PMC urges concerned sides to immediately launch teaching-learning activities
Pokhara Metropolitan City (PMC) has urged all sides concerned to immediately launch teaching-learning activities at schools.
The schools must begin a new academic session by April 30, reads a circular issued by the Metropolitan City on April 28.
The education division at PMC issued a notice, urging teachers and school management to immediately begin classes which have been disturbed for long owing to weeks of agitation launched by teachers' federation. The schools need running by April 30, the local level underlined.
Although the new academic session was scheduled to begin on April 21, it has been delayed a lot. It is the second time PMC issued such a notice.
Trump administration to ease auto tariffs
The Trump administration will reduce tariffs on foreign auto parts used in US made vehicles and prevent overlapping levies, aiming to support domestic manufacturing.
The policy shift, confirmed by officials and set to be announced Tuesday, comes ahead of President Trump’s visit to Michigan marking his first 100 days in office, according to Reuters.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described it as a "major victory" for US trade policy, rewarding companies that invest in American industry. Automakers will also receive compensation for previous steel and aluminum taxes.
The change comes after industry groups such as General Motors, Toyota, and Volkswagen warned that anticipated 25% tariffs on imported parts will raise prices, reduce sales, and disrupt the supply chain, Reuters reported.
Trump administration probes Harvard over alleged race-based discrimination
The Trump administration has launched an investigation into Harvard University and the Harvard Law Review over allegations of race-based discrimination in the journal’s article selection process, Reuters reported.
The US Departments of Education and Health and Human Services argue that the Law Review may have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by favoring submissions from racial minorities. Craig Trainor, the Education Department's acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said the process prioritized race above merit.
Harvard University indicated that it is dedicated to following all federal regulations and will investigate any credible complaints. The Harvard Law Review, a legally autonomous student-run journal, has yet to react, acccording to Reuters.
The probe comes amid Harvard’s ongoing lawsuit against the administration, challenging a freeze on $2.3bn in federal research funding. Harvard argues the freeze, tied to demands for changes in hiring and academic governance, violates its First Amendment rights. A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for July 21 to address the case.
Gunmen kill at least 20 people in gold mining village of Nigeria’s Zamfara state
Gunmen have killed at least 20 people in an attack in a gold mining village in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state, residents and Amnesty International said, Reuters reported
Details on a possible motive for the attack were not immediately known but Zamfara state has grappled with kidnappings for ransom by armed gangs, who also target security forces.
Ismail Hassan, a resident, told Reuters that gunmen in their hundreds opened fire on miners on Thursday afternoon and a firefight ensued with over 20 people dead in the mining village of Gobirawa Chali in the Maru local government area of Zamfara state.
Another resident, Isah Ibrahim, said they had recovered 21 bodies following the attack and that several were injured.
Amnesty International said in a statement the gunmen went house-to-house in Gobirawa Chali, killing over 20 people, according to Reuters.
