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The Election Commission has endorsed and published the election calendar for the local level elections.

According to the calendar, two days—April 24 and 25— have been fixed for the registration of candidates.

The final name of candidates would be published on April 28 after completing the procedures such as registration of complaints and investigation into the complaints.

Likewise, the candidates can withdraw the candidates on April 29. The final list of the candidates would be published on April 29 in the evening and distribute election symbols on April 30.

The voting would take place from 8 am to 5 pm on May 13.

The silence period will come into force from May 10, 24 hours before the election.

The Ministry of Health and Population has decided to remove the provision of undergoing a COVID-19 PCR test to seek medical treatment.

According to Ministry joint spokesperson Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, fully-vaccinated people and those showing no symptoms of the infection will no longer have to undergo the test to be eligible for receiving the medical care. 

Prior to this, the provision was mandatory while visiting hospitals in search of treatment. However, the possession of a vaccinated card is necessary to get the facility. RSS

Japan and Australia on Friday slapped fresh sanctions on Russian entities as punishment for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, which the West says has been stalled by staunch resistance but continues to take a devastating toll on civilians, Reuters reported.

Western sources and Ukrainian officials said Russia’s assault has faltered since its troops invaded on Feb. 24, further dashing Moscow’s expectations of a swift victory and the removal of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s government.

A U.S. Department of Defense official said there had been no shelling on Ukraine reported in the past 24 hours, and anecdotal indications morale in some Russian units was flagging.

“Some of that is, we believe, a function of poor leadership, lack of information that the troops are getting about their mission and objectives, and I think, disillusionment from being resisted as fiercely as they have been,” the official said.

Despite battleground setbacks and punitive sanctions by the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown little sign of relenting, according to Reuters.

His government says it is counting on China to help Russia withstand blows to its economy.

The United States, which this week announced $800 million in new military aid to Kyiv, is concerned Beijing is “considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment to use in Ukraine,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

President Joe Biden, who described Putin as a “murderous dictator”, will make clear to China’s President Xi Jinping in a call Friday that Beijing “will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression,” Blinken told reporters.

The pair are due to speak at 9 a.m. Eastern time (1300 GMT), the White House said.

China has refused to condemn Russia’s action in Ukraine or call it an invasion. It says it recognises Ukraine’s sovereignty but that Russia has legitimate security concerns that should be addressed.

A Chinese foreign ministry official met this week with Russia’s ambassador to China to exchange views on counter-terrorism and security cooperation, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday, Reuters reported.

Property worth around Rs 6 million was gutted in a fire that broke out at a godown of local Madhav Lamichhane at Khairahani of Madi Municipality-4 in Chitwan on Friday.

 DSP Narhari Adhikari of the District Police Office, Chitwan said that said that fire destroyed 70 quintals of paddy, five quintals of mustard, two quintals of wheat, 35 quintals of grains, one refrigerator, one television set, three solar panels and one inverter and utensils. 

Similarly, 1,200 chicken and 1,000 chicks were burnt to death in the incident, he said. 

Locals, police personnel with the help of a fire engine doused the fire that broke out at around 4:30 am today.

Police said that the reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained. RSS

A man killed his wife in Birtamod Municipality of Jhapa district on Thursday.

Kamal Raut (40) killed his wife Khemjung Gurung (39) over a family spat last night.

Critically injured in the incident, Gurung was rushed to the Kankai Hospital in Biratamod from where she was referred to the Biratnagar-based Nobel Hospital, the District Police Office, Jhapa said.

Later, Gurung was taken to the parental home after she could not get treatment at the Nobel Hospital. But, she died last night, police said.

The Area Police Office, Anarmani is looking into the case.

Fagu Poornima or Holi, the festival of colors, is being observed with much fanfare in the districts of Tarai region on Friday.

The festival, also called spring festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. 

Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, the symbol of triumph of good over evil, is marked by lighting a bonfire, and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits. People in the Tarai districts are enjoying the festival of colors in groups by smearing one another with different colors including Abir or vermilion powder.

This festival is also regarded as a bridge to promote social harmony. 

Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, Fagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People from old to young enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. 

Meanwhile, the sale and prices of fruits and other daily essentials have increased in the Tarai districts because of this festival. 

Likewise, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Morang said police personnel have been deployed to avert untoward incidents in the festival. RSS

Two persons died and nine others were injured when a commuter bus met with an accident in Makwanpur on Friday. 

The deceased have been identified as Subash Shrestha (22) and Sambhu Darai Magar (29) of Tarkeshwor Municipality-4, Nuwakot. 

According to the District Police Office, Mawkapur said that the bus (Ba 4 Kha 4454) was heading towards Chitwan from Hetaunda when the incident occurred this morning. 

Police said that the injured have been sent to a hospital in Chitwan for treatment. 

Further investigation into the incident is underway, police said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was thankful to US President Joe Biden for the additional military aid but said he would not say specifically what the new package included because he didn’t want to tip off Russia, Associated Press reported.

“This is our defense,” he said in his nighttime video address to the nation. “When the enemy doesn’t know what to expect from us. As they didn’t know what awaited them after Feb. 24,” the day Russia invaded. “They didn’t know what we had for defense or how we prepared to meet the blow.”

Zelenskyy said Russia expected to find Ukraine much as it did in 2014, when it seized Crimea without a fight and backed separatists as they took control of the eastern Donbas region. But Ukraine is now a different country, with much stronger defenses, he said.

He said it also was not the time to reveal Ukraine’s tactics in the ongoing negotiations with Russia. “Working more in silence than on television, radio or on Facebook,” Zelenskyy said, according to the Associated Press. “I consider it the right way.”