Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Thursday have given priority to a host of political, economic and social issues. Prime Minister Oli’s meeting with the chief ministers, world’s first humanoid robot Sophia’s visit to Nepal and the foreign ministry’s condemnation of a report prepared by the EU’s election observation mission are some of the issues that have made it to the press on Thursday. Here’s a round-up of important, ignored and interesting reports that received the attention of the editors:
Important
Prime Minister Oli likely to visit India next month
The Kathmandu Post reports that Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is likely to head to India on a three-day official visit on April 6. This would be the first foreign visit of the Prime Minister after assuming office in February. The paper quotes sources from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi to say that top official from the two countries are discussing the details of the visit. The paper says that as Nepal does not have an ambassador in New Delhi after Deep Kumar Upadhyay resigned to contest elections, acting ambassador Bharat Kumar Regmi has been told to shorten his leave and return to New Delhi to focus on the visit. The paper says foreign minister Pradeep Gyawali is likely to visit New Delhi soon as part of preparations for Oli’s impending visit.
CMs demand civil servants, vital legislation and budget
Kantipur reports that chief ministers of all seven provinces, who met the Prime Minister on Wednesday, have demanded that the centre provide the states with adequate civil servants, vital pieces of legislation and sufficient funds to implement their policies and programmes. The paper says that the chief ministers urged Oli to take the initiative in this regard. Oli, according to the paper, told the ministers that their problems will be addressed soon.
SEE exams begin
The Himalayan Times reports that the Office of the Controller of Examinations has stated that preparations for this year’s Secondary Education Examination (SEE) are over. According to the paper, a total of 485,586 students are taking the exam this year. The exams will end on March 31.
Ignored
Fifteen-year-old held captive and gang-raped multiple times in Kathmandu
Kantipur reports that a fifteen-year-old girl was kidnapped and gang-raped multiple times in Kathmandu recently. The episode began three weeks ago when the teen was reported missing from Balkhu in Kathmandu. According to the report, the girl was found 11 days after she went missing. The report quotes a police official as saying that a bus driver and his assistant raped her multiple times. It says that the teen fled from captivity but was again held captive by another bus driver, who allegedly raped her multiple times. Police have arrested all bus drivers involved in the incident.
Interesting
Govt commissions study to boost exports
The Kathmandu Post reports that the government has commissioned a study to recommend ways to boost exports. After the recommendations of the study are implemented, exporting goods and services from Nepal is expected to cost exporters less. The government believes that costs involved in complying with government regulations on export is discouraging exporters to send their goods abroad, and that is hurting the economy.
