KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ Evening Briefing—a daily summary of the day’s most significant news. From politics and economics to entertainment, sports, culture, and global affairs, here are the most important events in Nepal today (Monday, March 3, 2025)—all the news that matters, in one place.

Former President Bhandari Urges PM Oli to Reunite Communist Movement: Former President Bidya Devi Bhandari has urged Prime Minister and UML Chair KP Sharma Oli to take the initiative in uniting Nepal’s communist movement. Speaking at the launch of ‘KP Sharma Oli: Dream, Struggle and Resolve’, she praised Oli’s past efforts in party unification and emphasized the UML’s role in Nepal’s political and socio-economic transformation. Bhandari reaffirmed her confidence in Oli’s leadership to strengthen the party and advance the communist movement.

Former Crown Prince Paras Shah Hospitalized After Heart Attack: Former Crown Prince Paras Shah has been admitted to Norvic International Hospital following a heart attack.

According to the hospital, he was brought in on Sunday evening after experiencing chest pain. However, doctors have confirmed that his condition has improved and he is under medical observation.

Federal Civil Service Bill: Subcommittee Identifies 14 Key Issues for Discussion: A parliamentary subcommittee, led by Nepali Congress House of Representative Dilendra Prasad Badu, has identified 14 key issues for deliberation in finalizing the Federal Civil Service Bill. These include structuring federal, provincial, and local civil services, open competition for senior posts, internal competition rules, proportional reservation limits, promotion criteria, party-affiliated trade unions, and post-retirement cooling-off periods. Daily discussions are underway.

One Dead, 14 Injured in Gorkha Microbus Accident: A microbus returning from Manakamana met with an accident at Kantanar, Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-3, Gorkha, on Monday, leaving one dead and 14 injured.

According to DSP Indra Prasad Subedi, the vehicle fell 15 meters off the road. The deceased, 37-year-old Padam Bahadur Darjee, died at Aanbukhaireni Rural Municipality Hospital, while the injured passengers are receiving treatment.

Deuba Says Coalition Government on Strong Ground: Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba said the coalition government is progressing strongly. Speaking in Bhairahawa, he emphasized that the NC-CPN (UML) government, though not an absolute majority, holds a two-thirds mandate and needs collective support. He urged internal unity through dialogue. The NC Training Academy organized the event, with discussions on party achievements, federalism, and governance, attended by 130 regional leaders.

Mayor Balen Stands Firm Against PM Oli’s Government: Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has vowed not to bow down to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid a dispute over the Chief Executive Officer’s appointment. He accused the federal government of spreading misinformation and issued a six-point clarification.

Balen stated that he is a partner in development, not an enemy, urging PM Oli to work together without bias. He also criticized UML leaders, labeling some party members corrupt and vowing not to surrender. Despite government obstacles, he reaffirmed his commitment to good governance and the fight against corruption.

Maoist Center Calls Office Bearers’ Meeting: The CPN (Maoist Center) has called an office bearers’ meeting to discuss current political developments and review its Terai-Madhesh campaign.

The party had launched the “Maoists with the People: Terai-Madhesh Awakening Campaign” on Monday, starting from Jhapa and extending to Kanchanpur. The campaign has been temporarily paused for the meeting.

25 Student Unions to Compete in FSU Elections: A total of 25 student organizations have registered for the Free Student Union (FSU) elections, scheduled for Chaitra 5 at Tribhuvan University. According to the FSU Election Central Monitoring and Coordination Committee, student groups across the country registered on Monday to participate.

In the last FSU elections (2079 Chaitra), 19 student organizations had competed. This year, the number has increased, with major unions like ANNFSU, NSU, ANNISU (Revolutionary), Socialist ANNFSU, and Nepal Revolutionary Students among the contenders.

Former King Gyanendra Honored in Pokhara with Grand Civic Reception: Former King Gyanendra Shah received a civic reception in Pokhara, walking from Ganesh Tole to Bindhyabasini Temple while offering prayers at various temples. Supporters chanted slogans and welcomed him with music and flowers. In Pokhara since January 27, he recently visited Alamdevi Temple and will visit Baglung Kalika and Galeshwar temples on February 21.

Nepal’s Stock Market Slips After Nine-Day Rally as Traders Take Profits: The NEPSE index declined 13.62 points to 2,876.66 on Monday, snapping a nine-session winning streak that had added 211.78 points. The index hit an intraday high of 2,929.21 before retreating as investors locked in gains.

Turnover rose to Rs 14.28 billion, led by Himalayan Reinsurance with Rs 1.38 billion in trades. Guardian Micro Life Insurance hit the upper circuit, while Samaj Laghubitta fell 10%. Sector indices were mixed, with Hotels & Tourism dropping 1.88%. Analysts see the pullback as a healthy correction after the recent surge, with strong liquidity supporting market stability.

Finance Ministry Issues Budget Guidelines for FY 2082/83: The Ministry of Finance has issued budget formulation guidelines for the fiscal year 2082/83, emphasizing feasibility and proper financial planning. The guidelines mandate that budget proposals must stay within limits, new projects should be implementable, and foreign aid-based projects must align with execution schedules. It also requires multi-year liabilities to be managed systematically and prioritizes national pride projects. The budget formulation will also incorporate intergovernmental financial transfers.

Nepal Prioritizes Transmission Line Expansion for ADB Loans: The Nepal government has prioritized transmission line expansion for loan investments from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Ministry of Energy revised its project list and sent it to the Ministry of Finance, proposing eight projects for ADB investment. The focus is on strengthening transmission and distribution systems. Nepal aims to expand its 6,000-circuit km transmission network to meet future electricity demands. Meanwhile, discussions on MCC funding continue as the U.S. has paused support for 90 days.

Nepal Rastra Bank Tightens Loan Policy on Electric Vehicles: Nepal Rastra Bank has tightened loan provisions for all types of electric vehicles. In a circular issued on Monday, following the mid-term review of the monetary policy, the central bank set a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 60%, requiring buyers to make a 40% down payment. Previously, banks could finance up to 80% of an EV’s value, meaning buyers only needed a 20% down payment. The new policy benefits ICE vehicle sellers, who had long demanded restrictions on EV financing.

China Clarifies BRI Is Loan-Based, Not Grant-Based: During an interaction program in Beijing, Chinese officials clarified to the visiting Nepali Congress delegation that projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would be based on concessional loans, not grants.

Former Deputy PM Sujata Koirala emphasized Nepal’s willingness to take loans for development and bilateral ties. She highlighted that BRI could support infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, and employment. Congress leader Burma Lama urged more transparency on BRI for public understanding. Other Nepali Congress leaders present included Kiran Yadav, Burma Lama, Devaraj Chalise, and Ujjwal Baral.

Traffic Police Crack Down on Rule-Violating Tippers: The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police has launched a crackdown on traffic rule violations by tippers. On Sunday evening, 42 tippers were seized from different locations. 27 had unauthorized modifications, 10 were overloaded, and 5 lacked documents, according to SSP Binod Ghimire. Offenders face a minimum fine of NPR 7,000, with modified tippers sent to the Transport Office.

Online Ticketing System Introduced at New Bus Park: Kathmandu’s New Bus Park in Gongabu has fully transitioned to an online ticketing system across all 47 counters to enhance convenience for passengers. Operated by Lotse Multipurpose Pvt. Ltd. under an agreement with Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the bus park facilitates travel to 70 districts. The city aims to centralize all public transport operations at the bus park, which currently manages 800 parking spaces and 350–400 daily departures.

‘Laj Sharanam’ Maintains Strong Box Office Performance: Even after the holiday period, Laj Sharanam continues to draw audiences. On Sunday, post-2 PM shows saw strong occupancy in both Kathmandu and outside the valley. The film, featuring Mahesh Tripathi and Dhurmus, is praised for its social message and comedy blend. Released on Falgun 14, it has already collected NPR 11 million on its first day.

‘Outlaw: Dafa 219’ Gains Momentum Ahead of Release: Set for release on 13 March, Outlaw: Dafa 219 has captured audiences’ attention with its action-packed trailer. Lead actor Sushil Shrestha, returning after four years, is receiving praise for his intense look and Hollywood-style action. With 1.1 million views in two days, the film, directed by Bicky Maharjan, is expected to make a strong box-office impact.

Content Creator Estu Karki Strikes Back with Bold Statement: Popular social media figure Estu Karki, often in the spotlight, recently faced backlash for her sleeveless attire in a vlog promoting Maipokhari tourism. While some criticized her, others praised her work. In response, she posted new photos from Ilam, wearing a black outfit with the message: “My Body, Not Yours,” subtly addressing her critics.

PM Oli Meets Italian Football Legend Buffon: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met former Italian football captain Gianluigi Buffon at his official residence in Baluwatar. Buffon, invited as the Chief Guest, is in Nepal for the KP Oli Cup Football Championship, organized by the National Youth Federation Nepal. First Lady Radhika Shakya, officials, and Buffon’s family attended the meeting. The Championship, which began on February 23, concludes today at Dashrath Stadium.

Machhindra Completes KP Oli Cup Hat-Trick, Downs Army 2-0: Machhindra Club secured its third consecutive KP Oli Cup title, defeating Tribhuvan Army 2-0 in the final at Dasharath Stadium on Monday. Sunish Shrestha’s deflected strike in the 29th minute put Machhindra ahead, while Stephan Jamah Jolly sealed the win in the 73rd with a clinical tap-in from Malik Yusuf’s cross. The victory cements Machhindra’s dominance in Nepali football.

Lalitpur Advances to PM Cup Cricket Bagmati Qualifier Final: Lalitpur secured a spot in the final of the PM Cup National Men’s Cricket Tournament Bagmati Qualifier by defeating Chitwan by three wickets in the first semifinal at Mulpani Cricket Ground. Chasing Chitwan’s target of 187 runs, Lalitpur reached the total in 40 overs, losing seven wickets. Sachin Lekhak top-scored with 70 runs. Lalitpur will now face the winner of Kathmandu vs. Makwanpur in the final.

Dhangadhi FC Selects Four Players from Talent Hunt for NSL: Dhangadhi FC picked four players—Dinesh Nepali, Shubhahit Sarki, Soyam Chaudhary, and Sandeep Dhami—from a Talent Hunt event. One will join the NSL squad, while three receive scholarships. The club appointed Juan Manuel Martínez Sez as head coach, Kritishratna Chhunju as a marquee player, and Dipendra Singh Airee as the club’s ambassador.

Sudurpashchim Sports Award 2081 Set for Next Month: The 6th Sudurpashchim Sports Award will be held on Chaitra 7, honoring top athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts. Organized by Nepal Sports Journalists Forum, Kailali, the event will feature awards in eight categories. Winners will receive cash prizes, with the best male and female athletes earning NPR 35,000 each.

Nepal’s Coach Matt Ross Aims for SAFF Championship Glory: Newly appointed Nepal national football team coach, Matt Ross, has set his sights on winning the SAFF Championship. Appointed for a year by ANFA, Ross emphasized his focus on Nepal’s upcoming friendlies against Singapore and the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Malaysia. He assured that both domestic and overseas Nepali players will have opportunities in the squad.

Hari Khadka Appointed Brand Ambassador of Jhapa FC for NSL: Nepal Super League (NSL) franchise team Jhapa FC has appointed former national team captain Hari Khadka as its brand ambassador for the third edition of the tournament. Jhapa, which finished fifth last season, has named Laken Limbu as its marquee player. This year’s NSL will feature seven teams, with Birgunj United FC and Sporting Ilam De Mechi FC withdrawing from the competition.

PM Modi Visits Somnath, Jamnagar; Set for Gir Safari Tomorrow: On the second day of his Gujarat visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in various programs in Jamnagar and Somnath. He visited Vantara, an animal rescue center, and offered prayers at Somnath Temple. In Sasan Gir, he chaired a Shri Somnath Temple Trust meeting. Tomorrow, he will take a jungle safari in Gir National Park and lead the National Board for Wildlife meeting.

Zelenskyy Seeks to Revive U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal After Tense Trump Talks: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains ready to sign a critical minerals deal with the U.S., despite a postponed agreement following tense talks with Donald Trump. The deal would grant U.S. access to Ukraine’s rich lithium, cobalt, and titanium reserves. However, war-damaged infrastructure and security concerns pose challenges to finalizing the agreement.

Taliban Reject Trump’s Claim That China Controls Bagram Air Base: Taliban officials have denied former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that China controls Afghanistan’s Bagram Air Base. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the base remains under Taliban control, with no Chinese presence or agreements. Mujahid urged Trump’s advisors to correct his information, emphasizing that unverified statements should be avoided.

Pentagon Halts Offensive Cyber Operations Against Russia: The Pentagon has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to cease offensive cyber operations against Russia, multiple sources report. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued the directive in late February as Washington reassesses ties with Moscow. Critics call it a security risk, while intelligence gathering continues. The decision precedes last week’s tense Trump-Zelensky Oval Office exchange.

China’s Top Political Advisory Body to Convene Annual Session from March 4 to 10: The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee will hold its annual session in Beijing from March 4 to 10. Advisors will review key reports, discuss state affairs, and observe the National People’s Congress session. Over the past year, the CPPCC has conducted extensive research and consultations to support China’s modernization and development.