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

Internet services disrupted in Nepal, bandwidth restriction by Indian company

Internet services in Nepal have experienced widespread disruption since Thursday afternoon, with reports indicating a significant impact across the country. The cause of this disruption, according to internet service providers, appears to be linked to actions taken by the Indian telecommunications giant, Airtel, which has reportedly restricted bandwidth. Reports from various regions of Nepal suggest varying degrees of disruption, with some areas experiencing complete shutdowns. An official from the Internet Service Provider Association of Nepal shed light on the situation, explaining that the problem emerged following Airtel’s decision to limit bandwidth allocation from India.

Dahal-Oli Meeting: Focuses on new budget, by-elections, and Unified Socialist Chair Nepal’s dissatisfactions

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli convened for a two-hour meeting at Singha Durbar on Thursday. Following the meeting, Chair Oli stated that the two leaders deliberated on contemporary political issues and the upcoming budget. He mentioned that the government will soon announce its decision regarding the budget session. Additionally, the meeting addressed the outcomes of the recent by-elections in Ilam and Bajhang, where CPN-UML emerged victorious in both constituencies.

Government calls for budget session on May 10

The government has announced the summoning of a budget session on May 10. President Ram Chandra Poudel has called for the session to commence at 2 pm on May 10, in accordance with Article 93 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal, at the Federal Parliament Building in New Baneshwor. Previously, the Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar had recommended President Poudel to convene the budget session on the specified date.

Wildfires ravage Nepal with 436 cases reported across 53 districts on Thursday

Nepal is grappling with a surge in wildfires in recent days, with as many as 436 cases reported across 53 districts on Thursday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The dry and windy conditions prevalent during this season have been cited as key factors contributing to the escalation in wildfire incidents, as noted by wildfire expert Sundar Sharma. Sharma further highlighted that geographical barriers have posed challenges in controlling these fires. Among the most affected districts, Sharma identified Kailali, Doti, Salyan, Dailekh, and Palpa. “On average, Nepal experiences around 2,500 wildfire cases every two years,” Sharma stated.

Nepal witnesses 12.75% increase in tourist arrivals

Nepal experienced a 12.75 percent surge in tourist arrivals in April. According to the latest data from the Nepal Tourism Board, April saw a notable rise in the number of tourists visiting Nepal compared to the same month last year. In April 2023, 98,773 foreign nationals visited Nepal, which increased to 111,376 this year. Comparatively, in April 2022, the number stood at 61,589, and in 2021, it was 22,732. The highest number of visitors in April this year came from India, with 30,158 visitors.

West Indies ‘A’ clinches T20 series against Nepal

West Indies ‘A’ secured victory in the T20 series against Nepal, defeating the home team by 28 runs. With this win, West Indies ‘A’ has claimed the series 3-1, with one match still to be played. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, West Indies ‘A’ set a target of 210 runs for Nepal to equalize in the ongoing T20 series. At the TU International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, the visiting team posted a total of 209 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Pokhara Airport resumes operations today

The Pokhara Regional International Airport, which experienced temporary closure over the past few days due to low visibility issues, has resumed its services as of this morning. According to Dipendra Kumar Karna from Buddha Air’s information office, the airport reopened after visibility conditions improved. Over the past four days, flight operations were entirely suspended for two days, while flights operated partially on the remaining two days. The low visibility was attributed to incidents of forest fires near the airport and the presence of haze in the area. However, with improved weather conditions this morning, air services have been restored.

Gold price up by Rs 2,000 per tola today

Gold price increased by Rs 2,000 per tola in the domestic market today. As reported by the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 136,500 per tola, while standard gold is currently traded at Rs 135,850 per tola. The price of fine gold was Rs 134,500 per tola, while standard gold was traded at Rs 133,850 per tola on Wednesday.

Butwal Metropolis closes schools amid soaring heat

Amid scorching temperatures and gusts of hot air, Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City in Rupandehi has decided to shut down all schools within its jurisdiction for a two-day period. Chief Administrative Officer Mitramani Khanal issued a notification announcing the closure, scheduled for today and tomorrow. Khanal highlighted the escalating heatwave, expressing concerns over potential health hazards to students. “In light of the escalating heat and the onset of hot winds, there’s a significant risk to the well-being of our students. Therefore, we urge all schools within the city area to observe a two-day break on May 2 and 3, instead of their usual annual leave,” stated the notice issued by Khanal.