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At least 19 people have died after police opened fire on Gen Z-led protests in Kathmandu and other cities on Monday. Youths took to the street in various towns including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Itahari and Damak against corruption and the recent ban on social media platforms.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet US President Donald Trump in late April, as a state visit to the United States has been confirmed by Buckingham Palace.
On the way back, the King will pay a visit to Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic.
The US trip has been expected for some time, but such visits are carried out on behalf of the UK government - and an official announcement appeared to have been waiting for a gap in the political tensions over the Iran war.
Details of the itinerary in the US have still to be released, but it will include Washington, in what will be the first UK state visit to the US since Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 2007.
The visit will include a state dinner at the White House and the King will deliver an address to Congress.
The US marks its 250th anniversary of independence this year - and that will be a significant focus of the trip, with Buckingham Palace saying the trip will "celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship" between the countries.
Shortly before the trip was announced on Tuesday, President Trump lashed out at the UK and other countries over the Iran war, telling them to "go get your own oil" from the Strait of Hormuz and "the USA won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us" and "go get your own oil!"
Ever since President Trump's visit to the UK last September, there has been speculation about the King carrying out a return visit.
The US president's visit to Windsor Castle had seemed to have smoothed UK-US relations, with Trump last week saying of his time with the King: "He honoured me and our country... we had an amazing time."
Trump also spoke of the warmth of his personal relationship with the King - "I think he's fantastic" - and the president said he was looking forward to hosting the King at a state banquet.
There is also likely to be interest in whether the King will meet his son Prince Harry, who lives in the US, during the visit.
Reuters
But there have been political differences, including over the war in Iran, in which Trump publicly criticised UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as "no Winston Churchill".
That followed a previous dispute when UK veterans were angered by an apparent downplaying by Trump of the UK's military involvement in Afghanistan.
Both rows had raised questions about whether a state visit to the US in April should go ahead - with Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey saying it should be cancelled.
A YouGov survey last week suggested that 49% of the British public were against the state visit to the US while 33% wanted it to go ahead.
The visit also comes in the wake of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest - and US Congressman Ro Khanna has called for King Charles to meet survivors of the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"As you are aware, this is not solely an American matter," Khanna wrote in a letter to the King on Monday.
Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing from his links to Epstein.
But while the formal announcement of the state visit might have been delayed, planning seems to have quietly continued in the background, with no signs of the visit being stopped.
The decision to hold a state visit is made by the government, with the King travelling on behalf of the Foreign Office.
Trump appears to be fascinated with the monarchy and to greatly value his relationship with King Charles - and the UK government seems ready to leverage this to improve links with the US and to reduce diplomatic tensions.
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A US lawmaker is calling on King Charles to meet the survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when the monarch visits the US.
While not officially confirmed, the King and Queen Camilla are reportedly planning a visit at the end of April.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, who co-sponsored a law that compelled the US justice department to release the Epstein files last year, is calling on the King to privately meet victims to hear from them directly about "how powerful individuals and institutions failed them".
"As you are aware, this is not solely an American matter," Khanna wrote in a letter to the King on Monday.
The Palace has previously expressed that the King's "sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse".
In his letter, Khanna said: "Epstein's network had significant ties to the United Kingdom through Ghislaine Maxwell, through Epstein's relationships with British public figures, and through the social and political circles in which he operated."
These connections, he wrote, "raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility, and protection across borders for so long".
Khanna said a meeting with survivors would give an opportunity to "identify any additional information British institutions and individuals may be able to share".
He added: "It would also ensure that survivors are heard directly and that these matters are addressed with transparency, seriousness, and accountability."
The California lawmaker also noted that members of Congress have sought testimony from the King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as Peter Mandelson, the UK's former ambassador to the US, about their ties to Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his titles last year due to his ties with Epstein, cannot be forced by a subpoena to go to the US.
In his letter, Khanna said the former prince "did not respond" when Congress members sought testimony from him regarding his ties to the disgraced financier.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein.
Mandelson, Khanna wrote, was asked to appear before a committee on the same matter, and on whether "sensitive information may have been shared improperly".
"He declined to cooperate, citing the existence of a criminal investigation", Khanna said.
Mandelson remains under investigation after being arrested last month over allegations that while serving as a minister he passed on market-sensitive government information.
The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and was not motivated by financial gain.
If the King's US trip does happen, he and Queen Camilla are expected to visit Washington, where they will meet President Donald Trump, and according to US media reports, address Congress.
The visit would come ahead of the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence in July.
The BBC has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
The King said last month that the Royal Family were "ready to support" police in their inquiries after his brother was arrested and then released on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
It related to Andrew's time as the UK's trade representative between 2001-2011, and followed a series of allegations that he shared official documents with Epstein.
Files released by the justice department in recent months also include photos of Mountbatten-Windsor with Epstein, and of the former prince kneeling over a woman whose face is redacted, lying on the floor.
In 2022, Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court settlement with his most prominent accuser, Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 17. The settlement contained no admission of liability.
ongtime Working People listeners will be familiar with Max and Mel’s extended work discussing the supply chain, the workers who keep that system running day in and day out, and the dangerous and exploitative working conditions that many workers labor under. Our global economy relies on these workers to stay running–and bosses around the world use this pressure as a cudgel against the workers.
For today’s episode of Working People, we’re zooming out and taking a look at the global supply chain with Judy Gearhart, research professor with the Accountability Research Center at American University and host of the Labor Link Podcast, a podcast about “the brave individuals organizing the workers who make our stuff.” With decades of experience collaborating with organizers and rights advocates supporting worker struggles in the Global South, Judy is uniquely positioned to bring the stories of these workers forth to her listeners.
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Featured Music:
Jules Taylor, “Working People” Theme Song
Studio Production: Mel Buer
Post-Production: Jules Taylor
The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
Hi, I’m Judy Gerhardt. I’m a research professor with the Accountability Research Center at American University at the School for International Service, and I host a podcast called the Labor Link Podcast, which is about workers organizing and global supply chains.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Hello everyone. It’s your host, Mel er, and welcome back to another episode of Working People, a podcast about the lives, jobs, dreams, and struggles of the working class today. Brought to you in partnership within these Times magazine and the Real News Network produced by Jules Taylor and made possible by the support of listeners like You Working People is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network. If you love what we do and are looking for more worker and labor focused shows like ours, follow the link in the show notes and go check out the other great shows in our network and please support the work we’re doing here at Working People because we can’t keep going without you. Share our episodes with your coworkers, friends and family members. Leave positive reviews of the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and reach out to us if you have recommendations for working folks that you’d like us to talk to.
(01:18)
And please support the work we do at The Real News by going to the real news.com/donate, especially if you want to see more reporting from the front lines of struggle around the US and across the world. Long time TRNN supporters will be familiar with my previous work on the US supply chain and the integral role that railroad workers played in maintaining the network of goods and services that keep our country running as we learned in 2022. Without the workers, these networks don’t run. Bottlenecks happen and the national and global economy can grind to a stuttering halt. If you haven’t read my previous coverage on it, then please check it out at the link in our show notes on today’s episode of Working People, we’re going beyond the borders of the US and trending our focus on the international workers who keep the world’s global economy running.
(02:04)
This is likely going to become a series of interviews with workers from all over the world, but I’m getting a little bit ahead of myself. So to start this conversation, I thought it would be important to bring on someone who’s been doing the important work of giving a platform to the workers who make these global industries run. I want to talk to her about her life and research and dig into the important work that she’s doing now. As always, it’s my goal to give you our listeners the context you need as we pull back the curtain on contemporary labor organizing both in this country and worldwide. So with us today to help us get that conversation rolling is Judy Gerhart, research professor with the Accountability Research Center at American University and host of the Labor Link Podcast, a podcast about the brave individuals organizing the workers who make our stuff with decades of experience collaborating with organizers and rights advocates, supporting worker struggles in the global south, Judy is uniquely positioned to bring the stories of these workers forth, her listeners from their website.
(03:01)
The Labor Link Podcast touches on many aspects of the global economy, trade policy, international development programs, corporate accountability, and the international human rights norms meant to protect workers from abuse. The first Labor Link podcast series featured organizers leveraging transnational campaigns to build power. And this second series is on Fisher driven solutions to the seafood industry, featuring interviews with Fisher organizers from around the world who are overcoming challenges and using creative strategies to advance fisher’s rights in the global fishing industry. Thank you so much for being on the show today, Judy. I’m really excited to have this conversation.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Thank you so much, Mel. I really appreciate you and Max having me on.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
So to start off our conversation, I first wanted to give our listeners a chance to get to know a little bit more about you and your work, your career. How did the last couple decades of organizing nonprofit work bring you to this current research?
Speaker 1 (03:55):
With United States President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday predicted a “degree of unpredictability” for Trump’s second term, but added that when it came to India and the US, strategic ties have only grown over time.
“The advent of the second Trump Administration is obviously a major consideration in business circles. Obviously, the only safe prediction is one of a degree of unpredictability. Different countries have had their own experiences from the first Administration and would presumably draw from that to approach the second. I can state with confidence that the strategic convergences with the United States for India have only grown deeper with time,” Jaishankar said, while addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Partnership Summit in New Delhi.
Minister added that there would always be “some give and take” between the two major economies.
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“When we look at economic or technology domains, the case for trusted and reliable partnerships have actually increased in recent years. A lot of what lies ahead would be in fashioning terms of engagement that are perceived and recognised to be mutually beneficial. And in that regard, the more that India can bring to the table, the stronger will be our appeal,” he said.
KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 17
Kaski Police has submitted an investigation report with the District Government Attorney's Office against Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane in a case involving cooperative fraud, organised crime, and money laundering.
According to spokesperson of Kaski Police Basant Kumar Sharma, the police have recommended charging 51 people, including Lamichhane, former deputy inspector general of police Chhabi Lal Joshi, Ram Prasad Khanal, and Lila Pachhai, with cooperative savings embezzlement, organised crime, and money laundering.
"We submitted our investigation report, as well as supporting documents from various agencies, to the Government Attorney's Office," he said.
"We filed charges seeking punishment for cooperative fraud, organised crime, and money laundering."
Kamala Kafle, Chief of the District Attorney's Office and Attorney General, confirmed that the investigation report was submitted by the police.
"They have presented a report. There are numerous files. We will need some time to study it," she said.
Lamichhane has been in police custody for nearly 60 days after being arrested in Kathmandu and taken to Pokhara, Kaski.
On Thursday, the Kaski District Court extended the detention period for the seventh time for further investigation.
Kafle stated that they have four days from Tuesday to review the report and make a decision on the case.
She stated that no one can be detained for more than 90 days, and that the case must be filed by Friday.
A legal provision in the ongoing investigation requires that a case against Lamichhane and the other accused be filed within 90 days of the investigation's completion. The 90-day period is said to end on Saturday.
The police submitted the investigation report before the extended investigation period for the case in custody expired.
However, officials have stated that former Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Lamichhane term will be extended until a case against him is filed.
There was a legal provision that would calculate the period of investigation and detention for Lamichhane's case beginning on September 22 with the arrest of Chhabilal Joshi, another Gorkha Media director who was being investigated for the same offence.
Police investigated the defendants in response to a supplementary complaint filed on February 5. Former DIG Joshi and Pachhai were arrested on September 22 and 25, respectively.
Lamichhane was arrested at the party office in Kathmandu on October 18 and transported to Pokhara the same day. Similarly, Khanal was detained on October 25. In addition, all four are being investigated in Chitwan, Rupandehi, Parsa, and Kathmandu.
According to the parliamentary probe committee's report, funds taken from the cooperative were used for television work while Lamichhane served as the responsible executive.
Chapter 18 of the report mentions Lamichhane and states to take legal action against Lamichhane.
The committee's report stated that money from five out of seven cooperatives, including Gitendra Babu (GB) Rai, was illegally brought into Gorkha Media, the company that operates Galaxy Television, to which Lamichhane was previously affiliated.
"The company's directors or shareholders bear primary responsibility in such an organisation. The characters in the roles and responsibilities of shareholders, board members, and managing directors should not ignore their responsibility and liability for the funds received by the company," reads the report.
"After the money of the cooperative's savers was irregularly transferred to Gorkha Media's account, it was discovered that they were involved in the process of spending the money and making it available to the company while the directors GB Rai and member Kumar Ramtel, as well as the then-managing director Rabi Lamichhane and director Chabilal Joshi, were partners in the c
The Immigration Department blacklisted Bhatta on Monday based on a letter from the Money Laundering Investigation Department.
Kathmandu — Controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta has been blacklisted by the Immigration Department as a detailed investigation into money laundering offences intensifies. The Immigration Department blacklisted Bhatta on Monday based on a letter from the Money Laundering Investigation Department. Two officials from the Money Laundering Investigation Department and the Immigration Department confirmed that Bhatta had been blacklisted.
"Bhatt has been blacklisted as a detailed investigation into money laundering has begun," an official said. "Bhatt has been blacklisted in view of the possibility of his absconding. Now, if he has to go abroad, he will have to seek government approval."
Bhatta has been banned from traveling abroad after being blacklisted by the immigration authorities. People on the immigration blacklist are not allowed to travel abroad without prior approval from the relevant investigating agency or the Government of Nepal.
Controversial businessman Bhatta is the head of Infinity Holdings. He has been accused of being involved in suspicious activities, from obtaining large public procurement contracts, licenses for hydropower, banks/insurance companies and other companies by 'taking power' of party leaders, public office holders and employees, to manipulating tax rates included in the annual budget. Bhatta was brought under investigation by the Money Laundering Investigation Department in November 2079 after details of suspicious transactions were found regarding Infinity Holdings, of which he is the head, and through it.
