Author: space4knews

Dhirbahadur Budha claimed first place in the men’s category, while Sunmaya Budha secured victory in the women’s category at the inaugural Chhayanath Ultra Marathon. A total of 58 runners participated in the event, including 23 athletes of international standards. The race was organized by the Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality, featuring competitors from various categories. The municipality’s chairperson, Chiring Kyapne Lama, stated that the event was held to promote Chhayanath as an international destination for religious and adventure sports tourism.

The competition commenced on May 16 (3 Jestha) at 6:40 a.m. from Kimri in Kathmandu. The ultra marathon covered a distance of 33 kilometers, with 12 women and 46 men taking part, totaling 58 participants. Dhirbahadur Budha completed the challenging course in 3 hours, 57 minutes, and 25 seconds, finishing first. Dalbahadur Kunwar took second place, followed by Chandrabahadur Rawat in third. In the women’s category, Sunmaya Budha finished the race in 5 hours, 25 minutes, and 50 seconds to claim the top spot.

The presence of 23 internationally recognized athletes added excitement to the competition. According to the organizers, several renowned runners with outstanding performances took part in the race. Alongside the main ultra marathon, a local-level ‘Fun Run’ covering 5 kilometers was also conducted. Winners were awarded cash prizes, medals, and certificates in recognition of their achievement.

May 16, Kathmandu – Former Acting President of Nepali Congress, Purnabahadur Khadka, has expressed his dissatisfaction with President Ramchandra Paudel. Speaking at a program on Sunday in Surkhet titled ‘Nepali Congress’s Broader Unity and Future Directions,’ Khadka hinted at his discontent regarding the President’s role.

Khadka recalled the post-election coalition breakup in 2022 (2079 BS) and noted that he engaged in prolonged dialogue with then-Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’ This dialogue played a significant role in President Paudel’s appointment.

“After ten days of discussions before the presidential election, Prachanda finally gave his approval,” Khadka stated. “However, the next day some factions signaled difficulties or disapproval. I took responsibility for all those challenges.” Despite this, he sarcastically remarked that after assuming office, President Paudel’s actions have complicated national politics.

“Since September 10, I cannot openly disclose what roles he has played in the country’s crisis. I do have evidence on this matter,” Khadka added. Furthermore, he claimed that President Paudel’s conduct has disrupted the coalition culture. “All of these reasons contributed to the coalition’s collapse,” he emphasized.

Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has played a key role in postponing Nepal’s graduation process from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category twice. Although Nepal is scheduled to graduate to a developing country by November 2026, it has requested the United Nations to extend the preparation period by an additional three years. After graduation, Nepal will face challenges and opportunities, including the risk of losing preferential market access while attracting private investment. 3 Jestha, Kathmandu.

Regarding the delay in Nepal’s graduation from the LDC group, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has taken a leading role on two occasions. Following the regular process, Nepal would have been eligible for graduation as early as 2018. However, at that time, the government requested the United Nations to postpone the decision, arguing that the country was not yet prepared for graduation.

In 2021, the decision was made for Nepal to graduate, with the change taking effect in November 2026. However, Nepal is currently seeking to extend the five-year preparation period by an additional three years. Dr. Wagle continues to lead the Ministry of Finance. The United Nations Economic and Social Council had confirmed Nepal’s eligibility for graduation during its first review in 2015.

Nepal formally communicated with the United Nations in 2018 to delay the graduation process from the LDC status by three years. Furthermore, Nepal had been enduring significant economic shocks due to the earthquake and the blockade, with reconstruction efforts still ongoing, which contributed to the decision to defer the graduation. Based on Dr. Wagle’s recommendation, the UN Committee for Development Policy subsequently postponed the review.

In Dhangadhi, a 37-year-old scooter rider, Prabhakar Bhattarai, died after being hit by a tractor. The accident occurred near the Nepali Army barracks in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City Ward No. 4, on the Mohanapur Attariya 6-lane road.

According to police, the tractor involved in the accident did not have a visible number plate and struck the scooter with registration number Suppr 01014 P 2628.

The deceased, Prabhakar Bhattarai, was a resident of Mellekh Rural Municipality–6, Achham District. District Police Office spokesperson Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Yogendra Timilsina stated that Bhattarai was brought to Seti Provincial Hospital in critical condition where doctors declared him dead.

Following the incident, both the tractor driver and the assistant driver fled the scene, and police are currently searching for them.

May 16, Kathmandu – Judges have stated that medical treatment carried out with the genuine intention of saving a patient’s life should not be construed as a criminal act. They stressed the importance of clearly distinguishing between legitimate medical intervention and criminality. On Sunday, Health Live Media organized an interactive program in Biratnagar on the topic “Legal Implementation and Current Status of Safe Abortion Services.”
During the event, Justice Kailash Gurung of the High Court in Biratnagar highlighted that reducing maternal mortality rates requires the responsibility of all three levels of government. Emphasizing the crucial role of local authorities, he noted that medical professionals acting in good faith should not face legal obstacles. “Legal procedures must be conducted based on accurate data and field realities,” Gurung stated.
Justice Durgaprasad Bhusal of the Morang District Court emphasized that the evaluation of medical treatment should consider the intention of the healthcare provider. Keshu Kafle from the Koshi Province Health Ministry shared that 53 percent of pregnancies in Nepal are unintended. Of these unwanted pregnancies, 73 percent result in abortion, but only 48 percent are performed in registered healthcare facilities, while the remaining 52 percent occur illegally and unsafely.
Currently, Koshi Province operates 281 registered safe abortion service centers. Senior obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Bal Krishna Sah advocated for removing abortion from the criminal law and placing it under the health act. He shared experiences where healthcare workers have faced legal challenges despite efforts to save lives, which can adversely impact their morale.
Senior advocate Bharat Thapa pointed out the confusion faced by police and prosecutors arising from inconsistencies between Section 188 of the Muluki Criminal Code and the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Rights Act. He highlighted contradictions between special rights-focused laws and general penal codes, which create difficulties for service providers.
Other participants, including Morang Chief District Officer Yubaraj Kattel, Provincial Health Secretary Dr. Yaduchandra Ghimire, Advocate Basant Kafle, Deputy Advocate Ravin Sapkota, Assistant Advocate Seema Yadav, and Morang Police Chief Kavita Kutuwal, shared views on strengthening safe abortion services from legal and practical perspectives. They noted that while lack of coordination between courts and police sometimes prevents cases from proceeding, instances of legal action still occur.