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Russian forces fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine and landed troops on its coast on Thursday, officials and media said, after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation in the east, Reuters reported.

Shortly after Putin spoke in a televised address on Russian state TV, explosions could be heard in the pre-dawn quiet of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Gunfire rattled near the capital’s main airport, the Interfax news agency said, and sirens were heard over the city.

“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

“This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”

U.S. President Joe Biden, reacting to an invasion the United States had been predicting for weeks, said his prayers were with the people of Ukraine “as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack”, while promising tough sanctions in response.

“I will be meeting with the leaders of the G7, and the United States and our allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia,” Biden said in a statement.

Russia has demanded an end to NATO’s eastward expansion and Putin repeated his position that Ukrainian membership of the U.S.-led Atlantic military alliance was unacceptable.

Nepali Congress leader Ramchandra Poudel has said the ruling coalition can break if Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Madhav Kumar Nepal did not lend tangible support in endorsing the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact. 

At a press conference organized by Press Union Tanahun at Damauli today, he made it clear that NC was not in favour of keeping the coalition intact if the CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist) did not provide support in endorsing the MCC compact. 

“The coalition partners should support the proposal brought out by the government. Even if the ruling coalition parties did not lend their support the MCC should be passed on the backing of the main opposition party. This is where NC stands now”, he further shared. 

Leader Poudel asked coalition partners to not think that the coalition would remain intact by foiling MCC compact. “If time demands the country can go for an election. Election can be declared soon if needed”. 

MCC was a gift of the US citizens, he said, accusing some people of creating unnecessary rumours about its agreement. “MCC is not a project to nurture any imperialism but a development project”, he said, expressing reservation on the sponsored rumour spreading against MCC. RSS

The price of yellow metal has gone up by Rs 2,500 per tola in Nepali market on Thursday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of hallmark gold has been fixed at Rs 99,000 per tola today against Rs 96,500 yesterday.

Likewise, the price of silver has increased by Rs 35 per tola today and has been determined at Rs 1,315 per tola. RSS

A meeting of the Legislature-Parliament has been postponed till Friday.

The meeting has been postponed till 1 pm tomorrow by pasting a notice after the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee at the request of the Parliament Secretariat.

The meeting was called for 1 pm today.

The government was preparing to present the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the Parliament meeting today to hold a general discussion.

It has been learnt that the meeting was postponed after the leaders failed to forge consensus on the MCC in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee.

The government of Nepal urged all the parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint not to escalate tension in Ukraine.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Nepal has closely been following the developments in Ukraine.

“As a member of the United Nations, Nepal views that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the UN Charter are sacrosanct and must be fully respected by all member states,” the statement read.

Recognition of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent entities goes contrary to the provisions of the UN Charter.

Nepal opposes any use of force against a sovereign country in any circumstance and believes in peaceful resolution of disputes through diplomacy and dialogue, the statement further read.

A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee has started at the Parliament building in New Baneshwor on Thursday.

A meeting of the House of Representatives has been scheduled for 1 pm today.

The meeting of the Business Advisory Committee was held to decide the agenda for the Parliament meeting.

The government is preparing to present the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in the Parliament for a general discussion today.

The main opposition CPN-UML boycotted the meeting today as well.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman held a meeting on Thursday.

During the meeting, the duo discussed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) debate process, PM’s press advisor Govinda Pariyar said.

“They have discussed to endorse the MCC within the given time frame. The House of Representatives will start a debate on the MCC compact from today,” he said.

Dahal reached Baluwatar after holding a meeting with CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Nepal this morning.

The Parliament meeting is scheduled for 1 pm today.

It has been learnt that the Finance Minister Janardan Sharma will present the compact in the Parliament for a general discussion.

The United States has given the government of Nepal a deadline of February 28 to secure parliamentary ratification of the compact.

A man died and other sustained injuries when police and a gang of alleged marijuana smugglers exchanged fire in Simraungadh, Bara on Wednesday.

A team from the Area Police Office, Simraungadh was deployed after they got the information that some people were smuggling marijuana to India from Nepal.

Police spokesperson Rajesh Thapa said that police opened fire in retaliation after the smugglers launched an attack on them.

Thapa said that one of the two persons who were injured in the incident breathed his last during the course of treatment. The identity of the deceased is yet to be established.

Police said that they have arrested Hiradesh Giri (40) of Motihari, India for his involvement in the incident.

Police confiscated 75 kg marijuana from their possession.

Spokesperson Thapa said that the group of 67 persons were smuggling the marijuana to India in five bags.

Police said that they are looking into the case.