Daily Khabar

 Kathmandu, July 16 — The foundation stone for the Arun Multipurpose Foundation Building in Arun Rural Municipality, Bhojpur, was laid on Tuesday. The ceremony was jointly led by Arun Rural Municipality Chairperson Shalikram Khatri and Avinash Kumar Singh, Counsellor at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Local leaders, officials, and community members also attended the event. The three-storey building is being built with financial support from the Government of India under the Nepal-India Development Cooperation initiative, with a budget of Rs 31.88 million. It will include classrooms, a teachers’ room, a meeting room, a program hall, separate toilets for boys and girls, and other essential facilities. The project is classified as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) and will be managed by Arun Rural Municipality. Local representatives thanked the Indian government for its ongoing support, saying the building will help improve educational and cultural infrastructure ...

  Mustang, July 16 — The Kagbeni-Korala section of the Jomsom-Korala road, a national pride project connecting northern and southern Mustang, has been blocked by a landslide following heavy rainfall last night. According to the District Police Office, the landslide occurred early this morning in the Manebhir area, about 200 meters north of Kagkhola in Kagbeni. Large rocks and debris fell onto the road, making it impassable. Deputy Superintendent of Police Chhiring Kippa Lama said that bulldozers and personnel have been deployed to clear the road. However, the presence of large boulders means it may take some time before the road is fully reopened. For now, efforts are being made to allow at least motorcycles and light vehicles to pass. As a result of the blockage, all vehicular movement to Upper Mustang has been halted. Meanwhile, due to last night's rain, the water level in the Kali Gandaki River has risen significantly. The District Administration Office has urged residents ...

  Surkhet, July 16 — Police in Surkhet have arrested five people and seized a large amount of opium and fake currency. The arrests were made public by the District Police Office in Birendranagar on Tuesday. Those arrested include 22-year-old Dilmaya Singh Thakuri from Kushe Rural Municipality-5, Jajarkot, her brother Ram Bahadur Singh (33), and Krishna Bahadur Wali (35) from Kushe-7. SP Sudhir Raj Shahi, head of the Surkhet police, confirmed their identities. Also arrested were 38-year-old Prem Bahadur BK from Bheriganga Municipality-12, Surkhet, and Man Bahadur Sahakari from Naraharinath Rural Municipality-4, Kalikot. Sahakari currently runs a media company named Janagarjan Media Pvt. Ltd in Banke’s Kohalpur Municipality-11, New Road. Police recovered counterfeit currency worth Rs 1.3 million and opium valued at around Rs 9 million. The preliminary investigation revealed that the group had already exchanged about Rs 200,000 in fake currency for real money, which was mostly us...

  Karnali, July 16 Surkhet police have arrested five people with a large amount of opium and fake currency. The suspects were presented to the public in Birendranagar on Tuesday by the District Police Office, Surkhet. Those arrested include 22-year-old Dilmaya Singh Thakuri from Jajarkot, her brother Ram Bahadur Singh (33), and Krishna Bahadur Wali (35), also from Jajarkot. Prem Bahadur BK (38) from Surkhet and Man Bahadur Sahakari from Kalikot—who runs a media company in Kohalpur, Banke—were also taken into custody. Police seized 30 kg of opium worth around Rs 9 million and counterfeit currency worth Rs 1.3 million. According to the initial investigation, the group had already exchanged about Rs 200,000 of fake notes for real ones, mainly paying local traders in Surkhet and Jajarkot while buying opium.

  Chitwan, July 16 A five-year-old girl named Anjana, daughter of Bikas Magar, died after falling into a septic tank at Bharatpur Hospital. Bikas Magar works at the hospital. The accident happened on Tuesday afternoon while Anjana was playing near the hospital. She was quickly rescued and taken to the hospital, but sadly, she was declared dead that evening.

London, July 16 The new British premium airline, Himalaya Jet, has announced it will sponsor two of the biggest annual events for the Nepali community in the UK — the Gurkha Cup and Nepali Mela — for the next 10 years as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. These events are organized by Tamu Dhee UK together with the Embassy of Nepal. Himalaya Jet also revealed that direct flights between Nepal and major cities like Sydney and Perth in Australia, as well as European cities such as Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Lisbon, and London, are almost ready to launch. These historic first flights are planned to start in Autumn 2025. Calling the airline “patriotic,” Himalaya Jet said this achievement comes after years of hard work, careful planning, and following rules across several countries. The airline also aims to connect famous casino cities like Las Vegas and Macau to Monte Carlo by 2027 or 2028, offering luxury first and business-class services for travelers. At a special...

Kathmandu, July 16 Over 100 high school students from all Australian states and territories gathered in Sydney for the 2026 National Leadership Camp — a four-day event designed to develop future leaders. Organized by the youth group Burn Bright, the camp invited students from Years 10 to 12 to take part in keynote speeches, outdoor team activities, and small-group mentoring focused on leadership, character, and resilience. For the first time, the 2026 camp included international students from Nepal and Indonesia, who joined Australian students to learn about leadership from different cultural viewpoints. “This camp helps young people discover their values and see that they can be leaders right now,” said Layton Fraser from the camp’s leadership team. A special part of the camp is its mentoring system, where each student is placed in a small group led by trained mentors to create a safe environment for personal growth. With over 90 guest speakers and more than 2,500 past participa...

 In the early 2000s, I watched two science-fiction movies that really stuck with me. The first was Artificial Intelligence (2001) by Steven Spielberg, based on a 1969 story called Supertoys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss. The second was I, Robot (2004), inspired by famous sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov’s stories and directed by Alex Proyas. Both movies made a big impact on me because they showed how quickly artificial intelligence (AI) might become part of our daily lives. The way they explored human intelligence and emotions felt ahead of their time. Now, the world is racing to create the latest and most advanced AI systems. While the context has changed since those stories, many of the issues they raised are becoming real. One problem that remains is gender bias—something those movies hinted at, and which is still very relevant today. Today, AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Claude are part of almost every area of life, both personal and pr...

  Kathmandu, July 16 Bhagawati Neupane, the newly appointed Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, took her oath of office and secrecy on Wednesday in front of President Ramchandra Paudel. The ceremony took place at the President’s office, Shital Niwas. Neupane was appointed to the ministerial position on Tuesday following a recommendation from Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The oath-taking event was attended by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Oli, National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal, other ministers, security chiefs, leaders of constitutional bodies, Chief Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal, and several political leaders. Before becoming a minister, Neupane worked as the Chief Whip of the CPN (UML) party in the National Assembly. She officially started her ministerial duties later that day at Singha Durbar.

Kathmandu, July 16 Mangalam Industries Limited (MIL) has received an investment of around Rs 380 million from Avasar Equity Diversified Fund, a private equity fund that supports fast-growing companies in Nepal. In a statement on Tuesday, MIL said this investment is an important step in its growth and shows that investors believe in the company’s vision and potential. The new funds will help MIL improve its operations, develop new products, and expand its market reach within Nepal and beyond. According to the statement, the money will be used to strengthen the company’s finances, make operations more efficient, and continue its focus on sustainability and quality. Abhinav Churiwal, CEO of Mangalam Industries, said, “We’re happy to have Avasar Equity Diversified Fund as a partner. This investment not only confirms our business approach but also motivates our employees, dealers, customers, and everyone involved in our success.” The company also said this partnership shows its dedicat...

  CAPE TOWN, July 16 — The United States has deported five immigrants — originally from Vietnam, Jamaica, Cuba, Yemen, and Laos — to Eswatini, a small African country where the king holds absolute power. Eswatini is now holding the men in detention facilities while working to send them back to their home countries. The country recently joined a small list of nations willing to take in deportees from the U.S. as a third-party destination. Here’s a quick look at Eswatini: Ruled by an Absolute Monarch Eswatini is Africa’s only absolute monarchy, meaning King Mswati III has full control over the government. He is not just a symbolic figure — he rules by decree and makes major decisions on his own. Mswati has been in power since 1986, when he took over at the age of 18 following the death of his father, King Sobhuza II. The 57-year-old king has been heavily criticized for his extravagant lifestyle in a country where poverty is widespread. He reportedly has 11 wives and owns luxury ...

Kathmandu, July 16 — Starting from Shrawan 1 (mid-July), Kathmandu’s Dharahara Tower will now be open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, including public holidays, extending its current hours of 10 AM to 4 PM. The change aims to give more people the chance to visit the historic site, according to Urban Development Ministry spokesperson Narayan Mainali. “Dharahara will now run in two shifts and remain open even on public holidays,” said Mainali. Previously, it was closed on public holidays and had Wednesday as its weekly off instead of Saturday. Rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake, the new Dharahara was officially opened to the public last year with an entry fee. Since then, over 237,000 visitors have generated Rs 43.39 million in revenue. The tower is currently managed by a special committee formed under a 2081 BS directive. New Business Tower in Damak to Open for Public A new 100-meter-tall business complex in Damak, Jhapa will also open from mid-July. The 18-story concrete building, topped w...

  KATHMANDU, JULY 16 — The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal has announced that it is withdrawing its support for the current government. The decision was made during a party meeting held today at its parliamentary office in Singha Durbar. In a statement issued after the meeting, the party said, "The government's failure to meet public expectations makes it unjustifiable to continue our support. We’ve therefore decided to step away and move to the opposition." The JSP accused the government of failing in key areas such as good governance, economic recovery, development, and proper implementation of federalism.

  Nepal’s E-Governance: Where We Stand, The Challenges, and What Needs to Be Done What is E-Governance? E-governance, or electronic governance, means using digital tools and technology to make government services faster, easier to access, and more efficient. In today’s digital world, this approach helps people access public services online and get involved in decision-making more directly. It also brings more transparency and accountability, as government actions and services become more visible and open to the public. Nepal’s Progress So Far In recent years, Nepal has made several efforts to improve e-governance. The government has introduced digital services, created policies, formed dedicated institutions, and publicly committed to using paperless systems and digital tools. The national budget for 2025/26 includes Rs. 7.4 billion specifically for building digital infrastructure, showing the government’s commitment to a digital future. However, turning this into reality req...

  Kathmandu, July 16 Aman Maharjan from Lalitpur has won a brand deal worth Rs 1 million after securing first place in the League of Creators competition, organized by Ncell in collaboration with Uptrendly. The nationwide contest aimed to discover and support emerging digital content creators from across Nepal. Prabha Shrestha from Kathmandu, known online as Mademoiselle Creator , took second place and received a brand deal worth Rs 500,000. Manish Ruchel from Baglung came in third with a Rs 250,000 deal, while Prashant Pandey from Butwal secured fourth place, winning the Uptrendly Pick award and a Rs 100,000 brand deal. The winners were announced during a grand finale event held last Friday in Kathmandu. Ncell said the competition was designed to empower Nepal’s new generation of digital storytellers. "We launched this initiative to identify and support talented creators from different parts of the country," said Umair Mohsin, Ncell’s Chief Commercial Officer. "We...

  Kathmandu, July 16 The Consulate-General of Nepal in Hong Kong held the Nepal Tourism Promotion Seminar 2025 on Tuesday to promote Nepal as a travel destination and better understand the interests of Hong Kong travelers. Professor Kaye Chon, Dean of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was the special guest at the event. He praised Nepal’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, while also emphasizing the importance of improving tourism infrastructure. A panel discussion titled "Harmonising Nepal Tourism Products to Hong Kong Tourists' Priorities" featured speakers including Prof. Catherine Cheung, Prof. Ada Lo, and Prof. Roshis Krishna Shrestha. The discussion covered tourist preferences, digital tools in tourism, and the need to diversify Nepal’s tourism offerings. Consul Satish Gurung moderated the session. Consul-General Dr. Bindeswar Prasad Lekhak spoke about the potential for growth in Nepal’s tourism sector and encou...

Kathmandu, July 16 The month of Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) is a special time in Nepal, both spiritually and seasonally. Marked by monsoon rains and deep religious meaning, Shrawan is considered the favorite month of Lord Shiva. Many devotees fast, perform rituals, and avoid eating meat and other restricted foods to seek his blessings. While the religious reasons for avoiding meat during Shrawan are widely known, experts say there are also scientific and health-based reasons behind the practice. Why is meat avoided during Shrawan? 1. Religious Significance In Hindu tradition, Shrawan is a holy month devoted to Lord Shiva. To maintain spiritual purity, many people follow strict diets and avoid meat, alcohol, and other stimulants. The focus is on simplicity, devotion, and self-discipline. 2. Slower Digestion During Monsoon The high humidity and cooler temperatures during monsoon slow down the body’s metabolism. This makes digestion less efficient, and heavy foods like meat be...

Mustang, July 15 A new Bailey bridge has been built over the Kaligandaki River in Mustang, connecting Wards 1 and 2 of Gharapjhong Rural Municipality. The project was completed at a total cost of Rs 28.7 million. Out of the total budget, Rs 19.7 million came from the federal government through special grants, while the remaining Rs 9 million was provided by the local government. According to sub-engineer Rajan Kandel, the 42-meter-long and 4.2-meter-wide bridge took two years to complete. Ward 1 Chair Aash Bahadur Thakali said the bridge has made transportation much easier, especially benefiting residents of Chhairo and Chimang villages in Gharapjhong.

Kathmandu, July 15 Lawmakers have called for a thorough investigation into the recent ‘visit visa’ scam and an audio tape scandal involving a minister, demanding that those responsible be held accountable. As soon as Speaker Devraj Ghimire opened today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, members of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) stood up and began protesting. The Speaker then allowed RSP lawmaker Shiva Nepali to speak on behalf of his party. Nepali urged the government to act on a report published on January 25, 2022, by a team led by former Home Minister Balkrishna Khand. The report had recommended an investigation into human trafficking linked to the Department of Immigration. RPP MP Gyan Bahadur Shahi said ministers involved in such scandals should resign, warning that the issues won’t be resolved otherwise. He stressed that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) should take action following the releas...

 Few things in life surprise and delight as much as using a Japanese toilet for the first time. Picture this: a tired, jet-lagged traveler stumbles off a plane at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, dreading the usual grim airport bathroom. But instead of a cold, basic stall, they find a sparkling clean toilet with a warm seat, a panel full of buttons, and—most unexpectedly—a gentle stream of warm water that cleans with surprising care. At that moment, many visitors realize: Japan takes toilets to a whole new level. This isn't just about fancy gadgets (though the Japanese do love those). It's deeply tied to a cultural value: cleanliness. In Japan, being clean isn't just a habit—it's spiritual. In Shintoism, Japan's native religion, purification is a sacred act. Even centuries ago, when toilets were just holes in the ground, there was a sense of mindfulness and ritual to using them. For many years, Japanese toilets were simple squat models that required balance and strong legs...

  DHAKA, July 15 — A year after a student-led uprising ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ended her 15-year rule, Bangladesh finds itself stuck in political chaos, deepening religious divides, and worsening law and order. Hasina fled to India following the unrest, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead a temporary government with promises of reform and a return to democracy. Yunus pledged to hold fair elections, fix the electoral system, and calm the streets after weeks of deadly protests that began on July 15, 2024. But one year on, his government is facing major hurdles and growing criticism. A Divided Political Landscape The student protesters formed a new political party aimed at breaking the dominance of the two major political groups: Hasina’s Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). However, critics say this new party is too close to Yunus’s administration and is using state institutions for political gain. At the s...

KINGSTON, July 15 – Australia’s fast bowlers tore through the West Indies batting lineup in spectacular fashion on Monday, dismissing them for just 27 runs — the second-lowest total in Test cricket history — and sealing a 176-run win in the third Test at Sabina Park. With the victory, Australia completed a 3–0 series sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy. Mitchell Starc was the star of the show, taking 6 wickets for just 9 runs, including a fiery opening spell that saw him grab 3 wickets in the very first over — a triple-wicket maiden. It was the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history and marked Starc’s 15th five-wicket haul in Tests. He also celebrated two major milestones: 400 Test wickets in his 100th Test match. “I felt everything was in rhythm today. It’s been a great few days, and I’m going home smiling,” said Starc. Scott Boland added to the West Indies’ nightmare by taking a hat-trick — the 10th in Australian Test history and the first in 15 years — finishing with 3 wickets fo...

KATHMANDU, July 15 — Authorities have announced a 12-hour nightly restriction on vehicle movement along the Kavrepalanchowk section of the BP Highway starting July 17, due to increased risks of landslides and floods during the monsoon season. The decision, made by the District Security Committee during a meeting at the District Administration Office in Dhulikhel, will ban traffic from 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM for one month. The affected stretch runs from Kavrebhanjyang to Nepalthok, near the Sindhuli border. This move follows earlier restrictions, enforced jointly by the District Security Committees of Kavrepalanchowk, Ramechhap, and Sindhuli, which had limited travel on the highway from 6:30 PM to 6:00 AM between June 21 and July 16. Chief District Officer Umesh Dahakal said vehicles heading from Kathmandu will be stopped at Kavrebhanjyang, while those going towards the capital will be held at Nepalthok, as a safety measure to prevent accidents and ensure public safety during heavy monso...

 Kathmandu, July 15 — Authorities have uncovered a disturbing case in Kathmandu where underage girls were lured with money and used for illegal ovum (egg cell) extraction, under the false promise of helping childless couples. An investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau found that girls under 18 were offered small sums—around Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000—to donate their ovum. Middlemen bringing the girls in were paid up to Rs 35,000. “These clinics claimed they were helping infertile couples, but behind the scenes, they were harvesting egg cells from teenage girls for profit,” said CIB Director Chandra Kuber Khapung. Police arrested five people linked to Hope Fertility and Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu. However, legal proceedings became complicated. Since ovum is considered cells and not organs under Nepali law, the case didn’t fall under organ trafficking. It was initially handled by the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau but later t...

KATHMANDU, July 15 — Police in Surkhet have seized a large amount of opium and fake currency, arresting five people in connection with the case. The suspects were presented to the media on Tuesday in Birendranagar by the District Police Office. According to Superintendent of Police Sudhir Raj Shahi, the arrested individuals include 22-year-old Dilmaya Singh Thakuri and her brother Ram Bahadur Singh, 33, from Kushe Rural Municipality in Jajarkot, as well as Krishna Bahadur Wali, 35, from the same area. Also arrested were Prem Bahadur BK, 38, from Bheriganga Municipality in Surkhet, and Man Bahadur Sahakari from Kalikot, who currently runs Janagarjan Media Pvt. Ltd. in Kohalpur, Banke. Police recovered fake currency worth Rs 1.3 million and opium valued at around Rs 9 million. Investigations suggest the group used about Rs 200,000 in counterfeit notes to pay local traders in Surkhet and Jajarkot while purchasing the illegal drugs.

 Kathmandu, July 15 — Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced a reduction in fuel prices, which will take effect from midnight. Petrol prices have been cut by Rs 5 per litre, while diesel and kerosene have gone down by Rs 1 per litre. With the new rates, diesel and kerosene will now cost Rs 145.50, Rs 147, and Rs 148 per litre for the first, second, and third consumer categories. Similarly, petrol will be priced at Rs 157.50, Rs 159, and Rs 160 per litre for those same categories. NOC said the adjustment was made after receiving updated rates from its supplier, Indian Oil Corporation, earlier today.

 Do we believe in leadership in Nepal? Sure—but only the kind where one person says “jump” and everyone else rushes to ask “how high.” If that’s leadership, then Nepal might as well be the world capital of blind obedience. Take our recent political drama. The main opposition party stormed into Parliament, shouting about corruption and demanding a minister’s resignation over a visa scam. It looked like a serious stand for justice. But just when the public started hoping for real accountability, those same opposition leaders did a complete U-turn. Days later, they signed a deal with the very people they had been accusing, all in the name of "smooth parliamentary function." Suddenly, the corrupt became cooperative. What changed? Nothing—except the leader’s decision. And when the leader changes direction, the rest follow without question. No protest, no pushback. Logic takes a back seat the moment the top boss speaks. And believe it or not, things got even more ridiculous. The...

  SEOUL, JULY 13 — Russia’s foreign minister has warned the U.S., South Korea, and Japan not to form a security alliance aimed at North Korea. He made these remarks during a visit to North Korea, where he met with the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, to discuss strengthening their military and other cooperation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke on Saturday in Wonsan, a city on North Korea’s east coast. He brought greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin. During their meeting, Kim Jong Un confirmed his government’s full support for Russia’s actions in the conflict with Ukraine. According to North Korea’s official news agency, Kim said that Pyongyang and Moscow share the same views on major strategic issues, reflecting the strength of their alliance. Lavrov called for even closer cooperation between the two countries in military and international matters. Relations between Russia and North Korea have grown stronger in recent years. North Korea has reportedly sent...

  KATHMANDU, JULY 14 — A 14-member high-level team from Nepal is visiting Israel from July 12 to 18. They were invited by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take part in Muni Expo 2025, a major event organized by Israel’s Federation of Local Governments. This is the first time senior officials from Nepal’s Ministry of Urban Development, the National Planning Commission, and several mayors are attending the event, which focuses on new ideas for city development and how to make cities stronger and more resilient. According to a statement from the Israeli Embassy in Kathmandu, Muni Expo 2025 will be held from July 15 to 17 under the theme “Local Compass.” The event brings together city leaders and policymakers from around the world. This year, key topics include how to handle crises, cooperation between local and national governments, and fighting antisemitism. The Nepali team will meet with over 150 Israeli and international companies and startups to learn about innovative urb...

Kathmandu, July 14 About 59 percent of this season’s paddy planting has been completed across Nepal, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development . As of July 13, rice has been planted on 816,405 hectares , which is around 8 percent less than the same time last year, when planting had reached 67 percent . Sudurpaschim Province is leading the way, having completed 93 percent of its target, followed by Karnali with 83 percent and Lumbini with 73 percent . Despite the delay, officials are hopeful. Plantation is still in progress and is expected to reach around 98 percent by mid-August . Ministry spokesperson Mahananda Joshi highlighted that the Terai region produces about 70 percent of the country’s rice, while the hilly areas contribute the remaining 30 percent . In the last fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/24) , Nepal produced 5.724 million metric tonnes of rice. On average, 1.4 million hectares of land are used for paddy farming each year. Although weathe...

  Kathmandu, July 11 Despite its ongoing "Feed the Nation" campaign, the Madhes Province government has declared the region drought-hit, as the monsoon rains continue to delay. The decision was made in a cabinet meeting on Thursday, citing a worsening water crisis across the province. Madhes provincial lawmaker Chandan Singh said the situation is serious, especially in districts like Bara and Parsa , where water shortages are affecting both households and farmlands. “We're in the middle of monsoon season, but there’s been no rain,” he said. “We’ve asked the central government for help, but a key issue we must confront is the environmental damage caused by the overuse of the Chure region , which has reduced water availability in the Tarai.” Only 30% of paddy planting has been completed in Madhes this season — far lower than the usual 70% by this time — and drinking water shortages are adding to the crisis. Dr. Sohan Sha , Vice-Chair of the Madhes Province Policy and P...

  Kathmandu, July 14 English teachers and education professionals from Nepal and across South Asia are invited to take part in the South Asia TeachingEnglish Online Conference 2025 , a free three-day virtual event hosted by the British Council from July 17 to 19 . The conference, themed "Supporting Teachers' Professional Development," will feature nine expert-led sessions and three panel discussions , offering practical tools for primary and secondary teachers. Topics include inclusive teaching methods, integrating 21st-century skills like critical thinking and global citizenship, and using digital technology and AI in the classroom. Speakers from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the UK, and Greece will share their experiences and strategies tailored to the challenges faced by South Asian educators. Sarah Rogerson , Director of English and School Education at the British Council South Asia, said true innovation comes not just from new tools, but from ...

Kathmandu, July 14 The Om Vedic Foundation was officially launched in Kathmandu on Saturday with a grand ceremony focused on promoting a spiritual way of life and building a balanced society. The Foundation aims to combine Vedic knowledge, Sanatan philosophy, modern science, and technology to create a global spiritual economy rooted in Vedic science. The Foundation also plans to establish a world-class education and research center in Nepal to encourage social change and overall well-being through Vedic education. During the event, CEO Devaraj Gautam explained the Foundation’s goals and talked about the scientific aspects of astrology, sound healing, and natural therapies, highlighting astrology's role in making everyday life easier. Dr. R.M. introduced the Om Vedic Wellness Programme, which focuses on holistic healing based on Vedic traditions. Dr. Lokaraj Paudel, President of the World Astro Federation Nepal, spoke about the importance of water, energy, and elemental balance i...

Chitwan, July 14 A total of 17,500 orange saplings have been distributed to farmers in Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, Chitwan. The saplings were provided to farmers in wards 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 under a program to promote orange farming. According to Section Officer Samikshya Paudel, 2,000 colony plants and 15,000 seed plants were handed out. The goal is to expand orange cultivation and create a model orange orchard in the area. She also mentioned that the provincial government supported this program, which has led to an increase in orange farming. The total area used for orange cultivation has grown from 85 hectares to 90 hectares.

  Kathmandu, July 14 — PM Oli Says Economy Improving, Development Gaining Momentum Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Nepal's economy is showing positive signs and development projects are picking up pace as his government nears the completion of its first year in office. In a message shared on social media, Oli stated, "We are about to complete one year in government. During this time, economic indicators have turned positive, and national development projects have taken pace." He also mentioned that with changes in laws, the use of online systems for government work has been increasing. However, he acknowledged that there is still much work to be done and assured that the government remains focused on continuing its efforts.

Kathmandu, July 14 — Silver Price Hits Record High in Nepal The price of silver in Nepal has crossed Rs 2,300 per tola for the first time, reaching an all-time high. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, silver was priced at Rs 2,315 per tola on Monday — up by Rs 30 from the previous day. Gold prices also rose, increasing by Rs 400 per tola. The price of gold is now set at Rs 193,300 per tola, up from Rs 192,900 on Sunday.

  Kathmandu, July 14 — The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) index dropped by 35.09 points (1.27%) on Monday, closing at 2,725.71. This comes a day after a 1.06% gain on Sunday. Most sectors ended in the red. The Float Index, which tracks actively traded stocks, fell by 1.42%, and the Sensitive Index, which measures performance of class 'A' companies, dropped by 1.40%. Only the Hydropower sector saw a slight increase of 0.15%, while the Banking sector recorded the biggest loss at 2.46%. Trading volume also declined sharply. Total daily turnover fell to Rs 8.17 billion, down from Rs 11.41 billion the previous day. Altogether, 21.1 million shares from 321 companies were traded through 72,601 transactions. Of the stocks traded, only 50 gained in value, while 198 declined. By the end of the session, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4.541 trillion.

  Chitwan, July 14 — First Queen Bees Produced in Chitwan Using Artificial Insemination For the first time ever, the Beekeeping Development Programme in Bhandara, Chitwan has successfully produced queen bees using artificial insemination. According to programme chief Sujan Amgai, five queen bees of the Apis mellifera species were produced with the help of beekeeping experts from the University of Florida, USA. This technique aims to improve the quality and productivity of honeybee colonies. In a honeybee colony, the queen is the only fertile female and is responsible for laying all the eggs. Using artificial insemination helps ensure stronger, healthier queens that can potentially produce more honey than naturally bred ones. The queens were raised in partnership with trained beekeeper Alice Maharjan and technicians from the programme. Although they had tried this technique last year, the queen bee produced then did not survive. This time, however, all five survived — a major s...

London, July 14 — England secured a thrilling 22-run victory over India on the final day of the Lord’s Test, taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. India had been chasing a modest target of 193 but collapsed to 112-8 by lunchtime, making defeat look inevitable. However, Ravindra Jadeja put up a brave fight with the tailenders and nearly pulled off a miracle. He stayed unbeaten on 61 from 181 balls, but India was bowled out for 170, falling just short. The final blow came in heartbreaking fashion. Spinner Shoaib Bashir bowled a delivery that Indian tailender Mohammed Siraj tried to defend, but the ball spun back onto his leg stump and knocked the bails off — ending the match. England’s bowlers were outstanding on the final day. Jofra Archer, playing his first Test in over four years, took 3-55 and five wickets overall in the match. Captain Ben Stokes also stepped up, bowling two marathon spells — nine overs in the morning and ten straight in the afternoon — and picked up two crucia...

Kathmandu, July 14 – The District Administration Office (DAO) in Kanchanpur has asked all nine local governments in the district to start a special campaign to tear down Chhaugoths — small huts where menstruating women and girls are forced to stay, following the harmful Chhaupadi tradition. This action comes after the recent death of 28-year-old Kamala Damai from Nigali, Krishnapur Municipality Ward No. 1, who was bitten by a snake while staying in a Chhaugoth during her period. She died last Saturday. Chief District Officer Laxman Dhakal said the Chhau tradition is still common and dangerous. "A woman has died because of this harmful practice. It's urgent that we launch a campaign to destroy these huts," he said. All local bodies in the district have been told to take quick action. Following Kamala’s death, Krishnapur Municipality ordered all Chhaugoths in its area to be demolished within 15 days. The municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer, Khagendra Prasad Bhatt...

KATHMANDU, July 13 — The 212th birth anniversary of Bhanubhakta Acharya, Nepal’s first poet and literary pioneer, is being marked across the country and in Nepali-speaking communities abroad with various events and tributes. Bhanubhakta is best known for translating the Ramayana , a major Hindu scripture originally written in Sanskrit, into the Nepali language—making it accessible to the general public. His contributions are widely seen as a foundation for linguistic unity in Nepal, much like King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the country geographically. Born on 29 Asar 1871 BS in Chundiramgha, Tanahun, Bhanubhakta also authored several other important works, including Badhushikshya , Prashnottar , Bhaktamala , and Ramgeeta . To honor him, people are gathering at various events nationwide to pay tribute, recite his works, and discuss his impact on Nepali literature. In Kathmandu, a statue of Bhanubhakta near Ranipokhari was garlanded following a morning procession. Recitations of th...

Karnali, July 13 — The District Police Office in Surkhet has intensified efforts to control crime, resulting in the seizure of nearly 7 kilograms of illegal drugs and the arrest of 44 individuals—39 men and 5 women—over the past two months. Superintendent of Police Sudhir Raj Shahi said the confiscated substances include 35 grams of brown sugar, 17.36 grams of hashish, 5 kilograms of opium, 240 grams of marijuana, and 362 tablets of banned drugs. In addition, 21 people were arrested for gambling, and three hotel operators were taken into custody for allegedly running prostitution activities. Police say they are continuing strict surveillance to maintain law and order in the district.

  WASHINGTON, JULY 13 — Former U.S. President Donald Trump says the United States is selling weapons to its NATO allies in Europe so they can quickly supply them to Ukraine, which is facing a surge in Russian missile and drone attacks. “We’re sending weapons to NATO, and NATO is paying 100% for them,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News. “Then NATO sends those weapons to Ukraine.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that many of the U.S.-made weapons Ukraine needs are already deployed with NATO countries in Europe. These countries could send their stockpiles to Ukraine and then purchase replacements from the U.S., which would be much faster than producing new weapons and shipping them from America. Ukraine is urgently asking for more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to protect itself from Russia’s aerial assaults. Just this week, Russia launched over 700 drones at Ukraine—its third massive wave of attacks in two weeks. Trump’s administration has wavered on military ...