My Republica

Kosh Raj Koirala

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

Army now plans to invest in pharmaceuticals, hydropower

Published On: August 10, 2019 06:45 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, Aug 10: Expanding its various business ventures under its welfare activities, the Nepal Army (NA) is preparing to run pharmaceutical companies in the near future, a top army official said on Friday. Brigadier General Sagar Bahadur KC, who heads the Welfare Planning Directorate of Nepal Army, said they are currently making necessary preparation to establish such companies to manufacture vital medicines within the country.

Why Chand-led Maoists are now inclined to talks

Published On: July 20, 2019 06:00 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, July 20: The outlawed Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) led by Netra Bikram Chand had publicly ruled out any possibility of talks until just a few weeks ago.

Ruling NCP in controversy again as youth wing hosts Venezuela team

Published On: July 16, 2019 06:57 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, July 16: Nearly five months after a controversial statement issued by one of its top leaders in favor of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) has once again courted controversy with its sister organization hosting a Venezuelan youth delegation of the ruling party that includes Maduro junior.

Nepal for strengthening multilateralism and rule-based world order: FM Gyawali

Published On: July 10, 2019 07:29 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, July 10: Foreigner Pradeep Gyawali has said Nepal has stood in favor of further strengthening multilateralism and rule-based world order, although major powers seem to deviate from this principle.

Govt introduces directives to regulate external contacts of provincial, local govt officials

Published On: July 9, 2019 07:06 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, July 9: The government has made it mandatory for the office bearers and other officials of provincial and local governments to receive permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) prior to holding meetings with the representatives of foreign governments, diplomatic missions and INGOs.

Nepal fails to meet minimum standards for elimination of trafficking: US report

Published On: June 22, 2019 11:48 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, June 22: Although it has been making significant efforts to eliminate human trafficking, Nepal has failed to meet the minimum standards for its elimination, according to the 2019 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released by the US Department of State on Thursday.

Nepal committed to implementing BRI projects: FM Gyawali

Published On: June 21, 2019 07:13 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, June 21: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali has said Nepal is committed to implementing the agreements reached with China under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.

Leaders may face arrest abroad if TJ issues not resolved: Australia envoy

Published On: June 5, 2019 02:13 PM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, June 5: While expressing concern over the delay in addressing transitional justice issues, Australian ambassador to Nepal Pete Budd said that the leaders directly or indirectly involved in rights violations could face arrest in any country including in Australia.

‘Modi’s invite for BIMSTEC heads at swearing-in signals change in neighborhood policy’

Published On: May 29, 2019 09:01 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, May 29: The decision of India to invite leaders from Bimstec member states and the chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to the swearing in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends a message that India’s neighborhood first policy now extends beyond South Asia, foreign policy analysts in Kathmandu say.

Trans-border railway requires more scientific study: China envoy

Published On: May 24, 2019 07:29 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, May 24: While stating that construction of the trans-border railway between Nepal and China through high-altitude mountain terrain is not an ‘easy job’, Chinese ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi has said that they have the determination to implement the project even as it requires further ‘scientific studies’.

Bill provision allowing appointment of foreign secy from other civil service clusters draws flak

Published On: May 22, 2019 06:30 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, May 22: Preparations by the government's to pave the way for itself to make the secretary of any other services in the civil service the foreign secretary has drawn widespread criticism, including from the main opposition party, the Nepali Congress (NC).

Kailash pilgrimage uncertain as Tibet govt tightens permit

Published On: May 14, 2019 07:40 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, May 14: The famous Kailash Yatra (pilgrimage by Hindus to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake) via Nepal has fallen into uncertainty this season as the government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR)  has introduced a slew of measures including a mandatory provision on payment for tour packages through banking channels.

Police face new challenges in drive against Chand outfit

Published On: May 13, 2019 07:49 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, May 13: On March 12, the government decided to ban all activities of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and treat the splinter group of former Maoists as a terrorist outfit after it started extortion and carrying out bomb blasts. Since then, police have already arrested hundreds of its leaders and cadres from across the country, while leaving its organizational structure largely broken.

Parties divided over Nepal-China railroad funding

Published On: May 6, 2019 06:30 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, May 6: Two major political parties — the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC) — appear sharply divided over how to fund the Nepal-China railroad, which requires investment of several billion of dollars.

Nepal’s ‘independent foreign policy put to test’ as it suspends meeting with Pakistan

Published On: March 31, 2019 06:00 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, March 31: As India flexes its diplomatic muscles in both its neighborhood and beyond to 'isolate' Pakistan over the alleged support of Islamabad to terrorist elements, Nepal's conduct of 'independent' foreign policy has met with a serious 'test'.

Dahal to face ‘no trouble’ in US despite complaint filed with FBI

Published On: March 20, 2019 07:23 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, March 20: Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will face ‘no trouble’ in the US even as a complaint has been filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against him as a ‘terrorist’,  diplomatic sources said.

'US official's remark on BRI projects fabricated rumor to harm Nepal-China ties'

Published On: February 27, 2019 11:05 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, Feb 27: China has strongly objected to the remarks of a visiting senior US Defense Department official that projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal and elsewhere are primarily aimed at serving the interests of China, calling the remarks 'irresponsible' and 'fabricated rumors.'

US seeks to further deepen military cooperation with Nepal

Published On: February 26, 2019 05:59 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, Feb 25: Visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph H Felter has expressed the desire to further deepen military cooperation with Nepal.

Compensation for Gurkha disparity not immediately possible: UK minister

Published On: February 23, 2019 07:53 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, Feb 23: The United Kingdom has conveyed to the Nepali side that it was not immediately possible to fulfill  demands to provide compensation for the disparity that Gurkha servicemen in the British army between 1948 to 2006 faced in their pay, pension and other perks as compared to their British counterparts.

New India-Pakistan tension threatens SAARC future

Published On: February 18, 2019 11:20 AM NPT By: Kosh Raj Koirala

KATHMANDU, Feb 18: Although Nepal as its chair has been constantly calling for convening the SAARC Summit at the earliest, a renewed diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack has made the SAARC Summit further uncertain.