Kathmandu: Sharada Shrestha, Nepal’s first woman judge and former Supreme Court Justice, passed away today at the age of 84.



She died while undergoing treatment at the Police Hospital in Maharajgunj, according to Supreme Court Information Officer Nirajan Pandey.



Shrestha had been receiving medical care for several days due to health complications.



She made history as the first woman judge in Nepal and later became the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court, holding the position from April 15, 2004, to June 3, 2008. Her judicial career began as an officer in the judiciary.



Her last rites will be performed today at Pashupati Aryaghat. She is survived by her two sons.

Nepal’s 1st woman judge Sharada Shrestha passes away

Kathmandu: The French Embassy has appointed mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha as Goodwill Ambassador to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the historic first ascent of Annapurna. The milestone, achieved on June 3, 1950, by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal with the support of a Franco-Nepali expedition team, will be officially celebrated on June 3, 2025.



According to the French Embassy, Shrestha’s deep connection to the mountains, along with her experience in high-altitude climbing, makes her a fitting choice for the role.



The first successful ascent of Annapurna remains a landmark in mountaineering history and a symbol of the long-standing friendship between Nepal and France. To mark the occasion, the embassy will host a series of talks, exhibitions, and discussions, focusing on the expedition’s legacy and contemporary mountain-related issues.

Purnima Shrestha appointed goodwill ambassador for 75th anniversary of Annapurna Ascent

Kathmandu: A total of 38 aftershocks were recorded following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Sindhupalchowk early Friday morning at 2:51 am, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center (NEMRC).



The NEMRC confirmed that the tremor was an aftershock of the devastating 2015 Gorkha earthquake. The aftershocks, ranging between 2.3 and 3.8 magnitude, had their epicenters near Sindhupalchowk.



The earthquake was felt in Kathmandu, several other districts, and parts of India. However, no significant aftershocks have been recorded since 8 pm on Friday.

6.1 magnitude earthquake in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal

Kathmandu: Devotees across the country are celebrating Maha Shivaratri today, observing the festival with prayers, rituals, and temple visits to honor Lord Shiva.



The festival, observed annually on the midnight of Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi, marks the divine manifestation of Lord Shiva. According to religious scriptures, the Supreme Being assumed the form of Shiva at midnight on this day. Religious scholar Prof. Dr. Devmani Bhattarai explained that worshipping and praying to Lord Shiva during this time is believed to bring peace in this life and salvation in the afterlife.



Following Vedic Sanatan Hindu traditions, devotees began their day with holy baths in rivers, ponds, and lakes before heading to Shiva temples for prayers and offerings. The Shiva Purana describes Maha Shivaratri as one of the four sacred nights—Kalaratri, Moharatri, Sukharatri, and Shivaratri.



Many devotees consider this occasion significant, believing that Lord Shiva shows compassion to the poor and distressed on this day. Some associate the festival with nature’s cycle, as the shedding of leaves in Magh symbolizes Shiva’s destructive force, which then transforms into a life-giving energy in Falgun. This transition is seen as a representation of renewal and the essence of Maha Shivaratri.



As part of the celebrations, major Shiva temples across the country, including the revered Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, are witnessing a large influx of worshippers, with special prayers and offerings being conducted throughout the night.

Devotees in Nepal celebrate Maha Shivaratri with prayers and rituals

Kathmandu: Nepal has emerged as the leading contributor of peacekeeping troops among countries involved in United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide, the Nepali Army announced on Sunday.



According to the Army’s Directorate of Public Relations and Information, a total of 5,913 Nepali peacekeepers, including 642 female soldiers, are currently serving in 11 missions across the globe. Nepal ranks among the top nations in deploying both male and female personnel for global peacekeeping efforts.



Since the country’s involvement in UN peacekeeping missions, a total of 154,340 Nepali personnel have been deployed in 44 different operations aimed at maintaining global peace and stability.



However, the commitment has come at a cost.



The Nepali Army reported that 73 soldiers have lost their lives in these missions, while 69 have sustained injuries that have left them with lifelong challenges.



Nepal’s significant contribution to UN peacekeeping has been widely recognized, highlighting the country’s long-standing dedication to international peace and security.

Nepal tops global peacekeeping deployment with over 5,900 troops

Kathmandu: Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana has called on Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi to conduct an impartial investigation into the death of Nepali student Prakriti Lamsal at KIIT University in Odisha, India. She also demanded legal action against those responsible.



Expressing concerns over the safety of Nepali students studying in India, Rana urged the Odisha government to implement measures ensuring a secure environment. She also called for the permanent removal of the teacher and staff accused of abusing the student, following their dismissal by the university.



In response, Chief Minister Majhi confirmed that a high-level investigation committee had been formed and assured that the authorities were taking the case seriously. He pledged that justice would be served.



The Nepali Embassy, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Odisha government, the university administration, and Indian security officials are coordinating efforts to address the incident.

Nepal urges probe into death of Nepali student in India

Kathmandu: In an effort to address concerns and control the fallout, the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Odisha has announced a scholarship for Nepali students in memory of Prakriti Lamsal, a student who was found dead in her university dormitory.



The university made the announcement on social media, stating that it has decided to provide scholarships for Nepali students in Lamsal’s name. The university's founder, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, met with Consular officials Sanjeev Sharma Das and Nabin Adhikari from the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi to discuss ensuring justice for Lamsal.



Lamsal, 20, was discovered dead in her hostel room on Sunday. Reports indicate that she had filed a complaint with the International Relations Office (IRO), but the administration allegedly failed to take appropriate action.



Following her death, students staged protests outside the university, accusing the administration of negligence. In response, the university forcibly evicted Nepali students from the hostel and relocated them to various locations, citing the unrest.



At least 111 Nepali students have since returned home through the Birgunj border amid escalating tensions. The university has reportedly sent emails to their parents, urging them to bring their children back to campus.

KIIT University announces scholarship for Nepali students in memory of Prakriti Lamsal

Kathmandu: Two officials from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University in Bhubaneswar, India, have issued an apology after facing backlash for threatening Nepali students and making derogatory remarks about Nepal.



The controversy erupted amid student protests demanding a fair investigation into the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student found dead in her hostel room on Sunday night.



Associate Professor Manjusha Pandey, who had claimed that the university's spending exceeded Nepal’s annual budget, apologized on social media, stating, “I apologize for hurting the sentiments of my Nepali brothers and sisters.” Her remarks, made during a heated exchange with protesting students, were captured in a viral video.



Similarly, Jayanti Nath, joint director of the girls' hostel and student affairs, also issued an apology through a video message.



She expressed regret for her remarks, clarifying that her words were a reaction to accusations against her country and institution.



The incident has drawn diplomatic attention, with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba confirming that two senior officials from the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi have reached KIIT University to ensure the safety of Nepali students and coordinate with Indian authorities on the investigation.



Tensions escalated after university officials allegedly mistreated Nepali students protesting Lamsal’s death. Some students reported being physically assaulted, threatened, and forcibly evicted from their hostels on Monday morning, leaving them stranded at a local train station.



The Nepali government has urged Indian authorities to conduct a fair investigation into the incident while ensuring the safety and well-being of Nepali students at the university.

KIIT officials apologize for threats and derogatory remarks against Nepali students

Kathmandu: The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have launched the SAFE-Girls project in Nepal to combat gender-based violence and harmful practices affecting adolescent girls and young women.



The initiative, officially launched on February 14, is backed by a US$ 6.6 million budget and will be implemented across 20 municipalities in Lumbini, Madhesh, and Sudurpaschim provinces over the next three years.



With US$ 2.2 million allocated specifically for Lumbini Province, the project aims to provide safe spaces for girls and young women, strengthen peer-based support networks, and enhance services for preventing and responding to gender-based violence.



It will also deliver comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) both in schools and community settings, ensuring that young women have access to crucial information and resources to make informed decisions about their lives.



UNFPA Representative for Nepal, Won Young Hong, emphasized that the initiative builds on lessons from previous programs while introducing new strategies to empower women and adolescent girls beyond the project's duration.



"The SAFE-Girls initiative is a collective effort that unites government institutions, international partners, community leaders, and young people to drive meaningful and lasting change," Hong stated.



Plan International Nepal’s Country Director, Ram Kishan, highlighted the pressing issues faced by adolescent girls, including early marriage, limited education and healthcare access, and restrictive social norms.



He described SAFE-Girls as more than just a project, calling it "a movement" aimed at breaking these barriers and fostering a secure, enabling environment for young women to learn, grow, and lead.



During the launch event, government officials, including provincial ministers, reiterated their commitment to ensuring the success of SAFE-Girls.



Lumbini Province’s Minister of Social Development, Janamajaya Timilsina, pledged active participation from both the ministry and the province’s people to maximize the initiative’s impact.



The event was chaired by Ana Prasad Neupane, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Lumbini, and attended by key dignitaries, including Janamajaya Timilsina, Basanti Neupane, Honorable Member of the Lumbini Province Assembly, and Baburam Acharya, District Coordination Committee (DDC) Chief of Kapilvastu.



SAFE-Girls is expected to make a significant contribution to gender equality efforts in Nepal, ensuring that adolescent girls and young women have the resources and support needed to overcome societal challenges and build a better future.

KOICA and UNFPA launch SAFE-Girls project to empower Nepali women and girls

Kathmandu: The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has formally opposed the operation of commercial helicopter flights in the Everest region, citing local stakeholders’ concerns. In a letter to the District Administration Office (DAO) in Solukhumbu on Sunday, the municipality stated that stakeholders have only agreed to limited helicopter operations under strict regulations.



The decision follows a meeting held at the DAO on January 24, where stakeholders discussed the resumption of helicopter flights. While rescue flights will continue, new guidelines will be introduced, incorporating recommendations from health professionals and requiring self-declarations from patients. Additionally, mountain flights have been permitted for one-touch landings below 4,300 meters, and expedition-related cargo flights will be allowed up to Pangboche with prior approval required for other helicopter-based cargo transport.



Stakeholders have committed to finalizing an agreement within 15 days to regulate helicopter operations and establish protocols for rescue flights directly to Kathmandu. However, after further discussions with local communities, the rural municipality reaffirmed its stance against regular commercial flights, emphasizing the need for community consensus before any resumption.



With local opposition firm, the future of commercial helicopter operations in the Everest region remains uncertain.

Everest region stakeholders oppose commercial helicopter flights

Kathmandu: The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, paid a courtesy call on President Ramchandra Paudel during their official visit to Nepal. The meeting focused on Nepal-UK relations, mutual interests, and key issues such as climate change and the Gurkha connection, according to the President's Secretariat.



During the meeting, Major General G. M. Strickland, Colonel Commandant of the Brigade of Gurkhas, presented the annual report of the Brigade of Gurkhas for 2024 to President Paudel. The President expressed gratitude for the UK’s contribution to Nepal, particularly the historic British-Gurkha ties, which he described as a key pillar of bilateral relations.



President Paudel highlighted Nepal’s commitment to tackling climate change and announced the launch of the Sagarmatha Dialogue, scheduled for May 16-18 in Kathmandu, to address mountain conservation and climate concerns. Prince Edward expressed his interest in learning about climate change’s impact on Nepal and emphasized future cooperation in youth and women’s empowerment.



The British Embassy stated that the Duke and Duchess’ visit celebrates Nepal-UK ties and will include engagements with young people, environmental initiatives, and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award program. They will also witness the Gurkha recruitment process and assess UK-Nepal development partnerships in maternal healthcare and economic growth.



This marks the 14th visit by British royal family members to Nepal, reinforcing the long-standing friendship between the two nations.

Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh meet Nepal’s President to strengthen bilateral ties

Kathmandu: Suspended Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane met with Speaker Devraj Ghimire on Friday, seeking the lifting of his suspension from Parliament. Lamichhane, accompanied by RSP lawmakers, arrived at Singha Durbar to submit an application arguing that his suspension was unlawful and against House regulations.



According to sources, Lamichhane cited the case of Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Tek Bahadur Gurung, whose suspension was lifted, and urged the Speaker to ensure the same process applies to him. Discussions on the matter are ongoing between Lamichhane and Speaker Ghimire.



Lamichhane’s suspension had sparked controversy, with his party maintaining that the decision lacked legal grounds. His latest move signals an attempt to pressure parliamentary leadership into a resolution. However, it remains unclear how Speaker Ghimire will respond to the request.

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