Author: space4knews

In the final group stage match of the ACC Women’s Premier Cup, Nepal was decisively beaten by Hong Kong by 69 runs. Chasing a target of 110 runs set by Hong Kong, Nepal was dismissed for just 40 runs in 13.3 overs. Sony Pakhrin top-scored with 12 runs, while Rubina Karki contributed 10 runs. None of the other players managed to reach double figures.

For Hong Kong, Ikra Sahar delivered an outstanding bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets for just 4 runs in 4 overs. Chan Ka and Maryam Bibi took 2 wickets each, while Siu Mei and Joline Dhaliwal picked up one wicket apiece. Batting first after losing the toss, Hong Kong posted 109 runs for 3 wickets in their 20 overs. Yasmin Daswani remained unbeaten on 42 runs, supported by Mariko Hill’s 29 and Marina Lamplough’s unbeaten 18. Nepal’s Riya Sharma and Rubina Karki each took a wicket.

Despite this loss, Nepal has secured a place in the quarterfinals. To advance to the semifinals, which is crucial for qualifying for the Asia Cup, Nepal will need to perform strongly in the upcoming matches.

May 6, Kathmandu – The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) is set to hold district-level conventions today and tomorrow. Within two days, the party is organizing conventions in districts where interim committees have been formed. According to the party’s organizational policy and a decision by the Central Committee, these conventions are being conducted nationwide on Saturday and Sunday, which are public holidays.

On the first day, Saturday, conventions will be held in 36 districts. These include 8 districts in Koshi Province—Jhapa, Morang, Tehrathum, Taplejung, Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha, Okhaldhunga, and Sunsari; 2 districts in Madhesh Province—Mahottari and Rautahat; 8 districts in Bagmati Province—Dolakha, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Nuwakot, Makwanpur, Kavre, Sindhupalchok, and Sindhuli; 5 districts in Gandaki Province—Syangja, Kaski, Parbat, Baglung, and Myagdi; 8 districts in Lumbini Province—Gulmi, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, and Rolpa; 2 districts in Karnali Province—Kalikot and Salyan; and 3 districts in Sudurpaschim Province—Baitadi, Bajhang, and Darchula.

The remaining 29 districts will hold conventions on Sunday. These include 4 districts in Koshi Province—Udayapur, Solukhumbu, Khotang, and Ilam; 4 districts in Madhesh Province—Siraha, Dhanusha, Parsa, and Sarlahi; 2 districts in Bagmati Province—Chitwan and Lalitpur; 4 districts in Gandaki Province—Tanahun, Nawalpur, Gorkha, and Lamjung; 3 districts in Lumbini Province—Arghakhanchi, Rupandehi, and Pyuthan; 6 districts in Karnali Province—Surkhet, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum, Mugu, and Jumla; and 6 districts in Sudurpaschim Province—Achham, Doti, Dadeldhura, Kailali, Kanchanpur, and Bajura. Due to disputes, the convention in Bara district has been scheduled for May 10.

Raswapa plans to complete conventions in 66 out of 77 districts before the first national general convention. The remaining 11 district conventions will be held sequentially after the national convention. Additionally, General Secretary Kavindra Burlakoti has informed that provincial conventions across all seven provinces will commence from May 10.

May 6, Kathmandu – An 80-year-old senior citizen participated in a demonstration organized today by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, which has quickly gained attention on social media. While young protesters gathered under the leadership of party founder Abhijeet Deepak, videos and photos showing the elderly man standing amidst the youth have gone viral on ‘X’.
The presence of an 80-year-old individual in this youth-dominated movement has captured the interest of internet users. Social media users have been sharing the elderly man’s photo with playful and curious remarks such as, “Is he also a Gen Z?”

May 23, Dhanusha – The Dhanusha Municipality has decided to cap the ward-level budget at NPR 1 million for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/084, sparking discussion among local authorities. In previous years, wards planned projects with budget ceilings as high as NPR 5.5 million, but this year’s reduction of NPR 4.5 million has placed significant pressure on them. The municipality recently issued budget ceilings and guidelines to all 10 wards, allowing expenditures in areas such as economic development, social progress, infrastructure, good governance, inter-sector coordination, and forest and environmental conservation. Wards have been directed to formulate participatory plans within the NPR 1 million limit.

According to the municipality, the decrease in budget ceiling reflects diminished financial transfers from federal and provincial governments, weak resource utilization in previous years, and increasing liabilities. For the fiscal year 2082/083, the municipality announced a budget of NPR 1.1225 billion. However, reduced grant amounts for the upcoming fiscal year may result in certain projects falling under liabilities. Chintan Tamang, chief of Dhanusha Municipality, noted that liabilities have been rising for several years and emphasized that setting high budgets without secured funds could hinder implementation. He added that the realistic ceiling is intended to avoid long-term adverse impacts on the public.

However, several ward chairpersons expressed dissatisfaction with the new limit. Milan Khadgi, chairperson of Ward No. 6, pointed out that NPR 1 million falls far short of public expectations and needs. He stated that with numerous issues and community demands, prioritization within the restricted budget would be difficult. Similarly, Nagendra Pandey, chairperson of Ward No. 10, said the limited budget makes it nearly impossible to undertake essential development programs at the ward level. He stressed that even maintaining basic infrastructure within NPR 1 million is challenging, which will inevitably affect development outcomes. The municipality has set aside NPR 468,000 for operational and miscellaneous ward expenses. Additionally, under social development programs, a minimum allocation of NPR 50,000 is required, and preference should be given to upgrading existing road routes rather than opening new ones.

May 23, Kathmandu — Iran has stated that it does not want to start a new war but will respond with full force if attacked. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Iran’s position completely clear. He emphasized that if the country faces any form of attack or pressure, Tehran will take the necessary steps to defend its sovereignty and national interests.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s energy and banking sectors. The US Treasury Department announced penalties against a network involved in selling Iranian LPG worth tens of millions of dollars in South and East Asia. The US accuses Iran of deliberately disguising Iranian gas as Oman LPG to conceal its true origin. A total of 12 entities have been sanctioned, including five companies based in the Marshall Islands, four in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and one in China.

In addition, six vessels have also been sanctioned, including four tankers flying the Panamanian flag. Following the US blockade, Iranian crude oil exports in May dropped by 84 percent. According to a report from Lloyd’s List, to evade US sanctions, Iran is now transporting oil using smaller ships instead of large tankers.

The US Central Command claimed to have downed four Iranian one-way attack drones sent toward the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM stated these drones posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic in the region. Subsequently, the US military struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites on the Goruk and Qeshm islands to prevent further attacks. CENTCOM issued a message affirming that US forces remain alert and are ready to respond to any unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense.

Just last Friday, President Donald Trump said that if a deal is reached between the US and Iran, he is willing to meet with Iran’s supreme leader. He also mentioned that while there was a plan to deploy troops to seize enriched uranium from Iran, the plan was canceled due to high risks. Meanwhile, Ireland has barred two hardline Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Benjamin Smotrich, from entering the country. The Irish government accused both leaders of promoting hatred and violence against Palestinians. (With agency reports)

Authorities have announced preparations for the introduction of a ‘Facilitation Act’ and the establishment of an ‘Infrastructure Tribunal’ aimed at promptly resolving delays and disputes in major projects and preventing their recurrence. These issues, particularly prevalent in nationally significant projects, have been causing hardships for the general public. Excessive costs and their impact on revenue represent another serious concern. Ashish Gajurel, Chairman of the Parliamentary Infrastructure Development Committee, stated that plans are underway to implement such a “sunset law” within the next 10 years. “The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has set a target of 7 percent economic growth over five years, which cannot be achieved without rapid infrastructure development or significant capital expenditure,” Gajurel noted. “Once this law is enacted, other obstructive legislations will be rendered ineffective, allowing infrastructure work to progress swiftly.”

The draft of the ‘Development Project Management and Implementation Facilitation Act,’ currently under discussion, was prepared by a committee led by Arjun Jung Thapa at the National Planning Commission of Nepal. Finalized in 2080 BS, the draft received inputs from representatives of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office, relevant ministries, and the Public Procurement Monitoring Office. “Existing laws related to forests, environment, procurement, and trusts are adequate. Only certain provisions complicate development and construction. The government has already made improvements in these areas,” explained Planning Commission member Thapa.

“This legislation will address practical issues such as delays in decision-making, slow approvals, unavailability of stone and gravel, tree felling procedures, and delays in environmental impact assessments.” Director committees led by the Prime Minister have been formed. If any agency fails to complete work within the stipulated timeframe, these committees will have the authority to grant approvals accompanied by penalties and sanctions. According to Thapa, once enacted, such matters will rarely need escalation to the Prime Minister. Currently, three projects approved by the Ministry of Forests in Langtang National Park have been halted without clear reasons.

Spokesperson Ramhari Pokharel emphasized the necessity of establishing an Infrastructure Tribunal, citing that cases related to development and construction suffer from slow resolution due to the convoluted process in regular courts. “The involvement of expert judges will ensure faster and more accurate dispute resolution,” he stated. Timely resolution of contract disputes will prevent project delays, he added. Gajurel highlighted, “When major infrastructure issues are handled through regular courts, processes become cumbersome and obstructive.”

“The tribunal will comprehensively address problems related to river-related matters, cost escalation, deadline extensions, and forest-related issues,” he concluded.

May 23, Kathmandu – The satirical online movement ‘Cockroach People’s Party’ is preparing to stage a protest today at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The party has announced it will conduct a peaceful demonstration against the Education Minister. Permission for the protest has already been granted.

The party’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, returned to India from the United States last Friday. Dipke, a 30-year-old graduate of Boston University, came to India to support the online movement. Previously, he collaborated with the Aam Aadmi Party as a political communication strategist. He ironically founded the ‘Cockroach People’s Party’ (CPP) on May 16. The CPP has expanded its online activities in a style similar to that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This campaign began after Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Surya Kant, referred to critical youths as ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites’ in a controversial comment. However, it was later suggested that his remarks were taken out of context.

The CPP has rapidly gained widespread popularity on social media. Its Instagram account boasts over 22 million followers in India, surpassing the BJP’s 9 million and the Congress party’s 13 million followers. Dipke has been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations of examination irregularities. He has expressed confidence in the legal process via X and urged supporters not to gather in Delhi.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk from Ladakh is also set to participate in Saturday’s protest. Despite stringent monitoring of social media in India and the blocking of some CPP accounts, the party’s popularity continues to grow.

Imagine attending a dinner party where the hosts themselves are embroiled in conflicts. Fans coming to watch the first-ever jointly hosted football World Cup in North America will face three neighboring countries that have long-standing tensions. The competition will take place across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In December, leaders from these three nations met in Washington, D.C., where they were seen taking selfies with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in an effort to put aside their differences. However, ensuring cooperation throughout the 39-day tournament will present a unique challenge.

US President Donald Trump has claimed dominance for his country in North America. This implies that if Trump returns to power, underlying tensions concerning trade, immigration, and drug trafficking could resurface. On the other hand, if managed effectively, there is potential for closer relations among the three nations. While tensions exist in trade and tourism, Trump has remained firm in regarding Mexico and Canada as America’s primary trading partners, and these two countries are the first to face added tariffs.

No World Cup in history has ever been jointly hosted by three nations. The 2026 tournament will be truly continental, involving multiple entities. One major challenge will be organizing immigration controls as fans travel from one country to another, a concern already raised by many officials. Heightened security worries, exacerbated by tensions with Iran, could lead to complications, turning what seem like routine events into controversial incidents.

Each leader aims to showcase cooperation with their neighbors and boost their domestic standing by minimizing criticism during the event. In Mexico, uncertainty and frustration surrounding the preparations persist. Concerns have been raised about the readiness of the capital’s main airport, pressure on public transportation, and issues related to the renovated Azteca Stadium. Furthermore, a nationwide teachers’ union protest demanding pension and other benefits is underway, risking blockades along critical routes to the games.

The outlook for these three countries may extend beyond the World Cup. Analysts suggest that if the tournament is successfully managed, it may pave the way for positive outcomes in other areas as well. The three nations are currently facing a challenging review phase of the USMCA, the North American free trade agreement. This review has cast uncertainty over a trade partnership that has existed since 1994.

Expelled from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), leader Dhawal Shamsher Rana has decided to collaborate with Durga Prasai to form a new political party. While many are curious about the future of this new formation, Rana remains cautious, stating, “We cannot predict what will happen. We will remain loyal and honest toward the people, the country, and our cause.”
Leader Rana concluded that advancing the cause of monarchy restoration was not feasible within RPP due to the leadership style, which he identified as the main obstacle. Responding to this, RPP Chairman Rajendra Lingden accused Rana of working with individuals lacking party affiliation to undermine the movement for monarchy restoration.
Lingden’s criticism pointed to the violent incident in Kathmandu’s Tinkune on Chaitra 15, 2081 BS (circa April 1995), which resulted in two deaths. Following the monarchist demonstrations, the government arrested Rana, Prasai, and Rabindra Mishra on serious charges. Rana and Prasai are now progressing toward establishing their new political party. According to former Deputy Chairman Mukunda Shyam Giri, due to poor leadership styles, “there is now a situation where leadership with principled thinking and survival-focused mindset must form a new party.”
Youth leader Ranjan Karki states that Rana will serve as party chairman and Prasai as senior leader. Currently, Walendra Shah ‘Balen,’ now prime minister, is collaborating with RASWPA Chairman Ravi Lamichhane as a senior leader ahead of the upcoming elections. Karki adds, “RPP was understood as a legacy of former Panchayat leaders; we are restructuring it. We are building a technology-friendly party with 60 percent participation of youth and women at all levels.”
Could This New Party Become an Alternative to RASWPA? When RASWPA was formed, its leadership appeared distinct from the veteran politicians of parties like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN. The party’s structure incorporated diversity in business expertise, age, and regional representation. Does the new party led by Rana and Prasai aim to present a fresh face for monarchists similar to RASWPA?
Mukunda Shyam Giri believes RASWPA had aspirations to advance the country but fell short of its goals, highlighting the need for an alternative political force. However, they are prepared to embrace many changes. Youth leader Karki notes there is a void within right-wing political forces that their new party intends to fill, positioning themselves as a monarchist party reflecting aspects of RASWPA. “RASWPA is a strong republican party, but we are building a national right-wing party that will challenge it,” he says.
“Our goal is to protect religion, culture, and history while promoting the rise of both monarchy and democracy,” says Rana. “We will give our maximum effort; if the Nepali people support us, the future will be bright, otherwise it is inevitable.” According to RPP leader Rajaram Bartola, Rana is clean but appears to lack political stability. Bartola expresses concerns about the longevity and organization of the partnership with Durga Prasai, noting that fluctuations in their relationship carry significant implications.
He does not dismiss the possibility that the new party could have a substantial impact within the monarchist and Hindu votebank. “People are looking for a new flavor, but it depends on how much they can win hearts,” he says. “Durga Prasai enjoys a form of popularity, and efforts to transform that into effective political power are not necessarily wrong.”