https://kathmandupost.com/The Kathmandu Post : Find the latest breaking news from Nepal, opinion and analysis on Nepali politics, business, culture and arts, sports, movies, food and travel, books, education, auto and more at kathmandupost.comhttps://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/nepal-begin-icc-women-s-t20i-challenge-trophy-with-lossThe Indu Barma-led side lost to the USA by 44 runs at Gahanga Cricket Stadium in Rwanda on Saturday.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/18/gangster-like-behaviour-traders-clash-with-butwal-officials-over-pavement-clearing-driveCrackdown on encroachments triggers tensions as traders allege high-handed tactics and poor record-keeping of seized goods.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/04/18/despite-surging-costs-everest-still-draws-climbers-as-china-s-north-side-stays-shutThe Department of Tourism has issued Everest climbing permits to 360 individuals as of Friday, compared with 331 during the same period last year.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/santoshi-shrestha-rebounds-from-defeat-to-break-record-retain-kantipur-half-marathon-titleA month after her first domestic loss in years, Shrestha overcomes doubt and fatigue with a tactical run to reclaim her crown in record time.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/18/salyan-surgeries-halt-forces-patients-to-travel-outward-for-careClosure forces patients to travel as far as Dang, Nepalgunj or Surkhet to seek care—at heavy prices.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/18/sada-family-struggles-to-repatriate-their-son-s-body-from-malaysiaThe Sadas say they do not know the name of the company where their son was working as a security guard.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/04/18/defiant-message-from-iran-as-vessels-attempting-to-cross-hormuz-report-gunfireSome merchant vessels received a radio message from Iran’s Navy that the vital energy chokepoint was shut again and no ships were allowed to pass through.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/arjun-kulung-rai-wins-his-fourth-100-mile-title-at-6th-manjushree-trail-raceRai won the 100 miler in the second, fourth and fifth editions. He finished the 165-km-long race around the Kathmandu Valley rim in the sixth edition at 26 hours 37 minutes 49 seconds.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/04/18/events-april-18-to-april-24-2026The Post brings you a lowdown on some major events this week.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/04/18/trump-says-he-has-good-news-on-iran-as-tankers-cross-strait-of-hormuzDespite the progress on opening the strait, prospects remained unclear on a resumption of high-level US-Iran talks or any agreement ​over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a key sticking point.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/rokaya-and-shrestha-win-kantipur-half-marathon-titlesThe 14th edition of the racing event drew a record turnout of around 4,000 participants across multiple categories.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/04/18/selective-buying-lifts-market-amid-flat-benchmarkHotel sector gains 5.13 percent on seasonal optimism linked to New Year demand and two-day weekend impact.https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2026/04/18/the-week-in-three-photosHere are some of the photos taken by our photojournalists and reporters this week.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/kantipur-half-marathon-kicks-off-with-record-participationAround 4,000 runners take part in 14th edition as organisers introduce timing chips and ensure equal prize money for winners.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/04/18/celebrating-tsuneyo-kaneda-s-artistic-legacy-at-arniko-art-galleryThe show celebrates Kaneda’s centenary year and marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/04/18/kriti-mainali-s-couture-brings-nepali-fashion-to-global-runwaysThrough her label K R I T I, Mainali blends heritage craft and contemporary design. https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/army-win-men-s-pm-cup-after-five-yearsTribhuvan Army Club defeated Sudurpashchim by five wickets in the final on Friday to win Nepal’s premier one-day cricket tournament for the third time.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/18/associate-el-clsico-returns-under-lights-at-tu-stadiumA two-match T20I series between Nepal and the UAE starts on April 20, and it will mark the beginning of a month-long cricketing activity at the home of Nepali cricket. The games got more exciting with CAN revealing more diverse squads for T20Is and ODIs.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/18/nepal-set-for-contraceptive-shortage-amid-funding-cutsHealth ministry has cut the contraceptive budget from Rs250 million to Rs170 million for the new fiscal year, while UNFPA has slashed annual funding from $3.2m to $1.06m.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/18/government-moves-to-probe-assets-questions-linger-over-panel-s-mandate-and-impactEx-justice-led panel will examine wealth of public office holders between 2006 and 2026.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/18/shockwaves-of-iran-war-hit-manufacturing-construction-sectors-in-nepalImpact of skyrocketing petroleum prices and riverbed material shortages threatens factory and project shutdowns.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/04/18/global-ride-hailing-giant-uber-set-for-nepal-s-already-crowded-marketUS firm plans debut within a month as interim rules hastened amid law delays.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/17/supreme-court-recognises-gagan-thapa-faction-as-official-nepali-congressVerdict ends three-month party legitimacy dispute. Court upholds Thapa-led leadership amid parallel claims and internal divisions.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/17/us-assistant-secretary-of-state-samir-paul-kapur-visiting-nepal-mondayWashington’s decision to send a top diplomat soon after the formation of Shah government is loaded with meaning, say officials.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/04/17/iran-says-hormuz-strait-open-after-lebanon-deal-trump-expects-iran-deal-soonThe US-Israeli conflict with Iran, which started on February 28, has killed thousands of people and destabilised the Middle East.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/17/taplenjung-chauri-farmers-demand-resumption-of-trade-with-tibetLivestock exports remain stalled since the Covid pandemic five years ago. Over 180 herders in Taplejung are left with thousands of unsold animals and shrinking incomes.https://kathmandupost.com/national/2026/04/17/know-sapana-pradhan-malla-in-five-pointsAfter decades of challenging discriminatory laws, Malla now leads Nepal's Supreme Court and is poised to become its next Chief Justice.https://kathmandupost.com/cricket/2026/04/17/how-the-us-could-clear-mines-from-the-strait-of-hormuzUS deploys drones and robotic systems to clear Hormuz mines, but operation remains slow and exposed to Iranian threats.https://kathmandupost.com/cricket/2026/04/17/airee-to-lead-nepal-t20is-paudel-retains-odi-captaincyCAN split leadership roles for UAE T20Is and League 2 tri-series against UAE and Oman.https://kathmandupost.com/bhaktapur/2026/04/17/local-units-are-defying-the-federal-school-calendar-bhaktapur-follows-suit Bhaktapur joins several municipalities and rural municipalities in setting their own academic schedules, amid disputes over enrolment dates, start of classes and weekly holidays.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/04/17/china-steps-up-iran-diplomacy-while-seeking-smooth-summit-with-trumpBeijing balances Iran mediation efforts with trade and energy interests ahead of high-stakes US talks.https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2026/04/17/devotees-throng-matatirtha-kundaThousands gather at Matatirtha Kunda in Chandragiri to honour mothers through ritual baths, offerings and prayers on Mata Tirtha Aunsi.https://kathmandupost.com/money/2026/04/17/loans-are-cheaper-than-ever-borrowers-are-still-holding-backWith banks flush with funds but credit demand subdued, mounting excess liquidity points to deeper signs of a liquidity trap in Nepal’s economy.https://kathmandupost.com/world/2026/04/17/israel-and-lebanon-begin-ceasefire-trump-says-iran-may-meet-us-over-weekendTrump said Iran had offered not to possess nuclear weapons for more than 20 years. Tehran’s nuclear ambitions were a sticking point at talks in Islamabad last weekend.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/04/17/matatirtha-aunsi-a-practice-in-quiet-transformationThe tradition of honouring mothers through ritual, fasting and offerings endures, but modern lifestyles and distance are redefining its practice.https://kathmandupost.com/art-culture/2026/04/17/invoking-what-has-long-been-silencedDrawing from multiple traditions, ‘Invocation of the Goddesses’ resists fixed meanings, inviting viewers into a space of uncertainty and inquiry.https://kathmandupost.com/sports/2026/04/17/nepal-s-dhami-and-kakshapati-step-into-international-mma-spotlightSangita Dhami, a former South Asian Games wrestling gold medallist, and Kunjan Kakshapati aim for crucial wins in Bengaluru, India, as they build toward bigger MMA opportunities.https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-2/2026/04/17/madhesh-crackdown-on-indian-registered-vehicles-rattles-political-partiesMajor political parties have opposed the move and demanded free movement within 30 kilometres of the Nepal-India border.https://kathmandupost.com/editorial/2026/04/16/correction-centres-are-crucibles-of-chaos-still-they-are-redeemableWhen the state deprives children of basic needs, it is manufacturing criminalshttps://kathmandupost.com/columns/2026/04/16/wealth-professionalism-and-political-responsibility-in-bikram-sambat-2082The nationwide celebration of a young Madheshi woman as Deputy Speaker of HoR offers hope.