Fortune Nepal

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has issued a special heatwave bulletin, urging residents in several southern districts of Nepal to remain cautious as temperatures continue to rise. The department’s Meteorological Forecast Division warned that parts of the Terai region are likely to record temperatures of 38 °C or above over the next three days, with moderate heatwave conditions expected in parts of Madhesh and Lumbini provinces.

Fourteen districts, including Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Siraha, Saptari, Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi (West), have been placed under an orange alert, while seven others remain under yellow alert. Temperatures have already reached 41°C in Bhairahawa and 40°C in Nepalgunj, with the DHM advising people to avoid prolonged sun exposure, stay hydrated, wear light clothing and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

Popular streamer and YouTuber IShowSpeed has received a major boost ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his song “Champions” was selected for the tournament’s official album. Speed revealed that the World Cup’s official X account contacted him directly to confirm the inclusion, following strong fan support for the track to be featured in the global football event.

Released on May 31, 2026, “Champions” quickly gained attention among football fans with its high-energy style and stadium-inspired vibe. The track has already become a viral success, with its music video crossing 21 million views and more than 2 million likes on YouTube. The song became a viral sensation shortly after launch, with many supporters describing it as a potential anthem for the World Cup. The achievement further highlights Speed’s connection with football culture, where he is widely known for his passion for the sport and support for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) has announced that vehicles used for passenger pick-up and drop-off will no longer be charged parking fees for up to 15 minutes, in a move aimed at improving convenience for travelers. The airport office has implemented the arrangement after extending the previous free limit of seven minutes, which officials said was insufficient to accommodate passenger needs.

According to TIA spokesperson Sanjay Kumar, the revised provision will be enforced on a trial basis for one month, during which strict action will be taken against any unauthorized collection of parking fees. He added that the decision was made to ensure smoother traffic flow and better service for passengers using the airport’s ‘pick and drop’ facility.

Source: Nepal News

Global ride-sharing company Uber has officially started its services in Nepal from today, marking the country as its 11th market in the Asia-Pacific region. The company announced the launch during an event held in Kathmandu, where senior government officials, including secretaries from the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, were present. The company was officially registered in Nepal on July 16, 2017, marking its early entry into the regulatory framework before launching operations this year.

The company has introduced Uber Go and Uber Comfort for four-wheelers, along with Uber Bike for two-wheelers, aiming to provide passengers with a simple, reliable, and convenient transport option through its app. Dominic Tyler, Uber’s APAC Regional General Manager (Rides), said Nepal is an important market for the company given its improving digital accessibility and tourism-driven mobility needs. Uber currently operates in more than 70 countries worldwide and said its platform will connect Nepali users to its global network of transportation services.

Nepal’s hospitality sector is poised for a major uplift as David S. Marriott, Chairman of Marriott International, is scheduled to visit Kathmandu on June 7 for the signing of a strategic partnership with CG Hospitality Global, the hospitality arm of the Chaudhary Group. The agreement will formally introduce the ultra-luxury Ritz-Carlton brand to Nepal, marking a key milestone for the country’s tourism industry. The signing ceremony will be held in Kathmandu in the presence of senior representatives from both sides.

CG Hospitality Global, a leading international hospitality investment and management arm of Chaudhary Group, has been rapidly expanding its global footprint in recent years through collaborations with major global hotel brands. The company currently operates a portfolio of more than 230 hotels and resorts across 12 countries and over 130 destinations. Under the new project, The Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu, CG Hospitality will lead the development in partnership with Marriott International. The project will be built in the Thamel area and will include a 150-room ultra-luxury hotel, branded residences, a commercial complex, and a casino on a nine-ropani site near Durbar Marg, with an estimated investment of around Rs 10 arba. The Chaudhary Group has also brought together local investors including Rabindra Shrestha, Saurav Sharma, Amrit Shakya, and Sanchit Shrestha for the venture. Industry stakeholders say the partnership between CG Hospitality and Marriott will help position Nepal as a high-end tourism destination while attracting greater foreign investment into the sector.

The global equity market hierarchy has shifted as South Korea has overtaken India to become the world’s sixth-largest stock market, following a powerful rally in artificial intelligence-driven semiconductor stocks. Data shows South Korea’s total market capitalization has surged about 86% this year to around $5 trillion, powered by major chip-related firms, while India’s market value has declined to approximately $4.8 trillion. This comes just days after Taiwan moved ahead of India to secure the fifth position, as global investors increasingly favor AI-linked markets such as TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix.

Analysts attribute India’s relative decline to weakening earnings momentum, stretched valuations, and sustained foreign investor outflows, which have reached $27.6 billion so far this year. Despite being one of the fastest-growing major economies, India is seen as lacking a strong direct AI ecosystem, while consumption-led growth is also showing signs of strain due to inflation, currency weakness, and slower job creation. Meanwhile, South Korea and Taiwan continue to benefit from the global AI investment wave, highlighting a widening divergence in regional market performance and prompting concerns over the durability of India’s equity market appeal.

Note: Sourced from multiple international news sources.