KATHMANDU: Stay ahead with Nepal News’ evening digest—a crisp summary of the day’s most significant developments. From politics and economics to culture and global affairs, we distill 30 key stories into 50-word insights. Here’s what shaped Nepal today (Sunday, February 23, 2025)—all the news that matters, in one place.

Supreme Court Orders NRNA Secretariat to Handover Office for Elections: Supreme Court of Nepal has directed the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Secretariat to transfer all administrative control to a high-level committee led by Shesh Ghale within seven days. The court also instructed the Foreign Ministry to assign an officer to oversee the process, warning of contempt for non-compliance.

‘No Cable Car’ Protests Grow: Prohibitory Order in Phungling: Amid protests against the Pathibhara cable car, authorities imposed a prohibitory order in Phungling Bazaar to prevent clashes. Gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations are banned. At least 10 people were injured in Saturday’s violence. Locals oppose the project, citing religious and environmental concerns.

MPs Demand Halt to Pathibhara Cable Car Project: MPs have urged the government to immediately stop the Pathibhara cable car project, citing local opposition. In the House of Representatives, lawmakers highlighted growing tensions, governance issues, and public grievances. They also raised concerns over money laundering, student safety in India, illegal labor practices, and increasing road accidents.

PM Oli Urges Civil Servants to Ensure Good Governance: On his 74th birthday, PM KP Sharma Oli urged civil servants to deliver efficient services, uphold good governance, and help Nepal exit FATF’s grey list. He emphasized corruption-free development and rejected commission-driven contracts. Senior officials, including Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, attended the event at Singha Durbar.

Maoist Center Demands PM Oli’s Resignation Over FATF Grey List: The Maoist Center urged PM KP Sharma Oli to resign after Nepal was placed on the FATF grey list. MP Madhav Sapkota blamed government inaction for financial mismanagement, calling it a failure of good governance. He demanded urgent measures to restore Nepal’s credibility and financial integrity.

Maoist Leader Warns of Protests Over Pathibhara Cable Car Dispute: Maoist Koshi Province leader Indra Bahadur Angbo warned of protests if the government fails to resolve the Pathibhara (Mukkumlung) cable car dispute through dialogue. Criticizing repression against locals, he demanded an immediate halt to construction and urged a high-level negotiation team to address concerns over the sacred pilgrimage site.

Finance Committee Seeks Details on USAID Spending: Members of the Finance Committee have urged the government to disclose public expenditures under USAID programs in Nepal. Lawmakers raised concerns over alleged “fraud” in aid implementation. They emphasized seeking details from the Finance Ministry and ensuring committee discussions remain focused and effective in addressing financial matters.

Shekhar Koirala Vows to Protect Party Cadres: Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala pledged to prevent injustice within the party and safeguard its members. Speaking at a conference in Rapti Sonari, he urged cadres to strengthen the organization. Emphasizing institutional reforms, he stressed the timely general convention. Koirala continues his nationwide district visits.

National Assembly Chair Urges Government to Respond Within Seven Days: National Assembly Chair Narayan Prasad Dahal has urged the government to address issues raised by MPs within seven days. He emphasized effective implementation of Assembly rules, including timely access to government policies. The session also discussed corruption prevention and e-commerce bills, with the next meeting set for March 2.

Nepal to Establish ‘Dalit Desk’ In Police for Anti-Discrimination Cases: The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed Nepal Police to set up a ‘Dalit Desk’ to investigate untouchability and caste-based discrimination. Spokesperson Ramchandra Tiwari stated that all 77 districts must ensure effective operation, with Dalit participation, to eliminate discrimination and promote good governance.

Bamdev Gautam Urges Ex-King Gyanendra to Enter Politics: National Assembly member Bamdev Gautam advised former King Gyanendra Shah to form a democratic party and contest elections instead of seeking the throne. Speaking in Parliament, Gautam suggested Gyanendra register his party, run in the 2084 elections, and aim to become prime minister through democratic means.

Fake X Account Impersonates Chief Justice Raut: The Supreme Court has confirmed that a fake X (formerly Twitter) account impersonating Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut was not hacked but falsely created. In a press release, the court urged the public to ignore misleading tweets, warning against attempts to undermine the judiciary’s credibility and integrity.

Meat, Alcohol Banned in Pashupatinath Area for Maha Shivaratri: Kathmandu authorities have prohibited the sale and consumption of meat, alcohol, and intoxicants in the Pashupatinath area during Maha Shivaratri 2081. The restriction, in effect from Falgun 12 to 15, aims to uphold religious sanctity. Violators will face legal action under the Local Administration Act, 2028.

Minister Pandey Stresses Positive Messaging in Films: Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Minister Badri Prasad Pandey emphasized that films should convey positive messages. Speaking at the Nepal-Africa International Film Festival, he called cinema a powerful medium for persuasion. Pandey urged the industry to inspire hope, noting Nepal’s potential to produce billion-earning films that boost the economy.

Miss Nepal North America 2025 Opens Applications: Applications for Miss Nepal North America 2025 are now open. The finale will be held on August 2 in New York. Contestants must be 18-29 years old, North America residents, and unmarried. The winner will earn a spot in the Miss Nepal 2025 grand finale.

Sujan Chapagain’s U.S. Concert Canceled Due to Visa Issues: Singer Sujan Chapagain’s U.S. tour has been postponed indefinitely after the U.S. Embassy Kathmandu denied visas to his band members, granting only one out of eight. Expressing disappointment on social media, Chapagain apologized to organizers and fans, assuring them that they would reunite for the tour in the future.

NEPSE Gains 11.66 Points, Closes at 2,755.40: Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) rose by 11.66 points on Sunday, closing at 2,755.40. Manufacturing, insurance, investment, and banking sectors saw gains, with 91 companies’ shares rising. However, 148 companies declined. Shares worth Rs 11.54 billion were traded, with Himalayan Re-Insurance leading turnover at Rs 956.4 million.

Kathmandu-Terai Expressway Achieves 38% Progress, Completion Target Set for 2027: The Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Expressway has reached 38.26% physical and 39.84% financial progress, Nepal Army officials announced. Two of seven tunnels are completed, with two under construction. The project, expected to transform Nepal’s economy, aims for completion by 2027 despite land acquisition issues in Khokana.

Smartphone Imports in Nepal Surge to NPR 19 Billion in Seven Months: Nepal imported 1.229 million smartphones worth NPR 19 billion in the past seven months, generating NPR 3.35 billion in customs revenue. This marks an increase of 126,000 units compared to last year, with import values rising by NPR 1.6 billion over the same period.

Nepal Airlines Faces Disruptions as Two Jets Remain Stranded: Nepal Airlines is facing operational disruptions as two of its narrow-body aircraft remain stranded. One jet is stuck in Dammam due to a technical issue, while another remains in Shanghai after maintenance delays linked to payment issues. The situation has left passengers stranded and disrupted flight schedules.

Nepal’s Trade Deficit Widens by 6.2%: Nepal’s trade deficit reached Rs 861.38 billion in the first seven months of the fiscal year, with total foreign trade at Rs 1,115.79 billion. Imports stood at Rs 988.58 billion, while exports rose to Rs 127.20 billion, marking a 46.5% export growth and 10.09% import increase.

Committee Formed to Appoint NEPSE CEO: A three-member committee has been formed to fill the vacant Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position at the Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) through open competition. Led by Joint Secretary Sevantak Pokharel, the committee includes Joint Secretary Amrit Lamsal and expert member Dr. Khomraj Kharel.

Nepali Banking Employees Show Rising Dissatisfaction Over Pay: A survey by the Nepal Bankers’ Association reveals growing dissatisfaction among commercial banks employees in Nepal. The percentage of fully satisfied staff dropped to 18% in 2024 from 23.39% in 2022, while dissatisfaction rose to 24.10%, highlighting concerns over salaries and benefits in the banking sector.

Nepal’s Auto Market Accelerates as Jagdamba Motors Expands: Jagdamba Motors and Jagdamba Auto Group are experiencing strong financial growth, with combined revenue reaching NPR 13.67 billion in 2024. Strategic investments, customer-focused services, and rising demand for TVS motorcycles have fueled their success, solidifying their position as key players in Nepal’s expanding automobile industry.

Nepal Holds Myanmar to 2-2 Draw in Women’s Championship: Nepal played a 2-2 draw against Myanmar in the first-stage match of the International Women’s Championship at Dasharath Stadium. Sabita Rana Magar and Sabitra Bhandari Samba scored for Nepal. Despite multiple chances, neither team netted in the second half. Samba was named Player of the Match.

Germany Votes in Snap Election as Conservatives Lead in Polls: Germany’s snap parliamentary election sees the CDU/CSU leading with around 30% support, while the far-right AfD trails at 20%. Voter turnout appears higher than in 2021. Exit polls are expected at 6 p.m. local time, with official results likely to be announced on Monday.

Mahakumbh Nears End, UP Govt Strengthens Crowd Management: As Mahakumbh in Prayagraj enters its final stage, the Uttar Pradesh government has intensified preparations ahead of Mahashivratri. Authorities are implementing plans for railway, traffic, and parking management. Over 60 crore devotees have taken the holy dip so far, with CM Yogi Adityanath closely monitoring arrangements for a smooth experience.

Indian PM Modi Lays Foundation for Cancer Hospital, Unveils Key Initiatives: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute in Madhya Pradesh, promising free cancer treatment. He announced cheaper medicines, daycare centers, and cancer clinics. Modi also criticized attacks on Sanatan Dharma and will attend key events in Bihar and Assam.

Bangladesh Invites Elon Musk to Launch Starlink Service: Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, invited tech billionaire and US President Donald Trump’s adviser, Elon Musk, to visit Bangladesh and launch Starlink satellite service. In a letter, Yunus emphasized Starlink’s transformative impact on youth and women, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the country’s connectivity and digital future.

Trump Administration Weighs Peace Strategies for Ukraine War: U.S. President Donald Trump seeks a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Think tanks propose strategies, including maximum pressure on Russia, stronger military aid to Ukraine, economic sanctions, and leveraging energy markets. Experts emphasize Ukraine’s defense, NATO considerations, and potential economic benefits for American industries in a negotiated settlement.