KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Royalist protest at TIA causes issue for passengers
Passengers traveling through Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) faced significant inconvenience on Sunday due to a protest by royalists at the airport gate.
Travelers were forced to carry their luggage through the entrance as the protest blocked vehicle movement. Police also restricted relatives from entering the main gate to see off or receive passengers, adding to the chaos.
The demonstration led to traffic disruptions in the surrounding areas.
Former King Gyanendra heads to Nirmal Niwas amid large crowd of supporters
Former King Gyanendra Shah returned to Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon after spending nearly a month in Pokhara.
Hundreds of enthusiastic royalist supporters gathered at Tribhuvan International Airport to welcome him. As he left the airport, Shah stood up in his vehicle, greeted the crowd with a namaste, and waved to his supporters.
Following his arrival, royalist supporters marched toward Nirmal Niwas in a rally. Among them was Durga Prasai, who had earlier announced plans to bring the former king to Narayanhiti Palace.
Gyanendra Shah’s political overtures put major parties on edge
Former King Gyanendra Shah, who arrived in Pokhara with his family on February 9 via a chartered Summit Air flight, returned to Kathmandu on Sunday after a month-long stay.
Shah’s month-long stay in Pokhara has reinvigorated discussions about the monarchy’s role in Nepal. While mainstream political leaders continue to dismiss the possibility of a return to monarchy, his activities and growing public interactions indicate that monarchist sentiments remain alive in certain sections of society.
His presence in Pokhara, marked by symbolic actions and increasing public support, suggests an effort to test the waters and mobilize his base. As he returns to Kathmandu, the political ripple created by his visit raises questions about whether this momentum will fade or develop into a more organized push for monarchist revival.
Kulman Ghising calls Minister’s clarification notice prejudiced and unfair
Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Managing Director Kulman Ghising has submitted his response to Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Minister Deepak Khadka regarding the government’s clarification notice.
Following a Cabinet decision last Wednesday, the ministry had asked Ghising to explain why his appointment should not be revoked. In response, Ghising submitted a 16-page clarification on Sunday.
The ministry had accused Ghising of failing to submit the previous fiscal year’s performance report on time
Maoist leaders in Kathmandu amid political developments
Maoist leaders are returning to Kathmandu after pausing their Tarai-Madhes awareness campaign due to the current political situation.
Maoist Secretary Devendra Poudel confirmed that the leaders are heading back to the capital, citing the need to attend a crucial office-bearers’ meeting scheduled for Monday morning.
Their return comes at a time when supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) are demonstrating in Kathmandu today.
Tara Air suspends flights to Mugu, Humla, and Jumla due to financial losses
Tara Air has announced the suspension of its regular flights from Surkhet to Mugu, Humla, and Jumla, citing financial losses incurred on each flight.
The private airline operator, in collaboration with Himali Travels and Tours, had launched these services in December 2024, with the flights inaugurated by Karnali Province’s Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forests, and Environment, Suresh Adhikari.
Pesticide contamination found in cauliflower at Kalimati vegetable market
A large amount of pesticide has been detected in cauliflower brought to the Kalimati Vegetable Market, raising concerns over food safety.
According to the Kalimati Vegetable and Fruit Market Development Committee, the cauliflower sourced from Dhading was found to contain 71.48% of organophosphate pesticide. The pesticide was identified following a test conducted by the Central Agricultural Laboratory on Sunday, which sampled 19 vegetable and fruit shops in the market.
Nepal clinches thrilling one-wicket victory against Uganda in Women’s Day Cup T20I
Nepal registered a nail-biting one-wicket win over Uganda in its second match of the ongoing Women’s Day Cup T20I tournament in Uganda. Chasing a modest target of 76 runs, Nepal secured the victory with just one ball to spare.
Sana Praveen (17) and Pooja Mahato (16) were the top scorers for Nepal. At one point, Nepal was comfortably placed at 39/2 but suffered a dramatic collapse, losing wickets at regular intervals, slumping to 69/8. With six runs needed in the final over, Riya Sharma and Ishwari Bista held their nerves to guide Nepal to victory.
One killed in wild elephant attack in Chitwan
A man lost his life after being attacked by a wild elephant in eastern Chitwan on Saturday.
The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Suresh Mahato, a permanent resident of Khairhani Municipality who was currently living in Ratnanagar Municipality-7.
According to Chitwan National Park Information Officer Abinash Thapa Magar, Mahato was attacked behind the Chitwan Adventure Hotel in Laukhani, Ratnanagar-7.
Rabi Lamichhane appears in Kaski Court
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has arrived in Kaski today for his second court appearance in connection with the cooperative fraud, organized crime, and money laundering case.
According to his secretariat, Lamichhane traveled to Kaski to attend the hearing at the Kaski District Court. He had previously spent 84 days in custody before being released on bail of Rs 6.5 million.
Nepali Congress flags removed by protesters, leading to clashes in Dhangadhi
Tension erupted in Dhangadhi’s market area on Sunday when protesting students removed flags put up by the Nepali Congress to welcome its President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
The situation escalated into a physical confrontation after youths from Tarun Dal and Nepali Sangh, affiliated with the Nepali Congress, attempted to retaliate against the protesters.
The students have been protesting for a week, demanding changes to the controversial bill to make provisions regarding the formation, operation and conditions of service of the Sudurpaschim Province local level, which they claim disproportionately benefits contract employees at the local level.
PM Cup kicks off in Lumbini today
The Prime Minister’s Cup (PM Cup) One-Day Men’s National Cricket Tournament begins today under the organization of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).
The tournament will run until March 29 and feature 10 teams, including seven provincial and three departmental teams. The matches will be played across three venues in Lumbini Province: Siddhartha Stadium in Bhairahawa, Deukhuri Cricket Stadium in Dang, and Extratech Oval in Tilottama.
Landslide in stock market as NEPSE drops 46.33 points
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) experienced a significant decline on Sunday, falling by 46.33 points to settle at 2,772.10 points, marking a 1.64% drop.
A total of 2,72,26,283 shares worth Rs 10.936 billion were traded throughout the day. Despite the decline, shares of 24 companies saw an increase in their prices, while 217 companies experienced a fall in their share values. The prices of two companies remained unchanged.
Air pollution soars in Kathmandu due to lack of rain
Air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley has increased as the region experiences cloudy skies and a lack of adequate rainfall.
Meteorologist Binu Maharjan explained that the absence of rainfall is mainly due to the influence of local winds and the western low-pressure system, preventing the expected precipitation that could help clear the polluted air.
Gold price rises by Rs 100 per tola
The price of gold in the Nepali market increased by Rs 100 per tola on Sunday, the first trading day of the week.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers, gold is now being traded at Rs 170,300 per tola, up from Rs 170,200 per tola on Friday.
At least 25 killed as Russian attacks intensify in Ukraine
At least 25 people have been killed in recent Russian attacks on Ukraine as tensions escalate following the breakdown of diplomatic talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Ukrainian officials, the Donetsk region has been among the hardest hit, with 11 people killed and 40 reported missing. Among the dead are six children. The relentless strikes have targeted residential areas and infrastructure, further deepening the humanitarian crisis.
African swine fever outbreak under control in Hetauda
The African swine fever outbreak in pigs across three wards of Hetauda Sub-municipal Corporation has been successfully brought under control, authorities confirmed.
According to Dr. Brajkishore Thakur, Chief of the Livestock Services Office in Hetauda, the situation was managed through a combination of pest control measures, sanitation efforts, restricted transportation of pigs from affected areas, and awareness-raising initiatives.
The outbreak, which affected ward numbers 1, 11, and 17, had resulted in the death of over 200 pigs in the last four months.
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