Author: space4knews

The price of gold in the Nepali market rose by NPR 2,900 per tola on Wednesday, reaching NPR 302,700 per tola. The previous day, gold traded at NPR 299,800 per tola. Silver prices also increased by NPR 155 per tola on Wednesday, climbing to NPR 5,220 per tola. April 15, Kathmandu – The gold price in Nepal has once again exceeded NPR 300,000 per tola. According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Business Association, gold prices rose by NPR 2,900 per tola on Wednesday. Following this increase, the gold price settled at NPR 302,700 per tola. The previous day saw gold trading at NPR 299,800 per tola. Last Wednesday, gold traded at NPR 299,000 per tola. Silver prices also experienced gains today, increasing by NPR 155 per tola compared to the previous day. Yesterday, silver traded at NPR 5,065 per tola, while today’s price is NPR 5,220 per tola. Last Wednesday, silver prices stood at NPR 5,025 per tola.

The District Traffic Office has urged the public to collect 8,982 driver-related documents, including driving licenses, that have been confiscated and are currently under their control. According to the traffic violation record system implemented since 2080 B.S., drivers who have not paid fines are required to retrieve their documents within 10 days.

Failure to collect these documents within the stipulated 10-day period will result in suspension of the driving privileges for up to one month, as per Subsection 5 of Section 164 of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act. (April 15, Chitwan)

The District Traffic Office has requested the general public to reclaim driving licenses and related documents that have been confiscated in connection with traffic violations. Following the implementation of the Traffic Violation Record System in 2080 B.S., a total of 8,982 documents have been collected from various locations.

According to Chief Police Inspector Anil Thapa of the office, this system has facilitated the collection and management of these documents. Drivers who have yet to pay fines or have not done so within the designated timeframe are instructed to retrieve their documents within 10 days. These documents primarily include driving licenses, vehicle registration books (blue books), and route permits.

Although some documents were destroyed due to fire incidents, the office has clarified that affected individuals can apply for reissuance by submitting recommendations and paying the necessary fees. In the current fiscal year alone, 2,248 documents have been seized, prompting the office to introduce this new policy.

The office further emphasized that if documents are not collected within 10 days, the driver’s license will face suspension for up to one month in accordance with Section 164 of the Vehicle and Transport Management Act, 2049 B.S.

US President Donald Trump has indicated that talks to end the war with Iran could resume this week. The US military claims to have blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, preventing any ships from passing through. Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to initiate direct talks targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah. On April 14 in Kathmandu, Trump stated in an interview with the New York Post, “You have to stop there (Islamism) because something may happen within the next two days, and that’s where our focus is.” This statement came as the US military asserted that no ships had passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the 24 hours following the blockade.

So far, there has been no official response from Iran regarding Trump’s comments. However, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed optimism about the prospects of renewed negotiations. Gulf region, Pakistani, and Iranian officials reported that US and Iranian representatives may return to Pakistan this weekend to continue discussions, although the exact date remains undecided. The hope for successful talks has eased pressure on the oil markets, with prices dropping below $100 per barrel on Tuesday.

Following US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, Iran effectively closed the critical oil and gas transit route through the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, about a dozen US warships and over 10,000 American troops are enforcing the blockade of Iranian ports, preventing vessels from entering or leaving, which has significantly impacted Iran’s economy. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) noted that within the first 24 hours, six commercial ships complied with US directives by returning to Iranian ports.

Despite high-level talks held last weekend in Islamabad, no agreement was reached. The US stated that Iran rejected its conditions, with Iran’s nuclear program being the main sticking point. According to a US official, the US demanded a complete suspension of uranium enrichment for 20 years, while Iran offered to halt it for only five years. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that this conflict could drag the global economy into a recession.

China condemned the blockade as “dangerous and irresponsible,” warning that it would further escalate tensions. Following talks in Washington on Tuesday, Israel and Lebanon agreed to commence direct negotiations. This was the first direct dialogue since 1993. The Lebanese ambassador described the meeting as “positive,” while the Israeli ambassador said it could mark the start of “a new era of peace.”

Photo Credit: Prepared following a summary of United Nations news. April 15 has been designated by the UN General Assembly as International Health Day. Starting this year, Nepal has proposed observing International Health Day across various countries worldwide. The day aims to inspire everyone to adopt affordable, accessible, and inclusive health practices. Kathmandu, 2 Baisakh. International Health Day is being observed today through various programs. From this year onward, led by Nepal, this day is being celebrated in multiple countries globally. The UN General Assembly declared April 15 as International Health Day to promote overall health, happiness, and a balanced lifestyle. The proposal to observe this health day annually was put forth by Nepal and approved by the General Assembly on 26 Falgun last year. The primary goal of this day is to motivate people towards adopting affordable, accessible, and inclusive health practices.

International Health Day is expected to make a significant contribution not only in treatment after illness but also in preventive measures, fostering a healthy lifestyle, people-centered health systems that save lives, reducing health expenditures, and controlling preventable diseases. The United Nations acknowledges the importance of indigenous peoples’ cultures, local communities’ traditions, and traditional knowledge, emphasizing that evidence-based traditional medical practices can strengthen health systems and promote overall health. According to the UN, this day aims to raise global public awareness, provide a platform for cultural exchange, and facilitate knowledge sharing. Various programs are also being organized as part of these celebrations. Highlighting the importance of individual health, happiness, and overall well-being, the UN has noted that previously declared international days such as International Day of Happiness (March 20), International Yoga Day (June 21), and World Meditation Day (December 21) also contribute to promoting holistic health.

Health is placed as a top priority under the third Sustainable Development Goal, aiming to ensure healthy lives for all age groups. Key priorities include maternal and child health, control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, access to essential medicines and vaccines, promotion of mental health, and reduction of health inequalities.

The government led by the Rastriya Swatantra Party has presented a 100-day digital agenda aiming to establish a new model of transparency and technology-driven good governance. The plan includes granting legal recognition to the Citizen App, making all government certificates available online, and implementing the Digital Nepal Framework 2.0. Although a $90 million digital transformation project approved by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank remains unimplemented and cybersecurity remains weak, the digital transformation program of Nepal—long limited to slogans—is now entering the phase of execution.

The current government, led by the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has proposed the 100-day digital agenda focusing on transparency, accountability, and technology-based governance, signaling the creation of a new operational model for the state. Under Balen Shah’s leadership, the government appears to have been given a mandate by the public—especially the Gen Z generation—to eliminate corruption, facilitate service delivery, and build a digital Nepal. According to this policy framework, the concept of “not line but online” is set to be put into practice.

Presently, Nepal has laid the foundation for digital infrastructure — with over 24 million mobile banking users, more than 16 million national ID card applications, and over 1.5 million users on the Citizen App serving as evidence. However, the main challenge lies not in technology but in weak implementation. Many government offices still do not fully accept digital documents, large numbers of ID cards remain undelivered, and incomplete digital service systems have undermined public trust. Within the first 15 days, the government plans to grant legal recognition to the Citizen App via a cabinet decision, enable online downloading of all government certificates, and implement Digital Nepal Framework 2.0.

This initiative is expected to liberate citizens from the burden of standing in queues for hours to access government services. These measures will directly eliminate intermediaries, reduce corruption, and make government processes traceable. Nepal has demonstrated notable success in digital payments, with private-sector platforms like Khalti, eSewa, and Connect IPS driving the economy toward cashlessness. However, challenges remain, including limited internet access in rural areas (approximately 17%) and only 31% digital literacy.

To address this, government policy needs to focus on making the ‘Digital Nepal for All’ program practical and inclusive. Additionally, the $90 million digital transformation project approved by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank has yet to be implemented. If this project is launched immediately, it will significantly accelerate the development of fundamental infrastructure such as the National Data Exchange Platform, cybersecurity systems, and the digital service portal. This progress could steer Nepal toward a digital governance model similar to Estonia.

Another key aspect of the policy is developing the IT sector as a national strategic industry. By leveraging hydropower and the Himalayan cold climate to establish data centers and AI computing hubs, Nepal has the potential to transform into a ‘Green Digital Economy.’ This initiative could create millions of jobs and attract foreign companies. However, challenges persist: weak cybersecurity evidenced by government website hacks has diminished public trust in digital systems; the outdated Electronic Transactions Act of 2006 remains in effect, a new IT bill has not been passed, and there is no clear implementation of data protection measures, all of which represent significant weaknesses.

Without these reforms, sustainable digital transformation cannot be achieved. Overall, Nepal’s digital journey has reached a critical turning point. The technology, policies, and public support are all in place, but success depends on effective implementation. If the government transparently publishes its progress through a dashboard and meets deadlines, it could establish a new political culture—one where officials are accountable to citizens, and decisions are based on data and technology. The opportunity is now available to create a transparent, accountable, and tech-friendly Nepal as expected by the Gen Z generation. This is not merely a digital project; it is a new definition of good governance where every service is online, every decision traceable, and every leader accountable to the people.

2 Baisakh, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress Central Executive Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting today. According to the Congress central office, the meeting is set for 2 PM as per the pre-planned agenda. Prior to this executive meeting, the Congress has also convened a central disciplinary committee meeting, which is called for 11 AM.

The disciplinary committee meeting is being organized following a second statement issued by Purna Bahadur Khadka in his capacity as acting chairman. Although the Election Commission has officially recognized the team led by Gagan Thapa, elected through the special convention, Khadka’s faction continues to engage in parallel activities.

In the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg, Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1. However, having fallen behind 3-2 on aggregate, Barcelona was eliminated from the competition. Atletico Madrid advanced to the semifinals.

April 15, Kathmandu – Despite winning the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday night, Barcelona was eliminated due to trailing on aggregate score. From the start, Barcelona showed outstanding performance but was unable to achieve the necessary result.

Barcelona took the lead in the fourth minute in Madrid with a goal from Lamin Yamal. Ferran Torres equalized on aggregate with a goal in the 24th minute. However, in the 31st minute, Ademola Lookman scored to restore Atletico’s lead. In the second half, Barcelona continued to press but failed to score. At the 79th minute, Eric Garcia received a red card, reducing Barcelona to 10 players. Unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle, Barcelona’s comeback bid fell short. With this win, Atletico Madrid secured a spot in the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Arsenal vs. Sporting CP tie.

April 15, Kathmandu – The second national economic census officially commences across the country today. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, enumerators and necessary supervisors have already been deployed to respective areas for this census. As per the schedule, the field data collection is expected to be completed within the first week of Ashar (mid-June to mid-July). Approximately 5,000 personnel have been mobilized for this operation.

The Ministry of Finance has appealed for full cooperation as comprehensive data will be gathered from the industrial and economic sectors nationwide. The census will cover 18 fundamental economic sectors including industry, commerce, service sectors, cooperatives, private sector, and public institutions, capturing detailed information such as the number and type of establishments, investment, employment, production, and service delivery.

During this process, all registered and unregistered major and minor business establishments, employers or self-employed enterprises, other industries, factories, trade businesses, non-governmental organizations, government bodies, as well as government and private schools and hospitals will be counted. Preparatory phases for the economic census were completed by the end of Falgun (mid-February to mid-March). At the beginning of Chaitra (mid-March to mid-April), 77 district and an additional 7, totaling 84 offices, were established. These offices will remain operational until the end of Ashar (mid-June to mid-July).

The previous national economic census was conducted in 2018 (2075 BS), at which time data revealed 923,356 establishments and businesses operating nationwide.

The new year 2083 in the Nepali calendar presents not just a change in dates but a golden opportunity to improve thinking, policies, behavior, and management across the sports sector in Nepal.

Nepal is preparing to participate in the 20th Asian Games scheduled to be held in Aichi Nagoya, Japan in 2083. However, the Football Association of Nepal (Rastriya Khelkud Parishad – RAKHEP) is currently suspended and faces a looming threat of FIFA suspension. The Sports Ministry is currently overseen by the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Sasmit Pokharel, with talks underway to integrate this ministry into the education sector.

With the beginning of 2083, a renewed enthusiasm, energy, and hope has emerged among all Nepalis. As every year, there are fresh expectations to elevate Nepalese sports to new heights. Although Nepal will not participate in major events like the World Cup this year, the 20th Asian Games, often considered the Olympics of Asia and to be held in Aichi Nagoya, Japan, will be the largest sporting event Nepal will engage in this year.

However, due to provisions requiring qualifying matches and ranking inclusion to participate in the Asian Games, Nepal will send fewer athletes compared to previous years. The government will need to allocate budget accordingly.

So far, over 400 athletes from 32 different sports have registered for the 20th Asian Games, but the final list of competitors remains uncertain. The National Sports Council launched Mission 26 with the goal of winning gold medals and double-digit medal counts, yet this program has not been consistently implemented. Further detailed discussions on this matter are necessary.

Additionally, discussions are needed regarding Nepal’s participation in other major international competitions. Alongside the Asian Games, Nepali athletes will compete in various individual sports tournaments ranging from World Championships to Asian Championships. Regional international competitions in popular sports such as cricket, football, and volleyball will also be hosted in Nepal, with assured Nepali participation. Cricket will feature league and bilateral series, and volleyball will participate in and organize the Kavre Regional competitions.

Currently, with the Football Association of Nepal suspended and under threat of FIFA ban, Nepal’s participation in the SAFF Championship for both men and women is at risk. This puts Nepal’s football community in crisis and demands collaboration among all stakeholders to preserve the sport.

Despite the formation of a new government led by young Prime Minister Balendra Shah after the Genji Movement and general elections in 2082, a separate ministry for sports has not been established. Sports responsibilities currently fall under Minister Sasmit Pokharel, who is also the government spokesperson, resulting in limited prioritization for sports. There is even discussion of merging the sports ministry into the education sector.

Following the expiration of Secretary Tank Lal Ghising’s term at RAKHEP last year, the appointment process for a new member secretary has stalled. At present, Ram Charitra Mehta from the Sports Ministry is handling RAKHEP’s responsibilities, though the duration of his assignment remains uncertain. This leaves a leadership vacuum in Nepalese sports administration.

While some disputes within the Nepal Olympic Committee have been partially resolved, strong coordination between the government and the committee is essential to ensure steady participation in multi-sport events like the Olympics and the Asian Games.

The National Games, aimed at identifying talented athletes and nurturing future stars, have not been held for two years. Although preparation for the 11th National Games should be underway following the 10th games held a year ago, the schedule remains undecided. Organizing the 10th National Games again this year appears necessary.

As the new year begins, there is a pressing need for reforms in Nepalese sports with fresh aspirations and commitments. With proper planning, capable leadership, efficient management, and sound budgeting and investment, this year could be highly significant for Nepali sports. The talent pool is ample, but improvements are required in mindset, policy, infrastructure, and long-term strategies.

Political interference and politicization pose additional challenges. Only through awareness and conscientious efforts can Nepalese sports achieve major success. The overall structure, management, infrastructure, and long-term planning deficits have impeded rapid progress and must be addressed.

True development and international advancement in sports require a strong, autonomous management structure free from political influence. The country needs to build and upgrade high-quality sports infrastructure nationwide, including quality fields, training centers, and modern equipment, which are currently lacking in many disciplines. Enhancements in training, technology application, data analytics, sports science, and mental preparation are also essential.

Ensuring athletes’ respect and safety is indispensable. Many athletes have devoted their entire lives to sports but face financial insecurity, lack health insurance, and uncertainty about their futures. Attracting youth to sports is critical, especially in the digital age where many young people increasingly rely on technology.

Opportunities to professionalize sports in Nepal are expanding. It is necessary to broaden professional leagues across cricket, football, volleyball, kabaddi, and other sports. Enhancing international relations and participation will also aid sports development. Although Nepali women athletes have made notable progress, they still lack sufficient opportunities, facilities, and support.

Private sector investment is crucial for sustainable sports development. Corporate policies to promote investment in sports are imperative. Sports are not merely about winning or losing but represent national identity, pride, and unity. When Nepali athletes perform excellently on the international stage, the honor extends beyond the individual to the entire nation. Hence, sports must be given national priority.

The new year 2083 offers an opportunity for renewed commitment by all stakeholders—government, sports organizations, athletes, coaches, private sector, and the people of Nepal—to elevate Nepalese sports. May the coming year bring new achievements, create history, and enhance Nepal’s prominence internationally. Heartfelt best wishes for the new year 2083!

The government has released a draft commitment to establish 17 ministries under the federal government. The draft includes a proposal to transform the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office into a direct monitoring center for climate change and major projects. It also expresses a commitment to form a high-level Administrative Structure Review Commission to eliminate operational redundancies and restructure public administration. April 14, Kathmandu.

The government made the draft commitment public for debate. This draft report is based on the commitment letters, manifestos, and pledges of the six national parties formed during the House of Representatives election. Presented as a national commitment, the draft specifies the formation of 17 ministries within the federal government.

While the Rastriya Swatantra Party’s manifesto proposed 18 ministries, and the Congress party’s pre-election pledge targeted 16 ministries, the draft for administrative reform proposes transforming the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office into a coordination hub among ministries as well as a direct monitoring center for climate change and major projects.

The draft also includes a proposal to convert the National Planning Commission into a think tank focused on statistics and monitoring. Additionally, it suggests restructuring the Policy Research Institute. The commitment emphasizes establishing a merit-based system to ensure effective interrelations among federal, provincial, and local levels. To remove functional duplications and promote a competitive public administration, the draft manifesto outlines forming a high-level Administrative Structure Review Commission.