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Speaker Devaj Ghimire has described the incident that took place at Tinkune on Friday was an attack on democracy and urged the political parties to create an environment to hold a discussion and debate on the issue in Parliament.

In a meeting with the Chief Whips of the political parties held at the Parliament Building, New Baneshwar today, he called on the parties to give a sense that the Parliament is active by holding discussions on the incident that took place in the country.

Speaker Ghimire said it would not be appropriate to disrupt the House under any circumstances when the situation calls for the House to carry out its business even if it was not in session.

Chief Whip of the ruling CPN-UML Mahesh Kumar Bartaula said the Prime Minister would address the House meeting on March 31.

Also Read: Attack on Annapurna Media Network evokes widespread condemnation

He informed that there was a telephonic conversation between the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition parties on the issue of removing the obstruction of Parliament.

According to him, the Prime Minister has called for an all-party meeting today itself.

Meanwhile, the ruling party has requested the opposition parties to open the obstruction of the House through dialogue. The opposition parties, however, said their stance has not changed.

Two days after the violent clashes between security personnel and pro-monarchy protesters in Tinkune, the government on Sunday reduced the number of security personnel for the then King Gyandendra Shah.

According to Kumar Upadhyay, spokesperson of the Armed Police Force, the government deployed security personnel to the VIPs as per the procedure made by the government.

Ten policemen of the Armed Police Force deployed under the command of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) have been called back. 

Of the 25 police personnel deployed for the protection of Shah, only 15 are currently in place.

After the departure from Narayanhiti, the government has been providing the facility of security personnel along with housing for the royal family.

According to a source at the Armed Police Force, the security team deployed for family members will also be called back.

Two persons including a photo journalist of Avenues TV died during the protest.

The pro-monarchist groups organized the demonstration, demanding restoration of monarchy and Hindu Kingdom.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire is holding a meeting with the chief whips of political parties in the Lower House ahead of the Parliament meeting today.

The meeting is taking place this afternoon.

The Speaker's secretariat stated that Ghimire is consulting with the Chief Whips in the Federal Parliament Building in Naya Baneshwor. 

Deputy Speaker Indira Rana, Nepali Congress (NC) Chief Whip Shyam Kumar Ghimire, CPN-UML Chief Whip Mahesh Bartaula, CPN (Maoist Center) Chief Whip Hit Raj Pandey and Rastriya Swatantra Party Chief Whip Santosh Pariyar and others are attending the meeting.

The price of gold has reached an all-time high of Rs 176, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of precious yellow metal has increased by Rs 600 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 176, 200 per tola on Friday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 2,025 per tola today.

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a financing package of USD 150 million for Nepal’s Third Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP-III). The support is to help strengthen the resilience of bridges in the Strategic Road Network, ensuring safer and uninterrupted connectivity across the country’s diverse and challenging terrain. 

Nepal's bridge system serves as critical lifelines connecting remote and urban communities to essential services, including healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Vulnerabilities caused by frequent climate-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes severely affect the bridge infrastructure.

The program, led by Nepal’s Department of Roads, will focus on climate-resilient measures such as enhanced structural designs and innovative technologies, including real-time monitoring systems to safeguard bridges against extreme weather events. The program will also support bridge designs prioritizing accessibility for all users, connecting marginalized communities to vital services, according to a press release issued by the Bank today.

Meanwhile, Division Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen has said the resilience of Nepal’s bridge network is fundamental for safe and sustained connectivity. This program emphasizes resilient infrastructure development and promoting access to markets and services for vulnerable communities while promoting Nepal’s sustainable growth.

The program includes capacity-building initiatives for the Department of Roads, promoting innovative solutions and strengthening institutional systems for effective infrastructure management.

Israeli forces launch a new ground assault on Rafah in southern Gaza as the death toll from Israel’s attacks on Saturday rises to 24.

Israel has made a "counter-proposal," according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following Hamas' announcement that it had agreed to a revised ceasefire proposal proposed by Egypt and Qatar, Alzajeera reported.

At least 50,277 Palestinians have been reported dead and 114,095 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza, says the Gaza Health Ministry. As reported by Gaza's Government Media Office, thousands of Palestinians who went missing beneath the debris are most likely dead, and the death toll has been updated to nearly 61,700, according to Alzajeera.

Over 200 people were captured and at least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, strikes led by Hamas.

The death count from a massive earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 1,644 while 3,408 people were injured.

Large swaths of central Myanmar were devastated by Friday's shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck northwest of the city of Sagaing, NDTV World reported.

Rescuers in neighboring Thailand are attempting to free the workers who are stuck at a collapse site in Bangkok.

The dead toll from the building collapse in Bangkok, Thailand, has grown to twelve. The overall number of deaths in Bangkok stands at 17.  Yesterday, some remains were recovered from the concrete and steel rubble, but at least 70 workers are still believed to be trapped. Hundreds of rescuers and big cranes have been deployed for the rescue mission, according to NDTV from Bangkok.

Rhododendrons have turned the hilly forests red this season. The forests and settlements in Kathmandu Valley and the hilly regions of the country are adorned with colorful rhododendrons of various species, creating a vibrant and picturesque landscape.

In the Gupsipakha area of Dharche Rural Municipality in Gorkha district, the blooming rhododendrons have added a red hue to the green forests, enhancing their beauty and attracting more tourists to the region.  

This area is home to different varieties of rhododendrons, including red, pink, white, and yellow species. Located in the remote northern part of the district, the lush green hills and blooming rhododendrons not only draw tourists but also enhance the region’s charm.  

According to botanists, rhododendrons are found at altitudes ranging from 1,300 to 4,600 meters above sea level. Traditionally, they bloom in early spring (March), but due to the impacts of climate change, they have started flowering as early as January and February.

Rhododendron trees can grow anywhere between 10 centimeters to 30 meters tall. With over 1,000 species found worldwide, rhododendrons hold a significant place in global flora.