
Nepal refuses China’s offer to fund multi-billion dollar power project
The Nepal government has said “no” to China to build the Budhi Gandaki hydroelectricity project that was awarded to a Chinese firm by the previous Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’-led dispensation in 2016.
The previous government had also asked China to list the project under the its Belt and Road Initiative, of which Nepal is a part.
The decision by the current government on Tuesday came as relief to New Delhi as it fears that investment in Beijing would surpass in Nepal and would lessen India’s clout in Kathmandu.
The Prachanda-led government, without any tendering, had decided to award the contract to China Gezhouba Group Company to build the scheme under the engineering-procurement-construction-and-financing (EPCF) model which led to a huge controversy in Nepal.
Nepal’s energy minister Barsha Man Pun on Tuesday announced that the government will call for global tenders to develop the Budhi Gandaki hydroelectricity that is expected to generate 1,200 MW electricity. The total cost of the project is around $2.73 billion.

Recent drone attack on Saudi royal palace launched from Iraq

German police commissioner charged with sharing Hitler pictures

Google pledges changes to research oversight after internal revolt

LoC ceasefire outcome of ‘behind the scenes’ contacts: Pakistan’s de facto NSA

Explained: Why Facebook, Instagram took extreme step of banning Myanmar military
- The social media giant said that it is banning the Tatmadaw, military-controlled state and media entities from Facebook and Instagram with immediate effect.

Pakistan offers USD 50 mn new credit line to Sri Lanka for defence cooperation
- The two countries reached a broad consensus on ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in a comprehensive manner.

Xi Jinping declares ‘complete victory’ over rural poverty in China

China denies subjecting US diplomats to Covid-19 anal tests

Poorer Texans already had trouble paying energy bills, then came the storm

Hong Kong’s January exports surge most since 1992 on Asia boost

Malaysia's AirAsia Group postpones fourth-quarter results to end-March

UK Sanctuary Offer for Hong Kong Activists Is Great If You Can Afford It

Russia jails man for eight years for handing over secrets to China: TASS

US Capitol Police was 'quickly overwhelmed' during riots, acting chief says
