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The US–Nepal Startup Weekend Challenge concluded on February 21 after a three-day accelerator-style program, selecting nine startups as finalists

The nine finalist teams presented their ventures before a panel of judges.

Following evaluation, GarudX was declared the winner and awarded Rs 350,000 in seed funding.

Fully Charged Nepal Enterprise secured the first runner-up position with Rs 200,000, while Kanoon Portal was named second runner-up, receiving Rs 100,000.

A total of 283 applications were received from across Nepal, out of which 25 teams—representing nearly 100 early-stage founders and entrepreneurs were shortlisted to participate.

During the program held from February 19–21, participants attended workshops on business fundamentals and received one-on-one mentorship from Nepali and US-based experts to refine their business ideas and pitches.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Scott Urbom, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy Nepal, said the program reflects the strength of the US–Nepal partnership by connecting Nepali entrepreneurs with American expertise and globally tested innovation models.

Supported by the US Embassy Nepal, the initiative was implemented by One to Watch in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Nepal, Confederation of Nepalese Industries Young Entrepreneurs Forum (CNIYEF), Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Nepal (FWEAN), Market Edge, Nepal Association of Software and IT Services Companies (NAS-IT) and Nepalese Young Entrepreneurs Forum (NYEF).

A security person selected for the Election Police died in Baitadi district last night.  

The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Rajendra Prasad Bhatta of Melauli Municipality-6, Baitadi, according to the District Police Office. 

Police Inspector Suraj Singh stated that Bhatta had collapsed at his home last night after his return from duty. 

Bhatta was rushed to the Kesharpur Primary Health Care Center but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. 

Police stated that further investigations into Bhatta's demise are initiated. 

Prior to this, two election police personnel died in the district. 

Mahadev Oda of Dasharathchand Municipality-4 died last Thursday while another election policeman Prakash Chand of the same municipality died in the first week of February after falling off a cliff in his locality.

Mist is likely to occur during the morning hours in some places of the Tarai region today. 

Likewise, the weather in the mountainous belt of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces will be generally cloudy and partly cloudy in the hilly region. The weather in the Tarai region will be mainly fair. 

There is a possibility of light rain and snowfall at a few places in the mountainous region of Koshi, Gandaki, and Bagmati Provinces, and at one or two places in the hilly and mountainous region of Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim Provinces, according to the weather forecast released by the Meteorological Forecasting Division.

Tonight, there will be hazy conditions in a few places in the Tarai region. The weather will remain partly cloudy in the mountainous region of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces, while the weather in the remaining region will be mainly fair. 

There is also a possibility of light rain and snowfall at one or two places in the mountainous regions of Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali Provinces.

The Division states that there is a partial influence of the westerly winds in the country.

The government has formed a five-member probe committee to investigate the Dhading bus accident, which led to the death of at least 19 persons with injuries to 25 others. 

The bus  (Ga 2 Ba1421) was carrying passengers from Pokhara to Kathmandu when it met with an accident at Benighat Rorang Municipality-5, Bhainsigouda in Dhading along the Prithvi Highway this morning. 

Home Ministry spokesperson Anand Kafle said that the committee will be led by a joint secretary.

This decision was made during a meeting presided over by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. 

The Home Secretary, the Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, heads of security agencies, the Director General of the Department of Transport, the Director General of the Department of Roads along with representatives from the Transport Professionals and Workers Association were present in the meeting. 

The committee has been instructed to conduct an investigation and provide a report on the bus accident, Kafle stated.