Author: space4knews

March 30, Kathmandu – The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has imposed a complete ban on the use of plastic products within its premises starting today. The ministry has taken this decision to implement its commitment to environmental protection, promotion of cleanliness, and sustainable development. According to the Secretariat of Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, the excessive use of plastic materials has adverse effects on the environment, and this measure aims to reduce those impacts and promote the use of alternative, eco-friendly materials. The ministry believes this decision will send a positive message to all government bodies and stakeholders. Minister Shrestha has expressed his expectation for everyone’s cooperation to ensure effective implementation in the coming days.

The 10-kilometer road section in the Fedap area of Tehrathum district remains unfinished after more than ten years and is now preparing for its eighth extension. The road construction work, contracted in 2015 (2072 BS), was promised to be completed by 2017 (2074 BS), but the company has lost contact. Due to the incomplete road, local residents, drivers, and tourism operators face daily challenges affecting their livelihood and economic activities. Report dated Chaitra 17 from Tehrathum.

For the residents of the Fedap area in Tehrathum, the road is not just physical infrastructure but a lifeline that links their daily life, opportunities, and future. This road is the only connection between the citizens of Atharai and Fedap and the district headquarters. However, ironically, the 10-kilometer stretch from Khorangwa Khola to Yawara, part of the Mid-Hill Highway, remains incomplete even a decade after the contract. On September 16, 2015 (Bhadra 31, 2072 BS), the Gauri Parbati Koshi and Nyaupane JV company was awarded the contract to pave this road segment of Fedap Rural Municipality. Despite a budget exceeding NPR 391.8 million and a commitment to complete the work by 2017, the construction remains unfinished to date.

This project has already undergone seven deadline extensions and is currently preparing for its eighth. The construction company is no longer in communication. Out of a total 119 kilometers of the Mid-Hill Highway located within Tehrathum district, 109 kilometers have been paved, leaving this 10-kilometer stretch in Fedap incomplete. While progress has accelerated elsewhere, the Fedap residents continue to endure dusty roads during the dry season and muddy conditions during the rains. In winter, the road becomes dusty; vehicles stirring up dust cover houses, shops, and farms, adversely affecting health.

During the rainy season, the road becomes muddy, vehicles often get stuck, and flowing water causes the road to appear like a stream, making transportation difficult. Local resident Dil Kumari Limbu from Simle commented, “It is challenging to send children to school and take patients to the hospital. Traveling to markets is even harder as we have to walk on dusty roads, and sometimes vehicles get stuck in the mud.” The incomplete road lacks essential walls, drainage, and safety structures, increasing landslide risks during the monsoon.

Dambar Kumari Bastola shared, “Land was cut for the road construction, but no protection measures were taken. Now, during rains, we feel afraid even staying at home. Sometimes, I cannot sleep at night due to the fear of landslides.” Operating vehicles on this road is not only challenging for drivers but also financially burdensome. Breakdown, road damage, and the risk of accidents have made the business unstable. Driver Jaydev Shah explained, “I get up early and drive on this road. Each journey is stressful. Sometimes, the vehicle gets stuck in mud; sometimes, the road collapses. I have suffered losses. Witnessing near accidents is frightening. But I have to continue driving to support my family.”

His experience highlights that an incomplete road causes not only loss of time and money but also endangers lives. Local tourism entrepreneur Bam Bahadur Limbu said, “If the road were good, many tourists would visit. Resorts and homestays could be established here. But the current conditions prevent utilizing this potential. Tourists do not come, and local employment opportunities are lost.” The delay in road completion stems not only from negligence by the construction company but also from a lack of monitoring and evaluation. Although plans are announced, budgets allocated, and contracts signed, ineffective implementation causes such national pride projects to stall indefinitely.

Locals express, “If the road were complete, children could attend school easily, patients would reach hospitals on time, goods could be transported to markets, and tourism would generate jobs. But after ten years, we remain caught in dust and mud.” This decade-long delay in completing the 10-kilometer road segment reflects systemic issues in national infrastructure development. The experiences of residents, drivers, and tourism entrepreneurs demonstrate that without transparency, accountability, and effective oversight in implementation, incomplete roads will continue to symbolize failure instead of progress. The dusty and muddy path in Fedap has become more than a concern—it has become a question mark over the construction companies themselves. Development must be felt in the lives of the people, not just on paper. Only then will the Fedap road truly become a trusted symbol of progress locally.

United States President Donald Trump has issued a warning that if a swift agreement is not reached, all of Iran’s energy production centers and oil refineries will be completely destroyed. However, he also claimed that the US is engaged in serious talks with Iran’s new leadership, raising the possibility of ending military actions in the region. On the social media platform Truth Social, he wrote, “America is in serious discussions to end military operations with a new and more sensible regime.”

“There has been some progress and a deal may be possible. But if, for any reason, a swift agreement does not materialize and the Hormuz Strait remains closed for commerce, we will completely destroy all electrical production centers, oil refineries, Kharg Island (and possibly water treatment facilities) in Iran that have so far been spared,” he warned. Meanwhile, new reports of attacks in Iran, Lebanon, and Israel have emerged. Additionally, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased compared to pre-war levels.

Amid these developments, Asian markets saw a continued rise in oil prices on Tuesday. The price of oil in the US market climbed approximately 3 percent, reaching nearly 106 US dollars per barrel. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre provided updates on the conflict with Iran during a briefing, stating that the US has targeted more than 1,000 sites and damaged over 150 vessels, severely impacting Iranian naval capabilities.

Although Trump did not rule out the possibility of deploying troops on Iranian soil, he emphasized that diplomacy remains the primary approach. The Press Secretary noted that talks between the US and Iran are ongoing and progressing positively. Furthermore, she warned that Iran would face serious consequences if it missed the opportunity to reach an agreement with the US. However, Iranian officials have once again denied that any discussions with America are taking place. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bakai claimed that since the start of hostilities, Iran has “not engaged in any talks within 31 days.”

Earlier, Iranian officials dismissed US demands for ending the conflict as “excessive and unreasonable.” They condemned what they described as false claims about negotiations aimed at influencing global oil prices. Amid the escalating situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “the war is more than halfway progressed,” but refrained from setting a timeline for its conclusion. He also predicted that Iran’s Islamic Republic will eventually “collapse internally.”

The editorial review prepared this news summary. He wrote a song to boost police morale and to unite society and law enforcement. A tragic event! Everything that could go wrong, did. Anxiety, despair, and sorrow weighed heavily on everyone’s heart. The blood was not yet dry, ashes remained unremoved, and smoke clouds still hung in the air. That dreadful season unfolded like the climax of an action thriller film. Amidst eerie silence and uncertainty, there was no time for the police to rest. Somehow, they rose and took to the streets, cleaning debris, recovering lost items, and entering collapsed structures. They had to fulfill their duties wherever needed.

They were disheartened, recalling fallen and injured comrades. Their workplaces appeared desolate, fueling their disappointment. Yet, despite their low spirits, they went to their posts. Some wore torn shoes while managing traffic, others, in tattered clothes, maintained peace and security.

That afternoon, the scene changed—Tundikhel was bustling. Patriotic songs echoed, flags fluttered in the wind, and choreographed schoolchildren’s processions, mounted parades, and showers of flowers from the sky marked the celebrations. The occasion was Constitution Day. The police, who had been victims yesterday, protected the event today. Those wounded before, now spread joy. The stark contrast between these two moments profoundly moved Dan Bahadur Karki’s heart. Amid the grandeur and high-ranking dignitaries’ arrivals, his heart beat with intense emotion, tinged with despair. How long must we endure such battles? How long must we flee? How long must we weep? These unending questions haunted him, inspiring this verse:

‘Mother, I have returned, rising from the ashes,
How can I witness swords drawn between brothers,
History burnt, trust shattered.’

He typed these emotions into his mobile device. Nostalgia came like a dewy morning during steady rain, with turmeric water or a health tonic before him. The rainy season seemed to cool his spirit. Becoming somewhat emotional, he shared, ‘Because we had risen from ashes. No building, no means—much had burned. Our hearts too.’

At that moment, not only buildings but sentiments had collapsed. What next? Society was gripped by fear and insecurity. A web of confusion perplexed the community. Amid these harsh conditions, the police remained vigilant. They neither slept nor slowed down. In poetic form, Dan Bahadur Karki narrated:

‘With no resources, we managed; with no building, we prevailed with feelings;
When laws were absent, hopes carried us.
We rose, shook off the dust,
And with sleepless eyes, returned to duty.’

No one asked the police wiping the bloodstains, ‘Are you tired?’ No one asked those clearing ash from ruins, ‘Are you scared?’ No one questioned those mourning over the dead in morgues, ‘Are you fearful?’ Hiding their own pain and suppressing emotions, they worked tirelessly for others. No one asked.

Beneath the police uniform, there is a father, a mother—a family. A daughter, a son, a wife. Hope, trust, and responsibility reside there. A person who also suffers and feels pain. The police song was penned one evening when Dan Bahadur Karki was at a coffee house in Baluwatar. A steaming cup of coffee was on the table; a cool breeze blew. He picked up a napkin and began writing, ‘Every village, every town…’ The words were simple but flowed with heartfelt emotion. These were his feelings and experiences.

Police officers serve in difficult times — whether in dust or smoke, in strikes or conflicts. They endure losses and rush the injured to hospitals. When landslides destroy communities or vehicles get stuck in rivers, they are there to rescue. All these experiences inspired him to compose a song reflecting the hardships and joys of the police. Within police service, he witnessed both beauty and harshness. Yet, the question of how to uplift their morale compelled him to write.

… A few weeks ago, a short video was posted on the official Facebook page of Inter Milan, a renowned European football club. While the world celebrated football, a Nepali song by Dan Bahadur Karki played in the background. This came as a surprise to Nepali football fans, who delightedly responded, ‘Thank you for playing a Nepali song.’

This time, he appeared as a lyricist. His songs create a beautiful pyramid: Nepali soil forms the foundation, Nepali celebrations crown the peak. Elements of sorrow, happiness, obligation, enthusiasm, duty, and compassion fill the layers. The bonding agent is the police and society.

‘The conflict is over; now let us advance through creation. Let us join hands and build a happy and beautiful society.’ This is the core message of his songs. They are not mere lyrics — they pour forth emotions. They bind society and police together in a unified voice. They bring encouragement to police who spend the year on duty away from family and deepen society’s respect for the police.

March 31, Kathmandu – Following parallel activities initiated by the splinter group of the Nepali Congress, General Secretary Pradeep Paudel has urged party leaders and workers to unite. Ahead of the Central Working Committee meeting elected from the 14th General Convention, convened by the splinter faction, he made an appeal for unity through his Facebook page.
“Even in these adverse circumstances, we must not fall apart and weaken,” wrote General Secretary Paudel. “Speaking not only as the party’s general secretary but also as a sincere worker, I emphasize – we must all stand united.” Paudel reminded that in every national crisis, the Congress party has remained united and, through this unity, led the country’s historic transformations successfully.
“I urge all leaders and workers of the Nepali Congress – strength lies in unity, and by this strength, we will achieve a brighter future once again,” General Secretary Paudel stated.

March 31, Kathmandu — The Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market Development Committee has set the wholesale prices for agricultural produce for today. According to the committee, the prices are as follows: large tomatoes (Indian) NPR 75 per kilogram, small tomatoes (local) NPR 30 per kilogram, small tomatoes (Indian) NPR 30 per kilogram, small tomatoes (Terai) NPR 40 per kilogram, red potatoes NPR 20 per kilogram, red potatoes (Indian) NPR 22 per kilogram, and dried onions (Indian) NPR 36 per kilogram.

Similarly, carrots (local) are priced at NPR 30 per kilogram, carrots (Terai) NPR 20 per kilogram, cabbages (local) NPR 30 per kilogram, cabbages (Narbole) NPR 25 per kilogram, cauliflower (local) NPR 60 per kilogram, cauliflower (local – Jyapu variety) NPR 80 per kilogram, cauliflower (Terai) NPR 50 per kilogram, white radish (local) NPR 20 per kilogram, white radish (hybrid) NPR 30 per kilogram, long bottle gourd NPR 60 per kilogram, and short bottle gourd NPR 70 per kilogram.

Further prices include green bean pods NPR 80 per kilogram, shelled peas NPR 70 per kilogram, local winged bean NPR 90 per kilogram, hybrid winged bean NPR 70 per kilogram, rajma beans NPR 100 per kilogram, winged pod beans NPR 85 per kilogram, bitter gourd NPR 140 per kilogram, bottle gourd NPR 70 per kilogram, pumpkin (Terai) NPR 90 per kilogram, ginger pumpkin NPR 90 per kilogram, ripe pumpkin NPR 60 per kilogram, long green pumpkin NPR 35 per kilogram, short green pumpkin NPR 20 per kilogram, okra NPR 110 per kilogram, ash gourd NPR 70 per kilogram, bitter melon NPR 70 per kilogram, ridged gourd NPR 60 per kilogram, and sponge gourd NPR 50 per kilogram.

Other vegetables include mustard greens NPR 60 per kilogram, spinach NPR 80 per kilogram, chamsur NPR 90 per kilogram, taro leaves NPR 60 per kilogram, fenugreek NPR 80 per kilogram, green onions NPR 90 per kilogram, bakula NPR 50 per kilogram, tarul NPR 80 per kilogram, small mushrooms NPR 130 per kilogram, large mushrooms NPR 350 per kilogram, king oyster mushrooms NPR 300 per kilogram, and shiitake mushrooms NPR 1,000 per kilogram.

Kuri pumpkin NPR 500 per kilogram, sugarcane NPR 80 per kilogram, broccoli NPR 80 per kilogram, beetroot NPR 60 per kilogram, saag sively NPR 140 per kilogram, koirala NPR 250 per kilogram, cumin leaves NPR 70 per kilogram, collard greens NPR 60 per kilogram, celery NPR 120 per kilogram, parsley NPR 200 per kilogram, fennel leaves NPR 90 per kilogram, mint NPR 120 per kilogram, turnip NPR 60 per kilogram, tamarind NPR 180 per kilogram, copper leaf NPR 130 per kilogram, tofu NPR 150 per kilogram, and dried fermented leafy vegetable (gundruk) NPR 330 per kilogram.

Apples (winter variety) NPR 250 per kilogram, apples (Fuji variety) NPR 300 per kilogram, bananas (per dozen) NPR 220, lemons NPR 230 per kilogram, pomegranates NPR 350 per kilogram, green grapes NPR 220 per kilogram, black grapes NPR 350 per kilogram, Indian oranges NPR 150 per kilogram, green watermelon NPR 50 per kilogram, groundnuts NPR 160 each.

Local cucumbers NPR 30 per kilogram, hybrid cucumbers NPR 20 per kilogram, local hybrid cucumbers NPR 25 per kilogram, sponge gourd (Khaktahar) NPR 100 per kilogram, limes NPR 80 per kilogram, Chinese pears NPR 250 per kilogram, Nepali nuts NPR 70 per kilogram, Indian nuts NPR 110 per kilogram, kinus NPR 130 per kilogram, strawberries NPR 300 per kilogram, and kiwis NPR 400 per kilogram have been set.

Additionally, amla (Indian gooseberry) NPR 180 per kilogram, ginger NPR 100 per kilogram, dried chili NPR 420 per kilogram, green chili NPR 80 per kilogram, bullet green chili NPR 80 per kilogram, mache green chili NPR 90 per kilogram, Akbare green chili NPR 800 per kilogram, sheep chili NPR 132 per kilogram, fresh garlic NPR 80 per kilogram, fresh coriander NPR 90 per kilogram have been fixed.

Dried garlic (Chinese) NPR 240 per kilogram, dried garlic (Nepali) NPR 180 per kilogram, dried mushrooms NPR 120 per kilogram, fresh mushrooms NPR 100 per kilogram, dried fish NPR 1,000 per kilogram, fresh fish (Rahu) NPR 350 per kilogram, fresh fish (Bachuwa) NPR 280 per kilogram, and fresh fish (Chhadi) NPR 250 per kilogram have also been priced.

Kathmandu – Former Chief District Officer (CDO) of Kathmandu, Shavi Rizal, has been arrested by a team from the Crime Investigation Office. Rizal served as the CDO of Kathmandu during the JENJI movement. He is accused of suppressing the JENJI protests on September 8 and 9 (Bhadra 23 and 24 in the Nepali calendar). At the time, he was closely associated with then-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. Rizal was removed from his position as Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer less than a month after the crackdown on the JENJI movement. The investigation commission led by Gauribahadur Karki had also recommended disciplinary action against Rizal. Based on the commission’s recommendations, former Prime Minister and UML leader KP Sharma Oli, along with former Home Minister and Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak, were arrested last Saturday.

Before becoming Kathmandu’s Chief District Officer, Rizal headed the Administrative Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. During Ramesh Lekhak’s tenure as Home Minister, Rizal served as the head of the Administrative Division and faced allegations of unprofessional conduct, including assigning staff to immigration and attractive offices in ways that contravened official procedures. In a charge-sheet submitted to the Special Court, the Anti-Corruption Commission stated that an investigation is ongoing against Rizal, then head of the Administrative Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs, for corruption. The investigation also focuses on individuals named in connection with irregular activities, including private secretary Badri Tiwari, personal secretary Janak Bhatt, Home Secretary Gokarn Mani Duwaadi, and Immigration Officer Tirthraj Bhattarai at the international airport, as detailed in diaries and other documents under scrutiny.