Author: space4knews

Nepal is set to compete against the United States in its opening match of the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy 2026 on April 18 at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda. The tournament features five teams: Nepal, USA, Italy, Rwanda, and Vanuatu, each playing against one another twice in a double round-robin format. This will be the Nepal women’s cricket team’s first time playing in Rwanda, with Indu Burma leading the squad as captain.

Kathmandu, April 18 – Nepal will begin its ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy 2026 campaign today, facing the USA at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali. The match is scheduled for 4:45 PM local time. The tournament runs from April 18 to May 15 and includes host nation Rwanda along with Nepal, USA, Italy, and Vanuatu.

According to the double round-robin structure, each team plays the others twice, and the team accumulating the highest points will be crowned champion. The ICC introduced this tournament for the first time to provide competitive opportunities for associate member nations. Among the five participating teams, Nepal holds the highest ranking at 21st place.

Nepal’s second match is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, against Italy. The third match will be against Rwanda on Wednesday, April 22, followed by a contest with Vanuatu on Thursday, April 23. Nepal will face the USA again on Saturday, April 25. Subsequent matches include Rwanda on Monday, April 27, Vanuatu on Tuesday, April 28, and Italy on Wednesday, April 29. Nepal’s squad consists of Indu Burma (captain), Pooja Mahto, Bindu Rawal, Rubina Kshetri, Ruby Poddar, Roma Thapa, Kavita Joshi, Kavita Kunwar, Samjhana Khadka, Anu Kadayat, Suman Bist, Riya Sharma, Rachana Chaudhary, and Manisha Upadhyay.

Janata Secondary School Chandralpur in Siraha has suspended its recruitment process after it was confirmed that the advertisement for hiring teachers and staff was published without the municipality’s approval. The municipality’s education department has demanded clarification from the school, citing violations of regulations that require prior permission or consent to publish such advertisements. However, the school’s principal, Brahmadev Singh, stated that the advertisement was published following internal procedures. Report from 5 Baishakh, Siraha.

The Janata Secondary School located in Ward No. 8 of Golbazar Municipality, Chandralpur, had issued a large-scale advertisement to hire teachers and staff. However, as the advertisement was released without completing the necessary procedures, the municipality’s education branch directed the school to halt further recruitment activities. According to Ananta Poudel, the Chief Administrative Officer and Head of the Education Branch, there are specific provisions requiring permission or consent from the municipality and the Education Development and Coordination Unit before proceeding with teacher recruitment, which the school did not comply with.

The school had published an advertisement on Chaitra 30, setting a one-week deadline, to recruit a total of 17 staff members, including 15 teachers, office assistants, and a bus driver. Upon seeking clarification, and after confirming that the school had not coordinated with the municipality regarding teacher recruitment, the Chief Administrative Officer Poudel confirmed that the advertisement was suspended and an explanation was requested. Principal Singh indicated that they will discuss the matter with the municipality in due course and proceed accordingly. He stated, “We published the advertisement following our internal procedures.”

Following a summary review of the news, the ‘Tea with Poetry’ event, regularly organized by Dhankuta FM, continues to engage audiences. In the Friday program, poets Uttam Tumsaa and DR Phuyal presented around a dozen poems, while singer Tejendra Gandharv performed several songs. The concept of ‘Tea with Poetry’ originated from a gathering of literature enthusiasts in Magh 2081 (January/February 2025) and has been held every Friday regularly since Falgun 2, 2081 (mid-February 2025). The event took place on the 5th of Baishakh at a multipurpose school courtyard in Dhankuta.
The sweet strains of the sarangi filled the atmosphere, complementing the words delivered on stage that resonated directly with the audience’s hearts. The poets occasionally added color by playing the damaha drum or spiritedly swaying on stage. The audience responded, at times moved emotionally and at others joyfully swaying to the rhythm. Although the scene could be mistaken for a theatrical performance at first glance, it was in fact a poetry concert. The ‘Tea with Poetry’ concert held on Friday afternoon presented a charming and enchanting spectacle, blending literature and music and introducing a fresh flavor to Dhankuta’s cultural scene.
The event exuded warmth beyond simple formalities; participants were not just spectators but travelers sharing a journey of words, melody, and emotion. When poets appeared on stage, the atmosphere turned serious, unveiling themes of love, sorrow, society, and the many facets of life through their verses. The rhythmic clapping after each piece made clear how deeply the words had touched the listeners’ hearts. Meanwhile, the melodies added new dimensions to the ambiance. During this session, poets Uttam Tumsaa and DR Phuyal recited approximately a dozen poems, and singer Tejendra Gandharv performed over half a dozen songs. The fusion of music and literature not only provided entertainment but also strengthened emotional bonds.
This edition marked the 55th installment of the ‘Tea with Poetry’ concert series, organized by Radio Dhankuta FM 106.2 MHz. Vidur Khawas, chairman of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Dhankuta, shared that the program offered a mix of poems expressing anger, grief, and affection. He noted that the ‘Tea with Poetry’ events are progressively nurturing a literary atmosphere in Dhankuta and becoming a hub for poets. The program sees active participation across all age groups—children, youth, and the elderly—who are eager both to present their own work and appreciate that of others. The concept, born from a literary gathering in Magh 2081, has been running consistently every Friday since Falgun 2 that year.
Despite diverse professions and busy schedules, this initiative serves as a unifying platform for literary artists, said Gopal Baraili, chairman of Radio Dhankuta FM. Participants are given opportunities to present poems, ghazals, couplets, or songs, with each session chaired by a different individual. Celebrating its 50th session on Falgun 1, the program also marked its first anniversary by distributing awards for achievements in various literary genres. Additionally, the best poems from each year are compiled and published in the ‘Tea with Poetry’ book series. Baraili also noted the establishment of an endowment fund to ensure the program’s sustainability.
Speaking at the concert, Koshi Province’s Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Indramani Parajuli, emphasized literature’s transformative power in society and applauded the event for conveying a positive message to Dhankuta and the country. Minister Parajuli also pledged a contribution of NPR 10,000 to the ‘Tea with Poetry’ endowment fund.

The Command and Staff Training has commenced at the Military Command and Staff College in Shivapuri for 92 security officers from 10 countries. Major General Pradeep KC of the Nepal Army inaugurated the training, emphasizing the importance of experience exchange and the ability to develop practical plans.

The training includes 79 officers from the Nepal Army, including 4 women, along with 3 officers from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department (one each). Participants also include 2 officers from China and one each from the United States, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Maldives, Nigeria, and Pakistan, making a total of 92 participants. The Military Command and Staff College was established on January 28, 1993 (14 Poush 2049 BS).

To date, a total of 1,507 officers from various forces have been trained at this college, including 1,308 from the Nepal Army, 17 from Nepal Police, 29 from the Armed Police Force, 20 from the National Investigation Department, 1 from the Ministry of Defense, and 132 officers from 13 other countries.

5 Baisakh, Kathmandu – Nepal Rastra Bank has set the foreign currency exchange rates for today. The rate for US Dollar is set at a buying rate of NPR 148.39 and a selling rate of NPR 148.99. Similarly, the European Euro has a buying rate of NPR 175.06 and a selling rate of NPR 175.76, while the UK Pound Sterling is priced at NPR 200.75 for buying and NPR 201.56 for selling. The Swiss Franc has a buying rate of NPR 189.65 and a selling rate of NPR 190.41.

The Australian Dollar’s buying rate is NPR 106.40 and selling rate NPR 106.83, while the Canadian Dollar stands at NPR 108.49 for buying and NPR 108.93 for selling. Likewise, the Singapore Dollar is bought at NPR 116.62 and sold at NPR 117.09. The Japanese Yen (per 10 units) has a buying rate of NPR 9.32 and a selling rate of NPR 9.36. The Chinese Yuan is priced at NPR 21.75 for buying and NPR 21.84 for selling. Saudi Arabian Riyal stands at NPR 39.56 for buying and NPR 39.72 for selling, while the Qatari Riyal is priced at NPR 40.70 for buying and NPR 40.86 for selling.

According to the central bank, the Thai Baht’s buying rate is NPR 4.63 and selling rate NPR 4.65. The UAE Dirham is bought at NPR 40.40 and sold at NPR 40.56. Malaysian Ringgit has a buying rate of NPR 37.54 and a selling rate of NPR 37.70. The South Korean Won (per 100 units) is priced at NPR 10.03 for buying and NPR 10.07 for selling. The Swedish Krona is bought at NPR 16.18 and sold at NPR 16.25, while the Danish Kroner has a buying rate of NPR 23.42 and a selling rate of NPR 23.52. Nepal Rastra Bank has set Hong Kong Dollar rates at NPR 18.95 for buying and NPR 19.03 for selling. Kuwaiti Dinar is priced at NPR 484.62 for buying and NPR 486.58 for selling. Bahraini Dinar stands at NPR 393.53 for buying and NPR 395.12 for selling, whereas the Omani Riyal is set at NPR 385.42 for buying and NPR 386.98 for selling. Indian Rupee (per 100) is bought at NPR 160 and sold at NPR 160.15.

Nepal Rastra Bank has stated that it may revise these exchange rates at any time as deemed necessary. Commercial banks may offer slightly different rates, and the latest exchange rates will be available on the central bank’s official website.

Basantapur area of Kathmandu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. File photo. Kathmandu, 19 April – World Heritage Day is being observed today to promote the conservation of heritage and raise public awareness. Established by UNESCO, the day has been celebrated annually on April 18 since 1983 to safeguard World Heritage sites globally. In Nepal, the designated World Heritage areas include Kathmandu (Basantapur, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares, Changu Narayan, Pashupati, Boudha, Swayambhu), Lumbini, Chitwan, and Sagarmatha National Park.
On this occasion, the Tourism Office under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Bagmati Province government has organized a morning trek in the capital. According to the office chief, Pawan Kumar Pokharel, the trek will proceed from Gahana Pokhari to Bhatbhateni Temple. Following the trek, there will be an interactive program focusing on the cultural significance of the Handigaun area, which will include participation from the Minister for Culture and Tourism of Bagmati Province, Suresh Shrestha.

After his arrest, he was admitted to the hospital citing illness. On Thursday, he was released from custody following a court order. On Friday afternoon, he was discharged from the hospital.

Police have arrested Ram Kumar Pakhrin and Shiv Ghising in Kathmandu’s Thamel area with 28 counterfeit 500-rupee banknotes. The arresting authority also confiscated a machine used to print fake notes, according to SSP Ramesh Thapa of the Kathmandu District Police Office.

The arrested individuals are 32-year-old Ram Kumar Pakhrin from Phulbari, Rautahat, and 24-year-old Shiv Ghising from Ghyanglekh Rural Municipality-5, Sindhuli. They were apprehended by a team deployed from the Sohakhutte Police Post.

Besides the 28 counterfeit 500-rupee notes, the authorities seized the printing machine used to produce the fake currency, SSP Ramesh Thapa confirmed.

Following the arrests, the Kathmandu District Court has granted a five-day investigation period, during which the police will continue their inquiries.

Although former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were released after 13 days of detention, investigations against them remain ongoing, according to SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai of the Kathmandu District Police Office. The Karki Commission found Oli and Lekhak guilty, recommending action under Sections 181 and 182 of the Muluki Criminal Code, a measure subsequently implemented by the Council of Ministers. Kathmandu, April 17.

The police have confirmed that investigations into former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister and Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak continue even after their release from custody. Both were freed following 13 days in detention, but Kathmandu District Police Office SP and spokesperson Pawan Kumar Bhattarai emphasized that inquiries are still underway. ‘There is some public curiosity about the nature of ongoing investigations after their release, but the fact remains that investigations are continuing,’ SP Bhattarai remarked.

According to Bhattarai, investigators are advancing their work after retrieving the Tameli file. The Kathmandu Police Office received nine petitions related to the September 8 (Bhadra 23) JNG protest violence. Following the Attorney General’s office decision, these were filed under Tameli on October 14 (Asoj 27). Among these, investigation is actively proceeding on one petition for which the Tameli has been retrieved. ‘We are investigating by retrieving the Tameli for one petition. Evidence and facts are being collected,’ Bhattarai explained.

Current investigative measures include reviewing autopsy, challan, and forensic documents, analyzing CCTV footage, and examining documents of eyewitnesses and individuals present at the scene. A commission led by former Chief Justice Gauribahadur Karki was established to investigate the incident. The government decided to implement the commission’s report on March 26. Subsequently, on the morning of March 27, Oli and Lekhak were arrested at their residence in Bhaktapur. They were released on bail and appear before court as per the Supreme Court’s directives on April 9. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has expressed dissatisfaction with the court ruling. In a dialogue with security and home administration journalists on Thursday, Minister Gurung stated, ‘They were apprehended after a night of effort, yet the court released them. It is not ministers who must deliver justice, but judges.’

During the September 8–9 JNG protests, KP Sharma Oli was the Prime Minister and Ramesh Lekhak served as the Home Minister. On September 8 alone, security forces opened fire resulting in 19 deaths in Kathmandu and 2 in other districts, totaling 21 fatalities. Including September 9, the total death toll reached 76. The commission headed by former Chief Justice Gauribahadur Karki investigated the event and held Oli and Lekhak responsible, recommending disciplinary action. The recommendations referred to Sections 181 and 182 of the Muluki Criminal Code, which address negligence causing death. The commission found that government forces were used during the September 8 protest and efforts to stop the use of force were absent, holding Oli and Lekhak accountable. The Council of Ministers, led by Minister Walden Shah, approved the commission’s recommendations and ordered enforcement, after which Oli and Lekhak were arrested.

April 17, Kathmandu – The hearing on the writ petition challenging the legitimacy of the Nepali Congress concluded today. The case was heard by Supreme Court Justices Sharanga Suvedi and Nripadhwaj Niraula, with proceedings having begun on Thursday. On Friday, lawyers from both the petitioner and respondent sides presented their arguments. Following the reply arguments, Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwoprakash Sharma delivered the final submission on behalf of the respondents. With the conclusion of the hearing, a decision is expected imminently.

In the last week of Poush (mid-January), a special general convention held at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, dissolved the executive committee led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, which had been elected at the 14th general convention. A new executive committee under the leadership of Gagan Thapa was elected during this special convention. The Election Commission recognized the legitimacy of the committee selected at this convention. Subsequently, Deuba and then acting chairperson of the previous executive committee, Purn Bahadur Khadka, challenged the Election Commission’s decision by petitioning the Supreme Court.

Following the Supreme Court’s official recognition of the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Kumar, Vice-Chairperson Bishwprakash Sharma expressed his commitment to advancing with renewed energy. On social media, he declared, “We will move forward with renewed energy,” emphasizing his resolve to unite all senior leaders in this effort.

Sharma outlined plans to strengthen the transformed Congress while ensuring the victory and welfare of all. He aims to embark on a journey of new possibilities for the party. Dated 4th Baisakh, Kathmandu, he stated, “We will move forward with renewed energy. I will bring along all respected senior leaders as we advance.”

Accompanying a photo of him garlanding Gagan Thapa during his chairmanship, Sharma wrote, “We will advance by guaranteeing everyone’s victory and welfare. We will make the changed Congress even stronger and proceed on a journey of new opportunities.”

In a tweet, he added, “We will move forward with renewed energy! I will bring along all respected senior leaders! Ensuring everyone’s victory and welfare, we will move forward! We will strengthen the transformed Congress and step into a journey of new possibilities! Jai Nepal!”

April 17, Kathmandu – A fugitive who had been sentenced to 25 years in prison has been apprehended. The arrested individual is 42-year-old Yagyakumar Sapkota, also known as Santosh, from Makwanpur. He was caught by a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office.

Sapkota was found guilty in the case of murdering 32-year-old Santoshi Shrestha by hitting her with a hammer in Balkhu on March 15, 2021. The Kathmandu District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment, equivalent to 25 years in prison, on September 14, 2021.

While serving his sentence, he escaped from Sundhara Jail during the people’s movement on September 9, 2021. Sapkota was apprehended in Harisiddhi, Lalitpur, and has been sent back to Sundhara Jail to continue his imprisonment.

April 17, Kathmandu – The Federal Parliament consists of a total of 16 parliamentary committees. Among these, six committees are chaired by women. The Federal Parliament is divided into two houses. The National Assembly has four parliamentary committees, with two chaired by women and two by men. Pooja Chaudhary chairs the Public Policy and Assigned Legislation Committee, while Jayanti Devi Rai leads the Committee on Federalism Empowerment and National Concerns. Krishna Prasad Paudel chairs the Development, Economic Affairs, and Good Governance Committee, and Krishna Bahadur Rokaya heads the Legislative Management Committee.

The House of Representatives has ten parliamentary committees. Additionally, two joint committees have been formed with members from both houses. The last assembly of these committees was held on Monday. Among the 12 committee chairs elected on Friday, four are women. Review Baskota was elected chair of the Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee; Aakriti Awasthi leads the Women and Social Affairs Committee; Sumnima Udas heads the International Relations and Tourism Committee; and Ojaswi Sherchan chairs the Education, Health, and Information Technology Committee. The remaining committees are led by men. Hari Dhakal chairs the State Structure and Governance Committee; Ashokkumar Chaudhary leads the Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources Committee; Ashish Gajurel heads the Infrastructure Development Committee; Bodharayan Shrestha leads the Parliamentary Hearing Committee; Rahbar Ansari chairs the Industry, Commerce, Labour, and Consumer Rights Committee; and Krishna Hari Budhathoki leads the Finance Committee. Bharat Khadka chairs the Public Accounts Committee, and Ganesh Karki was elected head of the Committee for Monitoring and Evaluation of Principles, Policies, and Implementation Responsibilities of the State.