Crisis solution (current year) [partially commented link collection]

Since the Delhi Agreement between seven parliamentary parties and the insurgent CPN (Maoist) of 22 November 2005, the people of Nepal have been waiting in vain for the promised realisation of an inclusive democratic system. Although the then putsching monarchy was abolished and a constitution was passed in 2015 after long power struggles between the political parties, even this was the sole work of the exclusively male leaders of the three major parties, predominantly male Bahuns. The appropriate participation of all social groups, as provided for in the interim constitution of January 2007, did not take place. In this respect, the constitution of 2015 even represented in part a step backwards compared to the interim constitution.
Thus, apart from the abolition of the monarchy, not much has changed since the 1990 system. Numerous fundamental human rights continue to be disregarded. There is no inclusion of all social groups. All power and the majority of all state functions are still in the hands of male Khas Arya, especially male Bahuns.  The latter make up only 6 percent of the population, but the identification of the state and its society and culture, in short the nationalist image of the state of Nepal, is still based on the culture and partly narrow-minded, anarchic, patriarchal and socially discriminating view and thinking of this small minority. As long as this state of affairs continues and the failed generation of political leaders of all parties is not replaced by a younger generation that is inclusive, open-minded, receptive and not exclusively oriented towards personal power interests, there will be no end to the crisis situation.

30/03/2023: 2021 Census: How inclusive is the Nepali state?, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), Why population data matters: It is an integral part of policy formation for the future, by Young Hong (ht), Conflict victims divided over amendment bill : While most victims insist on amendment, a section calls for speedy passage of the disputed bill (kp), Unwarranted cynicism : At the start of his tenure, the new Speaker of the House deserves everyone’s benefit of doubt (kp), Nepal, US conclude Bilateral Land Forces’ Talk : They neither brought up the SPP issue nor put forward any new measures or framework of cooperation, an official said (kp), TRC: Holding Balance Is The Way Out, by Mukti Rijal (rn), Dahal’s dismal performance, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Budget formulation without a finance minister (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

29/03/2023: Amnesty International’s 2022 report exposes Nepal government’s failures to safeguard people’s rights : The annual report has documented cases of violation of freedom of expression and assembly, right to truth, justice and reparation, right against torture and other ill-treatment, indigenous peoples’ rights, women’s rights and right to food and housing among others (nlt), Ruling coalition seeks to keep the Speaker on a tight leash : They want him to follow Business Advisory Committee’s lead. Experts say that’s unfair, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Protest against naming of Koshi Province intensifies : On Tuesday, 25 people were injured when protesters clashed with the police in Biratnagar, by Deo Narayan Sah (kp), Maoist betrayal and reparations : Channelling support to ex-child soldiers through the Maoists would be like asking the fox to guard the chicken coop, by Kul Chandra Gautam (kp), ‘How will there be justice when the court receives bribes?’ A girl, the child of loan shark victims, asked this question to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation Narayan Kaji Shrestha (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

28/03/2023: Amend the bill : As a stakeholder, the conflict victims too have the right to be consulted about the content of the bill (ht), Efforts on to criminalise loan sharking : Six months after the government’s last commitment, a fresh promise is made to take action against loan sharks and ease the woes of their victims, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Govt decides to criminalize loan sharking practice : A meeting of the Council of Ministers decided to amend the criminal code to criminalize the loan sharking practice, according to a minister who attended the meeting (nlt), Govt to send draft of bill against usury to parliament (kh), Ruling coalition homes in on a power-sharing deal : Prime Minister Dahal will expand his Cabinet by Wednesday, if not Tuesday, say his close aides, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), What good are the sister wings of Nepal’s political parties? Sister organisations of political parties are forgetting their roles and gradually losing their relevance, observers say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [They primarily serve the party-political infiltration of Nepali society in the interest of a handful of political leaders!], Ruction in provinces : The current provincial governments are no more than offshoots of federal-level politics (kp), Unfinished political reform : The practice of internal democracy in our major political parties is essentially absent or a sham, by Achyut Wagle (kp), New census results : Vital For Taking Informed Decisions, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Dwindling economy of the country: Tourism and architecture could come to the rescue, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Clash erupts between protesters and police in Biratnagar, 12 injured (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

27/03/2023: National Census 2021: Significant shift in the lifestyle and usage of amenities in Nepali households (ae) [see National Report Volume 01] [Obviously, this report does not include any data on ethnicities/castes, languages, religions, etc. Suppressing data on such issues had been the concern of the monarchy during the Panchayat period to pretend to be a culturally unitary state. If this data is not provided, this will be by far the most worthless census after 1990.], Future of 1.7 million children uncertain as they fail to get citizenship from their mother’s name (rep), Lawmakers against passing transitional justice bill as it is : Ruling Congress is divided with a section seeking revision even as the chief whip says it should be passed urgently, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Opposition slam TRC Bill, ruling alliance soft on it (ht), A crowded, cacophonous cockpit : American, Indian and Chinese representatives will start sniping at each other, as Nepal looks on helplessly, by Biswas Baral (kp), 'Consensus inevitable to overcome economic crisis' (ht), Youths chanting slogans against Prime Minister Dahal sent to jail : The move to shut the mouths of protesters was widely condemned on social media as the Constitution of Nepal guarantees freedom of expression (nlt) [Criticism of the godlike prime minister, who has been exclusively preoccupied with power struggles since he took office on 25 December, is obviously a reason to suspend basic human rights!], Nepal needs robust data protection legislation : Such a law should cover aspects like the data subjects’ right to access, correct, and delete collected data, and to receive compensation for violation of rights , by Harsha Man Maharjan (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

26/03/2023: ‘The country is severely ill:’ NC leader Shekhar Koirala : During the house session on Sunday, Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala raised some pressing issues, while saying that the country’s political system has already witnessed the first step of failure (nlt) [It is not so much the system as the way the authoritarian and power-hungry politicians abuse it for their selfish ends!], No need to give relief to alleged rape victim in Sandeep Lamichhane related case: District Court (kh), Continuing crowding of the Tarai creates multiple concerns : Planners say time has come to push for reverse migration by developing urban centres up in the hills, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), US Army's Asia Pacific Command team visits Nepal (rep) [Why on earth? Nepal is not a US territory!], 22-member US Army team in Kathmandu to enhance bilateral military relations (kh), Nepal’s New Challenges with Super Powers, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

25/03/2023: Nepal is ageing as children’s share in population shrinks : Final census report does not break down population based on ethnicity, language, religion, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Welcome back to the thinking of the Panchayat period when Mahendra and Birendra negated the multi-ethnicity, multi-lingualism and religious diversity of the country and propagated Nepal as a Hindu state of the Khas Arya minority?], Power play: Provinces taking cue from centre : Emerging coalitions are working to remove the CPN-UML from provincial governments, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [This is probably more on the instructions of the central party elite. Nepali "federalism" continues to serve not the urgent need for decentralisation and better inclusion of the multi-ethnic population, but rather for further post creation of the political Khas Arya elite!], Male-female ratio at birth widening (rep) [This points to manipulation, which is likely to be related to the disdain for females in Nepali society and politics!], International rights groups slam bill on transitional justice law : The bill, if adopted in its current form, will not adequately provide for the effective prosecution of serious crimes under international law, the groups say (kp), New bill needs to protect victims, not abusers (ht), Speaking to our Karl Marx: Marxism from a Nepali perspective : Karl Marx, you would be surprised to learn that your proclaimed followers and dogmatic warriors in the forest for ten years have happily shared government power with democrats, republicans, and also those who want the king back, by Gaurav Ojha (nlt), Treading Forked Geopolitical Paths, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

24/03/2023: International rights bodies raise serious objection to Nepal’s transitional justice bill : Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists have said that transitional justice bill needs to protect victims, not abusers adding that proposed law disregards domestic and international legal standards (nlt), Nepal’s Army Chief’s reaction to the size of the national defense force generates controversies : ‘Army's size is not to be dictated by self-proclaimed academics, experts and security experts associated with INGO and NGO but by the government’ (nlt), Concerns after tainted cop’s promotion : Basanta Bahadur Kunwar, who has been promoted to AIG, is reportedly a front-runner for Nepal Police chief, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Basanta Kunwar is the new Nepal Police chief : Other AIGs Tek Prasad Rai, Deepak Thapa, Shyam Lal Gyawali and Kiran Bajracharya were also in the race for the top post (kp), As powerful countries compete for influence, nations like Nepal advised to tread carefully : Given that Nepal’s only two neighbours China and India are arch-rivals, the US seems equally concerned about happenings in Nepal, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Experts urge authorities to prepare for the worst of climate disasters : Amid IPCC’s ‘clarion call’, Nepal should be more proactive to adapt to climate crisis, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Quid pro quo quagmire, by Santa Gaha Magar (nt), “Victims of conflict may forgive, but they will never forget”, interview with human rights activist Mandira Sharma (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

23/03/2023: Can’t buy justice : Dahal is trying to whitewash a grave rights violation: Employing child soldiers in insurgency (kp), Nepal’s Quest for a Dynamic Foreign Minister : Why It Matters Now More Than Ever, by Adhiraj Regmi (kh), Parties yet to seal a deal on Cabinet expansion : Prime Minister Dahal claims no decision has been made to distribute money to disqualified Maoist combatants, by Anil Giri (kp) [All these politicians care about are endless fights for power and posts! A strange understanding of democratic politics!], National Assembly passes resolution to end caste discrimination : The 19-point motion aims to pressure the federal government to work effectively towards ending discrimination and oppression against Dalits (kp), Caste-based prejudice (ht), Stop Political Meddling In Varsities, by Mukti Rijal (rn), What will it take to end child marriage?, by Anushka Nepal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

22/03/2023: United States’ 2022 country reports on human rights practices find faults with Nepal on several fronts : The report mentions Nepal's failure to address transitional justice issues, curb corruption and ensure rights of the Tibetan refugees, among many others (nlt) [see report on Nepal], Govt urged to recruit employees on the basis of ethnicity to implement proportional inclusion (rep), Dahal accused of trying to appease conflict victims : The government recently announced a new cohort of martyrs and cash relief for former child combatants, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s Maoist-led government all set to distribute millions to its cadres as Nepali Congress watches in silence : Maoist have a history of misusing public money. The Maoist-led government, yet again, is set to distribute a huge sum of money to its cadres amid the economic doldrums, by Durga Lal (nlt), Governance hit as parties busy themselves with power-sharing : Ten-party coalition mulls leading both federal and provincial governments by turns, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM Dahal to dole out Rs 9 billion to party cadres (rep), Nepal, US armies to talk next week : Among other things, the meeting will discuss military hardware for the Nepal Army (kp) [The next stage in protecting American interests in Nepal with an eye on China?], Vulnerable Nepali girls forced into prostitution in India : On Saturday, Delhi Police rescued nine Nepali teenagers who were forced into sex work in the city, by Rajesh Mishra (kp), NA lawmakers call for safe society for daughters (kh), History of women lawmakers : To ensure women’s rights, their presence is necessary in Parliament and the law-making process, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Resolution discussed in National Assembly to end discrimination against Dalits (rep), Dalit lawmakers in NA call for building equal society (kh), Bibeksheel Party sees foul play in govt decision not to prosecute RSP prez Lamichhane in passport fraud case (rep), ‘Can the police shut the mouths of citizens?’ (rep)., Indecent behavior case filed against three youths who chanted slogans against PM (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

21/03/2023: Another transitional justice blunder, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), No hope from new amendment bill, interview with Suman Adhikari (ae), As many as 42 conflict victim groups of Nepal raise objections to the faulty transitional justice bill : The victim community has appealed to the Human Rights Commission, Civil Society and Human Rights community, the media, and the international community for solidarity and cooperation in their fights for justice (nlt) [Justice is not desired on the part of the political power fighters who consider themselves indispensable!], Transitional Justice A Difficult Road Ahead, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Coalition split on revising common programme : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal secures a vote of confidence for the second time in 70 days, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), After the vote : There are no signs that Prime Minister Dahal wants to change his errant ways (kp), Discord among Madhesh parties could complicate power-sharing negotiations : Madhesh-based parties all set to join government. They are also preparing for by-poll for a vacant Bara-2 seat, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Hotel industry goes from boom to bust as tourism fluctuates : Frequent plane crashes, misguided policies and political instability cast a pall over the sector that is still struggling to recover from the Covid pandemic, by Sangam Prasain (kp) [When coalition partners agree to change the government three times within four and a half years, it shows that they are neither interested in political stability nor in reviving the economy!], Social Workers in Juvenile Justice system of Nepal, by Biswash Chepang (kh), Law to record conversations being introduced!, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Book on political representation of Dalit unveiled in Kathmandu (kh), Human rights is the business of businesses also, by Santosh Sigdel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

20/03/2023: Child protection in Nepal: Majority of local governments fail to take child rights measures : Out of the total 753 local levels, only 238 have formed a Child Rights Committee, and 246 have deployed a Child Welfare Officer (nlt), Disputed bill to revise transitional justice law lands in House : Plans to endorse the bill through a fast-track process, but the opposition insists on a detailed discussion, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Student politics 101 : Rather than act as pawns of mother parties, student leaders should help improve academic quality (kp) [The responsibility for this aberration lies with the authoritarian party leaders!], ‘Policy inconsistency has created anarchy in governance’, interview with former government Secretary Kishore Thapa on how frequent changes in governments and ministers affect the bureaucracy and the im, pacts of such changes in policies (kp), PM Dahal gets vote of confidence : Gets support of 172 Members of Parliament (kh), Chitra Bahadur KC says democracy in peril because PM takes trust vote every two months (rep), Cabinet Reshuffle : Prioritise Good Governance, Service Delivery, by Ballav Dahal (rn), National security doctrine must address threats due to porous border, by Kanchan Dahal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

19/03/2023: Transitional justice is not revenge : We need to know the truth about what happened during the Maoist conflict that ran from 1996 to 2006, by Mohna Ansari (kp), A prolonged transitional justice process : Lack of proper law is among several reasons obstructing the process, a major component of the peace accord, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Justice for the victims has never been the intention of the top politicians!], Crime and politics: How politics shapes criminal activity : Nexus between politics and crime is evident in the way criminal gangs operate in Nepal. Many criminal gangs have links to political parties and they use their political connections to expand their criminal activities, by Bikash Yadav (nlt), NC to give of vote of confidence to PM Dahal and join govt (kh), RSP to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal : Prime Minister Dahal seeking a vote of confidence Monday (kh), Unified Socialist to give vote of confidence to PM Dahal (kh), Prime Minister Dahal steps up effort to win confidence vote and for expanding cabinet : Coalition partners start lobbying for attractive ministerial berths with the prime minister starting negotiations for power sharing, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Free student union election today after a violent lead-up : Polling is being held while multiple campuses remain padlocked. Like their mother parties, the student wings are also making and breaking alliances in a jiffy, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [This is what the top politicians teach them, which bodes ill for the political future of the country!], Consensus Culture Key To Stability, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn) [The biggest obstacle to political stability are the endless power struggles of the so-called top politicians who completely overestimate their own importance!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

18/03/2023: Question of morality: President Bhandari converts official Twitter account into personal : The official handle of the President’s office now has been renamed to @bidyadbhandari (nlt) [???], Bhandari converts President Office’s Twitter handle into private account : She has converted official handle of the President @presidentofNP to @BidyaDBhandari, by Anup Ojha (kp), Names of National Martyrs published in Nepal Gazette (kh) [And when will the names of (potential) perpetrators be published in the Nepal Gazette?], RSP, Janamat and LSP preparing to form alliance (kp), Citizens Transcending Partisan Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

17/03/2023: Whose country is it anyway? The most powerful individuals in Nepal are all ‘high’ caste men (nt), Nepal’s ambassadors wait—months on end—for political access in Delhi, Beijing : Indian, Chinese foreign ministers have yet to grant Sharma and Shrestha the audience (kp) [This is a sign of contempt for Nepal by China and India!], Ram Sahaya Yadav elected as the new Vice President (kh) [The machos do not even leave this completely functionless office to women, who make up 51 per cent of the population!], Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav elected Vice President : Ram Sahay of the Janata Samajbadi Party defeats Ashta Laxmi Shakya of CPN-UML and Mamata Jha of the Janamat Party to become the country’s third Vice President (kp), BRI platform for economic cooperation, not a geopolitical tool: Chinese envoy : Nepal has not been able to take advantage of China’s Belt and Road Initiative six years after signing it, officials say (kp), Should Deepak Manange be in jail?, by Bhasa Sharma (rep) [Also a case of the great proximity of politics and crime!], As CIAA becomes weak, corruption thrives : A cursory look at the CIAA documents also shows where its focus lies when it comes to curbing and investigating corruption cases. People are registering more and more complaints with the CIAA, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

16/03/2023: Women survivors silenced : The transitional justice mechanisms cannot make the survivors of sexual violence invisible, by Binita Poudel (kp), Divide to rule : The ‘bhagbanda’ politics is undemocratic to the core and an impediment to the country’s growth (kp), Madhav Nepal will become PM after Prachanda: Bimalendra Nidhi (kh), Dahal, followed by Madhav Nepal and then Deuba  will become Prime Minister: Nidhi (rep) [Constantly changing governments deliberately prevent political stability! The power games of the political oligarchy must be ended immediately!], Power-sharing in provinces gets trickier : New ruling alliance has nine members eagerly waiting to make changes in federal and provincial governments, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [This is also related to the fact that policies in the provinces are dictated by the central party elites and this is definitely not the purpose of federalism!], Ruling alliance fails to agree on Vice President : Election body orders Congress to submit clarification after the party announced support to Ram Sahay Yadav (kp), Raut refuses to withdraw Janamat veep candidate, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Girls who marry early face abuse and health issues, by Anushka Nepal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

15/03/2023: Violence against women on the rise : Experts working in women’s rights point out the patriarchal mindset of people, taking the woman as second class citizen, rise in reporting of the incidences and use of various social media as some of the causes for a rise in the number of cases of violence against women, by Sabitri Dhakal (ae), Once sold in Kuwait, she still lives in pain back home : Sanimaya’s tale represents countless Nepali women who are taken to various Gulf countries on visit visas and then are made to work in virtual slavery, by Anup Ojha (kp), Haruwa-Charuwa demand rehabilitation program (kh), Dahal will have a tough time expanding his Cabinet : The prime minister will seek a confidence vote before appointing new ministers, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Prime Minister Dahal to take vote of confidence on April 19 : As per the constitutional provision, the Prime Minister has to retake the floor test if any party that previously supported the government withdraws its backing (nlt), PM Dahal planning to seek vote of confidence on March 20 (kh), NC instructs its MPs to vote for Vice Presidential candidate Yadav (kh) [There can't be enough males in state functions!], Beijing’s long game in Kathmandu : Ideological convictions mean little in Kathmandu, but money never fails to get fast results, by CK Lal (kp), Prime Minister Dahal urges China to invest in Nepal : In the past five years until 2022, China had signed project contracts worth $10.74 billion in Nepal, according to a Chinese official (kp), Mayday call for economy (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

14/03/2023: CLARISSA research reveals pathways to, abuse and exploitation faced by children in the worst forms of child labor : The life stories of the research reveal different abusive and exploitative practices, including harassment and bullying, against children in child labor in the adult entertainment sector by both customers and employers (nlt), Onus on Paudel to save the sanctity of presidency : Observers say the veteran Congress leader has to work hard to detach himself from partisan, personal entanglements; Bhandari’s term was full of controversies as she was often accused of supporting KP Oli, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Crime and punishment: Rights body in Nepal cries foul at the faulty transitional justice bill : The Accountability Watch (AWC) has condemned the government's move to re-register the amendment to the transitional justice law without fulfilling the demands of victims and stakeholders (nlt), The Meaningless Maoist Attack on Judiciary (rep), Complete Transitional Justice Process, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Conflict victims complain of not getting justice yet (kh), Maoists intensify negotiations to form a ‘socialist front’ : They say it’s likely the front would be announced within a few days, aiming to resolve all the remaining tasks of the peace process, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Even this new front would still only be the distant third strongest force, both in terms of parliamentary seats and proportional vote share.], Janamorcha to conduct nationwide campaign against federalism (kh), Political mentorship vital for better future leaders, by Drithata Silwal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

13/03/2023: Amendment of TRC bill becoming controversial again, by Devesh Jha (kh), ‘Regular justice system in play when transitional justice bodies are defunct’, Human rights and constitutional lawyer Raju Prasad Chapagain on ways to take the transitional justice process forward (interview) (kp), Political Impunity: What Politicians Need to Know, by Diwakar Dhakal (rep), Conclude Peace Process In Earnest, by Ballav Dahal (rn), Deprived, under-privileged communities should be brought into mainstream: Speaker Ghimire (kh) [By continuing to give almost all posts to male Khas Arya, especially Bahun?], Vice President: What do they do, really? Experts say time is ripe to review the role of the ‘useless’ position, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [The vice-president has absolutely no function, not even in times of absence or illness of the president. It would make sense to have a clear definition of duties, but then the office could also be held by another state functionary if necessary.], Groups demanding renaming of Koshi Province enforce a shutdown : The agitating groups say the new name, Koshi, does not reflect the region’s history and identity (kp) [The male Khas Arya oligarchy, which controls the country, does not tolerate provincial names with ethnic or regional-historical references!], Three regional parties join hands. Many see it as an alliance against Yadav : With their 14 seats in the House in total, against the JSP’s 12, the three parties expect to have more bargaining power, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Bridging the gap between Sheetal Niwas and Baluwatar, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Rising debt liability adds to the government’s difficulties (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

12/03/2023: Missing Dalits in research institutions : The issues of Dalits won’t be taken seriously when nobody is in the team to put them forward, by Sagoon Bhetwal (kp), Will the real VP candidate please stand up? One reason for multiple candidacies from 10-party bloc is the bid to stop Upendra Yadav from entering Parliament, by Anil Giri (kp), Alliance politics trickles down to student wings : The groups have adopted the well-known tendencies of their mother parties such as factionalism and eagerness for opportunistic alliances, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Continued de-democratisation by the political Khas Arya oligarchy!], Stop the Misuse of Presidential Power of Pardon, by Ravi Nayak (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

11/06/2023: Glorification of rape-accused: How fair?, by Aishworya Shrestha (kh), Poll chief’s statement on Vice President runner creates ripples : Chief election commissioner says the commission will only register candidacy of women from marginalised groups, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [In the interest of better social inclusion, Article 70 of the Constitution should read: "of different sex and community"!], Bankers fear Durga Prasai’s campaign could encourage mass defaults by borrowers : His drive demanding restoration of Hindu kingdom, abolition of federalism and protest against high lending rates hint at his political ambitions, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Unconstitutional causes and campaigns should not be tolerated!], Taking Nation Out Of Political Muddle, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

10/03/2023: Commission deplores discrimination against Dalit community (kh), Cries for justice in Nepal: Conflict victims protest in front of the Supreme Court : Victims of war-era crimes have united to exert pressure on the state institutions to deliver justice on extra-judicial killings. Meanwhile, the government is preparing to endorse a law that can provide amnesty to even those involved in murder, by Kalpana Ghimire (nlt), TRC should settle conflict-era cases, not courts: Maoist factions : To hold press conference on March 12; interaction on March 14 (kh) [But this has been denied for years by all political leaders. The laws in this regard are completely inadequate and are not oriented towards justice for the victims. It is time for the judiciary to take over!], Nepal bill says murder is not serious rights violation : The government registers the new bill at the Parliament Secretariat to amend controversial transitional justice law, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC gives precedence in writ against PM Dahal : Orders to submit a written reply within 15 days (kh), NUP decides to field Chairperson Ranjita Chaudhary as vice-presidential candidate (kh), Ranjita is not old enough to be vice president, NUP to discuss the option again (rep), No male candidates to be registered as vice-presidential candidate (kh), 'Vice-President candidates should be different from President in gender and community' (rn), Janata Samajbadi Party might have to pick a woman for Vice President : While the party has decided on Ram Sahay Yadav as candidate, election officials say the constitution calls for a woman, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Sharing energy benefits : The political economy of Nepal’s energy sector must be realigned to ensure benefit for all Nepalis, by Bishal Thapa (kp), Post-presidential politics : What Ram Chandra Paudel's presidency will look like for Nepali politics, by Shristi Karki (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

09/03/2023: Haunted by the past : The Maoists of various stripes are betraying their lack of commitment to transitional justice (kp), The devastating effects of child marriage, by Anushka Nepal (ae), Flights of desperation : Despite adopting democracy, we fail to address the most pressing but simple needs of downtrodden people, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp), Nepal all set to elect new President today : Ram Chandra Paudel of Nepali Congress or Subas Chandra Nembang of CPN-UML to be elected for a five-year term, by Anil Giri (kp), Ram Chandra Poudel elected Nepal’s President (kh), Ram Chandra Paudel is new President : Out of 52,628 votes by weightage Paudel secured 33,802 while Subas Nembang of CPN-UML garnered 15,518 (kp), Ram Chandra Poudel elected as third president of republic Nepal (rep), Janata Samajbadi Party to field Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav for Vice President : The election to elect a new Vice President is scheduled for March 17 (kp), UML Chairman Oli indicates possibility of UML-NC alliance (kh) [Oli obviously can't help himself! The main thing is to keep the chaos going!], Behind the mask of happiness : In many Nepali households, men continue to make financial decisions, including how women’s earnings are spent, by Mimamsha Dhungel (kp), PM must act fast to salvage economy, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

08/03/2023: Long fight against culture of rape and impunity : Women know the battle for justice won’t be easily won but refuse to give up. They vow to speak up louder, by Anshrica Dewan (kp), More than 5,700 victims of violence against women and girls (rep), Many Achham parents favour boys over girls for schooling : Parents don’t put much effort into educating their daughters since they think that girls will someday leave them and go with their husbands, by Menuka Dhungana (kp), Evolving gender equations : Women should speak up for justice notwithstanding concerns of family reputation or social pressure, by Sushila Karki (kp), Supreme Court to begin hearing petitions against Dahal tomorrow : NHRC expresses concern over unresolved issues, 16 years after the peace accord, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Eight Maoist groups close ranks as judiciary takes up war-era cases : Vow to counter ‘any attempt by court to go against peace process and political change’, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [17 years of empty promises by politicians are enough! It is high time that justice is done for the victims!]. Loose lips sink ships, by Pratik Ghimire (ae), Ruling alliance to strike power-sharing deal only after Dahal secures trust vote : Leaders say they are focussed on electing alliance’s candidates in the presidential polls (kp), Towards political stability : The strength of the House of Representatives should be reduced from 275 to 165 members, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [A series of proposals for a change in the political system, some of which could form a good basis for discussion! What is still missing, however, is the democratisation of the parties and the underlying Political Party Act. The lack of social inclusion and political instability is mainly due to the machinations of the divisive top politicians!], Nepal has public debt of over Rs 2 trillion, by Dilip Poudel (rep), Danger Ahead, Caution Needed! (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

07/03/2023: Empowered Nepali women : Things will change when men who do not do dishes at home stop lecturing on women’s empowerment, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), Women’s participation in state’s bodies being ensured: Speaker Ghimire (kh) [With a few exceptions, the women involved only play backstage roles! More than the 33 per cent of women parliamentarians prescribed by the constitution are not involved anyway. In the Council of Ministers and other institutions, not even this is achieved!], It is difficult to take women to key positions according to legal system: Speaker Ghimire (rep), Eight Maoist factions warn of countering activities against CPA and political change (kh) [In other words: 17 years after the end of the Maoist insurgency, the Maoist top politicians still do not want a legal reappraisal of the crimes of that time!], Parties in Maoist stream to confront all activities against peace pact (kh) [Without these activities there will never be an implementation of the peace pact!], Maoist stream parties' meeting decides to confront activities against peace pact (rn) [Significantly, a meeting of 17 exclusively male politicians, very predominantly Khas Arya!], Writ filed against Prachanda at Supreme Court (kh), SC to proceed writ filed against PM Dahal from Wednesday (kh), Will Nepali Congress band together with Maoist forces in transitional justice issues? Following the Supreme Court order to register a case against Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, war-era Maoist leaders have come together against the decision. Nepali Congress has also indicated to stand in favor of Maoist forces (nlt) [In the time of the insurgency, the NC was repeatedly in charge of the government before King Gyanendra seized power and appointed confidants from the RPP. All of them, including Gyanendra, bear responsibility for the crimes committed by the security forces at that time and must be held accountable just like the Maoist leaders!], Political instability, funds crunch cripple capital spending : Prime Minister Dahal is now heading 16 ministries after alliance partners UML, RSP and RPP quit the government, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Nepal’s opposition politics has been a saga of opportunism : The country’s post-1990 history is testament to the undemocratic nature of opposition parties, irrespective of their ideological bent, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Government lacks budget for free emergency service, screening for non-communicable diseases : Upon their appointment, health ministers promise big but without ensuring budget to fulfil them, say health ministry officials, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Where’s hope? We don’t need the IMF to remind us of the financial hole in which the country now finds itself (kp), Two, five, seven and now an eight-party coalition: Minimal winning or oversized?, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht) [Nepali politics is solely aimed at keeping old and long failed male Khas Arya politicians in power!], Fiscal deficit grows wider as revenue shortfall continues (ae), A proposed Buddhist college in a district bordering China creates heated debate in Nepal’s political sphere : Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli dubs the proposed Buddhist college in Mustang as a “deceitful move against China”. The government assures investigation into the issue (nlt) [Higher educational institutions in the non-Hindu areas of Nepal violate China? Mr Oli, what kind of bullshit is this? Your statements deeply hurt the non-Hindu population of Nepal!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

06/03/2023: Nepal’s Maoist does not want Supreme Court to decide the fate of war-time crimes : Maoist want the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to conclude the pending cases of war-time crimes. The commission, according to observers, has been highly politicized and cannot go against any powerful leaders (nlt), PM Prachanda goes berserk: Threatens to bring thousands of Maoist cadres to the streets : PM Prachanda and his war-era Maoist colleagues are making one after another aggressive statements following the Supreme Court's order to take writ petition against him for deaths during Maoist insurgency (nlt), TRC should deal with “People’s War” cases, not court: Dr. Bhattarai (kh) [The civil war ended 17 years ago, but nothing happens, Mr Bhattarai! All the leading politicians lack any will to do so!], Mishandling of transitional justice process, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Nine parties speak up as court opens way for Dahal’s criminal trial : A bill to amend transitional justice law, in line with court orders, will be tabled in current House session, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Vice President: Will Yadav favour women, minority? Janata Samajbadi chair has the chance to recommend one but insiders say he may trade the post for his own MP bid, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Nepal stares at recession amid depressing market conditions : Economists and market analysts warn instability in the government could make matters worse, by Krishana Prasain (kp), Parties preparing for April 23 by-election in Chitwan-2 : The lower house seat became vacant after Rabi Lamichhane, who was elected from the constituency in November, lost lawmaker status after citizenship document controversy, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp), Alliance Steers Nation In Right Course, by Ballav Dahal (rn) [Just like immediately after the elections? The statements of the top politicians are based exclusively on their personal power interests and may be changed again at any time!], Government directives : Mere publicity stunts, by Mahendra P Joshi (ht) [Government directives do not mean any activity on the part of the ministers, but merely a delegation of their full-time duties. For the ministers, this usually settles the issue and they can pat themselves on the shoulder!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

05/03/2023: Oli lambasts PM over planned Buddhist college in Mustang : The UML chair accuses Prime Minister Dahal of betraying China by accepting India’s proposal and for supposedly trying to make the country a playground of foreign powers, by Anil Giri (kp) [Anti-Buddhist rantings of the Hindu state advocating Oli denying the Tibetan Buddhist Nepalis in Mustang the right to an educational institution to their culture!], Maoist Center objects SC order to register writ against PM Dahal (kh), Suing incumbent PM is part of plot to sideline Maoist Center: Former PM Bhattarai (kh), Petitions holding PM Dahal accountable for Maoist War deaths and destruction: What next?, by Akhilesh Tripathi (rep), Nepal Army’s questionable commitment to rule of law (rep), National security: A notion of geopolitical reality, by GP Acharya (rep), Left Movement in Nepal : Devoid Of Ideological Compass, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Nine parties decide to submit Transitional Justice Bill to Parliament as per SC direction (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

04/03/2013: Under provincial name Koshi, currents of discontent still flow : Madhesh is the only province named on identity basis. Many blame erosion in Maoist ideology, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The fairy tale of social inclusion has long been forgotten! The male Khas Arya minority suppresses any historical and non-Hindu ethnic reference in terms of state ideology and nationalism.], Handle Human Rights Issues with Care, by Randhir Chaudhary (rep), Supreme Court orders its administration to take petitions against Prime Minister Dahal : The petitions by two advocates demand legal action against Dahal, the chief of the Maoist Centre, for publicly claiming responsibility for 5,000 insurgency-era deaths (kp), Nepali Politics Takes A New Twist, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

03/03/2023: Bandi rallying global support for transitional justice process, but victims unconvinced : As he pushes the agenda of legal amendments, stakeholders suspect he is complicit in Prime Minister Dahal’s bid to wrap up the process without punishing perpetrators, by Binod Ghimire (kp), SC orders to register writ against PM Dahal (kh), Beset by poverty at home, Banke women face horror abroad : Several debt-ridden Nepali women who illegally visited Gulf nations for jobs are in captivity and crying for help, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp), The flawed legacy of President Bhandari : Her decisions showed a clear bias in favour of her former party, the UML, say experts, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Opposition sans spirit : Ideological adultery among political parties has crushed the spirit of oppositional politics (kp), US State Department’s report on terrorism paints bleak picture of Nepal’s security system  : The report says an open border with India and insufficient security protocols at Kathmandu airport could make Nepal a transit for international terrorists. How should Nepal respond to it? (nlt) [see report on Nepal], Premiership in instalments, by Rabin Giri (nt), The women connecting Nepal : From Mechi to Mahakali (and rivers in between) women engineers overcome hurdles to make Nepal more accessible, by Sahina Shrestha (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

02/03/2023: Lies going global : Govinda Bandi’s representation at the Human Rights Council signals Nepal’s failure on transitional justice (kp) [This reflects the real aspiration of PM Dahal!], It’s Koshi. Province 1 gets its name, finally : It is the last of Nepal’s seven provinces to be named. The name Kirat-Limbuwan-Sagarmatha was rejected, by Deo Narayan Sah (kp), Police bureau recommends prosecution of Prithvi Bahadur Shah and associates : Calls grow to make former finance minister Sharma accountable for trying to offer political protection to Shah, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Musahar children in Saptari village are still deprived of education : Lack of government identity cards and deprivation are forcing Musahar parents to keep their children away from schools, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp), House meet deferred as Congress and UML both claim main opposition status : As Congress’s claim is challenged in court and UML changes sides, House meeting is postponed till March 19 (kp), Nepal Police's Slide toward Autocracy : Assessing the conduct, investigations, technology, and human rights defense of Nepal Police, by Kanchan Jha (rep), Child marriage; still prevalent and on the rise, by Anushka Nepal (ae), Changes in global power relations and Nepal, by Khadga KC (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

01/03/2023: In Geneva, Nepal pledges justice for the atrocities committed during conflict : Fed up with repeated promises, insurgency victims say, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [Nothing but hollow promises! The former perpetrators sit partly in highest state offices and have no interest in justice for the victims!], PM Dahal’s troubling message (rep), Displaced families of October floods and landslides in Mugu languish in flimsy tents : Resettlement is not in sight while survivors face a shortage of food at their makeshift homes, by Raj Bahadur Shahi (kp) [Nepal's politicians have no time to worry about such unimportant things!], Janamat Party to retain support to incumbent govt: CK Raut (kh), PM Dahal to take vote of confidence after Presidential election (kh), Poll code defers Dahal’s confidence vote : With code of conduct effective until March 19, Cabinet can be reshuffled only after that, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Cabinet reshuffle after presidential election : Parties too busy to discuss portfolios now (ht) [Politicians never have time for their really important tasks!], Prime minister takes responsibility of eight more ministries (ht), NC and UML register proposal to name Province 1 as Koshi Province (kh) [Of course, no historical or ethnic reference! This area was before the Gorkha conquest the territory of the Kiranti states! In addition, the decision should have been made according to the constitution at the latest in August 2018.], Province 1 endorses Koshi as its name : After more than five years since Nepal's adoption of the federal system, the province has finally been named Koshi (nlt), Province-1 named “Koshi Pradesh” (kh), Morang administration bans gatherings, processions in Biratnagar (kh), Nepali Congress, UML register proposal to name Province 1 as Koshi : The CPN (Unified Socialist) and Janta Samajwadi Party have put forward another proposal to name the province as Limbuwan Sagarmatha (nlt), Security agencies express dissatisfaction as govt halts visit of CIA chief, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Why did PM Dahal stop the Nepal visit of US intelligence agency CIA director Burns? (rep) [American interference has been intolerable for a long time. What would the CIA chief be doing in Nepal?], Five posts, including CJ, vacant in SC; increasing pressure of cases and workload (rep), Judges who do not exist cannot pass judgements that are unpleasant for politicians!], 42 positions of judges vacant in high courts, 36 in district courts (rep), Above the law? Former Prez and PM receive millions from the state coffer : Nepal’s Public Health Service Act explicitly prohibits financial assistance for treatment of political leaders. In practice, successive governments have been providing millions for treatment of some powerful politicians without formulating guidelines (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

28/02/2023: Of betrayals and retributions : Economy, employment, and public service delivery remain under the shadow of the farce that is Nepali politics, by Achyut Wagle (kp), NC waiting for PM Dahal’s “gesture” to join government (kh), Dahal loses key ally: Time for another floor test, by Pratik Ghimire (ae), Dahal moulding a small Cabinet after UML pullout : Prime minister thinks inducting new ministers could help keep the new coalition together until presidential polls, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Federal project left in limbo in Karnali districts : The federal government in fiscal year 2019-20 had announced plans to build one hospital each in all local units of Karnali but the project has fallen flat, by Biplab Maharjan (kp) [One of the many failures of the then Oli government, which continued under his successors Deuba and Dahal!], ‘Uninvited foreign guests’ brought political instability: Paudyal (kp), New coalition government will be formed both at federal and province level: Gagan Thapa (kh 28/02/2023) [Since Nepal is a federal state, the national government should not decide the coalitions in the provinces!], Parties Concur On Presidential Candidate, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Durga Prasai forwards 11 points demands, urges abolition of republicanism, federalism (kh) [If the CPN (UML) does not distance itself from this Hindu fundamentalism and Prasai's unconstitutional demands and underlines that Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural secular state, the rule of law attitude of this party must be doubted! The failures of the high-caste male politicians, which primarily include the chairman of the CPN (UML), must not be used as an excuse to question the few hard-won democratic achievements!], How to support Nepal’s local democracy?, by Kushal Pokharel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

27/02/2023: Befriend and betray: It’s all too easy for Nepali politicians : The federal coalition is on the brink with Dahal, CPN (Maoist Centre) chief and prime minister, backing a Congress candidate for President, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Dishonesty, lies and deceit are the essential character traits of Nepal's top politicians!], Sticking To Principle Vital For Stability, by Birendra P Mishra (rn), Sixty days : How many governments will the country see in the next five years? (kp), Dahal and Oli are over. So what now?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), CPN-UML decides to quit government (kh), UML pulls out of government : The decision by the party comes in the wake of a changed political equation (kp), PM’s warning to sack UML ministers forced us to quit the govt: Vice Chairman Paudel (rep), Eight ministers from UML resign en masse (rn), We left the government as PM failed to follow agreement: UML vice chair Poudel (kh), Eight parties form taskforce (kh), How are Dahal, Deuba and Nepal sharing PM’s seat between them? Some leaders with inside knowledge say the prime ministerial tenures have been fixed. Others differ. A Unified Socialist leader claims there is even a written agreement, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Poor Nepal as a plaything of egomaniac, completely disinterested in the welfare of the country and its people, aging and multiple failed male Khas Arya politicians!], Prime minister stops foreign minister from flying to Geneva : The development comes as a new ruling coalition minus the CPN-UML is in the making in Kathmandu just ahead of the presidential election (kp), Gobinda Bandi, who drafted controversial TJ bills, leading Nepali delegation at the UNHRC as PM’s advisor (rep) [Once again the disinterest of Nepali politics in justice for the victims of the insurgency becomes clear!!!!], All eyes will be on provincial governments post presidential elections : Power equations in the centre and provinces are likely to change after the election of head of state, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [Federalism should help to arrange the interest and concerns of the provinces independently of the central state. But the centrist politicians of the national level regard the provinces merely as playthings of their power politics!], Nepal, be kind to foreigners : Nepal is desperate for foreign investment but the legislation governing the visa of foreign workers is extremely complicated and unfriendly, by Simone Galimberti (nlt), Good governance and development govt’s top priorities: PM Dahal (kh) [What a mendacious palaver!], Holidays on demand: Immature and arbitrary practice, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

26/02/2023: The Masculine Hold on Politics, by Rishsika Dhakal (rep), Veteran politicians square off for President : With a seasoned politician set to be the new head of state, will he be any different to his predecessors in the office?, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Partisanship and lack of neutrality will continue to weaken the constitutional commitment of the presidency!], Presidential Election and Political Prostitution (rep), Two former Speakers of federal parliament in fray for presidential election as ruling alliance begins to break apart : Supported by seven other parties, NC fields candidacy of Ram Chandra Paudel, while UML fields candidacy of Subash Chandra Nembang, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Presidential election: Former Speakers Poudel versus Nemwang (kh), Politics Takes U-turn Over Presidency, by Ritu Raj Subedi (kp), Can Oli pull off another miracle? The second-largest party is determined to break the eight-party alliance and win the March 9 vote, by Anil Giri (kp), JSP initiates discussion to finalize Vice Presidential candidate (kh), Constitutional Council Act being amended : Bill proposes provisions for six-member council to recommend office-bearer candidates for constitutional bodies by its chair and two members (kp), Republic Vs Monarchy, by Parmeshwar Devkota (rn), Nepal Children’s Organization’s land scam: Will parliament be able to conduct a meaningful deliberation on the issue? Nepal Children’s Organization had acquired the land with the aim of providing child friendly shelters and spaces. Now the land is being used by a business group with support from office bearers appointed by powerful politicians (nlt), PM Dahal promises to recognize people’s war victims as martyrs (kh) [Being a martyr does not mean justice for these victims, while the perpetrators bask in wealth and position!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

25/02/2023: Insurgency-era victims of sexual crimes still unheard : Most victims are from marginalised communities and lack of faith in the system deters them from coming forward, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Parents wait for missing son, two decades since his disappearance : In November 2000, Maoist rebels took a grade five student and several other young boys from their school. That was the last the parents saw their 13-year-old son, by Prakash Baral (kp), RPP decides to quit Prachanda-led government (kh), RPP ministers tender resignation to Prime Minister Dahal (kh), UML to decide on government support after March 9, to ‘wait and see’ till presidential election (kh), Subas Nembang proposed as UML’s presidential candidate (kh), NC decides to field Ram Chandra Poudel as Presidential candidate : To finalize presidential candidate (kh), Ruling coalition cracks as Congress locks up presidency : Ram Chandra Paudel is likely to become the third President of republican Nepal. CPN-UML could officially pull out of the coalition today, by Anil Giri and Tika R Pradhan (kp), Dahal to back NC candidate for president : NC likely to field Ramchandra Paudel for the post, New alliance formed, CPN-UML left out, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Excessive haggling for President worries watchers : The head of state’s perceived influential role could potentially infringe on the authority of the executive, as some instances in the past have shown, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Native Culture In A State Of Flux, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

24/02/2023: Constitutional President : The next president need not be regarded with reverence, just respect (nt), Common candidate eludes parties with nomination day close : UML continues to lure Madhav Nepal with President’s offer. But Congress leaders confident of securing presidency, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Please, no president with proximity to one of the political parties! Nepal is not the property of the failed old male Khas Arya leaders like Oli, Dahal, Deuba, Nepal etc.], Congress’ pick for President comes down to ‘Paudel v Sitaula’ contest : Party insiders say Ram Chandra Paudel is the frontrunner, but Sitaula has the backing of Prime Minister Dahal, by Anil Giri (kp), More than a rubber stamp (ae), Legal fraternity split over eligibility of former chief justices and justices to run for President : Thursday’s statement by sitting justices’ body criticised as breach of code of conduct for judges, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Ruffling on Religion: Mission or Fashion?, by Atindra Dahal (rep) [A lot of palaver by this male Bahun, but no discernible rationale why in multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Nepal the state should be linked again solely to Hindu culture, religion and social thinking after only a few years of interruption. Discriminatory casteism, patriarchy and the sense of superiority of men from a few Hindu castes have been responsible for the exclusion of the majority of people and discrimination against large sections of the population for centuries and continue to this day. Hindu state and monarchy have been responsible for these aberrations long enough. Why should Nepal return to the mistakes of the past again? The combination of state and religion has never paid off positively anywhere in history.], The Disappearing Image Of Kathmandu, by Yug Bahadur (rn), Decline And Fall Of The Nepali Maoists, by Dipak Gyawali (sp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

23/02/2023: Politics for what? We hardly hear top leaders of major parties speak about people's problems and ways to solve them (kp) [The so-called top politicians cannot with the best will in the world imagine that such things are their actual tasks!], Will the NC-Maoist Center alliance revive? Most likely! (kh), Congress-Maoist alliance back in focus : Maoist Centre chair Dahal ‘positive’ about electing President from Nepali Congress, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), NC and Maoist Center ‘reach understanding' to revive old alliance, by Bal Krishna Adhikari (rep), Nepal’s stated policy keeps it from joining China’s GSI : After opting out of American IPS and SPP initiatives in principle, it looks difficult for Nepal to say yes to the GSI, by Anil Giri (kp), Cabinet decision to waive fines of local poll candidates draws flak : Government had decided to exempt fines imposed by poll commission on candidates who failed to furnish campaign spending details on time. The decision has been challenged in court, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Laws are there to be broken for the cultivation of corruption by government, parties and politicians!], State of the minorities in South Asia : Nepal's dominant Khas Arya minority reaps disproportionate benefits of their status, by Deepak Thapa (kp) [see report], Youths are the hope of nation: PM Dahal (kh) [And why do you, Oli, Deuba and others constantly refuse to give the young generation increasing responsibility?]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

22/02/2023: Taplejung district prison houses six times prisoners against capacity (kh) [This is a serious violation of basic human rights!], Bajhang flood victims struggling for justice for over two decades : Around 165 families were relocated to Kailali but 20 years later, they are still landless, by DR Pant (kp) [One of many cases of denial of assistance by government and administration!], Untimely consensus : Forging a “national consensus” in the absence of national emergencies is an affront to multiparty politics (kp), Oli’s offer has Madhav Nepal dreaming of Sheetal Niwas : Unified Socialist chief is shuttling between Dahal, Deuba and Oli, trying to drum up support for his presidency, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [An oligarchic comedy of the power-political twists and turns of failed old men!], Parties busy politicking have no time for people : Last year, politicians spent time putting together election coalitions. This year, they are caught up in power politics, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Time for civil service reform : The administration is the main mechanism for implementing the state’s laws and policies, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Two children injured in IED explosion in Pokhara, by Sandesh Shrestha (rep), Sher Bahadur Deuba pushes to revive electoral alliance ahead of presidential election : Deuba has reached Baluwatar with Purna Bahadur Khadka and Gagan Thapa to propose to Prime Minister Dahal to form new coalition (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

21/02/2023: Celebrating National Oligarchy Day!, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), NC should nominate a neutral candidate, not political, as presidential candidate: Shekhar Koirala (kh), Congress hopeful of securing presidency after Maoist Centre’s decision : Congress leaders say Oli could propose Madhav Nepal for new President to create division between Dahal and Deuba (kp) [The failed old party leaders like Oli, Dahal and Deuba, are desperate for a political figure from their coterie who fits their personal ambitions for power.], Maoists cotton to Congress, as Dahal, Oli size each other up : Maoist Centre entrusts Chairman Dahal to make the final call on presidential candidate, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Former king is suitable candidate for new head of state, aide says : In a statement issued on Democracy Day, former king Gyanendra Shah has offered to collaborate with political parties, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [May God save Nepal from this disaster! The people fought for democracy in 1950/51, 1990 and 2006. In 1960 and 2005, the monarchy staged a coup and ended the democratic hopes! This must never happen again! The monarchy has been abolished and has no place in modern Nepal!], ‘National consensus’ is again in vogue. Does it make sense? Most observers say the term is applicable only in national emergencies and seldom in peacetime politics, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Coalition politics : Where strength is generally the weakness, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), When will women lead big political parties? Bibeksheel Sajha recently elected Samikchya Baskota as party chief while Ranjita Shrestha heads another new party, the Nagarik Unmukti Party, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Ensure Fundamental Right to Education in Mother Tongue, by Randhir Chaudhary (rep), Flurry Of Diplomatic Visits : epal Gains Geopolitical Traction?, by Nayaran Upadhyay (rn). Services at passport department are still in shambles : People visiting the department say delays and ‘middlemen culture’ are still rife despite Prime Minister Dahal’s instruction to deliver swift, hassle-free services, by Rajkaran Mahato (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

20/02/2023: Nepali lawmakers tend to shun study and research—with rare exceptions : Shrestha and Thapa like to prepare themselves thoroughly with the help of teams in order to carry out their duties, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s democratic struggle is long but political gains still under threat : Self-serving politicians devoid of principles make little effort to improve public life and national status, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), March to democracy : The country’s experiment with democracy has been a mixed-bag of some progress and signature failures (kp), The wrong way: Political parties in Nepal are trying to elect someone who works at their behest as the president : The ongoing contention of the political parties to elect their loyalists indicates that they want to exercise more powers through the president's office, by Ashim Neupane (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

19/02/2023: Why media should have the access to court proceedings : Media plays a crucial role in ensuring that the public is informed about what is happening in the courts. This is essential to the functioning of democratic society, by Bivek Chaudhary (nlt), Defense Diplomacy: Reshaping Geopolitics in Asia, by Binoj Basnyat (kh), Alternative parties under game theory : The Rabi Lamichhane saga has led many to believe that the Rastriya Swatantra Party is no different to traditional parties, by Vibhav Pradhan and Arjun Kumar Thapa (kp), Nepal's Quest for Wider State Capabilities, by Hari Prasad Shrestha (rep), Presidential Election Intensifies Political Manoeuvres, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Democracy And Right To Equal Opportunity, by Nanda Lal Tiwari (rn), President's amnesty move draws flak, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Govt has not prioritized completion of peace process related tasks: Speaker Ghimire (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

18/02/2023: Downgrade-wary NHRC asks for help to right itself : Court delay in settling appointment row, which influenced the global body’s punishment, concerns experts, by Binod Ghimire (kp), President pardons 395 convicts including ex-Maoist involved in killing Ujjan Shrestha : Only on January 25, Supreme Court had convicted Pushkar Gautam in the insurgency-era murder (kp) [Pardoning criminals from the times of the Maoist insurgency is the opposite of the justice due to the victims of these crimes!], 395 jail birds, including parliamentarian Chaudhary given amnesty (kh), Nepali Congress ups the ante to secure presidency for the party : Party spokesperson says Congress is ready to ensure full-five year term to Pushpa Kamal Dahal if the Maoist Center supports Congress in the presidential election (nlt), As Dahal, Oli spar over presidential candidate, Congress sees chance to revive its old alliance : A two-hour-long meeting between Prime Minister Dahal and UML chair Oli on Friday was inconclusive (kp) [After all that Oli did in 2020/21, largely with the close support of his state president Bhandari, are ample reasons to deny him political engagement for all time to come! Nepal is already suffering again from his machinations!], Changing Political Landscape of Nepal, by Ganesh Mandal (rep), Revitalise Civic Life For Common Good, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Former King Gyanendra proposes “cooperation between political parties and institution of monarchy” (kh) [The monarchy was rightly abolished. It is not her place to make any offers of cooperation!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

17/02/2023: Women in lead : Nepali society is more open to women’s leadership than established parties would have us believe (kp), Parties agree to suspend MPs sent to judicial custody : The proposed regulations will come into effect once endorsed by the House of Representatives, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Geopolitical tectonics : Nepal is being squeezed by the collision of the Indian, Chinese and American plates (nt), Why are so many high-ranking US officials coming to Nepal? Perhaps to get a pulse of the Dahal government and take stock of American projects here, say analysts, by Anil Giri (kp) [Of course, the USA have never represented their own global power interests in the world!], On presidency, Maoist Centre chair Dahal has feet in two boats : Some Maoist leaders say they have no option but to deny UML the presidency given Oli’s ‘regressive’ past, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt requests Prez for clemency to MP Chaudhary (rep), National Democracy Day to be celebrated for three days (rep) [Nepal is ruled by an oligarchy of male Khas Arya, especially male Bahun. This has not changed much in the last 72 years! The promises made by the monarchy in 1951 were not serious and the same applies to the statements made by today's oligarchy!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

16/02/2023: Murder hearing against Maoist leader Sapkota deferred for 45th time : Victims and rights activists say the top court’s deferrals are deliberate attempts aimed at protecting the accused, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [A case that raises reasonable doubts about the Nepali legal system and gives impetus to the suspicion of unconditional impunity for well-known politicians!], Three convicted in murder of environment activist Dilip Mahato : Dhanusha District Court Judge Chitra Bahadur Gurung found Bipin Mahato, Jitendra Mahato, and Munindra Mahato guilty of the crime (kp), Rudderless top court : The judiciary is not a matter to be sidelined, bargained for, or made a pawn of political powers (kp), Govt presents bill in parliament that, if passed, will help legalize illegal wealth, by Dilip Poudel (rep) [Hurray for the arch-corrupt politicians!], New law minister foils attempts to release Resham Chaudhary, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Political Instability Hits Economic Development, by Shyam Prasad Mainali (rn), Nepal's democracy constraints: Parties, leaders be accountable, by Ganesh Mandal (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

15/02/2023: Children with absent fathers struggle for citizenship : Officials say their hands are tied on provision for women to pass on citizenship to children when fathers are absent, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp) [Nothing has changed, PM Dahal! Nepal remains a patriarchy dominated by male delusion. Only men are true citizens. Without them, women are nothing! It is a big security risk for Nepal when women have absolutely equal rights!?  What was actually celebrated there the day before yesterday?], Presidents and precedents : Bad precedents in a budding democracy like Nepal’s can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, by Paban Raj Pandey (kp), Essential flaw : Those who joined the essential services knew full well what they could and could not do (kp), SC hearing case against 52 constitutional appointments from today (kh) [Ultimately, it is about the manipulations of Oli and Bhandari that contributed decisively to the loss of Nepal's GANHRI status!], As presidential vote nears, clouds gather over Maoist-UML alliance : Congress expects UML to ditch the Maoists. But PM Dahal reckons Oli has no option but to stay, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Maoist Center likely to support NC’s presidential candidate (kh), Home ministry orders probe into Gongabu vandalism and looting : Observers blame lawlessness, link the incident to a frail security situation,  by Anup Ojha (kp), A tribute to the privileged few : Competitive stupidity comes naturally to the decision makers of a country with the lowest IQ, by CK Lal (kp), High school dropout runs flourishing eatery in Delhi : Trends show that nearly 1 million Nepalis will leave the country this fiscal year for better jobs abroad, apart from those going to India, officials say, by Mimamsha Dhungel (kp) [This is thanks to the extremely successful and committed employment policies of Nepal's incredibly competent top politicians!], American Interests in Nepal, by Rajaram Bartaula (rep) [Nepal's extremely weak political leaders unfortunately lack the diplomatic skills to take advantage of the global rivalry of the US, China and India!], Hooliganism in Balaju: An incident that exposes lapses in security strategies : On 13 February, violence erupted in Balaju during a protest by transport workers in which over 41 security personnel were injured while public and private properties were set on fire. Who is responsible?, by Narayan Adhikari (nlt), Six people arrested on charge of torching police vehicles (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

14/02/2023: Insurgency victims' kin protest Feb 13 holiday, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht), People's War, an epoch-making event in Nepali history: PM (ht) [Yes, let the suffering of the victims of this conflict never end! Why this ridiculous call for justice? Everything has changed since then in this previously socially non-inclusive state. I am the PM and I am a male Bahun. All political parties are under the control of male Khas Arya. All is well with the world, that's something to celebrate, isn't it!], Three is a crowd : The interest of big powers in Nepal is increasing, and this is not something to be celebrated (kp), Conflicting claims on talking points during Indian foreign secretary’s Nepal visit : While Nepal side says that additional air entry routes and boundary matters were among the talking points, India has skipped these issues in its official document (nlt), A weakened CPN (Maoist Centre) steps up left unification efforts : The party is reportedly considering shedding its ‘Maoist’ tag and including ‘Socialist’ in its new name, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), How many public holidays is too many? Nepal government often announces public holidays in an arbitrary and ad hoc fashion, adding to an already crowded calendar. Give us a break, say critics, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Republicanism and presidency : Events of the past 15 years should provide valuable experience for the next President, by Achyut Wagle (kp), MPs call for measures to stop vandalism (rn) [A particular problem is that vandalist elements and political parties are closely linked and are readily misused by the latter to assert their own interests.]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

13/02/2023: Public holiday today to commemorate “People’s War” (kh) [And what about justice for the many victims of crimes committed by Maoists and state security forces? As with Prithvi Janayanti, only the positive effects are celebrated, not the negative ones!], UML General Secretary Pokhrel “dissatisfied” with “People’s War Day” public holiday (kh), RSP to join govt soon provided it gets Home Ministry : Chairman Lamichhane to contest again from Chitwan-2 (kh) [Please remember that laws also apply to Rabi Lamichhane!], Why the sudden need to ‘strengthen’ coalition? Ruling parties’ leaders deny fissures in the alliance as Dahal-Deuba meetings increase in frequency, by Tike R Pradhan and Purushottam Poudel (kp), What good is it? The High Level Political Mechanism has not been able to solve any pressing problem (kp), Nepal downsizes budget as revenue collection plunges : Banning imports had the disastrous effect of strangling a key revenue stream, economists said, by Sangam Prasain (kp), Patients suffer as doctors shut hospitals : The strike was called off at 11am Sunday, but services were affected throughout the day. Doctors should not punish hundreds of thousands of people to avenge act of a cop, says physician, by Arjun Poudel (kp) [Perhaps a clear statement from the President would have helped, but it did not come!], US diplomat Afreen Akhter arrives in Kathmandu : The visit of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau follows two weeks after Victoria Nuland’s and three days after Samantha Power’s (nlt) [Of course, it would be completely absurd to see this in a context of the USA's global power ambitions with regard to China!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

12/02/2023: Time ripe to rethink archaic VVIP convoy protocol : Friday’s assault of a doctor by police deployed to clear the road for the presidential convoy could be the turning point, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [The President obviously sees things differently. For this reason, she has not yet taken a stand or even apologised to the beaten-up doctor. Presumably she wants to enjoy the royal privileges for her last days in office!], CIAA calls for an end to corruption under the guise of Cabinet’s policy decisions : Prime Minister Dahal promises to make efforts to amend existing anti-corruption laws in line with UN Convention, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Congress strategy: Party-proposed head of state. If that fails, stop UML candidate : Prime minister is also in consultations with other parties who want to prevent UML’s candidate in presidential elections, by Anil Giri (kp) [Stop these dirty power struggles. Nepal needs a non-political person as representative head of state! Oli and Bhandari have amply demonstrated in the past what the mixing of interests leads to. The president must be independent. Bhandari never was!], Nepal Medical Association calls off protest, signs six-point agreement with government (nlt), Ruling coalition decides to bring RSP on board the government (kh), Government trims budget size by 14 percent : Announcing a mid-term review of the annual budget, Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel said the budget has been cut down to Rs 1549 billion (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

11/02/2023: Police beat up doctor for walking during presidential escort (rep), Doctors take to the streets against police assault on Dr Janith Lal Singh, by Prasan Gurung (rep), President should apologize: Gyanendra Shahi (rep), Police constable involved in beating up Dr Singh suspended (rep) [Suspension is not enough! What is needed is appropriate punishment  and compensation and, above all, the eradication of the attitude of politicians and security forces that underlies this crime!], Ruling UML, Maoists still poles apart on new President : At the heart of their disagreement is UML chair KP Sharma Oli’s insistence that he will not accept a consensus candidate for the March 9 presidential vote, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Bibeksheel Sajha leaders regroup, in comeback bid : As the party opens its general convention, Samikchya Baskota, Milan Pandey, and Prakash Chandra Pariyar are eyeing party chair, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Striving From Survival To Progress, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Leadership of Women, Girls in Science (ht), NMA to halt all health services on Sunday (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

10/02/2023:: Police baton-charge a doctor during President’s motorcade : The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to take action against the police responsible for the incident (nlt) [This has something to do with the fact that politicians see themselves as heirs to the monarchy and want to be courted as such, instead of serving the people as their representatives!], Congress in power in Sudurpaschim : Fall of UML-led provincial government suggests more problems ahead for ruling coalition, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Indian foreign secretary visiting Nepal on Monday : Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s former envoy to Nepal, is coming on the heels of twin visits by senior US officials, by Anil Giri (kp), Government starts probe into Lamichhane’s Nepali passport : If found guilty, the RSP chief could face a jail term of three years and Rs30,000 fine, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Oli and Lamichhane make disparaging remarks against the court : Experts say casting aspersions on court verdicts weakens the country’s democratic fabric, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [The disrespect for the constitution, laws and court rulings, which are also binding for politicians, reflect Oli's ideas about the rule of law!], Redefining neutrality : The energy sector shows why Nepal must redefine its neutrality principle in foreign policy, by Bishal Thapa (kp), An integrated social registry for Nepal : Social protection programmes cover about a third of the population but are yet to reach all the poor and vulnerable, by  Faris Hadad-Zervos and Lynne Sherburne-Benz (kp), The Media and Fight Against Corruption in Nepal, by Rajendra Prasad Koirala (rep), Police baton-charge a doctor during President’s motorcade : The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) has given a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to take action against the police responsible for the incident (nlt), Coalition of the unwilling? China wants Nepal to be part of global development and security initiatives, which are sketchy at best, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Ghosts of war : Nearly three decades after the Maoists launched their armed struggle on 13 February 1996, Nepal is still haunted by the violence, by Sonia Awale (nt), Armed Conflict and Conflict of Interest : Rabi Lamichhane’s rant was Trumpian populism, an anti-media ‘drain the swamp’ whataboutery (nt), All is fair in war (and peace) : Retelling the Maoist conflict, and its impact on Nepali society and politics, by Rajendra Dahal (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

09/02/2023: Renewed push for transitional justice Act amendment : Revisions will be based on court’s verdict and international practices, government representative say, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Constitution and political system will not be reviewed: PM Dahal (rep)), High-level mechanism to discuss presidential election : KP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal have agreed to soon convene a meeting of the political mechanism, which the prime minister despises, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Meeting of high-level mechanism postponed (kh), Prachanda and company : Prachanda has no need to fear how history will view him for achievements since 2006 but he could still bungle it, by Deepak Thapa (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

08/02/2023: More US aid to consolidate democracy : Up to $20m announced in additional funds to make governance more participatory (kp) [The biggest obstacle might be the little democratic and only interested in their personal power male Khas Arya top politicians and their patriarchy defending parties!], Supreme Court directs to add quota for Tharus in govt jobs, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Government preparing to push long-awaited citizenship bill : Prime Minister Dahal plans to pass around 20 bills over the next one-and-a-half months, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM Dahal wooing Unified Socialist and JSP to join govt (kh), PM Dahal and UML Chairman Oli meet amid growing mistrust : To hold meeting of the High Level Mechanism on Thursday (kh) [Is the executive in the hands of PM Dahal or under the direction of the High Level Political Mechanism headed by KP Oli, which is not covered by the Constitution, whatever that is supposed to be anyway?], Prolonged dry spell leads to acute water scarcity : As climate change threatens livelihoods, experts ask Nepali authorities to adopt adaptation measure, by Arjun Poudel (kp), Unified Socialist Secretary Jhakri warns RPP not to speak against constitution (rep) [Such a warning should also come from the PM!], Supreme Court seeks clarification from Parliament Secretariat for recognizing NC as opposition party (rep), Press Freedom Under Threat, by Namrata Sharma (rn), Ensure Quality Education For All, by Bhupa P Dhamala (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

07/02/2023: Ministerial responsibility versus party ideology: Need to maintain decorum, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Some RSP leaders troubled by Lamichhane’s Sunday outburst : They are exploring ways of damage control, although the matter is yet to be officially discussed at any party forum, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Shooting the messenger : Lamichhane must be well aware that Nepali mainstream media is considered among the freest (kp), PM Dahal endeavoring to bring JSP and Unified Samajbadi on board (kh) [What do I care about the nation? More important is the continuation of my power!], Foreign Minister Paudyal and USAID’s Administrator discuss Nepal-US interests (kh), USAID Administrator Power announces nearly $60 million to strengthen democratic institutions in Nepal (kh) [But progress in terms of democracy, federalism and social inclusion is not in sight under the current political leadership!], After Power, another senior US official is visiting Nepal : Afreen Akhter, deputy assistant secretary of state, is set to arrive on a two-day visit, most likely on February 14, by Anil Giri (kp) [Continued attempt at interference as part of the US global power struggle with an eye on China?], Rationalising smart alignment strategy : Great powers want Nepal to side with them and become part of their respective strategies or initiatives, by Purna B Silwal (kp), Amid slump in power generation, NEA reduces supply to industrial sector : Power production by Nepal’s hydropower projects with combined capacity of 2200MW has declined by one-third, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Cut Off Tentacles Of Corruption, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), Banking on project bank : Around 2,000 development projects in the country have ended in failure. It is not clear who is responsible for this situation, by Gopikrishna Dhungana (ae), Specter of geopolitics looms large in Nepal, by Saurav Raj Pant (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

06/02/2023: Social justice moving backwards : The leaders of the political parties are the biggest obstacles to achieving social justice, by Pradip Pariyar (kp), Ubiquitous protests : The ruling class should be mindful : When people see no hope, they take matters into their own hands (kp), RSP denied home ministry, quits govt : All three ministers of the Lamichhane-led party submit resignation to Prime Minister Dahal, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Lamichhane throws a tantrum on losing stable Home : Rastriya Swatantra Party chief lashes out at the media and threatens to encircle their offices for supposedly blocking his way back to the government. Blames everyone but himself for his loss of deputy prime minister and home minister position, by Tika R Pradhan and Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Why do young political forces always quickly destroy the hopes placed in them for a renewal of Nepali politics?], FNJ criticizes RSP Chairman Lamichhane for 'baseless attacks' on media (rep), Nepal Media Society challenges Rabi Lamichhane to substantiate allegations against media houses, journalists (kh), PM Prachanda, Deuba and Oli hold discussion (rn) [The failed old politicians discuss how best to keep power in their hands?], New media takes citizens’ engagement in political discourse to new level : Political leaders find it easier to communicate their ideas to a wider audience through social media, which has ‘democratised’ discourse but also fuelled polarisation, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), ‘Election Commission may have erred by rescheduling Presidential poll’, interview with former chief election commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel on various contemporary issues (kp), Maoist Center lawmaker Aryal elected National Assembly Vice-Chair unopposed (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

05/02/2023: What about political stability in Nepal? Lack of rule of law, unconstitutionality and infighting among top politicians, by Karl-Heinz Krämer (kh), Dahal’s instability: His trait or nature of coalition politics? Maoist party’s growing challenges and Dahal’s need to constantly manoeuvre to stay relevant run parallel, by Anil Giri (kp), Will Maoist Centre ditch the UML for Congress? Matrika Yadav, deputy general secretary of Maoist Centre, says this coalition would last only until the presidential election, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Ruling Allies Facing Trust Deficit?, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), RSP undecided about PM’s new proposal; to boycott Sunday’s Parliament meeting (kh), RSP to withdraw from, but continue to support Govt (rn) [Parties that started out as an alternative should not support a government of the old failed politicians, let alone become member of such a government!], RSP Chairman Lamichhane vents anger at media; says he became a victim of media attacks (kh) [??], RSP ministers tender resignation (kh), Urmila Aryal files candidacy for NA vice chair (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

04/02/2023: Political Match-Fixing, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), UML, Maoist Centre on key posts: Each expects the other to blink first : Some Maoist leaders say the UML is rigid at the start and comes to a compromise only at the last moment, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Rabi Lamichhane's appointment as minister unconstitutional for at least three months : Article 291 of the Constitution of Nepal does not allow appointment to any state positions for three months, by Tapendra Karki (rep) [!!], Eye on presidential polls, Congress to meet parties out of ruling coalition : Meeting today will also discuss the vacant home minister position (kp) [There are only two parties with one MP each that do not support the government!?], Wildlife smuggling case filed against 47 people including two province assembly members, by Gobinda Prasad Pokharel (kp) [The closeness of politics and crime is frightening!], Forge National Consensus On Core Interests, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

03/02/2023: Hope amid despair : The proposed bill to field more directly elected women candidates is a silver lining (kp), Guerrilla-turned-Member of Parliament : Urmila Majhi wants her former commander, now prime minister, to work for the people for a change, by Anita Bhetwal (nt), Come clean, Mr Prime Minister (ae), Kathmandu could cut funds to provinces and local governments : Provinces were supposed to get nearly Rs130 billion and local governments Rs300 billion in fiscal transfers, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), An unceremonious President : The election of president should not involve such wheeling-dealing, in the spirit of inclusion it is the turn of a respected Janjati or Dalit candidate (nt), Dahal under strain as Oli backs RSP’s claim for home ministry : Party has decided to wait till Saturday before making a final call on its place in government, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Rabi Lamichhane is Home-less : Prime Minister Dahal’s refusal to hand back the Home Ministry to the RSP may be the tipping point for his fragile coalition, by Shristi Karki (nt), Nagarik Unmukti Party lawmaker Arun Chaudhary arrested over 12-year-old arson : Party says it is shocked by the arrest and may withdraw support to government, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nagarik Unmukti Party’s Arun Kumar Chaudhary sent to custody : Kailali District Court had convicted Chaudhary in 2013 on charges of setting a tractor on fire. The party has warned of protests against his arrest (nlt), Don’t Get Distracted, Mayor Balen! (rep), Poverty Imperils Human Rights, by Lok Nath Bhusal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

02/02/2023: Lack of citizenship pushes Musahars deep into poverty : In 40 households of Shobhapur, more than 50 individuals above the age of 16 do not have citizenship certificates, by Bharat Jargha Magar (kp) [This is the big difference with prominent high-caste politicians who get citizenship certificates within minutes!], Landmark bill to boost women candidacy in polls : Election Commission is drafting a bill to increase women’s candidacy in all three tiers of government by a third, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal’s social protection system reinforcing inequality: HRW (rep) [see HRW report], Role Of Informed Citizens In Democracy, by Mukti Rijal (rn), More street protests: What do they signal? They hint at public frustration, mounting since 2015 quakes, observers say. Lack of delivery has made things worse, by Anup Ojha (kp), RPP condemned for criticising federalism, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), House sees heated debate among ruling MPs on political system : MPs opposing the provisions under which they joined the Cabinet is unnatural, experts say (kp) [Unconstitutional demands by a small minority party should have no place in parliament and such a party should not be part of the government! They disturb the social harmony of the multicultural country!17,000 people have lost their lives to overcome the Hindu state and monarchy! Moreover, the RPP voted for the abolition of Hindu monarchy in 2008!], What about ‘Gaushala 26’? The survivor has been rendered invisible ever since she filed the case against Sandeep Lamichhane (kp), SC Ruling And Lamichhane's Ministerial Claims, by Tirtha Bhattarai (rn), Lamichhane's position as MP revoked: HoR speaker (ht), Nagarik Unmukti Party MP Arun Kumar Chaudhary arrested (kh), Nagarik Unmukti Party MP Arun Kumar Chaudhary arrested, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep), Govt moves SC challenging release of cricketer Lamichhane on bail (kh), Cricket: Sandeep Lamichhane included in national team (kh), CAN announces 20-member Nepali team, Sandeep included (kh) [????? Nepal increasingly an unjust state!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

01/02/2023:  Not for your eyes : The government tried to curtail the people’s right to know by stamping certain information as confidential (kp), When faith in the system fails : It is becoming difficult to describe what politicos actually do other than fulltime politicking, by CK Lal (kp), Comedy Of Errors In Politics, by Namrata Sharma (rn), Can the media hold duty holders accountable? Round table or town hall style of discussions could be organized by media outlets to extensively discuss with ministers and high-ranking bureaucrats what they are doing to deliver and what challenges they are facing, by Simone Galimberti (nlt), UML’s Constitutional Council dominance worries Maoist party : UML nominees head major constitutional bodies including those related to elections, corruption and human right, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The decline of democracy and the rule of law is guaranteed with KP Oli, as evidenced by his machinations of 2020/21, which he continues to refuse to admit! He is also mainly responsible for Nepal's degradation at GANHRI!], Dahal in no mood to give Home to RSP : Rabi Lamichhane yet to clear his name, say top Maoist Centre leaders, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Dahal's intensions may be different, but Lamichhane has lost his MP mandate and must become an MP again within six months if he is reappointed as Home Affairs Minister. Moreover, he is guilty of breaking the law by not having citizenship when he ran for office!], 'Lamichhane cannot get ministry back' (ht), Ruling alliance on the verge of collapse over new president, home ministry row, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Presidential race gets sticky : Prime Minister Dahal is not willing to back UML candidate and with NC also in the race, there is a risk of current coalition collapsing, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Ruling coalition in Jeopardy, by Tapendra Karki (rep), Attorney general challenges high court on cricketer’s release : Demands ex-captain be investigated in judicial custody (kp), CAN lifts suspension of rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane : The executive committee meeting of the nation’s cricket governing body held in Pokhara on Tuesday decided to lift the suspension on Lamichhane, by Pratiksha Kafle (kp) [Another example of disregard for the rule of law!], Nepal moves up corruption index, slightly : Transparency International report shows the country continues to remain among most corrupt nations, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [see CPI], Nepal’s Corruption Crisis (rep), We advocate for Hindu nation and monarchy, we should not be belittled: Dhawal Shumsher Rana (kh) [Anti-constitutional demands and statements that hurt the feelings and concerns of large parts of the population of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural state must not be tolerated! The social discriminations and lack of inclusion are a direct result of Hindu state and monarchy!], Multi-vector foreign policy is in our national interest : Nepal needs to discourage regional players like China and India from cultivating, developing, and reestablishing a sphere of privileged interests in its internal and foreign affairs, by Matrika Poudyal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

31/01/2023: Government backtracks on information classification : Experts say it happened just because the drafters tried to incorporate unnecessary issues instead of pinpointing certain matters or documents, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Maoists in bargaining mood as Congress, UML vie for President : Some Maoist leaders say the party should ask for five years for Dahal as prime minister in return for their support in the March 9 presidential election, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), Rule v Rabi : Questioning the apex court verdict for the benefit of one politician sets a dangerous precedent (kp), Lamichhane’s Fall From Grace, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), RSP should either get Home Ministry or will quit government: Rabi Lamichhane warns PM Dahal (kh), Will hold Home Ministry till full text of SC verdict on Lamichhane is public: PM Dahal (kh), Protect sovereignty while engaging neighbours, says top US diplomat : In all high-level meetings, Victoria Nuland discussed the MCC compact as well as the transitional justice process, by Anil Giri (kp), Karnali folks struggle as China closes border for export of herbs (rep), Stop that hacker : Nepal is ill-prepared to handle cyberattacks because of inadequate institutional arrangements, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Nepal is a champion country for fair recruitment, but on paper only, observers say : Migrant workers are still paying a huge amount for recruitment fees despite laws to prevent such expenses (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

30/01/2023: Fresh bid to withhold information draws flak : Calls grow for revoking decision of chief secretary-led panel that could curtail people’s right to information, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Govt's decision to repeal RTI Act condemned (ht), Maoist leaders exerting pressure on PM Dahal not to leave the post of President to UML (kh), Dispute over giving home ministry to Swatantra Party : CPN-UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party are for allowing Rabi Lamichhane’s party to head the ministry while leaders of prime minister’s party seem strongly against it, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), UML Chairman exerts pressure on PM Dahal to reinstate Lamichhane as home minister (kh) [Lamichhane may have regained Nepali citizenship in a sudden night and day action, but not parliamentary membership! But KP Oli has never been much for legitimate procedures and will not understand this!], SC Verdict: Ruling For Course Correction, by Ballav Dahal (rn), Lamichhane's citizenship restored (ht), What next for RSP? At no time should a party be synonymous with a single leader who is seemingly irreplaceable (kp) [All Nepali parties are under the authoritarian control of a very few politicians who consider themselves indispensable and do not tolerate any expression of dissent! The RSP wanted to be different.], MP Arun Kumar Chaudhary on court’s fugitive list (kh) [The proximity between politics and crime is omnipresent!], Conflict of interest: Taken for granted in Nepal, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), US engagement in Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Nepal must creatively take benefits from its partners, interview with Anil Sigdel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

29/01/2023: State of hunger in Nepal, in the world : Though Nepal stands at a moderate level of hunger, countries in South Asia in general face the highest level of hunger and the global hunger situation remains grim, says the 2022 Global Hunger Index (nlt), Is Nepali politics postmodernist? Nepali politics appears to be moving towards some kind of uncertainty, by Abhi Subedi (kp), Do we need High Level Political Mechanism at all? Political parties often form political mechanisms though such mechanisms are not recognized by law and its relevance and effectiveness are always questioned, by Kishor Dahal (nlt), Rabi Lamchhane acquires Nepali citizenship again (kh) [This sounds extremely fast! Millions of young people have been waiting in vain for this for years!], Dual passport could cost Lamichhane his political career : Act relating to House of Representatives formation makes one guilty of passport misuse unfit to contest elections, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [But politicians who have repeatedly broken the constitution and finally had to be removed from office by the SC are allowed to grab power and the highest state offices again at any time?], Man attempts self-immolation in Pokhara (kh), Two injured as a man tries to self-immolate in Pokhara, woman's condition critical, by Santosh Pokharel (rep), Far West of Nepal  at high seismic risk, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

28/01/2023: Rabi Lamichhane’s meteoric rise and fall likely to have ripple effects in country’s national politics, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), Victims’ voice weakened in media: Press Council Chairman Basnet (rep), Maoist’s message to UML: Don’t be rigid on Presidential candidate (kh), NC will join the govt if the party is given Home Ministry: Shashank Koirala, by Basanta Dhungana (rep) [Is the NC now gambling away its last shred of credibility? First the party expresses its confidence to the government, then it still wants to be the opposition and as soon as another interesting ministry is vacant, it again wants to join the government.], Imperatives Of Trust In Politics, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

27/01/2023: People are increasingly adapting to the new federal setup, report says : The overall perception of the country’s direction has been negative but people in remote areas and marginalised groups are more optimistic than others, according to the report, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Rabi Lamichhane found guilty in citizenship case : Loses posts of DPM, Home Minister and parliamentarian (kh), Rabi Lamichhane not eligible to remain lawmaker (nlt), Supreme Court annuls Rabi Lamichhane’s status as lawmaker : The Constitutional Bench concluded that the citizenship presented by Lamichhane to contest the election was invalid (kp), Home Minister Lamichhane submits resignation to PM Dahal (kh), As a non-citizen, I have nothing left to say: Rabi Lamichhane : I accept Supreme Court’s decision, says Lamichhane (kh) [This differentiates him significantly from KP Oli, who to this day does not accept the SC's 2021 decisions, which I guess is called contempt of court!], The rise and fall of Rabi Lamichhane : Nepal’s Home Minister resigns after the Supreme Court rules he is not a Nepali citizen (nt), Maoist Centre, which leads government, is trying to form a sub-alliance : Dahal’s Maoist Centre, Yadav’s Janata Samajbadi, Nepal’s Unified Socialist and Bhattarai’s Nepal Samajbadi are trying to come together in any form, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Dahal’s challenge of curbing fringe parties in coalition : Two ministers in his Cabinet have already made remarks against federalism and secularism. But prime minister is in no position to reprimand them, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae) [Such demands from a small, completely insignificant party are unconstitutional and should have legal consequences.], Maoists discuss consensus President : Leaders for pursuing the strategy without harming relations with ruling partner UML, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [A non-party person from civil society would be better anyway. Why not a qualified woman from among the non-Khas Arya, e.g. Mohna Ansari?], Man arrested on charges of trafficking four Nepali women to Kuwait : They were allegedly sold for 900 dinar for two years and were made to work without pay for 20 hours daily (kp), Eternal wait : The Nirmala Kurmi case is yet another instance of the state’s indifference to the plight of its citizens (kp), USAID’s Samantha Power likely to visit Nepal on February 5 : There are also chances of US Secretary of State Blinken coming here following his India trip in early March, by Anil Giri (kp) [Part of the global power struggle between China and the USA on the back of Nepal?], Anti-Corruption Drive: Preventive Vs Punitive, by Narayan Manandhar (rep)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

26/01/2023: Decay of the party system : Political culture will suffer if parties adopt a nepotistic approach to politics, by Sambridh Ghimire (kp), Flames of resistance : Prem Acharya set himself ablaze as a protest against the dehumanisation of ordinary Nepalis (kp), ‘It’s a murder, not suicide’ : Self-immolation by a young man, who accused the state of failing him repeatedly, could be the tip of a much bigger social problem, experts say, by Anup Ojha (kp), Discontent brewing in ruling coalition : Parties accuse Oli and Dahal of taking decisions unilaterally. Nagarik Unmukti Party fields its own candidate for an upper house seat, going against the alliance, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [With the putschist of 2020/21 as the true ruler and string-puller in the background, democratic structures and procedures are once again degenerating!], Electing President is task cut out for Dahal and Oli : Even after the formation of federal and provincial governments, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the UML chief KP Sharma Oli still harbour mistrust, say observers, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Democracy should look completely different!], Decide and rue: Political predicament of Nepali Congress : Nepali Congress has acquired the identity of the opposition party but many are still asking how a party that gives vote of confidence to the government still remains an opposition (nlt), Corruption fuelling Nepal’s aviation disaster; probe committees mere hoodwink, by Pramod Raj Sedhain (kh), CAAN’s gotta go : The worldwide coverage received by the Pokhara crash is not likely to do Nepal any good, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Victims of last November’s Doti earthquake spend cold winter months under flimsy tarp : Thirty-four people from eight families have been living under one tarpaulin tent in Uparkada, by Mohan Shahi (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

25/01/2023: Unheard plights of street vendors in Kathmandu : Despite their irrefutable contributions to the economy, street vendors are often overlooked and undervalued by policymakers, law enforcement agencies and the general public, by Anjila Shrestha (nlt), A painful case: Prem Prasad Acharya’s suicide exposes ills of private sector business, corrupt political system and indifferent state : In his heart-wrenching Facebook status posted before self-immolation, Prem Acharya has stated how the deep rooted cronyism, nexus between businesses and politicians and corruption in the system led him to end his life (nlt), Parties outside ruling coalition are conspiring to topple govt: KP Oli (kh) [The attempt by opposition forces to topple the government is a normal process in a democracy and not a conspiracy, Mr Oli! You yourself have just toppled a government, abusing many votes that voted for the CPN (MC) only because of its election promise to continue the coalition government! This was indeed a conspiracy!], Will Congress get the presidency? Like the NC, the Maoist party too is concerned about giving all vital positions to the UML. Dahal is wary that UML leader KP Sharma Oli could become all-powerful and sideline him, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), US Under Secretary Nuland arriving in Nepal next week : A slew of other top-ranking US officials also express their interest in coming to Kathmandu over the next one year, by Anil Giri (kp) [Reflection of the unchanged global power struggle between China and the USA on the back of Nepal!], Wishy-washy parliamentary committees : Many crucial bills died because the House of Representatives dawdled until the expiry of its term, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp), Unimpressive economy : Nepal’s economic policy reform is unsustainable and unsuitable for private investment, by Kamal Raj Dhungel (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali: morning, evening); AP1 (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

24/01/2023: If children with disabilities aren’t educated, they won’t be able to participate in society : ‘When we work in inclusive education we have to target the government, the children, the teachers and also the communities’, interview with Pauline Nadim Ducos, Regional Director, Humanity & Inclusion (nlt), Many see new ministers’ public instructions to bureaucrats on service delivery as publicity stunt : Ministers should instead get to the root of the problems in the bureaucracy and resolve them, say former bureaucrats, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Traditionally, Nepal's politicians in positions of responsibility believe that it is enough to delegate the search for problem solutions!], Choice before the Congress : The time has come for the Nepali Congress to think beyond Sher Bahadur Deuba and his coterie (kp), Corruption as usual : The Yeti Airlines crash has again brought Nepal into the global limelight for the wrong reasons, by Sujeev Shakya (kp), NC On The Horns Of A Dilemma, by Narayan Upadhyay (rn), Tackle Textbook Shortage Effectively, by Uttam Maharjan (rn), China resumes outbound group tours excluding Nepal from the list of ‘relevant countries' : The disappearance of Nepal from the list, according to Nepali travel trade entrepreneurs, could affect the government’s target of welcoming 1 million tourists in 2023 (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

23/01/2023: Is Congress the main opposition? It’s Speaker’s call : Different political parties, two with just a seat each, have claimed the main opposition status in the House, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The Speaker may decide which party is the main opposition party, but whether a party can be called the opposition at all is decided by the party itself through its approval or disapproval of the government!], In search of the main opposition, by Devendra Gautam (ae), Parliament Secretariat grants NC main opposition party status (kh), Despite supporting the government, Nepali Congress gets status of main opposition (nlt) [This is a laughing stock!], ‘Even new parties seem less inclined to embrace people’s agenda’ : CK Raut, the head of the Janamat Party, on different facets of national politics, interview with CK Raut (kp), PM Dahal vows to reduce number of ministries in provinces (kh) [This is urgently needed, but once again a centrally controlled measure in a supposedly federal state!], Pension office short of Rs20 billion as liabilities soar amid drop in revenues : With government allocating less than the required budget, the office seeks extra Rs17 billion from finance ministry, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Shaky coalition and the economy : Inadequate investment in education has led to a huge outflow of students and foreign currency, by Roshee Lamichhane (kp), Street drama performed to demand justice for Nirmala Kurmi (Photo feature), by Prasan Gurung (rep), Rights activists staging street drama demanding justice for Nirmala Kurmi arrested, by Upendra Lamichhane (rep), Activists demanding justice for Nirmala Kurmi in police net : Days after Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane promised investigation, police arrest Ruby Khan and her friends demanding justice for the disappeared Banke woman (nepalminute), US power gambit in South Asia to offset China’s influence, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

22/01/2023: Gupsipakha residents move out due to water shortage : Water supply at the integrated settlement built for earthquake survivors has been disrupted since mid-December due to extreme cold weather conditions, by Hariram Upreti (kp), Diplomatic code of conduct is often flouted in Nepal. What can be done? In Nepal, foreign diplomats often get unrestricted access to political leaders and senior policy-makers and exercise freedom to advise and criticize the Nepal government, something their Nepali counterparts cannot even imagine, by Bhagirath Basnet (nlt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

21/01/2023: The agony of a stateless citizen : Being without a citizenship at 21 has cost me my ambitions that I had dreamed of since I was 16, by Vivek Baranwal (kp), Ruling coalition fails to ensure inclusiveness in Cabinet : Political parties won’t ensure inclusion, unless it’s made mandatory by amending the constitution, says expert, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [This reflects the basic non-inclusiveness of all political parties! Nepal is still not a democracy, but an oligarchy dominated and controlled by male Khas Arya.], Jhapa leaders dominant in Parliament (ht), The Message from New Zealand (rep) [!!!!! The first problem might already be that these incompetent, power-hungry politicians cannot even read. Maybe someone can read this meaningful editorial to them! It explains how responsible politicians like Jacinda Ardern behave.], Rationality Of Democratic Opposition, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Nepal’s aviation regulatory body in disarray; need for action : CAAN needs to be transformed into an effective regulatory body and service provider, by Pramod Raj Sedhain (kh), Janamat party will decide on ruling coalition support by Sunday: Minister Khan (kh), RSP and RPP chip away at Madhesh parties’ bargaining power : Parties like Janata Samajbadi and Loktantrik Samajbadi find themselves ignored in power-sharing negotiations, by Nishan Khatiwat (kp) [No matter which party, it is always primarily about the personal power positions of their leaders, never about the country and its people!], Indira Rana Magar elected as Deputy Speaker of HoR (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

20/01/2023: Parliament sans opposition: It happen only in Nepal, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (ht), Efforts on to forge national consensus on presidential candidate: PM (kh) [Yes, let's completely abolish the last basic institutions of democracy, like the opposition. Then the ploys of the failed old top politicians like Oli, Dahal and Deuba can continue smoothly!], Nepal’s illiberal democracy : A government with unconditional backing perpetuates its kleptocracy and kakistocracy, by Rabin Giri (nt), Congress on ‘Mission President’ after its futile Speaker bid : The largest party is trying to take advantage of the discontent in the ruling coalition and perceived mistrust between Prime Minister Dahal and CPN-UML chair Oli, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Constitution experts rule out another term for President Bidya Bhandari : Some UML leaders are insisting that the sitting President should be re-appointed to the post. The election for the next President is likely to take place by mid-February, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [Her blind support of Oli's unconstitutional ploys in 2020 and especially 2021 alone argue against Bhandari's candidacy again!], Parties seek ‘neutral candidate’ for President as HoR elects UML’s Ghimire as Speaker (rep), RSP’s Magar registers nomination for HoR Deputy Speaker (kh), NC fields Mukta Yadav as Deputy Speaker of HoR (kh), Speaker announces his dissociation with party (kh) [In the previous legislature, not even the president managed to do so!], Delayed bill: Crash victims’ kin miss out on millions : As per the proposed law, domestic airlines must pay a minimum of $100,000 for injury or death of a passenger, by Sangam Prasain and Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp) [Obviously, since then, Messrs. Oli, Dahal and Deuba have been more concerned with their political intrigues than with the ratification of this bill!], Provinces failed to live up to federal dream : Provincial governments spent 5 years accusing Kathmandu of rendering them ineffective, by Santosh Singh et al. (kp) [Responsible is once again the unwillingness of the national party leaders to implement federalism!], Step at a time : Politicians and ministers should take practical steps to wean the state off remittance (kp), Building gender-responsive policies : Policies fail to address gender inequalities if they are developed with a ‘gender-neutral’ mindset, by Labisha Uprety (kp), Economic recovery : The govt must bring policy-level changes to attract investments in the agriculture sector (ht), Conflicting interests : Nepal’s new Council of Ministers includes 16 new faces, some with conflicts of interest, by Shristi Karki (nt)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV  (English) (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

19/01/2023: Such a long wait for justice : The new Parliament must take concrete steps to conclude the transitional justice process, by Suman Adhikari (kp) [One should not expect anything. The parliamentarians are only forced into absolute obedience to their incompetent party leaders.], Right jobs, wrong people : Examples abound of individuals with conflicts of interest taking up ministerial positions (kp), NWPP demands status of main opposition (kh), Rastriya Swatantra Party goes against its own policy as it picks plum Cabinet posts : In its bargain for positions, the new party led by Rabi Lamichhane seems to have forgotten its own commitment to cutting costs of legislature and administration. Experts see the party no different in its quest for power, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Embrace Coalition Culture For Stability, by Shyam Prasad Mainali (rn), Dev Raj Ghimire elected House Speaker : Ghimire of CPN-UML got 167 votes in the 275-member lower house (nlt) [A nation under complete control of male Khas Arya!], UML’s Devraj Ghimire elected HoR Speaker (kh), What does Dahal want?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

18/01/2023: Nepal politics: No Panacea In Sight, by Ganga Thapa (kh), Litmus Test For PM Prachanda, by Yuba Nath Lamsal (rn), UML opposes PM’s idea of sharing key posts with Congress : KP Sharma Oli leaves an all-party meeting midway after warning Congress not to plot against the ruling coalition, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [This state is the property of the coup leader of 2020/21, KP Oli. He destroys his opponents without mercy. His current puppet Dahal will also have his turn sooner or later!], Having multiple deputy prime ministers adds to the state’s liability : The trend of appointing many deputy prime ministers indicates Nepali politics’ degeneration into just a ‘number’s game’, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Deluge of deputies : Top leaders continue to prefer the symbolism of attractive posts to the substance of delivery (kp), Putting national interest first : Nepal should learn from its neighbours that it needs to pursue an independent foreign policy, by Nischal Dhungel and Abijit Sharma (kp), Unannounced power outage hits manufacturing sector : In Lumbini Province, all factories have started cutting production, by Madhav Dhungana (kp), Making Nepal Prosperous: 2H Priorities, by Atindra Dahal (rep), 26pc women in new Cabinet, by Bal Krishna Sah (ht) [All of them are Khas Arya. Only four of them are full-fledged ministers, i.e. 20 per cent. This is again a clear violation of the inclusion provision of the Constitution in several respects. Moreover, most of the male ministers are also Khas Arya!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

17/01/2023: Baitadi local unit changes names of Dalit settlements to assuage caste discrimination : Residents say name change is a good step but attitudes towards Dalits have not changed, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp), (Un)Common Minimum Program : Anyone taking a deeper dive into the new coalition government’s common minimum program will immediately find it to be hurriedly drawn, highly ambitious, populist and distributive in character, by Narayan Manandhar (rep), No government in waiting : The idea of Dahal and Oli as rotating prime ministers could still face constitutional hurdles, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Major coalition partners reach agreement on ministerial allocation : Unhappy with its share, Janata Samajbadi Party says it will not join the government immediately, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), PM Dahal expands cabinet; new ministers sworn in (kh), Team Prachanda: Know your ministers in the 23-member cabinet : According to the constitution, the members of the council of ministers cannot exceed 25. As such, the ruling coalition can appoint only two more members in the cabinet (nlt), RSP minister criticized for conflict of interest : Newly emerged political force Rastriya Swatrantra Party is heavily criticized on social media for sending a remittance company CEO to handle the Ministry for labor, employment and social security (nlt), Bimala Rai Paudyal: Third female foreign minister of Nepal : The newly appointed foreign minister has assured that Nepal will stick to the policy of non-alignment in its foreign policy conduct with neighbors and friendly countries (nlt), Nepal: What the Election of 2022 Denotes, by Binoj Basnyat (kh), Implement the Charter in letter and spirit for progress, prosperity, by Jivesh Jha (ae) [The Oli and Dahal manufactured government of 2018 had no interest in this, nor did those manufactured by Deuba, Dahal and others in 2021! Why should this change with the current government, manufactured by Dahal, Oli and others? Oh, I just see, Dahal has always been involved!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

16/01/2023: Parties snub inclusion principle in top provincial posts : All chief ministers are male. Constitution is silent on what should be done if the authorities fail to ensure proportional representation, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp) [This is not a trivial offence, but a serious violation of the Constitution, the fundamental law of the land, and should be punished accordingly. In an increasingly conscious society, the social balance is in danger!], Uphold Spirit Of PR Election System, by Sangita Subedi (rep), Permanent instability : There is no principled understanding and long-term thinking to underpin political alliances (kp), UML optimistic on longevity of current ruling coalition : Maoist leader Pokharel says Congress’ support for government has changed the situation, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [For citizens, there is little reason for optimism. KP Oli accepted a destruction of democracy in 2020/21 just to stay in power. His personal return to power is his only concern even now, whatever the cost! PK Dahal he needs only for the moment.], PM to expand cabinet on Tuesday (kh), RPP and RSP to get three ministries each along with DPM : UML gets 8 ministries, Maoist Center 4 and Janamat Party 1 ministry (kh)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

15/01/2023: Yeti Air plane carrying 72 people crashes near Pokhara Airport (kh), Yeti Airlines aircraft crashes in Pokhara : A total of 68 passengers and four crew members were on board the aircraft (kp), Our metamorphosis to kakistocracy : To make matters worse, we now have a newly formed Parliament with no opposition, by Sucheta Pyakuryal (kp), Prime minister’s overture to Congress on key posts makes UML jittery : Cabinet expansion by Monday and all-party meeting on Tuesday, Dahal tells journalists, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), New PM's Overwhelming Mandate, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Kerung border reopening brings little joy to traders : Exports from Nepal are allowed to pass every fortnight while imports to Nepal are permitted to pass daily, officials say, by Krishana Prasain (kp) [This is obviously China's understanding of equal partnership and free trade!], HRW report paints dismal picture of rule of law (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

14/01/2023: Space of exclusion: No women, no Dalits, no Janajatis in chief ministers of Nepal’s provinces : Experts say the tendency of the political parties to repeatedly undermine constitutional obligation to proportional inclusion could pose a threat to federalism itself, by Dhanu Bishwakarma (nlt), Coalition struggles to expand Cabinet with too many contenders : Mutual suspicions between Dahal and Oli may also have tied the hands of the PM who is juggling seven forces, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Madhesh as the flagbearer of federalism has some way to go to cement gains : Madheshi leaders have been most vocal about the need to strengthen provinces and, by extension, federalism, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Journalists who perished in the Maoist armed conflict in Nepal, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep) [The one who claimed responsibility for many of these crimes has just become PM for the third time!], Resolve transitional justice at the earliest (rep), Nepal In Cauldron Of Security Initiatives, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn), Oli architect of political chaos: Gautam (ht) [After his SC-prevented coup in 2021, Oli was considered an untouchable by all parties. Now he is once again pulling the strings of power, even though his party has slipped by more than 6 percent in the electorate!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

13/01/2023: They still hope : All that the conflict victims are now looking for is a sense of respectful closure (kh) [Nepal continues with the rule of unlaw!], PM Dahal got 268 out of 270 votes in a confidence motion. What does this mean for him, for other parties? With all the parties drawing to him like moths to flame, PM Dahal has gained politically and personally but at the cost of many other things that actually matter (nlt), Nepal’s opposition-less Parliament : Near-unanimous support for PM Dahal creates a legislature without opposition in Nepal, by Shristi Karki (nt), CIAA ex-commissioner Raj Narayan Pathak gets over 3 years in jail for graft : Lambodar Neupane, former chair of Nepal Engineering College, gets three years jail. Both ordered to pay a Rs3.9 million fine each (kp), Street vending ban a kick in the belly of urban poor : Urban planners accuse municipal officials of not keeping the poor people in mind while formulating policies, by Anup Ojha (kp), US rights group says President Bhandari’s inaction deprived many Nepalis of citizenship : The Human Rights Watch expresses concerns over lack of progress in transitional justice process (kp) [The President's "inaction" was a deliberate breach of the Constitution and should be named as such!], Nepal’s growth trajectory : When population growth outstrips economic growth, the output per person falls, by Bijendra Man Shakya (kp), Sustainable health insurance for all : The new government should follow the constitutional directive of access to free basic health services, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (kp), Political Stability Key To Growth, by Yug Bhahadur (rn), Who is comfortable with new govt?: China, India, or both?, by Bishwo Gauchan (ht), Dahal’s immediate external challenges, by Kamal dev Bhattarai (ae), PM Dahal faces foreign policy challenges of Himalayan scale, by Gopal Khanal (ae), Nepali media need to integrate human rights in election reporting: Study (ae) [see report by Media Action Nepal], Now the economy, stupid : Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel must undo the mistakes of his predecessor, but his own past record is not stellar (nt), Kathmandu’s toxic trash : Open garbage burning is reducing the lifespan of Nepalis, by Sonia Awale (nt), Left, Right…Right Left…..No Right, No Left, by Keshab Poudel (sp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

12/01/2023: Nepal sees no progress in Transitional Justice: Report. “Nepal restricting free assembly, expression rights of Tibetans under Chinese pressure” (kh) [see Nepal: Events of 2022, HRW World Report 2023], 16 years since conflict ended, Nepal not serious in investigating wartime crimes, abuses : “Women and members of marginalized communities, including Dalits, are disproportionately the victims of rights violations, and also find it hardest to seek redress” (nlt), New government, new commitment on transitional justice : Successive administrations have listed transitional justice among their top priorities but the delivery is dismal, by Binod Ghimire (kp) [The one who declared to be responsible for the death of 5,000 people during the time of the uprising without drawing any consequences is PM again. What should we expect?], The liberal young : There is not one political party that remains unswayed by the shenanigans of power politics, by Deepak Thapa (kp), Chitra Bahadur KC and Prem Suwal: Only two faces of opposition in Nepal’s 274-member parliament : They were the only ones to raise some important issues in parliament on Tuesday while the rest of the MPs cast votes for the PM (nlt) [Voters have clearly expressed that they no longer want the ageing failed politicians, but they have taken control in ways never before experienced and are supported by parties and politicians who offered themselves as alternatives in the elections!], US envoy stresses Nepal’s geopolitical importance : Thompson vows to continue supporting Nepal’s democracy and sovereignty and says the US is working to find a lasting solution for refugees, by Anil Giri (kp) [So he admits to the interference!], Chief ministers appointed in all provinces : All provincial administrations take cues from ruling coalition’s power-sharing deal in Kathmandu (kp) [The national level continues to see Nepal as a centralised state. The provinces remain under its complete control!], Chief ministers appointed in all seven provinces as ruling parties finalize power-sharing deal (rep) [In a federal state, each province should make its own power sharing deal, depending on its own needs and circumstances!], What is he thinking? In his lust for power, Sher Bahadur Deuba seems determined to take down Nepali Congress with him (kp), The indelible permanent establishment, by Pranab Kharel (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

11/01/2023: Prithvi Jayanti being marked today : Government announces a public holiday (ht) [Nepal's indigenous groups and Dalits commemorate the brutal crackdown on their ancestors on this day. The socially non-inclusive state of Nepal and its orientation towards Hindu ideals can be traced back to Prithvi Narayan, as can his merit for Nepal's unification and independence, which continues to this day.], Marking Unity Day With Ardour, by Shreeram Upadhyaya (rn) [The problem is that reality differs in many ways from this glorifying image of history!] Prime Minister Dahal proves his majority—and how! Of the 270 lawmakers present, 268 voted in favour of Dahal, while two voted against the prime minister, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Main opposition concept comes into question : Congress leaders say the party has lost moral ground to claim opposition role after giving confidence vote to Dahal, by Anil Giri (kp), Plot thickens as Nepali Congress gives Dahal vote of confidence : Speculations rife of Deuba striking some kind of tacit agreement with prime minister, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), No opposition party in parliament!, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep), UML loses ‘key’ of govt as PM Dahal wins vote of confidence with unprecedented votes, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep) [The mastermind behind this government is and remains KP Oli, who trampled on the constitution and laws in 2021 to stay in power, which is why the SC removed him. The legality of this court order is denied by Oli in his intransigence to this day!], Oli's remark triggers heated debate in HoR (ht), Dahal's change of attire suggests 'ideological transformation' (ht) [Dahal and his Maoists now formally welcome back the Hindu state!], Government’s liabilities soar amid declining revenue : Successive governments have been burdening the economy with populist cash schemes, by Prithvi man Shrestha (kp), Strengthening federalism : Reforming the electoral system is a vital condition for the stability of federalism, by Khim Lal Devkota (kp) [However, legal changes are also needed that stop the constant interference of the national level in the executive and legislative affairs of the provinces!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

10/01/2023: Nepal’s parliament becomes opposition-less : In the parliamentary system, the role of an opposition party is considered crucial to follow the principle of check and balance. But Nepal’s parliament, on Tuesday, approved the opposition-less government (nlt) [A victory from the point of view of the old, long-failed political guard, but a heavy defeat for democracy!], Unopposed PM: Maoist chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal wins vote of confidence from nearly all members of parliament : Addressing the house session before the confidence vote, PM Dahal dubbed the support as 'unprecedented' and justice done to him by political parties (nlt) [And what about justice for the victims of the Maoist insurgency?], First House meeting fails to sow seed of hope for stability, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae), Ruling parties commit to bring back India-controlled Nepali territories : It is likely to be the top priority of Prime Minister Dahal during his upcoming India visit, say sources, by Anil Giri (kp) [This is reminiscent of the numerous hardly fulfilable promises made by political parties in their election manifestos!], Four NC lawmakers against giving vote of confidence to PM Dahal (rep), Division in Congress adds interest to a foregone conclusion : Deuba camp wants to support Dahal during today’s vote of confidence, while the rival faction is against the idea, by Purushottam Poudel (kp) [A functioning democracy requires a strong opposition. A party that openly supports the government is not an opposition!], PM Dahal wins vote of confidence (ae), PM Dahal wins confidence vote : Prime Minister Dahal gets 268  votes in his favor with two votes against him (kh), Nepal's new PM secures vote of confidence in parliament (ht), Government of national consensus: Easily said but difficultly done, by Jiba Raj Pokharel (ht), Oli defends HoR dissolution as new session begins, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht) [This is a clear contempt of court! Oli continues to claim that he interprets the constitution correctly and not the SC!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

09/01/2023: ‘We have failed to build pressure on transitional justice’ : Mandira Sharma, a senior international legal advisor at the International Commission of Jurists, on the state of transitional justice in Nepal, interview with Mandira Sharma (kp), Women activists stage protest demanding justice for Nirmala Kurmi in capital (ht), Recipe of Nepali politics: Betrayal, immorality and power bargain, by Pushpa R Joshi (ht), UML set to govern 3 provinces, Maoists 1; 3 CMs to be rotated : UML’s Hikmat Karki becomes chief minister of Province 1, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [The ageing, failed top politicians continue to see Nepal as a central state. A system in which the national level decides on provincial governments and coalitions is not federalism!], Sceptics discount Lamichhane’s cutbacks as gimmicks : Similar populist programmes have in the past proved to be ineffective and unsustainable, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Not your time : The public wants the defeated candidates to stay out of Parliament for the next five years (kp), Janmat, NUP sign 12-point pact, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), China’s Nepal plan: Firmer footing, weakened Delhi, by Pramod Jaiswal (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

08/01/2023: They lost elections but still want to get into Parliament somehow : Attempts of some influential leaders to become lawmakers post-election is an insult to voters, analysts say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), The rise of Nagarik Unmukti Party : A look into how it became a formidable political force within a year of its establishment, the agenda it carries and its way forward, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Janamat and Unmukti Party sign 12-point agreement : Agreement includes unity between the two parties (kh), Nagarik Unmukti Party chooses opposition bench in parliament (kh), The gods of mediated things : The media is often derided for all the ills, with little appraisal of the forces behind it, by Dharma Adhikari (kp), Prachanda: An epitome of survival : During his electoral campaigns, Prachanda admitted that aligning with KP Sharma Oli was a tragedy, by Sambridh Ghimire (kp) [Like many of the ageing and failed politicians, Dahal never means what he says. Everything depends only on his personal advantage and interest. He has nothing to do with his pretended ideals of the People's War era!], Nepal’s outstanding debt in data : The total public debt in Nepal reached 2,007.84 billion rupees at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year in October, 2022, by Sushil Hamal (nlt), Nepal’s external debts swell in rupee terms as dollar surges : The greenback had risen to Rs132.07 by the end of the first quarter from Rs128.11 at the start of the fiscal year (kp), EC calls for party registration for National Assembly by-election (rep), Election has  institutionalized democracy: CEC Thapaliya (rep) [Yes, thanks to the broken electoral alliance, a government has now been formed with the votes of traditional voters from other parties! This is voter fraud!], Prachanda’s Third Innings : Treading A Tightrope, by Ritu Raj Subedi (rn), Pre-election announcement to topple unconstitutional alliance successful: Oli (kh 08/01/2023) [Electoral alliances are not necessarily unconstitutional, but the form of the one in 2022 was as undemocratic as that of the CPN (UML) and CPN (MC) in 2017. To now form a government with the coup plotter of 2021 contrary to the cooperation promised in the elections is a betrayal of the electorate and lacks any political morality! It reminds of Oli's unconstitutional actions in 2021!], Ruling parties finalize power sharing in Provinces (kh) [A system in which the national level decides on provincial governments and coalitions is not federalism!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

07/01/2023: Nursing staff crunch leaves hospitals high and dry : Although the government makes big claims on building hospitals and expanding health services, it is ignoring the need to hire nurses that form the backbone of hospitals, by Rita Lamsal (nlt) [Despite this great shortage at home, the government has reached an agreement with the UK to send 10,000 nurses, even though nurses there are currently on the barricades because of poor pay and working conditions!], NHRC recommends investigation against 130, including Upendra Yadav in 2007 Gaur carnage (kh), Foreign power centers are trying to topple govt by not allowing vote of confidence: KP Oli (kh) [The USA, China and India are trying to influence Nepal, but Oli should finally be ashamed of his stupid talk. The allegation is not new from leftist circles, though no evidence has ever been presented. But China's influence in connection with the change of government is particularly evident. Is this what Oli is referring to?], Experts suggest executive take bureaucracy into confidence to improve services : Prime Minister Dahal this week upbraided bureaucrats for their tardiness in providing services to the public, and threatened action, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), PM Dahal's Difficulties (rep), Politics As A Domain Of Liberty, by Dev Raj Dahal (rn)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

06/01/2023: Power sharing, inclusive politics in Nepal: Honour the constitutional principle, by Yagya Bahadur Karki (ht) [When will the arrogant high-caste macho males at the top of the state and political parties finally be punished for their constant disregard of the constitution and laws? A permanent ban from political office should be the minimum punishment! This is not a trivial offence, but malicious intent!], Improved but unstable : While there has been an increase in news media outlets, there has also been a surge in fake news, by Bhanu Bhakta Acharya (kp), Govt and CIAA : The govt must take policy decisions only in the public interest confined to the existing laws (ht), No small wonder : Even the emergent forces in Nepali politics seem ever-ready to sacrifice their cherished beliefs and public trust (kp), Parties are taking back rebels who won polls : With their return, the party gets one more seat in parliament, giving them a leg up in parliamentary politics, observers say, by Nishan Khatiwada (kp), Deuba intensifies talks with parties as PM Dahal prepares for trust vote in parliament (rep) [It's all about personal power. Deuba would do better to resign from all offices and leave this task to a younger generation. This would be more credible.]. Apex Court refuses to issue interim order in Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane’s case : The Supreme Court has said that the full hearing for the case has been scheduled for January 25 (nlt), Nepal’s political economy : The new government's biggest challenge is to save Nepal's economy (and itself) from collapse (nt), Baburam Bhattarai’s 4-point formula  : National consensus needed on geopolitics, federalism, inclusion and infrastructure-led growth, by Namrata Sharma (nt 06/01/2023)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

05/01/2023: Why can't CIAA probe Cabinet decisions, asks apex court, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht), Rehabilitating squatter settlements : Begin with affordable housing solutions, by Anuska Singh (ht), Tension brewing in Congress with rival factions ready to spar : Neither the Deuba camp nor opponents appear in a mood for compromise before crucial central committee meeting, by Anil Giri (kp) [It would not be the first time that Deuba has contributed to a split in the NC for reasons of claiming power!], Will a slew of executive instructions fix bureaucracy?, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae) [It is always the same: The government appoints administrators who are loyal to it but often incompetent. Otherwise, their actions are exhausted by orders. Personal responsibility does not exist!], Development projects suffer from funds crunch as government revenue takes hit : Prime minister questions poor revenue collection, dismal development spending in 30-point directive to secretaries, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Fixing Nepal’s low and slow development spending (rep), Prime minister struggling to strike a power-sharing deal in coalition : Due to the delay in Cabinet expansion, four ministers are left without portfolios, by Tika R Pradhan (kp), Short of justices, Supreme Court’s work further slows : High courts have a 59.33 percent case clearance rate, district courts come second at 54.56 percent, while the apex court is last at 17 percent, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Talk is cheap : Government should lead by example on good governance : The new government can also take a leaf out of the book from some good practices the governments in the past had tried to institutionalize, by Ashim Neupane (nlt), RPP demands 4 ministries including Deputy PM : RPP likely to settle on three ministries: Source (kh), Govt to finalize Common Minimum Program by Friday (kh) [In a democratic state, coalition partners only form a government after adopting a common government programme! In Nepal it is primarily, if not exclusively, about power and positions!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

04/01/2023: Harsh laws, stiff penalties : Multiple loopholes need to be closed to prevent trafficking of Nepali women and girls (kp), Mass Communications Academy concerns threat against journalist Mahato (kh), Why the new government should revitalize Hello Sarkar : Revitalization of Hello Sarkar can be the first step of the new government to receive and address people's grievances and complaints and establish some semblance of accountability (nlt), Prime minister Dahal warns top bureaucrats to either shape up or ship out : Dahal wants immediate improvements in the government’s service delivery mechanism (kp), Three Nepali women escape their coercive Chinese employers in Laos. They still feel unsafe back home : The women were previously taken to Laos to work at a call centre. More than two dozen Nepalis are still languishing at the centre, police say, by Anup Ojha (kp), The season of liberal exuberance : Dahal knows that Kathmandu’s libertarians love the announcement of game-changer proposals, by CK Lal (kp)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

03/01/2023: Nepal needs critical reforms to achieve economic prosperity : Nepal has a long road ahead in terms of economic development. Continuation of current practices might just hinder the growth prospects, by Ayushma Maharjan (nlt), Nepal reports 45 cases of press freedom violations in 2022 : In the last one year, a total of 45 incidents of press freedom violations occurred in Nepal, where 120 journalists were directly affected, according to a report (nlt), Nepal’s PM warns of action in case of unnecessary delay in service delivery. Then Passport Department announces system failure. Is this only a coincidence? : Nepal’s democratization processes have failed to foster effective civil service reform. Largely characterized as a conformist force, bureaucracy is politically divided and less accountable to people (nlt), Ruling alliance still struggling to get reliable candidate for the new president : Several names are being floated for the Presidency. Top guns of ruling parties, however, seem undecided. National and international interests have played a role, observers say (nlt), Bureaucracy snubbed the Prime Minister’s directive? In less than a week, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal twice directed the bureaucracy not to implement MDMS. But has the bureaucracy complied with the PM’s directive? (nlt), Let returnees bring two mobile phones from abroad: PM Dahal (kh), PM Dahal removes facebook status on directives given to finance ministry to take action against TIA customs officials (rep), Independent MP Kiran Shah joins UML (kh), Dahal promoting daughters at the expense of party leaders : Dissatisfaction is growing in the CPN (Maoist Centre) due to the party chief’s manifest bias towards his family members. He has always handpicked party officials, by Tika R Pradhan (kp) [Nepotism is a special form of corruption that can be found in all parties!], Top priority to economy : The revenue base is so weak that the revenues are not enough to cover recurrent expenditure, by Achyut Wagle (kp), Nepal-China: Border is open, not the trade (ae)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

02/01/2023: Identity politics going through a churn : The November elections were not in favour of the parties that have long relied on it, by Binod Ghimire (kp), Nepal risks being ‘greylisted’ for abetting money laundering : An Asia-Pacific regional watchdog recently visited Nepal for two weeks to assess the country’s response to money laundering and terror financing, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp), Deuba can salvage the image : History will remember him for how he fumbled the ball in the past couple of weeks, by Paban Raj Pandey (kp), Prime Minister Dahal to take vote of confidence on January 10 (kh), EC suggests holding National Assembly by-election on February 8 (rn), Fractured Popular Mandate and Political Stability, by Rajaram Bartaula (rep), Dahal may be the prime minister, but it’s Oli who runs the show, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae) [Oli was already responsible for the failure of the 2017 legislature because of his authoritarian and finally unconstitutional ambitions for power.],  CPN-UML claims popularity in election race : Popularity of Nepali Congress has declined by more than seven percent and the popular votes of Maoist Centre have decreased by 2.5 percent, says UML’s election report (nlt) [As is so often the case, this is not true. Only the PR votes say something about the popularity of a party. Here the result is: NC -6.97%, UML -6.31%, MC -2.53%. So they are all losers!]
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

01/01/2023: Unified Socialist leaders divided over whether to join Dahal-led government : Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is said to be discussing with Madhav Kumar Nepal to take the party on board, by Purushottam Poudel (kp), 53 cases of press freedom violation (ht)
see also TV news: Kantipur TV : morning (English), evening (Nepali); AP1 (morning) (evening); Sagarmatha TV (evening)

Timetable