KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings to you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

Government decides to withdraw from SPP

The government has decided to inform the United States that it would withdraw from the US’ State Partnership Program (SPP).

A cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to inform the United States, through Nepali Army, that Nepal no longer wanted to be part of SPP, said Minister of Youth and Sports Maheshwar Jung Gahatraj.

The Nepali Army had written twice to the US Embassy, in Nepal in 2015 and 2017, requesting for participation in the SPP. The US Embassy in Kathmandu earlier said that the Nepali Army’s request was accepted in 2019.

The cabinet decision comes amid widespread protest against SPP, saying the program is part of US military strategy.

Following the decision, the formal process for withdrawing the SPP will now begin.

HoR session: Lawmakers decry fuel price hike

Lawmakers have expressed objection saying the Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has hiked the price of petroleum products exorbitantly. NOC announced a hike in the prices of fuel effective from Sunday midnight. With the latest price hike, a liter of petrol costs Rs 199.

Speaking in the meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) today, they said that the fuel price has been increased four times in the last one month alone, which has badly hit the daily life of the common people.

Speaker rules govt to respond on petroleum products price hike

The House of Representatives (HoR) has ruled the government to respond to the rise in prices of petroleum products.

Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota made the ruling in the House of Representatives on Monday after the main opposition CPN-UML demanded clarification from the government on petroleum products price hike.

“The House’s attention has been to the issue (petroleum products price hike) raised by the honorable members. I would also like to draw the attention of the government,” said Speaker Sapkota, adding, “I urge the government to present truth and facts on matter before the House.”

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) raised the price of petrol to Rs 199 per liter and diesel to Rs 192 with effect from Sunday midnight.

NC general secretaries advise PM Deuba to end SPP debacle once and for all

Nepali Congress (NC) general secretary duo has advised the Prime Minister to close the chapter of United States’ State Partnership Program (SPP) once and for all.

General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma held a discussion with NC President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Baluwatar Monday morning. They touched upon various issues related to the party, government and contemporary politics in the meeting.

During the meeting, the general secretary duo urged PM Deuba to put an end to the chapter of SPP forever. “Let’s end SPP debacle with the government forming a common view and following the necessary procedures. Let’s close the issue of SPP by sending a letter from the government,” they said.

Nepal enters semi-finals in ACC Women’s T20 defeating Bahrain by eight wickets

Nepal has entered semi-finals of the ongoing 2022 ACC Women’s T20 Championship by defeating Bahrain by eight wickets in a match played at Kinrara Oval Ground, in Malaysia, on Monday.

Chasing the 15-run target posted by Bahrain, Nepal achieved it in 3.4 overs losing two wickets. The match was shortened to 7 overs due to rain.

For Nepal, Sita Rana Magar hit four runs and Kabita Kunwar remained unbeaten on three.

DoTM adjusts public transport fare to match petro-products price hike

The Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has adjusted the fare of public and freight transport along with the increase in the price of petroleum products.

The public transport fare has been adjusted as per the agreement made by the government with the stakeholders of transport business.

According to the DoTM, fare of inter-provincial passenger and freight vehicles is to be automatically adjusted if the price of fuel rises or falls by more than five per cent.

The Nepal Oil Corporation hiked petroleum products price by more than 16 percent effective Sunday midnight.

Minister Karki bids farewell to Hajj pilgrims

Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Gyanedra Bahadur Karki, bade farewell to Hajj pilgrims on Monday.

The Minister visited Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to see off 109 religious travelers to Mecca and Medina. Their departure marks the opening day of the Hajj journey for the year from the country.

On the occasion, Minister Karki offered a shawl to the group members, including Harinagar Rural Municipality Chair Gafar Ansari in Sunsari.

The group comprises 79 persons from Sunsari, 24 from Morang, and three from Jhapa.

Aviation fare goes up

The Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) has increased the aviation fare for the domestic flights citing price increment in the petroleum products.

The new list of the fare shall come in force from Wednesday, the Association said in a notice issued on Monday.

Decision to revise Standards for crusher industry challenged in Supreme Court

The government decision to revise standards for the operation of a crusher industry has been challenged in the court.

Advocates Padam Bahadur Shrestha, Raju Phuyal and Rakesh Kumar Shah have filed a writ petition at the Supreme Court seeking the withdrawal of the government decision.

The document has named the Office of Prime Ministers and Council of Ministers, Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Department of Mines and Geology among others as defendants.

NEPSE declines by 49.31 points, drops to 1884 points

The downward trend in the stock market continued even on Monday. The market dropped by 49.31 points to 1884.81 points. This is near the highest point of the previous bull, 1881.

The market, which had fallen below that point on Monday, tried to recover but finally fell by 49.31 points.

A total of 61,86,941 shares of 230 companies were traded in 36,464 transactions on Monday. A total of Rs. 1.75 billion has been transacted on this day. Prices of all subgroups declined today.