Author: space4knews

6 Chaitra, Kathmandu – Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, while inspecting the construction and management of the new parliament building, stated that all necessary preparations have been completed. During the inspection, he informed that not only is the infrastructure ready for conducting separate sessions of the House of Representatives, but arrangements have also been made for joint sessions of both houses if required. Additionally, he noted that the meeting room for the Rules Committee and the Speaker’s office are also fully prepared.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed readiness to refrain from future attacks on gas fields located in Iran. He stated that Israel agreed to this following a request from U.S. President Donald Trump. However, on the Iranian New Year ‘Nowruz,’ Israel continued its air strikes on the capital Tehran. In retaliation, Iran launched multiple missile attacks targeting Jerusalem on Thursday night.

At a press conference held Thursday night, Netanyahu claimed that Iran had been significantly weakened and was now incapable of uranium enrichment or developing ballistic capabilities. He also denied allegations that he had drawn the United States into war with Iran. Reports of explosions were heard overnight in both Jerusalem and Tehran. Previously, Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that any further attacks on their country would lead to unbearable consequences.

Several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, have recorded missile or drone attacks on their territories. Following a drone attack, Kuwaiti government media reported a fire at an oil processing facility in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the U.S.-based human rights group HRANA reported that since the war began on February 28, the death toll in Iran has reached 3,186.

After Israel attacked the South Pars gas field, Iran launched counterattacks this week, causing a sharp increase in global gas prices. Following Israel’s announcement that it would not conduct further attacks and the U.S. plan to increase oil production, prices have started to decline. Additionally, countries including the UK, France, and Japan issued a joint statement Thursday night expressing readiness to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

While Israel and the U.S. have continued their strikes, Iran has been attacking oil tankers in an attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz. Significant damage occurred in Qatar after Iran attacked the Ras Laffan energy plant, leading to a sharp rise in gas prices in the UK and Europe. Qatar’s Prime Minister described the attack as “the most dangerous provocation” by Iran. According to Qatar’s Energy Minister, the Iranian assault will reduce Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity by 17% for the next five years.

He further stated that Qatar would face an annual loss of $20 billion due to this. LNG production involves cooling natural gas to extremely low temperatures using specialized industrial processing units called “trains.” According to Qatar, the Iranian attack damaged two out of 14 trains at the facility. Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, India, and China are highly dependent on Qatari-produced LNG. Since the onset of the Ukraine war, Europe has increasingly shifted from Russian gas to gas produced in the Middle East. LNG is widely used for cooking, heating homes during winter, powering vessels and factories, and even in fertilizer production.

The third International Lumbini Peace Festival officially commenced in Lumbini on Thursday. Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, emphasized that the message of compassion and nonviolence preached by Buddha remains highly relevant today. The festival will feature special meditation programs and an international peace marathon.

Beginning on Thursday at the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, the third International Lumbini Peace Festival is jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. Minister Sinha expressed that amid the rising conflicts and instability worldwide, Buddha’s teachings of compassion, nonviolence, and coexistence have become even more pertinent and necessary.

During the opening ceremony, Minister Sinha highlighted Lumbini’s revival as a spiritual center for global peace and noted that the presence of representatives from various countries has elevated Lumbini to an international platform. Chang Maoming, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, elaborated on how peace is a fundamental human need, especially as the current international environment grows increasingly complex and unstable.

Jeevan Ram Shrestha, President of the Nepal Olympic Committee, acknowledged Lumbini as a shared heritage of human civilization and expressed confidence that the festival, along with the international peace marathon and various sports events, will serve as a powerful medium for promoting peace and development. As part of the festival, a special meditation program will be held on Friday at the Mayadevi Temple premises, followed by the international peace marathon on Saturday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that 82,100 Nepalis from the Middle East have registered their details through the online registration system. Initially, around 6,000 individuals reported feeling unsafe, but this number has since decreased. According to the ministry, there have been a total of 170 contacts, including 78 calls, from various Middle Eastern countries, and currently no Nepali is in transit.

March 19, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday during a regular press briefing that 82,100 Nepalis from the Middle East have registered their information in the Consular Service Department’s online registration system. Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Kshetri provided this update.

He stated that out of those registered online, about 6,000 initially reported feeling unsafe, but the number of people perceiving insecurity has recently declined.

Kshetri mentioned that amid escalating tensions between Israel, the United States, and Iran, the ministry’s emergency desk has been contacted 170 times, including 78 calls, by Nepalis in various Middle Eastern countries. As the situation stabilizes, inquiries related to labor permits have become more frequent. The ministry continues to monitor the circumstances of Nepalis facing difficulties through its ten missions and coordinate assistance as needed.

“So far, 82,100 people have registered through the online system managed by the Consular Service Department. Among them, nearly 6,000 initially expressed concerns about their safety, but this number has significantly decreased in the past few days,” he said. “Our emergency control room has received 170 contacts including 78 calls. In the beginning, most inquiries were about security issues; now, questions mainly concern when labor permits will resume.”

During the briefing, spokesperson Kshetri confirmed that no Nepali nationals are currently in transit in foreign territories. He also noted that 52 pilgrims in Jeddah have returned home after completing their Hajj pilgrimage. “Our ten missions are actively gathering information and coordinating support for Nepalis facing problems. At present, no Nepalis remain in transit. The 52 pilgrims in Jeddah have completed their pilgrimage,” he added.

Kshetri emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of Nepalis in the Middle East and is prepared to conduct rescue operations if necessary.