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Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal Torun Dramdal today paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal at the latter's office in Singha Durbar on Wednesday.

The meeting between the two focused on bilateral welfare and concerns of both Nepal and Norway.

Stating that Norway was a reliable development partner for Nepal, the minister remembered Norway's positive assistance for the drafting of the Constitution and peace process in Nepal.

Praising Norway for its assistance in the areas of energy, society, education and climate change, she said that Nepal was always interested to cooperate with the country in the realms of mutual concerns and development between the two countries.

Saying that Nepal has been incurring a huge loss every year due to off-season rains caused by climate change, Minister Bhusal said that Nepal wants to join hands with the Norwegian Government in reducing such risks.

It could be an exemplary work when there was a cooperation between Nepal and Norway in reducing risks in districts like Manang, Ilam and Sindhupalchowk where off-season rains took its toll, she added.

In response, the Norwegian Ambassador said that the Norwegian Government was interested in expanding its investments in the energy sector of Nepal and would cooperate with it in the development of its renewable energy and hydropower. RSS

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s upcoming Nepal visit (March 25-27) is a great opportunity to repair the strained bilateral ties. Nepal-China relations have been through choppy waters of late, hitting rock bottom after the parliamentary endorsement of the MCC compact. China publicly expressed its displeasure with the endorsement. Unconvinced the compact is not part of a larger American encirclement plan, Beijing also seems to believe that the current Deuba government is ‘pro-US’.

It won’t be easy to convince the Chinese that Nepal can prevent the compact’s undue use. Not that we should not try. Beijing had been led to believe that under no circumstance would the compact be endorsed. They would not have been happy with the way the last-minute American pressure seemed to have prevailed over their concerns. But Nepal and China have no option but to mend fences. China is Nepal’s one of only two neighbors and its only direct connection with the outside world besides India. For China, stability of Tibet remains a top priority—and something that will be difficult to ensure without Nepal’s help.

When Wang comes, Nepal is likely to ask for grants to build the nine projects agreed under the BRI. Though grants under the BRI are rare, China could still make a one-time exception to protect its traditional space in Nepal against American encroachment. If Nepal and China are indeed good friends, as each claims, they should understand each other’s compulsions. Moreover, there is not one bilateral issue between them that cannot be resolved through dialogue.

As a show of good faith, the Deuba government must immediately correct its mistake of not appointing an envoy to Beijing, something that has bothered the Chinese. Wang should also give a clear message that China respects sovereign Nepal’s decision, however unpalatable it might have been. It is also vital that during this visit Wang makes an effort to engage leaders from across the political spectrum and not be seen as favoring only those of certain persuasions. Such confidence-building measures will help increase trust on both sides. They will also create a positive momentum.

Nepal reported 38 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 3, 855 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 34 returned positive. Likewise, 1, 521 people underwent antigen tests, of which four were tested positive.

The Ministry said that no one died of virus in the last 24 hours. The Ministry said that 269 infected people recovered from the disease.

As of today, there are 2, 453 active cases in the country.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index plunged by 20. 34 points to close at 2,630.36 points on Wednesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index fell 4. 22 points to reach 495.11 points.

A total of 3,985,574 units of shares of 226 companies were traded for Rs 2. 04 billion.

Likewise, all sub-indices saw red in today’s market except from Trading and Mutual Fund.

Meanwhile, Rastra Utthan Lagubitta Sanstha Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10 percent. Likewise, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 3.58 percent. 

At the end of the day, total market civilization stands at Rs 3.72 trillion.

The Department of Transport Management has decided to close all the services of the transport offices across the nation for an indefinite period of time.

Issuing a public notice on Wednesday, the DoTM said that it has decided to shut down all the services for an indefinite period of time after the servers witnessed some problems.

Department spokesperson Loknath Bhusal said that the decision will come into effect from 5 pm today.

The price of the yellow metal has dropped by Rs 1,100 in the domestic market on Wednesday.

With the price drop, the yellow bullion is being traded at Rs 99,200 per tola today.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, gold was exchanged for Rs 100,300 per tola on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 98,700 per tola today.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,370 per tola.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba inaugurated an International Conference on Sustainable Mountain Development here on Wednesday.

PM Deuba inaugurated the two-day event organized by the Ministry of Forest and Environment at Chandragiri in Kathmandu. A total of 200 representatives from 13 countries have participated in the conference. Among them, 100 are participating physically while remaining others take part in the event virtually, the organizers said. 

As per the decision of the United Nations to celebrate the year 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, the Ministry of Forest and Environment is going to organize various programs throughout the year to promote the importance of mountain ecosystems.

Working papers will be presented and discussed on five various genres related to the mountain environment such as Mountain Economy, Mountain Biodiversity and Ecosystem, Mountain Culture, Mountain Women and Mountain-Lowland Connections.

Participants during the conference will prepare the issues that Nepal needed to raise in the national policy and international forums and offer recommendations for formulation of regional policy to protect and promote mountain ecosystems. RSS

The westerly low pressure system is likely to bring partial to general changes in weather conditions in most of the area of the country.

The system will potentially bring partial to general climatic changes in the mountainous area of province-1, Bagmati Province, Gandaki Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpaschim Province.

According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light rain with thunder and lightning is likely to take place in some areas.

Partial to general changes will occur in mountainous and hilly regions in the night while weather will normally remain clear in other areas.

According to the Department, the hilly and mountainous regions will see partial to general changes in weather on Thursday. However, the weather will remain clear in other areas.

According to the Weather Forecasting Division, Kathmandu Valley today has witnessed a minimum temperature of 14.8 degree Celsius and maximum 30.5 degree Celsius. RSS