Washington, Jan 15: The US State Department on Wednesday announced the suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.

The move follows concerns by the Trump administration that nationals from these countries may rely on public assistance while living in the United States.

Under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department has instructed consular officers to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries. The decision follows a broader order issued last November that tightened rules for immigrants who could become a financial burden on the US government.

This step continues earlier immigration and travel restrictions imposed on around 40 countries and forms part of President Donald Trump’s effort to tighten US entry standards for foreign nationals.

In a statement, the State Department said the Trump administration is acting to end the misuse of the US immigration system by those who exploit public resources. Immigrant visa processing for citizens of the 75 countries will remain suspended until the State Department completes a review of immigration procedures to restrict entry by foreign nationals.

The suspension, effective from January 21, will not apply to non-immigrant visas such as tourist or business visas. With the United States set to host or co-host the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, demand for no- immigrant visas is expected to rise sharply in the coming months and years

The affected countries from the latest US move are Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.

In a separate notice sent to all US embassies and consular offices, officials were instructed to assess the likelihood that non- immigrant visa applicants may seek public benefits in the United States.

The letter, sent on Monday, stated that the Trump administration is focused on stopping fraud in public assistance programs following disclosures of widespread abuse across the country.

According to the document obtained by news agencies, consular officers have been urged to ensure thorough screening before issuing visas to determine if foreign nationals may become dependent on public services.

Applicants must prove that they will not rely on public assistance while staying in the United States. If doubts arise, officers may require applicants to submit financial disclosure forms to verify their economic status.

Detailed review of personal background

Officials have been directed to closely examine whether applicants might depend on government benefits at any point after entering the United States.

Although existing law already requires permanent residency applicants to prove they will not become a “public charge,” meaning dependent on US assistance, Trump expanded the scope of such rules during his first term. The new directive broadens them further.

Under the latest guidelines, consular officers must consider an applicant’s age, health, family status, financial condition, education, skills, and any past use of public assistance. Applicants’ English language proficiency may also be assessed through interviews conducted in English.

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Sunsari, Jan 15: Five people were killed when a truck carrying marble from Biratnagar to Rajbiraj overturned on the Hulaki Highway under Bhokraha Narsingh Rural Municipality in Sunsari on Thursday morning. Three others were injured in the accident.

According to the Sunsari District Police Office, all five who died were from the same settlement in Barju Ward No. 1 of Sunsari. Police Superintendent Chandra Khadka identified the deceased as 32-year-old Birendra Gurung, 55-year-old Brahmadev Gurung, 50-year-old Tek Bahadur Gurung, Nishu Gurung, 28, and  Chandra Bahadur Gurung, 55.

The truck, bearing registration number 1 Kha 4541, had four people, including the driver in the front cabin and five others in the back. The five passengers seated at the rear died after being crushed by the marble slabs. The three injured passengers from the cabin are receiving treatment at Biratnagar Nursing Home. Police said the driver is on the run.

People’s News Monitoring Service

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Kathmandu, Jan 15: The festival of Maghe Sankranti, which is being celebrated by various communities of Nepal today, is one of the country’s oldest and most culturally important celebrations. Also known as Maghi or Makar Sankranti, it is observed every year in mid-January when the sun enters Capricorn (Makara).

This solar transition marks the end of the coldest winter days and the beginning of longer, warmer periods that symbolize renewal, health, and agricultural prosperity.

Unlike many Nepali celebrations that follow the lunar calendar, this festival is based on the solar calendar and consistently falls on January 14. In Nepal, the day is officially recognized as a national public holiday.

Maghe Sankranti signifies the movement of the sun into Capricorn, an astrological event believed to bring balance, warmth, and positive energy. From this day onward, sunlight gradually increases, and days grow longer, symbolizing hope and seasonal renewal.

For farming communities across the country, this period represents gratitude for the previous harvest and optimism for fertile land and prosperity in the coming agricultural season.

Religious and Cultural Significance

Religiously, Maghe Sankranti holds deep spiritual meaning. Devotees offer prayers to the Sun God, sacred rivers, and ancestral deities, seeking purification, good health, and blessings for the year ahead.

Culturally, the celebration reflects Nepal’s close connection to nature and seasonal cycles, highlighting harmony between human life, spirituality, and the natural environment.

Traditional Rituals Observed During the Festival

One of the most important rituals of the Maghe Sankranti festival in Nepal is taking a holy bath at sacred river confluences. Popular pilgrimage sites include Devghat, Ridi, Triveni, and Dolalghat.

Bathing in these holy waters is believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul. Families gather early in the morning, elders bless younger members, and communities celebrate through prayers and shared meals.

Food plays a central role in Maghe Sankranti celebrations. The dishes prepared during this time are believed to provide warmth, strength, and nourishment as winter comes to an end. Tilko Laddu – a Sesame seed sweets symbolizing longevity and good health, chaku – A molasses-based sweet that provides warmth and energy, ghee (Ghyu) – Clarified butter representing purity and blessings andYams and Sweet Potatoes (Tarul) – Seasonal root vegetables associated with nourishment are eaten today

Among the Tharu community, the festival is celebrated as Maghi, marking their traditional New Year. Special dishes such as Dhikri and Bara are prepared alongside cultural dances, music, and communal feasts.

People’s News Monitoring Service

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Kathmandu, Jan 15: The Nepali Congress has formally split after a decisive meeting between party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and the two general secretaries failed to reach any outcome.

The Deuba faction called a central committee meeting in Sanepa and took disciplinary action against general secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, along with joint general secretary Farmullah Mansur. The three were stripped of ordinary party membership for five years.

Soon after, supporters of the Special General Convention began preparations to select a new leadership. This has triggered a fresh dispute over who leads the original Nepali Congress.

Both factions now claim they represent the legitimate party and are expected to begin retaliatory disciplinary actions against each other.

With the split formalized, the dispute is certain to reach the Election Commission. The Special General Convention faction has already submitted signatures of 54 per cent of convention representatives to the Commission. They must now seek official record updates reflecting the new leadership chosen by the Special General Convention.

At present, the Election Commission records still list the Nepali Congress under Sher Bahadur Deuba’s leadership. A previous central committee meeting had also decided that Deuba’s signature would be used for election-related processes.

The Special General Convention faction plans to approach the Commission under Section 51 of the Political Parties Act 2017. The law requires parties to inform the Commission within 30 days of changes in leadership, statute, rules, seal, flag, or election symbol. After review, the Commission may update records if procedures follow the Constitution, the law, and the party statute.

If complaints are filed, the Commission can seek clarification. There are claims that even the names of deceased individuals appeared in Special General Convention records. If such complaints arise, the Commission may request explanations, and this process could move quickly.

Sources say that if decisions backed by signatures of a majority are submitted, the Commission may update records in favor of the Special General Convention faction. The party convention was held four years ago, and if legal requirements are met, updates are possible.

If the Commission recognizes the leadership elected by the Special General Convention led by Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma, and the establishment faction accepts it, the dispute would end there.

If the establishment faction challenges the legitimacy of the Special General Convention, the dispute may follow a path similar to the former Nepal Communist Party split. Under the law, a faction with signatures of 40 percent of the central committee members can file a claim within 30 days of the dispute.

The Commission then seeks written responses from the other side, allows time extensions if requested, and attempts mediation. If no agreement is reached, the Commission conducts hearings and issues a decision. One side gains official status, the other may register a new party.

Candidate nominations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026, will be held on January 20. Public concern is growing over how the Congress will contest the polls.

If the Special General Convention faction submits its decision but the Commission does not rule before January 20, the party may be forced to contest the election under Deuba’s leadership. Party registration documents still carry his signature.

Former chief election commissioner Nilkantha Uprety says elections do not stop due to internal party disputes unless ordered by a court. If no decision comes before nominations, Deuba could distribute tickets. That would change only if the Special General Convention faction gains legal recognition in time.

People’s News Monitoring Service

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Kathmandu, Jan 15: The Nepali Congress Special General Convention has selected Gagan Thapa as party president. The convention, currently underway at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu, also selected 13 office bearers and 121 central committee members.

Bishwaprakash Sharma and Pushpa Bhusal were selected as vice presidents. Gururaj Ghimire and Pradeep Paudel were unanimously chosen as general secretaries.

The selected joint general secretaries are Dila Sangraula Pant (women), Prakash Rasaili (Dalit), Bahadur Singh Lama (Indigenous Janajati), Udaya Shumsher Rana (Khas Arya), Muktakumari Yadav (Madhesi), Farmullah Mansur (Muslim cluster), Yogendra Chaudhary (Tharu), and Karna Budha (backward community).

Following his election, Thapa said this was the biggest intervention ever made by grassroots party workers. He made the remark while addressing the convention after his election.

“The Nepali Congress Special General Convention is not only the biggest intervention by grassroots workers in the party’s history, but also in the history of modern Nepal,” he said. “Grassroots workers mean representatives of the people, citizens. This is an intervention by citizens. It is an intervention within the party. It is a question raised directly to the leaders.”

He said the time had come not just to talk about party reform and change, but actually to do it. “For years, we have been saying the party must improve, the party must change. This time, it is not about repeating it, it is about doing it,” he said.

People’s News Monitoring Service

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