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Third Trans-Himalayan Forum on Communication and Social Development kicked off in Kathmandu.

The event was jointly organized by the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Kangba TV (China), Tribhuvan University, and Himalaya Television (Nepal).

Held under the theme “Peripheral Digital Communication and Regional Public Governance, the forum aims to address shared challenges through digital innovation and cross-border collaboration.

Amid complex and shifting global dynamics, strengthening trust and cooperation among Trans-Himalayan nations has become more critical.

Countries linked by shared geography and culture face common challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, water security, and sustainable development. The forum aims to leverage digital tools and academic dialogue to promote practical solutions and strengthen regional stability.

The event brought together over 150 scholars and practitioners from nine countries, including China, Nepal, the US, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Japan, with more than 60 academic papers submitted.

The event’s timing, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of China–Nepal and the 75th anniversary of China–India diplomatic relations, stressed on its broader historical and regional relevance.

During the program, Professor Manukonda Rabindranath of Jawaharlal Nehru University (India) discussed AI-driven fact-checking tools, while Bhutan’s Dawa Penjor introduced the “Gelephu Mindfulness City” model. Professor Chen Changfeng of Tsinghua University examined how algorithms are reshaping societal cognition.

Women’s empowerment emerged as a key theme, with India’s Deepika Pant highlighting the resilience of Pahari women amid social and environmental transformations. Kangba TV host Qimi Wengmu emphasized the media’s vital role in amplifying women’s voices and promoting intercultural understanding.

Meanwhile, experts emphasized the need for deeper integration.

Professor Taibur Rahman (University of Dhaka) illustrated synergies among Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, and Nepal through case studies. Japanese photojournalist Hiroyuki Torii demonstrated visual storytelling’s power in bridging cultures, while Pakistan’s Professor Abida Ashraf advocated for enhanced media industry cooperation .

The Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University emphasized the importance of evidence-based academic exchanges in the context of ongoing geopolitical shifts.

Professor Ding Huang, Dean of UESTC’s School of Public Administration, noted, “This forum serves as a digital bridge to share knowledge and tackle common challenges”.

Professor Han Hong, Director of the Center for Trans-Himalayan Communication Research, proposed a “Seven-Point Initiative” to consolidate consensus during the sessions.

The Nutrition Branch of the Department of Health Services has said that vitamin 'A' capsules and deworming tablets will be administered to children today also under the National Vitamin-A Program.

Lila Bikram Thapa, Head of Nutrition Branch, said that children aged six months to 59 months will be given vitamin 'A' and children aged one to five years will be given deworming medicine today as well.

The second phase of the vitamin 'A' program will be conducted on April 19 and 20.

Fifty-two thousand female health volunteers and 15,000 health workers have been deployed to implement this program.

The government has been administering vitamin 'A' capsules since 1993 to prevent the risk of malnutrition in children, and it has started regularly giving deworming medicine since 1999.

The Korala Customs Office has collected Rs 3.02 billion in revenue in the first three months of the current fiscal year.

According to Office Chief Ramesh Khadka, 1,498 electric vehicles and 671 cargo containers laden with different goods have been imported in the past three months while 28 cargo vehicles laden with Nepali products have been exported to the autonomous region of Xinjiang in China through this checkpoint.

The country's trade including import and export with China is currently taking place mostly from the Korala checkpoint, after the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints were blocked due to floods and landslides.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 600 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 238, 400 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 237, 800 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 3, 020 per tola today.

With less than 120 days remaining for the March 5 elections announced by the government, the political and security environments are far from ready. The country’s security situation remains fragile, and the morale of security agencies—particularly the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force (APF)—is notably low. Half of the inmates who escaped during the Sept 9 jailbreak have yet to be recaptured, and the looted weapons remain untraced.

Tensions also persist between political parties and some GenZ groups, while party leaders continue to express doubts about the overall security preparedness. The government has yet to unveil a clear election strategy, and crucial talks between top political parties and the government have not begun. Prime Minister Sushila Karki remains hesitant to meet major party leaders, deepening the political uncertainty.

Of the three major parties, the Maoist Center has decided to contest the elections, the Nepali Congress remains undecided and the CPN-UML is demanding the restoration of Parliament. Relations between the Karki-led government and CPN-UML are particularly strained. Without securing the confidence of the main political forces, it will be an uphill battle for the government to conduct credible elections.

Since assuming office, PM Karki has taken a rigid stance toward major political parties. While public sentiment may favor leadership changes within those parties, it is not the government’s role to dictate internal party affairs. Reports suggest the government is reaching out to mid- and lower-level leaders rather than engaging directly with top leadership—a fundamentally flawed approach that undermines trust.

The international community is closely observing whether this government can deliver elections on schedule. The primary mandate of the Karki administration is to hold timely and credible elections. Failure to do so will raise serious questions about the government’s legitimacy and purpose.

We urge the government to act swiftly, initiate dialogue with political parties and foster a conducive environment for the polls. The Election Commission must also actively coordinate with parties to ensure preparation and confidence. Nepal cannot afford another cycle of political instability driven by ego and mistrust. Political parties must act responsibly, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the government to lead decisively and ensure elections are held on time.

Players have taken to the streets in protest after the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and A Division clubs agreed to forgo this year’s A Division League and instead organize only a National League.

At the call of the Nepal Football Players Association, footballers staged a sit-in outside ANFA headquarters in Satdobato on Thursday. They also hung their medals on the ANFA gate, saying they were “gifting” them to ANFA in protest. The players argued that the absence of a regular league has put their careers in jeopardy and pushed Nepali football further into decline.

Earlier on Monday, ANFA secretariat officials and representatives of 14 clubs agreed to hold the A Division League under a home-and-away format only from next year. For this year, they decided to organize a National League featuring 10 teams—the top six from the A Division League held three years ago and the four semifinalists of the ANFA President’s League currently underway in Hetauda.

The National League will include defending champions Church Boys United, Machhindra Football Club, Nepal Police Club, Satdobato Youth Club, Jawalakhel Youth Club, and New Road Team (NRT). The remaining eight A Division clubs, however, will not be represented.

Lumbini Lions have appointed Indian coach Robin Singh as the team’s mentor for the upcoming second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled from Nov 17 to Dec 13. The 62-year-old brings over two decades of coaching experience to the Nepali franchise. Singh has previously coached Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). He has also served as the head coach and director of cricket for the UAE national team.

After retiring as a player, Singh began his coaching career with India’s U19 team. In 2004, he coached Hong Kong, helping them qualify for the Asia Cup. He later took charge of India A in 2006 and worked as the fielding coach for the Indian national team in 2007 and 2008.

In the inaugural IPL season of 2008, Singh coached Deccan Chargers and later joined Mumbai Indians as head coach in 2010, staying with the franchise for three seasons. Since Mumbai’s 2013 IPL title win, he has remained part of their coaching structure. He also managed Barbados Tridents from 2012 onwards.

In 2020, Singh became the UAE national team’s head coach and director of cricket, leading the side to the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. More recently, he served as general manager and later head coach of MI Emirates in the International League T20 (ILT20), guiding the team to a championship title.

As a player, Singh was a dependable all-rounder for India, representing the national team in one Test and 136 One Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring over 2,000 runs and taking 69 wickets.

The Lumbini Lions believe Singh’s arrival will greatly strengthen the team for the NPL’s second season. Team president Ishwar GC said, “Bringing a world-class cricketer and coach like Robin Singh to Lumbini is not only an honor for us but also an opportunity to elevate Nepali cricket as a whole. His vast experience and strategies will inspire our players and help us achieve new heights.”

Expressing his excitement, Singh said, “I’m delighted to join Lumbini Lions for the Nepal Premier League. Cricket in Nepal is growing rapidly, and I’m eager to share my experience with young talents and build a winning culture. The Lions have great potential, and together we aim to make this season truly memorable for our fans and Nepali cricket.”

Lumbini Lions’ marquee player is Nepali national team captain Rohit Kumar Paudel. The franchise has already signed Australian all-rounder D’Arcy Short and Italian bowler Thomas Draca, with more foreign players to be announced soon.

Yuwa Sangh Nepal, the youth wing of the CPN-UML, has reached the Cyber ​​Bureau to file a complaint against Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah.