Egypt raises fuel prices

Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly’s government raised the fuel price saying that it is also important to make sure local production goes on and to balance the economy, AP reported.

Egypt priced fuel by up to 17 percent after the Middle East war has sent prices of oil soaring. 

Prime Minister Madbouly said that the government had to make a choice between maintaining current fuel prices which might have imposed heavy costs on the state and raising them to shield industrial and business operations from repercussions of war, according to AP.

Qatar and UAE heighten alert

According to AP, Qatar has been warning citizens to stay safe inside their settlements due to the fear of Iranian attack. The UAE also informed that it has activated it’s air defence to intercept incoming fire from Iran.

Trump thretened by Iraninan security

Iranian Security Ali Larijani posted “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself” on X Tuesday after US President Donald Trump threatened to attack “Twenty Times Harder” on Iran if Tehran stopped oil flowing from the Strait of Hormuz.

Bhattarai to fly Delhi for summit

Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai is heading to India on Wednesday to participate in the ‘NXT 2026’ Global Summit to be held in New Delhi, his secretariat stated. 

The summit will be held on March 12-14. Bhattarai is participating in the summit as the ‘Guest of Honor’.

The event will be participated by policymakers, parliamentarians, technology experts, businessmen and representatives from specialized academic fields from all over the world will participate in the summit.

The event will feature the discussions on contemporary issues such as global governance, technology, economy, education, security, health, environment and international relations, according to the organizers.

Bhattarai is scheduled to speak at the session titled ‘Democracy in the Age of AIM Digital Governance and the Youth’ on March 14, according to his secretariat.

He will return on March 14.

Hazy weather to gradually improve from today

Haze, which has blanketed most parts of the country for the past few days, is expected to clear gradually from today.

Meteorologist Sanjeev Adhikari said the weather would further improve tomorrow as compared to today. 

Haze has been seen in most parts of the country due to the influence of a high-pressure system in recent periods. 

But, this system would become weaker gradually and the weather would be clear. 

Currently, there is partly the influence of westerly wind, a high-pressure system located at upper atmosphere and low-pressure area located at lower atmosphere near eastern part, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division. 

Light rainfall had occurred at some places today, added the Division.

 

 

Nepse plunges by 32. 08 points on Tuesday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 32. 08 points to close at 2, 843. 35 points on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 4. 40 points to close at 489. 69 points.

A total of 52,711,353-unit shares of 329 companies were traded for Rs 1. 63 billion.

Meanwhile, Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Him Star Urja Company Limited (HIMSTAR) was the top loser as their price fell by 6. 36 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 78 trillion.

Air pollution rises in Kathmandu

In recent days, adverse weather conditions have led to an increase in air pollution levels in various parts of the country. 

Major cities, including Kathmandu and Pokhara, have recorded high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5). 

The Department of Environment under the Ministry of Forests and Environment has urged the public to take all possible precautions against rising environmental pollution.

In a public appeal issued today, the Department advised people to wear masks while going out, ensure regular maintenance and servicing of vehicles, refrain from burning waste and crop residues, and discourage others from doing so.

Likewise, it has called for efforts to prevent wildfires and to take prompt action to extinguish them if they occur.

 It also urged authorities and stakeholders to systematize construction activities to ensure they are dust and smoke-free and to strictly implement the established standards in the operation of factories and industries.

Department Director General Gyan Raj Subedi said that minimizing air pollution is possible only through collective efforts from all concerned stakeholders. 

He emphasized the need for collective responsibility and positive cooperation from the public to address the problem.

According to the Department, pollution levels tend to rise in the morning and evening.

 It also said that the lack of rainfall for a long period has contributed to the increasing air pollution.

Four minors arrested for rape case

Four minors are arrested on charges of raping and murdering 16y-old Inisha BK in Birendra, Surkhet. According to the District Police Office, Surkhet, all four suspects are under the age of 18. Inisha, originally from Badakholi of Gurbhakot Municipality-6 in eastern Surkhet, had been living in Birendranagar-1.

She died on March 7 after being found unconscious in the Janajagaran Community Forest in Birendranagar-4.

Police said locals discovered the girl unconscious in the forest on the morning of March 7 and rushed her to the Provincial Hospital in Kalagaun, where doctors declared her dead. BK, a Grade 11 student at Usha Balbatika School in Birendranagar-6, had left home at around 6am that day saying she was going to attend tuition classes. The mother called her daughter after she did not return home by 9 am the previous day. But the phone was switched off. Her phone was switched off when her family tried to contact her later in the morning.

The victim’s family filed a complaint with the District Police Office, Surkhet on March 8, alleging that she had been gang-raped and murdered. 

“The girl’s body was covered in bruises, her hair was torn. Her bangles were broken. She was dragged down from two to three meters,” says the mother, “They tortured her to death. Strict action should be taken against the culprits.”

Police spokesperson and DSP Mohan Jung Budhapa said a 16y-old boy was first arrested on the afternoon of March 7, while three others were detained the following day for investigation. Police said the case is being investigated seriously and that further conclusions will be made after the post-mortem report is received.