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Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal) today launched the upgrade of the 40km Dhan Khola–Lamahi section along the East-West Highway,  a key project aimed at enhancing transportation and improving road conditions across Nepal.

For the first in Nepal, the upgrade will apply Full Depth Reclamation and Superpave as modern construction methods that offer important gains in quality, durability, and sustainability. 

The project will also widen the road to 12 meters, with a 7-meter carriageway and 2.5-meter shoulders on both sides.

Addressing the event, Chet Narayan Acharya, the Chief Minister of Lumbini Province, welcomed the use of modern technologies like FDR and Superpave, which will ensure better quality and longer-lasting roads. 

“This is a major step forward for our province and the people who rely on this highway every day. The upgrading of this road section will not only make travel safer and more reliable, but also open up new opportunities for local businesspeople, farmers, and entrepreneurs,” he expressed, reads a statement issued by the MCA-Nepal. 

Similarly, Scott Urbon, the Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy, stated, “Today’s launch of the Dhan Khola–Lamahi road upgrade marks an important milestone in the partnership between the United States and Nepal. Through the MCC Nepal Compact, we are investing in high-quality, durable infrastructure that will lower transportation costs, improve safety, and connect communities to markets and opportunities.” He further noted, “This project reflects our trust in Nepal’s future and our joint dedication to sustainable economic growth.”

Speaking at the event, Sushil Babu Dhakal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation and MCA-Nepal Board Member, expressed, “As a Board member, I am pleased to highlight that MCA-Nepal’s investments are designed to complement the Government of Nepal’s plans and programs. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to building resilient infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities for our communities. I appreciate the efforts of all involved and look forward to the timely completion of this important project."

Sanjay Poudyal, the MCC Deputy Resident Country Director, remarked that this milestone reflects MCC’s commitment to supporting Nepal in building resilient, cost-effective infrastructure using advanced technologies that ensure long-term performance, according to the statement. 

Khagda Bahadur Bisht, the MCA-Nepal Executive Director, said, “The commencement of works on the Dhan Khola–Lamahi section marks a significant step in implementing the Road Maintenance Project under the MCC Nepal Compact. MCA-Nepal remains committed to delivering this project efficiently, transparently, and to the highest quality standards.” He added, “I would also like to recognize the continued support from the Government of Nepal, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and our key stakeholders—the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Roads, and the MCA-Nepal Board.”

Two persons died and 27 others were injured when a micro bus and an EV micro collided with each other at Bhulai Ganeshnagar in Rupandehi on Wednesday. 

The microbus (Lu 1 Kha 7285) heading towards Bardaghat from Butwal collided head-on with the EV micro (Bagmati Pradesh 00 Kha 8925) at around 9 am today.

Both the injured breathed their last during the course of treatment, police said.

Police said that they are looking into the case. 

Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Bhishma Raj Angdembe has nominated Kamaladevi Pant as the leader of the party's parliamentary group in the National Assembly, the upper house of the Federal Parliament. 

He has nominated MP Pant to that position according to the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party statute (including amendments and modifications, 2083).

Similarly, the Nepali Congress has stated that leader Angdembe has nominated Abhisek Pratap Shah as the deputy leader of the Parliamentary Party, Basana Thapa as the Chief Whip, and Nishkal Rai as the whip in the House of Representatives on behalf of the party.

At least 34 people lost their lives and 139 were injured in the incidents of different types of natural disasters across the country in the last 15 days. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 616 different types of natural disaster incidents occurred in the country from April 14-29. 

Of them, 34 people died and 139 sustained injuries in such incidents.

A total of 829 families were affected during the period. Two hundred and fifty houses suffered partial damages and 65 houses were completely damaged due to the disaster, added the Authority.

Similarly, 78 cowsheds were also damaged while 213 cattle died due to disaster incidents. It is estimated that these incidents caused financial losses of around Rs 109.255 million.  

The highest number of fire incidents (267) took place during the period where eight people lost their lives and a huge amount of property was gutted. 

Around Rs 97.5 million was destroyed in fire incidents. 

Likewise, 74 incidents of lightning took place where nine people died and 49 sustained injuries. 

Three hundred and nineteen families were affected from 44 incidents of storm, destroying the property worth Rs 8.3 million, according to the Authority. 

Other incidents occurred during the period were snakebite, wildfire, heavy rain, flood, and animal attack. Authority Spokesperson Shanti Mahat mentioned that dry weather, mercury rise and human negligence have been increasing the incidents of fire and wildfire in recent periods. 

Preparedness, public awareness and effective management are needed for disaster risk reduction, opined Mahat.

A total of  2,722 vehicle drivers were penalized for violating traffic rules in Kathmandu Valley in the last 24 hours.

As of this morning, during checks conducted by the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police  at different places of Kathmandu Valley, such a number of drivers faced action. 

Forty-six drivers faced action for driving under the influence of alcohol, 342 for lane crossing, other 1,571 for other offences, said Spokesperson of the Traffic Police and Superintendent of Police, Naresh Raj Subedi. 

"In the past 24-hours, 2,722 drivers were panelized for violating traffic rules in the Kathmandu Valley. Revenue of Rs 2.727 million was collected from it," he added.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has made public the activities it carried out in the last one month. 

Since the assumption of office by Minister Dr Bikram Timilsina, the ministry argued it made significant improvements in public service delivery.

The 100-point good governance agenda announced by the government was put into practice by the ministry with introduction of new tasks and intensification of delayed ones. 

The ministry claimed it intensified the works relating to printing smart driving licenses, courier service, expansion of telecommunications, reform in cyber security and administrative reform.

The minister took special initiative to end the protracted printing of smart driving license cards. Now, the government has planned to hand over the licenses  within 24 hours since the receipt of data from the Transport Management Department in case of new applicants. 

The cards are printed in the Security Printing Press.

As per agreement, 1.2 million copies of license cards have been printed. 

The department and center have made an agreement to print 1.7 million more license cards by the end of this fiscal year.

Similarly, the center  has printed three million copies of postage stamps and provided them to the Postal Service Department. 

A concept of 'government courier service' has been forwarded to modernize postal service. 

This scheme has been enforced in Kalikot, Sindhupalchok, Banke, Kaski, Sunsari, Makawanpur, Myagdi, Siraha, Dadeldhura and Gulmi districts for the initial phase and is being expanded to others gradually.

The postal code having five digital is getting upgraded to seven digital as per federal system so that citizens could be provided service at their convenience.

The performance list goes to improvement in telecommunication service by making it friendly to consumers. 

All packages of pre-paid mobile service have been expanded to 30 days from 28 days. 

The 'pay and you go' system has been revised to ensure all-time mobile functioning.  

The ministry decided to provide 800 MHZ additional bands to enhance 4G quality. 

Expansion of 5G is also charted out. One time KYC and all online have been forwarded.

Nagarik App has entered into a digital Nepal campaign where various services relating to Nepal Police, engineering, public service, exams, certificates and entrance papers of university are available. 

The Passport Department and the Transport Department are interlinked to avoid dual and burdensome data collection.

The government websites are being upgraded to the international standard for security and accessibility. 

As many as 11,000 betting Apps and websites are disbanded through Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

The government's scheme 'zero pending file' is in place to give impetus to ending plodding administrative works. The new performance indicators of employees is another feature in this sector.

Agreement has been received in principle from the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary on draft bills of Information Technology and of Cyber Security. 

These will create a solid legal base for digital governance and prevention of cyber crimes.

New programs on Athpahariya Rai and Mudiyari languages have been launched in Radio Nepal, while installation of high quality optical fibres from Nepal Television studio to parliament building is another move to digital drive.

The Ministry began a process to conduct monitoring of various frauds relating to foreign employment via social networking sites.

Policy reform, improvement in technical service and direct benefits to citizens are highly prioritized by Minister Timilsina.

International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes is being observed for the first time today in different countries of the world with various awareness programs. 

Since 1900, there have been at least 12 major earthquakes, each of which killed more than 50,000 people. 

Earthquakes also have substantial economic consequences, accounting for more than a quarter of global disaster losses and causing trillions of dollars in damage in recent decades.

In acknowledgement of grave consequences of these disasters, the United Nations has established the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, observed annually on April 29 and tasked the United Nations Officer for Disaster Risk Reduction with facilitating its observance. 

In April 2025, the United Nations General Assembly designated April 29 as the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, inviting all member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other relevant international organizations to collaborate on the commemoration.

Beyond direct destruction, they can trigger fires, tsunamis and landslides, compounding damages across housing, health, education and livelihoods.

The Day provides a moment to remember those lost and renew commitment to prevention, preparedness, and building back better in line with the properties of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.  

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

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 294, 500 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 297, 500 per tola on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 30 per tola and is being traded at Rs 4, 915 per tola.