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OPPO has launched the A5 Pro in Nepal, bringing flagship-level durability and performance to its A Series lineup. The smartphone boasts IP69 water and dust resistance, Military-Grade Shock Resistance, and a sleek yet rugged design available in Mocha Brown and Olive Green.

Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen1 processor, the A5 Pro offers smooth performance with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. It features a 50MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera, AI-enhanced gaming with GameBoost, and a 5,800mAh battery supporting 45W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge for extended use. The 1,000-nit Ultra Bright Display and dual stereo speakers further enhance the entertainment experience. The OPPO A5 Pro (8GB+256GB) is priced at Rs 32,999 in Nepal. Pre-orders are open until March 24, with a Rs 1,000 cashback offer for the first 500 customers.

Pearson has expanded its PTE (Pearson Test of English) presence in Nepal by opening a new test center in Chitwan, with additional centers planned for Jhapa and Janakpur. This expansion aims to improve accessibility for Nepali students and professionals seeking international education and work opportunities. Prabhul Ravindran, Director of English Language Learning at Pearson India, emphasized Nepal’s growing demand for English proficiency tests. “Nepal is an important market, with many students and professionals aspiring to study or work abroad. Expanding our footprint here remains a key objective,” he stated. 

According to Ravindran, PTE is known for its AI-driven assessment system, offering a fully computerized exam that evaluates speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. The test delivers results within 48 hours, making it a preferred option for those needing quick and accurate certification for visa and academic applications.  

“The new center in Chitwan will cater to increasing demand outside Kathmandu, providing a convenient option for test-takers in the region,” he says. “The planned centers in Jhapa and Janakpur are expected to further enhance accessibility across Nepal.”

Salah al-Bardaweel, a leading Hamas political figure, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, a Hamas spokesman informed the BBC.

Bardaweel, considered the top political figure in Hamas, and his wife were murdered in the airstrike, according to locals. There was no immediate response from Israeli officials, according to BBC.

The statements of health officials in the Palestinian region controlled by Hamas, at least 18 people have been murdered so far on Sunday in Rafah and Khan Yunis, farther south.

Israel began significant bombings on Gaza earlier this week, thus ending the first phase of a nearly two-month ceasefire. It accused Hamas of rejecting a new US request to extend the truce, BBC reported.

Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of abandoning the initial arrangement, which had been negotiated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. It envisaged the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the following release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, as well as negotiations to end the war and rebuild Gaza.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 53. 04 points to close at 2, 616.26 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 8. 08 points to close at 439. 26 points.

A total of 12,371,280-unit shares of 317 companies were traded for Rs 6. 32 billion.

Meanwhile, Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Limited (KBSH) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 8. 72 percent. Likewise, Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 34 trillion.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was officially placed under custody by a Turkish court for trial on corruption charges, just days after his detention sparked nationwide protests, Aljazeera reported.

Imamoglu and at least 20 other people were imprisoned as part of a corruption investigation, the court said. A decision on a separate probe into terror has not yet been made.

The court opted to release the mayor under judicial control measures for a second terror-related charge, according to stations Halk TV and AHaber, potentially preventing the government from choosing a trustee to oversee the country's largest city, according to Aljazeera

The mayor, a key opposition member and prospective contender to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was jailed by the government on Wednesday on charges of "terrorism" and corruption.

Imamoglu has refuted all claims, referring to them as part of a "smear campaign".

Eleven tourists have died due to altitude sickness in Mustang district in the last one year. Nine foreign backpackers and two Nepalis died due to altitude sickness from April 13, 2024 till date.

Information Officer at the District Police Office, Police Inspector Bishal Adhikari, said that most of the Indian tourists died while visiting the Muktinath temple and other places in the district.

According to Adhikari, among those who came to Mustang for worshipping at Muktinath temple and for trek in other places, five died in Muktinath of Waragung Muktikshetra-1, five in Jomsom of Gharpajhong-4 and one in Thasang Rural Municipality-2.

Among the dead are tourists aged between 58 and 81 years.

The District Police Office said two tourists died in the month of April, one in May, two in September, five in October and one in December. A 63-year-old American citizen was among those who died from altitude sickness, police inspector Adhikari said.

In 2023 BS, 17 people lost their lives due to altitude sickness. The deceased include 11 foreigners and six Nepali nationals, Adhikari added.

Nepal Tourism Board emphasized the promotion of Buddhist tourism at the 'Nepal-Myanmar Trade and Tourism Expo 2025' held in Yangon, Myanmar.

The program was organized on March 21 and 22 on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Myanmar.

During the expo, Buddhist tourism was promoted and Nepali tourism products, information technology solutions, and other products were also showcased.

A total of 16 tourism companies from Nepal and 30 from Myanmar took part in the event.

On the occasion, Nepal said that special emphasis should be given to promote Buddhist tourism while urging Myanmar tourists to visit Lumbini through flights to the new Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa) in Nepal.

Myanmar Union Minister U Tun Ohn, Nepal's Ambassador to Myanmar Harish Chandra Ghimire and Nepal Chamber of Commerce President Shiva Agrawal jointly inaugurated the expo.

Addressing the program, Minister U Tun Ohn stressed on the need for cooperation in tourism promotion while strengthening trade relations between Nepal and Myanmar.

KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Deepak Khadka has said that the government is working to strengthen the forecasting and early warning system with the help of latest technology.

Speaking at a program organized by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat on the occasion of World Meteorological Day in the Capital this morning, he said that the government is working to strengthen the early warning system to save the lives of people at risk of disasters.

Stating that the early warning system has been very successful in protecting people and their property from floods, Minister Khadka said that the government is expanding the use of IT, radar systems and satellite technology for rain and weather forecasting.

Minister Khadka said it is a top priority of the government to protect glaciers, major source of Nepal's most hydropower projects, irrigation schemes and drinking water, and early warning systems will be strengthened and risk reduction measures forwarded to minimize the impact of climate change. "If proper preparations are not started now, considering the risks that may arise in the future, there may be a serious crisis in Nepal's water security in the future. Hence, we are working together with the international community to preserve the glaciers and minimize the impact of climate change," he said.

With the support of the Green Climate Fund the government is going to install risk reduction and early warning systems in four more glaciers, including Lower Barun Glacier in Sankhuwasabha, Lumding and Hongu Glaciers in Solukhumbu, and Thulagi Glacier in Manang district. He also said that the government will implement the impact-based forecasting system in all provinces and river basins across the country in the future.

Energy Minister Khadka also shared that the Hydrology and Meteorology Policy, 2081, has been formulated and implemented under the leadership of the ministry. He also expressed his commitment to prepare the new financial year budget keeping in mind the disaster-induced risks in the coming year.

Meanwhile, Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Sarita Dawadi, said that the services of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology will be further developed and expanded while Secretary of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, Madhu Prasad Bhetwal, said that the government is taking forward various programs in the fields of hydrology and meteorological services, climate adaptation and glacier conservation in collaboration with various agencies.