Submit your Article

CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli has been bereaved of his father. 

Former Prime Minister Oli's father Mohan Prasad Oli breathed his last at Bhaktapur-based Nepal Korea Friendship Hospital today. He was 97. 

He is survived by two sons and three daughters. 

His last rites will be performed at the Pashupati Aryaghat today, Chair Oli's private secretariat informed. 

The U.S. and Western allies clashed with Russia and China ​on Thursday over Iran's nuclear intentions, as Washington sought at the United Nations to further justify the war it launched on Iran two weeks ago, Reuters reported. 

At a meeting of the 15-member U.N. Security Council, which is chaired this month by the U.S., Russia and China moved unsuccessfully to block a discussion about a committee established to oversee and enforce U.N. sanctions on Iran. They were overruled 11-2 with two ​abstentions.

Addressing the council, U.S. envoy to the United Nations Mike Waltz accused Moscow and Beijing of seeking to protect ​Tehran by blocking the work of the so-called 1737 Committee, according to Reuters. 

A U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on ​Thursday, in an incident U.S. Central Command said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or ​friendly fire, Reuters reported. 

The United States has ​surged a large number of aircraft ⁠into the Middle East to take ​part in operations against Iran.

In a ​statement, U.S. Central Command said it was carrying out rescue efforts after the U.S. KC-135 ​refueling aircraft went down. The second ​aircraft landed safely, according to Reuters. 

Israeli airstrikes hit two buildings in the heart of Beirut near ​the Lebanese government's headquarters on Thursday, ramping up Israel's offensive against Iran-backed Hezbollah and dragging Lebanon deeper into the Middle East war, Reuters reported. 

A day after Iran-backed Hezbollah launched its biggest rocket salvo of the conflict, Israel's defence minister said the military had orders to expand the campaign and Israel's military chief said the operation in Lebanon would not be short.

Israel has pounded Lebanon's south and east and the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, killing nearly 700 people, according to Lebanese authorities. It has also ordered mass evacuations in those same areas, prompting more than 800,000 people to flee their homes, according to Reuters. 

Iran will fight on and keep the Strait of Hormuz shut as leverage against the United States and Israel, new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday in defiant first comments attributed to him since he ​succeeded his slain father, Reuters reported. 

Hours later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used his first press conference since the start of the war to make his own strong statement, issuing a veiled threat to kill Khamenei and defending the ‌military assault on Iran, which has claimed thousands of lives and shaken energy and stock markets.

"I wouldn’t issue life insurance policies on any of the leaders of the terrorist organization ... I don't intend to give an exact message here about what we are planning or what we are going to do," Netanyahu said, standing between two Israeli flags and taking questions via video link, according to Reuters. 

The External Affairs Ministry of India has stated that India and Nepal have a unique and multifaceted partnership.

Responding to the query of a journalist at a weekly press briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the partnership between India and Nepal will continue to gain momentum in the coming days.

He said that the Indian government will work closely with the new government of Nepal.

Saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah, Jaiswal stated that India wants common peace, progress, and prosperity.

“We have welcomed the successful conclusion of the elections in Nepal. Our Prime Minister has also congratulated the Rastriya Swatantra Party for its remarkable success in the elections through telephone,” he said, adding, “The Prime Minister has stated that India, as a close friend and neighbor, is always committed to working with the people and the new government of Nepal.”

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Governor Dr Biswo Nath Paudel said the central bank is carrying out a study on the provision related to blacklist while making financial transactions. 

At a program today, Dr Paudel informed that he was seriously studying the provision of putting people on the blacklist.

 "We are also studying the matter of putting people on blacklist immediately after check bounce," he said, adding, "We are focusing on how to shorten the list of those who will be blacklisted."

It has been observed that many people who have taken loans from banks and financial institutions or have bounced checks fall on the blacklist," he said, adding, "We are looking into how many people should be on the blacklist and how many should not be on it. I am examining this at length." 

Governor Paudel also mentioned that the country cannot function properly just by imposing strict measures or imprisonment, not only for trade/business. 

"Running a business is not just about completing college education. To ensure it becomes a proper business, one has to face various hurdles and difficulties, and it is necessary to take steps to organize it properly," he said. 

"It is also necessary to recognize that the country's development cannot occur simply by abusing businesspeople. Therefore, promoting businesspeople is important."

On a different context, the NRB Governor said that the Central Bank has been adopting the policy of encouraging the information and technology industry based on digital technology. He stated that the information and technology sector has been kept in priority also because it is a sector carrying huge future possibilities.

"We expect that information technology industries will also grow significantly in the future. We have also been urging banks and financial institutions to move towards digitalization," he added.

Governor Paudel mentioned that although there used to be enough photo studios, vehicle workshops and garage centrds in Birgunj in the past, they are gradually decreasing now.

‘‘Currently, most businesses are advancing by adopting digital platforms. Therefore, it has become essential for entrepreneurs and businesses to also transform themselves towards new directions,’’ he said, adding that it is time to move forward by preparing a digital strategy for the business in line with the times. "Surely, you must have been paying attention to that area as well.’’

He claimed that a favourable environment has also been created for Nepalis IT companies to invest in foreign countries.

The temperature in most parts of the country has increased.

Data from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology suggests a gradual rise in temperature in most cities of the Tarai and Madhes regions. 

A similar pattern has also been noticed in Kathmandu.

On March 10, the temperature in Kathmandu was recorded at 20–22 degrees Celsius, while it reached 25.4 degrees Celsius this afternoon. Tonight, the minimum temperature is expected to range between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.

Until this afternoon, Siraha and Banke reported the highest temperature at 31.1 degrees Celsius, while Humde Airport in Manang recorded 3.2 degrees Celsius.

As of the filing of this report, Biratnagar’s temperature is expected to reach 31–33 degrees Celsius, while Nepalgunj is likely to record around 30–32 degrees Celsius.

Likewise, Pokhara’s temperature is expected to be around 26–28 degrees Celsius. In the mountain region, Jumla is likely to see temperatures of up to 23–25 degrees Celsius, while Jomsom is expected to record around 17–19 degrees Celsius.

Overall, the temperature is forecast to rise over the next three days, with generally fair weather conditions expected.

Meteorologist Sanjeev Adhikari from the Department said that the temperature has increased due to rising air humidity and is likely to increase further in the coming days.