Author: space4knews

US President Donald Trump has announced that the ceasefire in Lebanon will be extended for an additional three weeks. The first phase of the ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israel has been conducting military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, was set to expire on Sunday. During the second round of talks held in Washington with Israeli and Lebanese officials, President Trump declared the extension of the ceasefire period.

While the Israeli military claimed to maintain control over areas in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah expressed disagreement with the meeting. Shortly before the talks began, Hezbollah reported a rocket attack in northern Israel. President Trump, speaking to the press from the Oval Office, said that Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present at the meeting and described the discussions as “progressing well.”

President Trump stated, “The United States will work with Lebanon to protect it from Hezbollah.” Labeling Hezbollah as a “shared problem” for both Israel and Lebanon, Trump emphasized his commitment to coordinating with these countries to find a solution.

Meanwhile, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations noted that the extended ceasefire may not be sufficient to completely halt the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which is based in Lebanon and supported by Iran.

Speaking with CNN, Danny Danon said, “The Lebanese government has no control over Hezbollah.” During the ongoing talks, the Israeli military reported that rockets had been fired into its territory from Lebanon. Sirens reportedly sounded in the area of the alleged attack. Subsequently, the Israeli military confirmed it had struck the location from which the rockets were fired.

April 24, Kathmandu – Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki has expressed gratitude towards the government for the decision to retain ownership of the land of the National Police Training Academy under the academy’s possession. On September 6, 2018, the Cabinet had decided to transfer the academy’s 114 ropani 3 anna land to the President’s Office. However, the Cabinet meeting on Thursday reversed this decision, opting not to hand over the Police Academy land near Sheetal Niwas in Maharajgunj to the President’s Office.

Through a post on social media on Friday, Inspector General Karki described this decision as a highly significant and historic achievement for the Nepal Police organization. On April 23, the government agreed to restore ownership of the 114 ropani 3 anna land back to the police academy. “This decision by the Government of Nepal is an extremely important and historic achievement for the Nepal Police organization,” IGP Karki wrote on Facebook, “It is believed that this decision will have a far-reaching positive impact on the institutional strengthening of Nepal Police, the development of long-term physical infrastructure, and enhancement of professional capacity.” He further expressed hope that the Nepal Police will continue to receive ongoing support and guidance from the government for institutional consolidation, professional development, morale boosting, and delivering effective services in the future.

The National Human Rights Commission is set to recommend government action next week regarding the implementation of the report by the commission formed to investigate the Gen Z movement. According to Lili Thapa, chairperson and member of the investigative committee, the commission will recommend action to the government on Wednesday, April 29 (Baisakh 16). “On the same day, the commission will hold a press conference to release a summary of the report,” Thapa said. The recommendations target individuals involved in the police crackdown on September 9 (Bhadra 23) and subsequent destructive incidents on September 10 (Bhadra 24).

Recommendations also include accountability for political and administrative leadership. Responding to questions, Commission member Thapa stated, “The report addresses who is responsible for the events of both days, and the recommendations are based on these findings.” Previously, the commission led by former Special Court Chief Gauribahadur Karki was criticized for inadequate investigation into those involved in the incidents on September 10.

The commission has also studied the role of the current Prime Minister and former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Chief, Balendra Shah, popularly known as ‘Balen.’ An official pointed out, “His name appears in connection with the events on the 10th as well as prior incidents, and discussions from Discord chats have been included in the investigation summary.” According to commission officials, leaders including Balen and Ravi Lamichhane have been recommended for action from a human rights perspective. However, an official also indicated that the commission might not fully endorse the report.

The prospect of recommending action against the current Prime Minister Balen has sparked debate on what could follow if such a measure is implemented. Constitutional expert Surya Dhungel noted that if serious allegations arise, further investigation might be warranted. “When serious questions are raised regarding individuals holding various responsibilities, their responses and information will be crucial,” he said.

April 24, Kathmandu – The Nepali Congress is organizing an election today to select its parliamentary party leader. Since a consensus could not be reached, the party has moved forward with the electoral process to choose its leader. According to the pre-established plan, candidate registration will take place between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. today. After completing processes such as objection submissions, reviews, publication of a second candidate list, and candidate withdrawals, the final list of candidates will be announced at 3:30 p.m. The election committee coordinator, Prakash Rasailee Snehi, has informed that voting will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nepali Congress parliamentary party office in Singh Durbar.

Former deputy general secretaries Arjun Narasingh K.C., Bhishma Raj Angdembe, and Mohan Acharya have submitted their candidacies for the parliamentary party leader position. In the House of Representatives election held on February 21, the Congress won a total of 38 seats – 18 through direct elections and 20 through proportional representation. Despite the election concluding nearly two months ago, the Nepali Congress has yet to select its parliamentary party leader, with aspirations of Gagan Thapa and Bishwaprakash Sharma remaining unfulfilled. According to a senior party leader, delays in choosing the leader have arisen due to differing preferences between party Chairperson Gagan Thapa and Vice Chairperson Bishwaprakash Sharma. Chairperson Thapa is supporting direct-elected MP Mohan Acharya, while Vice Chairperson Sharma favors proportional representation MP Bhishma Raj Angdembe for the leadership role. Acharya was directly elected from the Rasuwa constituency, and Angdembe is a proportional representation MP from the Panchthar district. Angdembe was also elected as deputy general secretary at the 14th general convention.

File photo Summary Editorial Review prepared afterward. President Ramchandra Paudel had called a session of the Federal Parliament for 17 Baisakh on the government’s recommendation. However, since the government convened the session without coordinating with Parliament, a recommendation was made to the President’s office to postpone the session. Based on that recommendation, President Paudel has postponed the session of both houses. Kathmandu, 10 Baisakh. The government had recommended to the President’s office to postpone the parliamentary session. Yet, the very next day, on the same recommendation from the government, President Paudel postponed the session. According to sources from Singha Durbar, the decision was corrected because the government had convened the session without consulting Parliament. A source from Singha Durbar stated, ‘The Council of Ministers had made the decision without consulting Parliament. Since preparations within Parliament were still pending, the Council of Ministers revised their decision.’ Following the Council of Ministers’ recommendation in Tuesday’s meeting, President Paudel called the session of both houses for Wednesday, 17 Baisakh at 2 PM. This session is also referred to as the budget session. Since the government must present the budget to Parliament on 15 Jestha for the upcoming fiscal year, pre-budget discussions typically take place before the budget presentation.

Videos circulating widely on social media show people exercising inside large halls, queuing up for meals in canteens, and sleeping in dormitories as usual. These are not luxury spas but military-style weight loss camps in China. Dubbed by some as “prisons for the overweight,” these camps impose strict restrictions on snacking and require mandatory weigh-ins twice a day.

With obesity becoming an increasing problem across China, local media report that there are about 1,000 such camps nationwide. For a fee of around 600 US dollars, one can spend a month in these camps. The price includes food, accommodation, and daily exercise classes. Content creator TL Huang shared her experience at one of these camps on Instagram. In an interview with the BBC World Service’s ‘What in the World’ podcast, she described the experience as “very prison-like,” as she was not allowed to leave the camp for 28 days and had to undergo continuous weight measurement.

Huang stated that the program was effective for weight loss, but nutritionists warn that these harsh methods may pose serious physical and mental health risks. “Some camps set targets of losing one kilogram per day. However, this is significantly above levels considered safe even under medical supervision for adults,” said physical trainer and nutritionist Luke Henley.

Chinese health officials have reported that around 34% of adults in China are overweight, with approximately 16% classified as obese. The popularity of these camps has increased alongside the expansion of social media. Huang’s Instagram now shows her attending another 30-day weight loss camp in Thailand.

April 24, Kathmandu. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecasted a rise in temperatures leading to a possible heatwave in the Terai districts of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim Provinces today. An increase in temperature is also expected in the Terai areas of Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, as well as in the valleys and basins.

“There is a possibility of a heatwave in the Terai regions of Lumbini and Sudurpashchim Provinces,” the department stated in its morning weather bulletin.

According to the department, areas including Bhairahawa, Kapilvastu, Nepalgunj, and Dang in Lumbini Province will experience intense heat during the afternoon. The Weather Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology further reports that this afternoon, the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi Province will generally be cloudy. Some parts of the mountainous and hilly areas of Koshi Province, along with mountainous and hilly zones in Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and the mountainous regions of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim Provinces, may experience thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rainfall and snowfall. Additionally, some Terai locations in Koshi Province may also receive rainfall. Tonight, the mountainous areas are expected to remain mostly cloudy, hilly areas partly cloudy, and the Terai region predominantly clear.

April 23, Janakpurdham – The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration had transferred Chief Engineer Rajendra Sah (Grade III Gazetted Officer) of the Physical Infrastructure Development Office, Bara, Madhesh Province, on January 15. The ministry informed the Ministry of Urban Development and the Madhesh Chief Minister and Council of Ministers’ office about his transfer. However, Engineer Sah has yet to receive his transfer letter and continues to serve as the head of the Bara office, where he has worked for years.

Similarly, Senior Divisional Engineer (Grade II Gazetted Officer) Deepakkumar Mishra, who served as head of the Physical Infrastructure Development Office in Rautahat, was transferred on January 17. The Ministry of General Administration transferred him to the Urban Development Ministry or its affiliated bodies and informed the Chief Minister’s office. Although both employees were notified about their transfers through the Physical Infrastructure Ministry and urged to accept, they have remained in their current positions without receiving official transfer letters.

Acting Secretary Sanjay Kumar Sah of the Physical Infrastructure Ministry confirmed that they sent formal correspondence instructing the employees to collect their transfer letters after receiving information from the Chief Minister’s office. “The ministry has requested the concerned employees to receive their transfers via official letters, but they have not complied yet,” he said. These two are not alone; other employees under this ministry have also refused transfers.

On January 12, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration had transferred eight engineers, including Virendra Prasad Sah, Sanjiv Kumar Sah, Lal Babu Rai, Ram Babu Prasad, Rimpukamari Yadav, Anant Kumar Raut, Ram Sagar Mandal, and Gulab Sahu. Their transfer information was shared with Madhesh’s physical infrastructure offices through the Chief Minister’s office. However, none have accepted their transfer letters so far.

“We have sent letters prompting offices to proceed with the transfer letter issuance, but the employees are yet to collect them,” said Secretary Sah. Sources indicate that per verbal instructions from Chief Minister Krishna Prasad Yadav, employees transferred up to mid-July of the current fiscal year are being allowed to continue in their posts. This hesitance to accept transfers is not unique to this ministry; the Madhesh Ministry of Health and Population is also experiencing similar issues among its medical staff.

For instance, Dr. Rajiv Kumar Jha, Chief of the Health Supply and Management Center in Madhesh, had his assignment withdrawn by the federal government on March 5. The Ministry of Health and Population reassigned senior consultant medical generalist Dr. Jha to his sanctioned post at Koshi Hospital, Biratnagar. The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers’ office have informed the concerned ministry about this, but as of Tuesday, Dr. Jha had not accepted his reassignment letter. He also acts as head of the Public Health Laboratory. Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Pramod Yadav stated that the reassignment letter has not yet arrived at the ministry. “Once the letter is received, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Furthermore, Consultant Physician (Grade X) Dr. Ranjit Jha, previously acting Medical Superintendent at Lahan Provincial Hospital, has been transferred to Bir Hospital, where his sanctioned post is located. Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr. Ramdev Chaudhary, serving at Janakpur Provincial Hospital, was transferred to Koshi Hospital. However, neither has acknowledged their transfer letters, according to the ministry.

The Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration also transferred Engineer Kamlesh Kumar Mishra (Grade III Gazetted Officer) on March 8 from the Tourism Office in Rautahat under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, Madhesh Province, to the Solukhumbu District Coordination Committee office. He has yet to receive his transfer letter. Secretary Jay Kumar Ghimire stated, “Engineer Mishra is currently in the process of receiving his transfer order.”

In Madhesh, it is a longstanding practice that higher-level and influential employees resist transfers, hesitate to accept official letters, and attempt to remain in favorable posts. This often involves lobbying from the Chief Minister to ministers and adopting all necessary measures to retain preferred postings. Although there were expectations that such practices would cease with the new government, the recent incidents reflect continued resistance to transfer and reassignment decisions made under Chief Minister Walendra Shah’s leadership. This issue is endemic not only within the federal government but also within the Madhesh provincial government.

Employees with influence often reject transfers and reassignments, while those without influence or who do not comply with ministerial preferences are left without responsibilities or assigned unrelated tasks. Numerous incidents involving problematic transfer management have come to light. According to Undersecretary Rohit Koirala, spokesperson for the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers’ office, the office regularly communicates with the concerned ministries about employees transferred or reassigned by the federal government. “Based on letters received from the federal government, the Chief Minister’s office issues notifications to relevant ministries to enforce and follow up on these transfers,” he said. “However, there has been no feedback from any ministries regarding the status of the 12 employees recently involved.” The bureaucracy in Madhesh tends to serve the interests of the Chief Minister, ministers, and their affiliates, managing employee assignments to suit their convenience.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has instructed security agencies to clear areas inhabited by squatters. The government plans to complete an integrated digital registry of the landless, squatters, and those living in unplanned settlements within 60 days. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswap) has pledged to establish a high-level National Land Rights Authority to resolve the squatter issue. April 23, Kathmandu.

The topic resurfaced after Prime Minister Balendra Shah directed security chiefs to vacate the areas where squatters live. During a discussion with heads of security agencies on Wednesday, the Prime Minister emphasized evacuating these settlements. Notably, the government’s initial Cabinet-approved reform agenda, which includes 100 tasks, does not feature a policy to remove the landless, squatters, or unorganized settlements.

However, item number 90 in the reform agenda commits to collecting integrated data on the landless, squatters, and unplanned settlements. The government plans to complete digital biometric authentication of landless squatters and those living in unregulated settlements nationwide within 60 days. The Shah-led government aims to resolve these issues within 1,000 days.

During this period, local bodies will coordinate to conduct household surveys and implement clear criteria to identify genuine beneficiaries. Additionally, efforts will focus on updating records related to public, communal (ailani), and trust (guthi) lands, along with surveying and creating a GIS-based digital database. The reform agenda outlines various measures concerning squatters. The government has committed to gradually providing land to legitimate squatters.

For squatters and the landless living in urban areas, the reform plan includes creating integrated housing alternatives as well as rehabilitation arrangements. The government has assured full transparency in the land distribution and rehabilitation processes for the landless. Prior to the elections, Raswap had pledged to form a high-level Land Rights Authority to address squatter issues.

Raswap promised to set up a ‘high-level National Land Rights Authority’ to differentiate between genuine and fraudulent squatters. Their manifesto stated, “Learning from past failures, through satellite mapping and digital biometric authentication, a scientific distinction will be made between true landless individuals and fake squatters occupying government land.” For legitimate landless citizens, the plan includes developing integrated model settlements that are secure, equipped with facilities, linked to productive activities, and guaranteeing permanent housing and land ownership certificates (lalpurja).

April 23, Kathmandu – Three days after assuming office, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung inspected the Police Headquarters on March 30 and declared, “We will arrange for the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) to be garlanded by the Prime Minister. I will take the initiative to make this happen.” Police officials present at the auditorium hall in Naxal Headquarters responded with applause.
The following day, Gurung visited the Armed Police Force Headquarters in Halchok and addressed those present in a similar manner. He expressed his commitment to boosting the morale of the Armed Police. Visiting two police offices within two days and announcing the system of the Prime Minister garlanding the IGP has been received positively by police officers.
Nearly a month has passed since the Home Minister’s promise, and preparations are underway to appoint a new IGP in the Armed Police within the next eight days. The four-year tenure of Armed Police Inspector General Raju Aryal is ending, and he will take mandatory retirement on April 30. The government is expected to make the decision on the new IGP this week, with the new IGP to be garlanded eight days later.
Following Minister Gurung’s commitment to facilitate the Prime Minister’s role in the garlanding ceremony, discussions are ongoing within security circles about who will garland the next IGP. According to the Home Ministry, preparations are progressing according to the former minister’s statement to have the IGP garlanded by the Prime Minister, although no final decision has been made. A ministry official said, “Based on current preparations, the garlanding will be done by the Prime Minister’s hands. If nothing changes at the last moment, the IGP appointed about a week from now will be garlanded by the Prime Minister.”
However, since Minister Sudhan Gurung has resigned from his post, it is uncertain whether this effort will be successful, and clarity will only come after the new IGP is appointed. Although the Police Act does not specify any rule about garlanding, traditionally, the outgoing IGP garlands the newly-appointed IGP.
Historically, the first Nepal Police IGP Toran Shamsher Rana used to garland himself. Subsequently, some events show there was no fixed rule and these practices were guided by traditional administrative decisions.
In 1961, after Pahal Singh Lama became IGP and modernization began in the police force, the historic traditions of garlanding started. According to former AIG Amar Singh Shah, after Lama’s tenure, it became customary for the outgoing IGP to garland the incoming IGP. Yet, over the years, interruptions and controversies arose, with political decisions by prime ministers and home ministers sometimes involving the Home Secretary in the garlanding ceremony.
A change in 1992 disrupted the tradition when Ratna Shamsher and some other IGPs were removed after reaching a 30-year service limit under the Police Act. Since then, various changes occurred. It remains a tradition for the Home Secretary to garland IGPs. According to former Home Minister Umesh Mainali, when the police organization was under the Home Ministry, the family, formal, and administrative custom was established where the Home Secretary garlanded IGPs. The tradition of garlanding the IGP in the Armed Police Force is somewhat irregular. The Armed Police Force was formed in 2000 after the Maoist insurgency, and the first IGP Krishna Mohan Shrestha was garlanded by then Home Minister Ramchandra Paudel. However, no set administrative or legal rule exists for garlanding a new IGP in the Armed Police Force, resulting in a disorganized and voluntary process.
The question now is who will garland the new IGP appointed on April 30. If the Prime Minister does the garlanding, it will be a historic first. Although the Police Act and regulations do not clearly mention the history or importance of this tradition, it remains a social and historical custom. A book titled History of Nepal Police refers to a ceremony at promotion occasions where senior officials adorn badges and offer fruits and colored powders as symbols of good wishes.
Former IGP Motilal Bohora said, “It would be a good tradition for the Prime Minister to garland the IGP. In the Nepal Army, the Chief of Army Staff is garlanded by the Head of State, and similarly, having the head of government garland the police sends a positive message. The act of garlanding symbolizes a parallel relationship and mutual respect between the police and the Home Secretary.” However, he also noted that currently, the Home Secretary appears to hold extensive authority over police leadership. Former Home Secretary Umesh Mainali emphasized that garlanding the IGP by the Prime Minister would be ideal, and it would have been preferable if the outgoing police chief had garlanded the successor, as in the past.
Former AIG Amar Singh Shah also advocates respecting the tradition where the outgoing IGP garlands the incoming IGP, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and fraternity. Former SP Ravindra Nath Regmi pointed out that the outgoing IGP should take at least a month’s leave to coordinate work and facilitate leadership training for the new IGP during the transition.
(Photos: Nepal Police, Armed Police, Former AIG Narayan Babu Thapa, and Pujan Baral)

April 23, Kathmandu – Harkraj Rai (Sampang), Chairman of the Labor Culture Party, has urged the government not to evict squatters from their homes. On Thursday evening, he expressed his willingness to offer assistance on managing the situation if consultation is needed, via a Facebook post.

“Government, do not carry out eviction of squatters. If you need advice or suggestions for management, feel free to ask,” Harkraj stated. “Also, do not display batons, boots, or guns in front of the people.”