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Nepal are playing against Samoa today for the title of ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Oman.

The match will be held at 4:15 pm Nepal time in Al Amerat Cricket Ground of Oman.

This is the last match Nepal are playing in the ongoing tournament. Nepal are on the top spot of the score table with eight points.

Nepal will clinch the title of ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia Pacific tournament if they defeat Samoa today. Samoa have already been out of the World Cup qualifier.

Nepal have already qualified for the T20 World Cup to be organized in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

Nepal had entered the Super Six by defeating Japan and Qatar in Group-phase matches and won all matches in Super Six so far.

Rohit Paudel (Captain), Dipendra Singh Airee (Vice-Captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Lokesh Bam, Kushal Malla, Ashif Sheikh, Adil Ansari, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sandip Jora, Arif Sheikh, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Gulshan Jha and Sompal Kami are in the Nepali team for today's match against Samoa.

UAE are in second place with six points and Oman in third place with six points.  UAE and Oman have also qualified for T20 World Cup, 2026.

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has reclaimed more than 208 ropani of the encroached public land.

KMC Mayor Balendra Shah informed about this through a social media post on Thursday that more than 200 ropani of public land, worth Rs 23 billion, that had been encroached upon, has been reclaimed.

Mayor Shah stated that with his taking leadership of KMC, the metropolitan city is working with the aim of returning 1,859 ropani 14 anna of encroached land worth about Rs 200 billion.

The Local Government Operation Act, 2074 has granted full authority to the local government for the protection, management, and recovery of public land and property.

Mayor Shah said that pursuant to the same policy, a campaign has been launched to end the tendency of encroaching, occupying and grabbing public land.

KMC is expediting the works of developing the returned land into open parks, sports fields, skateboard parks, pavilions, green areas and public use spaces to prevent its reoccupation.

The metropolitan city has stated that an implementation committee has been formed with the aim of bringing 1,859 ropani 14 anna of encroached land back into public use, based on the report prepared by the commission chaired by former Secretary Ram Bahadur Rawal, and the committee will start its work from today, to further prioritise the protection of public land.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 7, 100 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 258, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 250, 900 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 75 and is being traded at Rs 3, 350 per tola today.

A total of one hundred tuberculosis cases have been confirmed in Okhaldhunga.

Data from the District Health Office indicates that these cases have been recorded from the fiscal year 2081/82 BS to the current fiscal year 2082/83 BS.

Bibek Pokharel, Information Officer at the office, reported that during the fiscal year 2081/82, there were 65 male and 30 female cases of tuberculosis. He also mentioned that in the current fiscal year, three men and two women have tested positive for the infection.

Last fiscal year, Siddhicharan Municipality reported the highest number of tuberculosis cases, totaling 40.

According to Information Officer Pokharel, infections were also confirmed in one individual from Chishkhugadhi Rural Municipality, 15 from Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, 14 from Khijidemba, 13 from Manebhanjyang, six from Champadevi, four from Likhu, and two from Molung Rural Municipality.

Private power producers have accused the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) of causing massive financial losses to the energy sector by delaying approval for public share offerings. 

The Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) has claimed that the delay in approving initial public offerings (IPOs) for hydropower companies has cost the industry more than Rs 108bn. According to IPPAN, Sebon has stopped granting IPO approvals to companies with a per-share net worth below Rs 90, citing instructions from the now-dissolved Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives. 

As many as 43 hydropower companies with a combined installed capacity of 975 MW are awaiting IPO clearance, while seven others are waiting for the Sebon’s nod to issue rights shares. Because of the delay, these 50 companies have been unable to raise Rs 23.27bn from the capital market. IPPAN added that the delay has led to an additional Rs 12.4bn in interest payments, project cost overruns of Rs 24.3bn and lost government revenue amounting to Rs 71.7bn.

IPPAN has given a 15-day ultimatum to the capital market regulator to address its demands. It has warned that hydropower producers would launch a protest if the government fails to act. The association also objected to Sebon’s introduction of the term “real net worth,” which it said is not mentioned anywhere in Nepal’s laws or international financial practice. Under this criterion, Sebon has rejected IPO applications of companies like Richet Hydropower, Beni Hydropower, Unique Hydel, Yambling, Laughing Buddha and Puwa Khola, IPPAN officials claimed.

“This has created serious problems in the overall development of the energy sector,” IPPAN President Ganesh Karki said. “The private sector would be forced to pursue legal and protest actions if the issue is not resolved soon. The delay by Sebon, the influence of middlemen and lack of transparency in government decisions have eroded private investors’ confidence.”

Private producers generate around 3,050 MW out of Nepal’s total installed capacity of 3,700 MW. Projects with a combined capacity of 5,416 MW are under construction. According to IPPAN, Rs 1,500bn has already been invested in the sector. In addition, projects with a combined capacity of around 9,000 MW have applied for power purchase agreements (PPAs), while feasibility studies are underway for projects totaling 12,000 MW.

The government has unveiled the 'Immediate Reform Action Plan–2082 BS to Enhance the Effectiveness of Public Services' aimed at the growth and expansion of the industrial sector.

This comprehensive plan outlines 20 action points for the industrial sector, eight for the commercial sector, and 11 for the supply sector.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha has introduced this action plan with the goal of completing it within the next five months.

The Ministry has announced that a work plan, which focuses on the ability to swiftly enhance service delivery in response to changing conditions, has been established during a ministerial-level meeting and is now in effect.

Following extensive discussions with stakeholders and representatives from the industrial and commerce sectors, the Ministry has rolled out the work plan, which is expected to foster an industrial environment and pave the way for economic growth.

The work plan also features a timeline, setting targets to accomplish seven tasks by the upcoming month of Kartik, eleven in the following month, one by Poush, eighteen in Magh, and two in Falgun.

Finance Minister Rameshwar Prasad Khanal has called on the international community to explore Nepal, highlighting the country's abundant natural and cultural heritage.

Minister Khanal conveyed this message during a discussion on 'Sustainable Tourism: For Employment, Livelihood, and Economic Growth,' hosted by the World Bank Group on Thursday.

He emphasized that tourists are greeted with exceptional hospitality and top-notch services.

The event saw participation from representatives of various nations.

A diyo (oil lamp) is an essential part of many Nepali households. Despite its deep cultural and spiritual significance, traditional diyo making is a dying profession, as electric lights and decorative alternatives are becoming more common in religious rituals. Members of the Prajapati caste have long been known for their skilled work with clay. To understand the current state of diyo making, ApEx spoke with some members of the Prajapati community.

Shiva Prasad Prajapati

Yes, it’s true that diyo holds cultural significance in our households. Even today, many rituals and pujas are incomplete without lighting a fresh diyo. That connection to our roots still exists, and I’m proud to be part of preserving that tradition. With modern electric lights and battery-operated alternatives, the younger generation often finds them more convenient. This shift has definitely impacted the demand for traditional clay diyo, but still the amount of the diyo we make are more as usual. Many of us do it more for the love of the craft and to keep our heritage alive than for profit. I believe if more people understood the effort and meaning behind each diyo, they might choose it over mass-produced or electric alternatives.

Ranjana Prajapati

I learned this craft from my parents. Lighting a diyo every morning feels like lighting the blessings for the day. But these days, it’s getting harder. Fewer people come to buy clay diyo, especially young people. They prefer electric lights or decorative items that are easier to manage. I understand—times are changing, but it still hurts to see something so meaningful being replaced. For us, making diyo is not just for festivals; it’s a way of holding on to culture. I just hope the new generation also sees the value in these small, sacred things.

Budhi Ram Prajapati

During Tihar or even daily rituals, everyone used to light clay diyo. My hands have shaped thousands of them, each one with care, knowing it will light someone’s prayer or celebration. Now, people want quick solutions—electric lights, plastic decorations. The art of making diyo is slowly fading, and young people don’t want to learn. There’s not much income, and it’s hard on the body too, especially at my age. This year I didn’t do any of it because of my condition. This is not just work, it’s my identity but I feel very weak these days to do it alone. Some loyal customers still come, especially elders who know the value of real clay diyo.