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  Kathmandu: The Nepal government and the family of Rabindrakumar Mehta, who died in an incident at Captainganj of Dewanganj Rural Municipality-3 in Sunsari on August 10 (Shrawan 10), have reached a seven-point agreement. The agreement was reached on Monday between Home Minister Sudhan Gurung and the family members of the deceased. According to the agreement, the process to officially declare Mehta a martyr will be initiated immediately. The government has also agreed to conduct a fair and effective investigation into the incident and take necessary legal action against those found responsible. The agreement further states that an immediate investigation will be launched into the legal status of the madrasa located in Dewanganj-3 and other matters related to the incident. The government will also take necessary steps to provide employment to one qualified member of the deceased's family. Similarly, the government has agreed to initiate the necessary process to implement the suggest...

  Kathmandu: Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta has clarified that the construction process for the proposed trauma center in Dhalkebar, Dhanusha, will not be halted. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Monday, Minister Mehta said the process to construct a Critical Care and Trauma Center in Dhalkebar has already moved forward. She said that since completing the new infrastructure will take time, the government has decided to operate a trauma unit at the Provincial Hospital in Lahan in the meantime to provide immediate treatment to accident victims. According to Minister Mehta, the Lahan-based hospital already has essential facilities required for trauma services, including a CT scan, necessary medical personnel, adequate patient flow and a blood bank. Therefore, the government has decided to start trauma services there without waiting for the completion of the new center. Lahan Trauma Unit Not an Alternative to Dhalkebar Minister Mehta stressed that operating a tr...

  Kathmandu: Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has sought suggestions from representatives of multinational companies operating in Nepal on five key decisions the government should take within the next six months to improve the investment environment. During a discussion held at the Ministry of Finance on Monday, Minister Wagle asked representatives of multinational companies to identify the major obstacles they are facing in expanding their businesses in Nepal. He also sought direct feedback from the private sector on how effective the government's recent reforms have been in practice. Wagle asked the companies to identify areas requiring immediate improvement, including tax administration, regulation, land acquisition, energy, labor, infrastructure, finance, exports, legal provisions and government procedures. The finance minister also urged multinational companies to expand their existing industries, enter new areas of production and introduce new technologies in Nepal. “Invest...

  Kathmandu: Liverpool suffered a 3–2 defeat against Monaco in a pre-season friendly after failing to protect a two-goal lead. The match, played at Anfield, saw Liverpool take an early lead. Alexander Isak opened the scoring in the 16th minute to put Liverpool ahead. Florian Wirtz doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the 29th minute, making it 2–0. However, Monaco reduced the deficit just before half-time. Aleksandr Golovin converted a penalty in the 44th minute to make it 2–1. Monaco continued its strong performance in the second half. Mika Biereth scored in the 56th minute to bring the game level at 2–2. Monaco completed the comeback late in the match when Paris Brunner scored in the 88th minute to secure a 3–2 victory. Liverpool were unable to hold on to their two-goal advantage and ended up suffering a defeat in the pre-season friendly.

  Kathmandu: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the 15-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for Gaza. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu made it clear that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza unless Hamas is completely disarmed. Netanyahu said the 15-point proposal was not acceptable to Israel and stressed that Israeli forces would continue their security operations until threats to Israeli soldiers and civilians are eliminated. Trump’s “Board of Peace” had said last month that an agreement had been reached to fully disarm Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. However, Hamas has indicated that it would only surrender its weapons if Israel ends all attacks and withdraws its forces from Gaza. A Hamas official told the BBC on Sunday that the group remains committed to the agreement and is prepared to work seriously and responsibly toward implementing the 15-point plan. Hamas also urged mediators to ensure that all sides c...

  Saptari: Police have arrested a person with a large quantity of illegal marijuana in Saptari district. Police recovered 302 kilograms and 480 grams of marijuana from Joginiya in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality-8. A police team deployed from the Area Police Office, Hanumannagar, arrested 53-year-old Madhuri Mukhiya, a resident of Mukhiya Tole in Hanumannagar Kankalini Municipality-7, along with the marijuana packed in 12 sacks. Police have taken the seized marijuana into custody and are conducting further investigation into the incident. Authorities said necessary legal action and investigation are underway.

  Shannan, Tibet: A cooperative in Shannan, Tibet, is working to preserve a centuries-old traditional weaving craft while passing the skill on to a new generation. At the Ethnic Huaji Handwoven Cooperative, dozens of women and men weave woolen threads on traditional wooden looms. The cooperative not only provides employment to local residents but also helps preserve the traditional craft through commercial production. Established in 2008 by Tibetan craftsman Pasang, the cooperative employs more than 100 local people, including people with disabilities. The cooperative specializes in producing the traditional woolen fabric “Pulu” and its finer variety, “Jeter.” Jeter is made from the particularly soft and fine wool obtained from the neck and back of sheep. Pasang said spinning yarn from the fine wool used for Jeter is more difficult than producing ordinary Pulu. According to him, Jeter is lighter, softer and more delicate than ordinary Pulu. During the Ming Dynasty, Jeter was report...

  photo-Ai Kathmandu: Four people have died and 116 others were injured in road accidents reported across various parts of Nepal over the past 24 hours. According to police, one person each died in Dailekh, Bhaktapur, Rautahat and Mahottari in separate road accidents. Similarly, 29 people were injured in road accidents in the Kathmandu Valley. According to police data, the number of people injured in road accidents across different provinces is as follows: Karnali Province: 4 Gandaki Province: 2 Bagmati Province: 18 Koshi Province: 20 Madhesh Province: 20 Lumbini Province: 24 Sudurpashchim Province: 9 Police said the figures were based on road accidents reported across the country during the past 24 hours, with four fatalities and 116 injuries recorded.

  Kathmandu: Former mayor of Kapilvastu Municipality and Nepali Congress leader Kiran Singh, 65, who had been out of contact for three days, was found dead on Sunday. According to police, Singh’s body was discovered in the Gorusinge forest in Kapilvastu on Sunday afternoon. Singh had left his residence in Kapilvastu-3 at around 2 p.m. on Friday. He had not been in contact with his family or relatives since then. During the search, police found the Lu Pra 01-013 Pa 7970 motorcycle that Singh usually used parked in a forest area approximately eight kilometers from the East-West Highway. After the motorcycle was found, police intensified the search operation and subsequently discovered Singh’s body in the forest. Police said further investigation into the incident is underway. The exact cause of Singh’s death has not yet been disclosed.

  Kathmandu — The third edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) is scheduled to begin in the second week of Kartik, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). CAN Secretary Paras Khadka announced the tournament dates through a press statement issued on Saturday. According to Khadka, the third edition of the NPL will be held from Kartik 9 to Mangsir 5, corresponding to October 26 to November 21. All eight participating teams have already completed the signing of Nepali players for the upcoming edition. Some franchises are currently working to recruit overseas players to strengthen their squads. With the tournament dates now confirmed, preparations among the eight teams are expected to intensify ahead of the third edition of the NPL.

  Kathmandu — The eight-party Progressive Front has unveiled a 28-point political vision calling for the rewriting of the Constitution, stronger provincial governments and greater autonomy for provinces. Former minister and leader of the Progressive Democratic Party, Janardan Sharma, unveiled the Front’s political concept at an event held on Saturday to formally announce the alliance. The Front has proposed amending, revising or rewriting provisions of the Constitution that it considers inadequate or flawed to make the federal democratic republican system more effective. It has also called for political stability, equal representation, inclusive democracy, social justice, and reforms to the judicial and electoral systems. The alliance has proposed strengthening provincial governments and placing local governments under provincial jurisdiction. It has called for providing local governments with the necessary authority, resources and capacity while adopting the principles of autonomo...

  BARA, August 8: The 8th District Convention of the Nepal Press Union, Bara chapter, will be held on Bhadra 20 (Saturday). The date was fixed by a meeting of the district working committee and members held on Saturday. The meeting decided to form the district working committee itself as the main organizing committee under the coordination of district president Shyam Babu Prasad Yadav to ensure the convention is conducted in an organized manner. Six committees have been formed with different responsibilities for the convention, said secretary Rajesh Kushwaha. Similarly, a three-member publicity and communications committee has been formed under the coordination of Sandip Prasad Yadav. Nur Alam Badshah and Binita Chaudhary are members of the committee. A seven-member financial management committee has also been formed under the coordination of Anil Kumar Sah. Its members are Dhirendra Panuhar, Prabhu Prasad Yadav, Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, Shrikant Gupta, Arun Kumar Sah and Pawan Singh....

  Kathmandu: Nepal Police has launched investigations into 25 money laundering cases, with 64 people arrested in connection with the cases, according to the police. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Avinarayan Kafle, spokesperson for Nepal Police, said investigations into 25 money laundering offenses have been underway since fiscal year 2025/26 (2082/83 BS). The government authorized Nepal Police to investigate money laundering offenses through a Cabinet decision on March 25, 2024 (Chait 12, 2080 BS). Before that, the authority to investigate such offenses rested primarily with the Department of Money Laundering Investigation. Following the decision, police began investigating money laundering when they discovered unexplained or illegally acquired assets during investigations into other criminal offenses. The department continues to conduct separate investigations specifically related to money laundering. Abhishek Giri under investigation Police have also begun a money laundering inve...

  Kathmandu: Amid escalating military tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye have signed a new defense agreement aimed at strengthening cooperation among the three countries. The trilateral agreement, signed on Friday and named the ‘Mecca Joint Defense Pact,’ is expected to strengthen collective security and defense cooperation while promoting peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement establishes that an attack on any one of the three member states will be considered an attack on all three. Pakistan said the provision would strengthen their collective deterrence capabilities. The agreement came shortly after a series of high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia. A day before the signing, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Saudi Arabia and performed Umrah in Mecca. On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also arrived in...

  Janakpurdham, August 7 — Moneylenders in Nepal's Madhesh Province staged a protest in Janakpurdham on Friday, expressing dissatisfaction with the government's nine-point agreement reached with the victims of usury (meter interest) and the related Cabinet decision. The demonstration, organized by the Victims' Financial Transaction Struggle Committee, demanded that the government immediately revoke what the protesters described as unilateral decisions made without consulting all stakeholders. Participants from all eight districts of Madhesh Province marched through the streets of Janakpurdham before gathering outside the District Police Office, the District Administration Office, and the Dhanusha District Court. Committee Chair Vijay Yadav warned that the protest movement would intensify if the government failed to address their demands. He announced that protesters would travel to Kathmandu from Bhadra 1 (mid-August) to lay siege to Singha Durbar, Nepal's main administ...

  Sarlahi, Aug. 7 — Around 1,500 bighas of newly transplanted paddy fields have been submerged in Malangawa Municipality and Kaudena Rural Municipality of Sarlahi after floodwaters from the Lakhandehi River breached an embankment. The embankment at Chhapkaiya, Ward No. 5 of Kaudena Rural Municipality, collapsed on Monday night, allowing floodwaters to inundate nearby settlements and farmland. The flooding has affected approximately 800 bighas of farmland in Chhapkaiya, 500 bighas in Khutouna (Malangawa-6), and 300 bighas in Bhadsar (Malangawa-5). Besides agricultural land, several houses and cattle sheds have also been impacted. With floodwaters remaining for four consecutive days, residents say daily life has become increasingly difficult, and transportation has been disrupted. Water has overflowed the road connecting Malangawa headquarters, making travel to nearby Indian border markets difficult. A joint team comprising the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and local ...

  Kathmandu, Aug. 7: The Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO), under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, has blacklisted seven construction companies for failing to complete government projects within the agreed timeframe. In a notice issued on Friday, the office said the companies were blacklisted following recommendations from various government agencies. According to the PPMO, the action was taken under Section 63(1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 (2063 B.S.) against contractors that failed to fulfill their contractual obligations. The blacklisted companies have been barred from participating in any public procurement or government bidding process for periods ranging from one and a half years to three years. The office stated that it will continue taking legal action against contractors that fail to complete government projects on time or violate the terms of their contracts.

Kathmandu, Aug. 7: U.S. President Donald Trump has said the ongoing war involving Iran will end "very soon," arguing that the conflict cannot continue for much longer. Responding to questions about rising global energy prices, Trump expressed confidence that the war is nearing its end. Meanwhile, the United States, Iran and Oman are reportedly close to reaching a temporary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes. The deal is expected to help ease tensions in the Middle East and provide some relief to global energy markets. At the same time, ceasefire negotiations being mediated by the United States in Rome have yet to produce a breakthrough. As the talks remain deadlocked, the Israeli military has continued intensive airstrikes in southern Lebanon for a second consecutive day. Israel stepped up attacks targeting the city of Mansouri after an explosion near Majdal Zoun killed two Israeli soldiers. The continued strike...

  Birgunj, Aug. 6 — Nine people were injured, six of them critically, after a gas tanker driven by an intoxicated driver rammed into an electric rickshaw in Parsa district on Wednesday night. The accident occurred at Bahuari Chowk along the Hulaki Highway in Birgunj Metropolitan City-24 at around 8:00 p.m. Police said the Na.2 Ha 6682 e-rickshaw was traveling from Powerhouse toward Tilave Bridge when it was struck from behind by an Indian gas tanker bearing registration number RJ14 GE 8710, which was moving in the same direction. After the collision, the tanker driver fled the scene. All nine injured passengers were rescued and admitted to Narayani Neuro Hospital in Birgunj for treatment. According to police, six of the victims are in critical condition, while the remaining three sustained moderate injuries. Police later arrested the fleeing driver, identified as Dhaneshwar Rai, approximately 48, a resident of Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, India. A medical examination c...

  Kathmandu, Aug. 6 — An explosive-laden drone was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Germany's Leipzig–Halle Airport, raising major security concerns. During the incident, another aircraft reportedly struck an unidentified object while taking off but managed to land safely, according to German authorities. Following the discovery, all incoming flights to Leipzig–Halle Airport were diverted to other airports for several hours. German police, assisted by a bomb disposal unit, safely neutralized the explosive device attached to the drone. Located in eastern Germany, Leipzig–Halle Airport serves as a key logistics hub for the German military, NATO, and Ukraine's Antonov Airlines. Footage released by local media showed a bomb disposal robot operating near an Antonov cargo aircraft. Ukraine's Ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, suggested that Russia could be behind the incident, asking, "Who else could it be besides Russia?" However, German authorities h...

  Kathmandu — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has admitted making mistakes over a controversial plan to bring private investment into FIFA competitions and has publicly apologized. However, he has made it clear that he has no intention of resigning and will remain in office despite growing criticism. Infantino acknowledged the procedural shortcomings after an emergency meeting of FIFA's Management Board held on Wednesday at the organization's African office in Rabat, Morocco. In a statement issued after the meeting, the board reaffirmed its full confidence in Infantino's leadership and pledged its continued support. The controversy centers on the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) initiative, which aims to attract private investment into FIFA competitions. The proposal has been criticized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), which said it had lost confidence in Infantino due to what it described as a lack of transparency. FIFA Secretary General Mattias...

  Kathmandu, Aug. 5: An Indian court has ordered the release on bail of two Nepali farmers from Sarlahi who were arrested while purchasing fertilizer in India. The two farmers, Suresh Prasad Singh and Nagendra Prasad Singh of Balara Municipality-5, Sarlahi, were granted bail on Wednesday. The information was confirmed by Suresh Prasad's son, Avinash Singh. Although the court has approved their release, they are expected to be freed from jail on Thursday after completing the required legal formalities. Speaking to Onlinekhabar, Avinash Singh said that two witnesses holding Indian Aadhaar cards are required to complete the bail process before his father and Nagendra Prasad Singh can be released. The two farmers were arrested by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on July 1 from Sonbarsa in Sitamarhi district, Bihar, while returning with DAP and urea fertilizer. They were sent to jail the following day, July 2. A petition seeking their release was scheduled to be heard on July 30, ...

  Kathmandu — Nepal has registered around 60,000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and approximately 250 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), but a large number of them are found to be inactive. Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee on Wednesday, Chakra Bahadur Budha, Member-Secretary of the Social Welfare Council and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, shared details about the status of non-governmental organizations operating in Nepal. According to Budha, nearly 60,000 NGOs are affiliated with the Social Welfare Council so far. However, only around 10,000 of them are currently active. Similarly, about 250 INGOs have been recorded as having worked in Nepal, while only 136 are currently operating with active projects. During the committee meeting, Budha also briefed lawmakers about the activities of international organizations and their legal procedures in Nepal. He pro...

  Parsa, August 5 — Police in Parsa district have arrested a man in possession of 207 kilograms of marijuana during a vehicle inspection. The suspect, 48-year-old Krishna Lama of Hetauda, was apprehended while driving a Tata Yoddha pickup truck (registration number Province 3-01-24 Cha 5385) along a road section in Bindabasini Rural Municipality-5. According to the District Police Office, Parsa, a joint team from the Pokhariya Area Police Office and the Prasauni Bhattha Police Post conducted the operation based on a special tip-off. During the inspection, officers discovered 207 kilograms of marijuana concealed inside cement sacks loaded in the pickup truck. The driver was immediately taken into custody, and the vehicle, along with the seized narcotics, was confiscated. Police said further investigation into the case is underway.

  Kathmandu, Aug. 5: Nurse Jyoti Ranabhat has ended her indefinite hunger strike after reaching a 19-point agreement with the Government of Nepal. Ranabhat had launched the hunger strike on July 29 (Shrawan 14) at the premises of the Nepal Nursing Council, demanding the implementation of a 15-point charter of demands related to nurses' rights, working conditions, and reforms in the nursing sector. The agreement was signed between government representatives—including Dr. Shreekrishna Shrestha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, Senior Medical Superintendent Dr. Hemant Chandra Jha, and Legal Officer Jay Prasad Subedi—and Nurse Ranabhat. The agreement was reached in the presence of Health Secretary Dr. Bikash Devkota, Prime Minister's Personal Secretary Prakriti Dhakal, and representatives from various government ministries. Under the agreement, the Ministry of Health has committed to forming a task force within seven days to determine fair salaries an...

  Banke, Aug. 5 — Two workers have died following the collapse of a wall at a brick kiln in Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City–19, Bhaiyapur, in Banke district. According to the District Police Office, Banke, the accident occurred at the New Kisan Brick Kiln when a wall suddenly collapsed, trapping workers who were on duty. Police said 52-year-old Barshadi Lodh died at the scene, while 45-year-old Ram Pheran Kori sustained critical injuries. The incident took place on August 3 (Shrawan 18). Kori, who had been undergoing treatment since the accident, died at around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. With his death, the total number of fatalities from the incident has risen to two. Police said Lodh's body was handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination. Kori's body has been kept at the hospital for post-mortem. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the wall collapse.

  Kathmandu, August 5 — A draft agreement aimed at easing tensions between the United States and Iran has reached its final stage, according to mediators involved in the diplomatic process. International media reports say the proposed deal has been drafted and is now undergoing final consultations. A spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the draft agreement is in an advanced stage and represents a short-term diplomatic effort to reduce regional tensions. The spokesperson clarified that no direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran are currently underway, but Qatar, Oman, and Pakistan are continuing to facilitate dialogue between the two sides. As part of the mediation efforts, Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, held a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and resolve differences between the United States and Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has warned that it will not tolerate...

  Kathmandu, August 4 — Talks between the government and the family of 22-year-old Rabin Mehta, who died while undergoing treatment after being injured in an incident in Sunsari, ended on a positive note on Tuesday. The discussion was held at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj in the presence of Home Minister Sudan Gurung. During the meeting, the government expressed its commitment to addressing the concerns raised by Mehta's family and assured them of all necessary support, relief, and a fair process, according to the Home Minister's Secretariat. Home Minister Gurung extended his condolences to the bereaved family and pledged that the government would provide every possible assistance. Family representatives said they would consult Mehta's parents before holding another round of discussions on Wednesday. They also agreed to receive Mehta's body and allow it to be sent to the Teaching Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The Home Minister's Sec...

  Washington, Aug. 4 — A coalition of 25 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's administration over newly imposed import tariffs targeting nearly 60 countries, including the European Union, arguing that the measures exceed legal authority and violate U.S. trade laws. Led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with attorneys general from Arizona and Oregon, the coalition filed the case in the U.S. Court of International Trade. The lawsuit contends that the tariffs, introduced under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, were imposed through an unlawful process and will ultimately increase costs for American consumers and businesses. According to the California Attorney General's Office, the Trump administration implemented the new tariffs on Monday, covering imports from more than 80 trading partners that account for approximately 99.4 percent of total U.S. imports. The states argue that the administration rushed the Section 301 investigatio...

  Kathmandu, August 4: Nepal's House of Representatives is scheduled to convene at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with several key legislative and policy matters included in the day's agenda. Representing Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Sobita Gautam is expected to table the Sixth Annual Report (FY 2024/25) of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission before the House. The meeting will also deliberate on an urgent public importance motion registered by Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe. The proposal calls on the government to identify genuine landless people, squatters, and unmanaged settlers, ensure their protection and rehabilitation, provide safe housing and access to essential services, including food, healthcare, education, and livelihoods, and distribute land ownership certificates to eligible beneficiaries at the earliest. The motion has been supported by lawmakers Ain Bahadur Mahara, Yubaraj Dulal, and ...

  Kathmandu, August 4: Security personnel, including divers, resumed search operations early Tuesday morning for three people who went missing after their car plunged into the Sunkoshi River following a collision with a bus on Monday. The accident occurred along the Mid-Hill Highway at Nawalpur in Fikkal Rural Municipality-2 of Sindhuli District. According to police, a bus struck the car, causing it to veer off the road and fall approximately 30 meters into the swollen Sunkoshi River. The missing vehicle, bearing registration number Province 3-01-024 Cha 9573, was being driven by 39-year-old Dil Kumar Lama of Jugal Rural Municipality-7, Sindhupalchok. Also on board were 17-year-old Suraj Balampaki of Tinpatan Rural Municipality-9, Sindhuli, and approximately 28-year-old Ganesh Thapa of Golanjor Rural Municipality-1, Sindhuli. Police said Thapa worked as an excavator operator, while Balampaki was employed as a helper. "Security personnel, including divers, have been deployed since ...

Kathmandu, Aug. 3: Seven political parties are preparing to form a new political alliance called the "Progressive Front (Agragami Morcha)." The alliance is scheduled to be officially announced on August 7 (Shrawan 23) at Thapa Gaun Banquet in Baneshwor, Kathmandu. Janamat Party Chair C.K. Raut said the front will bring together parties ranging from the Janata Samajbadi Party (Nepal), led by Upendra Yadav, to the Progressive Democratic Party, led by Janardan Sharma. According to Raut, the alliance will include the Janata Samajbadi Party (Nepal), Janamat Party, Aam Janata Party, Progressive Democratic Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal, Nepal Federal Socialist Party, and Bahujan Ekata Party Nepal. Leaders said the new alliance aims to strengthen political cooperation and build a common agenda on key national issues. The parties are expected to announce their future strategy and programs during the official launch of the front.

  Kathmandu, Aug. 3: The Bhaktapur District Court has ordered the release of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai. Prasai, who was presented before the court for an extension of his judicial remand, was ordered to be released without any extension. He had been arrested on Sunday night. Authorities had been investigating him on allegations related to cybercrime, offenses against public morality and decency, and acts deemed to disturb public peace. Further legal proceedings, if any, are expected to continue in accordance with the law.

  Sarlahi, August 3 — Police in Nepal's Sarlahi district have arrested two Indian nationals after seizing approximately 109 kilograms of marijuana from a car during a routine highway inspection. According to the District Police Office, Sarlahi, the operation was carried out at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday along the East-West Highway in Lalbandi Municipality-1. A joint team from the Nawalpur Area Police Office and the District Traffic Police Office stopped an India-registered car traveling from Bagmati toward Janakpur for inspection. During the search, officers discovered around 109 kilograms of marijuana concealed inside 23 packages hidden in the trunk of the vehicle. The arrested individuals have been identified as 26-year-old Deepak Kumar Mahto, the driver of the car, and 25-year-old Aman Kumar, both residents of the Samudra Police Station area in Sitamarhi district of Bihar, India. Police have taken the suspects, the seized marijuana, and the vehicle into custody. An investigation...

  Kathmandu/Bara, August 3 — Thousands of devotees thronged Shiva temples across Nepal from early Monday morning to offer prayers on the third Monday of the holy month of Shrawan, one of the most auspicious periods for the worship of Lord Shiva. Heavy crowds were seen at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, where all four entrance gates were opened to facilitate the large number of worshippers. The Pashupati Area Development Trust said special arrangements, including separate queues for Bol Bam pilgrims and other devotees, were made to ensure smooth temple visits. Apart from Pashupatinath, long lines of devotees were also reported at major Shiva temples in the Kathmandu Valley, including Gokarneshwar, Nageshwar, Doleshwar, and Makhan Mahadev in Basantapur. In Bara district, the religious atmosphere was equally vibrant. Large numbers of devotees gathered at the Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple in Kalaiya, the Barewa Shiva Temple, and several other Shiva shrines across the district to pe...

Kathmandu, August 3 — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States and Iran will resume diplomatic talks starting Monday, saying a large-scale military strike against Iran was canceled at the last moment. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after spending the weekend at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, Trump said preparations for the military operation had been completed. However, he decided to pursue diplomacy instead following appeals from key regional allies. According to Trump, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and even Iran urged the United States to avoid further escalation and seek a negotiated settlement. He declined to provide details about the planned military operation. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also reportedly spoke with Trump by telephone, urging efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict and to reduce tensions, according to Saudi state media. Trump said the upcoming negotiations will primarily focus on th...

  Kathmandu, August 2 — Medical entrepreneur and political activist Durga Prasai was arrested by Nepal Police from his residence in Bhaktapur on Sunday night, just hours after announcing a nationwide protest movement. According to police, Prasai was taken into custody on allegations of engaging in activities that could disturb public peace and security. Authorities said legal procedures have been initiated following his arrest. Earlier on Sunday afternoon, during a press conference, Prasai announced plans to launch a movement demanding the restoration of Nepal as a Hindu state and the reinstatement of the monarchy. He was arrested only a few hours after making the announcement. Police have not yet released further details regarding the charges or the ongoing legal process.