Author: space4knews

The Gaurishankar Super League U-17 cricket tournament has commenced, organized by the Gaurishankar Cricket Academy. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Bhishwas Karki, Chairperson of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality, and former Minister for Forests and Environment, Vishal Khadka. A total of 18 teams are participating in the tournament, which is expected to make a significant contribution to the development of cricket at the local level.

Designed to provide young players with an opportunity to showcase their talent, the opening ceremony was conducted with great enthusiasm. Chief guests at the event included Bhishwas Karki, Chairperson of Gaurishankar Rural Municipality, and former Minister Vishal Khadka. Special guests included Chumbi Lama, spokesperson for CAN; former player and coach Raju Basnyat; and Ashish Ghising, representative from the District Sports Development Committee.

During his speech, Chief Guest Bhishwas Karki praised the efforts of the Gaurishankar Cricket Academy in organizing the tournament focused on youth development. He expressed confidence that such events would help discover new talents. Former Minister Vishal Khadka also commended the organizers and emphasized the necessity of initiatives like this to encourage young players interested in cricket.

The opening day featured two exciting matches. In the first match, Jorpati Cricket Academy defeated Gaurishankar Cricket Academy by 9 runs, marking a victorious start. In the second match, Nexus Cricket Academy secured an impressive 30-run win over CEC Kathmandu. With 18 teams participating, the tournament is anticipated to play a vital role in promoting cricket at the grassroots level.

March 12, Kathmandu – A man approximately 70 years old, residing on Mahamaya Path in Siddharthanagar Municipality-3, Rupandehi, was found dead in his room on Saturday. According to the Nepal Police Central News Desk, his identity has not yet been confirmed. Authorities are conducting the necessary investigation into the incident.

Despite a theoretical agreement between Nepal and India regarding Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to India, the trip is expected to take place only after some time. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal informed that although high-level visit discussions were held with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, the date has yet to be set. Ministry sources indicated that the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra to Nepal could occur within a month, and only after this will the date for the Prime Minister’s visit be determined. 28 Chaitra, Kathmandu.

Even though Nepal and India have reached a theoretical consensus on Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to India, it will take place some time later. Following Shah’s election as Prime Minister, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations along with an invitation to visit India. According to Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, in response, Prime Minister Shah stated he would visit India “at an appropriate time.”

According to Minister Khanal, discussions with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also resulted in theoretical agreement on the Prime Minister’s visit to India. However, substantial preparations remain before a date can be finalized, the minister said Saturday evening. “Alongside other bilateral matters, discussions involved the topic of a high-level visit between the two countries. The date has not been set yet,” said Foreign Minister Khanal.

During a side meeting held as part of the Ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, conversations primarily covered Nepal’s elections and priorities set by the new government. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Khanal informed the Indian Foreign Minister that Nepal’s new government is reviewing its foreign policy and various dimensions of Nepal-India relations. “There are deep political, economic, and people-to-people ties between Nepal and India. We are studying these issues and will establish priorities within those relations,” Minister Khanal stated.

At the international conference on collective responsibilities in the Indian Ocean, Foreign Minister Shashir Khanal clearly stated that Nepal’s foreign policy is based on sovereign equality and non-alignment. Speaking at the ongoing conference in Mauritius, he addressed the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis on Nepal and emphasized the country’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution. The event included foreign ministers from India and several other nations, and during one session, Khanal reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the United Nations Charter, emphasizing support for a rules-based global order. He also described Nepal as a bridge between the mountains and the sea.

Although Prime Minister Walendra Shah took office two weeks ago, the government has yet to officially announce its foreign policy. However, Foreign Minister Khanal has recently engaged in collective discussions with heads of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu. He underscored the necessity of not ignoring the Middle East conflict, explaining its profound socio-economic impact on Nepal. Highlighting the fact that millions of Nepali workers are employed in the Middle East, Khanal stressed that their safety remains a high priority for the government.

Mentioning that one Nepali has died and many others have been injured in the conflict, Khanal stated, “The effects of this conflict are not confined to that region alone; they are triggering global disruptions such as rising fuel prices, supply chain interruptions, and serious livelihood challenges. These issues are deeply linked to stability in the Indian Ocean and global peace.” He called for collaborative efforts to address challenges such as maritime security risks, disturbances in global supply chains, and increasing inequality, emphasizing that these problems cannot be resolved without cooperation and shared responsibility.

According to Khanal, this shared responsibility involves participating in a rules-based international system and working together for common interests under principles of international law, sovereign equality, mutual respect, and coexistence. He recalled Nepal’s policy of peaceful dispute resolution, stating that the country’s foreign policy is grounded in the United Nations Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel), and non-alignment. “We support a rules-based world order where the rights of both small and large nations are respected,” he concluded.

March 28, Kathmandu – Peace talks between the United States and Iran have commenced in Islamabad, Pakistan, facilitated by Pakistani mediation. Citing Iranian state media, the American network CNN reported that negotiators from all three countries became actively engaged in discussions starting Saturday afternoon. The talks are taking place at the Pearl Continental Hotel Serena in Islamabad. Another international outlet, Al Jazeera, noted that this marks the first high-level dialogue between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution.

On the American side, Vice President Mike Pence is coordinating the negotiations. Accompanying him are President Donald Trump’s special envoy Stephen Biegun and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, among others in the delegation. Leading the Iranian team is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Parliament, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also part of the delegation. Prior to the talks, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate meetings with both the US and Iranian delegations.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the commencement of these much-anticipated peace talks. According to BBC, which cited Pakistani sources, the negotiations began around 4 p.m., though the process remains somewhat opaque. Pakistani officials told BBC Urdu that efforts are focused on facilitating direct talks between the US and Iranian representatives. Up to this point, communication between the two sides had been conducted via Pakistani mediators, with direct discussions agreed upon only after positive signals emerged.

March 12, Kathmandu – The Nepal Communist Party United has criticized the report submitted by the inquiry commission led by former Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, labeling it as incomplete and biased. In a meeting of the Central Assembly Organizing Committee held on Saturday, the party rejected the Karki Commission’s findings and demanded the establishment of a new commission to effectively investigate the incidents of September 8 and 9.

According to a statement issued by the party’s acting chairman Ghanashyam Bhusal, the resolution encompasses 11 points covering various national and international matters. The second point of the statement reads, ‘Since the Gauri Bahadur Karki Commission’s report is incomplete and prejudiced, this meeting strongly demands the formation of a powerful investigative commission chaired by a sitting judge to take action against those involved in the September 8 and 9 incidents.’

Furthermore, another point calls for the creation of a high-level investigative committee to scrutinize the assets of senior officials, political figures, judicial officers, and public servants dating back to the year 1991 (2048 BS), and to impose restrictive actions accordingly.

March 12, Kathmandu: Home Minister Sudhan Gurung conducted an inspection of the Armed Police Force Disaster Management Training School located in Kurintar, Chitwan. The inspection took place on Saturday, during which Minister Gurung reviewed the facilities and gathered detailed information regarding the challenges and disaster management operations conducted at the institution. During the visit, Minister Gurung instructed the establishment of a helipad station within at least a five-kilometer radius. The inspection was attended by senior Armed Police Force officials, along with Chitwan District Chief Administrative Officer Ganesh Aryal, Armed Police SSP Bharat Khaniya, Armed Police Deputy Inspector General Anjani Kumar Pokhrel, Chief Superintendent of Police Govind Puri from the Chitwan District Police Office, and Traffic Police Superintendent Delhi Narayan Pandey.

March 12, Kathmandu – Hari Pant, Member of Parliament for Parsa Constituency No. 1, has issued directives to immediately stop the collection of illicit “dhata” fees from cargo trucks exiting the Integrated Check Post in Birgunj. MP Pant coordinated with Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal upon discovering that trucks were being restricted during the daytime and allowed to pass only at night, and he demanded this practice be ceased at once.

Despite clear government directives prohibiting the collection of “dhata” fees from cargo trucks, implementation has been lacking, prompting MP Pant to raise objections again. He emphasized that no taxes or fees may be imposed under any unauthorized title contrary to the law.

According to Pant, neither the federal nor local governments have the authority to impose fees termed “dhata” by setting up checkpoints on vehicles leaving the customs office. Business operators have long voiced complaints regarding this issue.

Journalist Radha Dhungana has been honored with the Dr. Surendra Bhakta Pradhanang Tourism Award–2082 for her significant contributions to promoting rural tourism. This accolade was presented during the 27th Annual General Meeting and the 13th Convention of the Village Tourism Promotion Forum Nepal (VITOF). Dhungana received a cash prize of 25,000 Nepalese Rupees along with a certificate of appreciation. National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal attended the event as the chief guest.

On 28 Chaitra, Kathmandu, journalist Radha Dhungana was recognized with the Dr. Surendra Bhakta Pradhanang Tourism Award–2082. The award was conferred on the occasion of VITOF’s 27th Annual General Meeting and 13th Convention, acknowledging her notable journalistic role in advancing village tourism.

According to VITOF’s outgoing chairperson Shakuntala Devkota, Dhungana was honored for her persistent efforts in elevating rural and homestay tourism into national discussions through the media. The award, established in the name of prominent rural tourism activist Dr. Surendra Bhakta Pradhanang, is presented biennially to individuals contributing to this field. This year, Dhungana received a cash prize of 25,000 Nepalese Rupees and a certificate of appreciation. National Assembly Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal participated as the chief guest. The award was presented by Dr. Pradhanang himself.

Active in journalism for over a decade and a half, Dhungana began her media career with Himal FM in Solukhumbu.

28 Chaitra, Kathmandu – The Jit-Rekh Magar Literature Award 2081 was presented to writer Ujir Rana Magar. The award ceremony took place on Saturday in Lalitpur, where Indira Rana Magar, a member of the House of Representatives and former Speaker, handed over the prize money of NPR 60,000 to the recipient. Similarly, Rakesh BM Chintan received the Jit-Rekh Magar Emerging Talent Award, which carries a cash prize of NPR 15,000. Both awards were established in memory of Jitbahadur Sinjali Magar and Rekbahadur Thapa Saru Magar, pioneering scholars of the Magar language, according to Sanjog Lafa Magar, chairman of the organizing body, Jibseem Literary Foundation.

Lafa added that the prize money increases by NPR 5,000 annually and has reached NPR 60,000 this year. Additionally, the Jaybahadur Hitan Magar Memorial Award 2081 was awarded to Khagendra Gharti, founder of Nepal Magar Association. This award was instituted by the family of Jaybahadur Hitan Magar, the association’s founding secretary, in his memory.

Chief speaker Professor Abhi Subedi emphasized the growing need for literature in one’s mother tongue. Former Deputy Speaker Indira Rana Magar and the Chancellor of Nepal Academy, Bhupal Rai, were also honored during the event.