NHRC urges government to address teachers' demands through dialogue
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to promptly address the demands of agitating teachers through dialogue.
The human rights watchdog body has urged the government to resolve the problems seen in sensitive sectors like education through dialogue and enable the environment to resume classes.
In a press release issued today, NHRC Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokharel said, "The Commission has urged the Government of Nepal to formulate the laws related to school education timely after holding adequate discussions and consultations with the concerned parties and to implement the agreements signed by the Government of Nepal in the past with the teachers".
The Commission has said that the ongoing agitation by the Federation of Nepal Teachers in Kathmandu for the last 13 days demanding that the government immediately enact the School Education Act, make the education policy productive and implement the agreement signed with the Government of Nepal in the past has affected the right of children to education.
The Commission is carrying out on-site monitoring of the teachers' movement. "If the agitation continues, the results of SEE, Grade 12 examinations and the admission campaign of children will also be affected", the NHRC said.
NOC slashes prices of petroleum products
Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) slashed the prices of petroleum products on Thursday.
The NOC decided to cut Rs 3 per litre in petrol, diesel and kerosene.
According to the new revised rate, the price of petrol will be Rs 160 per liter. Earlier, the price of petrol was Rs 183 per liter.
Similarly, the price of kerosene and diesel will be Rs 146 per litre each. Earlier, the price of diesel and kerosene was Rs 149 per liter each.
The state-owned oil monopoly, however, has not reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
The revised fuel price will come into effect from midnight today.
NC CWC meeting on April 30
The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on April 30.
The meeting will be held at the party's central office, Sanepa.
The CWC office bearers, members and invitee members have been requested to attend the meeting, said Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel.
The agenda of the meeting is to discuss contemporary issues and latest developments.
Kathmandu Valley sees light rainfall
Various parts of the country, including the Kathmandu Valley, experienced light rainfall this afternoon.
According to the Meteorological Forecasting Division under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light to moderate rains were recorded in most areas of the Koshi and Bagmati Provinces today.
Min Kumar Aryal, a meteorologist at the Division, said that the rains were triggered by the influence of the Westerly winds and the increased activity of local winds. However, no significant rainfall is expected in the coming days. This weather condition is likely to persist until Thursday.
The Division also predicts that light to moderate rains, accompanied by thunder and lightning, will affect parts of the hilly regions in Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces, with a few locations in other areas expected to experience similar conditions by Wednesday morning.
In the highlands and mountain regions, light rains and snowfall are possible, which could impact daily life, agriculture, health, roadways, and aviation services.
The public has been advised to take precautions against the potential challenges posed by these atmospheric changes.
Four of single family injured in Sankhuwasabha lightning
Four members of a single family were injured in a lightning at Sathimure in Khandbari Municipality -9, Sankhuwasabha last night.
The injured have been identified as Kopila Shrestha, her son Gagan (18), daughter-in-law Babita (18) and daughter Niruta (13), according to Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dakshya Kumar Basnet.
They are undergoing treatment at District Hospital in Sankhuwasabha. All of them are out of risk.
South Korea unveils $23 billion support package for chips amid US tariff uncertainty
South Korea announced on Tuesday an increase in its support package for the country's vital semiconductor industry to 33 trillion won ($23.25 billion), up about a quarter from a 26 trillion won package unveiled last year, Reuters reported.
The measures come in response to calls on the government to expand support at a time of growing policy uncertainty under the current U.S. administration and rising competition from Chinese rivals, the government said in a statement.
Seoul will also ramp up a financial assistance programme for the chips industry to 20 trillion won, versus the previous 17 trillion won, according to the joint statement from various ministries including the trade ministry.
South Korea's decision to pump more money into its key chips sector is designed to help companies cope with heavier costs as they compete globally, it said.
Asia's fourth-largest economy is home to the world's top memory chip makers, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, though they have fallen behind some rivals in areas such as chip design and contract chip manufacturing, according to Reuters.
Trump freezes $2bn in Harvard funding after university rejects demands
The Trump administration has said it is freezing more than $2bn (£1.5bn) in federal funds for Harvard University, hours after the elite college rejected a list of demands from the White House, BBC reported.
"Harvard's statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation's most prestigious universities and colleges," the Department of Education said in a statement.
The White House sent a list of demands to Harvard last week which it said were designed to fight antisemitism on campus. They included changes to its governance, hiring practices and admissions procedures.
Harvard rejected the demands on Monday and said the White House was trying to "control" its community, according to BBC.
CM Karki extends best wishes on Siruwa festival
Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki has extended best wishes to the Nepalis living in the country and abroad on the occasion of the Siruwa festival, 2082 today.
Giving a message of best wishes, CM Karki said the Siruwa festival is not only of the indigenous community living in Koshi Province but of the entire country.
"Siruwa festival signals change in season. It is the onset of summer season with rains. This festival is also called a Judshital. Many fairs are organized for a month, Baisakh, on the occasion of this festival. It is a unique festival," he said.
"Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. I wish the Siruwa festival inspired all of us from diverse communities to foster harmony and unity," he mentioned in the message of best wishes.
Koshi Province is observing the Koshi Visit Year, 2082 on the occasion of New Year, CM Karki said, adding that the province government was devoted to attracting as many tourists as possible from across the country and abroad.
He underlined the tourism promotion is not only for preservation of culture but also for creation of employment and progress. The provincial government is working actively for establishing identities of all ethnicities and cultures in the region.
