As the world prepares to enter 2026, countries will mark the new year at different times because of their position on the globe. Earth takes one full year to orbit the Sun, but its 24‑hour rotation determines when each region sees the first sunrise of January 1. The first places to welcome the new year are the countries and islands just west of the International Date Line (IDL). The Line Islands in Kiribati are the earliest to enter 2026. Kiribati has followed this schedule since 1995, when it shifted its time zone eastward. It is also the only country with…
Author: Nepal Monitor
Jumla — Nepal Telecom has expanded its mobile network in remote areas of Karnali Province to strengthen rural communication and reach settlements that have long lacked reliable service. According to Paras Pujari, chief of the Nepal Telecom Jumla branch, a total of 86 towers have been added across Jumla, Kalikot, and Mugu. Kalikot received 22 new towers, Mugu received 19, and Jumla received 45. Pujari said a new tower has been completed and activated in Hima Rural Municipality of Jumla. Local residents had been without telephone service for years due to the absence of a functioning tower. Hima Rural…
Kathmandu — A national dialogue titled “Cooperation for Peace, Stability, and Prosperity” is being held today in Kathmandu with the goal of strengthening Nepal’s economy. The event is organized by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). Prime Minister Sushila Karki will attend as the chief guest, according to FNCCI. Participants include representatives from major political parties, the private sector, Gen Z youth, civil society, and the media. The dialogue aims to build a shared understanding on key issues such as political stability, economic reform, investment growth, and youth engagement. FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal said the…
Kathmandu — The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 10.53 points on Monday, the second trading day of the week, closing at 2,622.88. A total of 337 companies traded today. Investors bought and sold 13,73,307 shares, with total turnover reaching NPR 4.77 billion. The Sensitive Index increased by 0.32 percent. The Float Index rose by 0.39 percent, and the Sensitive Float Index also climbed by 0.39 percent. SY Panel Nepal hit the circuit limit during today’s session. The unit price of Global IME Samunnat Scheme 2 increased by nearly 10 percent. Shares of Corporate Development Bank and Saptakoshi Development Bank…
Kathmandu — Building a home has become a major financial decision for many Nepali families as land prices rise and construction materials become more expensive. What was once a basic need has now become a mix of necessity, lifestyle choice, and social pressure. Urban migration and the search for better services have pushed many families to invest most of their lifetime savings into housing. At the same time, open land in city areas has become scarce, and homes are often linked to status and social standing. Engineers say the trend of building homes larger than needed, adding extra rooms,…
Kathmandu — Nepal Rastra Bank has published today’s official foreign exchange rates. The US dollar remains stable, with a buying rate of NPR 143.47 and a selling rate of NPR 144.07. The euro is set at NPR 168.90 for buying and NPR 169.61 for selling. The British pound stands at NPR 193.68 for buying and NPR 194.49 for selling. The Swiss franc is listed at NPR 181.73 for buying and NPR 182.49 for selling. Rates for other major currencies include: Australian dollar: NPR 96.35 (buying), NPR 96.75 (selling) Canadian dollar: NPR 104.94 (buying), NPR 105.38 (selling) Singapore dollar: NPR…
Kathmandu — Silver prices jumped 9% in a single day, reaching a new record high. The surge comes as global supply tightens and industrial demand grows. On Friday, silver traded at $78.53 per ounce, the highest price ever recorded. Other precious metals also rose sharply. Gold hit $4,549.71 per ounce, while platinum climbed 10% to $2,454.12 per ounce. Analysts say the main reason for silver’s rise is a persistent supply shortage. Silver is widely used in solar panels, electronics, electric vehicles, and other high-tech industries. Demand keeps growing, but production has not kept pace. This mismatch has pushed prices…
Kathmandu — Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chair Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah have reached a seven‑point agreement to contest the upcoming House of Representatives election under one party. Under the deal, Lamichhane will lead the party. After the election, Shah will be put forward as the leader of the parliamentary party and the party’s candidate for prime minister. The agreement outlines a roadmap for the next ten years and states that both sides accept it. Shah has agreed to join the RSP, and the party will keep its current name, flag, and election symbol. Lamichhane and Shah signed…
The Rasuwa Customs Office cleared 50 BYD Dolphin cars, 50 AC/DC chargers, and 50 SIM cards on May 23, 2025, under declaration number 6709. The office processed all items through the red‑line channel, which is used for high‑risk or suspicious imports. Customs officials in Kathmandu said BYD electric cars have begun to face red‑line checks after signs of irregularities in recent shipments. The shift follows concerns about how the vehicles and related parts are being imported. Saimex Inc., the official BYD distributor for Nepal, has been under scrutiny for its import practices. The company has long faced criticism for…
Kathmandu — Australia’s federal government has banned children under 16 from using social media. A recent survey shows strong public support for the move. Roy Morgan Research, working with Monash University, surveyed 1,598 people. About 79% supported the ban, which took effect on Wednesday. Support varied by age group: 72% of people aged 18–24 supported the ban 80% of those aged 50–64 supported it 87% of people over 65 backed the decision Professor Mark Andrejevic of Monash University said the ban targets large foreign platforms that track young users and profit from advertising. The government claims these apps expose children…