KATHMANDU: Stay informed with Nepal News’ Evening Briefing—your essential daily roundup of key developments in Nepal and beyond. From politics and the economy to society, sports, entertainment, culture, and international affairs, we bring you the day’s biggest headlines. Here’s what shaped Nepal on Sunday, March 02, 2025—all in one place.

PM Oli Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Youth Development: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasized the government’s commitment to youth development, pledging full support for their all-round growth. Speaking at the National Cadet Corps (NCC) SN 19 Senior Division Pass-out Parade in Tundikhel, he highlighted the importance of discipline, patriotism, and leadership among young citizens. Dignitaries, security officials, and international delegations attended the event.

Prachanda Says Previous Alliances Have Infected Maoists, Seeks Cure Among People: CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has stated that alliances with traditional parties have brought internal issues into the Maoist party. Speaking at a public event in Dhanusha, he emphasized that only the people can diagnose and cure these problems. Acknowledging past shortcomings, he said the party’s Tarai-Madhesh Jagaran Abhiyan aims to reconnect with the public and address their concerns.

Congress-CPN-UML Mechanism for Constitution Amendment Within a Month: Khadka Nepali Congress Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka announced that a Congress-CPN-UML mechanism for constitutional amendments will be formed within a month. Discussions will later extend to the government and opposition. He also stated that the Social Media Regulation Bill will pass with modifications. A two-day party training program in Bhairahawa will focus on internal policies and political strategies.

RPP Chief Lingden Calls for Governance Overhaul to Save Nation: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) President Rajendra Lingden stressed the need for alternatives to prevent further national decline. Speaking at a provincial protest assembly in Dhangadhi, he proposed a monarchy as a guardian institution, a directly elected executive PM, and a fully proportional parliament. Senior leaders, including Prakash Chandra Lohani and Gyanendra Shahi, emphasized governance reforms and political unity.

Nagma-Gamgadhi Road Remains Blocked as Snowfall Hampers Clearance: The Nagma-Gamgadhi road remains obstructed due to heavy snowfall since Thursday, leaving passengers and vehicles stranded. Efforts by the Road Division Office, Jumla, and the Nepali Army to clear the snow and landslides are ongoing but slow due to challenging conditions. Authorities aim to reopen the road by evening, though travel remains difficult in multiple sections.

Nepal police shoot and arrest suspect in 2022 Kathmandu murder case: Nepal police shot and arrested Indian national Guddu Patel, a suspect in the 2022 Gothatar murder case, during an operation in Kathmandu’s Tokha area. Patel was shot twice in the leg while resisting arrest and was taken to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital after initial treatment. The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office confirmed the operation, stating that police also fired two warning shots before taking him into custody.

Nepal’s Rhino Census Uncertain Due to Budget Shortage: Nepal’s rhino census, conducted every five years, faces uncertainty due to a lack of funds. The 2021 census recorded 752 rhinos, with 694 in Chitwan National Park. This year’s count, scheduled for March 18 to April 7, was disrupted after USAID’s ‘Jal Jungle Project’—which pledged Rs 5 million for essential equipment—was suspended. Officials estimate Rs 15 million is needed and are exploring alternative funding to prevent further delays, as the next tiger census is due in 2026.

Ramadan Begins: Month-Long Fasting Starts for Nepal’s Muslim Community: The Muslim community in Nepal has begun its month-long fasting (Roja) as Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, starts today. Religious leaders confirmed its commencement following the sighting of the moon. Observed with deep spiritual devotion, Ramadan is believed to be the month when the Quran was revealed. The fast concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr, a major Islamic festival.

National Assembly Passes Nepal Bar Council Amendment Bill: The National Assembly unanimously passed the Nepal Bar Council (Second Amendment) Bill, 2081, following discussions led by Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya. Lawmakers suggested revisions on curriculum development and legal fees. The Assembly also approved the Banking Offense and Punishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2080, as proposed by Deputy PM and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

Upendra Yadav Accuses Government of Weakening Other Parties: Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav has accused the government of pursuing a strategy to weaken other political parties. Presenting a political and organizational report at the JSP central committee meeting in Lalitpur, Yadav claimed that the government is using deceitful tactics to extend KP Sharma Oli’s rule. He criticized the proposed threshold law, asserting it aims to establish a two-party system while neglecting governance and economic development.

Foreign Ministry Appoints Legal Secretary to Oversee NRNA General Convention: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed Joint Secretary Aruna Joshi to facilitate the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) General Convention. The decision was made at the ministerial level on Sunday, following a recommendation from the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs. Joshi currently heads the Treaty, Agreements, and International Law Division. The ministry has also informed High-Level Committee Coordinator Shesh Ghale about the appointment.

RSP Central Member Mohan Thapa Detained by U.S. Immigration: Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) central member Mohan Thapa has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities, party leader Manish Jha confirmed. Thapa had previously submitted a request to step aside from his central committee responsibilities due to ongoing legal proceedings. Following his detention, RSP has removed his name from the party’s official website.

Home Minister Calls for Talks Over Pathibhara Cable Car Dispute: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has urged opponents of the under-construction Pathibhara cable car in Taplejung to engage in dialogue. Speaking at the National Assembly on Sunday, he assured that the government takes concerns raised by the “No Cable Car” group seriously and is open to resolving issues through discussions. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring justice in recent criminal cases.

UML Reduces Central Office Bearers in Mass Organizations to Nine: The CPN-UML has decided to reduce the number of central office bearers in its mass organizations from 17 to 9. A Secretariat meeting in Chyasal revised the coordination guidelines, eliminating the standing committee structure. The new structure includes a chairman, two vice-chairpersons (one female), a general secretary, a deputy general secretary, and four secretaries, including a treasurer.

NICE 2025 Concludes Successfully in Pokhara: The first-ever Nepal-India-China Expo (NICE 2025) successfully concluded in Pokhara, drawing over 600 delegates from 14 countries. Organized by the PATA Nepal Chapter, the event focused on Nepal’s tourism potential between its two largest neighbors. Inaugurated by Tourism Minister Badri Prasad Pandey, discussions covered aviation, MICE tourism, and wellness trends. PATA Nepal Chairman Khem Lakai emphasized leveraging India and China for Nepal’s tourism growth. The expo marked PATA Nepal’s 50th anniversary.

Mayor of Bhangaha Hands Over Office Keys to District Administration in Protest: Frustrated over the federal government’s inaction, Bhangaha Municipality Mayor Sanjiv Kumar Sah has handed over his office keys to the District Administration Office. The municipality has been without a chief administrative officer for over 45 days, bringing operations to a halt. Despite multiple appeals to Minister Rajkumar Gupta, no action was taken, forcing the mayor to symbolically shut down the office in protest.

Snowfall Brings Relief to Jumla and Humla Farmers: After months of drought, fresh snowfall has finally blanketed the high Himalayan regions of Jumla and Humla, while lower areas received much-needed rain. Farmers, who had lost hope due to parched fields, now see a chance for winter crops like barley and wheat to survive. Experts say the precipitation will boost apple and walnut saplings. However, heavy snowfall has blocked roads, including the Nagma-Gamgadhi highway. Authorities have begun clearing efforts to restore transportation.

Koirala Reaffirms Nepali Congress’ Commitment to Socialism, Nationalism, and Democracy: Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala dismissed claims that the party has abandoned socialism, urging members to ignore such remarks. Speaking at an event, he reaffirmed that the party remains committed to nationalism, socialism, and democracy. He emphasized that occasional political statements should not be misinterpreted as a shift in ideology, assuring that Nepali Congress upholds its core principles and values.

Nepal’s Stock Market Surges Near 2,900 Points: Nepal’s stock market witnessed a sharp rise on Sunday, with the NEPSE index climbing 75.24 points to close at 2,890. Following the mid-term monetary policy review, investor confidence has strengthened. Total trading volume reached NPR 14.25 billion, with over 291 million shares of 302 companies exchanged. Sectors like finance, hotels, tourism, life insurance, and manufacturing surged over 4%, while Himalayan Distillery, Guardian Micro Life, and Nepal Life Insurance hit positive circuits.

Former Finance Secretaries Call for Bold Economic Reforms: The Finance Ministry discussed economic reforms with former finance secretaries, who urged bold steps like cutting non-productive projects, prioritizing large-scale investments, enhancing fiscal federalism, and ensuring capital expenditure accountability. They emphasized reducing the informal economy, financial sector reforms, and bringing anti-money laundering under ministry control. Other key suggestions included boosting foreign investment, strengthening climate finance, ensuring policy stability, and improving the business environment.

Tourist Arrivals in Nepal Remain Steady, 176,000 in First Two Months: In the first two months of 2025, 176,000 tourists visited Nepal, according to the Department of Immigration. 79,991 arrived in January, while 96,880 came in February.

Compared to 2024, arrivals increased by only 345. Notably, tourists from SAARC countries declined to 30,000 from 35,000 last year. While arrivals from other regions grew slightly, overall growth remained minimal.

NEA Prioritizes Pumped Storage Hydropower for Energy Security: Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) is advancing pumped storage hydropower projects to stabilize electricity demand and strengthen energy security. Of 156 identified sites, 33 projects totaling 42,000 MW have been shortlisted. Feasibility studies are underway for 332 MW Sharpu Tal (Rukum West) and 200 MW at Dudh Koshi Reservoir.

Singer Dinesh Dhakal Launches New Band ‘Dinesh Dhakal & Doko Namlo’: Singer and songwriter Dinesh Dhakal, known for the hit song “Kalo Keshma Relimai,” has launched a new musical band, “Dinesh Dhakal & Doko Namlo.” The band aims to present folk music in a fresh style. Renowned sarangi player Anil Gandharva, along with five other experienced musicians, is part of the group.

Film ‘Janai Harayeko Bahun’ Set for Teej 2082 Release: The film Janai Harayeko Bahun is set to release on Bhadra 10, 2082 (Teej Festival), premiering simultaneously in Nepal and abroad. Starring Bijay Baral and Manish Raut, the emotional drama explores a mother-son relationship. Directed by debutant Himal Nyaupane, the film follows a village man navigating life’s unexpected challenges in the city. Produced by Paperclip Pvt. Ltd., the film is scheduled to begin shooting by the end of this year.

Low Turnout at Durgesh Thapa’s Tulshipur Concert Sparks Speculation: Despite the rising popularity of Durgesh Thapa’s latest song Hut Bhayera, Pat Bhayera, his concert at the Tulshipur festival saw a dismal turnout. Organizers had to postpone his performance due to a lack of audience, with only around 15 attendees showing up. Many speculate this could be linked to his past controversy involving singer … Adhikari and actor Pal Shah. Meanwhile, festival organizers are also facing scrutiny for unauthorized schedule extensions.

PM Cup Bagmati Qualifier: Bhaktapur Claims First Victory: Bhaktapur secured its first win in the PM Cup Bagmati Qualifier with a commanding 116-run triumph over Tribhuvan University (TU) at Mulapani. Strong performances from captain Kris Karki and Shubh Kansakar powered the team to victory, boosting their standing in the tournament after earlier setbacks.

Nepal Police Club Wins National Karate Championship: Nepal Police Club secured the team championship in the 4th Krishna Prasad Bhattarai Memorial National Karate Tournament, claiming 12 gold and one silver medal. APF finished second with three gold, two silver, and six bronze medals, while Tribhuvan Army Club came third. Police’s Erika Gurung dominated the women’s 68kg+ final, winning in just 52 seconds.

Nepal Women’s Cricket Team to Compete in Women’s Day Cup in Uganda: The Nepal women’s national cricket team will participate in the Women’s Day Cup in Uganda, featuring hosts Uganda, Hong Kong, and Namibia. The tournament follows a double round-robin format. Nepal will face Namibia in the opening match on March 8, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

ANFA Signs One-Year Deal with Coach Matt Ross: The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has appointed Australian coach Matt Ross as the head coach of the Nepali men’s national football team for a year. A UEFA Pro License holder, Ross previously coached South Korea’s women’s team and Swedish top-division club Växjö DFF.

PM Modi Highlights Twin Goals of Agricultural Growth and Rural Prosperity: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to agricultural growth and rural prosperity in a post-budget webinar. He emphasized the ‘PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’, focusing on 100 low-productivity districts. Investments in horticulture, dairy, and fisheries aim to boost employment and farmer empowerment.

50 Rescued After Chamoli Avalanche, Search Continues for 5: In Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, 50 workers have been safely rescued following an avalanche in Mana village, while the search continues for five others. Four injured workers have been confirmed dead. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey, and PM Modi assured central government support for rescue operations.

Israel Halts Humanitarian Aid to Gaza as Ceasefire Deal Stalls: Israel has stopped all aid to Gaza after Hamas refused to extend the first phase of a ceasefire deal. The decision follows Hamas’s rejection of the US-backed Witkoff framework. The ceasefire, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, aimed for long-term peace and Gaza’s reconstruction.

European Leaders Reaffirm Support for Ukraine After Heated Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting: Following a tense meeting between U.S. President Trump and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy, European leaders pledged support for Ukraine. Trump accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful,” while EU leaders insisted on standing by Kyiv. Hungary’s Orban praised Trump’s stance. The White House later confirmed no agreement on Ukrainian mineral rights was reached.