge of murdering 21-year-old Nepali student Muna Pandey.

Pandey was reported to have been murdered at her apartment in Houston, Texas last Saturday. According to police, Bobby Singh Shah was arrested on the charge of murdering Pandey and his photo has been released.

The Houston Police found Pandey's body in her apartment at 6363 West Airport Boulevard last Monday at 5:35 p.m. The staff of the apartment had called the police.

Police recovered the body of Pandey who was shot dead. The police had released the picture of the suspect on Wednesday.

Suspect Shah was arrested the same evening.

The US States said that freedom of press, accountability, and transparency are guiding principles for the United States as it continues to work for “a more perfect union.”

“We expect that as Nepal continues to show its hard-won democracy, the Government and people of Nepal will also have a meaningful dialogue about how to ensure good governance, freedom of the press and people’s fundamental rights,” reads a statement issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

The Embassy issued the statement a day after police detained Kailash Sirohiya, chairperson of Kantipur Media Group (KMG) in connection to an alleged fake citizenship case filed against him in Dhanusha district.

Prior to his arrest, Sirohiya issued a statement on Kantipur TV, saying that the arrest warrant against him was issued with the aim of blackmailing Kantipur daily and its other sister news outlets into stopping the coverage of cooperative frauds.

Sun Haiyan, deputy minister of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party visited Nepal from Jan 26-29. Among other engagements, she held a meeting with second-rung leaders of the national parties represented in the federal parliament. At the meeting, she said that some forces were trying to spoil Nepal-China relations. Sun didn’t name names but she was hinting at the US and India. 

Of late, bilateral exchanges between the two countries have increased. China has also become more vocal and loud in Kathmandu. At the same time, India and the US have also expedited bilateral exchanges with Nepal at multiple levels. Meanwhile, the current government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal is grappling to maintain cordial ties with all three powers. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is led by Nepali Congress’s Narayan Prakash Saud who is an inexperienced politician in the realm of foreign policy and international relations. This article delves into how the current government is dealing with India, China and the US. 

India

With India, the Dahal-led government has adopted the approach of focusing more on development and economic partnership. Foreign Ministry officials say the signing of power trade agreement with India to export up to 10,000 MW electricity is a key remarkable development in bilateral relations. The agreement, they say, has also created a conducive environment for foreign investment in Nepal’s hydropower sector. Another significant development linked to this deal is India’s nod to allow Nepal to export 40 MW electricity to Bangladesh, which is likely to be operationalized from July this year. After a long time, the dream of regional power has been materialized.

Similarly, officials claim several connectivity and other bilateral projects are moving ahead, and the government has been able to secure Indian support for survivors of the Jajarkot earthquake. India has also increased the grant amount by InRs 1bn to be provided to Nepal under the fiscal year 2024-25. In the new provision, India will be providing Nepal with a total grant of InRs 6.50bn.  

As far as the long-standing issues such as border disputes and the report of Eminent Persons’ Group is concerned, it seems that the present government has adopted a different approach. The Dahal government is unlikely to push India to receive the EPG report. 

As for the Treaty of Peace and Friendship 1950, according to a top diplomat, the present government is of the view that there should be an all-party consensus within the country before approaching India. On border disputes, the government reckons that both political and bureaucratic levels should work simultaneously. 

Speaking at a program a few days back, Foreign Minister Saud said that border disputes between Nepal and India should be resolved on the basis of political consensus. “We have a joint technical committee in this regard. The committee should be activated after which the leadership of both countries should resolve this problem diplomatically based on the facts,” he said. 

China

After the formation of the Dahal-led government, bilateral engagement and exchanges between Nepal and China have increased notably. China seems serious about expediting the works of some projects, such as Ring Road expansion and maintenance of Araniko Highway, among others. Similarly, the two sides have started the paperwork to expedite the construction of cross-border transmission lines while preparations have begun to construct an agro industrial park in Chitwan and Gorkha. 

Over the past few months, both air and road connectivity between the two countries have widened. But the current government still faces the criticism of giving less priority to China, particularly concerning the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Beijing has been pressing Kathmandu to sign the BRI implementation plan at the earliest, but the Dahal-led government has not shown much enthusiasm for it.  

A few days back, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha said at an event that Nepal and China were working to finalize the BRI implementation plan. But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made it clear that Nepal will not take loans from China to realize the BRI projects.

 With big projects, such as those envisioned by the BRI, showing no signs of progressing, China has of late directed its focus on small projects in Nepal, ones that could immediately bring changes in people’s life. A senior official at the Prime Minister’s Office says as the Nepali Congress has been dictating the conduct of foreign policy, there has been little progress in regard to bilateral partnership with China.

While Beijing is pleased with the position taken by Prime Minister Dahal and the senior leaders of major parties against the independence of Taiwan, China still seems wary of the growing influence of Western countries in Nepal.

US

Foreign Minister Saud says there has been substantial improvement in the relationship with the US. For some years after 2018, the Nepal-US ties mainly revolved around the issue of ratifying the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through parliament. The much controversial issue has now been resolved following the parliamentary endorsement of the MCC Nepal Compact, but some technical details are still there. 

In the MCC, rising cost of the proposed projects is one of the key issues which needs to be resolved through bilateral talks and negotiations. Nepal has already made it clear to the American side that it is not in a position of investing more money in the projects.  

In the past, the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS), seen by many as a tool to curb China’s growing influence, had also impacted the Nepal-US relationship. But the American side has managed to downplay the IPS concerns, though some of its components are under implementation. 

During his visit to the US, Foreign Minister Saud held talks with his American counterpart Antony Blinken and other high-level government officials. Along with increasing the volume of bilateral assistance, American private companies have shown interest to invest in Nepal’s tourism, agriculture, medical and other areas, and they are seeking an appropriate environment. In 2023, there was a series of visits from the American side. In the meeting with Saud, Blinken said Nepal is a valued partner in the Indo-Pacific region which has given a clear message that America accords high priority to its relationship with Nepal.

The United States of America has requested Nepal to become a member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

Till now, more than 55 countries have joined the OGP. At a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud at Washington, DC, USAID Administrator Samantha Power discussed the matter.

It is not clear how Nepal reacted to the US offer. USAID Spokesperson Jessica Jennings said: Administrator Power reinforced the US government’s partnership to further strengthen the relationship with Nepal and recognized Nepal’s democratic progress, including potential membership in the Open Government Partnership.

During the conversation, the duo discussed the impact of USAID’s long-standing investment in Nepal and discussed the new development priorities.  According to the spokesperson, Administrator Power expressed commitment to advancing Nepal’s inclusive economic development and highlighted USAID’s work with the Nepal government and private sector to unlock the country’s investment potential. After the bilateral talks with his American counterpart, Foreign Minister NP Saud is holding talks with heads of USAID, MCC and other development agencies.

Saud also held a meeting with US International Development Finance Corporation's CEO Scott Nathan where he highlighted the measures taken by Nepal to enhance private investment in various sectors of the economy and urged DFC to encourage the American private sector to invest in Nepal.  

CEO Nathan said DFC wants more projects in Nepal, including in infrastructure development, energy, and agro-business, apart from its current involvement with SMEs. He noted that DFC is not only involved in financing, but also helps to create the ecosystem for private-sector development.

Minister Saud also participated in a talk program titled Nepal’s Foreign Policy Outlook hosted by the United States Institute of Peace. Speaking about Nepal’s foreign policy orientation, Minister Saud stressed Nepal’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy which is based on the Charter of the United Nations, non-alignment, and principles of Panchasheel. “Our conduct of external relations is based on a balanced and independent outlook, which is rooted in the historical fact that we were among the few countries that always remained independent, free from any colonial rule,” he said.

Highlighting Nepal’s political transformation of historic proportions, the Minister said, “We ended armed conflict in the country by establishing a home-grown peace process tailored to our requirements. We were able to settle differences by making a democratic constitution. That happened in Nepal. In the country of the Buddha, peace prevailed; democracy prevailed. In this journey, the support from our partners like the USA was important.”

A handful of Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Tuesday ousted Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as party infighting plunged Congress into further chaos just days after it narrowly averted a government shutdown, Reuters reported.

The 216-to-210 vote marked the first time in history that the House removed its leader, with eight Republicans voting with 208 Democrats to remove McCarthy. McCarthy told reporters he would not make another run for speaker.

"I fought for what I believe in," McCarthy said. "I believe I can continue to fight, but maybe in a different manner."

The House looked set to go leaderless for at least a week, as multiple Republicans said they planned to meet on Oct. 10 to discuss possible McCarthy successors, with a vote on a new speaker planned for Oct. 11.

Tuesday's rebellion was led by Representative Matt Gaetz, a far-right Republican from Florida and McCarthy antagonist who finally turned on the speaker after he on Saturday relied on Democratic votes to help pass a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown, according to Reuters.

"Kevin McCarthy is a creature of the swamp. He has risen to power by collecting special interest money and redistributing that money in exchange for favors. We are breaking the fever now," Gaetz told reporters after the vote.

It was the latest moment of high drama in a year when the Republican-controlled House brought Washington to the brink of a catastrophic default on U.S. debt of $31.4 trillion and a partial government shutdown.

Republicans control the chamber by a narrow 221-212 majority, meaning they can afford to lose no more than five votes if Democrats unite in opposition.

McCarthy's ouster as speaker brings legislative activity in the House to a halt, with another government shutdown deadline looming Nov. 17 if Congress does not extend funding, Reuters reported.

The White House said it hoped the House would move swiftly to choose a replacement speaker, a position second in line to the presidency after the vice president.

The Nepali population was the fastest growing Asian group, growing from almost 52,000 people in 2010 to almost 206,000 people in 2020, according to the US Census Bureau. 

More than 5.2m people identified as Chinese, the largest group among respondents who were Asian alone or in combination with another group, according to Census. They were followed by Asian Indians with 4.7m people, Filipinos with 4.4m people and the Vietnamese population at 2.2m people. California was home to the largest share of the six most common Asian groups in the US New York had the second-largest share of Chinese residents, while Texas had the second-largest share of Asian Indian residents.

The United States had 3.5m residents who identify as Middle Eastern or North African, Venezuelans were the fastest-growing Hispanic group last decade and Chinese and Asian Indians were the two largest Asian groups, according to the US Census Bureau.

The most detailed race and ethnicity data to date from the 2020 census was released Thursday more than three years after the once-a-decade head count, which determines political power, the distribution of $2.8trn in annual federal funding and holds up a mirror to how the US has changed in a decade. The delay was caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of a new method to protect the confidentiality of participants.

Among the census respondents who identified as white, English was the most common detailed group written down on the form where people were asked to elaborate on their backgrounds, with 46.6m people saying they were English alone or in any combination. They were followed by those identifying as German, with 45m people, and Irish, with 38.6m people. 

With inputs from agencies

The United States of America has congratulated the entire Nepali community on the occasion of the Constitution Day- 2080 BS (2023).

Issuing a press statement today, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended best wishes to the Nepali community on the occasion of Nepal's Constitution Day. 

"On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of Nepal on the occasion of Nepal’s Constitution Day on September 20. This is a moment to recognize Nepal’s achievements and the enduring friendship between our nations," he said in the statement.

He stated that robust people-to-people ties between Nepal and the US are the cornerstone of bilateral relationship, fostering understanding, trust, and goodwill.

 "As we commemorate this special day, we look to renew our commitment to these invaluable connections that promote peace, cooperation, and mutual prosperity between our two nations," he added.

A US Army team has arrived in Kathmandu to participate in the military exercise of the Nepal Army.

Twelver American soldiers under the leadership of American military officer Lim Commnter arrived in Kathmandu today.

Nepal and the US will hold the joint military drills from September 10-29 in Kathmandu Valley.

The Nepal Army said that the joint military drills will focus on disaster management, search and rescue and humanitarian assistance among others.

It has been learnt that a total of 42 personnel— 30 from Nepal and 12 the US will take part in the drills.

The Nepal Army has been conducting joint military exercises with the soldiers of Britain, India, China, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Bangladesh, and Israel.

Every year, the US State Department comes up with its annual reports on different thematic issues of the countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Such annual reports provide insights into how the US views other countries. 

In this article, we present the major highlights of the key US reports such as 2023 Investment Climate Statements, Trafficking in Person’s Report, International Religious Freedom Reports and Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.

This week, the US State Department published its Investment Climate Statements. According to the report, hydropower, agriculture, tourism, ICT sector and infrastructure have significant commercial potential for investors. Nepal has an estimated 40,000 megawatts of commercially-viable hydropower electricity generation potential, which could become a major source of income through electricity exports, the report says.

The report recognizes that Nepal has established some investment-friendly laws and regulations in recent years, but significant barriers to investment remain. One of them is corruption which is impeding the investment climate in Nepal. The report states that political uncertainty is a continuing challenge for foreign as well as domestic investors.

Nepal’s ruling parties have spent much of their energy over the last years on internal political power struggles instead of governance, the report says.

The report further states that there is a lack of understanding of international business standards and practices among the political and bureaucratic class, and a legal and regulatory regime that is not quite aligned with international practices also impede, hinder and frustrate foreign investors. 

The Investment Climate Statements also raises questions about the role of trade unions. “Trade unions, each typically affiliated with parties or even factions within a political party, and unpredictable general strikes can create business risks, although this problem, once common, has diminished in recent years.”

The US report also questions the role of the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), the national anti-corruption body. It says: “The 2015 constitution empowers the CIAA to conduct investigation of any abuse of authority committed through corruption by any persons holding public office. In practice, according to the report, the CIAA arrests and investigations tend to focus on lower-level government bureaucrats.”

According to the 2022 Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International (TI), Nepal ranked 110th among 180 countries, placing it in the range of “highly corrupt” countries. In Jan 2018, local media reported that the CIAA is drafting a bill to replace the Prevention of Corruption Act, with the goal of making the new law compatible with the UN Convention against Corruption that Nepal signed in 2011. But the private sector is opposing some of the provisions of the draft. Nepal is not a member of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

While anti-corruption laws extend to family members of officials and to political parties, the report says, there are no laws and regulations that are specifically designed to counter conflict-of-interest in awarding contracts of government procurements.  

A few months back, the US came up with its International Religious Freedom Report which raised issues that Christian groups continued to report difficulties operating as non-governmental organizations and multiple religiously affiliated organizations reported increased challenges renewing or registering their organizations. Christian groups said they continued to face difficulties buying or using land for burials, especially within the Kathmandu Valley, the report mentions.

It also speaks about the growing influence of India’s Bharatiya Janata Party in Nepal. The report cited Nepali civil society leaders as saying that the influence from India’s ruling party, the Hindu nationalist BJP, and other Hindu groups in India continue to pressure politicians in Nepal, particularly, the pro-Hindu, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, to support reversion to the Hindu state.

The report drew criticisms for its baseless accusation that BJP provided money to Nepali leaders for the Hindu cause. There were reports that the government sought clarification from the US side on the issue but it was never made public.

The US also has significant concerns over the religious freedom of the Tibetan community in Nepal, although the report does mention that there has been some improvement when it comes to the rights of the Tibetan community. The report cites Tibetan community leaders highlighting an increased ability to celebrate some religious and cultural holidays without police interference.

In June this year, the US came up with the Trafficking in Person’s Report which states that Nepal does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so.

In its Country Reports on Terrorism, the US has raised questions regarding the security situation in Nepal’s international airport as well as the open border that it shares with India. A more significant threat is non-Nepali international terrorist groups using Nepal as a transit/staging point for soft targets, the report says. Because of the open border with India and insufficient security protocols at the country’s sole functioning international airport in Kathmandu, the report says, it could be used as a transit or staging point for international terrorists.

In its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the US has provided its perspective on various aspects of human rights in Nepal. On transitional justice, the report says the government and judiciary did not significantly address most conflict-era human rights and humanitarian law abuses committed by the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, police and Maoists. The country’s two transitional justice mechanisms—Commission of Enforced Disappeared Persons and Truth and Reconciliation Commission—are not fully independent.