Author: space4knews

April 18, Kathmandu – A former office bearers meeting was held at the residence of outgoing acting Nepali Congress chairman, Purna Bahadur Khadka, in Golphutar to decide on the resolution of party disputes. Following the meeting, leader Min Bahadur Bishwakarma from the Sher Bahadur Deuba faction informed reporters that although there are various disagreements regarding the Supreme Court verdict on the party dispute resolution, his faction has agreed to accept the decision.

“The Nepali Congress consistently respects the rule of law and, in accordance with the principle of separation of powers, upholds and accepts the orders and decisions of an independent judiciary,” Bishwakarma stated.

“Following this tradition, despite significant dissatisfaction from senior leaders and complainants within our party, who find the verdict contradictory and controversial, we discussed and agreed to accept the decision today,” he added. He clarified that the meeting today was an informal gathering and dialogue rather than a formal assembly. “The discussion focused on how to unite the party moving forward. Various meetings will continue to be held, gathering suggestions and advice from members and officials from different parts of the country until a conclusive outcome is reached,” he explained.

Bishwakarma noted that before the verdict, Purna Bahadur Khadka held the position of acting chairman, and that from yesterday, he became the outgoing acting chairman. “He attended the court as acting chairman. During the review of the case, he held the acting chairman position,” he clarified. He also affirmed that, following acceptance of the court’s decision, no parallel activities will take place under the acting chairman’s designation.

“We have accepted this decision. The legal and statutory matter is now settled. The political matter pertains to party unity,” he emphasized.

He expressed ongoing concerns about party unity. “Not just us, all factions must now focus on how to progress the party,” he said. Bishwakarma also mentioned that Bimalendra Nidhi has not refused to accept the verdict. “He acknowledges the need to respect the decision but has expressed that some flawed aspects of the decision are unacceptable,” Bishwakarma added.

Despite various disagreements with the court’s verdict, Bishwakarma affirmed his faction’s commitment to respecting the orders of the independent judiciary. He also mentioned that discussions at Khadka’s residence covered the essential responsibilities for party unity now resting with Chairman Gagan Thapa.

Stag Champions Table Tennis Academy honored the athletes who won medals at the ITTF ATTU South Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship. The academy recognized Nischal Thapa and Surmya Shakya with cash prizes, smartwatches, and certificates. The event took place on April 18 in Kathmandu.

On Saturday, Stag Champions Table Tennis Academy celebrated the achievements of Nischal and Surmya, who represented Nepal and secured medals at the championship. The awards were presented by former Vice President of the All Nepal Table Tennis Association Govardhan Shrestha, Suman Khadgi, and Shankar Gautam, Vice President of the Asian Table Tennis Union. Coach Rakesh Maharjan was also honored on this occasion.

The competition was held in Shimla, India, from April 8 to 11. Nepal participated in the U-15 boys’ and girls’ teams and the U-19 girls’ doubles events. Nepal secured a total of three silver and seven bronze medals. Nischal won a silver medal in the U-15 boys’ doubles and a bronze in the U-15 boys’ team event, while Surmya earned silver in the U-15 girls’ doubles and bronze in the U-15 girls’ team event.

April 18, Kathmandu – The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has scheduled a secretariat meeting. Party Chairperson Ravi Lamichhane announced that the meeting will take place tomorrow, Sunday, at 3:30 PM at the party’s central office in Bansthali. This information was shared by spokesperson Manish. The meeting will focus on six main agenda items.

According to the spokesperson, the discussion will cover the district convention procedures, bank account management, central commissions, advisory council, appointments to the federal leadership forum and various departments, formation of a draft committee for the general convention procedures, calls for experts and plans, along with various other matters. Additionally, the agenda includes topics such as the organizational responsibilities of members of the House of Representatives, central committee meetings, technical support for the parliamentary party, and discussions related to lobbying efforts.

April 18, Kathmandu – Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their third victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament. In the match played on Saturday night, Hyderabad defeated Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs. Chasing a target of 195 runs set by Hyderabad, Chennai managed only 184 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their full 20 overs. Matthew Short was the top scorer with 34 runs.

April 18, Kathmandu – The National Janji Citizens’ Movement has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government and Nepal Oil Corporation to reduce fuel prices. During a press conference held at Sambad Dabali in the capital on Saturday, the organization warned that if prices do not decrease within 24 hours, they will surround the Oil Corporation’s offices.

“The new leaders, who promised to free the people from the clutches of the old guard, are instead burdening the public with inflation,” said Sunil Singh, coordinator of the movement. “Is this the gift of the two-thirds majority? If the government ignores the people’s voice, we will struggle to end the existence of the Oil Corporation.”

Ajay Sodari, co-coordinator of the movement, expressed outrage over the excessive increase in petroleum prices in Nepal while neighboring countries have kept prices stable. “While petrol costs 95 rupees in India, the price in Nepal is 219 rupees, which is disgraceful,” Sodari stated. She accused the government of imposing even more inflation on the public by misleading them about a supposed 50 percent tax exemption. “No one should be spared from surrounding the government and Nepal Oil Corporation that are pretending to offer tax relief,” she asserted.

She also expressed strong frustration that despite rising inflation driven by government policies, there has been widespread silence instead of vociferous protests. “Prices are going up, and it seems like there is a silent period between this government and the people; yet everyone remains quiet,” she said.

Janji activist Prakash Bam criticized the government led by Balendra Shah, which emerged from the Janji movement, for ruling in an authoritarian manner and restricting common people from accessing Singha Durbar, displaying his anger over the issue.

May 18, Surkhet – A vehicle carrying a funeral procession met with an accident in Puthala, Banagad Kupinde Municipality, Salyan, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The jeep, bearing the license plate number Lu. Pra. 01001 Ja 0271, was traveling from Ward No. 8 of the same municipality toward Laxmipur, Kalimati, when the accident occurred. The deceased have been identified as Topbahadur Thapa, 50, from Kupinde Municipality-8, 50-year-old Thage Gharti, and 29-year-old Karnbahadur Pun, according to Inspector Devaraj Bhattarai of the District Police Office, Salyan.

According to Ward Chairman Kulbahadur Puri from Ward No. 8, 18 passengers were on board the jeep. Among them, 15 sustained injuries. The injured were rescued and transported to Mehelkuna Hospital in Surkhet for treatment. The list of injured includes Manbahadur Thapa, 30; Ammarsingh Kanwar, 64; Dammar Gharti, 27; Janak Thapa, 30; Bhupendra Kanwar, 49; Bhulbahadur Thapa, 30; Jugasingh Pun, 56; Ammar Pun, 38; Narsingh Thapa, 28; Prembahadur Gharti, 25; Narbahadur Thapa, 25; Karnbahadur Thapa, 38; Lal B. Gharti, 45; Tilak Thapa, 15; and the driver, Kulbahadur Rana, 38.

April 18, Surkhet – Karnali Province Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel has suggested that the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of local levels should be placed under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. In an interview on Saturday, Chief Minister Kandel emphasized that the federal government should delegate the responsibility of appointing and managing the local level CAOs to the provincial government.

“Currently, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration deploys Chief Administrative Officers at the local level. This system creates challenges in coordination, cooperation, and implementation between the different levels of government. Therefore, it is necessary to amend this arrangement to resolve the issues,” he said. He proposed that while the Ministry should technically assign CAOs collectively to the provinces, the office of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers should manage vacant positions at the local level within their province.

Chief Minister Kandel highlighted the urgency of finalizing the division of powers swiftly to fully implement federalism as envisioned by the Constitution. “The Constitution sets the relationship among the federal, provincial, and local governments on principles of cooperation, coexistence, and coordination. It clearly defines shared and exclusive powers of each government level to avoid interference and confusion,” he added.

Furthermore, he clarified that the Province and local levels have the authority to legislate and implement laws within their exclusive powers, as long as these laws do not conflict with the Constitution and federal laws. “Hence, when the Province or local governments enact laws or policies within their exclusive rights, there should be no interference from the federal government,” he affirmed.

The 6th Mr. Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship, organized by the Nepal Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, is scheduled to take place in the third week of Bhadra at the Dashrath Rangashala Covered Hall. The competition will feature seven weight categories ranging from 55 to over 80 kg, including a newly added 80+ kg group. The overall winner will be awarded the Mr. Kathmandu title along with NPR 500,000 in cash, a medal, a trophy, and a banner, according to the organizers.
Kathmandu, 5 Baisakh – Under the patronage of the Nepal Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and organized by the Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Fitness Association, the 6th Mr. Kathmandu Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship 2073 is set to be held in the third week of Bhadra. The competition, adopting the motto “Health is Wealth,” will take place on Bhadra 19 and 20 (September 4 and 5, 2016) at the Dashrath Rangashala Covered Hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, organizers announced at a press conference on Saturday.
This national-level event will include competitions for Mr. Kathmandu Bodybuilding, Master Mr. Kathmandu, Junior Mr. Kathmandu, Men’s Athletic Physique, Women’s Athletic Physique, and Men’s Sports Physique categories. Since its inception in 2073 BS (2016 AD), five editions of Mr. Kathmandu have been conducted successfully. To encompass bodybuilding athletes across Nepal and to enhance the competition’s appeal, the 6th edition will be held with refined arrangements at the national level, the organizers said.
The bodybuilding contest will be held across seven weight classes: 55 kg, 60 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 80 kg, and 80+ kg. Previously, weight categories only went up to 75 kg, but this year the addition of the 80+ kg group aims to make the competition more organized and competitive.
The Junior Mr. Kathmandu category is open to athletes who have not yet reached the age of 21 by the end of Chaitra 2082 BS (mid-April 2026), while the Master Mr. Kathmandu category is for athletes aged 40 and above. Female competitors will participate in the Women’s Athletic Physique open height class.
Under the Men’s Sports Physique category, competitions will be held in two height divisions based on international standards: one for athletes up to 170 cm tall and another for those above 170 cm.
The two-day event will start with measurements of weight and height on the first day. Prize money will be awarded as follows: second and third place in each weight category will receive NPR 20,000 and NPR 10,000 respectively. The winner of each weight group, upon competing in the overall championship, will receive NPR 40,000, a medal, and a certificate.
The overall winner will be honored with the Mr. Kathmandu title along with NPR 500,000 cash, a medal, trophy, and a banner. In the women’s competition, the top five finalists will compete for the overall title, with the winner receiving NPR 50,000, a medal, a trophy, and a banner. The runner-up and third place will be awarded NPR 30,000 and NPR 20,000 respectively, along with medals, while the fourth and fifth place participants will receive medals and certificates.
Similar prize structures apply for Master Mr. Kathmandu, Junior Mr. Kathmandu, Men’s Athletic Physique, and Men’s Sports Physique finalists, with the champion receiving NPR 50,000, medal, trophy, and banner, the runner-up and third-place winners receiving NPR 20,000 and NPR 10,000 respectively, plus medals, and the fourth and fifth places awarded medals and certificates.
The estimated budget for conducting this event is approximately NPR 5 million, the organizers said.
They also expressed confidence that bodybuilding helps athletes develop healthy, attractive, and strong bodies, while enabling them to showcase their artistic and skillful physical performances in competitive sports.

5 Baishakh, Janakpurdham – In Jaleshwor, Mahottari, two people have died and three others were seriously injured when a large tree fell onto a tempo due to strong winds on Saturday evening. The incident occurred in front of the Prakauli Army Camp in Jaleshwor. According to the District Police Office Mahottari, two individuals died instantly after being trapped beneath the fallen tree.

The injured were immediately rescued by the Nepal Army and taken to the Provincial Hospital in Janakpurdham, District Police Spokesperson DSP Shailendra Bhatt reported. The deceased have been identified as 41-year-old Sakuntala Devi from Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-20, Dhanusha, and 33-year-old Rahul Malik from Ekdara Rural Municipality-3, Mahottari. Their bodies have been kept at the Provincial Hospital Jaleshwor.

The injured individuals include the tempo driver, 52-year-old Harendra Thakur from Jaleshwor Municipality-11, 43-year-old Feknidevi Malik, wife of Tapeshwar Malik from Ekdara Rural Municipality-3, 17-year-old Dhiraj Malik from Janakpurdham-12, and 14-year-old Riya Pandit from Janakpurdham-20. Among them, one person’s condition is reported to be stable.