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Spain is to set up a national network of climate shelters in public buildings to offer people refuge from intense heat before next summer, its prime minister has announced, BBC reported. 

The move was announced as Pedro Sanchez laid out a plan to address the impact of climate change during a conference in Madrid on Wednesday. 

"Devastating droughts and heatwaves are no longer rare. Some summers, it's not separate waves we face, but one long heatwave stretching from June through August. This is now the new normal," he said, according to BBC. 

US President Donald Trump has ordered "a total and complete" blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela - a move denounced by Caracas as "warmongering threats", BBC reported. 

Trump wrote that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government had been designated a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), which had also engaged in "Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking".

His remarks come after the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last week, a significant action in light of the South American nation's reliance on oil, according to BBC. 

Heavy rains over the past week have compounded the already dire living conditions of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies say, BBC reported. 

Unicef spokesman Jonathan Crickx told the BBC that the weather overnight had been "horrendous", with the rain so intense that he had seen up to 15cm (6in) of water on the ground near his office.

He said he was extremely concerned that children living in tents and makeshift shelters in wet clothing would succumb to hypothermia and other illnesses, according to BBC. 

European Union leaders begin two days of talks in Brussels with a momentous decision to be taken on whether to loan tens of billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to fund its military and economic needs, BBC reported. 

Most of Russia's €210bn (£185bn; $245bn) worth of assets in the EU are held by Belgium-based organisation Euroclear, and so far Belgium and some other members of the bloc have said they are opposed to using the cash.

Without a boost in funding, Ukraine's finances are set to run dry in a matter of months, according to BBC. 

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki in Singha Durbar on Wednesday.

Ambassador Song is returning home after completing his term.  

On the occasion, matters related to various dimensions of Nepal-China relations as well as bilateral interests were discussed, according to the PM's Secretariat.

Stating that China has been providing support to every aspect of Nepal's development endeavour as a very close friend, the Chinese Ambassador mentioned that such support would be continued in future. 

Similarly, Prime Minister Karki congratulated the Ambassador for completing his term successfully and wished him a pleasant journey home. 

She assured of not allowing anyone to use Nepal's territory against China, adding Nepal is committed to the One-China Policy.

Prime Minister Karki expressed hope that Nepal would continue to get support, assistance and cooperation as always from China in her development endeavors. 

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that Nepal, as a proud and active member of the United Nations, highly values the world body.

PM Karki said this in a statement she delivered at a program organized today, marking the 70 years of Nepal-UN partnership.

"We are celebrating 70 years of working together. I want to thank the United Nations office in Nepal for organizing this event.

“Nepal highly values the United Nations. You help maintain world peace, support growth, and help us build a better future. For a long time, the UN has helped Nepal improve the lives of our people. We truly appreciate your support," she said on the occasion.

This 70-year milestone is a time to look back at our journey and also a time to make our bond even stronger for the years ahead, PM Karki added. 

Noting that the United Nations was created after the Second World War, with a goal to save future generations from the pain of war, she said the UN works on three main areas: peace, human rights, and development, and these three things went hand in hand. 

"Over many years, the UN has shown real results in health, safety, and helping people in need. It gives us hope that 'no one will be left behind'," she said, adding that today the world expects even more from the UN. 

She further said: "We face many new challenges like climate change and global tensions. Because of this, we must all work together to make the UN system even stronger and more effective.

“Nepal is a proud and active member of the UN. We believe the United Nations is the best place for countries to talk and solve problems together. Even though the world has changed, the role of the UN is more important than ever,” the Prime Minister said. 

Stating that Nepal joined the UN on December 14, 1955 and since then, it has always followed the principles of the UN Charter, the PM emphasized that it is the foundation of "how we talk to the world."

She said that Nepal is the number one troops contributing country to the UN Peace Support Operation, and it was proud of this fact. 

"Our soldiers and police personnel have served in diverse places for the cause of peace. We are ready to support further if the UN needs us. This shows our deep commitment to a peaceful world," PM Karki said.

Sharing what she called an important update of the country on the occasion, she said: "As the world is looking forward to a smooth change in government through our elections on March 5, I want to assure you that we will deliver these elections. 

Our preparations are almost completed, and the security environment has improved a lot with our security apparatus."

She stated that at the same time, Nepal is moving forward. "By 2026, we will no longer be a 'Least Developed Country'. This is a big step for us. To make this success last, we will need more investment, better technology, and continued partnership from the UN." 

Prime Minister Karki said that in a world where we all depend on each other, working together is not just a choice—it is a must. "On this special day, I promise that Nepal will remain a strong partner of the United Nations."

The PHDCCI India-Nepal Centre, in association with the Consulate General of India (CGI) and Nepal Young Entrepreneurs’ Forum (NYEF: Birgunj & Janakpur Chapters), organised a Roundtable Discussion on “India-Nepal Cooperation in New Technology & Startups” on Tuesday at Mithila Awadh Dharamshala, Janakpur.

Session Chair Atul K Thakur, Senior Secretary, India-Nepal Centre, highlighted the evolving industrial landscape of Nepal and India, noting opportunities for enhanced collaboration in the value chain, especially from states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He emphasized integrating technology cooperation into the broader framework of India-Nepal relations.

Chief Guest, Mr Devi Sahai Meena (IFS), Consul General of India, Birgunj, stressed the importance of converging new-age businesses across borders, highlighting India’s strengths in IT & ITeS, AI, and other emerging technologies as a boost for Nepalese startups.

Over forty startups and MSME representatives participated, encouraged to join the upcoming 3rd edition of Startup Summit Nepal on Dec 20 in Kathmandu, aiming to strengthen the India-Nepal startup ecosystem.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to provide Nepal with USD 100 million in concessional loan aid to support the implementation of fiscal federalism, strengthen public financial management, and improve budgetary systems across all three tiers of government.

The loan will be provided under Subprogram–2 of ADB’s Strengthening Public Financial Management and Devolved Service Delivery Program.

Finance Secretary Dr Ghanashyam Upadhyay and ADB Country Director for Nepal, Arnaud Cauchois, signed an agreement on behalf of their respective institutions during a program held at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.

The policy-based loan will be provided as budgetary support to Nepal. According to the agreement, the loan will have a repayment period of 24 years, including a grace period of eight years.

The interest rate will be one percent until February 1, 2034, after which it will increase to 1.5 percent.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Secretary Dr Upadhyay said that strengthening public financial management and improving service delivery are directly linked to federalism. He said that establishing a robust fiscal management system is one of the government’s major objectives.

The program focuses on improving budget formulation, implementation, and results-based management across all three levels of government. 

According to the Finance Secretary, this is expected to enhance the overall budgetary process and make public service delivery more effective.

The implementation of the program is also expected to improve the public procurement system, promote fiscal discipline and revenue generation, strengthen institutional capacity, and further empower local governments, thereby advancing inclusive and results-oriented development.

ADB Country Director for Nepal Cauchois said the concessional loan is aimed at improving fiscal governance. 

He added that the program will strengthen fiscal sustainability and fiscal federalism by expanding fiscal space through expenditure rationalization, increased revenue generation, reduced fiscal risks, innovative financing, and improved management and governance of public enterprises.

The agreement signing ceremony was attended by employees and officials of the Ministry of Finance as well as officials from the Asian Development Bank.