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The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nepal hosted a Korean Food Festival at the Ambassador's residence in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Nepali returnees from Korea and Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Alumni participated and shared the memories of Korea through Korean food.

In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nepal Taeyoung Park described the event as a valuable opportunity for returnee workers and GKS alumni to reconnect through Korean cuisine and share unforgettable memories of Korea with loved ones, reads a statement issued by the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu. 

Ambassador Park expressed his gratitude to the participants and highlighted the growing influence of Korean culture in Nepal through K-Pop, K-dramas and K-Food. He emphasized that strengthening cultural ties between Korea and Nepal aims to provide an opportunity to relive their memories of Korea and share Korean food culture with friends and family in Nepal.

This event is part of the Korean government's ongoing Korea returnee worker's reintegration program, following the K-Food Entrepreneurship Training Program, organized in Kathmandu in August this year.

The Korean government pledged continued support for a sustainable start-up ecosystem for Nepali youth, aiming to create jobs and strengthen Nepal’s economy.

The event was attended by approximately 35 participants including Embassy staff.

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nepal Udo Eugen Volz and Marianne Beck-Volz graciously hosted a reception at the ambassador’s residence in Gyaneshwor on Friday to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of the Day of German Unity and 67 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Germany.

Vice President Ram Sahay Yadav graced the occasion as the special guest.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Volz stated, “Today, as we celebrate 35 years of German Unity, we also mark 67 years of bilateral relations between Nepal and Germany. Germany has stood by Nepal through challenging times — during the civil war, the 2015 earthquake, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current democratic renewal. We appreciate the commitment to reinforce democratic values like accountability and service delivery to the people of Nepal,” reads a statement issued by the German Embassy in Kathmandu.

This year also commemorates 51 years of GIZ’s presence in Nepal, 62 years since the establishment of KfW, and 18 years of PTB's engagement in the country.

As key institutions under the German Development Cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has been providing impactful technical assistance to Nepal, while Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) has supported the country through financial cooperation across diverse sectors.

Likewise, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) — Germany’s national metrology institute — has been contributing to strengthening Nepal’s quality infrastructure by supporting standards, metrology, testing, and accreditation systems that promote fair trade and enhance industrial competitiveness.

Government bodies, political leaders, diplomats, business people, journalists, and intellectuals, reflecting the enduring partnership and shared values between Nepal and Germany, attended the event.

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.