FIFA increasing financial distribution to all 48 World Cup teams by 15%

Amid widespread complaints about the cost of tickets and transportation related to World Cup games, FIFA announced on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) that it will ​hike the money received by all 48 teams participating this summer by ‌15%, Reuters reported. 

The national teams competing in the event in the ​United States, Mexico and Canada will see their preparation ⁠money rise from $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

Qualification compensation goes from $9 million to $10 million, and contributions toward team delegation expenses and increased ticket allotments will go up ‌more than $16 million.

Remaining additional income that FIFA receives will be split among all 211 national federations.

None more deserving of FIFA Peace Prize than Trump, says White House

The White House has hit back at critics of Donald Trump being awarded the FIFA Peace Prize, saying there is none more deserving than the US president, Reuters reported. 

Global soccer governing body FIFA gave Trump the inaugural award at the World Cup draw in December for “promoting peace and unity around the world”, triggering condemnation from human rights groups and activists in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Australian soccer player Jackson Irvine said this week that giving the award to Trump made a mockery of FIFA’s Human Rights Policy, while Norway’s soccer federation said FIFA should abolish the award.

Holders PSG edge Bayern 5-4 in record-breaking semifinal first leg

Defending champions Paris St Germain battled past visitors Bayern Munich 5-4 in a pulsating Champions ​League semifinal first leg on Tuesday that had a record number of goals at this stage of the competition, Reuters reported. 

In a match ‌that will go down as a classic, PSG came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele before Bayern struck twice in three minutes just before the hour to improve their chances for next week's return leg in Munich.

The match pitted the most attacking Champions ​League teams of the season against each other and it quickly lived up to its billing with a relentless pace ​and with Bayern coach Vincent Kompany in the stands, serving out a suspension, and his assistant ⁠Aaron Danks in the dugout.

National nutrition estimation campaign begins

A 15-day national nutrition estimation campaign has kicked off across the country.

The Ministry of Health and Population launched the campaign under the slogan of 'Timely detection and treatment: A base of malnutrition-free generation'. 

It is enforced among the children from six months to 59 months. 

Status of malnutrition would be ascertained with the supervision in order to ensure timely treatment.

The children suffering from malnutrition would be categorized into three levels- high, moderate and low risk, which would be helpful to set future programs on health and nutrition of children. 

The drive that begun on April 28 gives a real picture at local, district and province levels, according to Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki. 

The campaign will be realized through health and immunization centers, community clinics, ward offices, community building and early child development centers. 

The state of malnutrition is ascertained by measuring children's height and weight and circumference of arms. The health workers mobilized for the task would collect necessary details with the use of health gadgets.

Information and awareness on the national drive is spread to every household via radio at local levels, while women community health workers would be mobilized actively.

It is said that Nepal is suffering from three aspects of malnutrition in Nepal- under-nutrition, obesity and micro nutrient deficiencies, thereby exposing health and food security concerns. 

The Health Ministry has requested one and all to make the malnutrition estimation drive successful. 

 

 

PM Balen Shah named “Redbull Shilapatra Person of the Year 2082”

Shilapatra.com has announced the winners of its annual awards in eight categories, including the “Red Bull Shilapatra Person of the Year 2082.”

The winners were announced amidst a special ceremony held at a hotel in Kathmandu attended by more than 500 guests. 

This year, Prime Minister Balendra Shah 'Balen' was named as the 'Red Bull Shilapatra Person of the Year 2082'

The Shilapatra said that he was honored for leading the debate on the energy of the new generation and political change.

In the literary category, Dr Navaraj KC’s book ‘Swasparsa’ was awarded “Shilapatra Book of the Year 2082”.

Suraj Subedi became “Worldlink Shilapatra  Content Creator of the year 2082” while Rabindra Dhant, who achieved notable success in international MMA, was named  “Shilapatra Player of the Year 2082”.

Similarly, Jhuma Limbu was honored as “Shilapatra Artist of the Year 2082” for her contribution to the preservation and promotion of Nepali folk music.

Paran received the title of “Shilapatra Cinema of the Year 2082”.

Entrepreneur Ashish Sharma was selected as “Shilapatra Entrepreneur of the Year 2082” for establishing a Nepali brand in the international market.

Likewise, Krishna Prasad Neupane was named “The Governor Shilapatra CEO of the Year  2082” for his special contribution in the hospitality sector. 

Acting Chief Justice Sapna Pradhan Malla presented trophies and certificates to the winners. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3-day Tharu food festival from April 30

In a bid to promote Tharu foods, an indigenous food festival is being organized for the first time in Nepalgunj City. 

The Tharu food festival will be held for three days, beginning from April 30, according to General Manager of Soaltee Western Premier Nepal Raj Bikram Shah. 

The event has aimed at preserving and promoting indigenous cuisines and associated culture. "Experienced cooks prepare food items so that the visitors can relish the delicacies," Shah said, adding that the event is further expected to make known the long preserved food culture of Tharu community to the national and international markets. 

Anyone can visit the event for free of cost but requires a Rs 500 voucher to enjoy varieties of tastes. 

The festival runs from early morning to 11 pm every day. It also features cultural performances from 9 pm to 10pm. 

The living culture, arts and traditions of Tharu people are displayed during the festival, the organizers added. 

 

 

 

Heavy rainfall forecasted in few places of Koshi, Gandaki Provinces

The eastern belt of Nepal has witnessed impact of low pressure range along with westerly and local winds. 

It is currently partly cloudy in Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces.

The Weather Forecasting Division has predicted heavy rainfall along with thunder and lightning in one to two places in hilly regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while storms in some places of Tarai belt later today.  

The weather service said that it is raining moderately in some places of Gandaki Province and one to two places of Bagmati and Karnali Provinces at present. The rainfall is coupled with lightning and thunder.

Most of the places in the hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces are likely to have cloudy weather. 

One to two places of Lumbini and Sudurpaschim Provinces are expected to have moderate rainfall along with thunder and lightning.

 

Storm damages winter crops in Pokhara

The storm coupled with rainfall has damaged winter crops in the Pokhara Valley and vicinity.

Creeper vegetables and corn were damaged by the storm and rainfall occurred for some days. 

Two weeks back, the hailstone that took place during evening perished cucumber and watermelon, while the storm recently damaged maize farming. 

Some farmers also lost livestock due to lightning.

Owner of Tikhedhunga Livestock and Agriculture Farm Ramesh Acharya said that lightning struck a buffalo to death on Tuesday.