Kathmandu: A total of 203 Nepalis stranded in Kerung, China, following the July 8 Bhotekoshi floods have been safely repatriated through the Rasuwagadhi border on Wednesday.



The group, comprised mostly of drivers and their assistants, had been trapped after flooding from the Lhende River damaged the Nepal-China border customs point. The disruption left them unable to return home for more than two weeks.



The Chinese authorities escorted the stranded individuals to the Miteri Bridge, where Nepali officials, including Sindhupalchok Chief District Officer Kiran Thapa and security personnel received them. The returnees arrived in 20 buses arranged for the rescue.



The repatriation followed a formal request by the Nepali government to the Chinese side for assistance in facilitating their return.

203 Nepalis stranded in China rescued after Bhotekoshi floods

Kathmandu: Amid an alarming shortage of drinking water and irrigation caused by extremely low monsoon rainfall, four federal ministers held a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss urgent interventions in Madhesh Province.



The meeting, initiated by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari, brought together Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Dipak Khadka, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, and Minister for Drinking Water Pradeep Yadav. Secretaries from all four ministries were also present at the meeting, held at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.



Minister Adhikari informed the gathering that his ministry has already deployed a technical team to assess the impact of insufficient rainfall on rice plantation in the region. “We will take immediate steps based on the findings and recommendations of the field team,” he said.



A major outcome of the meeting was the formation of a task force comprising joint secretaries from the four ministries. The task force has been mandated to identify pressing issues and recommend rapid solutions to address the dual crisis of drinking water and irrigation.



Highlighting the scale of the problem, Water Resources and Irrigation Secretary Sarita Dawadi revealed that only about 50 percent of the Terai region currently has access to irrigation. She stressed the potential of underground water as a viable solution for both drinking and irrigation needs.



Minister Adhikari underscored the government’s priority in addressing the plight of farmers and emphasized the need for strong inter-ministerial coordination. Minister Khadka echoed similar concerns, stating, “The government is committed to resolving the crisis promptly. All ministries must work in close coordination to ensure swift implementation.”



The prolonged dry spell has severely affected eight districts in Madhesh, raising fears of a deepening agricultural and water supply crisis if timely interventions are not made.

Four ministers meet to address acute water crisis in Madhesh

Kathmandu: On the occasion of the first Monday of Sawan month, all four doors of the Pashupatinath temple are open from 3 am today for the devotees.



Arun Biset, an official of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), shared that provisions have been arranged considering that around 500,000 devotees would visit and pay homage to the holy shrine.



The Hindus perform pooja to lord Shiva with top reverence by fasting on the Mondays of Sawan month.



A large number of devotees thronged the Pashupatinath temple from early morning today, Biset said.



The PADT has stated that tickets of less than Rs 7,500 will not be issued for the special pooja in the month of Sawan.



Likewise, a free meal is served to the devotees at Pashupathinath temple from Marwari Samaj and this arrangement will be continued every Monday this month.



Furthermore, the PADT has ensured a bus service for free along the ring road in the valley on every Monday for the devotees coming to the Pashupatinath temple.

Massive devotee turnout at Pashupatinath on first Shrawan Monday

Kathmandu: Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel announced that the government will soon provide free diabetes testing and treatment for children across all seven provinces. Speaking at a diabetes awareness event in Gaindakot, Paudel emphasized the state's responsibility to ensure healthcare access for vulnerable groups, particularly children and the elderly.



“There is a misconception that diabetes only affects the elderly, but children are also at risk,” he said, adding that the government is finalizing plans for nationwide implementation.



Paudel also called for child-friendly health policies and warned about rising health issues linked to increased screen time among children.



Dr. Sushil Koirala, Country Director of Nura Health Foundation, noted that Type 1 diabetes in children requires lifelong insulin, with only five hospitals in Nepal currently offering treatment. He warned that many cases may go undiagnosed.



The event marked the 47th anniversary of the Vijay Bikash Resource Center and was supported by Gaindakot Basic Hospital and Quest Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.

Government to provide free diabetes treatment for children nationwide: Health Minister

Kathmandu: CPN UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari held a meeting.



The two held one-to-one meeting at the UML's central office, Lalitpur today. The meeting is held on the eve of the party's central committee meeting.&nbsp;



Emerging from the meeting, former President Bhandari briefly interacted with the journalists during which she informed that they discussed contemporary issues of national politics. "I only held talks regarding national politics with him," mentioned Bhandari. "You will learn about other issues through party's official channel," she added. &nbsp;



The Former President also divulged in the gathering of journalists that she already had her party's membership renewed.



The meeting between the Chairman of the ruling party and former President lasted for nearly an hour and half. Bhandari, in her first visit to the UML's central office since she stepped down from the role after serving as the country's Head of the State, was welcomed by UML's Vice-President Surendra Pandey and Secretary of the party's central office, Dr Bhisma Adhikari.&nbsp;



It may be noted that Bhandari, the former Vice-Chairperson of UML, has already announced her return to politics. This issue figured significantly in the previously held UML's secretariat and politburo meetings and subsequently made its way into the meeting with the party leadership today.&nbsp;



Bhandari's return to active politics through her party has drawn a mixed reaction within the party as a section of the party is in favour of her return while a majority of the politburo members in the politburo meeting yesterday were against it, arguing that a person already holding a prestigious position such as the President should not consider returning to politics.

UML Chair Oli, former President Bhandari meet

Kathmandu: Nearly a year after the fatal Saurya Airlines crash at Tribhuvan International Airport, the government-appointed investigation committee has submitted its final report to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.



The report was formally handed over on Friday by committee head and former Director General of Civil Aviation Authority, Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, to Minister Badri Prasad Pandey at a ceremony held at the Ministry.



The aircraft, bearing the registration 9N-AME, was en route to Pokhara for base maintenance when it crashed near the runway on July 24 last year. Eighteen people lost their lives in the incident, with only the pilot, Manish Shakya, surviving.



Speaking at the event, Minister Pandey confirmed that the report had been submitted without any reservations and assured that the government would implement its recommendations. The Ministry made the full report available to the public on its official website shortly after receiving it.



The investigation committee was formed on the day of the crash to determine its cause and propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Final report on Saurya Airlines crash submitted, ministry vows action on recommendations

Kathmandu: Minister for Communication and Information Technology and government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung has confirmed that the government is investigating individuals who failed to return after a recent visit to Spain.



Speaking to reporters at Singha Durbar on Wednesday, Gurung stated that several individuals traveled to a UN conference in Spain outside the official delegation and have not returned. He emphasized that the matter is currently under investigation.



Dismissing media reports, Gurung labeled as "entirely false" the claims that the Prime Minister left behind members of the official delegation. He clarified that accusations linking the Prime Minister to the non-returnees were baseless.



Gurung also noted that, under the government’s code of conduct, the Prime Minister is permitted to take no more than 21 individuals on an official foreign trip, excluding the President and Vice President.

Government probing non-returnees from Spain visit: Minister Gurung

Kathmandu: The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal, led by Upendra Yadav, has officially withdrawn its support to the KP Sharma Oli-led government.



The decision was made during a meeting of the party’s Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday, following a directive from the party’s Executive Committee.



According to JSP-N, the Executive Committee had concluded that the government had "completely failed" and instructed the parliamentary wing to reconsider its alliance.



Acting on that directive, the party’s parliamentary panel decided to end its support.

JSP-N withdraws support to Oli-led government

Kathmandu: The bordering points in Baitadi and Darchula district are to be closed on coming July 24 and July 28 in view of the Panchayat election in the Uttarakhand State of India.



The Panchayat election in the State is being held in two phases: July 24 and July 28.



Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Punya Bikram Poudel, shared that it has been decided to close the border checkpoints in Baitadi and Darchula keeping in mind the impending election in the neighbouring Indian state.



CDO Poudel informed that the Pulghat check point in Darchula district will be shut down from the evening of July 21 upto the morning of July 24.



Similarly, The Jhulaghat check point in Baitadi will be closed from the evening of July 25 till the morning of July 28.



If these check points need to be opened for any contingency or emergency situation during this period, it could be done in mutual consent of the both countries, he added.

Nepal-India border points in Baitadi, Darchula to remain closed on July 24 and 28

Kathmandu: Individuals caught violating traffic rules in Nepal can now attend mandatory awareness classes online, with Nepal Police introducing a fully digital system aimed at reducing hassle and improving transparency.



The new initiative, launched on Sunday by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak at the Nepal Police Headquarters, enables offenders to complete traffic education sessions via the Nagarik App — eliminating the need to physically appear at traffic offices.



The system is targeted at those penalized for common violations such as drunk driving, red light jumping, lane breaches, and speeding. Until now, such individuals were required to attend in-person classes as part of the penalty process.



This latest feature, named “Tech Online Class,” builds on earlier efforts to digitize traffic enforcement, including online fine payment. The class incorporates AI-based monitoring, requiring participants to keep their mobile cameras on and face clearly visible throughout the session. If the face is not detected, the session auto-disconnects after three warnings. Offenders will then need to wait 12 hours to reattempt.



Authorities say the digital transition will reduce paperwork, cut administrative workload, and promote better compliance through a tech-driven system.

Online traffic awareness classes begins for traffic Violators in Nepal

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli cautioned that human existence could be at risk if the population growth does not take place equally alongside development and prosperity.



He said so at a programme organized by the Ministry of Health and Population today to mark the World Population Day-2025 and to introduce the National Population Policy-2082 BS.



Emphasizing the need for development to align with population growth/demographic dividend, Oli stated that everyone should view childbearing as a responsibility towards the Earth.



"Every country has a meaning because of humans. As a human, we give meaning to the earth as well. If there were no population, there would not be country either," the PM asserted, calling for suitable policies and timely action to protect the prosperous existence of human race.



He argued that human race is the most valuable source for creation and thus urged people to stop killing people for personal gain.



Hitting out at irony, he said, "Holding seminars on population while continuing to kill people by making weapons of mass destruction will endanger the existence of humankind."



On a different note, PM Oli urged people not to be swayed by a song that suggests marrying and having three children within 30 years and enjoying life after 40.



The Septuagenarian leader, instead, encouraged one and all to get married on time as per the legal provisions that allows marriage only after 20 years.



Oli's suggestion has a bearing with the decline in the country's annual population growth rate which is currently 0.92 per cent as per the national census 2021. This rate is the lowest in the last 80 years, according to the National Statistic Office's report unveiled later in 2024.



Furthermore, he expressed his concern that while spreading the public awareness to prevent begetting too many children, and added that it has led to the situation where people are not having children at all.



PM Oli asserted that since the population growth is negative even in the developed countries, it could affect the entire world and thereby threaten human existence.

Population decline is a threat to human existence: PM Oli

Kathmandu: The government has doubled the treatment support provided under Nepal’s health insurance scheme for patients suffering from eight critical illnesses. Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel announced that the maximum assistance has been raised from Rs 100,000 to Rs 200,000 starting Shrawan 1 (July 16).



Taking to social media, Minister Paudel stated that the decision was made to ease the financial burden on patients struggling to afford treatment for life-threatening conditions. “As per our previous commitment, from Shrawan 1, insured patients with eight severe diseases will be eligible for up to Rs 200,000 in treatment support through the health insurance program,” he wrote.



The increased coverage applies to patients diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, head injuries, spinal injuries, sickle cell anemia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.



Following Minister Paudel’s announcement, the Health Insurance Board held a meeting on Tuesday night and approved the revised coverage. Executive Director Dr. Raghuraj Kafle confirmed that the new provision will come into effect from Shrawan 1.



In addition to expanding insurance benefits, Minister Paudel emphasized efforts to increase enrollment and strengthen the financial base of the Health Insurance Fund. The government has already introduced a policy to enroll all public and organized sector employees in the program—an existing legal provision that had yet to be implemented. This move is expected to boost the fund’s revenue and ensure sustainability.



The ministry is also coordinating with other government agencies to bring foreign migrant workers and their families under the health insurance umbrella. Furthermore, the government’s new budget has promised to clear the outstanding dues of the Health Insurance Board.



To further strengthen the fund, Minister Paudel has decided to allocate 1% of the income from federal hospital development committees to the Health Insurance Fund. He has also proposed increasing contributions through progressive taxation.



The distribution of government-provided medical assistance will also be channeled through the insurance scheme in order to encourage greater participation. Meanwhile, the Health Insurance Board has taken action against hospitals submitting irregular claims and is upgrading its systems to enhance monitoring and transparency.



These reforms are aimed at expanding insurance coverage, increasing the program’s financial capacity, and ensuring its long-term continuity, officials said.

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