Peace talks between the United States and Iran held in Islamabad to resolve the Middle East crisis concluded without an agreement. Pakistan emphasized the essential role of the international community in creating an environment of trust for dialogue and stressed the necessity of a ceasefire. Various countries worldwide have called for continued negotiations, while Russia has expressed willingness to mediate. March 13, Paris.
Following the inconclusive talks in Islamabad aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the global community has urged the US and Iran to persist with dialogue. Pakistan, which brokered the negotiations, highlighted that fostering mutual trust is a responsibility of the international community and underscored that ongoing discussions are vital to ending the war. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated, “It is essential that both parties maintain their commitment to a ceasefire.”
European Union foreign affairs spokesperson Anwar Al Aouni noted that diplomatic efforts are necessary to resolve the Middle Eastern conflict. Acknowledging the failure of the Pakistan-hosted US-Iran talks, he added, “We welcome Pakistan’s mediation efforts and will join our partners in Brussels to intensify efforts toward a resolution.” Russia has also declared its readiness to mediate for a ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his willingness to assist in mediation to establish peace in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom praised Pakistan’s initiative to organize the talks but described the lack of conclusions as disappointing. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, in a statement, said, “Maintaining the ceasefire and returning to negotiations remain our priorities.”
Roshan Pokharel, a YouTuber arrested in Panchthar for allegedly using derogatory language against Prime Minister Balendra Shah and other leaders, has been released. According to DSP Anish Karn, chief of the Panchthar District Police Office, Pokharel has been entrusted to family members with a condition to appear when required. He was initially arrested on Chaitra 26, and the District Court had extended his detention by 10 days.
Pokharel was taken into custody following an investigation by the Nepal Police Cyber Bureau and the Panchthar District Police Office for broadcasting content on YouTube that contained offensive remarks targeting Prime Minister Balendra Shah and other political figures. Following Pokharel’s arrest, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has faced criticism on social media, where detractors have been sharing his past Facebook statuses and videos.
Arjun Narasingh KC, a leader of the Nepali Congress, has stressed the importance of establishing clear and definitive criteria for selecting the parliamentary party leader. The Congress party has announced that the selection process for the parliamentary party leader will commence on Baisakh 2 (mid-April) and the election will be held by Baisakh 4. KC suggested that the leader should be chosen based on eligibility and fairness, and urged that delays should be avoided. (March 29, Kathmandu)
KC shared his views on this matter via his Facebook account. He stated, “It is natural for there to be discussions within the party and external interest regarding the selection of the parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Congress, the main opposition in the House of Representatives. However, it is essential to establish clear standards about ‘who’ and ‘what kind’ of leader is required.”
He added, “There have been voices claiming that my actions have caused delays, and personal sentiments and relationships among leaders have been publicly expressed. Both of these claims are false and misleading. I have expressed within the party and publicly that we should set criteria for consensus and strive for selection by unanimity as much as possible.”
KC further emphasized, “The position of parliamentary party leader is not just a title; it carries the responsibility to perform an effective opposition role. Therefore, there should be no delay, and mature, capable decisions must be made. If consensus cannot be reached, let’s immediately proceed with an election and not postpone any further.”
Distributor Govind Shahi has reported that the film ‘Ram Naam Satya’ achieved strong business during the first two days of the Nepali New Year 2083. Actor Biraj Bhatt expressed enthusiasm after receiving cheers and support from audiences across multiple theaters in Kathmandu. The film features performances by Biraj Bhatt, Sushil Shrestha, Divya Rayamajhi, among others, and is directed by Michael Chand.
Kathmandu – Released to coincide with the Nepali New Year 2083 celebrations, ‘Ram Naam Satya’ recorded an excellent opening over its initial two days, according to distributor Govind Shahi. Shahi noted an increase in business on Saturday compared to Friday. Directed by Michael Chand, the film’s action sequences, storyline, and performances have been well received by viewers, who have even drawn comparisons between the film’s action scenes and those typical of Bollywood.
On Saturday, actor Biraj Bhatt visited several theaters in Kathmandu. At the Ashtanarayana Hall, over 1,200 viewers gathered around Biraj. The venue, with a capacity of 1,000 seats, was fully occupied, prompting organizers to screen the film in an additional 500-seat auditorium. Audiences enthusiastically cheered Biraj’s presence. Produced by Upendra Shahi and Shweta Bimali, the film has garnered positive feedback from viewers, which has left Biraj Bhatt visibly encouraged. He said, “I was unsure how the film would perform in the first two days, but the audience has appreciated it. This has made us very excited.”
The producers hope that the film’s box office earnings will further increase on New Year’s Day. Distributor Kuver Films has confirmed that business is also progressing well in theaters outside Kathmandu. Alongside Biraj Bhatt, the cast includes Sushil Shrestha, Divya Rayamajhi, Supushpa Bhatt, Sunil Thapa, Prashant Tamrakar, Ayush Singh Thakuri, Khushi Karki, and others. Presented by Michael Entertainment House, the film’s executive producers are Kishor Bhatt, Rajendra Bhatt, and Arjun Sunar. Co-producers Tejraj Chatout and Daman Bahadur Chand are also involved. Moti Karki serves as the creative producer, while Rajendra Acharya is the line producer. Distributed by Kafiya Films and Kuver Cine Distribution, the film’s soundtrack features music by Babul Giri, Arjun Pokharel, SD Yogi, and Nawaz Ansari.
The 13th edition of the ‘Nepal Tattoo Convention’ is currently being held at the Heritage Garden in Lalitpur. The event, which began on Friday, will continue until tomorrow. According to information released by the organizers, this year’s edition features participation from over 250 artists. Approximately 250 artists are involved, with 40 percent being domestic artists and 60 percent international artists. Photo: Vikas Dware
The oxygen plant in Palpa, which had been shut down for two years, has been repaired and brought back into operation. With the plant running again, supplying oxygen cylinders to Palpa Hospital and other district hospitals will become more convenient. In Jestha 2078 (May/June 2021), the federal government allocated a budget of NPR 15 million for purchasing equipment to operate the plant.
The plant was restarted through proper management of skilled personnel and maintenance work. Originally constructed at Palpa Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic with federal funding, the oxygen plant had fallen into disrepair over recent years. Locals have expressed happiness that the reopening of the plant will resolve oxygen shortages.
Previously, in the absence of a local oxygen plant, hospitals had to rely on supplies transported from Butwal and Bhairahawa. With the new oxygen plant operational in the district, it will now be easier for not only other hospitals but also all patients to access oxygen, said Pratiksha Gaha Sinjali, Deputy Mayor of Tansen Municipality. She also expressed confidence that the plant will facilitate the supply of oxygen cylinders not only to patients admitted at Palpa Hospital but also to Lumbini Medical College, Mission Hospital, Rampur Hospital, and private medical facilities and clinics in the district.
The district typically consumes between 400 to 500 oxygen cylinders monthly. According to Ajayman Karmacharya, Chairperson of the Palpa Hospital Development Committee, small cylinders are bought and sold at NPR 350 and large cylinders up to NPR 650 at the plant. Local production of oxygen will also reduce transportation costs and save time for district hospitals, he added.
Chairperson Karmacharya emphasized that the oxygen plant is vital to making Palpa Hospital well-equipped, reliable, and trustworthy. He stated, “Our main goal is to ensure that no patient loses their life prematurely due to lack of oxygen.” With the plant now operational, Dr. Rajendra Paudel, Acting Medical Superintendent of the hospital, shared that surgical services are planned to resume within the second week of Baishakh (late April/early May).
Under the federal Ministry of Finance, the budget of NPR 15 million was approved in Jestha 2078 for the operation of the oxygen plant. The funds were used to purchase equipment to produce oxygen, facilitating the plant’s reopening. A building adjacent to the hospital, costing NPR 2.6 million, was constructed for the plant. While the plant had been functional during the COVID-19 period, its closure afterward led to hardships for patients with chronic illnesses.
On April 11, the United States and Iran concluded a 21-hour negotiation in Islamabad, marking the first direct high-level dialogue since 1979. Pakistan facilitated the talks by mediating and delivering a 15-point US proposal to Iran, organizing the schedule to promote a ceasefire. Although the talks did not result in an immediate agreement, they successfully reestablished communication and highlighted Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator.
The talks ended early morning on April 12 after 21 hours of deliberation. While no accord was reached, the day will be remembered as a historic milestone. The dialogue was spurred by escalating tensions and suffering caused by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which drew both parties to the negotiating table.
Leading the American delegation was Vice President JD Vance, while the Iranian side was headed by Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, accompanied by a delegation of over 70 members. Both sides presented their proposals, yet significant differences persisted on key issues.
Despite the lack of success in finalizing an agreement, the talks restored dialogue and laid the groundwork for future negotiations. The current ceasefire period is set to expire on April 22, with prospects for renewed talks underway. Pakistan has committed to continuing its role in facilitating engagement and smoothing the negotiation process in the coming days.
Image caption, Actress Prashanna portrays Pooja, a newlywed woman who is raped by her husband on their wedding nightArticle Information
In India, where marital rape has consistently been denied classification as a crime, a new web series has brought this grave issue back into the spotlight.
The web series titled ‘Chirainya’ was released in March on the ‘Jio-Hotstar’ streaming platform. ‘Chirainya’ is a Hindi word meaning ‘small birds’. To date, millions have viewed the series, making it one of the most popular web series on the network in recent months.
Critics have praised the series for tackling a typically taboo subject. It has sparked debates on social media around consent and misogynistic attitudes. However, some commentators have criticized it as “anti-male” and an attempt to “weaken the sanctity of the marital relationship.”
According to the series’ writer Divya Nidhi Sharma, the story revolves around two women, Kamlesh and Pooja.
Actress Divya Dutta plays Kamlesh, a middle-aged housewife who believes that women should be interested in cooking and household chores. Meanwhile, Prashanna portrays Pooja, an educated and socially aware young woman who advocates for gender equality and respect.
After Pooja marries Arun, the brother-in-law whom Kamlesh raised like her own son, their world turns chaotic. Arun was considered a perfect match for Pooja, but on the wedding night he rapes her, shattering her dreams of a happy married life.
When Pooja protests, Arun claims that he was “taking his right.”
“Why do you keep saying I raped you?” he asks, adding that in India marital rape is not considered a crime and there is no law to address it.
Image source, JioHotstar
Image caption, Actress Divya Dutta plays Kamlesh
According to actress Dutta, the central theme of this web series is “consent,” especially within marriage — a relationship many regard as highly special.
“Talking about marital rape is still very difficult. Many women who experience this think it is a personal ordeal, and fear that speaking out will bring social stigma and disrupt family life,” she said.
In the series, when the traumatized Pooja raises her voice against her husband Arun’s behavior, everyone including her mother advises her to endure silently, warning that speaking out will lead only to shame and dishonor.
Dutta explains that Kamlesh initially believes that sexual consent is automatic after marriage.
However, as the plot unfolds and she is forced to choose between her “comfort zone” and standing by a woman she doesn’t particularly like, her perspective begins to change.
“Ultimately, she chooses the right path,” Dutta says, becoming a trusted ally to Pooja.
Government statistics indicate that approximately 6.1% of married Indian women have experienced sexual violence. Yet, despite years of advocacy, India remains one of three dozen countries—including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia—where marital rape is not legally recognized as a crime.
Activists have filed several petitions in the Supreme Court demanding that marital rape be criminalized. However, the government, religious groups, and men’s rights activists have opposed any amendments to the colonial-era law, which under certain circumstances exempts husbands from prosecution for non-consensual sex with their wives above the age of minority.
Last year, nationwide outrage was sparked when a man convicted of raping his wife was released on appeal. The case involved alleged forced intercourse that resulted in the wife’s death within hours, but the judge cited the lack of legal recognition of marital rape in India as grounds for the husband’s release.
Writer Sharma states: “This injustice happens right inside our homes and neighborhoods.”
“What worries me most is that there is neither legal nor social redressal. As a writer, I felt compelled to do something about it.”
Image source, JioHotstar
Image caption, Director Shashant Shah explains that in ‘Chirainya’ men are not portrayed as exaggerated villains
Adapted from the Bengali program ‘Sampurna,’ ‘Chirainya’ was reimagined for North India, a comparatively more patriarchal region.
“The main character in ‘Sampurna’ is a feminist,” Sharma explains. “Our lead, Kamlesh, is a woman who doesn’t even know how to spell ‘misogyny.’ She is so deeply immersed in patriarchal thinking that her ability to discern right from wrong is distorted.”
“But in the end, she is willing to fight against injustice.”
Director Shah on Kamlesh: “We wanted to present a woman whom millions of women in India can relate to.”
“She is a woman who trusts the family system, but gradually you begin to see her transformation. As her world starts to collapse, she perceives it as false and like a drama where people inside the family are victims.”
He adds that ‘Chirainya’ wasn’t created to question the government or laws.
“We wanted to raise the question in society: how do you view this? Our aim was to raise awareness among people.”
Pooja’s story is fictional, but it reflects the reality of millions of women, he says, and the character Kamlesh represents the sisterly bond between the two women.
Although the narrative centers on female characters, director Shah emphasizes that men are not depicted as exaggerated villains.
“They are not monsters, just ordinary people from our daily lives. Patriarchy is so deeply rooted that most people are unaware they are perpetuating misogyny,” he says.
Image source, JioHotstar
Image caption, According to Divya Dutta, impactful content like ‘Chirainya’ holds the power to change the world
Actress Dutta says the audience response to the web series has been “quite remarkable.”
“I have received messages, calls, and personal notes on Instagram and Twitter. Everyone is watching it. Prominent artists have been calling to thank me for the series. Some have sent gifts with heartfelt messages, others have shared their own poems. I feel it has genuinely touched everyone’s hearts.”
Some negative feedback has also emerged. Sharma said some viewers were “angered” and that some men’s groups claimed that the series presents men in an unfair manner.
“But our goal was only to start a conversation. We are artists — we cannot make laws, control crime, or rapidly change society. But we can use art to bring taboo topics into the mainstream,” she explains.
Dutta says she focuses on the positive feedback and ignores the rest. “I don’t want to read the 1% negativity and prefer to focus on the 99% who love it and are thankful. Let’s focus on gratitude.”
According to the actress, potent works like ‘Chirainya’ have the power to bring about change.
“It shows us where we might be making mistakes and, in my view, will make a difference in many ways. It emphasizes starting change at home rather than blaming others.”
“That is the first but a very strong step.”
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Erika Gurung was defeated 2-1 by Kazakhstan’s Sofia Beretseva in the final of the Karate One Premier League. Erika advanced to the final by defeating Italy’s Ferakutti Clelia 8-3 in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, she had an 8-0 victory over Slovakia’s Maria Jibret Jala. 29 Chaitra, Kathmandu.
At the Karate One Premier League, Erika Gurung secured another silver medal. In the final held on Sunday, Erika lost 2-1 to Kazakhstan’s Sofia Beretseva. She had reached the final by beating Italy’s Ferakutti Clelia 8-3 in the semifinal. Previously, at the Karate One Premier League held in Turkey, Erika was also defeated by Sofia in the final.
In the quarterfinals, Erika defeated Slovakia’s Maria Jibret Jala 8-0. During the group stage, she won three consecutive matches. She beat Montenegro’s Jomana Damjanovic 2-0, lost to WKF’s Maria Malakhava on senyu basis in the second match, and after a 1-1 draw with Maria, secured victory based on senyu rules. In her third match, she defeated Germany’s Johanna Kanir 2-1.
March 13, Kathmandu – The Supreme Court has indicated the presence of complex legal questions regarding the Attorney General’s decision to amend the charges in cases against National Independent Party Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane, which are being heard in various district courts. Cases involving such complex legal matters must be presented before a full bench comprising three or more justices. A joint bench of Justices Vinod Sharma and Abdul Aziz Muslim concluded that this case indeed raises complicated legal issues.
Two recent decisions by Attorney General Savita Bhandari Baral were challenged through separate writ petitions filed in the Supreme Court by senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi and two others, arguing that the decisions conflict with constitutional and legal provisions. Accordingly, the Supreme Court has identified complex legal questions within the case. While the Constitution grants the Attorney General the authority to withdraw cases and the Criminal Procedure Code permits amendments to charge sheets, the court noted ambiguity has emerged because cases involving money laundering cannot be withdrawn.
“A clear interpretation and judicial standpoint have not been established by this Court regarding the amendment of the charge sheet that renders a full claim under a special act non-existent,” the Supreme Court order stated. It further directed that “since this legal question requires adjudication by a full bench, the present writ petitions should be placed before the full bench.”
Ravi Lamichhane and several others face charges related to cooperative fraud at the Chitwan District Court, while cases involving cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering have been filed against them at district courts in Kathmandu, Rupandehi, Kaski, and Parsa. During the trial process, the respective courts reportedly disregarded the Money Laundering Act, 2007 (2064 BS), and the Organized Crime Control Act, 2013 (2070 BS), proceeding to investigate cases and file charge sheets that effectively nullify the existence of these laws, oftentimes without conducting further concrete investigations.
Supplementary charge sheets were also filed, adding allegations of cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering against individuals not employed by cooperative institutions. These amendments to the charges were made under Section 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 2017 (2074 BS). However, misapplication of this provision led to the amendment of the charge sheet on January 14, 2026 (Poush 30, 2082 BS) by the Attorney General’s Office, purportedly withdrawing even money laundering cases—which under Section 116 of the same code are not allowed to be withdrawn.
Summary: Dr. Vikas Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, has stressed the importance of reducing the gap between policy formulation and implementation. He highlighted the need to coordinate research, implementation, and monitoring within a unified structure. Dr. Devkota also emphasized that change should begin with personal behavior improvement and that research must align with the government’s 100-point agenda and manifesto. Kathmandu, March 29.
Dr. Vikas Devkota, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Population, underscored the necessity to minimize the gap observed between policy-making and its execution. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ‘National Summit of Health and Population Scientists’ organized by Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC), he urged a stronger focus on policy implementation. He pointed out that as the country approaches a phase of stability, there is an opportunity to introduce systems with fresh perspectives.
He stressed the importance of formulating policies and regulations related to good governance and ensuring their implementation for effective service delivery. Highlighting that change starts from small steps, he urged everyone to improve their personal behavior. “We are currently in a different situation; the country is moving toward stability. New opportunities have emerged, we have accomplished and reviewed many tasks. Now, a new system has arrived with fresh thinking, and we must build evidence based on it,” Secretary Devkota remarked.
“The NHRC has been performing well, and outstanding work can be expected annually from everyone involved here. However, it is essential to coordinate research, implementation, and monitoring under a single umbrella that spans from the central to the provincial level,” he added. He further emphasized the need to focus on service expansion even as young people engage in research. “We must have ambitious plans and ideas, but the start must be small,” he said. “The foremost requirement is to change our own behavior. Future research should be based on the government’s 100-point agenda and the manifesto, which will assist in improving services.”
Nepka village, located in Chhankheli Rural Municipality-5 of Humla district, has been without communication services for almost a week. Due to a malfunction in the Nepal Telecom tower, the residents of 67 households in the area have been cut off from all communication services. (29 Chaitra, Humla)
Communication services in Nepka have been significantly impacted. Mangala Tamang, a resident of Chhankheli Rural Municipality-5, expressed grievances about the disconnection from relatives who have been unreachable since the telecom tower went out of service. Harkadhan Tamang, chairperson of Ward No. 5, also reported that all 67 households are currently without communication facilities.
They stated, “Although there have been occasional network issues before, the network has been completely non-operational for nearly a week.” Ward Chairperson Tamang highlighted the difficulty in obtaining information on the network problem as attempts to reach the Nepal Telecom chief in Humla proved unsuccessful.
Suman Kulung of Nepal claimed second place in the men’s 69 km race at the Istria 100 by UTMB event held in Croatia. He completed the race in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 17 seconds, finishing just one minute behind the winner, Italy’s Gianluca Ghiano. Currently training in Austria, Suman is sponsored by the Sigrid Foundation. (29 Chaitra, Kathmandu)
In the 69 km men’s race, part of the Istria 100 by UTMB under the UTMB World Series held in Europe, Suman delivered an outstanding performance by completing the course in 5 hours, 40 minutes, and 17 seconds. The race’s first-place finisher, Gianluca Ghiano from Italy, completed the distance in 5 hours, 39 minutes, and 8 seconds.
Suman also competed in this race last year. In the 69 km men’s category of the 2025 Istria 100 by UTMB, he secured second place as well. Now based in Austria, Suman actively trains and competes in various international trail races. Earlier this year, he participated in the World Mountain and Trail Race Championships held in Spain in Ashoj (September/October) and also competed in the TransLantau Hong Kong by UTMB race held in Kartik (October/November).
The Sigrid Foundation in Austria has been supporting Suman. He met foundation officials in 2022 while working as a tourist guide. Impressed by his potential to become one of the world’s top runners, the foundation decided to provide him with support. Suman continues to train in trail running and other sports in Austria, including skiing and various other disciplines.
March 12, Kathmandu – Health Minister Nisha Mehta has announced that a digital reporting system will soon be implemented across all government hospitals. During an inspection at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Mehta listened to complaints from patients and their relatives regarding delays in receiving health examination reports and revealed plans to introduce the digital reporting system during treatments.
Patients visiting hospitals had expressed difficulties due to the delayed availability of health test reports. Hospital administration clarified that delayed report preparation is attributed to the outpatient services catering to approximately 5,000 patients daily. Minister Mehta emphasized that soon, patients will no longer need to visit hospitals to collect their health examination reports as the new system will facilitate easier access.
Additionally, she urged hospital administration to ensure arrangements are in place so that patients receiving treatment at the hospital do not have to purchase medicines externally. After the inspection, speaking briefly to reporters, the minister announced that comprehensive plans for overall health sector improvements will be disclosed soon. In line with government directives, outpatient services continue to operate even on public holidays such as Sunday.
Texas College recently hosted a dynamic and inspiring program, the Transformative Leadership Training Session 2026. The event saw the participation of principals, vice principals, teachers from 200 schools, and 400 educational experts. According to Texas College, the gathering aimed to provide leadership-focused training, meaningful discussions, and professional development opportunities. The event was held on 29th Chaitra in Kathmandu.
The session was attended by school leaders, principals, vice principals, teachers, and personalities in teaching and learning from various schools. With participation from 200 schools, the program brought together principals, program heads, and 400 passionate educators committed to enhancing excellence in education. “This event focused on transformative leadership and featured engaging training sessions, vital discussions, and ample professional development opportunities,” a statement from Texas College noted.
