Submit your Article

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Nepal Suwapong Sirisorn paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba at her office in Singha Durbar today. 

During the meeting, matters of bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between Nepal and Thailand were discussed, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 40.76 points to close at 2,796.38 points on Monday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0.97 points to close at 491. 78 points.

A total of 49,773,730-unit shares of 326 companies were traded for Rs 21. 86 billion.

Meanwhile, Ru Ru Jalbidhyut Pariyojana Limited (RURU), CEDB Hydropower Development Company Limited (CHDC), Sagarmatha Jalabidhyut Company Limited (SMJC), Kutheli Bukhari Small Hydropower Limited (KBSH) and Bhagawati Hydropower Development Company Limited (BGWT) were the top gainers today, with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise, Nepal Finance Ltd. (NFS) was the top loser as its price fell by 10.00 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 43 trillion.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reportedly resigned following weeks of protests over job quota reforms, Bangladesh High Commission officials told Reuters in Delhi.

According to Daily Star, Hasina left Dhaka on Monday for a "safer place". According to Reuters, she will be landing in India today. News agency AFP reported that she and her sister have left Gono Bhaban, her official residence.

"She wanted to record a speech. But she could not get an opportunity to do that," a source close to her told AFP.

Daily Star also reported that protesters entered Gono Bhaban around 3 pm.

At least six people were killed in clashes between police and protesters in the Jatrabari and Dhaka Medical College areas on Monday, Daily Star newspaper reported.

Thousands of Bangladeshi protesters stormed the palace of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka Monday, with a source telling AFP she had fled mass demonstrations demanding she quit.

Bangladesh's Channel 24 broadcast images of crowds running into the premier's official residence in the capital, waving to the camera as they celebrated.

Visuals broadcast on Bangladeshi TV channels showed protesters storming Hasina's palace, overturning furniture, smashing glass door panels, and carrying off books and other items including a live chicken.

"I am inside the Ganabhaban Palace," Bangladeshi journalist Yeasir Arafat told AFP. "There are more than 1,500 people inside the palace. They are breaking furniture and glasses".

A source close to Hasina told AFP that the 76-year-old had left Dhaka with her sister for "a safer place", adding that she had "wanted to record a speech but she could not get an opportunity to do that."

The Prothom Alo daily also reported Hasina had fled the capital. AFP 

The World Vlog Challenge premiered ‘The Challengers: Game of Himalayas’, one of the first global reality shows directed and produced by Nepali filmmakers, on Saturday in Kathmandu. The show features 11 vloggers from six countries aged 19 to 30 and their adventurous journey and activities during their 12-day trek from Lukla to Sagarmatha Base Camp.

The premiere was attended by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, his spouse Radhika Shakya, Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey, officials from the US Embassy in Nepal, as well as renowned artists and other prominent figures.

Speaking in the premiere, Prime Minister Oli invited tourists worldwide to visit Nepal to witness its breathtaking natural beauty. He expressed confidence that once people visit Nepal, they will be compelled to return. Oli highlighted that the show will help the world better understand the Himalayas and Nepal’s natural beauty. 

Addressing concerns raised by the show about Lukla Airport’s safety, he reassured that while the airport is located in a challenging terrain, it is managed by highly skilled and experienced aviation professionals. “I have flown to Lukla many times. Despite its narrow landscape and short runway, there are 85 flights daily without any accidents due to the expertise of the pilots,” he said, adding that the airport is safe.

Oli also noted that, in addition to Sagarmatha, Nepal has many other mountains like Kanchanjunga, Makalu, Choyu, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri which are worth discussing across the globe.

Similarly, Minister Pandey said, “The government will support projects that promote Nepal globally. Collaboration between the government and project stakeholders will be crucial in creating such initiatives.”

The show was completed in 1.5 years with an investment of $1m. Director/producer Shree Gurung shared, “This show features 11 prominent vloggers with a combined international following of approximately 40m. The show showcases the reality of surviving in harsh conditions.”

The show is now set for global release and has already been available on Amazon Prime Video in the United States. It consists of eight episodes depicting the vloggers’ journeys through the Himalayas in challenging conditions.

Gurung reflected on the production process, stating, “While the show is thrilling, the filming was expensive, difficult, and rushed. There were times when I felt like giving up. Initially, no one was willing to invest or believe in the project. However, I pushed through with my team and supporters, and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The primary goal of including vloggers in the show is to promote Sagarmatha and global tourism through social media platforms, with a focus on raising awareness about climate change in the Himalayas. Gurung concluded, “This is just the beginning. We plan to undertake more projects to showcase different regions of Nepal and their unique realities.”

Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba and a group of party lawmakers discussed domestic air safety issues with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The meeting was focused on progressing the civil aviation bills aiming to split the existing Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal into two entities: as a service provider and a regulatory body.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain said that during the meeting they discussed the need to proceed ahead with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Bill and the Air Service Authority of Nepal Bill along with other contemporary issues.

They also touched on the issues relating to the need to enhance the safety of Nepal's aviation sector, making it reliable and connecting it to the development and promotion of the tourism industry.

According to Bajgain, their (NC lawmakers) conclusion is that the same body (CAAN) functioning as the service provider and the regulatory simultaneously is capable of promoting the conflict of interests. This is in contravention of the international practices as well. That's why it is warranted to split the aviation body into two entities and advance towards air safety.

It is noted that the European Union has concerns over air safety in Nepal and advised Nepal to have separate bodies for the service providing and the regulation.

Deuba was accompanied by Jeevan Pariyar, Ramesh Lekhak, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, Ishwori Neupane, Sanjay Gautam, Uday Shumsher Rana, Rajan KC, Pratima Gautam, Sarita Prasai, Ramkrishna Yadav, Pushpa Bahadur Shahi, Shanti Pariyar, and Sita Mijar including Bajgai.

The twin bills that had been endorsed by the National Assembly turned deactivate upon reaching the House of Representatives, according to Bajgain.

Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Kathmandu, located in Naxal, and owned and developed by the Shanker Group. As the tallest hotel in Kathmandu, it is the only one featuring a glass façade representing prayer flags. The hotel offers rooms ranging from abodes to presidential suites, all with views of the Langtang’s mountain ranges.

“The façade showcases vertical glass fins that change color with the light, while intricate patterns of traditional Nepali Dhaka fabric adorn staff uniforms, the lobby, and other guest areas,” says the hotel. “The striking design maximizes mountain views with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that bathe the hotel in natural light. Award-winning architectural features, such as the cantilevered entrance and temperature-controlled rooftop pool, provide panoramic vistas, showcasing Nepal’s natural landscapes and cityscape.”

Hilton Kathmandu offers customizable touchpoints, including flexible check-in/out times, choice of room and service upgrades, exclusive access to the executive lounge, and adaptable indoor or outdoor banquet spaces. “Whether intimate or grand, these versatile venues transform to suit specific needs, appealing to a diverse range of travelers,” the hotel states.

However, it has been revealed that the map of the hotel has not been passed in the Kathmandu Metropolitan Office. 

Shahil Agarwal, Managing Director of Shanker Group, said, “It is an honor to join forces with a global powerhouse brand such as Hilton to introduce this stunning addition to the skyline of Kathmandu. We’ve meticulously created a hotel that encapsulates the spirit of this vibrant destination, celebrates Nepali heritage while embodying the brand’s signature hospitality. We look forward to becoming a cornerstone of Kathmandu’s thriving tourism industry and welcoming guests from around the world.”

Hilton Kathmandu offers five unique dining venues, each providing a culinary experience that blends international and local flavors. At the lobby level, The Lava Box and Hava Cater to diverse tastes, from quick grab-and-go meals to relaxed bistro-style dining. On the 13th floor, Asa features live cooking stations where chefs create personalized dishes from the freshest ingredients. Orion, the rooftop bar named after the constellation visible in Kathmandu, offers stunning views that transition from day to night. Also on the rooftop, Lyra, the pool bar, features cabanas and sun loungers.

As part of Hilton’s commitment to sustainability, Hilton Kathmandu says that it has incorporated eco-friendly practices to reduce its environmental footprint while delivering thoughtful guest experiences. The hotel offers environmentally friendly amenities, including two EV charging stations and a green fleet of electric vehicles. The property’s seismic-resilient building infrastructure is equipped with shock absorbers, ensuring a secure stay for all guests.

Hilton Kathmandu is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 24 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Kathmandu adds to the nearly 90 Hilton Hotels & Resorts across the Asia Pacific, including recent additions like Hilton Singapore Orchard and Hilton Saigon, with future openings in Shanghai, Hyderabad, and Kyoto.

Ten persons were injured when a tree fell on a moving micro bus at Khahare in Gajuri Rural Municipality-5, Dhading on Monday.

Among the injured, nine are undergoing treatment at the Gajuri Hospital and one has been referred to Kathmandu, DSP Makendra Mishra, spokesperson at the District Police Office, Dhading informed.

The bus (Bagmati Province 01-006 Kha 6512) was heading towards Kathmandu from Dhading when the incident occurred.

There were 15 passengers onboard the microbus.