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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.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the government is presently focussed on implementing its two prime agendas: the establishment of good governance and the successful conduction of elections.

Addressing the 107th establishment day of Lalitpur Metropolitan City today, the Prime Minister said the government is working round the clock with intensive preparations to conduct the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, in the aftermath of the special situation that developed following the September 8–9 Gen Z movement.

“We are eager to hand over executive power to a new government to be formed in accordance with the mandate expressed through the election. I urge one and all to contribute from their respective sides to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair, impartial, and cost-effective manner. 

Elections are the sole alternative to move the nation forward on the path of democratic values and good governance in a constitutional way,” said the head of the election government.

Stressing that no anarchic activities should find space in society, the Prime Minister said the security administration is competent and active in combatting those who jeopardize peace and security and engage in criminal offenses.

“The role of the community is equally vital in resisting nefarious forces. Let us join hands to build a nation with good governance by establishing peace in society,” she said.

Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan sought support from Gen Z groups to make the elections successful, while Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya recalled the contributions of people from various walks of life in bringing the metropolis to its present state.

Warner Bros Discovery’s board could announce a decision as early as Dec 17 on Paramount Skydance’s US$108.4 billion (S$139.7 billion) takeover bid, with the board likely to advise shareholders to vote against the offer, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported. 

The decision to recommit to Netflix’s buyout offer would mark the latest twist in the race for assets that include Warner Bros’ storied film and TV studio, and its extensive film and television library.

Its portfolio includes classics from Casablanca and Citizen Kane to contemporary favourites like Harry Potter and Friends, HBO and the HBO Max streaming service, according to Reuters. 

Pakistan's most powerful military chief in decades faces the toughest test of his newly amassed powers as Washington pushes Islamabad to contribute troops to the Gaza stabilisation force, a move analysts say could spark domestic backlash, Reuters reported. 

Field Marshal Asim Munir is expected to fly to Washington to meet President Donald Trump in the coming weeks for a third meeting in six months that will likely focus on the Gaza force, two sources told Reuters, one of them a key player in the general's economic diplomacy.

Trump's 20-point Gaza plan calls for a force from Muslim nations to oversee a transition period for reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-torn Palestinian territory, decimated by over two years of Israeli military bombardment, according to Reuters. 

United States President Donald Trump has ordered “a total and complete” blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, Aljazeera reported. 

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday evening.

“For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” Trump said, according to Aljazeera. 

Paris St-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele has been named the men's player of the year at the Fifa Best awards, BBC reported. 

The 28-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in September, picked up the Fifa award in Qatar on Tuesday after helping PSG to four trophies in the 2024-25 season.

The former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund player, who joined PSG in 2023, had 51 goal contributions in 53 games for Luis Enrique's side last term.

After helping PSG to a first Champions League triumph, Dembele beat Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe to the prestigious individual award, according to BBC. 

Chelsea held off League One leaders Cardiff City to secure their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought and absorbing win in south Wales, BBC reported. 

Roared on by a fervent capacity crowd at Cardiff City Stadium, the home side impressed in and out of possession as they contained their Premier League opponents and showed flashes of their own attacking threat in a goalless first half.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had changed his entire team from Saturday's Premier League victory over Everton, which had been overshadowed by his post-match comment that the preceding 48 hours had been the "worst" of his tenure, according to BBC.