KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, covering the most significant news from Nepal and around the world. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we bring you a concise summary of the day’s top stories. Here are today’s key news updates:

Supreme Court Overturns Election Commission’s Decision on Toshima Karki: The Supreme Court (SC) has annulled the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to reject the candidacy of Toshima Karki, a Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) MP. A bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Mahesh Sharma Paudel ruled against the EC’s two-and-a-half-year-old decision. Karki’s candidacy remained valid due to an earlier interim SC order, allowing her to contest and win from Lalitpur-3. With this ruling, her position as an MP is now secure.

Socialist Forum Plans Pro-Republic Demonstration in Kathmandu: The Socialist Forum has announced a mass demonstration in Kathmandu on March 28 to counter recent royalist protests. The decision was made during a meeting at the CPN (Unified Socialist) central office in Aloknagar on Tuesday. Nepal Samajbadi Party leader Mahindra Raya Yadav stated that the demonstration aims to oppose anti-republic forces. The move comes after monarchists staged a rally in Kathmandu on Sunday. Led by coordinator Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav,’ the Socialist Front includes the CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), Nepal Communist Party, and Nepal Samajbadi Party.

Prachanda Warns Monarchist Forces Against Threats to Republicanism: Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has warned monarchist forces that any attempt to dismantle Nepal’s republican system will face a harsh revolution. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, the CPN (Maoist Center) chairman urged monarchists to seek their place within the democratic framework. He noted that the republic ensures the former king’s security but accused monarchists of acting under internal and external influence to destabilize the system. Prachanda, who led a decade-long armed insurgency against the monarchy, attributed rising monarchist activities to government failures and growing public dissatisfaction.

Kathmandu to Ban Polluting Vehicles from Next Week: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) will ban heavily polluting vehicles from next week after many owners ignored warnings and fines. Of the 1,300 vehicles tested since January, 80% of diesel and 30% of petrol vehicles failed emissions standards. Officials suspect some vehicle owners manipulated tests to pass. Initially, KMC fined violators and seized six diesel vehicles, later releasing them with written commitments. The city will also enforce rules for cleaner vehicles and passenger safety. While Nepal has proposed banning 20-year-old vehicles, enforcement remains uncertain. KMC vows stricter actions under its environmental mandates.

Nepal Gears Up for Sagarmatha Sambad, Eyes Global Climate Action: Nepal is set to host the Sagarmatha Sambad, a high-level climate forum, from May 16-18 in Kathmandu, inviting 160-200 foreign delegates, including global leaders and climate experts. Themed “Climate Change, Mountains, and the Future of Humanity,” the event aims to foster global cooperation on climate action, finance, and justice for mountainous nations. Inspired by forums like Davos and Raisina Dialogue, it will feature 15 sessions with 90 speakers. The government is reaching out to leaders from South Asia, multilateral agencies, and climate organizations, with Indian PM Modi likely receiving an invitation during the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit.

Lawmakers Urge Government Action on Key Issues: Lawmakers in the House of Representatives raised concerns on various national issues, emphasizing that monarchy is not an alternative to democracy. Mahesh Kumar Bartaula accused former King Gyanendra Shah of instigating anti-constitutional activities. Arjun Narsingh KC urged swift action on teachers’ demands, while others highlighted problems with social security access, healthcare in remote areas, and rising human-wildlife conflict. Calls were also made to address illegal recruitment of Nepalis in the Russian Army, provide relief for fire victims, and improve governance. Several lawmakers stressed the need to restore public confidence and ensure effective constitutional implementation.

PM Oli Prioritizes Good Governance, Prosperity, and Federalism: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Nepal’s federal democratic republic to ensure good governance and prosperity. Addressing the Koshi Province Assembly, he emphasized aligning governance with the constitution and eradicating poverty while addressing the needs of the underprivileged. Oli highlighted job creation and entrepreneurship as key to national progress and called for cooperation among all three tiers of government. Stressing Nepal’s diversity, he urged unity and collective efforts to enhance the nation’s global identity. Earlier, he also addressed the 13th Convocation of Purbanchal University.

Nepali Man Killed in Russian Army Amid Controversy: A Nepali man serving in the Russian army, Tirkha Bahadur Budhathoki, 44, was killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on Saturday. Originally from Rolpa, he had joined the Russian military in September 2023. The attack also killed a Russian soldier and injured two others. His family, uncertain if his body will be repatriated, has begun symbolic cremation rites.

Budhathoki, a former Nepal Army soldier and ex-ward chair from CPN-UML, is survived by his parents, wife, and two children. His death highlights ongoing concerns over Nepalis joining foreign armies without official agreements.

Purbanchal University Holds 13th Convocation, Over 8,000 Graduate: The 13th Convocation Ceremony of Purbanchal University concluded today in the presence of Prime Minister and University Chancellor KP Sharma Oli. A total of 8,150 students graduated across various faculties. This included 204 graduates from humanities, 407 from law, 906 from education, 2,249 from management, 2,198 from medicine, 654 from science and technology, and 1,442 from engineering. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the university and its graduates.

Health Ministry Conducts Health Screenings for MPs and Media Personnel: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) conducted health screenings for Members of Parliament, employees, and media personnel at Lhotse Hall, Parliament Building, New Baneshwor. The tests focused on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney diseases. This initiative is part of a month-long campaign (mid-February to mid-March) to identify such conditions. The MoHP deployed a team of doctors and requested the Federal Parliament Secretariat to facilitate the process. MPs also had their height and weight measured as part of the screening.

Chief Justice Submits Supreme Court’s Annual Report to President: Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut submitted the Supreme Court’s annual report for the fiscal year 2024/25 to President Ram Chandra Paudel at the President’s Office on Tuesday. According to Article 138 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court, Judicial Council, and Judicial Service Commission are required to present their annual reports to the President. President’s Office spokesperson Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai confirmed the submission, fulfilling the constitutional mandate.

PM Oli Dismisses Health Concerns, Pledges National Progress: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has dismissed concerns about his age and health, stating that despite turning 74 and undergoing multiple surgeries, he remains fit. Addressing the Koshi Provincial Assembly, Oli emphasized that his government listens to the people’s voices and is committed to national progress without engaging in unnecessary controversies. He reiterated his determination to transform the country and promote national unity, stating, “This government is for the people, not just for governing.” Oli also stressed that his focus remains on development and good governance, rather than political debates.

Gagan Thapa Calls for Addressing Public Dissatisfaction, Reaffirms Commitment to Federalism: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has emphasized the need to address public dissatisfaction while reaffirming his commitment to the current political system. Speaking at the House of Representatives on Tuesday, he warned against arrogance based on numerical strength and urged the NC to prioritize the concerns of discontented citizens. Thapa highlighted Nepal’s transition from a constitutional monarchy to a federal democratic republic, stating that the NC was the first party to adopt federalism.

100 Chinese Photographers Arrive in Nepal to Promote Tourism and Culture: A 100-member team of Chinese photographers has arrived in Nepal as part of the Lens on Nepal 100 Chinese Photographers program, organized by the China Nepal Friendship Forum, Nepal Tourism Board, and the National Forum of Photo Journalists (NFPJ). The initiative aims to showcase Nepal’s culture, heritage, and tourism globally. The visit marks Visit Nepal Year 2025 and the 70th anniversary of Nepal-China diplomatic relations.

Teachers’ Association Escalates Protest, Stages Sit-in at NC Headquarters: The Nepal Teachers’ Association (NTA) has launched the second phase of its protest, demanding improvements in the education sector and the issuance of the School Education Act. On Tuesday, NTA members staged a sit-in at the Nepali Congress (NC) headquarters in Sanepa, holding banners and chanting slogans. The association has warned of further intensification of protests if their demands are not met. The NTA has been pressing the government to address long-standing issues in the education system and provide greater support for teachers.

NEPSE Falls 32.21 Points, Turnover Reaches Rs. 8.39 Arba: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) dropped 32.21 points (1.17%) today, closing at 2,719.20 after a previous loss of 20.68 points. The day’s turnover reached Rs. 8.39 Arba, with 15.09 million shares traded in 92,031 transactions. Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (HRL) led turnover at Rs. 58.65 Crores. Mahalaxmi Bikas Bank (MLBL) gained 9.98%, while Nesdo Sambridha Laghubitta (NESDO) fell 6.69%. The Development Bank Index rose 1.93%, while Manufacturing and Processing declined 2.49%.

Commercial Banks Aggressively Increase Margin Lending by Rs. 93 Billion: Commercial banks have aggressively expanded share mortgage loans, disbursing Rs. 93.12 billion in seven months—39.84% more than last year. Nabil Bank leads with Rs. 12.96 billion (10.70% growth), followed by Global IME at Rs. 11.64 billion (75.72% growth). Nepal SBI, Machhapuchhre, and Kumari Bank recorded the highest growth rates. However, NIC Asia and Himalayan Bank saw declines of 43.61% and 20.62%, respectively.

Development Banks Record Over Rs. 3 Billion in Profit in Seven Months: According to Nepal Rastra Bank, 15 listed development banks earned a total profit of Rs. 3.18 billion in the first seven months of the current fiscal year, marking a 27.41% increase from Rs. 2.49 billion in the same period last year.

Garima Development Bank led with Rs. 638.2 million in profit, followed by Muktinath (Rs. 629.5 million) and Shine Resunga (Rs. 446.6 million). Meanwhile, Excel Development Bank faced the highest loss of Rs. 189 million. Sindhu Development Bank recorded the highest profit growth at 188.52%.

Consumer Court to Begin Operations from March 15: Nepal’s Consumer Court will start functioning from March 15, as announced by Minister Ajaya Kumar Chaurasiya in Parliament. Established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS, the court will handle consumer-related cases in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Judge Ram Prasad Sharma has been appointed chairperson, with Gehendra Raj Regmi and Ananda Raj Pokharel as members. The initiative aims to strengthen consumer rights and ensure swift legal action against unfair trade practices.

‘Anjila’ Premieres in Kathmandu, Earns Emotional Applause: The biopic ‘Anjila’, based on Nepali women’s football captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba, premiered in Kathmandu on Monday. Audiences, including filmmakers and journalists, were deeply moved, praising director Milan Chams for portraying her struggles. Actress Keki Adhikari called it heartfelt, while APF IGP Raju Aryal said it’s an inspiration. Anjila, currently playing in Greece, couldn’t attend.

‘Jhalko’ Teaser Highlights Mobile Addiction in Children: Director Yadav Kumar Bhattarai has released the teaser of his new film ‘Jhalko’, which explores the negative impact of mobile addiction on children. The 1-minute 17-second teaser portrays the growing digital dependency and its psychological, social, and familial consequences. Releasing on Baisakh 19, the film stars Sunil Pokharel as a school principal, marking his return after 13 years. Barsha Siwakoti plays a mother, alongside Bishal Pokharel, Bhola Raj Sapkota, and Jebin Shrestha. Deepak Bajracharya handled cinematography, with Sushila Acharya and Ramgopal Thapa producing.

‘Pitambar’ Releases Second Teaser on Pradeep Khadka’s Birthday: The second teaser of the multi-starrer film ‘Pitambar’ has been released, coinciding with actor Pradeep Khadka’s birthday. The teaser focuses solely on Pradeep’s action-packed sequences, highlighting his intense performance. Produced under KP Films and Purushottam Pradhan Films, the movie stars Dayahang Rai, Saugat Malla, Aryan Sigdel, Anup Bikram Shahi, Surakshya Panta, Supushpa Bhatt, Gauri Malla, and many others.‘Pitambar’ is set for release on Chaitra 29, aligning with the Nepali New Year celebrations.

Mayor Balen Shah Praises ‘Laaj Sharanam’ and Sitaram Kattel’s Performance: Kathmandu Mayor and rapper Balen Shah watched ‘Laaj Sharanam’ at QFX Durbar Marg on Monday evening. He praised actor Sitaram Kattel (Dhurmus), calling his performance detailed and impressive. Balen, who contributed the popular song ‘Nepal Haseko’, expressed joy in seeing artistry on screen. The film, in its second week, has reportedly grossed over Rs. 3 crore, though official box office numbers remain undisclosed.

Machhindra Edges APF 1-0 to Enter Mechinagar Gold Cup Semifinals: Machhindra Football Club secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nepal APF Club to reach the semifinals of the 5th Mechinagar Gold Cup. In Tuesday’s last quarterfinal at Kakarbhitta Secondary School Ground, Yusuf Malik netted the winning goal in injury time of the first half, converting a Stephan Kamah cross with a one-touch finish.

RCT Falls 3-1 to Shri Bhagwati in ‘B’ Division League Opener: Rani Pokhari Corner Team (RCT) suffered a 3-1 defeat against Shri Bhagwati Club in their Shahid Smarak ‘B’ Division League opener on Tuesday at ANFA Headquarters. Nikhil Tamang put RCT ahead in the first half, but Shri Bhagwati made a strong comeback, scoring three goals in the second half. Bikrant Narsingh Rana and Bishal Bikram Silwal scored, while one goal came from an own goal. RCT captain Samir Rai received a red card in the 33rd minute. In another match, Madhyapur Youth Association and Tusal Youth Club played a 1-1 draw.

SAFF Rejects Proposal for Home-and-Away Format: The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) has rejected the proposal to adopt a home-and-away format for the SAFF Championship. In a meeting held in Kathmandu, SAFF’s executive committee decided to continue with the existing format.

SAFF U-19 Championship: Nepal Drawn with India in Group Stage: Nepal and India have been placed in the same group for the upcoming SAFF U-19 Championship, as per the draw held on Tuesday. The tournament will take place in Arunachal Pradesh, India. A total of six teams are competing, divided into two groups. Group A features Maldives, Bhutan, and defending champions Bangladesh, while Group B consists of hosts India, runners-up Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will not participate this year.

Qatar Meeting Grants Full Membership to Five Disputed Sports Federations: A Qatar meeting organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has decided to grant full membership to five sports federations that had approached the court over their exclusion from the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC).

During Tuesday’s discussion, the NOC agreed to call a general assembly within 15 days and provide full membership to the federations. Representatives of the affected federations had accused the NOC of deliberate delays and sought legal action. IOC had tasked OCA with resolving the long-standing dispute, leading to this breakthrough decision.

PM Modi Arrives in Mauritius for Two-Day Visit: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Mauritius this morning for a two-day visit, receiving a warm welcome from Mauritian PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam at the airport.

Modi expressed gratitude for the special reception and highlighted his upcoming meetings with President Dharam Gokhool and PM Ramgoolam, along with a community address. He also praised the Indian diaspora’s deep connection to Indian heritage, culture, and values in Mauritius.

U.S.-Ukraine Talks in Saudi Arabia Focus on Ceasefire, Aid: U.S. and Ukrainian officials met Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine proposed a partial ceasefire plan with Russia, including a halt on long-range missile strikes and a Black Sea truce. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy did not attend, with chief of staff Andriy Yermak leading the delegation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz represented Washington. Rubio expressed hope for resolving paused U.S. aid and emphasized a diplomatic solution over military action.

EU Proposes Law to Send Rejected Asylum Seekers to Distant Countries: The European Commission unveiled a proposal Tuesday that would allow member states to transfer rejected asylum seekers to distant countries where they have never lived. While it does not establish EU-wide deportation centres, it provides a legal framework for bilateral agreements with non-EU nations in exchange for financial incentives. The transfer would occur only after all legal appeals are exhausted. This marks the first concrete step in the EU’s outsourcing migration strategy agreed upon last October.

China’s National People’s Congress Concludes Third Session: China’s 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) wrapped up its third session on Tuesday in Beijing, attended by President Xi Jinping and other top leaders. The 2,884 lawmakers approved key government reports, including the 2025 economic and budget plans, and passed amendments to the Law on Deputies. Li Hongzhong, who presided over the session, called for rigorous implementation of policies under the 14th Five-Year Plan, emphasizing Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation.