KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Kathmandu’s air quality reaches hazardous levels
Air pollution in Kathmandu continues to be a serious issue. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded this morning (Sunday), Kathmandu ranks second worldwide for air pollution.
At present, Delhi, India, holds the top position for air pollution, while Lahore, Pakistan, is in third place. The AQI in Kathmandu is currently 204, while Delhi’s AQI is at 249, and Lahore’s stands at 202. Despite some slight improvements in air quality due to winds in the Kathmandu Valley on Friday and Saturday, the situation remains hazardous.
Nepal Teachers’ Federation announces indefinite academic strike
The Nepal Teachers’ Federation, which has been protesting in the capital for the past five days, has announced an indefinite academic strike. In a statement released on Sunday morning, the federation announced a nationwide academic strike starting tomorrow (Monday).
Federation President Laxmi Kishor Subedi and General Secretary Tula Bahadur Thapa called on teachers and education staff across the country to make the strike a success by halting all activities, including the publication of results.
Teachers blow whistles in protest as govt stays silent
The ongoing protest by teachers, which began on April 2, continues with no sign of abating. Despite Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli stating on Saturday that the government would address their demands, the teachers remain unconvinced.
On Sunday, demonstrators took to the streets, marching from Maitighar to New Baneshwor while blowing whistles in a symbolic act of protest. Teachers have been demanding the implementation of the Education Act and the fulfillment of past agreements. The Nepal Teachers’ Federation initiated the Kathmandu-centric protest on Wednesday.
Republic plan was set before Prachanda entered the scene: Madhav Nepal
Chairman of the Unified Socialist Madhav Kumar Nepal has claimed that the decision to establish a republic in Nepal was made through an understanding between himself, then-King Gyanendra Shah, and Girija Prasad Koirala—before Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ joined the political mainstream.
Speaking at a gathering and training program organized by the Nepal Indigenous Nationalities Federation (Socialist), Bagmati Province—affiliated with his party—at the party’s central office in Aloknagar on Sunday, Nepal said he only supported the Maoist movement after the three leaders had reached a consensus.
“He (Prachanda) joined only after then-King Gyanendra, Girija, and I agreed to establish a republic,” he said.
Janamat Party and NUP merge: Resham as Patron, CK Raut as Executive Chair
A formal unification has been finalized between Janamat Party Nepal and Nagrik Unmukti Party (NUP), with consensus reached on leadership roles, party name, and election symbol.
According to Ganga Narayan Chaudhary, a lawmaker from NUP, the agreement was made during a unification task force meeting held Sunday in Amarpur, Madhuwan Municipality, Bardiya.
As per the deal, Resham Chaudhary will serve as the patron of the unified party, CK Raut will be the executive chair. And, Ranjita Shrestha, the current NUP president, will be given the third rank in leadership hierarchy.
Shekhar Koirala criticizes government’s economic management, questions coalition’s legitimacy
Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress-CPN-UML coalition government, stating that it has failed to prove its legitimacy.
Speaking at the launch of Dr. Suman Karmacharya’s book ‘Katroma Khaltī’ on Sunday, Koirala criticized the government for not fulfilling the promises made when the coalition was formed, which included constitutional amendments, improving the economic situation, and ensuring good governance.
He stressed that there has been no progress in these areas. Koirala further remarked that the political situation in the country is currently in a fragile state, with the economic condition deteriorating daily and middlemen exerting significant influence across various sectors.
Prachanda: We haven’t abandoned the idea of ethnic identity-based state restructuring
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the chair of Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), has clarified that his party has not abandoned the agenda of restructuring the state based on ethnic identity.
Speaking at a meeting of the Newa Rastriya Mukti Morcha in Kathmandu on Sunday, Prachanda explained that his party still stands by the issue of ethnic identity and that they have not abandoned it.
He also reminded the audience that when federalism was being structured, he had made a ‘Note of Dissent’ in the Constitutional Assembly advocating for the creation of 14 provinces.
Two killed, two others injured in jeep accident in Arghakhanchi
Two people lost their lives in a jeep accident in Arghakhanchi this morning (Sunday) in Malarani Rural Municipality-3, according to the District Police Office.
The deceased have been identified as jeep driver Dilip Khanal and passenger Bal Krishna Rijal. Two others were injured in the incident. The jeep (registration number Lu 2 Cha 2990) was traveling from Malarani-3 Lutipokhari to Malarani-4 Khandaha when it overturned.
Protesters demand Kulman Ghising’s reinstatement
A protest was held at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu on Sunday, demanding the reinstatement of Kulman Ghising as Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).
The demonstration was organized by the Joint Movement for the Reinstatement of Kulman Ghising. Protesters carried placards reading “Stop Politics in the NEA,” “Kulman Ghising: Pride of the Nation,” and wore T-shirts with slogans such as “Hero of Bright Nepal: Kulman Ghising.”
Participants dressed in traditional Tamang, Newari, Damphu, and Jhakri attire, symbolizing cultural solidarity in the movement.
Nepal’s Shakya elected to IPU Sustainable Development Committee
National Assembly (NA) member Dr. Anjan Shakya has been elected to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Standing Committee on Sustainable Development.
She was chosen to represent Nepal from the Asia-Pacific region during the IPU’s 150th assembly held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
The Nepali delegation to the assembly is led by Speaker Devraj Ghimire, with the event running from April 5 to April 9. Shakya secured the position after defeating candidates from the Maldives and Iran, making her the first-ever Nepali MP to be elected to the committee.
Gold price drops in domestic market
The price of gold has continued its downward trend in the local market today, dropping by Rs 1,900 on Sunday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers, gold was traded at Rs 174,500 per tola today. On Friday, gold was priced at Rs 176,400 per tola, marking a sharp decline of Rs 3,900 that day. The price of silver has also seen a dip. It fell by Rs 70 and was traded at Rs 1,800 per tola.
Ram Nawami celebrated across the country today
Today, devotees across Nepal celebrated Ram Nawami, the sacred festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ram, revered as Maryada Purushottam—the ideal man and upholder of dharma.
Also called Ram Jayanti, the occasion symbolizes the eternal victory of righteousness and truth over evil and ignorance.
Observed on Chaitra Shukla Nawami, the ninth day of the waxing moon in the lunar month of Chaitra, the festival honors the divine birth of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu scriptures, Ram was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in the ancient city of Ayodhya during the Treta Yuga.
Seven expeditions granted permits to climb Mt Everest
The Government of Nepal has begun issuing mountaineering permits for the spring climbing season, allowing expeditions to attempt Mt Everest, the world’s highest peak.
According to the Department of Tourism, permits have been issued to seven expedition teams so far, comprising 17 women and 60 men. A total of 198 climbers from Nepal and other countries have received permission to climb Mt Everest (Sagarmatha) this season.
PM Oli describes Lord Ram as an ideal figure of peace, justice and righteousness
Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli has extended his best wishes to all Nepalis on the occasion of Ram Nawami and Chaite Dashain, celebrated today.
Sharing a message on his social media account, Prime Minister Oli highlighted the significance of Lord Ram, describing him as an ideal figure of peace, justice, righteousness, morality, order, good governance, and duty, as depicted in the ancient epic Ramayana.
Narayangadh-Butwal Road: Traffic to be closed for expansion work
Traffic will be temporarily closed in the Daunne area of the Nawalparasi-Narayangadh-Butwal road section for road expansion work. The decision was made during a stakeholder meeting in Daunne on Saturday, involving participants from Nawalparasi Bardaghat Susta East and West.
It was agreed to close the Daunne area from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm from April 9 to April 13, and from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am from April 14 to April 28, as informed by Ghanashyam Giri, Chairman of Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality.
15-day Ram Nawami fair begins in Halesi, Khotang
A 15-day Ram Nawami fair has begun in Halesi, a significant religious site in Khotang. The fair, held to celebrate Ram Nawami, takes place in Halesi, a place of worship for Hindus, Buddhists, and Kirat followers alike. Pilgrims from neighboring countries, including India, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and South Korea, visit Halesi to participate in the Ram Nawami festivities.
UML General Secretary Pokharel criticizes RPP for ‘undemocratic’ act
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has strongly objected to the recent incident where Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) cadres allegedly smeared black ink on the statue of former Prime Minister BP Koirala in Nepalgunj.
Taking to Facebook, Pokharel criticized those who claim RPP is not just a party but a movement to reinstate the monarchy, stating that their act of such act reveals their true intentions.
Bridge built across Kosera River in Myagdi using steel truss technology
A new bridge using ‘steel truss’ technology has been constructed over the Kosera River in Kuine-8 of Raghuganga Rural Municipality, Myagdi. Dinesh Chhantyal, Chairman of the Consumers’ Committee, shared that the 32-meter-long bridge, built at a cost of Rs 3,324,167, will benefit 485 people from 100 households.
Vote counting for Nepal Bar Association elections to begin tomorrow
The counting of votes for the 27th Central Working Committee of the Nepal Bar Association, held on Saturday, will begin on Monday. According to Chief Election Officer and Senior Advocate Ram Krishna Nirala, ballot boxes are expected to arrive in Kathmandu by Sunday evening, with the counting process set to commence the following day.
Out of 9,957 eligible voters, approximately 80 percent cast their ballots. A total of 57 candidates contested for the 25-member working committee.
Preservation of historical heritage is our shared responsibility: President Paudel
President Ram Chandra Paudel emphasized that the development, preservation, and promotion of Nepal’s invaluable heritage must be a priority for all three tiers of government, especially in a country rich in multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic traditions.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the reconstructed Shree Degutaleju Temple and the unveiling of a stone inscription in the Patan Durbar area, the President underscored the importance of public awareness and active citizen participation in heritage conservation.
Flights resume in Taplejung after four-month hiatus
Air services at Suketar Airport in Taplejung have resumed today after a break of nearly four months. Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the national flag carrier, had halted its regular flights to Suketar since the second week of December 2024, after two of its aircraft were grounded due to technical issues.
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