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The United States has shown concern over the remaining works of peace process and issues of transitional justice.

During a meeting with newly appointed Finance Minister Barshaman Pun, US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson said that the remaining works of the peace process would conclude soon.

According to an official at the Finance Ministry, Ambassador Thompson, during the meeting, said that the bill related to transitional justice will be finalized soon, expressing his hope that the works of peace process will get momentum after that.

“Bill related to transitional justice will be finalized soon and the US is hopeful of concluding the remaining works of the peace process,” US Ambassador Thompson said, adding, “America is ready to extend help for the same.”

He said that America is ready to provide financial support to conclude the remaining works of the peace process, mentioning that many other countries of the world are also found to have been interested in extending the support.

The Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the Parliament is preparing to finalize the TRC bill.

During a meeting called by the Committee to finalize and endorse the bill, Law Minister Dhan Raj Gurung had sought time to discuss the controversial issues of TRC with the Prime Minister.

After questions were raised over some provisions of the bill, Law Minister Gurung said that internal discussions should be held on the issue.

The CPN-UML underscored the need for the victim-friendly bill.

A UML-led new coalition has been formed after the break-up of the Nepali Congress-CPN (Maoist Center) alliance.

With the change in the ruling coalition, a meeting of the Law Committee called on Monday to finalize the bill related to transitional justice was postponed.

The government is preparing to finalize the TRC bill from this Parliament session by forging consensus on some issues.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Thompson expressed his commitment to continue the development assistance provided by the US.

In response, Minister Pun thanked Ambassador Thompson for his commitment to continue the cooperation in the coming days while recalling the efforts of the US in the overall development of Nepal.

Former Additional Inspector General of the Armed Police Force and Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Thakur Mohan Shrestha has been attacked after he called party leader Bikram Pandey corrupt.

He was attacked by the supporters of Pandey. He is also a former minister.

Shrestha called Pandey corrupt during a meeting of the Central Work Execution Committee held at the party office this morning.

Immediately, Pandey walked out of the meeting and told his supporters about the incident.

Pandey’s cadres attacked Shrestha while he was coming out of the meeting hall.

Leaders said that Shrestha was attacked due to the views he expressed in the Central Work Execution Committee meeting.

Following the incident, party Chairman Rajendra Lingden issued a directive to identify the attackers.

RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha said that further investigation into the incident is underway.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expanded his Cabinet by inducting two ministers on Sunday.

Upendra Yadav and Nawa Kishor Sah of Janata Samajbadi Party have become ministers in the Dahal Cabinet.

Yadav has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population and Sah as Minister for Forest.

President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy amidst a function at Sheetal Niwas.

With the appointment of two ministers, the current Council of Ministers now has 22 members.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 1,000 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 126, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 125, 000 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 125, 400 per tola. It was traded at Rs 124, 400 per tola.

Meanwhile, the price of silver has increased by Rs 5 and is being traded at Rs 1,475 per tola today.

The meeting of the Central Work Execution Committee of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) is being held today.

The Committee's meeting will be held at 9 am at the party's central office, Dhumbarahi, according to party spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shrestha.

The meeting continues today from yesterday where members of the committee are continuing to express their views on various agenda presented by party Chairman Rajendra Lingden for discussion.

Czech Republic's Krystyna Pyszkova on March 9 won the coveted Miss World 2024 title at a grand event in Mumbai, The Hindu reported.

Miss Lebanon Yasmina Zaytoun was named the first runner-up.

Reigning Miss World Karolina Bielawska from Poland crowned her successor at the star-studded finale here.

Pyszkova is the second Miss World from Czech Republic after 2006 pageant winner Tatana Kucharova.

According to the official Miss World website, Pyszkova is a Czech model who is pursuing separate degrees in law and business administration.

Pyszkova, who is in her 20s, is also the founder of the Krystyna Pyszko Foundation. The model, who is fluent in English, Polish, Slovak, and German languages, is an advocate for sustainable development through education, according to The Hindu.

“Her proudest moment was opening an English school for underprivileged children in Tanzania where she also volunteered. She enjoys playing the transverse flute and the violin, and has a passion for music and art having spent nine years in an art academy,” read Pyszkova’s profile on the website.

India, which hosted the event after 28 years, was represented by 22-year-old Sini Shetty.

Mumbai-born Shetty, who was crowned Femina Miss India World in 2022, was unable to make it to the top 4 of the contest.

India has won the prestigious title six times — Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (2000), and Manushi Chillar (2017).

The 71st Miss World pageant, which witnessed participation of contestants from 112 countries of the world, was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC here.

Part of the 12-judge panel for the finale were film producer Sajid Nadiadwala; actors Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde; cricketer Harbhajan Singh; news personality Rajat Sharma, social worker Amruta Fadnavis; Vineet Jain, MD of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Limited; Julia Morley, Chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organization; Jamil Saidi, Strategic Partner & Host - Miss World India, and three former Miss Worlds, including Chillar, The Hindu reported.

Filmmaker Karan Johar and former Miss World Megan Young hosted the event, which kickstarted on a high note with performances by singers Shaan, Neha Kakkar, and Tony Kakkar.

A video message by Chopra Jonas highlighting the importance of 'beauty with purpose', a tagline associated with the Miss World pageant, was also played at the event.

The cast of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s maiden web series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar" — Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh — also walked the stage with 13 fast-track Miss World contestants on the show's newly released song "Sakal Ban".

The month-long Miss World event featured a series of rigorous competitions, including talent showcases, sports challenges, and charitable initiatives -- all aimed at highlighting the qualities that make these competitors the ambassadors of change.

The 40th MCA-Nepal Board meeting held on 6 March 2024, decided to advance the 18 km Nepal portion of the Butwal-Gorakhpur power transmission line on a priority basis by separating it from the larger 315 km transmission line. 

The Board determined that expediting the cross-border section will help to meet the obligations of the cross-border power trade agreement between Nepal and India. “MCA-Nepal Board made this determination collectively owing to the critical importance of this segment to the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). 

The separation of the 18 km segment from the larger transmission line network will enable a quicker procurement process and its implementation in order to ensure that the line is completed on time by May 2026 to connect with the lines under construction on the Indian side of the border.” shared Nabin Raj Singh, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation post the Board meeting. The cross-border transmission line is a critical component of the Electricity Transmission Project and will facilitate cross-border electricity trade to meet Nepal’s needs. In Oct 2019, both the Governments of Nepal and India agreed to the financing and ownership framework that will govern the implementation of the New Butwal – Gorakhpur cross-border transmission line.

For the remaining 297 km transmission line, MCA-Nepal continues to work to procure the services of design-build contractors to complete the construction of the transmission lines within the agreed timeline. MCA-Nepal remains committed to ensuring the transmission lines are built on time, within budget, and in accordance with GoN and MCC’s environmental and social standards, says a statement issued by MCA-Nepal. 

Vani Rana, 43, has been working in the education sector for over 15 years. Since 2022, she has been the principal of Uniglobe School. Rana earned her MEd in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education in New York. She first worked as a teacher, then as an elementary school coordinator. She was a vice principal for almost ten years.

She’s certified in teaching, reading, and writing from Teachers College, Columbia University. She recently completed an Instructional Coaching certification from Harvard Graduate School of Education. In a conversation with ApEx, Rana spoke about how she intends to shape the future of education and create an inclusive learning environment.

 What specific initiatives do you plan to implement to support academic excellence and enhance student success?

At Uniglobe School, we prioritize the ‘how’ of learning in all our teaching-learning activities across four key areas: learner, knowledge, assessment, and community. We view each student as a person with unique experiences and prior knowledge, rather than a blank slate. Our teachers are committed to uncovering and addressing any misconceptions or beliefs students may hold, ensuring that their knowledge is integrated into the learning process.

Additionally, we place learning goals at the forefront of every lesson plan, with a focus on the knowledge of students and how they can apply it beyond the classroom. We often use ‘formative assessments’ to help students think and understand better. We give them feedback, both formal and informal, that focuses on real understanding, not just memorizing.

We also have a community-centered approach where everyone learns from one another and improves together. At our school, students are encouraged to join in and help out. We keep things friendly between teachers and students. And it’s okay for students to make mistakes because that’s how they will learn and grow.

 How do you encourage collaboration among faculty, staff, and students to make learning interesting for everyone?

I think it’s really important for people to work together and at Uniglobe School, we’re actively trying to make that happen. We see the school as a community, so we include activities like peer learning, pair and group discussions, and role play in our lessons. Students team up to solve problems, discuss ideas, and consider different viewpoints.

We also want our teachers to share their best ways of teaching with one another and give helpful feedback. The goal is to make our school a place where everyone collaborates and learns from one another. I believe teachers play a huge role in the student’s learning process. We make sure teachers have a good work-life balance as we believe happy teachers bring out the best in their students.

 What frameworks do you integrate to keep up with the trends and best practices in education?

At our school, we embrace the concept of lifelong learning, from the principal to the students. We stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in education. We’ve dedicated time and opportunities for research and self-reflection for all staff members. We also invite experts to share their experiences and regularly distribute research-based materials. Through thoughtful reflection, we explore how we can incorporate evolving practices into our teaching approaches.

 How do you foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the school?

Our school is a microcosm of the community with people from various backgrounds and identities. To make sure everyone feels included and has an equitable learning environment, we use a multifaceted approach, developing curricula that incorporate multiple perspectives and learning needs. Our teachers promote restorative practices such as open dialogue, community service, circle conferences, and a special ‘wellness Class’ to promote empathy and cultural understanding. We are also committed to engaging families and communities in our school decision-making through honest communication. Our school policies include anti-discrimination measures, inclusive hiring practices, and accommodations for the diverse needs of students.

How have you used your leadership role to actively support women’s empowerment and gender equality in the school?

I’m dedicated to fostering inclusivity for girls and female staff every day, addressing issues such as menstruation taboos and harassment to create a safer and more supportive learning and workplace environment for all.

According to UNESCO, women principals in schools have a big impact on student success. They organize meetings with parents, offer extra help to students, and keep a close watch on teacher attendance. Schools led by women also have fewer teacher absences, making for a better learning environment. And I believe my role in the school is very similar. Women have traditionally been seen as teachers, but now they’re leading schools too. I’m proud to be breaking stereotypes.

 What initiatives have you planned for creating a more inclusive environment for women in the school?

We have been following a gender-responsive pedagogy in lesson planning, content delivery, and classroom management. This helps to prevent gender stereotyping, improve classroom participation of girls and boys, and the development of their critical workplace skills. Our curriculum is reviewed regularly as it’s important to us that men/boys and women/girls are represented in various roles, not just conventional ones.

We are also committed to being a gender-responsive school by including practices such as providing equal pay, equal teaching conditions, equal representation in management positions, and equitable division of work for all staff irrespective of gender. We allow flexible schedules and other accommodations that address teachers’ family responsibilities. We’ve set clear rules against harassment and abuse for teachers, staff, and students, with a ‘zero-tolerance policy’.