Kathmandu: 



Nepal’s International Relations and Global Diplomacy Dialogue (IRGDD) and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce have held talks aimed at boosting cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, education, and other sectors of mutual interest.



IRGDD President Amb. Dr. Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal met with visiting Spanish Chamber of Commerce Director-General Inmaculada Riera i Reñé on August 12 at the IRGDD office in Bishalnagar, Kathmandu. Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in trade promotion, investment facilitation, the digital economy, tourism and cultural diplomacy, education and skills development, and knowledge exchange.



IRGDD Vice-President Amb. Kali Prasad Pokhrel and The Diplomat Nepal publisher Bimal Dhakal were also present at the meeting.



The IRGDD is a Kathmandu-based independent, non-partisan, and non-profit think tank that provides research, training, and policy advice on global affairs. The Spanish Chamber of Commerce is a public body representing trade, industry, and services in Spain, working to strengthen domestic and international business collaboration.

Nepal, Spain explore stronger trade and cultural ties

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended best wishes to the youths on the occasion of the International Youth Day stating that this Day has inspired the youths for making them robust in social, economic, cultural and political sectors. 



The PM has stated that the country's future was in the energy, creativity and dreams of youth. "Our positive thoughts, continued efforts and unified behaviours will fulfill our determinations to make the nation prosperous," the PM stated in a Facebook post by sharing a message of best wishes on the International Youth Day. 



The Day is marked in Nepal and across the globe today with the theme Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond. In Nepal, this Day is being marked since 2073 BS at the call of the National Youth Council. 



According to the UN, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as International Youth Day was adopted by the first session of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in 1998. The recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the fifty-fourth session of the UN General Assembly in 1999. 



The International Youth Day was first marked in 2000. The UN has stated that as development partners work to translate and implement the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments, young people are critical partners. 



It added that youths bring creativity, insight, and deep community ties that help bridge the gap between policy and practice. With over 65 per cent of SDG targets linked to local governance, youth engagement is not a luxury—it is a necessity, the UN stated.

PM extends greetings on International Youth Day

Kathmandu: 



A cremation worker at Pashupati Aryaghat has been taken into police custody on suspicion of removing flesh and bones from a corpse shortly before its cremation.



Kathmandu District Police Office spokesperson SP Kuldeep Chand confirmed that the suspect, a Brahmin employed at the Aryaghat, is being held at Gaushala Police Circle for questioning.



The case emerged after relatives of the deceased—identified as Ram Shahi of Banepa Municipality–9 in Kavre—reported to police that the worker had extracted parts of the body. They alleged the items may have been sold.



Investigators say they are still working to verify the claims, and no evidence has yet been found regarding any sale or the identities of possible buyers.

Cremation Worker Detained Over Suspected Body Part Removal at Pashupati

Kathmandu: Gaijatra, a vibrant cultural festival celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley and several other parts of Nepal, is being observed today with a mix of fun, humor, and satire.



The eight-day festival begins on the first day of the waning moon in the lunar month of Bhadra (Bhadra Krishna Pratipada) and ends on Ashtami. It is dedicated to honoring those who passed away within the past year.



As part of tradition, cows or people dressed as cows parade through the streets, receiving offerings of milk, fruits, beaten rice, traditional bread, curd, grains, and money from onlookers. These rituals are believed to aid the departed souls in their journey to the afterlife.



The origins of Gaijatra trace back to the reign of King Pratap Malla, who instituted the festival to comfort his grieving queen after the death of their son during a smallpox epidemic. Citizens were encouraged to engage in humor, satire, and public performances to show that loss is a shared human experience.



Over time, Gaijatra became a platform for satirical expression, often highlighting political and social issues. The festival was banned after the royal coup of 2017 BS but revived in 2033 BS by the then Nepal Royal Academy (now Nepal Academy).



While the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley remain the core of Gaijatra celebrations, it is also observed in Banepa, Dhulikhel, Panauti, Barhabise, Trishuli, Dolakha, Khotang, Bhojpur, Chainpur, Dharan, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Hetauda, and Pokhara, especially within the Newar community.



The government has declared a public holiday in the Kathmandu Valley today for the occasion.

Nepal celebrates Gaijatra

Kathmandu: 



The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi has confirmed that no Nepali nationals have been found dead in the recent flash floods that struck Dharali in Uttarkashi district of India’s Uttarakhand state.



Citing information from the Uttarakhand Police, the embassy stated that 372 people have been safely rescued from the affected area and two bodies have been recovered. However, none of the victims, either rescued or deceased, have been identified as Nepali citizens.



Meanwhile, five Nepali nationals remain missing following floods and landslides in Baghoda, Pauri Garhwal district, on August 6. Among four Nepalis injured in the incident, three have returned home after treatment, while one is still receiving care at a local hospital.



The embassy said it is working in close coordination with the Uttarakhand state government and India’s Ministry of External Affairs to support ongoing search and rescue efforts and to ensure medical assistance for affected Nepalis.

No Nepali nationals found dead in Uttarakhand flash floods, embassy confirms

Kathmandu: Nepal Adventure Academy has conducted a professional-level training program for trekking guides, aiming to enhance their skills and raise the standard of tourism services in Nepal. The "Advanced Trekking Guide (Pro Level)" training was held from Ashar 20 to Shrawan 20 (corresponding to early July to early August) with the goal of equipping guides with international-level group management skills and techniques to attract and better serve tourists.



A total of 32 participants, including trekking guides, took part in the one-month training program held at the Academy’s office in Chabahil, Kathmandu. The training was designed for both new and experienced guides working in the tourism sector.



Key figures involved in the training included coordinator Som Kusumamaji, training in-charge Narayan Tamrakar, and a team of expert instructors such as Dr. Khulesh Thapa, Punya Prasad Parajuli, Govinda Basyal, Samir Gurung, Lal Bahadur Jirel, Kartike Tiwari, Krishna Ghimire, and many others.



The closing ceremony was held on Tuesday at the Academy’s office and was graced by former State Minister of Energy and current Federal MP Suryaman Dong as the chief guest. In his speech, Dong encouraged the trainees to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the training to promote tourism in their communities and wished them a bright future.



Participants expressed that the training exceeded their expectations, providing practical knowledge that will help professionalize and dignify their careers.



Trainees included Umesh Ghale, Dev Gurung, Kusang Sherpa, Ang Dawa Tamang, Gokul Ghale, Hari Chandra Karki, Bal Kumar Rai, Shital Rai, Member Tamang, Ayush Rai, among others.



The event also saw participation from operators and representatives of several trekking companies, including Mountain Eco Trek, Team Ram Adventure, Mount Magic Trek, Rad Global Adventure, G.G. Trek, Cross Adventure, Nepal Multi Adventure, Himalaya Lover Trek, and Nepal Info Trek.



Training coordinator Som Kusumamaji stated that Nepal Adventure Academy aims to elevate Nepalese trekking guides to an international standard. He added that the training provided is of a global level and the academy is preparing to conduct the next session in an even more practical and modern format.

Nepal Adventure Academy conducts professional trekking guide training

Kathmandu: National Assembly (NA) Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal has shared that inclusive, equitable and creative use of technology was indispensable for the preservation of identity, language and culture of the indigenous nationalities. 



Addressing a programme organised at Basantapur Dabali on the occasion of 31st International Day of the World Indigenous People, Chairman Dahal opined that indigenous knowledge, tradition, language, music, script, art and cultural heritages of the indigenous nationalities could be documented, preserved and promoted through artificial intelligence (AI). 



"Our languages, our stories and our prospective are not in AI database. It's time to utilize technology in our favour. Otherwise, there is a risk of further exclusion and discrimination," he mentioned. The NA Chairman argued that there could arise more challenges than the opportunities if active participation of the indigenous nationalities was not ensured in technology. 



Presenting an example of positive use of technology, he stated that containing Nepal Bhasa, a language of Newar Community, in Google translate is a successful effort to expand linguistic identity at the international level. 



On the occasion, special presentation of the Newari language and food items of Tharu Community were performed. Likewise, Dahal opined that inclusion, federalism, republic and secularism should be implemented for the welfare of indigenous nationalities. "Guarantee of cultural rights of the indigenous nationalities in the process of transforming diversity into unity is mandatory," he mentioned.

Utilization of technology needed for culture preservation, says NA Chairman Dahal

Kathmandu: Heavy rainfall across the country has triggered floods and landslides, completely halting traffic along the seven national highways. 



According to the Police Headquarters, seven major highways nationwide are currently obstructed due to the floods and landslides. 



The roads disrupted include the Koshi Highway in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha; the Nepal-China border bridge in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa; the Pasang Lhamu Highway in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality, Rasuwa; and the Arniko Highway in Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchowk. 



Additionally, the Kaligandaki Corridor in Annapurna Rural Municipality, Myagdi; the Riditamghas Road in Ruru Rural Municipality, Gulmi; and the Jajarkot-Dolpa-Bheri Corridor road section in Aathbiskot Municipality, Rukum West, have also been fully blocked, police informed. 



Furthermore, the road section from Tokha to Nuwakot in Kathmandu; the Mid-Hill Highway in Terhathum; the East-West Highway in Mahottari; the Galchi-Trishuli road in Rasuwa; the Kaligandaki Corridor and Mid-Hill Highway in Baglung; the Kaligandaki Corridor in East Nawalparasi; the Beni-Jomsom road in Mustang; and the Prithvi Highway in Tanahun are operating with one way traffic. 



Similarly, the Sandhikharka-Gorusinge road in Arghakhanchi; the Rapti Highway in Dang; the Shahid Highway in Rolpa; and the Dailekh-Surkhet road section are also functioning with one-way traffic, according to the Police Headquarters.

Seven national highways blocked, one way traffic resumes on 13 highways

Kathmandu: 



The Patan High Court has granted bail to medical entrepreneur and political activist Durga Prasai in two separate cases involving banking offenses and incitement of violence.



A division bench granted Prasai bail of Rs 2.5 million in a banking offense case, while a separate bench ordered his release on Rs 300,000 bail in connection with a violent pro-monarchy protest in Kathmandu on March 28.



The court also granted bail to three co-defendants: Sushil Baral (Rs 50,000), Dandapani Regmi (Rs 10,000), and Tara Rajawadi alias Saroj Gautam (Rs 50,000). All four had appealed a previous order by the Kathmandu District Court that had remanded them in custody.



Prasai faces multiple charges including sedition, attempted murder, arson, vandalism, and organized crime. He had fled to India following the March protest but was arrested and returned to Nepal in April.

Patan High Court grants bail to Durga Prasai in two cases

Kathmandu: The Ministry of Finance held a discussion with the Ministry of Health and Population regarding the implementation of the budget for the current fiscal year, 2082/83 BS. 



During the meeting, the Ministry of Health and Population proposed the recruitment of an additional 2,100 healthcare professionals including doctors and nurses at the federal level to support the expansion of specialized services to the province levels and the upgrading of federal hospitals, according to the Secretariat of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Bishnu Prasad Paudel. 



Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, voiced the critical need for increasing the healthcare workforce to extend services to the province levels and to enhance the overall efficiency and quality of healthcare delivery. 



The meeting also discussed various issues, including the national health insurance scheme, social security measures, the provision of free medicines for children, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Bir Hospital facility in Duwakot of Bhaktapur, and challenges related to burn treatment services.

Health Ministry demands additional 2,100 workforces

Kathmandu: The National Examination Board (NEB) has published the results of Grade 12 today. According to the results published this evening, 61.17% of regular students and 36.49% of partial students have passed the grade 12 examinations. 



In the examinations held last Baishakh, a total of 396,347 candidates had participated in the regular category of which 242,765 students were able to received grades. 



Among them, 38.83% of students received 'non-grade' results, the board said. Similarly, out of 114,640 students participating in the partial category, 41,840 received grades. In total, out of 511,525 candidates, 284,305 received grades, as informed by the chair of the board, Mahashram Sharma. 



Additionally, examinations of 11 regular and 6 partial students have been canceled. The grade upgradation examination for students with non-grades will be conducted on August 13 and 14, the board said.

NEB publishes Grade 12 examination results

Kathmandu: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has directed the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police to launch a fresh and detailed investigation into the rape and murder of Nirmala Panta, a case that has remained unresolved for five years.



During an inspection visit to the CIB office on Sunday, Minister Lekhak instructed officers to conduct a meticulous investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. “I urge the CIB to expedite investigations into all complex cases, including that of Nirmala Panta,” said Lekhak, adding that the rising public trust in the bureau must be upheld through diligent work.



The 13-year-old girl from Bhimdatta Municipality in Kanchanpur was found dead in July 2018. Despite multiple investigations and public outcry, no one has been held accountable for the crime.



Minister Lekhak expressed satisfaction over the bureau’s performance despite limited resources and promised that the Home Ministry would work to improve its infrastructure and capacity. He also announced the formation of a new division within the CIB to tackle the increasing number of financial crimes in the country.



“As public confidence in the police grows, there are more demands for police presence across the country,” he said. “We have increased this fiscal year’s budget to strengthen police facilities accordingly.” He emphasized the need to enhance the CIB’s technological tools and human resources.



At the event, Senior Superintendent of Police Hobindra Bogati presented updates on the bureau’s ongoing investigations, including the Nirmala Panta case, and outlined recent enforcement actions, achievements, and challenges. Inspector General of Police Deepak Thapa, CIB Chief AIG Chandrakuber Khapung, and other senior officials were also present.

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