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3154392	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta via the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base on Saturday afternoon for an official visit, according to the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat.</p><p>Yusuf Permana, the secretariat’s deputy for protocols, press, and media, stated that PM Li’s visit would continue through Monday, May 26.</p><p>He affirmed that President Prabowo Subianto is expected to greet the Chinese leader with an official welcome ceremony at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Sunday (May 25) at around 10 a.m. local time.</p><p>Following the ceremonial gesture, the two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting accompanied by officials from their respective countries.</p><p>“This upcoming meeting reflects the two nations’ shared commitment to strengthening and advancing their bilateral ties and cooperation in various strategic areas,” Permana affirmed.</p><p>At the conclusion of the agenda, President Prabowo plans to host Prime Minister Li for a state luncheon.</p><p>PM Li’s visit to Indonesia was first announced by Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi on April 22 and later confirmed by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono on May 15.</p><p>The forthcoming visit reportedly follows an invitation from President Prabowo, who previously met PM Li in Beijing in November of last year.</p><p>The Foreign Affairs Ministry of China stated that the visit is expected to strengthen China-Indonesia solidarity in various fields.</p><p>Mao Ning, the ministry"s spokesperson, remarked on Thursday (May 22) that China hopes its prime minister"s visit will lead to enhanced ties with Indonesia, especially in political, economic, people-to-people, cultural, maritime, and security cooperation.</p><p>"China and Indonesia are expected to jointly move forward toward modernization on their respective paths, enrich the China-Indonesia community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to regional and global peace, stability, development, and prosperity," she stated.</p><p>Related news: Danantara, China seek to boost long-term economic partnership</p><p>Related news: FM confirms Chinese premier"s Indonesia visit this month</p><p>Translator: Andi F, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Arie Novarina</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Chinese PM's three-day Jakarta visit starts this afternoon - ANTARA News	查看 2296	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 14:23:41 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154391	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia"s central government has urged regional administrations to support President Prabowo Subianto"s ambitious 3-million-house program, aimed at addressing the country’s housing backlog.</p><p>Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian made the statement during a coordination meeting on housing finance in Jakarta on Friday, according to a press release from his office on Saturday.</p><p>Karnavian called for regulations that reaffirm the housing program as part of the National Strategic Programs that regional governments are required to support.</p><p>To realize the program, the government has implemented several strategic policies, including exemptions from the Land and Building Acquisition Duty (BPHTB) and Building Approval (PBG) fees for low-income residents.</p><p>He noted that 492 out of 509 regions in Indonesia have already issued local regulations supporting the exemption policy. The remaining 17 regions are being urged to complete the process promptly.</p><p>Referring to Law No. 23 of 2014 on Regional Governance, Karnavian reminded regional leaders that they are legally obligated to implement National Strategic Programs under Article 67.</p><p>Failure to do so could result in sanctions, including possible dismissal, as outlined in Article 68.</p><p>“National Strategic Programs are the president’s flagship initiatives and must be supported,” he emphasized.</p><p>On the same occasion, Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait reiterated his commitment to accelerating the public housing program by promoting social justice and bureaucratic efficiency.</p><p>He stressed the importance of synergy between the central government, regional governments, the banking sector, and the private sector.</p><p>Sirait also praised cross-sector collaboration for enabling policies such as the BPHTB and PBG exemptions, which help make housing more accessible to low-income citizens.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia"s TOD housing needs strong govt-private ties: Perumnas</p><p>Related news: President Prabowo pushes for quality in subsidized housing projects</p><p>Translator: Narda Margaretha, Raka Adji</p><p>Editor: Anton Santoso</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Indonesia's regional govts urged to support 3-mln-house program - ANTARA News	查看 2233	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 15:03:36 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154390	无图 The tuition-free schools program will be piloted in 100 locations in 2025 as part of an initiative to end poverty.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono stated that the government"s tuition-free school program, Sekolah Rakyat (People"s School), has rekindled the hopes of underprivileged people to live a decent life and achieve their dreams.</p><p>In a discussion event in Jakarta on Saturday, he noted that several prospective students of tuition-free schools have expressed their gratitude for the program when he visited multiple locations of Sekolah Rakyat.</p><p>"The hopes rekindled when these underprivileged people had no hope left," he remarked.</p><p>He observed that the enthusiasm shown by the people is a positive sign, indicating that they are not only eager to become beneficiaries but also play an active role in developing themselves.</p><p>The deputy minister emphasized that based on the assessment conducted by his ministry and the National Integrated Socioeconomic Data (DTSEN), the Sekolah Rakyat program is currently in high demand among the poor.</p><p>In addition to the tuition-free school program for children, the government has readied various empowerment programs to support families, such as the Social Rehabilitation Assistance (Atensi) and the Family"s Hope Program (PKH).</p><p>"We want to shift from passive social assistance to active social assistance in the form of interventions, such as business empowerment assistance," he remarked.</p><p>Furthermore, Priyono called for collaboration among all ministries and agencies to help realize prosperity for the people of Indonesia.</p><p>Earlier, on Friday, in Banten, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf ensured that the tuition-free schools program will be piloted in 100 locations in 2025 as part of an initiative to end poverty.</p><p>He noted that the construction of these schools will be carried out in stages. Currently, renovations are underway for 65 buildings that will serve as temporary locations for the program.</p><p>The minister remarked that 35 additional locations have been proposed for the program so far, bringing the total number of pilot sites to 100.</p><p>Related news: Minister announces 100 tuition-free schools for 2025</p><p>Related news: Renovation of 65 Sekolah Rakyat schools completed in July: Minister</p><p>Translator: Sean Filo, Raka Adji</p><p>Editor: Arie Novarina</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Sekolah Rakyat reignites hopes of underprivileged: Deputy Minister - ANTARA News	查看 2466	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 15:55:22 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154389	无图 Beijing (ANTARA) - China"s optimized visa and tax refund policies have boosted inbound tourism, making "China Travel" a trending topic worldwide, officials stated.</p><p>Speaking on the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, Liu Jia, an official with the National Immigration Administration, highlighted that the updated visa-free policies have waived procedures and reduced time and financial burdens for foreign travelers, making it easier to visit China.</p><p>China has introduced a slew of policies to facilitate inbound travel since 2023. Major steps taken include expanding mutual visa exemptions, granting unilateral visa-free access, and extending visa-free entry stay for international visitors.</p><p>As of now, China has established comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 29 countries, implemented unilateral visa-free policies for 38 countries, and offers transit visa-free entry to travelers from 54 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.</p><p>Tax refund schemes for international travelers have also been optimized. Foreign shoppers can now instantly claim tax rebates at duty-free stores. Additionally, China has lowered the minimum purchase threshold for refunds, raised the cash refund ceiling, and widened the range of products available.</p><p>Speaking on the roundtable, Shi Zeyi, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated that with continuous improvements in visa, payment, and tax policies, "China Travel" has demonstrated robust recovery momentum and broad growth prospects.</p><p>Last year, China recorded 132 million inbound trips, with total tourism spending reaching US$94.2 billion, recovering to 97.2 percent and 93.5 percent of 2019 levels, respectively, according to Shi.</p><p>Liu noted that the influx of foreign visitors has spurred consumption across sectors such as hospitality, retail, and cultural services, contributing to the growth of the service trade and attracting foreign investment.</p><p>These updated policies reflect China"s commitment to further opening up, Liu said, adding that they could help foster deeper cultural understanding between China and the international community, breaking stereotypes held by some countries.</p><p>"First-hand experience can help dispel misunderstandings and biases, enabling the world to see, feel, and recognize an open, inclusive, prosperous, stable, and safe China," Liu stated.</p><p>Reporter: Xinhua</p><p>Editor: Bayu Prasetyo</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> "China Travel" trending amid visa, tax policy boost - ANTARA News	查看 2574	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 17:29:04 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154388	无图 S Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - Indonesia"s Ministry of Trade emphasized that businesses, particularly those in the retail sector, need to innovate and adapt to address changing consumer consumption patterns.</p><p>The ministry"s Director General of Domestic Trade Iqbal Shoffan Shofwan acknowledged a shift in consumer behavior.</p><p>"If they do not innovate, they will be pushed aside by the changes," he remarked when contacted by ANTARA here on Saturday.</p><p>Shofwan explained that changes in consumer behavior have been evident since the COVID-19 era, when consumers began visiting shopping centers primarily to purchase only the items they needed.</p><p>In addition, consumer behavior regarding monthly groceries has shifted to buying only goods that they need at that time, not for future use.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia seeking retail boost for economy</p><p>The government also supports retailers" transformation, including collaborating with retail and shopping associations to create discount campaigns on certain days to encourage consumer spending.</p><p>He noted that those campaigns have been held on Christmas and Eid al-Fitr holidays, among others.</p><p>Meanwhile, Dzulfian Syafrian, an Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist, noted that innovation by small retail businesses or convenience stores is a form of adaptation to maintain sales.</p><p>He pointed out that several convenience stores now offer not just goods and services but also spaces for social interactions, such as coffee shops. He stated that this innovation can help boost declining sales.</p><p>"With large stores and wide distribution networks, the prices could be reduced. They provide a comfortable and affordable place to hang out," he stated. </p><p>Related news: Bapanas bolsters food ecosystem ties with retailers</p><p>Translator: Maria Cicilia, Raka Adji</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Indonesia highlights need for retail sector innovation - ANTARA News	查看 1957	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 18:08:22 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154387	无图 Ngawi (ANTARA) - <meta>Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, along with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman, joined farmers in planting superior rice seeds in a village in Ngawi District, East Java Province, on Saturday.</p><p>The two leaders participated in the planting activity to gain first-hand insight into how farmers contribute to the government"s goal of achieving food self-sufficiency.</p><p>During the activity, farmers guided Gibran, who was accompanied by East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Ngawi District Head Ony Anwar Harsono, in planting seeds in a rice field using a modern machine.</p><p>Gibran said that, as one of Indonesia’s key food-producing regions, Ngawi plays a crucial role in maintaining national food security.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia mulls using rice surplus for humanitarian missions</p><p>On that note, he praised the district for its substantial contribution to national rice stocks.</p><p>“Thanks to our concerted efforts, Indonesia now holds 3.9 million tons of rice, which is a remarkable achievement in our history. Many countries are asking how Indonesia can achieve a rice surplus while they face shortages,” he said.</p><p>During their visit, Gibran and Sulaiman also held a dialogue with local farmers, listened to their complaints, and ensured they have sufficient access to fertilizers, seeds, and reliable irrigation systems.</p><p>In addition, the vice president handed over agricultural equipment to farmers, including combine harvesters and tractors, as government assistance.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ngawi District Head Harsono told Gibran that the local government has been striving to boost the district’s rice output to support President Prabowo Subianto’s national food self-sufficiency drive.</p><p>The district has also been encouraging farmers to use organic fertilizers to promote sustainable agriculture.</p><p>After the planting activity, the vice president and his entourage visited a rice mill facility in another village in the district. </p><p>Related news: Indonesia"s rice surplus impacts Cambodian exports: Prabowo</p><p>Translator: Louis R, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> VP Gibran joins rice planting activity amid food sufficiency push - ANTARA News	查看 2213	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 18:28:42 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154386	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government announced a package of economic stimuli to boost people’s purchasing power in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, including a 50-percent electricity discount for 79.3 million households in June and July.</p><p>In a statement cited here on Saturday, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto noted that the electricity rebate is intended for households with a power capacity below 1,300 volt-amperes (VA).</p><p>This power discount policy mirrors the program implemented between January and February this year, when the government offered the same discount to households with power capacities ranging from 450 to 2,200 VA.</p><p>In addition to the power discount, Hartarto highlighted that the government had prepared rebates on fares for trains, airplanes, and ships for the upcoming school holiday.</p><p>He remarked that the government would reduce toll road fees throughout June and July, a decision expected to benefit 110 million travelers.</p><p>Related news: Government consolidating data for distribution of energy subsidies</p><p>The minister also shared the government’s plan to increase the number of food assistance beneficiaries to 18.3 million families during this period.</p><p>In the employment sector, Hartarto announced assistance for workers earning below Rp3.5 million (around US$215), as well as honorary teachers.</p><p>Moreover, the government intends to extend the distribution of discounts on contributions to Work Accident Insurance (JKK) for workers in labor-intensive industries.</p><p>Hartarto stated that the government is currently finalizing the stimulus package, which is scheduled for launch on June 5.</p><p>Furthermore, he urged regional governments to help maintain an economic growth rate above five percent by organizing or supporting tourism activities and destinations to boost domestic travel during the school holidays.</p><p>He also stressed the importance of all relevant ministries and agencies working in synergy to ensure the stimuli are ready on time and deliver tangible benefits to Indonesia"s economy. </p><p>Related news: Indonesia"s energy subsidies to rise this year: Finance Minister</p><p>Translator: Bayu S, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> RI Govt announces economic stimuli to strengthen Q2 purchasing power - ANTARA News	查看 2314	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 18:33:45 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154385	无图 Batam (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry (KKP) intercepted and impounded two Vietnam-flagged vessels for poaching fish in the waters of North Natuna, Riau Islands Province, on Friday (May 23).</p><p>Speaking in Batam City, Riau Islands, on Saturday, KKP"s Director General of Marine and Fisheries Resources Supervision, Pung Nugroho Saksono, stated that his team acted after receiving reports from locals about foreign fishing boats sighted in Indonesian waters.</p><p>"This law enforcement action proves the state’s presence in safeguarding our waters from fish poachers and demonstrates our ability to respond quickly to public reports," he remarked.</p><p>Saksono highlighted that the maritime operation he led resulted in the arrest of 19 crew members from the two vessels, which were intercepted by KKP"s KP Orca 02 and KP Orca 03 ships.</p><p>He revealed that one of the boats tried to evade capture, but KP Orca 03 successfully pursued and detained it in Batam.</p><p>"Using our KP Orca 03 and KP Orca 02 ships, we intercepted and impounded two boats bearing hull numbers KG 6219TS and KG 6277TS, with gross tonnages of 120 and 97 respectively," he noted.</p><p>The KKP official emphasized that the poaching vessels had transferred part of their catch to larger ships in a border zone. However, authorities still found 70 kilograms of fish on board.</p><p>In addition to poaching, the two fishing boats used pair trawling, a method declared illegal in Indonesia due to its destructive impact on the marine ecosystem, particularly coral reefs.</p><p>Saksono further reported that the poachers were detained at KKP"s base in Batam and are awaiting legal proceedings.</p><p>A similar incident took place on April 18, 2025, when the KKP intercepted and seized two boats bearing the Vietnamese flag for illegal fishing in the same waters.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia pushes ASEAN to adopt sustainable fisheries management</p><p>Related news: 240 rogue fishing boats seized in national waters in 2024</p><p>Translator: Laily R, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Primayanti</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Indonesia seizes two Vietnamese-flagged poaching vessels in Natuna - ANTARA News	查看 2141	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 19:28:50 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154384	无图 Palembang, South Sumatra (ANTARA) - Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq has urged active palm companies in the southern part of Sumatra to help prevent the recurrence of forest and land fires this year.</p><p>According to ministry data, there are 400 active palm companies in the southern part of Sumatra, of which 277 are in South Sumatra province.</p><p>"All those companies are required to prepare their personnel, equipment, and funds to mitigate forest and land fires," he said here on Saturday.</p><p>According to Nurofiq, Indonesia is the second-largest global contributor to smog, mostly caused by recurring forest and land fires.</p><p>Related news: South Sumatra BPBD dampening peatlands to prevent wildfires</p><p>This has called Indonesia"s commitment to global emission reduction into question, as forest fires can increase greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, he explained.</p><p>"We must not let the country suffer losses due to the failure of permit-holding (companies) to adhere to regulations," he said.</p><p>Nurofiq affirmed that the ministry has notified all palm forest concession holders in southern Sumatra that are expected to heed the instruction to mitigate forest and land fires.</p><p>The provincial and district authorities will also conduct on-site monitoring and evaluation of the companies, he added.</p><p>The minister warned that failure to report progress on forest fire mitigation measures to the authority within two weeks could invite sanctions under Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environment Protection and Management.</p><p>The strict measure reflects the government"s commitment to preserving the environment, he said, adding that company executives who fail to take measures to check forest fires may be jailed for one year. </p><p>Related news: Forest fire-handling helicopter operations in South Sumatra to end</p><p>Translator: M Imam Pramana, Nabil Ihsan</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Palm companies in southern Sumatra urged to mitigate forest fires - ANTARA News	查看 1986	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 19:30:45 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154383	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has expressed its commitment to accelerating the licensing and standardization of products to strengthen the legality and protection of micro businesses.</p><p>The step is expected to ensure small businesses do not get wrangled in legal issues, like Mama Khas Banjar, a small shop in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, which is facing a legal case for reportedly selling products without expiration labels.</p><p>In a press statement released here on Saturday, Deputy for Micro Businesses at the ministry Riza Damanik affirmed that currently, many MSMEs do not have product legality and standardization, so they tend to lack full legal protection.</p><p>"There are still many micro business players whose literacy on business legality is still lacking. This condition makes them vulnerable to legal issues that can put their business at risk," he said.</p><p>Regarding the Mama Khas Banjar case, Damanik said that law enforcement against the violation must prioritize the aspect of MSME fostering rather than criminal sanctions.</p><p>"Therefore, to protect consumers while supporting the growth of businesses, the government—at both the central and regional levels—will continue to strengthen the fostering of MSMEs," he informed.</p><p>Related news: Minister calls to protect MSMEs in e-commerce from harmful practices</p><p>He added that the government has appealed to MSMEs to comply with permit rules and fulfill product standardization requirements as per the applicable regulations.</p><p>He further said that his ministry will hold the Festival for the Protection and Facilitation of Micro Businesses, which aims to provide integrated services and empower micro businesses.</p><p>The festival will have interactive spaces to connect micro entrepreneurs with government services, legal education, and support for business development in various regions by involving stakeholders at the central and regional levels.</p><p>"This is a concrete measure to ensure micro businesses in Indonesia continue to grow and develop. Legality is not merely about compliance, but also part of empowerment and improvement of business productivity," he said.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia begins MSME debt cancellation program</p><p>Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> RI Govt seeks to bolster legality, protection of micro businesses - ANTARA News	查看 2417	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 20:45:24 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154382	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia"s House of Representatives (DPR) is set to host China"s Prime Minister Li Qiang at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Sunday afternoon to explore opportunities for enhancing the two countries" political, economic, and sociocultural ties.</p><p>In a statement received here on Saturday, DPR Speaker Puan Maharani said that the planned meeting with PM Li is also expected to pave the way for stronger cooperation between the parliaments of both countries.</p><p>"The meeting reflects the shared commitment of Indonesia and China to strengthening their bilateral relations. It is clear that both countries aim to expand cooperation across various strategic areas," she added.</p><p>Maharani said she considers Li"s visit a testament to "the Chinese government"s eagerness to bolster ties with the people of Indonesia."</p><p>The lawmaker expressed confidence that PM Li"s visit to Jakarta would boost Indonesia-China relations to a new level, especially as the two nations mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.</p><p>"The DPR is ready to facilitate the strengthening of Indonesia-China relations across various sectors," she affirmed.</p><p>She also referenced the 70th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, noting that Indonesia and China used the event—also known as the Bandung Conference—to advocate for the freedom of nations worldwide.</p><p>Related news: Chinese PM"s three-day Jakarta visit starts this afternoon</p><p>"The 10 Bandung Principles resulting from the conference remain relevant in today"s global dynamics. The harmonious relations between Indonesia and China can serve as a strong foundation not only for bilateral cooperation but also for global collaboration," she said.</p><p>PM Li landed at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon.</p><p>According to the Presidential Secretariat, President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to receive the Chinese leader with an official ceremony at Merdeka Palace on Sunday morning.</p><p>Yusuf Permana, the secretariat"s deputy for protocols, press, and media, stated that the two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting afterward, along with officials from both countries.</p><p>"This meeting reflects the two nations" shared commitment to deepening bilateral ties and strategic cooperation," Permana added.</p><p>The official agenda will conclude with President Prabowo hosting Prime Minister Li to a state luncheon. </p><p>Related news: Indonesia friendly to all countries: Prabowo</p><p>Translator: Melalus S, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Indonesian Parliament to host Chinese PM, explore deepening of ties - ANTARA News	查看 2634	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 20:51:02 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154381	无图 Indramayu (ANTARA) - <meta>Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar on Saturday inspected a site for a tuition-free school that is being readied in Indramayu, West Java, under the Sekolah Rakyat (People"s School) program.</p><p>"This location shows a sound level of readiness, but still requires renovation and additional preparations," he said after reviewing the site, which has been hosting prospective Hajj pilgrims so far.</p><p>Iskandar highlighted that the school is targeted to begin operations in the 2025–2026 academic year under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs.</p><p>The minister further informed that the planned school, designed as a junior high school with dormitory facilities, will cater to the educational needs of local children from economically underprivileged families.</p><p>"Essentially, school complexes under the Sekolah Rakyat program are designed to include dormitories and school buildings," he said.</p><p>Regarding budgeting, Iskandar emphasized that the educational program would be financed by the central and regional governments, as well as the private sector.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia shortlists 60 principals for Sekolah Rakyat</p><p>Meanwhile, Indramayu District Head Lucky Hakim lauded the minister"s visit and assured that his team would promptly begin renovating the school site to advance the program"s implementation.</p><p>"This building will be revitalized to bring benefits to the community," he said.</p><p>Hakim also praised the national program, describing it as a concrete solution to address the limited access to education affecting children from poor families.</p><p>He assured that the families of future students would not have to worry about the costs of educational services or daily supplies.</p><p>"All key aspects, such as food and uniforms, are guaranteed. The target is for the school to begin operations in July or August at the latest," he said. </p><p>Related news: Sekolah Rakyat reignites hopes of underprivileged: Deputy Minister</p><p>Translator: Fathur R, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Minister Iskandar reviews site for Sekolah Rakyat in Indramayu - ANTARA News	查看 2166	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 21:25:24 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154380	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno has said that Indonesia must learn about nuclear power plant development from Russia.</p><p>“Through nuclear energy development, Russia has shown its breakthrough in renewable energy globally, and it serves as an example for Indonesia for similar technology development,” Soeparno explained, according to a written statement issued by the MPR on Saturday.</p><p>He made the remarks while meeting the First Deputy Speaker of Russia"s Federation Council, Andrey Yatskin, on the sidelines of the XI Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg, Russia.</p><p>Soeparno noted that Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom has developed modular nuclear power plants that have passed the trial stage.</p><p>Hence, he said he expects Indonesia and Russia to forge cooperation in nuclear power plant development, particularly technology and innovation exchanges between experts from the two countries.</p><p>“(Through this step,) Our human resources in the renewable energy sector will be more educated and trained in handling the newest technologies,” the deputy speaker added.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia backs Rosatom’s nuclear power plant in SE Sulawesi</p><p>During their meeting, Soeparno and Yatskin also discussed ways to increase bilateral trade volume, which would benefit both countries and deepen bilateral cooperation.</p><p>“We will also take follow-up measures on Russia’s initiatives to our stakeholders as our support to President Prabowo Subianto’s diplomacy strategy on joining BRICS and increasing exports to emerging economies,” Soeparno said.</p><p>For national nuclear energy development, the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has considered developing floating nuclear power plants for remote regions in the eastern Indonesian region.</p><p>Such floating nuclear plants could replace the fossil fuel-based energy power plants commonly used in the region, director general of electricity at the ministry, Jisman P. Hutajulu, said on May 19, 2025. </p><p>Related news: BRIN, Russia forge cooperation to develop nuclear human resources</p><p>Translator: Walda Marison, Nabil Ihsan</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Indonesia must take notes from Russia on nuclear energy: MPR - ANTARA News	查看 2278	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 22:02:22 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154379	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said the Bengkulu city government has declared a week-long emergency in the city following a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on Friday morning.</p><p>"An emergency response status has been set by the Bengkulu Mayor through Decree Number 110/2025, valid for seven days from May 23 to 29, 2025," Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center of the BNPB Abdul Muhari said here on Saturday.</p><p>The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 80 kilometers, with strong tremors reported in Bengkulu City and several surrounding areas, such as Seluma, Central Bengkulu, and North Bengkulu Districts.</p><p>As of Friday night, the BNPB reported that at least 241 families or 800 people have been affected by the earthquake.</p><p>In Bengkulu District, 49 homes and one sub-district office were damaged, while five schools were affected by the quake.</p><p>Related news: Indonesia’s location makes disaster mitigation vital: minister</p><p>Meanwhile, in Bengkulu City, 192 houses were affected, eight houses sustained severe damage, and six public facilities, including schools and places of worship, were damaged in the quake.</p><p>"The BNPB has coordinated with the BPBD (regional disaster mitigation agency) of the affected province, districts, and cities," Muhari informed.</p><p>He added that logistical assistance and emergency equipment have been sent to the affected locations, and the local BPBD is continuing to monitor and collect data in the field to set up tents and distribute aid to residents.</p><p>There have been no reports of casualties in the disaster. Some residents whose homes were severely damaged are reported to have evacuated to the homes of nearby relatives, while others are staying around their homes.</p><p>"The joint team is still on alert and collecting data on the urgent needs of the residents. Public facilities that were affected are also a focus in the emergency handling," he said.</p><p>Related news: Bengkulu"s 6.0 quake caused by deformation activity: BMKG</p><p>Translator: M Riezko, Raka Adji</p><p>Editor: Rahmad Nasution</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> Bengkulu activates emergency response after 6.3M quake - ANTARA News	查看 2177	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 22:23:30 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154378	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the 2025 Indonesia-China Business Reception in Jakarta on Saturday night. </p><p> The event, organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), aimed to strengthen bilateral economic ties by by connecting business leaders from both countries.</p><p> Dressed in black suits, President Prabowo and PM Li arrived at the venue around 7 p.m. local time.</p><p> They were welcomed by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi, and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia.</p><p> The ministers were joined by chairperson of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.</p><p> Earlier, Minister Roeslani said that PM Li, who landed at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon, was accompanied by a delegation of around 60 Chinese investors and business representatives.</p><p> Speaking at the air base, he informed that the delegates included both existing and potential investors.</p><p> He expressed confidence that the upcoming meeting between Prabowo and Li, scheduled for Sunday (May 25, 2025) morning at the Merdeka Palace, would deepen economic ties and attract greater investment from China.</p><p> Regarding the Saturday night business reception, Roeslani noted that the event was expected to attract more than 100 business participants from Indonesia and China.</p><p> “This event serves as a highly strategic platform to forge new agreements and advance our economic partnership,” he said.</p><p> Premier Li is visiting Indonesia for a series of official engagements, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China.</p><p> On Sunday, in addition to the bilateral meeting at the Merdeka Palace, the Chinese premier is also scheduled to meet with members of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta.</p><p> Related news: Chinese PM"s three-day Jakarta visit starts this afternoon</p><p> Related news: Indonesian Parliament to host Chinese PM, explore deepening of ties</p><p>Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra</p><p>Editor: Primayanti</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> President Prabowo, China PM Li attend business reception - ANTARA News	查看 2399	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-24 23:04:42 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154377	无图 Jakarta (ANTARA) - The governments of Indonesia and Slovakia have explored opportunities to forge an alliance to realize inclusive global artificial intelligence (AI) governance ahead of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) in Bratislava, Slovakia.</p><p>The opportunities were discussed during a meeting between Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, and the Ambassador of Slovakia to Indonesia, Tomas Ferko, in Jakarta on Friday.</p><p>"We realize there is a gap in AI development between the Global North and South. We do not only want to become a user but to become a significant developer," Patria said in a statement issued by his ministry.</p><p>The GPAI Summit will be held from November 25 to 26, 2025.</p><p>Indonesia, which is in the process of acceding to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), has been invited to participate in the forum.</p><p>Patria said that Slovakia is among the pioneers in the development of the OECD AI principles, which now serve as a global reference.</p><p>"This collaboration is very important for Indonesia, which is currently finalizing the national AI regulation," he added.</p><p>Based on the Circular Letter of the Minister of Communication and Informatics Number 9 of 2023 concerning Artificial Intelligence Ethics, Indonesia has prepared a National AI Road Map and a draft presidential regulation on the development and utilization of AI.</p><p>"Now, we are really interested in the AI policymaking process because there is no ideal benchmark that can be met by all countries because every country has its own needs and problems," he said.</p><p>The alliance with Slovakia is also expected to provide opportunities for mutual learning about AI regulation.</p><p>Cooperation between the two countries regarding AI will also include expert exchanges, strengthening human resource capacity, and broader strategic cooperation in the digital sector.</p><p>Related news: Government sorts global standards for AI regulation in Indonesia</p><p>Related news: Need stakeholder collaboration to devise AI rules: deputy minister</p><p>Translator: Livia Kristianti, Raka Adji</p><p>Editor: Primayanti</p><p> Copyright © ANTARA 2025</p> RI, Slovakia mull alliance to build inclusive AI governance - ANTARA News	查看 2234	安塔拉通讯社	2025-05-25 00:14:27 2025-05-25 12:23:52	word
3154376	无图 <p>The title may have one guess the film is about landlord-tenant dynamics but there’s little of that here. Instead, it’s about how various economic shocks in republic Nepal have left no one untouched, be it the landlords or the tenants.</p><p>The subtitle refers to the fictional Raunak Niwas, a two-storey brick-and-cement building at some Babarmahal Marga neighbourhood in Kathmandu, which houses most of the film’s major characters. The building is an old one. It has lately started leaking, leading to electric short-circuits and frequent power outages. Not so long ago, a dead rat got stuck in its drainage, forcing its inhabitants to use the neighbours’ toilet. Owner Raunak Thapa (played by Aryan Sigdel), a serial entrepreneur approaching middle age, could have sold this house and bought a newer one. But it holds an emotional value for him: it was passed down by his father, telling him its walls were not mere concrete but rather like his skeletons. So even while Raunak has a bank loan pending, he doesn’t sell it. Even after the bank has blacklisted him, publishing his name on the national daily. This has led to a frosty relationship with his wife, Reecha (Keki Adhikari). There’s a lot at stake here, and not just for Raunak; all other major characters of this drama are struggling one way or the other amid the post-Covid recession.</p><p>‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar Number 2’ marks director Dipendra K Khanal’s 13th feature film. Khanal is known for social dramas that satirise existing socio-political realities and challenge stereotypes, with varied degrees of success. In his new outing, with a screenplay by Buddhisagar, the novelist of the ‘Karnali Blues’ fame, Khanal has branched out to tackle a socio-economic subject with a story set sometime after the coronavirus pandemic. The film brings to screen characters wrestling with all too familiar economic issues. Lives are on the line. One character attempts self-immolation in front of Singhadurbar, in what is a reference to Prem Prasad Acharya’s self-immolation in 2023. The film hence touches upon a sensitive subject that is starkly political.</p><p>The characters of this film can be broadly divided into two categories—those who have been dealt a hammer blow by the economic crises and are struggling to get back on their feet; and those who are starting small.</p><p>The former lot includes an ex-businessman (Prakash Ghimire), who gets an anxiety attack upon hearing the word ‘pyaj’—onion—for he lost a truckload of onion and vegetables imported from India after the 2015 border blockade. He then went bankrupt. Then there is Diwakar (Nischal Basnet), who is hounded by a loan shark (Sanjog Rasaili) and his henchmen. Having failed to pay back the loan he took to start a business, Diwakar is harassed and assaulted. Another character of this lot includes the owner of Raunak Niwas himself, whose stints at a travel agency and then at the stock market have landed him knee-deep in debt. And the house that he holds so dear is on the line.</p><p>Among the latter lot are those who are starting small, struggling to find their place in an unforgiving city. Rajaram (played by Khagendra Lamichhane) gets by doing whatever comes his way—from repairing umbrellas to tailoring. His industriousness and a series of freak incidents help him climb the income ladder. Another character of this lot is Puja (Upashana Singh Thakuri), the ex-businessman’s daughter, who manufactures pillar candles at home to sell it online.</p> In ‘Ke Ghar Ke Dera: Ghar Number 2’, beleaguered businessmen and benevolent saviours	查看 3495	加德满都邮报	2025-05-23 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154375	无图 <p>Everest Marathon 2025</p><p>Take part in one of the highest-altitude races on Earth. The Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon returns with Himalayan views and a global athletic community.</p><p>When: May 29</p><p>Where: Starting point: Everest Base Camp </p><p> End point: Namche Bazaar</p><p>Time: Begins at 5:00 am </p><p>Fee: Registration required</p><p>Freshers’ Fest 2025</p><p>Receive counselling, meet university representatives, and explore study options in the UK, Canada, Australia, the USA, and New Zealand. There will also be games, food stalls, and giveaways.</p><p>When: May 25</p><p>Where: Kangaroo Education Foundation, Purple House</p><p>Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm</p><p>Fee: Free</p><p>OneRun2025</p><p>Run for unity, health, and a global cause, OneRun2025 invites participants from all backgrounds to stride together through the heart of Patan.</p><p>When: May 24</p><p>Where: Patan Durbar Square</p><p>Time: 6:00 am to 9:00 am</p><p>Fee: Free</p> EVENTS: May 24 to May 30, 2025	查看 964	加德满都邮报	2025-05-24 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154374	无图 </p><p>Patricia McCormick’s ‘Sold’ confronts one of humanity’s most disturbing realities through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old Nepali girl named Lakshmi. Published in 2006, this young adult novel has opened the eyes of readers worldwide to the harsh truth of human trafficking. What makes this book remarkable is its unflinching portrayal of a painful subject and McCormick’s ability to tell the story with brutal honesty and deep compassion.</p><p>The story traces Lakshmi’s journey from her impoverished mountain village in Nepal, where farming offers little more than survival, to the brothels of Kolkata, India, where survival becomes even more uncertain. What begins as a promise of work as a maid in the city, a chance to support her struggling family, quickly unravels into a nightmare of exploitation and abuse. </p><p>McCormick’s decision to narrate the story in brief, verse-like chapters adds a sense of urgency and disorientation, echoing Lakshmi’s growing confusion and horror as she slowly comes to understand the grim reality of her situation.</p><p>From a literary perspective, McCormick’s writing is deceptively powerful. Her prose is simple and accessible, especially for young adult readers, yet it carries deep emotional weight. A line like “I have been sold” is plain but hits with devastating force. The short, fragmented chapters feel like sharp breaths—mirroring how trauma breaks memory and experience into pieces. Even the white space on the page feels intentional, symbolising the silence and pain that words alone cannot express.</p><p>That stylistic choice works beautifully for several reasons. First, it breaks down the heavy subject matter into manageable pieces, making it easier for young readers to process without feeling overwhelmed. Second, it mirrors the way traumatic memories often emerge—in fragments, flashes, and glimpses rather than full narratives. Third, it treats both the subject and the reader with dignity, avoiding sensationalism and instead offering a respectful, honest portrayal of unimaginable hardship.</p><p>Reading ‘Sold’ changed the way I view global inequality and human rights. McCormick approaches her subject with neither sensationalism nor detachment, but with deep dignity and respect. There were moments I had to pause—not because of the writing, but because the reality of what millions of children endure struck me so forcefully. Her words challenge us to confront our own comfort and complacency while witnessing the story of a girl who has neither.</p><p>What left an indelible mark on me was McCormick’s ability to stand beside the horrors of Lakshmi’s situation and still highlight the quiet heroism within it. Even in the darkest moments, Lakshmi’s inner strength and dignity shine through like points of light in the abyss. She clings to her humanity—teaching herself to read from a Coca-Cola advertisement, forming bonds with other girls in the brothel, and holding tightly to memories of her family and home.</p><p>The authenticity of McCormick’s writing comes from deep, on-the-ground research. She spent time in Nepal and India, speaking with survivors, aid workers, and visiting shelters—witnessing firsthand the conditions that push families into the hands of traffickers. This depth is reflected in every detail, from monsoon rains ruining fragile crops to Lakshmi’s complex emotions toward her captors. The cultural nuances feel natural and respectful, not borrowed or forced. Most importantly, the story views the economic desperation of these families with compassion, not judgment, offering understanding instead of blame.</p><p>McCormick succeeds where many social-issue novels falter—by avoiding preachiness. She doesn’t lecture readers about human trafficking; instead, she allows us to grasp its horror through Lakshmi’s experience. The emotional impact builds naturally, through quiet, powerful moments, rather than through forced drama or sensationalism. While the story includes clear villains—the traffickers, brothel owners, and the men who buy children—McCormick also exposes the deeper roots of the crisis: systemic poverty and gender inequality that make such exploitation possible in the first place.</p><p>The writer is careful not to offer easy answers to a deeply complex, global issue. Lakshmi’s stepfather is not portrayed as a villain, but as a man crushed by poverty who makes one terrible decision. Likewise, the American who helps secure Lakshmi’s freedom at the end is not cast as a ‘white saviour’, but simply as one of many people trying to help within a broken system. This thoughtful approach respects both the complexity of the issue and the intelligence of the reader, avoiding stereotypes and simplistic solutions.</p><p>The book’s conclusion stands out for its honesty. Lakshmi is rescued, but her trauma remains. McCormick does not describe a quick or easy recovery. This choice respects survivors by avoiding false hope. The final chapters offer hope and healing while acknowledging the lasting impact of such experiences.</p><p>Beyond its literary strengths, ‘Sold’ pushes readers toward awareness and action. After finishing the book, I explored statistics on human trafficking, researched organisations working to combat it, and began to rethink global inequality and women’s rights. Turning a reader into an advocate is perhaps the greatest achievement of socially conscious literature—changing not just how we feel, but how we think and act.</p><p>For young adult readers especially, this novel is both an introduction to global social issues and a testament to human resilience. It proves that literature can be simultaneously beautiful and brutal, hopeful and heartbreaking. McCormick has created a work that honours the experiences of trafficking survivors while educating readers about a crisis affecting millions worldwide.</p><p>‘Sold’ is not an easy book to read, nor should it be. McCormick has crafted essential reading for anyone who believes in literature’s power to foster empathy and inspire change. She offers us a difficult truth wrapped in a gift—leaving readers more aware, compassionate, and determined to make a difference.</p><p>_____</p><p><i>Sold: Can She Ever Be Free?</i></p><p><i>Author: Patricia McCormick</i></p><p><i>Publisher: Hyperion Book CH</i></p><p><i>Year: 2006</i></p><p><i>Pages: 272</i></p> ‘Sold’: A look at child trafficking	查看 6354	加德满都邮报	2025-05-24 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154373	无图 <p>What if Nepal’s new generation of public speakers sits quietly in a classroom, unsure whether they can raise their hand? For many youths, the fear of public speaking isn’t merely stage fright—it’s about never having been given a stage at all. While an increasing number of youths in Kathmandu are finding platforms to express themselves, connect with peers, and grow into confident communicators, countless others across the country are still waiting for such opportunities.</p><p>Laxmi Rai, a member of the Presidential Toastmasters Club, reflects on her journey of overcoming self-doubt, “In group discussions, I often couldn’t say what I wanted,” she says. “But seeing confident speakers made me realise I was holding myself back. Toastmasters helped me step out of my comfort zone.” Her breakthrough came during a class presentation when she was nervous to turn around and speak to the class directly. That moment of hesitation triggered a realisation—fear was limiting her potential. “I hope to encourage shy or scared youth to believe in themselves,” Rai adds, underscoring the power of such platforms in empowering young voices.</p><p>Pragya Thapa, secretary for the 35th tenure of Smart Club, faced a similar challenge. “Covid pandemic locked me in for almost two years,” says Thapa. “Most of my interactions were through screens. After the pandemic, I struggled to speak without feeling self-conscious.”</p><p>In her first year of university, she avoided conversations. “But as I thought about my career, I realised how vital communication is. Toastmasters felt too formal, so I sought a friendlier space—and found Smart Club,” she says.</p><p>Her early speeches were shaky. “But I was chasing progress. We’re raised to strive for the best, and that mindset pushed me to grow in every way.”</p><p>What began as a professional goal—to enhance her CV—soon became more meaningful. Smart Club sessions include pre-decided, self-decided, and impromptu speeches.</p><p>For her, platforms like Smart Club are acts of resistance. “Newcomers often join simply to grow. Founded in 2003 on the idea that ‘if you spoke English, you were smart’, the club has evolved into something far more inclusive, even hosting Nepali sessions. It’s no longer just about speaking. It’s about belonging,” she says.</p><p>This inclusive approach has helped many, including Pratisha Joshi, now a research and communication professional. She shares that Smart Club didn’t just teach her how to speak—it taught her how to listen. A moment that stood out for her was a debate on digital surveillance, where one participant expressed how they had never considered the gender biases embedded in algorithms. It’s these kinds of thoughtful dialogues that Joshi believes can transform the way young people view and practice communication.</p><p>Joshi also touches on the educational system in Nepal, where expression is often stifled by strict adherence to obedience. “In schools, expression is tied to obedience. In the media, noise outweighs nuance. Platforms like ours let youth practise democratic dialogue,” she says. This sentiment echoes the experiences of Laxmi Chaudhary, who discovered Confident Steps Nepal through social media. “It was a safe, non-judgmental space. Communication isn’t an extra skill—it’s a life skill,” she emphasises.</p> Nepal’s young voices, unmuted	查看 3327	加德满都邮报	2025-05-24 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154372	无图 <p>After the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to the Covid-19 pandemic in May 2023, people let their guards down. Mandatory preventive measures like staying in quarantine, wearing masks, using sanitisers, washing hands and maintaining social distance were quickly ditched. Vaccination drives also slowed down. Healthcare facilities stopped stockpiling test kits as people didn’t get tested for Covid-like symptoms, even as new variants surfaced. Come 2025, people had begun to believe that the chapter on deadly virus had closed, but another variant—JN.1, a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86—emerged.</p><p>The variant, which spreads seven times faster than the flu, has already raised alarms in Southeast Asia and India. In Hong Kong, the coronavirus cases have reached their highest in a year, with around 30 deaths. Singapore saw 14,200 cases as of May 3 this year, while Thailand witnessed 19 deaths and 71,067 infections between January 1 and May 14. Concomitantly, more than 250 cases are active in India, with infections reported in Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. </p><p>Nepal has reported only one case since January, and there is no immediate cause for panic. Still, we cannot be complacent. Given Nepal’s geographical proximity to India, the country is not immune to the virus. In the past, just as cases spiked in the southern neighbour, infections rose on this side as well. Despite this, currently, there are no mandatory surveillance measures at the Tribhuvan International Airport—the country’s primary international gateway, which receives tourists from Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and India. Relaxed border surveillance has also increased the risks of cases entering via land routes. </p><p>The Kerala health ministry, indicating the possibility of a rise in infections, has issued a mask advisory for high-risk groups and hospital visits in addition to testing and preparedness guidelines. Following suit, officials at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Nepal, met with relevant stakeholders and agencies on Thursday to ramp up prevention and surveillance in the airport, borders and entry points—and rightly so. They have also requested the World Health Organisation’s office in Nepal to supply the test kits. Besides this, officials at the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, in Teku, Kathmandu, have been asked to treat people entering Nepal from virus-hit countries who show Covid-19-like symptoms. </p><p>Such efforts are laudable, but they must be extended to other densely populated cities. As vital is raising awareness on safety measures. Given that the variant has primarily affected elderly people, senior citizens and children in Hong Kong and Thailand, younger citizens must be sensitised to the repercussions of their negligence on vulnerable groups and be asked to get tested. </p><p>Health experts in Nepal have also warned about the waning immunity gained from previous infections and vaccinations, suggesting that it could prove fatal for the weak, immunocompromised and vulnerable groups like the elderly and children. Doctors in Singapore have also noted that a key reason for the recent spikes in cases is weaker immunity due to the decline in booster dose take-up. Countries like Australia are still giving booster doses to their citizens, and perhaps now is the right time for Nepal to consider resuming vaccine administration. Nepal’s health ministry and officials would be wise to heed the expert warnings. The public must also do their bit by returning to the basics of wearing masks and following necessary preventive measures. </p><p>While the strength of the new variant is uncertain, it is pivotal to be vigilant rather than regret later. Lest we forget the Covid-19 pandemic has taken the lives of millions—including over 12,000 Nepalis—and there are still many people who are vulnerable to the recent variant.</p> Be cautious about Covid	查看 3913	加德满都邮报	2025-05-23 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154371	无图 <p>As global temperatures rise and climate-related disasters become more frequent, the need to adapt is rapidly increasing. That need for adaptation—from adjusting farming practices to diversifying livelihoods and strengthening infrastructure—is most acute in vulnerable low- and middle-income countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Haiti and Vietnam.</p><p>Despite contributing a negligible share of historical global greenhouse gas emissions, these countries are facing the brunt of climate change. Yet as the demand for long-term resilience grows, international aid priorities are shifting in the opposite direction.</p><p>Over the past three years, several major rich countries have substantially cut their development aid budgets. Remaining funds have been redirected towards emergency relief.</p><p>This shift could undermine the climate finance commitments made by wealthy countries to mobilise $300 billion (£228 billion) a year for climate action in the most vulnerable low- and middle-income countries by 2035.</p><p>Emergency aid, while vital for saving lives during crises such as droughts and floods, is reactive by nature. It arrives only after disaster has struck, often with a substantial delay.</p><p>By contrast, climate adaptation is proactive. It focuses on anticipating future risks and helping communities prepare for changing environments.</p><p>A key part of this is supporting transitions away from sectors like crop agriculture that are particularly vulnerable to climate-related shocks. In some cases, adapting to a changing climate may also require helping families move safely—turning relocation into a choice rather than a last resort.</p><p>In Ethiopia, one of the world’s most drought-prone countries, a US government-funded food security programme aimed to strengthen resilience by offering livelihood training, organising savings groups and providing a $200 lump sum to poor rural households. Research shows that this programme improved food security and protected assets during periods of drought.</p><p>In Nicaragua, families who received cash transfers alongside vocational training or investment grants were better protected against drought shocks than those relying on cash alone. These households could supplement farming with other income sources. This made them less vulnerable to drought-related losses and helped stabilise their earnings throughout the year.</p><p>These schemes are known as “cash-plus programmes”. They help create the conditions for households to adapt and thrive. But when climate and environmental shocks overwhelm the resilience of local communities, relocation may still become the only viable option.</p><p>That’s why proactive adaptation efforts need to be scaled up and broadened—not only to meet immediate needs but to support longer-term transitions. This includes investing in sustainable livelihoods through diversified income sources, skills training and, when necessary, enabling safe and voluntary relocation.</p><p>Some pilot interventions that supported seasonal rural-to-urban migration have shown what’s possible. In Bangladesh, a small migration subsidy of just $8.50 helped the participating poor farm households affected by seasonal famine cover travel costs.</p><p>Migration for temporary work increased by 22 percent, and families back home experienced improvements in food security. With even modest support, people were able to access job opportunities in cities and strengthen their resilience.</p><p>Programmes that make it easier for people to choose to move from rural areas to cities could help families move with dignity rather than in desperation. However, scaling up such initiatives successfully remains a challenge, requiring strong political commitment and effective governance.</p><p>Without proactive planning and support, migration often happens out of necessity rather than choice. This kind of displacement typically occurs within national borders rather than across continents—contrary to popular narratives.</p><p>In fact, 59 percent of the world’s forcibly displaced population live within their own country. By the end of 2023, a record 75.9 million people across 116 countries were internally displaced—a 51 percent increase over the previous five years, driven in part by climate change.</p><p>History provides sobering lessons about relocation triggered by environmental collapse. In the 1930s, a severe drought and dust storms struck the Great Plains in the US, creating the “dust bowl”. This devastated farmland and forced millions of people to leave their homes, as economic hardship became widespread and the land so degraded that crops wouldn’t grow.</p><p>Today, similar patterns loom as droughts, floods and rising seas threaten livelihoods around the world. Small island states such as Tuvalu face existential threats from rising sea levels, with entire communities at risk of being displaced.</p><p>These mounting threats underscore a hard truth: The window for effective climate adaptation is rapidly closing. As climate disruptions intensify, the case for long-term investment in resilience has never been clearer. Without proactive adaptation, the cycle of crisis and response will only deepen.</p><p>Societies can adapt, but doing so takes foresight, investment and courage. In the face of escalating climate risks, bold, forward-looking policies are not a luxury—they are a necessity. By supporting longer-term strategies, rich-country governments and aid charities can enable vulnerable communities to withstand, adapt and, when necessary, move with dignity.</p><p>-The Conversation</p><p>Find the original article here.</p> Dwindling funds, shrinking strength	查看 5651	加德满都邮报	2025-05-25 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154370	无图 <p>Of all the reforms that Bangladesh must undertake in this transitional moment of its history, none is more foundational—or more urgent—than education reform. For it is not roads, ports or policies that build a democracy; it is the people. And an educated people, one capable of reasoned thought and civic discernment, don"t easily fall prey to the charms of authoritarianism. The previous regime knew this all too well. To manipulate curricula, politicise history, silence inquiry, and reward mediocrity was not mere negligence; it was strategy. A docile, under informed populace is easier to rule, easier to deceive. The antidote to such decay is not only political change—it is intellectual renewal.</p><p>Bangladesh today stands at the threshold of a decisive transformation, its youthful population brimming with promise, and its future increasingly defined by a single question: What kind of education shall we offer the next generation?</p><p>For too long, our education system has remained trapped in a model better suited to a bygone era. A culture of rote memorisation, outdated textbooks, opaque assessments and politicised curricula has left students ill-prepared for the world beyond the classroom. In a global age that rewards adaptability, creativity and technical skill, we have been preparing our children to recite, not to reason.</p><p>The consequences are stark. Over 40 percent of our youth aged 15–24 years are classified as NEET (not in education, employment or training). Unemployment among university graduates remains stubbornly high, while technical and vocational training, long viewed as a secondary track, remains marginal in both policy and perception. In our collective failure to reform the education system, we have left too many young people behind.</p><p>This failure is not accidental. Over the past decade, the politicisation of education has undermined both content and credibility. Textbooks have become vehicles for ideological reinforcement rather than vessels for intellectual discovery. Even history, that sacred archive of a nation"s soul, has been edited to serve political ends. Meanwhile, allegations of plagiarism in school materials and leaks of public examination papers have further eroded public trust.</p><p>Yet, we are not without a way forward.</p><p>A new policy vision—comprehensive in scope and pragmatic in its ambition—offers Bangladesh a rare opportunity to rebuild its education system from the ground up. It proposes a market-aligned, skills-focused curriculum that connects learning with life and education with employment. It calls for integrating project-based learning, critical thinking, digital literacy and personal finance into the core curriculum—subjects considered extracurricular luxuries rather than essentials for too long.</p><p>To begin with, the reform must be grounded in equity. Rural schools, which continue to operate with insufficient infrastructure and under trained staff, must be brought up to parity with their urban counterparts. Access to electricity, internet and digital tools is no longer optional—it is foundational. Satellite learning platforms and mobile classrooms can help bridge geographic divides.</p><p>Teacher training, too, must be revisited. An ambitious retraining programme—with periodic recertification, international best practice modules and incentives for performance—will be essential if we are to break the cycle of mediocrity. Teachers must be empowered not only to deliver content, but to inspire curiosity and foster independence of thought.</p><p>Early childhood education must receive special attention. It is in these formative years that children learn not only to read and count, but to empathise, reflect and imagine. Ethical instruction—emphasising empathy, fairness and integrity—should be woven into the curriculum. This is not a sentimental luxury; it is a national necessity in a society grappling with corruption and declining civic norms.</p><p>At the secondary and tertiary levels, vocational and technical education must be mainstreamed. In too many cases, students leave school with credentials but no skills. We must align education with industry demand, develop public-private training partnerships, and introduce programmes on entrepreneurship, innovation and digital fluency. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) schemes, inspired by India"s National Skill Development Corporation, could help validate the informal knowledge of millions who remain outside formal education channels.</p><p>One of the most compelling and under-acknowledged reforms needed is linguistic. Bangladesh must embrace multilingual education at the primary level—not only to preserve its own cultural diversity, but to prepare its children for global competition. English alone is no longer sufficient. Early exposure to multiple languages improves cognitive flexibility and opens the mind to the wider world. A multilingual child is a child prepared not merely to work in the world, but to lead in it.</p><p>To implement this vision, political will must be matched with financial commitment. Bangladesh currently spends just over one percent of its GDP on education—well below the regional average and far below the UNESCO-recommended four to six percent. Without increasing the education budget, talk of reform will remain just that: talk. Investing in libraries, labs, classrooms and digital infrastructure is not just an economic imperative, but a moral one.</p><p>We must also move beyond the obsession with high-stakes examinations. Competency-based, continuous assessments offer a fairer and more holistic picture of student growth. At the same time, measures must be taken to secure the integrity of public assessments. Encrypted digital systems, randomised question banks and independent oversight are essential to ending the cycle of question paper leaks and corruption.</p><p>Finally, education must be protected from political interference. Textbooks should be written and reviewed by independent scholars, not partisan appointees. History should be taught in its full complexity. To give students a curated version of the past is to rob them of their intellectual freedom in the present.</p><p>We can draw inspiration from beyond our borders. Finland"s student-centred pedagogy, China"s vocational-industrial alignment, and India"s gender-focused training programmes offer rich lessons. But imitation is not enough. Reform must be adapted to our own social and economic realities. The goal is to create a generation of Bangladeshis who can think critically, compete globally and contribute meaningfully to national development.</p><p>In the end, a nation"s character is etched most clearly not on its monuments or manifestos, but on its blackboards. If we are to build a Bangladesh that is prosperous, just, and confident in its place in the world, then education reform must be more than a policy debate—it must be a national mission. The time to act is not tomorrow, but now.</p><p>-The Daily Star (Bangladesh)/ANN</p> Escaping a broken education system	查看 7045	加德满都邮报	2025-05-25 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154369	无图 <p>Nepali political leaders in both the ruling coalition and the opposition are caught in an interesting situation concerning the use of language. In their speeches in Parliament and political forums, they sometimes sound impolite, harsh and propagandist. Politicians’ favourite mode of language is oriented to the addressee. When they are aware of an audience at public meetings or in Parliament, they tend to make it invective or, at times, vituperative. I have no appetite for such modes of language they use. </p><p>Addressing this problem, George Orwell, known for his writings on politics and the use of language, wrote an essay titled “Politics and the English Language” in 1946. He saw a trend of language misuse. For instance, he observed politicians’ penchant for evading the truth and called this the “ugly and inaccurate” use of the written English of that time. He noted a connection between the political orthodoxies and the bad shape of language. Orwell believed that a disturbing aspect of such use of language was the practice of making lies sound truthful. What worries me these days is that we are slowly drifting away from the condition of the truthful use of language. As a language and literature student, I see a trend of evasion and distortion of truth in the use of language. </p><p>I have devoted much of my life to teaching language and literature. Sometimes I wonder if there is any connection between my teachings of language and the students’ pursuit of truth. Perhaps my connection between the two is episodic and coincidental. </p><p>There are some stories I want to share about being a teacher of the English language. There are two sides to that. At the college level, I taught English as a compulsory subject. However, while teaching at the Central Department of English at Tribhuvan University—at the MA and MPhil levels—I observed that English became a medium of serious literary and cultural studies. It became interdisciplinary. Politics, history, ideologies and subaltern studies came to form a composite academic discipline. But teaching English as a compulsory college subject linked me to a wider literate public. This reminds me of my career as a language teacher and my contextual connections with teaching subjects, including literature and politics. </p><p>One common experience of compulsory English or Nepali teachers is that their students are spread all over the country. And it is common to find students of diverse backgrounds who greet you as a teacher. </p><p>My experience of meeting the leader of what was known as the ‘ferocious’ leader of the Maoist guerrillas is worth recalling. The Maoist leaders who had come out of the jungle to sign an agreement with the seven parties in 2006 were at the centre of attention. I met them at an academic research centre run by Professor Lok Raj Baral at Sanepa. As a playwright, I was keen to study the mood and features of the guerrilla leaders. They were sitting there. The leader of the Maoist party addressed the 15 or so academics. But he addressed me as his teacher. I realised that I had taught him compulsory English at Patan College, Lalitpur. That was Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’. I did not teach him ideas and ideologies; I did not teach him Marx’s <i>The Eighteenth Brumaire;</i>I taught him the simplified stories of Shakespeare that were grouped under tragedy, comedy and history. </p><p>In an interview, Nepal Television’s Bijaya Pandey asked me what I taught Dahal. I said, “I taught him tragedy, comedy and history, and now he is doing all three.” The other Maoist leader sitting with Dahal was Baburam Bhattarai. In college, I taught English to the erstwhile Panchas, now the prominent leaders of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, except for Rabindra Mishra, whom I taught English literature at the MA level. </p><p>What I am narrating here is the story of a teacher who taught the English language as part of general language education. In Nepal, the role of a Nepali or vernacular language teacher would be greater than that of an English teacher who teaches Shakespeare"s stories. The experience of a language teacher would say that the teacher teaches skills of language use, but not the modes and ethics of its use. On the whole, language teaching or learning is part of general education. </p><p>I return to the topic. There is no institution that teaches politicians about the use of language. Moreover, there is no identifiable register of language to teach those who are or would be taking up politics as their vocation. There is no evidence to prove that language education as a subject would be more useful for a particular group of people. But what is true is that you measure a politician’s use of language in terms of his or her level of education in general. Can the reckless use of politicians’ language show that they are not adequately educated? Empirically speaking, that may be the case. But there are no answers to the question—what can you do about it? </p><p>Orwell found politicians’ use of language “ugly and inaccurate.” But I would say the reckless use of language by political leaders, mainly in their speeches, sometimes makes one feel that they are perhaps not adequately educated. Information is tricky; gathering information using various means available today is more challenging. Linking politicians’ use of language to their level of education or opportunity may not be easy, but on the whole, we can say that they are related subjects.</p> Teaching language to politicians	查看 5491	加德满都邮报	2025-05-25 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word
3154368	无图 <p>Amid growing calls across the party lines for Ramesh Lekhak to step down as home minister over a visit visa scam, Lekhak has defended himself, saying he will quit politics if found guilty of the reported anomalies at the Tribhuvan International Airport immigration.</p><p>On Wednesday, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) apprehended Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, chief of the TIA Immigration Office, and interrogated him over the alleged collusion to facilitate the visits of Nepali nationals abroad at the behest of human traffickers.</p><p>The CIAA also carried out a raid at his office and confiscated documents and personal belongings like computers, mobile phones and related documents for investigation.</p><p>Transactions worth millions of rupees were uncovered while sending Nepali nationals in visit visa arrangements to countries in the Persian Gulf and beyond. The anti-graft commission suspects officials from the immigration office, manpower agents and other middlemen to be working in a pre-arranged setting from the immigration office.</p><p>Bhattarai, who is joint-secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been released on bail but the CIAA is probing him to figure out the immigration officials’ alleged nexus with the human traffickers, allegedly under the watch of home ministry officials.</p><p>The CIAA has yet to share any information publicly on its ongoing investigation and suspected broader links between Bhattarai and home ministry officials. But some media reports, citing unnamed sources at the CIAA, alleged that officials from Lekhak’s secretariat are also linked in the scam.</p><p>The visit visa scam has stirred up mainstream and social media as the roles of home minister Lekhak and his private secretariat come under increasing scrutiny. Cross-party leaders have asked Minister Lekhak to clear his position, with some even asking him to step down.</p><p>“I challenge[authorities] to prove my involvement,” Lekhak told the Post. “I’m not a person who gets involved in such activities.”</p><p>Referring to a video linked to him that has been circulating on social media, Lekhak on Saturday said he will address the House of Representatives on Tuesday and clarify his position.</p><p>“A false and conspiratorial campaign is being waged against me. Not just on the visit visa issue at the Tribhuvan International Airport’s immigration, if someone can establish even a single financial irregularity on me, I will resign not just from my position [as home minister] but also from politics,” he told reporters at the home ministry on Saturday evening.</p><p>“I have already requested time to speak in the respected House of Representatives on Tuesday,” Lekhak said, pledging to address the matter in more detail there.</p><p>“The Ministry of Home Affairs is a huge ministry with hundreds of thousands of employees. At any time, a constitutional body or competent agency can initiate an investigation against any employee. If one employee is being investigated, does that mean all ministers should resign? Is that the standard we want to establish?... Has that happened till now?” Lekhak said in his defence.</p><p>“What is happening against me right now is a politically motivated, premeditated, and conspiratorial smear campaign,” the minister added.</p><p>Later on Saturday evening, joint-secretary Chhabi Rijal of the home ministry issued a statement expressing serious concern over news reports that linked the ministry’s leadership to an incident at the international airport’s Immigration.</p><p>Objecting to reports linking the ministry and Minister Lekhak to the incident, the statement said, “We want to make it clear that there is no involvement of the ministry’s leadership in any illegal or corrupt activities.”</p><p>The statement stressed that the home administration continues to be active in maintaining peace, security, public order, and good governance in the country.</p><p>“The ministry has adopted the policy of zero tolerance against all forms of irregularities and criminal activities,” reads the statement, citing ongoing policy and institutional reforms to streamline the home administration.</p><p>On the activities at the TIA Immigration Office, the ministry said the truth will come to light when the investigation is complete. It assured “full cooperation” with the probe.</p><p>The ministry removed at least 14 employees from their responsibilities on Friday. Most of those recalled from the airport immigration office are junior officers. </p><p>But some leaders from Lekhak’s own party, Nepali Congress, have also demanded Lekhak’s resignation.</p><p>Congress senior leader Shekhar Koirala asked Lekhak to resign. Speaking to journalists at Biratnagar Airport on Saturday, Koirala said it would be right for the home minister to resign on moral grounds after the issue of corruption under the Department of Immigration came to light.</p><p>“Some ministers in the past have resigned to facilitate such investigations. If minister Lekhak resigns, it props up his own moral stature. ‘I resigned,’ he should say. ‘Go ahead and form an investigation committee. I’m okay with it’,” Koirala further said. </p><p>The key governing partner, CPN-UML, has not made public its position on Lekhak. The main opposition CPN (Maoist Centre) has not spoken on the matter either.</p><p>The Rastriya Swatantra Party, another opposition party, demanded the resignation of the home minister on Saturday.</p><p>Issuing a statement, the party expressed its concern over reports of involvement of the home minister and his secretariat in a human trafficking case under the guise of “visit visa”. It urged the home minister to resign immediately.</p><p>Lekhak, who is a member of the House of Representatives, had in the past said in Parliament that “one should resign [as a minister] and help in an investigation when questions are raised”.</p><p>The RSP stated that Lekhak’s own words seem to be addressed to himself today. “We demand that he promptly resign from the post of home minister to facilitate an impartial investigation into the matter,” the fourth largest party in Parliament demanded.</p><p>“Additionally, the government is advised to ensure that any disruption of Parliament over this issue… does not become a reason for public disillusionment or hatred of Nepali politics.”</p><p>Earlier on Saturday, Lekhak told party workers in Janakpur that people had been posting “all sorts of things on social media but I stayed silent for two or three days as I was trying to understand where and why this was happening”.</p><p>“I have come to know a lot of things. In a few days, I will also personally speak on the matter. That’s why I’m not saying much right now.” Lekhak also claimed that there is no need for the party to worry.</p><p>“I have spent my entire life in politics and have never done anything to bring shame to the party or myself,” he said. “All the issues raised will be properly investigated.”</p> Home Minister Lekhak defends himself as calls grow for his resignation	查看 6988	加德满都邮报	2025-05-25 00:00:00 2025-05-25 11:46:18	word

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