Author: space4knews

April 28, Kathmandu – The academic session 2083 has officially begun today, with preparations underway to start classes from April 34 (Baisakh 21). According to Anaprasad Nyaupane, Director General of the Education and Human Resource Development Center, the government has decided to initiate student enrollment in schools starting today, April 28 (Baisakh 15), while teaching activities will commence from April 34 (Baisakh 21). He stated, “The academic session has started today and we urge students to enroll now; teaching will begin from the 21st of Baisakh.”

Previously, enrollment was scheduled to start from April 15 (Baisakh 2), but due to challenges in the supply of petroleum products, the academic session needed to be postponed. Nevertheless, many local governments have actively been running schools during this period. With the academic session officially underway, the government is committed to ensuring timely distribution of textbooks to students. It is estimated that nearly 7 million children are studying at the school level across the country.

April 28, Kathmandu – Nepal Rastra Bank has set the exchange rates for foreign currencies today. While the US dollar’s value declined after being stable on Monday, the European euro’s value increased today. According to the established exchange rates, the US dollar’s buying rate is NPR 150.41 and the selling rate is NPR 151.01. On Monday, the buying rate was NPR 150.50 and the selling rate NPR 151.10. The European euro’s buying rate today is NPR 176.64 and the selling rate NPR 177.35, up from NPR 176.37 and NPR 177.07, respectively, on Monday.

Similarly, the British Pound Sterling has a buying rate of NPR 203.95 and a selling rate of NPR 204.76 today. The Swiss Franc’s buying rate is NPR 191.74 and the selling rate NPR 192.50. The Australian Dollar’s buying rate stands at NPR 108.10 with a selling rate of NPR 108.53; the Canadian Dollar’s buying rate is NPR 110.49 and selling rate NPR 110.93; and the Singapore Dollar’s rates are NPR 118.14 for buying and NPR 118.61 for selling.

The Japanese Yen (per 10 units) is bought at NPR 9.45 and sold at NPR 9.49. The Chinese Yuan’s buying rate is NPR 22.04 and the selling rate NPR 22.13. The Saudi Arabian Riyal has a buying rate of NPR 40.10 and selling rate of NPR 40.26, while the Qatari Riyal trades at NPR 41.26 for buying and NPR 41.42 for selling. According to the central bank, the Thai Baht’s buying rate is NPR 4.66 and selling rate NPR 4.67, the UAE Dirham is NPR 40.95 (buying) and NPR 41.11 (selling), and the Malaysian Ringgit is NPR 38.05 (buying) and NPR 38.21 (selling).

The South Korean Won (per 100 units) has a buying rate of NPR 10.23 and a selling rate of NPR 10.27. The Swedish Krona is bought at NPR 16.37 and sold at NPR 16.43; the Danish Krone’s rates are NPR 23.64 (buying) and NPR 23.73 (selling). Nepal Rastra Bank has set the Hong Kong Dollar’s buying rate at NPR 19.19 and selling rate at NPR 19.27. The Kuwaiti Dinar is bought at NPR 490.89 and sold at NPR 492.85, Bahrain Dinar at NPR 398.60 (buying) and NPR 400.19 (selling), and Omani Rial at NPR 390.67 (buying) and NPR 392.23 (selling). The Indian Rupee (per 100 units) has a buying rate of NPR 160 and a selling rate of NPR 160.15.

The central bank has indicated that these exchange rates may be revised at any time as necessary. It also noted that commercial banks may set different rates, and the updated exchange rate information is available on the central bank’s website.

April 28, Siraha – The Armed Police Force has seized goods worth approximately NPR 300,000 at the Nepal-India border in Paterwas, Siraha Municipality-17. A team deployed from the Armed Police Force Battalion No. 7, under the Border Security Post headquarters in Madar, intercepted materials being illegally transported from Nepal to India and vice versa.

According to the Armed Police Force, the seized items include a Nepali motorcycle bearing registration number स. ८ प १२३४ valued at NPR 250,000, liquor worth NPR 20,000, and various beverages amounting to NPR 25,285. Superintendent of Police Sumanjung Thapa of the Armed Police Force Siraha stated that the confiscated goods have been handed over to the customs office after completing all necessary procedures. Following new regulations requiring mandatory customs duties on goods valued over 1,000 INR being brought in from India, the Armed Police Force has intensified enforcement at the border.

Recent refusals by European countries to participate in US and Israeli attacks against Iran have triggered fresh tensions in US-Europe relations. US President Donald Trump, in interviews and social media posts, has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with European partners and even threatened to withdraw the United States from the long-standing military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Within this alliance, the US accounts for a disproportionately large share of defense spending and advanced military technology. If the US were to withdraw, would European countries be able to demonstrate credible collective security capabilities?

What is NATO and when was it established? NATO was founded in 1949 by 12 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. The alliance commits member states to collectively defend any one member that is attacked. Its original purpose was to prevent the expansion of the Soviet Union—today’s Russia—and its communist republics’ sphere of influence in Europe. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, many Eastern European countries joined the alliance, including Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

Sweden and Finland, which had remained neutral for decades, applied to join NATO in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today, the military alliance has 32 member states across Europe and North America. NATO does not have its own standing army but can undertake collective military operations during international crises with contributions from member states. NATO conducted its first military operation in 1994, when US fighter jets shot down Serbian planes bombing Bosnia, in an operation called ‘Operation Deny Flight.’

Ukraine’s application to join NATO is currently under consideration. NATO has not deployed its troops to Ukraine’s battlefield due to fears of engaging in a conflict with nuclear power Russia and has not declared a no-fly zone over Ukraine. However, member states have been supplying Ukraine with weapons and military materials. NATO is a powerful group because of its combined European defense capabilities and the US role, but experts warn that without American involvement, its operational capacity would be significantly weakened. As of December 2025, approximately 68,000 US troops are permanently stationed across 31 military districts and 19 military bases.

“Today, American commitment to NATO is indispensable for both conventional and nuclear military capabilities,” said Dr. Tore Towsig, Director of the Transatlantic Security Initiative at the US-based Atlantic Council. In an email interview, she explained that without US participation, Europe would struggle to maintain crucial capabilities such as long-range military and logistical transport, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and missile defense systems.

Dr. Gavin Hall, an international security lecturer at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, agreed that US withdrawal would be a major blow to European security. “The US has the largest capabilities among NATO members,” Hall told the BBC. European countries understand well that early-stage military deployment and operations heavily rely on the US. Nonetheless, NATO members have maintained significant military capacity independently. “NATO missions such as air patrols over the Balkans and maritime patrols in the Mediterranean continue even without direct US involvement.”

Trump harbors deep distrust of NATO’s inability to compel other member states to increase defense spending. NATO set a requirement in 2014 for all members to spend at least 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense, aiming to increase it to 5% by 2035. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the US accounted for 66% of NATO countries’ combined defense expenditure in 2024. When asked why European countries are expected to increase their defense budgets, Towsig noted that “the US covers 15% of NATO’s shared budget needed to operate headquarters, military commands, and structures. If partners increase defense spending and the US cuts funding, reliable sources of funding will have to be found.”

NATO commanders devised detailed plans in 2013 to counter potential Russian attacks in the Arctic, North Atlantic, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean. Last year, they announced plans to increase forces on high alert from 40,000 to 300,000 troops. Every three years, NATO conducts a military exercise called Steadfast Defender, involving 90,000 troops from all 32 countries, with the next exercise scheduled for 2027. “While NATO sometimes has limited capabilities, clear leadership and guidance are essential,” Hall said. He emphasized the need to improve NATO’s nuclear capacity. France and the UK possess nuclear weapons but in far smaller numbers compared to Russia. European countries are preparing plans for early defense and rapid deployment, but Hall remains cautiously uncertain about long-term sustainability.

To develop combat skills and enhance collective combat readiness, the US military regularly conducts bilateral and multilateral exercises with European countries. NATO membership facilitates US access to numerous European military districts. “Without NATO, the US would need to negotiate separate defense cooperation agreements with individual countries,” Towsig explained. While the US has varying agreements with some European states, new agreements would be necessary with others. If Trump follows through on his threat to exit NATO, it would have profound military and political consequences. “A US split from NATO would have devastating effects on US-Europe unity and NATO’s ability to resist Russia and other adversaries,” Towsig warned. NATO has also fostered significant goodwill for the US in Europe beyond security guarantees. “It’s important to remember that NATO’s collective defense provision, Article 5, has been invoked only once—for the US’s defense following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.”

Hall suspects Trump’s threats to leave NATO might be an attempt to leverage issues like Greenland—whom Trump suggested the US should acquire for national security—or trade. A US departure would be detrimental for both sides. “It would undermine the Euro-Atlantic security consensus established after World War II. The message would be that the US is no longer invested in European security and any changes in Europe’s security arrangements would not affect US interests.”

With the Nepali Congress selecting MP Bhishmaraj Angdambe as the leader of its parliamentary party, the Constitutional Council has been completed. The Council is now required to recommend names for vacant constitutional posts, including the Chief Justice, Chief Commissioner of the Election Commission, Chairperson of the Inclusion Commission, and other constitutional officials. The position of Chief Justice has been vacant since Chaitra 17, with senior-most Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla currently serving as acting Chief Justice. (April 28, Kathmandu)

The Constitution of Nepal mandates the establishment of the Constitutional Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, to recommend appointments for positions ranging from the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice to various constitutional bodies. Members of the Council include the Chief Justice, leader of the main opposition party, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chairperson of the National Assembly. However, when recommending a Chief Justice, the law minister replaces the acting Chief Justice as a member of the Council.

Following the House of Representatives election on Falgun 21, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were appointed to the Constitutional Council, but it remained incomplete as the Nepali Congress had not selected the leader of its opposition parliamentary party. However, the Council became complete on Monday after Angdambe was unanimously elected as the parliamentary party leader.

Which Positions Are Vacant?
The position of Chief Justice has been vacant since the retirement of Prakashman Singh Raut on Chaitra 17. Supreme Court senior-most justice Sapana Pradhan Malla is currently acting as Chief Justice. The Judicial Council has already submitted the names of Justices Kumar Regmi, Hari Phuyal, Dr. Manoj Sharma, Dr. Nahakul Subedi, Til Prasad Shrestha, and senior-most Justice Malla to the Constitutional Council.

The Constitution stipulates that a Justice must have served in the Supreme Court for three years to be eligible for Chief Justice. Traditionally, the Judicial Council sends the names of justices who have reached this tenure to the Constitutional Council.

Due to constitutional provisions requiring recommendations be made at least one month prior to the vacancy, recommendations had been delayed, affecting appointments to the Chief Justice and other constitutional posts. Although the government was expected to issue an ordinance related to the Constitutional Council on Monday, no official decision has yet been announced.

Besides the Chief Justice, vacancies exist for the Chief Commissioner and two commissioners of the Election Commission, Chairperson of the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission, Chairperson of the Inclusion Commission, and a member of the National Human Rights Commission. With the Constitutional Council now complete, it is required to forward the recommended names for these positions to the Parliamentary Hearing Committee.

April 28, Myagdi — Kullbahadur Pun of Mangala Rural Municipality-2, Hidi, has transformed a farm he started with just two goats four years ago into a thriving business generating hundreds of thousands annually. The 50-year-old Pun sought an alternative to foreign employment and traditional farming, launching a well-organized goat farm in his village to achieve self-reliance and entrepreneurship. “The farm, which began with two female goats at home, now houses 48 animals, including kids, bucks, and does,” he stated. “We sell 15 to 20 goats annually.”

Since starting goat farming, Pun has found it easier to manage household expenses and support his children’s education. An active participant in social work, Pun previously earned his livelihood through traditional farming and livestock rearing. His wife also collaborates with him in managing the goat farm. The market price for goats aged 18 months to two years ranges from NPR 15,000 to 20,000, he explained. Goats are sold for meat in Babiyachaur, Tatopani, and Beni markets.

Established in 2021 (Bikram Sambat 2078), Hidi Goat Farming Farm focuses on improving the local Jamunapari breed by raising advanced Boer breed bucks to produce quality kids. According to Pun, kids bred from Boer bucks grow faster and gain more weight, making the farm an effective source of increased income. The farm received NPR 500,000 in grants from the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Center to support the construction of organized sheds for goats. Mangala Rural Municipality also provided one advanced Boer buck under a 75 percent subsidy program.

The government has invested approximately NPR 200 crore so far to develop the Tribhuvan University grounds into a well-organized international-level cricket stadium. However, Tribhuvan University’s ultimatum has raised concerns about casting uncertainty over Nepalese cricket. On April 17, Tribhuvan University issued a notice with a 35-day ultimatum to 18 organizations to vacate its encroached land. The 25-year lease agreement with the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is also expiring this month. Youth and Sports Minister Sashmit Pokharel has stated that the lease agreement of the Tribhuvan University cricket ground will be renewed soon.

On April 17, Tribhuvan University issued notices with a 35-day ultimatum directing concerned bodies to vacate land under its ownership that has been encroached upon. Among the 18 organizations served the ultimatum is the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). According to a report prepared by the University’s Land and Property Investigation Committee, more than 2,000 ropani of land are being utilized by these 18 organizations. CAN has been using its portion as a cricket ground. The 25-year lease for the cricket ground held by CAN expires this month, which is why Tribhuvan University has issued the 35-day notice asking CAN to vacate the space.

The University also concluded that large sporting events disrupt academic research and studies for several months. CAN initially signed the agreement with Tribhuvan University through the National Sports Council (Rakhap) in 2002. According to CAN General Secretary Binay Raj Pandey, the land had previously been used as a motorcycle practice area before the agreement was signed. Since then, CAN has developed the area with boundary walls and floodlights into a proper cricket stadium. CAN has been utilizing the ground for international matches. According to CAN, the government has already invested about NPR 200 crore to upgrade it to an international-standard stadium. However, Tribhuvan University’s ultimatum has created fears of uncertainty surrounding Nepalese cricket.

Former CAN President Pandey remarked, “If the Tribhuvan University ground is removed, it will cause irreparable damage to Nepalese cricket. Currently, Nepal has limited alternatives for international standards. Forceful or contentious measures will not resolve the issue; a mutually beneficial agreement must be reached.” The government led by Prime Minister Sushil Karki had approved a master plan to develop this ground within the Tribhuvan University campus into an international cricket stadium. The master plan estimates the construction cost at approximately NPR 1 billion. CAN spokesperson Chumbi Lama pointed out that the absence of the Tribhuvan University cricket stadium would set Nepalese cricket back significantly. Last fiscal year, the government invested around NPR 850 million for upgrades, including NPR 437.7 million for boundary walls and NPR 421.9 million for floodlight installation.

Despite this, Tribhuvan University has issued an ultimatum to CAN to vacate the land. CAN has regularly hosted international matches on this home ground. Until the multipurpose ground in Mulpani is ready, competitions including the Nepal Premier League (NPL) have been held there. Former national cricket team captain Lekh Bahadur Kshetri emphasized that as Nepalese cricket is on the rise internationally, any obstacle from the state or university toward its development would be against national interests. Kshetri stated, “The Tribhuvan University ground is not just a sports venue but a national asset. It is wrong for the university to abruptly attempt to remove a stadium with a 30-year history.”

CAN is eager to extend the lease agreement with Tribhuvan University. In a board meeting held on March 6, CAN decided to request an extension of the lease through the National Sports Council (Rakhap) and the government. CAN has sent letters to Rakhap and the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the lease renewal. Youth and Sports Minister Sashmit Pokharel confirmed that the lease agreement with Tribhuvan University will be renewed soon. While briefing on the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s decision, he noted that discussions took place today with Tribhuvan University’s Vice-Chancellor and senior officials. He said, “There was a meeting this morning with the university’s Vice-Chancellor. Positive things were discussed. The land will not be vacated; instead, the lease agreement will be renewed. The state has made a significant investment, and this is state property. The lease agreement will definitely be renewed.”

April 27, Kathmandu – The Supreme Court has annulled the legal provision that allowed marriages to be invalidated if one party was deceived into marrying a person affected by leprosy. The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court struck down the leprosy-related clause under Section 71(2)(g) of the Muluki Civil Code Act, 2074, according to Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Koirala.

Section 71 of the Act contained conditions under which marriages could not be solemnized, prohibiting marriages between men and women who were deemed unable to marry. Subsection 2(g) explicitly prevented marriages where one spouse was deceived into marrying a person afflicted with leprosy.

“Previously, leprosy was considered a fatal and incurable disease. However, since it can now be cured through treatment and affected individuals can return to normal life, there was a demand to repeal the existing legal provision,” stated spokesperson Koirala. Based on this demand, the court decided to annul the leprosy-specific legal clause.

The writ petition filed by Advocate Pralhad Mahat and others was adjudicated by a single bench led by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, with a joint bench comprising Justices Kumar Regmi, Dr. Manojkumar Sharma, Sharanga Suvedi, and Abdul Aziz Musalman ordering the repeal of the said legal provision.

Tribhuvan University has issued a notice to the Nepal Cricket Association (NCA) to vacate the TriVi cricket ground following the expiration of their 25-year agreement. On the other hand, the NCA has expressed its intention to extend the contract, stating that the second phase of budget allocation has already been secured. NCA spokesperson Chumbi Lama emphasized the cricket ground’s vital significance for both the history and future of Nepali cricket.

The dispute arose as Tribhuvan University sent a letter requesting the NCA to clear the premises since the existing 25-year lease is about to expire. Tribhuvan University has made it clear that it will not enter into a new agreement. Contrary to this stance, the Nepal Cricket Association is seeking to renew the contract and has initiated the relevant processes. The NCA has revealed that the government has invested approximately two billion Nepalese rupees into the TriVi cricket ground, with funding for the project’s second phase already allocated.

Speaking with Online news outlets, NCA spokesperson Chumbi Lama stated, “TriVi ground holds nearly 25 years of Nepali cricket history. It has regularly hosted national and international tournaments. Many of the achievements of Nepali cricket to date have been possible because of this ground.” He further added, “Cricket serves not only as a sport but also as a medium to unite the nation and its people.”

Lama stressed that for the continued existence of the TriVi cricket ground, proactive involvement from the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Youth and Sports is essential. He pointed out that hundreds of players have been nurtured through this ground, and its absence would significantly set back the progress of cricket in Nepal. Therefore, maintaining the continuity of the TriVi cricket ground is imperative.

April 27, Kathmandu – A case has been filed in the Special Court against Sanjay Chaudhary, Technical Assistant at the Food Technology and Quality Control Department, who was arrested last Chaitra for allegedly accepting a bribe of NPR 30,000. On Monday, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) submitted a charge sheet in the Special Court demanding fines and punishment under Section 3 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2059.

According to the commission, Chaudhary was caught on Chaitra 16 while harassing a service recipient by demanding a bribe in exchange for renewing an industrial license. At the time of arrest, he was found in possession of the NPR 30,000 bribe.

The Supreme Court has invalidated the legal provision that allowed former distinguished individuals to have their medical expenses abroad reimbursed from the state treasury. The court annulled Section 12(1) of the Civil Relief, Compensation and Financial Assistance Procedure, 2073 (2016). Advocate Radika Chamlagai had petitioned for its cancellation, arguing that this procedure conflicted with the Constitution and existing laws. April 27, Kathmandu.

The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench ruled on Monday that the provision permitting former high-ranking state officials (VIPs) to seek reimbursement from the government for overseas medical treatment was unconstitutional and therefore revoked it. Supreme Court spokesperson Arjun Koirala confirmed that the disputed procedure conflicted with the Constitution and related statutes. However, the court has not yet released a detailed summary of the order.

Previously, former government officials, despite having access to medical treatment within the country, often traveled abroad for treatment with the cabinet’s approval and the state would cover their expenses. Although the Public Health Act enacted in 2018 sought to restrict such practices, a separate procedure still allowed preferential treatment for certain former officials to receive care abroad at state expense. With the Supreme Court’s annulment of that procedure, state-funded overseas medical treatment for such individuals is now deemed illegal.

Summary: Former Finance Minister Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada has pointed out that although external economic indicators have improved, the real economy remains unhealthy. He emphasized that monetary measures alone cannot resolve the issues and major structural reforms are necessary. Additionally, he noted that the lack of investment security has discouraged the private sector, and simply lowering interest rates will not boost credit flow.

April 27, Kathmandu – Former Finance Minister Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada stated that while some external indicators of the economy have improved, the real economy is far from fully healthy. Speaking at an event marking the anniversary of Nepal Rastra Bank, he observed that although the external sector is balanced and inflation is under control, the economic growth rate is limited to 2-3 percent, which is not a highly positive scenario.

According to him, economic growth could have reached four to four and a half percent, which would have been preferable; currently, the growth rate is merely average. While past issues related to excessive debt and liquidity have been partially managed, complete recovery has not yet been achieved. Khatiwada emphasized that small monetary adjustments, likened to ‘physiotherapy,’ are insufficient to tackle current problems and that large structural reforms or ‘surgery’ are necessary.

He identified Nepal’s main challenges as a weak business environment and the absence of investor confidence in the security of investments. Khatiwada cautioned that unless the government creates an investment-friendly environment, lowering interest rates alone will not increase credit flow. He explained that Nepal is currently in a ‘liquidity trap,’ where interest rates are at historic lows but credit demand has not risen as expected.

He cited the example that, in the past, even with interest rates between 18-22 percent, credit expansion reached 20 percent. It is unusual that now, with interest rates around 6 percent, credit demand is not increasing. Former Governor Yubaraj Khatiwada stated, ‘Looking at the economy now, the external sector appears sound, inflation is controlled, and economic growth is between 2 and 3 percent. Growth of 4 to 4.5 percent would be better. We also discussed credit overhang and spillover, which have improved. However, it is necessary to analyze whether the economy is truly healthy or only appears so externally.’