SC recognises Gagan Thapa faction as official Nepali Congress
Kathmandu, April 18: The Gagan Thapa-led faction has been recognised as the official Nepali Congress by the Supreme Court, dealing a blow to Sher Bahadur Deuba. A division bench on Friday ruled in favour of the Election Commission’s (EC) recognition of the current Central Working Committee (CWC) led by Thapa. Thapa, 49, was elected as the Nepali Congress president in a special general convention from January 11 to 14 in Kathmandu, which was challenged by the Deuba-led faction. Former prime minister Deuba and party’s acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka had challenged the EC’s decision as well as the validity of the special general convention, arguing that the recognition of the Thapa-led leadership was unconstitutional, unlawful and contrary to the party statute. The Deuba faction later moved the Supreme Court on January 18. (PTI)
10 top US scientists missing, Trump orders probe
Washington, April 18: The deaths or disappearances of at least 10 top US scientists and researchers with access to information related to aerospace, defence and extra-terrestrial life have kicked off a row here, prompting the administration to order a probe. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump was briefed on the deaths and disappearances of key scientists, and more details will be available over the next week and a half. According to reports in the American media, the earliest of the deaths dates back to July 2023. Congressman Eric Burlison said he has been drawing attention to some of the disappearances for quite some time as he found them “too coincidental”. The lawmaker argued the fate of the scientists is almost “certainly” linked to the access some had to classified aerospace, defence and UFO information – and may involve bad actors from China, Russia or Iran. (AP)
Gunmen kill on duty polio worker in Pak
Peshawar, April 18: Unidentified gunmen killed a polio worker on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan, police said Saturday. The incident occurred in Urmar village of Peshawar suburb on Friday during an ongoing polio eradication campaign when the assailants targeted the polio worker. The deceased polio worker, identified as 35-year-old Shoaib Ali, died on the spot in the attack, police said, adding, the attackers managed to flee the scene. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. (PTI)
Police shoot dead gunman who killed 5 in Kyiv
Kyiv, April 18: A gunman who killed at least people in the streets of Kyiv Saturday before taking hostages in a nearby supermarket has been shot dead by police, Ukrainian officials said. The head of Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, Ihor Klymenko, said in a statement on social media that special tactical police units stormed the store after attempts to contact the gunman with a negotiator failed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least five people were killed. The shooting took place in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. (AP)
