KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Monarchists rally behind former King Gyanendra, sparking political tension
Monarchist forces have become increasingly active in Nepal, rallying behind former King Gyanendra Shah, whose recent public appearances and statements have ignited controversy and sparked concern among republican leaders.
The resurgence of royalist sentiment has reignited debates on Nepal’s political trajectory and the viability of its federal democratic republic, established in 2008.
Tens of thousands of supporters thronged the route from the airport to Nirmal Niwas on Sunday, chanting slogans calling for the restoration of the monarchy and condemning the ruling coalition’s alleged failures. The demonstration was one of the largest monarchist gatherings in recent years, indicating a growing dissatisfaction with the political mainstream.
Gyanendra Shahi accuses PM Oli of involving Yogi Adityanath’s photo in former King’s reception
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chief Whip Gyanendra Shahi has accused Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of orchestrating the placement of a photo of Indian Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the reception for former King Gyanendra Shah.
Shahi made the claim through a social media post on Facebook today, alleging that the photo was placed at the reception on the direct instructions of PM Oli, with the involvement of his chief political advisor, Bishnu Rimal.
Foreign Minister leaves for India on religious and diplomatic visit
Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana has departed for India today on a religious visit, during which she will offer prayers at Baba Baidyanath Dham in Jharkhand.
Rana was seen off at Tribhuvan International Airport by Amrit Bahadur Rai, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with other high-ranking officials from the ministry.
Following her visit to Jharkhand, Minister Rana will attend the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, scheduled for March 17.
Sher Bahadur Deuba denies royalist sentiment, downplays demonstration
Sher Bahadur Deuba, President of the ruling Nepali Congress, has dismissed any suggestion that there is an atmosphere in favor of the monarchy or former King Gyanendra Shah.
Speaking to reporters at Geta Airport in Kailali on Monday, Deuba responded to questions about the recent royalist demonstration in Kathmandu, saying he did not see any such movement gaining traction.
Rabi Lamichhane appeals Rupandehi District Court order at Rupandehi High Court
Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has filed an appeal in the Tulsipur Bench of the High Court against a recent bail order issued by the Rupandehi District Court.
Lamichhane, who was granted bail of Rs 10 million by the Rupandehi District Court on January 26 in connection with a case involving the misappropriation of savings at the Supreme Cooperative Society in Butwal, is dissatisfied with the decision.
The District Court had ordered his release on bail, but his associate in Gorkha Media, former DIG Chhabilal Joshi, was remanded for trial.
Prachanda accuses monarchists of undermining republic, calls for response
Maoist Center Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed concerns over the growing agitation among royalists and Hindus, which he attributed to dissatisfaction with the current government led by the Nepali Congress and the UML.
During a meeting held in Khumaltar, Dahal said the opposition parties must take immediate action as the reactionary forces are gaining momentum. He criticized the Nepali Congress-UML government for its failure to deliver results to the people, stating that the dissatisfaction has been evident in the streets.
RPP pays Rs 100,000 fine imposed by KMC following pro-monarchy demonstration
The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has paid a fine of Rs 100,000 to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City for violating municipal regulations during a demonstration to welcome former King Gyanendra Shah.
Spokesperson Gyanendra Shahi of the party paid the fine and shared a photo of the payment on social media, expressing the party’s acceptance of the fine.
Agreement reached to hold Kotihom in Pokhara
Pokhara Metropolitan City has agreed to allow the Manav Sewa Foundation to organize the Kotihom event. A meeting on Monday decided to relocate the venue and granted approval for the program.
The agreement was reached following discussions among representatives from the metropolitan office, security agencies, the District Administration Office, and the event organizers.
According to Shankar Kharal, senior vice president of the World Hindu Federation, the metropolis has also decided to take ownership of the event.
Unified Socialist calls for exposing former King’s ‘wrongdoings’
The CPN (Unified Socialist), led by Madhav Kumar Nepal, has concluded that pro-change forces must unite and move forward.
During a secretariat meeting at the party’s central office in Aloknagar on Monday, the party stated that former King Gyanendra Shah’s recent activities go against the people’s wishes and sentiments.
A large number of royalists demonstrated in Kathmandu on Sunday as Shah returned from Pokhara after a month-long stay.
Inflation lower than last year, foreign exchange reserves sufficient for 14 months of imports
Nepal’s external economic indicators remain stable, according to the latest Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) report titled Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal, published on Monday.
This report is based on seven months data ending mid-February, 2024/25.
As the report states, the year–over–year consumer price inflation remained at 4.16 percent in mid-February compared to 5.01 percent a year ago.
Rabi’s outburst: Everyone will fall into the pit dug for me
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane has accused the government of using deception to block his re-entry into Parliament.
Speaking to journalists outside the Rupandehi District Court on Monday, where he appeared for a hearing on the cooperative fraud case, Lamichhane said, “The government should have dug a smaller pit to bury me. But they made it so big that now everyone will fall into it.”
The court has set the next hearing for May 5, according to court official Yagya Murti Gyawali.
Department of Drug Administration bans sale of six antibiotics
The Department of Drug Administration has announced a ban on the retail sale of six different types of antibiotics. In a notice issued today, the department stated that antibiotics, including meropenem, colistin, polymaxim B, and vancomycin, are now prohibited from being sold through retail pharmacies. According to the department, the decision was made in response to rising concerns over the misuse of reserve group antibiotics.
National Assembly member calls for reserved proportional electoral seats for women
National Assembly member Bishnu Kumari Sapkota has highlighted the importance of reserving proportional electoral constituencies for women to ensure stronger representation in Parliament.
Sapkota argued that while the country’s electoral system may require amendments due to its rising costs, the proportional electoral system enshrined in the Constitution should remain intact.
She highlighted that this system has allowed women, Madhesi, Dalits, and indigenous nationalities to secure seats in Parliament.
Maoist Center office bearers hold key meeting today
Maoist Center convened a meeting of its office bearers today at 8 am.
The meeting is expected to focus on several critical matters, including the distribution of responsibilities among the leaders, a review of the Tarai-Madhesh awareness campaign, and preparations for the upcoming Free Students’ Union elections scheduled for March 18.
Eight rescuers who went to save fisherman trapped on cliff in Bajura
A fisherman died after falling from a cliff in Bajura’s Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality-2 on Sunday, while eight others who attempted to rescue him remain trapped.
Pusse Bhandari, 38, of Fayal village, was fishing at the Karnali River when he slipped and fell from the riverbank at around 4 pm. Despite suffering broken limbs, he managed to call his relatives for help.
Eight of his relatives rushed to the scene but became stranded on a steep cliff while attempting to reach him. With the Karnali River below and a sheer rock face above, they found themselves stuck with no safe route out.
One dead in tractor accident in Bajura
A tractor accident in Chhededah Rural Municipality-5, Bajura, has claimed the life of a driver while leaving his young son injured.
The incident occurred last night when a tractor (Bhe 2 Ta 1588) traveling from Dogadi towards Budhiganga Municipality in Chiralna, Khaptad lost control and veered off the downhill road.
Eight local governments in Banke collaborate for disaster risk reduction
Eight local governments in Banke district have come together to enhance disaster risk reduction and management through a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MoU was signed during a coordination meeting focused on inter-municipal collaborations, coordination, and experience sharing. It aims to promote resource sharing, coordination, and effective collaboration among the local governments in disaster management, based on best practices and shared learnings.
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