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The Bangladeshi Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year 1433, with great enthusiasm and festivity at the Embassy premises on Friday.

The event drew a distinguished gathering, including ambassadors and heads of mission from various countries, senior officials of the Government of Nepal, diplomats from resident missions, prominent Nepali business leaders, and members of the Bangladeshi community in Nepal along with their families. 

Delivering welcome remarks, the Bangladeshi Ambassador highlighted the origin and cultural heritage of Pohela Boishakh, noting that the festival has become universal in Bangladesh capturing the distinct history, culture, tradition and heritage of Bengali national identity. 

Highlighting its deeper social meaning, the Ambassador said the festival returns each year as a symbol of renewal and transformation, traditionally associated with haal khata—the opening of new accounts—and fresh beginnings. He emphasized that Pohela Boishakh transcends religious, social, and geographical boundaries, representing the inclusive and vibrant nature of Bengali culture.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 5. 36 points to close at 2, 838. 40 points on Friday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 0. 53 points to close at 476. 92 points.

A total of 18,063,728-unit shares of 335 companies were traded for Rs 1. 61 billion.

Meanwhile, Suryakunda Hydro Electric Limited (SKHEL), Hotel Forest Inn Limited (HFIN), Palpa Cement Industries Limited (PCIL) and Shikhar power Development Limited (SIPD) were the top gainers today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Similarly, Asian Hydropower Limited (AHL) was the top loser as its price fell by 4. 84 points. 

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 88 trillion.

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence that an agreement could soon be reached to end the Iran war and urged the Tehran-aligned Hezbollah group to hold its fire as a 10-day truce came into effect between Lebanon and Israel, Reuters reported. 

Trump said the next meeting between the United States and Iran could take place at the weekend and an extension of a two-week ceasefire was possible, but may not be needed as Tehran wanted a deal.

"We're going to see what happens. But I think we're very close to making a deal with Iran," he told reporters outside the White House, adding that if an agreement was reached and signed in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, he may go there for the occasion.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Agricultural Development Bank Limited (ADBL) in witness of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS) have officially partnered to launch a strategic financial support initiative aimed at the stable reintegration of Nepali migrant workers returning from the Republic of Korea.

The initiative is implemented under the project "Strengthening Stage-Wise Support System for the Stable Reintegration of Korea Returnee Migrants in Nepal”. 

The two organizations will implement a dedicated program to provide increased access to finance for eligible beneficiaries who are returnee migrants from Korea and have participated in the K-HaMi Project, completing relevant entrepreneurship training till 2028, KOICA stated in a press release today.

The program features a robust financial structure designed to provide sustainable, long-term support. 

Out of the total project budget of USD 8 million, KOICA will provide USD 2.5 million for this program, which will be utilized only for interest subsidy for the loan extended to the eligible Korea returnees. Whereas, ADBL will allocate approximately NPR 1.2 billion (USD    8 million approximate) to be used as loan capital for Korea returnees.

It is estimated that 200 to 250 beneficiaries will be supported through this fund, depending on individual loan sizes and total fund utilization.The average loan size is projected at Rs 5 million. 

The primary objective of this partnership is to create a stable environment for entrepreneurship by overcoming the financial barriers often faced by returnee migrants. By improving access to capital, the program seeks to utilize the skills and experiences gained in Korea to drive local economic growth in Nepal.

Country Director of KOICA Mooheon Kong, states that the program is specifically designed for returnee migrants from Korea who have demonstrated a commitment to their reintegration by participating in the K-HaMi Project and successfully completing relevant entrepreneurship training. 

By focusing on this group, the initiative ensures that the capital is paired with the necessary business skills for long-term success. 

Similarly, Joint Secretary of MoLESS Krishna Sapkota shared that the K-HaMi project launched by KOICA for Korea returnee migrants has been highly successful in reintegration, skill development and financial literacy. 

He added that the access to finance component will be the most impactful component of this project. 

He expected similar projects from other donors too.

Deputy General Manager at ADBL, Sudip Dahal, said that ADBL is fully committed to implement this program. He stated that the ADBL is eager to work in the area of enterprise development and youth employment creation. 

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between South Korea and Nepal, moving beyond labor migration toward a model of sustainable economic reintegration.

By transforming returnees into job creators, KOICA, MoLESS and ADBL are investing in the long-term prosperity of the Nepali economy.

As KOICA marks over three decades of development cooperation in Nepal, it reiterates its commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities. 

Since 1991, KOICA has been a key development partner of Nepal, supporting vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, vocational training, IT, rural development, and tourism. More than 2,921 KOICA volunteers have served in Nepal, and over 2,230 Nepali officials have participated in KOICA’s fellowship programs. 

With development assistance exceeding USD200 million by 2025, the partnership between Nepal and the Republic of Korea continues to grow stronger.

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Dr Bikram Timilsina today visited the Security Printing Center at Panauti Municipality-5, Kavre and acquired information on the latest status of driver's license printing. 

During the inspection, Communications Minister Dr Timilsina said the government is currently prioritising the improvement of public service delivery and is working to end the situation where citizens had to wait for a long time to obtain the license even after passing the trial.

He stated that from today, the arrangement to print and hand over the licence within 24 hours of paying the revenue after passing the trial has been implemented.

The Communications Minister announced that the license printing process is being accelerated and there is a goal to have all remaining licenses printed by July 16.

“The tendency to sit on feasible work by calling it impossible will end. The problem of not receiving the licence for months after passing the trial will be resolved, and the process of printing, which can be completed within 24 hours of paying the revenue, will be implemented from today itself,” he said.

Minister Dr Timilsina emphasized that the Security Printing Center should be developed as a significant state asset and a promising institution.

He mentioned that making the Center effective has been his priority since the first day of taking charge of the ministry, and problems had become complicated in various agencies due to a lack of necessary willpower and readiness in the past.

He emphasized the need to increase institutional responsibility by resolving those issues. 

He expressed dissatisfaction over equipment purchased with large investments lying unused for years, while instructing to make effective use of the Center's available equipment.

The minister emphasized the need to use equipment worth around Rs  one billion, including generators. 

He also questioned why work could not be done in the past, given that machines that had been idle for three years are now operational and printing work is possible.

In the course of the monitoring, Minister Timilsina instructed the bodies concerned to give high priority to citizen's data security, clarifying that the government would perform in favour of the people. 

"The government does not carry out activities in the interest of anyone. It will run for people's welfare," he mentioned.  

The Communications Minister opined that the ministry is committed to keeping the service seekers in the center as well as to listen and address their problems. 

He added that the issues of making mobile network and internet services accessible and improving the quality across the country is also on the Ministry's priority. 

Minister Timilsina underlined that a target has been set to bring all citizens of the country to the access of technology within a year by addressing the complaints about the quality of Nepal Telecom's service. 

Similarly, Executive Director of Security Printing Center, Devraj Dhungana, mentioned that they have been preparing a business plan to make this organization strong in a sustainable manner. 

He viewed that important documents like passports, cheque books, smartcards, postage stamps and exercise duty stickers could be printed from this centre in future. The centre has submitted a detailed plan along with around Rs 8 billion budget before the government, he added. 

Dhungana shared that the center has now been printing around 40,000 licenses every day, adding a target has been set to print 1.2 million licenses within April 25 and the remaining 1.7 million licenses within July 16.

Lawmakers-- Madhu Kumar Chaulagain, Dr Ram Lama, Badan Kumar Bhandari, among others were present on the occasion.

Minister Timilsina also enquired about the Center’s status of physical infrastructures, machines and empty buildings.

Devotees are seen congregating at Matatirtha in Chandragiri Municipality-6 to perform ceremonial offerings (Tarpan, Shraddha) and worship in memory of their late mothers. 

Spokesperson at Chandragiri Municipality Krishna Prasad Khadgi said that devotees have been taking holy dip, and performing ceremonial offering and worship at Matatirtha since 3 am today. 

People without mothers take holy dip and offer worship to Harihar (combined form of Lord Bishnu and Shiva) at the sacred site early in the morning. 

It is widely believed that taking holy bath at Matatirtha pond brings peace to the departed mother. 

On the premises of the sacred site, a statue called 'Sajha Aama' which symbolizes all mothers, has also been installed by sculptor Ramkrishna Bhandari. 

Every year, those without mothers go there, take bath in the pond, offer delicacies and other food items, and celebrate Mother's Day. 

To manage the fair, the Matatirtha Fair Management Committee along with local social organizations have been mobilized.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 3, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Friday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 299, 800 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 302, 800 per tola on Thursday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 120 per tola and is being traded at Rs 5, 250 per tola.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah has expressed his respect, gratitude and appreciation to all mothers on the occasion of today's Matatirtha Aunsi.

On this occasion, PM Shah has stated that the mother and motherland are above heaven, and has stated the mother as a symbol of the nation, while wishing for Nepal's bright future. 

Taking to his social sites, the PM has described the mother's lap as warm and her feet as pious like a pilgrimage site and stated that mothers as an unmatched example of love and sacrifice.    

In his message, PM Shah has wished all mothers for their long life and has praised mothers as the first teacher in life.  

PM Shah has emphasized that children of all mothers should create an environment to make their mothers feel proud through their deeds and should bring smiles to mothers' faces.