- Monday, 25 August 2025
The Rising Nepal
Gandaki CM presents plans, projects to PM
Gandaki Chief Minister Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel has called on Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and handed over a list of plans and projects of the province to be included in the upcoming federal budget. CM Pokharel handed over a list of the province’s plans to be included in the federal budget in an effort to make significant contributions for building a prosperous nation through religious, cultural and tourism development of Gandaki and strengthening inter-province coordination and development.
Real Madrid look to Liverpool after goalless draw with Real Betis
Real Madrid’s last game before the Champions League final against Liverpool ended in a goalless draw against Real Betis on Friday as Marcelo bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti picked a strong side for Madrid’s last La Liga game of the season but with the title long sewn-up and the final in Paris just around the corner, neither team were keen to over-exert. Instead, the contest was notable for the tribute paid to Marcelo and the lack of one for Gareth Bale. Both players are expected to leave when their contracts expire this summer but only Marcelo was involved here, with Bale absent again from the squad.
Nepal down Uganda, but lose series 2-3
Uganda lifted the title of Women’s T20 International Series after they registered a 3-2 victory over host Nepal at T.U. International Cricket Stadium, Kritipur, Kathmandu on Saturday.
‘Armageddon Time,’ portrait of white privilege, stirs Cannes
Cannes, May 22: When the Cannes Film Festival audience stood to applaud James Gray’s richly observed autobiographical drama “Armageddon Time,” about the director’s own 1980s childhood in Queens, Gray’s voice quivered as he addressed the crowd.“It’s my story, in a way,” said Gray. “And you guys shared it with me.”“It took every last bit of control not to burst out into tears,” Gray said, still recovering the next day in Cannes. “It’s been a really strange journey making the film and my father died two months ago of COVID. The whole process has been fraught and filled with emotion.”For Gray, “Armageddon Time” is period film about now, and a coming home after two far-flung films in the Amazon-set “The Lost City of Z” and the space adventure “Ad Astra.”AP: When did “Armageddon Time” start formulating in your head?GRAY: I was at an art exhibit in Los Angeles five years ago. Painted on the wall it said: “History and myth begin in the microcosm of the personal.” I had made this film before this where I went into space. It was a very difficult movie to make and a very difficult movie to complete. The end result was not fully mine. That was a very sad experience for me. I wanted to try to rediscover my love for the medium and why I wanted it do it in the first place. I said, “Screw it, I’ll make the most personal film I can.”AP: You’ve called 1980 one of the most pivotal years in American history. Is that because of the election of Reagan?GRAY: People don’t remember that he campaigned in Philadelphia, Mississippi, which is where Goodman, Schwerner and Cheney were killed by the Klan. And he started talking about states rights. He knew exactly what he was doing. I understand he didn’t come out and say the N-word. He didn’t come out and be Trump completely. But that was his purpose. I feel like that was planting the seeds for a kind of corporatist, me-first, top-down, frankly rooted in racism idea of American capitalism that hasn’t left us fully since. When you propose a system which is all about money, it has the basis of oppression built into it. It didn’t start with slavery. It started with the indigenous people who were basically vaporized. We’re very good at genocide.AP: These aren’t the normal inward-looking themes of memoir films.GRAY: All of this is about what the actual economic structure of the country is. I felt that that would have power in a context that’s very small, which is a kid’s transfer from a public school to a private school and how we all do our part to (expletive) things up. In other words, “I’m going to make this ethical compromise now. I’m going to contribute to ethical compromise just a little bit.”AP: Were you thinking any of this when you were living through it as a kid?GRAY: When I was a kid I never thought about the levels of capitalism, how if someone is up there, that means somebody’s gotta be down there. I knew 48 kids in a class, something’s wrong. But here’s the thing: Why is it not a source of utter rage in our country that public education in our country is financed by local property taxes? They should be burning down state legislatures because of that. The system makes itself very happy by basically saying: Let’s make a superhero movie but put a trans person in it. That’s fine. That’s excellent, whatever. But that doesn’t solve the problem. You have to look at the system itself and understand that it is based on the brutal oppression of one group to survive.AP: Your film received an enthusiastic reception here in Cannes. Have you thought about how it will be received stateside?GRAY: I’m sure there will be people who hate the movie. But as an American, I feel a particular sense of loss that we as filmmakers are not as willing to confront the ideas of class. One of the most amazing things about what Francis Ford Coppola did in that movie is how it presents such a vivid picture of the rot of capitalism. Look at “Jaws.” That mayor will keep the beaches open no matter what. AP
Uniq Poet collabs with Void for a new song
Born on February 14, 1994, in Bhaktapur, Utsaha Joshi, better known by his stage name Uniq Poet, is one of the leading emcees of the contemporary Nep-hop industry. Inspired by artists like Eminem, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Jay-Z, MGK, Tupac and more the rap star rose to prominence through the iconic Hip-Hop show ‘Raw Barz.’ Fascinated with the art of rap, Poet ventured into writing and composing his own material from his teenage years. With over three dozen singles, a full-length album and numerous collaborations under his belt the musicians’ YouTube engrosses a staggering 415K subscribers and counting.
Three women elected ward chairs in Syangja
Three women have been elected chairpersons of three different wards in Syangja. Voters in the district, which has 97 wards belonging to 11 local levels, have elected women to lead Ward No. 2 of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Ward No. 3 of Biruwa Rural Municipality and Ward No. 6 of Chapakot Municipality. This however is a step back from the local elections of 2017 when, in addition to three ward chairs, a woman had also been elected mayor of Putalibazar Municipality.
Reservations expressed over citizenship amendment bill
The sexual and gender minority community has expressed their reservations over the discriminatory provisions in the proposed citizenship law that demands proof of gender transformation to obtain new citizenship certificate with the gender identity of their choice. The provision in the proposed citizenship amendment bill requires applicants to present medical evidence of sex reassignment surgery to obtain citizenship with a changed gender. The current provision of Citizenship Act allows individual to choose male, female or other as their sex on the citizenship certificate.
Ways To Manage Mass Hysteria
Recent reports of mass hysteria ranging from fainting of a staff at an operation threatre of a hospital and symptoms of seizures among school children have raised concern among the general public about the mass hysteria in Nepal. Such reports date back to the middle ages. Social contagion sometimes spreads positive emotions and behaviours. However, mass hysteria outcomes are generally negative.
Tomato price soaring, Rs. 140 per-kg in retail
The price of tomatoes has skyrocketed in the Kathmandu Valley over the past few days. According to the Kalimati Fruit and Vegetable Market Development Board (KFVMDB), the wholesale price of tomatoes has reached up to Rs. 115 per kilogram on Saturday while it was only Rs. 55 two weeks ago. It shows that the price of tomatoes doubled within two weeks. However, the price of a kilogram of tomatoes has reached over Rs. 140 in retail vegetable shops in the valley at present.
Elected office bearers make health pledges
Pushkar Raj Joshi, elected mayor of Dashrathchand Municipality, in Baitadi, taking an oath on Friday has decided to run a health camp at ward level, free mortuary vehicle service in the municipality and listen to the complaints of citizens through telephone every Friday from 3:00 pm. During the oath taking ceremony, Surnaya Rural Municipality chairman Ammar Bahadur Kunwar has decided to provide free ambulance service to pregnant women, the poor, the helpless, senior citizens and the injured. He is the winning candidate from CPN-UML.
NCC proposes Bangladesh to cooperate in energy sector
Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has proposed to Bangladesh to cooperate in the energy sector. The NCC has requested for electricity trade with Bangladesh in the context that Nepal is fast reaching the status of electricity exporter. Speaking at a programme organised at the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Bangladesh, NCC President Rajendra Malla stressed on the need for practical implementation of the tripartite agreement on electricity trade between Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
Ensure Justice For Rape Victim
A couple of days ago, a female in her 20s revealed a beauty pageant organiser drugged and raped her at a Kathmandu hotel when she was 16. Though the incident took place eight years ago, the way she described the perpetration of rape against her showed that she suffered excruciating pain and anguish for so many years. She has now gathered the courage to speak out against her offender(s). Details of the alleged rape recounted by the victim on social media have sent her sympathisers, pro-women activists, leaders, civil society members and others up in arms against the alleged rapist(s). They held protest rallies in various parts of the capital seeking justice for the victim and punishment for the perpetrators.
Nepal's Economy Is Not Like Lanka's
The recent political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka has prompted people to compare Nepal’s economic environment to that of Sri Lanka. But the nature and extent of problems in the respective economies are different. Though a few indicators look similar for both countries, Nepal’s growth rate this fiscal year has significantly improved from earlier projections. Despite the reinvigorating gro
Deepika Padukone is the cynosure of all eyes at Cannes Film Festival
Deepika Padukone, a jury member at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, on Thursday attended the premiere of Armageddon Time and became the cynosure of all eyes. For the third day of the gala, Deepika opted for a red gown and looked chic. Earlier, Deepika stunned many as she walked the red carpet at the film festival in a saree, designed by Sabyasachi. Her retro look was appreciated by many. She also attended a conference for which she wore a printed shirt and emerald pants. On the second day, she looked gorgeous in her black outfit.
Life in LA, two Bollywood films released on Friday
Nepali film Life in LA was released across the country on Friday. Along with Life in LA, two Bollywood films, Bhulbhulaiya 2 and Dhakad were also released in Nepal. Directed by Surya N Shrestha, Life in LA tells the story of a Nepali man who is struggling in the United States. The triangular love story film focuses on the lifestyle of Nepali living in the United States of America.
