Submit your Article

Nepal has expressed its gratitude to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for granting pardon to 267 Nepali inmates there.

"The Government of Nepal conveys its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the pardon so generously granted to the 267 Nepali inmates on the auspicious occasion of the 54th National Day (Eid Al Etihad) of the UAE," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release today.

The Government of Nepal highly values the friendly and humanitarian gesture of pardon as the manifestation of friendship, goodwill and cordiality in the existing bilateral relations between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates, it added.

According to the Ministry, the decision of the pardon was taken by the government of the UAE in response to the repeated requests made by the Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi as per the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The press release stated that the pardoned Nepali citizens, provided they have no other pending legal cases or restrictions, will be able to return to Nepal upon completion of the requisite legal procedures as stipulated by the prevailing laws of the UAE.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has formed a 51-member Federal Election Execution Committee under coordination of its Vice Chairperson Dol Prasad Aryal for the elections to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5.

According to General-Secretary Kabindra Burlakoti, the Committee was formed as per the Central Committee’s decision in order to launch election-centric activities.  

Shankar Shrestha is member-secretary of the Committee.  

The party also appointed province coordination secretary on provincial basis as well as internal coordination sub-committee, administrative coordination sub-committee and communication coordination sub-committee.

A passenger bus rolled off a road in southern Turkey’s Antalya province on Sunday, killing eight people and injuring 26 others, some critically, provincial officials said to AP. The accident occurred in Dosemealti district, northwest of Antalya city.

AP reported, State broadcaster TRT aired images showing the bus lying on its side on an embankment along a highway slip road. The bus was traveling overnight from Tekirdag in northwestern Turkey, and some passengers were reportedly thrown from the vehicle during the crash.

Antalya Governor Hulusi Sahin said heavy rain and fog had affected road conditions in recent days. He said the ground was wet and the bus appeared to be speeding, even though the area is not suitable for high speed

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 19. 85 points to close at 2, 694. 20 points on Sunday.  

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 76 points to close at 459. 91 points.

A total of 22,060,454-unit shares of 329 companies were traded for Rs 1. 53 billion.

Meanwhile, Mithila LaghuBitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (MLBBL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 70 percent.

Likewise, Corporate Development Bank Limited (CORBL) was the top loser as their price fell by 10. 00 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 52 trillion.

Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt showed signs of activity on Sunday as Israel began a test reopening, a key step in the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire. The crossing, closed since May 2024, is seen as Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world.

According to AP, Israel’s military agency COGAT said preparations are underway for limited travel, with Palestinian security officials and a European Union mission supervising entry and exit. Ambulances also crossed from the Egyptian side, though no goods will be allowed initially.

AP reported, Israel said around 50 medical patients a day will be permitted to leave Gaza, each accompanied by relatives, while some Palestinians stranded abroad may return. The number of travelers is expected to increase gradually if the trial is successful.

Journalist Dinesh Sitaula died on Sunday while being treated  on a ventilator, informed Dr. Vinod Bijukchhe, Medical Director of Grande Hospital. Sitaula was brought to Kathmandu by helicopter for treatment after he suddenly fainted while campaigning in Achham with senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Balen Shah.

Sitaula was kept under joint observation in the ICU by the critical care and neurosurgery team as per the established protocol for severe subarachnoid hemorrhage, the hospital said. Despite severe intensive care, the family was informed after there was no sign of recovery of neurological condition and brain function after 48 hours, said Medical Director Bijukchhe. Despite treatment with special monitoring, journalist Sitaula could not be saved, the hospital said.

Police have categorized 441 polling stations of 351 voting centers of 10 districts in Karnali Province as highly sensitive. 

Out of 1437 polling stations in the province, Karnali Province Police Office has placed 301 polling stations on the general list and 651 on the sensitive list, said Office Spokesperson Ram Prakash Shah. 

Shah mentioned that plans are afoot to mobilize 14,719 police personnel across the province for election security.

Preparations are being made keeping in mind the problems that may arise in conducting elections as well as to bring ballot boxes due to poor road condition in some places of Karnali Province, he added.

The month-long Swasthani Brata Katha festival dedicated to Hindu goddess Swasthani concluded today.

The festival began on the full moon day of the Nepali month of Paush.

The recitation of dialogues between two mythical characters Kumar and Agashtya Rishi  narrated in the Skanda Puran, is a major part of the festival.

Offerings such as holy threads, beetle nuts, fruits, delicacies, flowers, red sandalwood, vermilion powder and clothes were offered to goddess Swasthani on the concluding day of the festival.

It is believed that strict observance of rituals during the festival brings the separated couple together, helps one overcome troubles and get a good spouse, among other things.

The Swasthani Katha, which has 31 chapters, is a story of how Goma Brahmani is reunited with her son Nawaraj, who later became the king of Lawanya as a result of her going through Swasthani fasting rituals. It also narrates the story of goddess Parvati, who had observed the Swasthani rituals wishing to get Lord Shiva as her husband.

Those who did not conclude the fasting at mid-day today can conclude it on Krishna Panchami, it has been said.