UN votes to recognise enslavement of Africans as 'gravest crime against humanity'

The United Nations General Assembly has voted to recognise the enslavement of Africans during the transatlantic slave trade as "the gravest crime against humanity", a move advocates hope will pave the way for healing and justice, BBC reported. 

The resolution - proposed by Ghana - called for this designation, while also urging UN member states to consider apologising for the slave trade and contributing to a reparations fund. It does not mention a specific amount of money.

The proposal was adopted with 123 votes in favour and three against - the United States, Israel and Argentina, according to BBC. 

Pakistan Embassy celebrates 86th National Day

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu marked the 86th National Day of Pakistan with a flag-hoisting ceremony on Thursday. 

Ambassador Abrar H. Hashmi raised the national flag at the chancery, while messages from Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister were read, highlighting unity, democracy, regional peace, and support for Kashmir and Palestine.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Pakistan congratulated the community and families on the occasion. 

He commended their contributions and expressed hope that they will continue to strengthen Pakistan-Nepal relations. Highlighting the historic significance of March 23, 1940 as foundation for the creation of Pakistan, he paid tribute to the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices of the forefathers. 

He expressed solidarity with the people of the Middle East over the loss of lives and suffering of innocent, due to the ongoing conflict and announced that the Pakistan National Day Reception, in line with the Prime Minister’s instructions, would not be held this year.

 

Trump to visit Xi Jinping in China on May 14 and 15 after Iran war delay

United States President Donald Trump will travel to Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May, delaying a planned trip by several weeks as the war against Iran drags on, Reuters reported. 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Trump’s trip will now take place on May 14 and 15, instead of its originally planned dates, from March 31 to April 2.

She added that Trump and First Lady Melania Trump expect to host Xi during a visit to Washington, DC, later in the year, according to Reuters. 

63 MPs to take oath in native languages

A total of 63 members of Nepal’s House of Representatives have chosen to take their oath of office and secrecy in languages other than Nepali.

According to the Federal Parliament Secretariat, 47 MPs have registered to take the oath in their mother tongue, other than Nepali language. And 17 are to take oath in Maithili language.

The oath taking  ceremony is scheduled for 2 pm today, with senior member Arjun Narsingh KC administering the oath.

Lawmakers have been asked to arrive two hours early with required documents, including their election certificate and citizenship copy.

Languages such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Newari, and others have been used in past oath ceremonies, highlighting broader representation in Parliament.

Gold price drops by Rs 2, 900 per tola on Thursday

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 900 per tola in the domestic market on Thursday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 285, 600 per tola today.   It was traded at Rs 288, 500 per tola on Wednesday.  

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 4, 820 per tola.

NC unveils schedule for 15th General Convention

The Nepali Congress has made public the schedule of its 15th General Convention. 

The Central General Convention of the party is being held in October.

According to Krishna Prasad Dulal, Acting Chief Secretary of the party's Central Office, a special campaign for active membership distribution and updating will be held in the lead up to the convention. During this period, membership forms will be sent from the center to the ward level and representatives will be deployed in all 165 constituencies for membership distribution.

Active membership will be distributed and updated from all 6,743 wards from mid-April. Every member needs to update their membership from the ward where they are a member.

According to the schedule, the complaints received by the district-level active membership preliminary investigation committee will have to be investigated and sent to the center by mid-mid-May. The center has set a deadline of mid-June to finalize the membership by conducting the necessary investigation.

Similarly, the deadline for submitting the updated list of active members to the Central Election Committee has been set to mid-July.

According to the schedule, all ward committees will be completed and regional delegates will be elected, while the village and municipality convention will be held by late August. 

The provincial assembly regional convention and the district convention of the districts with only one constituency will be held in early September. Similarly, the district convention will be held in mid-September.

 

The 15th General Convention of the Nepali Congress is scheduled to be held from October 2 to 5, 2026.

 

 

 

 

7,231 disaster incidents across the country in 11 months

A total of 7,231 disaster incidents have occurred across the country in the past 11 months.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 479 people have died and 1,800 injured in those incidents that affected 13,098 families.

Of the disaster, 3,480 were fire incidents, 321 floods, 604 landslides, 442 heavy rains, 406 lightning strikes and 600 snake bites.

Similarly, there have been 279 forest fires, 451 storms, 504 wild animal attacks, 123 landslides and five avalanches, according to the Authority. There were seven earthquakes, two hailstorms, and two boat capsizing incidents, while one each of strong winds and cold waves occurred.

 

The details made public by the NDRRMA mentions that 26 disasters occurred from the morning of March 24 to the morning of March 25. 

Fire incidents occurred in 13 places in nine districts on the same day, and 10 people were injured in the disaster.

 

Sabalenka to face Rybakina in blockbuster Miami Open semi-final

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina, the two top women's players in the world, will battle it out in a Miami Open semi-final on Thursday after coming through their quarter-final matches, Reuters reported. 

World number one Sabalenka took down American Hailey Baptiste 6-4 6-4 on Wednesday and is looking to complete the coveted 'Sunshine Double' after her triumph in the Indian Wells final over fellow big-hitter Rybakina. 

"It's definitely going to be a battle," Sabalenka said in an on-court interview. "It's always a battle, always a fight, always a challenge."