Canada announces to meet NATO's defence spending target

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will meet NATO’s defence spending target of 2 percent of GDP in the 2025–26 fiscal year, five years ahead of schedule. The defence budget will exceed 9bn Canadian dollars (US$6.6bn), up from 1.45 percent of GDP last year, according to NATO’s report.

The increased spending includes higher pay for the Canadian Armed Forces, new aircraft, armed vehicles, ammunition, and greater defense industrial capacity. The Canadian Coast Guard will also be enhanced and incorporated into NATO's defensive capabilities, according to BBC.

Carney stated that these steps are essential for maintaining Canada's sovereignty and committed to increase future defence investments.

PMO concerns over excess immigration staff at TIA

The Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has expressed serious concern over the deployment of staff beyond the approved quota at the Immigration Office at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). The issue has come under scrutiny following a complaint filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), alleging that the Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed more personnel than the sanctioned positions in several departments, including immigration.

According to an OPMCM source, the practice of leaving some positions vacant while overstaffing others has disrupted service delivery. The complaint to the CIAA calls for a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible. The Prime Minister’s Office has warned that those involved could face departmental action, be issued warnings or even punished under anti-corruption laws.

In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the OPMCM cited provisions under various laws, including Section 18(A) of the Civil Service Act 2049, which governs deputation of civil servants. Sub-section 3 of the same clause mandates that if a civil servant is deputed against the stated legal provisions, the officer responsible for the posting must repay the salary and allowances from their own pocket and face departmental action. Furthermore, Section 15 of the Governance (Management and Operation) Act 2065 requires timely decision-making, and Section 17(B) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 2059 stipulates penalties for causing harm through indecision or negligence.

The Prime Minister’s Office also reminded the Home Ministry that deploying staff without adherence to the decisions of secretary-level meetings constitutes a breach of existing laws. It has issued an ultimatum to provide a full list of personnel working beyond the approved staff quota.

Additionally, the PMO has directed the Home Ministry to align staffing strictly with the sanctioned positions within seven days. “I urge you to immediately provide the list of institutions operating with excess staff and the names of such personnel, and to ensure staff deployment is strictly in accordance with the approved quota within seven days, with updates submitted to this office,” the letter goes.

The PMO has further warned that it will initiate legal proceedings under the Governance Act if the directive is not followed.

California sues Trump administration over national guard deployment

California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the federal deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles during protests against immigration raids.

Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the move as unlawful and a misuse of presidential authority, stating it occurred without state consent, as required under federal law, according to BBC.

The lawsuit, naming President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense, argues the deployment escalated tensions and represents a misuse of military power.

On Saturday, Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles in response to clashes between protesters and police.  State officials claim the deployment has exacerbated the situation and accuse the president of creating a crisis for political purposes, BBC reported.

Trump justified his actions and promised to retaliate against protesters. He also urged Newsom be arrested, which drew strong criticism from the governor.

California is attempting to block the order and reestablish state sovereignty over its National Guard.

 

Home Minister urged to resign to pave way for 'impartial' investigation into visit visa scam

The CPN (Maoist Center) has urged Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to resign from his post to allow for an 'impartial' investigation into the visit visa scandal.

During a National Assembly meeting today, Suresh Ale Magar of the Maoist Center demanded time to argue that a fair investigation into the scam would be unlikely as long as the Home Minister remains in office, given that employees of the Home Ministry have been implicated in the scandal.

“We believe the Home Minister is not personally responsible for any wrongdoing, but he should step down on moral grounds to facilitate investigation, making it uninfluenced,” he said. 

Ale Magar also questioned why an employee previously accused in various scams was assigned responsibility for immigration.

Speaking during the zero hour, Krishna Prasad Paudel raised concerns over the rising COVID-19 cases in India, stressing the need to enhance surveillance and testing along the Nepal-India border.

Goma Devi Timilsina urged the government to prioritize launching public awareness campaigns about COVID-19.

Sonam Gyaljen Sherpa called for prompt relief efforts for those displaced by natural disasters in Thame, Solukhumbu district.

Likewise,  Jagat Bahadur Parki, Nara Bahadur Bista, Narayan Dutta Mishra, Bhuwan Bahadur Sunar, Madan Kumari Shah (Garima), Yubaraj Sharma, and Rajendra Laxmi Gaire highlighted various other contemporary issues, drawing the government attention.