April 28, Kathmandu – In protest against the federal government’s decision to allocate advertising exclusively to government media outlets, the Nepal Journalists’ Federation, Lalitpur branch, has submitted a memorandum to local government bodies. This memorandum was forwarded through the District Coordination Committee of Lalitpur to Lalitpur Metropolitan City, all municipalities, and rural municipalities. On Tuesday, a delegation led by the federation’s Lalitpur branch president, Ramhari Karki, handed over the memorandum to the chief of the District Coordination Committee, Lalitpur, Rishidev Phuyal.
The memorandum requests correspondence with Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Godawari, Mahalaxmi municipalities, as well as Mahankal, Konjyosom, and Bagmati rural municipalities. The federation expressed serious dissatisfaction with the secretariat-level decision taken by the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers Office, conveyed through a circular issued on Chaitra 18, 2082 (April 1, 2026). That circular mandated advertising publication and broadcast exclusively through government media by federal, provincial, and local bodies.
The memorandum highlighted the long-standing financial challenges faced by the Nepali media sector and argued that this decision would further weaken private and community media outlets. The federation criticized the decision for being made without adequate consultation with stakeholders and deemed it objectionable. According to the federation, prioritizing only government media represents discrimination and injustice against private and community media.
On April 19, it was reported that a storm on April 19 had damaged the roofs of 38 homes in Palungtar Municipality–9. Local youths have been taking turns repairing the damaged houses, having restored 25 homes so far. The municipality has distributed tarpaulin sheets and will decide on repairing homes with total damage after assessing compensation. Palungtar, Gorkha.
A few days ago, a storm severely damaged homes, which local youths have since been repairing voluntarily, working in shifts. In Palungtar Municipality–9, the storm on April 19 ripped off rooftops of many houses. Local youths say they have been repairing storm-damaged homes through collaborative community efforts without pay.
“The storm tore off roofs of most houses in the village. It also rained heavily, soaking belongings inside,” said Suresh Sunari Magar from Sisneri, Palungtar–9. “The day after the disaster, we formed a group. Those skilled in carpentry handled the woodwork, others repaired the roofs, and those knowledgeable in electrical wiring took care of that. Everyone is contributing according to their expertise to help.”
He added that their voluntary campaign has already repaired over 25 houses. Another local, Bhakt Bahadur Ranamagar, said there are up to three groups working simultaneously. “We assess the damage to each house to decide the number of people needed. If many are required, a bigger group works on it; if fewer, two or three groups handle repairs accordingly. Once a house is fixed, that group moves on to the next one. We work from morning till evening.”
Rana emphasized that everyone in the village is affected by the disaster and they are helping each other. The municipality reported that the storm on the evening of April 19 blew off the roofs of 38 houses in Palungtar Municipality–9. Chief Administrative Officer Sher Bahadur Bisi said 8 houses in Ward No. 8, 10 houses in Ward No. 7, and 13 houses in Ward No. 6 were affected. Roofs of Triveni Secondary School and a health post in Ward No. 9 were also damaged. The municipality has distributed tarpaulin sheets to address immediate needs. “Damage assessments have just been completed. A local disaster management committee meeting will be held soon to decide on repairing houses with total damage,” he added.
Three Nepalese athletes, Sushila Chand, Triloki Prasad Yadav, and Suresh Chunara, were eliminated in the knockout stages of ‘Beach Wrestling’ at the Sixth Asian Beach Games 2026. Competing in the women’s 70 kg weight category, Sushila Chand suffered consecutive 3-0 defeats against Indian athlete Jaspreet Kaur. In the men’s above 90 kg category, Triloki Prasad Yadav lost all three matches, while Suresh Chunara, competing in the 80 kg weight group, won one match but was still knocked out. (April 28, Kathmandu)
Sushila Chand’s first match took place at 7:45 AM Nepal time, where she lost to Jaspreet 3-0, followed by another 3-0 defeat against the same opponent in the second match. Triloki Prasad Yadav lost all his three matches in the 90 kg weight category. He was defeated 3-0 by Altanjirel Chin of Mongolia in his opening bout, followed by a 3-0 loss to Muhammad Gulzar of Pakistan. In his third match, he was again defeated 3-0 by Jamil Saripov of Bahrain, exiting the competition without a win.
Suresh Chunara, competing in the 80 kg weight division, secured one victory. He lost 3-1 in his first match to Pakistani player Muhammad Asad Ullah but bounced back to defeat Cambodia’s Roththa Heng 3-1 in the second match. However, in the third match, Suresh was defeated 3-1 by Bhan Hao Nguyen of Vietnam, ending his run in the knockout phase. Nepal participated in two sports at the Sixth Asian Beach Games, with the women’s kabaddi team earning a bronze medal.
ICFC Finance achieved a 3-wicket victory against Sipradi, advancing to the semifinals of the Texspire Corporate T10 Cricket League. Cloud Factory secured their semifinal spot by defeating Texspire by 3 wickets. Ncell also reached the semifinals after beating Subisu by 3 wickets, with Subisu similarly securing a place in the semifinals. The matches took place on 15 Baisakh in Kathmandu.
In the first match of the third day, ICFC Finance registered a thrilling win over Sipradi by 3 wickets. Sipradi batted first and scored 137 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 10 overs. Shailendra Nepal led the innings with a fine 49 runs, supported by an unbeaten 36 from Nirajan KC and 32 runs from Yugaesh Nyaupane. Chasing a target of 138, ICFC Finance reached the total with 4 wickets down. Suraj Timilsina played a crucial innings, remaining unbeaten at 73 runs, which formed the backbone of the chase. Subhash Bhandari and Arvind Rana contributed 16 and 11 runs respectively. With this win, ICFC Finance advanced to the semifinals while Sipradi was eliminated from the competition.
The second game saw Cloud Factory securing a 3-wicket victory in a tightly contested match. Texspire batted first and posted 69 runs for 3 wickets in their 10 overs, with Hrishabh Pokharel top-scoring at 20 and Vijay Babu Regmi adding 13 runs. Extra runs also aided their total. Pursuing a target of 70, Cloud Factory reached the mark in 7.5 overs for the loss of 4 wickets. Chandru Gurung’s valuable 17 runs and Subodh Dhungel’s quickfire 13 helped propel the team forward. In the closing overs, Ratish Shrestha and Biraj Kafle remained not out to ensure the win. Although Texspire’s bowlers tried hard, they couldn’t handle the pressure in the final moments, resulting in a loss. This victory secured Cloud Factory’s place in the semifinals while Texspire was knocked out of the league.
In the third match of the day, Ncell defeated Subisu by 3 wickets in a highly competitive game that went down to the last over. Subisu batted first, making 83 runs for 4 wickets in the allotted 10 overs. Daman Chand played an unbeaten innings of 35 runs, with Vivek Kumar Yadav contributing 16 runs. Chasing a target of 84, Ncell’s Samaj Paudel smashed 37 runs off just 19 balls, while Saurabh Shah added 25 runs to drive the team towards victory. With this win, Ncell secured their spot in the semifinals, and Subisu also qualified for the next stage. The semifinals and final matches are scheduled for tomorrow.
The Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale (TMJ) area in Koshi Province is currently blooming with colorful rhododendrons and bustling with tourists. According to Prakash Shrestha, president of the Tehrathum Hotel Association, the influx of tourists has sharply increased since Chaitra 22. Indrabahadur Khadka, chairman of the Chaitra Community Forest User Committee, has issued a stern warning that those who pluck rhododendrons will face strict action under the Forest Act. (May 29, Dhankuta)
The TMJ area, a prime tourist destination in Koshi Province, is now fully adorned like a bride with vibrant rhododendron blossoms. With the arrival of spring, this region’s unparalleled natural beauty has attracted a dense crowd of visitors. Known as the rhododendron capital, TMJ is overwhelmed by a large number of both domestic and some foreign tourists, resulting in hotels being fully booked and leaving thousands of visitors forced to return without accommodation.
The TMJ region, where the districts of Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, and Taplejung converge, is considered the ideal destination to visit from mid-Chaitra to Baishakh. The rhododendrons blooming from Chaitra through Jestha add vibrant reds, yellows, pinks, and whites to the forests and hills. This area extends from Basantpur in Tehrathum through Ghurbise, Panchpokhari, Fedi, Chowki, Mangalbare, Gufa, Suke, and Jorpokhari, reaching Taplejung. Its forests of rhododendrons and small to large ponds, such as Lampokhari and Gufapokhari, attract many tourists.
With the rhododendrons in full bloom, there has been a heavy presence of tourists from Basantpur Chotlunk Park to Tute Deurali, RR Garden, Dundapani, Ghurbise, Pathibhara surroundings, Panchpokhari, and Gufa. Locals report that due to adequate rainfall and favorable weather this year, the rhododendrons have bloomed more extensively than last year. This spectacular flowering has rapidly increased the pressure of tourists on the area.
Police in Darchula have arrested Tej Luhar and Lokendra Bhul on charges related to livestock killing. The cow of a woman from Mahakali Municipality Ward 4 had gone missing, and the duo was found slaughtering meat in Laskukhola. Police Inspector Bikram Shahi, the information officer of the District Police Office, stated that a detailed investigation is underway.
Dhangadhi, 15th Baishakh – The police in Darchula have detained two individuals for investigation. Tej Luhar and Lokendra Bhul were arrested on Sunday from Laskukhola in Mahakali Municipality Ward 1. According to Inspector Bikram Shahi, both are under investigation for charges related to livestock killing.
Inspector Shahi further explained that a cow belonging to a woman from Mahakali Municipality Ward 4 had gone missing. Since they were found slaughtering meat in Laskukhola, it is suspected that they may have slaughtered the missing cow. The police have confirmed that a thorough investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Bottled water industry leaders are calling for price hikes to reflect increases in plastic raw material costs, but officials emphasize that no decision can be made without public hearings involving stakeholders.
The Chairman of the Nepal Bottled Water Industry Federation told the BBC that if maximum pricing guidelines set by the water pricing commission remain unchanged, many water industries across the country may be forced to close.
Business owners expressed particular concern over the steep increase in petroleum product prices and raw materials for the production of bottles and jars, attributing this rise to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Currently, businesses argue that the price of bottled water should increase by 5 Nepalese rupees per liter, and jarred water should see a rise of 10 to 12 rupees.
The commission responsible for wholesale and bottled water pricing has stated that any decision will be made only after public hearings and consultations with concerned parties.
What Does the Water Industry Say?
According to the Nepal Bottled Water Industry Federation, there are approximately 620 water industries throughout the country, of which 190 are currently closed for various reasons.
The federation’s chairman, Bikram Limbu Chemjong, explained that industries still operating face difficulties due to rising costs of packaging materials and transportation fuel.
“The cost of packaging materials has increased by 40 to 50 percent. Diesel prices have skyrocketed, leading to higher transportation expenses. It’s impossible to continue selling at old prices,” he said.
Chemjong stated that the federation has highlighted this issue to the water pricing commission and warned that many industries might be forced to shut down.
“We are already purchasing raw materials and fuel at increased prices. Everyone should understand the need to raise water prices. If we have to sell at old prices, the industries will have to close,” he added.
The federation reported that billions of rupees have been invested in the water industry, which supplies around 424,000 jars and 156,000 bottles daily to the market.
Water industries reuse jars for 20-liter water containers; however, bottles are not reused as frequently.
How Much Have Plastic Prices Increased?
Image source, Bikram Limbu Chemjong
Business operators report shortages and price increases in plastic and related raw materials due to the Middle East conflict.
Prabodh Ghimire, chairman of the Nepal Plastic Manufacturers Association, explained that after the US and Israel attacked Iran, prices for plastic raw materials increased by as much as 60 percent internationally, affecting Nepal as well.
He noted that plastic materials are imported from countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and stated, “All plastic products have seen price increases of up to 60 percent. From chairs and stools to polythene pipes, bags, and bottles, the increase has been uniform.”
The association counts more than 200 plastic industries nationwide. The chairman added that some industries have faced challenges obtaining raw materials due to the Middle East conflict.
Following Iran’s involvement in the conflict and the blockade of the Hormuz Strait, supply chains were disrupted, causing plastic bottle prices to rise significantly, even in India.
Currently, businessmen state the price of bottled drinking water is 20 Nepalese rupees per bottle, and jars cost 50 rupees.
According to Chemjong, the price of an empty bottle has increased from 3 to 5 rupees, and without price increases or subsidies, industries will face severe challenges.
What Do Officials Say?
Nepalese officials stated that although businesses have requested price increases, the government has yet to make any decision.
Rudra Prasad Gautam, chairman of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Revenue Commission, explained that previous bottled and jarred water prices were set in cooperation with the parliamentary Consumer Rights Committee, and that a 2024 regulation grants the commission pricing authority.
He said, “We cannot simply set prices arbitrarily. We can only provide recommendations if we receive detailed proposals and cost breakdowns. Then consultations with the commerce department and other stakeholders follow. There might even be questions from parliamentary committees. No formal proposal, no decision by the commission.”
He emphasized that decisions must be made only after consultations with the government and stakeholders, including public hearings.
However, Chemjong highlighted that the water industry employs over 15,000 individuals nationwide and that the commission’s process could not afford extended delays.
He added, “If we follow the commission’s timeline, we may have to close industries for six months before reopening. We will submit proposals, await public hearings and approvals. Meanwhile, we might need to sell our homes and property just to keep operations going.”
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April 28, Kathmandu — New Diamond Youth Sports Club has advanced to the final of the Red Bull Dashain PM Cup NVL Women’s and Men’s Volleyball League 2083, in the women’s category. In the match held Tuesday at the Dashrath Rangashala covered hall in Tripureshwor, New Diamond defeated APF with a confirmed score of 25-21, 20-25, 25-18, 25-21. New Diamond will now face Nepal Police in the final league stage match. Regardless of the outcome of this match, New Diamond has already secured a top-two position.
After four matches, New Diamond has accumulated 12 points, ascending to the top spot, while APF, which has suffered two losses, holds 6 points.
On the same day, in another women’s match, Tribhuvan Army Club decisively defeated Sudurpashchim with scores of 25-15, 25-10, 25-5. Securing their first win in four matches, Army Club now has 3 points.
Currently, APF has only one match remaining against Nepal Police, while the Police Club is scheduled to play both APF and New Diamond.
It is crucial to inspect your home for any leaks before the rainy season begins, as repairs become much more difficult once the leaks worsen during heavy rains. While many enjoy the rainy season, it requires special attention to home care because the raindrops can affect the house in various ways. Therefore, certain important precautions should be taken to maintain the home during this time.
1. Laundry Care: During the rain, not only do we get wet, but our clothes also do, and they tend to take a long time to dry, which is a significant issue. Most people tend to avoid washing bed covers, curtains, and towels during the rain, but this is not a sustainable solution as unpleasant odors can develop over time. Hence, regular cleaning of essential clothes is important. If clothes do not seem to dry quickly at home, dry cleaning can be a good alternative.
2. Freshening the Home: The rainy season is conducive to bacterial growth, so it is necessary to clean the house regularly. After cleaning, placing fragrant flowers or a few drops of preferred essential oils in every room can fill the home with a fresh and pleasant aroma.
3. Outdoor Plant Care: Indoor plants require special attention during the rainy months. Reduced sunlight due to clouds can affect their growth. It is advisable to place indoor plants outside for short periods, especially on balconies. Rain can also promote pests on plant leaves, and bringing them indoors may cause these problems to spread. Protect plants from excessive rain to prevent damage.
4. Carpet Maintenance: Carpets attract moisture and dust during the rainy season, which can cause unusual odors. Daily vacuuming is necessary to prevent this. If possible, carpets can be removed during the rainy season and put back afterward.
5. Electrical Equipment Maintenance Before the Rains: Rain and wind can cause fluctuations in power supply, potentially damaging electrical equipment. It is advisable to have an electrician inspect and repair wiring before the rains begin. If wires are wet or deteriorated, replacing them reduces the risk of short circuits. Leakage near switchboards should never be ignored and must be repaired immediately.
6. Protecting Books: If you have a large collection of books at home, protecting them from rain effects is important. Once damaged, restoring books to their original condition is difficult. Placing naphthalene balls and silica gel packs on bookshelves will help protect against moisture and pests.
7. Leak Inspection Before Rains: If leaks are present when the rain starts, repairs become challenging. To prevent leaks from worsening, it is best to thoroughly check the entire house and repair any leaks before the rainy season begins.
8. Ensuring Proper Ventilation: Humidity is high during the rainy season, which can cause unpleasant odors inside the home. Proper ventilation is essential to prevent this. Keeping windows open to create cross-ventilation allows fresh air in and prevents musty smells.
9. Avoid Renovation During Rainy Days: It is advisable not to undertake major repairs or renovations during the rainy season. These activities should be done only in dry weather so that the work can dry properly and last long.
10. Furniture Care: Wooden furniture can absorb moisture and swell during rain. Regular waxing helps protect furniture from dampness and prevents pest infestation. If wooden doors, drawers, or windows swell and do not close properly, lightly sanding the affected areas can help restore their function.
April 14, Kolkata. In the West Bengal Assembly elections, the presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is visible in every street and corner. Flags, banners, and posters of both parties are seen waving everywhere.
However, on Sunday evening at Culture More in the Dum Dum North Assembly constituency in Kolkata, the scene was entirely different.
Wherever one looked, people were seen holding the red flags of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]. The CPI(M) candidate, Dipsita Dhar, was conducting a roadshow here. Dipsita is also a former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Student Union.
Aparna Ghosh, a government employee, was watching this roadshow from her home’s doorway. When asked, “The communist party is considered quite weak in West Bengal, yet this roadshow has gathered a large crowd,”
she responded, “This young woman is well-educated and sensible. In my opinion, the left is the only alternative to TMC in Bengal.”
Ghosh noted that the TMC gives women monthly financial aid of 1,500 rupees while the BJP has promised 3,000 rupees. She asked, “Does this empower women in Bengal? Rather, this scheme makes women dependent. Women need education and employment, not just charity. Parties have turned people into voters, not citizens, relying solely on handouts.”
What is the voters’ perception of the Left?
Near Aparna’s home, a tea stall is run by Anna Mandal, who said, “Many people come to the rallies of the Left, but they disappear during voting time. So, I am not very optimistic about the crowds at Left rallies.” However, he mentioned a three-way contest in Dum Dum North between TMC, BJP, and the Left.
In the 2016 Assembly elections, the CPI(M) won from this constituency but lost to TMC in 2021. In that election, CPI(M) failed to secure any seats, with its vote share falling below 5%.
For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the alliance has not allocated any seats to CPI(M). Since 2011, CPI(M) has been continuously weakening in West Bengal.
In this context, how do the Left expect to win in this election?
Answering this question, CPI(M) candidate Dipsita Dhar stated, “We are not pursuing popular politics. Our politics focuses on raising awareness and empowering people.” She asserted that now people are realizing the condition in which TMC has left Bengal. “Everyone is also observing the state of BJP-ruled states. This time, the Left will show good results in West Bengal,” she said.
Dipsita added, “Only the Left can defeat TMC in West Bengal.”
According to her, with BJP strong, TMC is also strong. “To defeat TMC, BJP must be weakened. Currently, the perception is that CPI(M) and Congress cannot defeat TMC,” she added.
Senior CPI(M) leader Biman Bose, aged 87, remains actively involved in daily campaigning. He stated, “I walk at least 12 to 15 kilometers every day campaigning. This time, I can say our party will not be reduced to zero.”
Senior CPI(M) leader Biman Bose
Have Left leaders joined BJP?
Since TMC came to power in 2011, many have claimed that numerous Left leaders have shifted to BJP. Senior journalist Sayantan Ghosh highlighted such shifts in his book ‘Battleground Bengal.’
Ghosh wrote:
My first meeting with Hiren Chatterjee (also called ‘Huru Da’) took place in a smoke-filled tea stall in South Kolkata when I was just a school student. Huru Da wore an open shirt and old pants, but his voice carried the strength of a seasoned trade union leader of CPI(M). Amid cups of sweet tea and bidi smoke, he narrated tales of communism, labor struggles, and the harsh history of trade unions. His stories captivated everyone from auto drivers to passerby, painting a world where the red flag promised justice. As a child, I listened wide-eyed, unaware I would become a political journalist following his tales.
By 2011, when Mamata Banerjee’s TMC ended 34 years of Left rule, rumors arose about a suspicious case involving Huru Da. He never spoke openly, shrugging off questions.
In 2017, during Durga Puja in Kolkata, the auto drivers’ union—once a CPI(M) stronghold—had become a TMC bastion. Huru Da was nowhere to be found. I thought perhaps he had vanished at the city’s edge, a sign of Bengal’s shifting politics. One evening, I saw him again at a familiar tea stall, older but still animated while narrating stories—this time about the campaign to unseat Mamata Banerjee. Surprised, he smiled and said, ‘BJP is the only force that can defeat Mamata.’
Challenges for the Left
The senior journalist further wrote in his book ‘Battleground Bengal’:
I couldn’t believe it—Huru Da, once a staunch communist, now rallying for BJP? When I expressed my surprise, he laughed and said, ‘We have moved from Left to Right.’
His words reflected not just personal transformation but a larger political shift in Bengal where BJP’s saffron color was replacing the Left’s red flag.
However, Brinda Karat, a veteran Left leader, disagrees with claims that Left cadres have shifted to BJP. She said, “Left voters may have moved to BJP due to fear of TMC, but I don’t believe cadres have defected.”
Senior journalist Suman Bhattacharya accuses Karat of misrepresenting facts. “Where did BJP’s West Bengal Assembly deputy leader Shankar Ghosh come from? Clearly from CPI(M). He still sports a Che Guevara tattoo. Bankim Ghosh, once a cabinet minister under the CPI(M) government, is now with Suvendu Adhikari. Isn’t the son of Anil Basu, a seven-time CPI(M) MP from Arambagh, also in BJP? The son of Amitabh Nandi, former CPI(M) MP from Dum Dum is in BJP as well. And the son of Tapan Sen, CPI(M) national trade union secretary, is with BJP?”
“In my understanding, BJP has taken over CPI(M)’s vote base and leaders in West Bengal,” Bhattacharya explained.
Bhattacharya said many expected post-2011 that Bengal’s politics would be limited to TMC and Left. However, starting in 2014, when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, a new wave of change began. “BJP gradually rose in Bengal, while the Left faced a continuous decline.”
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Left Front did not win a single seat in Bengal, securing only about 7% vote share.
The 2021 Assembly election was even more dismal. For the first time in history, both the Left Front and Congress, which once dominated Bengal politics for decades, finished with zero seats. TMC won 213 seats, while BJP rose to 77 seats.
Silence at the Left Party Headquarters
At the CPI(M) headquarters on Alimuddin Street in Kolkata, an unusual quietness prevails even during election season. Only a few elderly people are seen sitting, rolling bidis or working on computers.
Eighty-seven-year-old Biman Bose resides at this office. Joining the party at age 30 by leaving home, he remains continuously active. He attributes the party’s condition to “the failure to manage the rise of TMC and identity politics effectively.”
The Infrastructure Development Committee has directed the government to complete the management of stalled infrastructure projects promptly. Chairperson Ashish Gajurel emphasized the need for policy reforms to avoid repeating past mistakes in upcoming projects. The committee has also formed a subcommittee to review progress and address issues related to national pride projects. Kathmandu, 15 Baisakh.
At a meeting held on Tuesday at Singha Durbar under the House of Representatives committee, the Infrastructure Development Committee instructed the government to immediately organize ongoing development projects. Gajurel stated that policy improvements are essential to prevent the recurrence of previous shortcomings in forthcoming projects. By thoroughly examining ambiguities and errors in regulations, procedures, and implementation levels, the committee aims to provide concrete suggestions and directives to the government.
Gajurel stressed that the government must be accountable to the committee regarding development activities. He highlighted the importance of ministers and secretaries attending parliamentary committee sessions to provide clear explanations. “The management of stalled infrastructure projects must be completed in a timely manner. Mistakes made in the past should not be repeated in upcoming projects,” he said.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to work independently without succumbing to any pressure. “Ministers and secretaries of the government must also appear before the committee and answer questions. There is no alternative to their presence during parliamentary committee oversight,” he added. Furthermore, the committee has established a subcommittee to prepare a report on the progress, challenges, and solutions related to national pride projects.
U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a massive $1.5 trillion military budget for the upcoming fiscal year. In doing so, he aims to cut $7.3 billion from domestic programs, while shifting Medicaid and Medicare responsibilities to state governments. The budget allocates significant funds to the Department of Homeland Security and ICE, prioritizing mass deportation campaigns.
April 28, Kathmandu — President Donald Trump unveiled a $1.5 trillion military budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027 that marks a historic 40 percent increase in defense spending compared to the previous year. This annual budget proposal, released on Friday, reiterates the White House’s core principle of “Peace Through Strength” by prioritizing military power and law enforcement.
Trump’s 2027 budget sets a target to increase defense spending by $45.5 billion compared to 2026. Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), stated in the proposal, “The FY 2027 budget advances the President’s vision of reforming the federal government by controlling non-defense spending.” A highlight of this budget is the introduction of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
The plan also proposes cuts totaling $7.3 billion in domestic programs, which will impact initiatives on climate change, renewable energy projects, housing, education, and healthcare equity. There are also significant reductions in refugee resettlement and foreign aid programs. Controversially, the proposal seeks to remove Medicaid and Medicare from federal oversight, transferring their administration entirely to state governments.
The government has recommended the issuance of two ordinances related to cooperatives and the Constitutional Council to President Ramchandra Paudel. This recommendation followed a cabinet meeting held on Monday, where the cabinet endorsed the issuance of these two ordinances. President Paudel’s press advisor Kiran Pokharel stated, “The cabinet has forwarded two ordinances for recommendation.” April 28, Kathmandu.
The government has formally recommended these two ordinances to President Ramchandra Paudel. The cabinet’s Monday meeting approved forwarding the ordinances concerning cooperatives and the Constitutional Council to the President’s office. Kiran Pokharel added, “The ordinances are currently under review.” The documents were sent the same day to the President’s office at Shital Niwas.
Earlier, on April 20, the cabinet had recommended the President summon a parliamentary session. Acting on this, President Paudel convened the session for May 1. However, the government subsequently recommended the President postpone the parliamentary session scheduled for April 23.
The President, following the government’s recommendation, suspended the parliamentary session despite the House of Representatives being summoned earlier. Meanwhile, the government has recommended the issuance of an ordinance to appoint members to the Constitutional Council. The Constitutional Council, which recommends constitutional appointments, consists of six members: the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House, Chairperson of the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice, and the Leader of the Opposition.
On Monday, the Congress party appointed a new parliamentary party leader, selecting Bhishmaraj Angdembe. With this appointment, the Constitutional Council now holds full membership.
April 28, Sunsari – A scooter accident in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City–5 of Sunsari has resulted in one fatality. The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Rajviren Urao from Bhokraha–6, according to Chandra Bahadur Khadka, Deputy Superintendent of Police in Sunsari. Last night, on the East-West Highway at the under-construction diversion site in Itahari–5 Kalanki, a scooter bearing the number KO 2 P 4589 lost control and overturned, seriously injuring Urao. He was rushed to B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for treatment, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, police reported.
In the past 24 hours, traffic police have penalized 2,746 vehicle drivers for various traffic violations. A total revenue of NPR 2,964,501 was collected from these actions. The traffic police have urged the public to report drivers operating vehicles under the influence of intoxicants and stressed strict action against such offenses.
April 28, Kathmandu – During inspections carried out across various locations in the Kathmandu Valley by traffic police until this morning, 79 drivers were found operating vehicles under the influence of intoxicating substances, 225 were penalized for ride-sharing violations, 175 for running red lights, 148 for speeding, 324 for lane crossing, 149 for driving on sidewalks, 55 for horn usage violations, 54 for violating passenger boarding and alighting rules, and 1,537 for other infractions, amounting to a total of 2,746 drivers penalized, according to Traffic Police Spokesperson and Superintendent Nareshraj Subedi.
He stated, ‘In the past 24 hours, a total of 2,746 drivers violating traffic rules in the valley were penalized, resulting in revenue collection of NPR 2,964,501.’ Since driving under the influence of intoxicants is illegal and punishable, the traffic police have requested passengers and the public to promptly inform the nearest police station, the Traffic Control Room hotline at 103, or the police hotline at 100 if they suspect a driver is under the influence of intoxicating or narcotic substances.
