Kathmandu, October 1
From major policy changes and developments at home to stories making headlines around the world, Thursday brings a range of developments worth keeping track of. Nepal’s proposed civil service legislation, the country’s absence from the upcoming SAFF Championship and developments surrounding Mt Himlung are among the key stories today, alongside updates from education, public services, climate and international affairs.
Proposed civil service bill sets aside 49 per cent posts for reservation
The proposed Federal Civil Service Bill has allocated 49 per cent of posts filled through open competition for reservation to make the federal civil service more inclusive. The bill treats the reserved quota as 100 per cent, with 50 per cent of the reserved posts allocated exclusively for women and the remaining 50 per cent for candidates from other targeted groups.
New bill sets two-year cooling-off period for civil servants
The Federal Civil Service bill introduces a two-year cooling-off period for government employees seeking other appointments after leaving their current job. A cooling-off period is a fixed span during which someone who has resigned from government service or taken mandatory retirement is barred from taking up another government, constitutional, diplomatic or similar government post.
Nepal to miss SAFF Championship for first time in history
Nepal is set to miss the 15th edition of the SAFF Championship, to be held in Bangladesh from November 4 to 17. With the suspension not lifted even by the deadline of September 30 set by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), it is now certain that Nepal will miss the SAFF Championship for the first time in its history.
Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary denies personal ties to people heard in controversial audio
Agriculture, Forest and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary has clarified her position over a controversial audio recording that has been circulating on social media. Chaudhary said she had no personal or family relationship with either of the two people heard speaking in the audio clip. She also said she was prepared to face any evidence presented against her.
Tribhuvan University assembly to meet on October 8
The Tribhuvan University Assembly is scheduled to meet on October 8 (Ashoj 22), after months of delay in approving the university’s policy and programme, budget and student grace list.
Passport Department services affected by internet outage
Services at the Department of Passports in Tripureshwor have been affected after its server went down. Department officials said the disruption was caused by an internet outage.
Swiss glaciers lose 5.5% of ice volume this year, second-largest decline on record
Glaciers in Switzerland, home to the largest number of glaciers in the Alps, lost 5.5% of their ice volume this year, marking the second-largest percentage decline on record amid heat waves and low winter snowfall, experts said.
4 more bodies found on Himlung, death toll reaches 11
The bodies of four more people who went missing in an avalanche on Mt Himlung in Manang have been found. The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association team deployed to search for the missing climbers found four bodies on Thursday, the association said. An experienced mountain guide team led by Pasang Kaji Sherpa continued the search and rescue operation.
US judge blocks Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee
A US federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. US District Judge Haywood Gilliam in Oakland, California, ruled on Wednesday that US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department had failed to follow the required rulemaking procedures before implementing the fee.
