KATHMANDU: Stay up to date with Nepal News’ daily evening briefing, bringing you the most important developments from Nepal and around the world. From politics and the economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we provide a concise summary of the day’s top stories. Here are today’s key news highlights:
PM Oli Seeks Egypt’s Help for Release of Nepali Hostage Bipin Joshi: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, requesting further efforts for the release of Nepali student Bipin Joshi, held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023. President el-Sisi assured continued efforts. PM Oli thanked Egypt for its role in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks and Nepal welcomed the truce.
Prachanda Claims Maoists Are the Architects of Secularism in Nepal: Nepal’s Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) asserted that his party was the driving force behind Nepal’s secularism, federalism, republicanism, and inclusivity. Speaking at an event in Butwal on Wednesday, he criticized forces trying to revive the monarchy. “The responsibility to protect these changes lies with those who fought for them,” he said, emphasizing the Maoists’ role in shaping Nepal’s political transformation.
House of Representatives to Hold Q&A Session with Prime Minister on March 20: The House of Representatives (HoR) will conduct a question-and-answer session with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on March 20, Speaker Devraj Ghimire announced. The session, organized under Section 9 of the HoR Regulations (2079), allows MPs from Group Nine to participate. Lawmakers wishing to submit questions must do so in writing to the HoR Secretary by March 16.
Gagan Thapa Warns of Rising Public Anger Over Corruption: Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa said growing public dissatisfaction has turned into anger, primarily due to corruption. Speaking at an event in Nawalparasi, he warned that some elements are fueling frustration to attack the political system. He urged political parties to address corruption seriously and engage in dialogue with citizens to restore trust. Thapa also suggested forming a new commission if necessary.
Barshaman Pun Criticizes Congress and UML for Political Failures: CPN (Maoist Centre) Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun accused ruling parties Nepali Congress and UML of incompetence, allowing the resurgence of monarchy. Speaking at an event in Rupandehi, he blamed their corruption and misgovernance for fueling reactionary forces. Pun criticized the government for discouraging youth while favoring intermediaries. He emphasized the need to protect and strengthen rights achieved through past struggles.
Federal Mindset Hindering Implementation of Provincial Rights: Gandaki CM: Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey said centralized thinking has made federalism difficult to implement. Speaking at a press meet in Kawasoti, he criticized the federal government for hesitating to grant constitutional rights to provinces. Pandey stressed that strengthening federalism requires empowering provincial governments and warned that doubts over federalism will persist unless provinces receive their due authority.
DPM Paudel Emphasizes Federal Government’s Jurisdiction in Budget Planning: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel stressed that the federal government should not interfere in tasks designated for provincial and local governments, as per the Constitution. Speaking at a budget discussion for FY 2085/86 BS, he urged ministries to propose programs strictly within federal jurisdiction. He also prioritized cooperative issues, land management, and digital records.
Baburam Bhattarai Clarifies Alternative Politics Stance: Nepal Socialist Party (Naya Shakti) Chairman Dr. Baburam Bhattarai stated that his party’s alternative politics does not aim to oppose any party or ideology. Speaking at an event in Kathmandu, he emphasized transforming like-minded parties. Bhattarai argued that new ideas and policies are needed for progress. He stressed that capitalism is more progressive than feudalism and that economic development is key to democracy. His party seeks cooperation, not confrontation.
Cooperatives Amendment Bill Tabled in HoR Amid Opposition: Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation, Bal Ram Adhikari, tabled the Bill to amend Nepal’s Cooperatives-related Acts in the House of Representatives today. Despite opposition from several lawmakers, he defended the government’s efforts, highlighting the resolution of issues in 13 out of 22 troubled cooperatives. Ten lawmakers formally registered their dissent against the Bill.
Pokhara Declaration Submitted to PM Oli, Emphasizes Federal Coordination: The seven-point Pokhara Declaration from the 10th Inter-Legislature Forum was submitted to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at his official residence today. The declaration focuses on strengthening federal, provincial, and local coordination, clarifying legislative roles, and enhancing parliamentary oversight. PM Oli pledged support for intergovernmental collaboration and urged lawmakers to align budget proposals with the country’s economic status.
Minister Gurung Urges Legal Reforms for Telecom Sector Revamp: Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has called for legal reforms and stricter regulations to strengthen Nepal’s telecom sector. Speaking at a Sejon event, he stressed the need for a new Telecommunications Act and proposed revising the Rs 20 billion renewal fee. He also highlighted governance issues, declining revenues, and competition with ISPs, urging a sustainable corporate strategy and stakeholder collaboration.
Lalitpur and Russia’s Ulan-Ude Establish Sister City Ties: Lalitpur Metropolitan City and Ulan-Ude in Russia have established a sister city relationship. Lalitpur Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan and Ulan-Ude Mayor Igor Shutenkov signed the agreement. Mayor Maharjan emphasized strengthening citizen ties and cultural exchange. He expressed interest in showcasing Lalitpur’s heritage in Ulan-Ude and collaborating on projects. The Republic of Buryatia’s head, Alexei Tsydenov, highlighted cultural similarities between Nepal and Buryatia, while Maharjan invited Russian officials to Nepal.
NEPSE Gains 17.28 Points, Closes at 2,736.48: The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 17.28 points (1.17%) today, closing at 2,736.48, after a previous session loss. The index fluctuated between 2,745.58 and 2,717.29, with a total turnover of Rs. 8.23 Arba from 79,236 transactions. MBLPO led turnover at Rs. 81.36 Crores, while PHCL gained 9.79%. WNLB dropped 10%, making it the worst performer. Among sectoral indices, Investment Index rose 1.76%, while Development Bank Index fell 0.33%.
Economic Procedure and Fiscal Responsibility Bill Tabled in Parliament: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel presented the Economic Procedure and Fiscal Responsibility (First Amendment) Bill, 2081 in the House of Representatives. Responding to protests from lawmakers, he defended the federal government’s role in development. Lawmakers, including Prabhu Saha and Chitra Bahadur KC, criticized the bill, citing concerns over tax policies, economic transparency, and the Planning Commission’s reduced role. Despite opposition, the House rejected the protest notices by a majority. Minister Paudel assured discussions on tax policies in the upcoming budget preparation process.
Loan Defaults on the Rise: Over 105,600 Borrowers Blacklisted in 6.5 Years: The number of loan defaulters in Nepal has been increasing rapidly, with over 105,600 borrowers blacklisted in the last 6.5 years, according to the Credit Information Center. From 2075 BS to 2081 BS (up to Falgun 25), the number of blacklisted borrowers has surged significantly. In 2075 BS, only 1,300 borrowers were blacklisted, but the number grew to 3,000 in 2076 and 3,200 in 2077. By 2078, the figure rose to 7,900, and in 2079, it surpassed 19,000. The trend continued in 2080, with 33,200 borrowers blacklisted. In 2081, the situation worsened further, with 37,500 borrowers added to the list by Falgun 25. Most defaulters were blacklisted due to bounced checks caused by insufficient funds. Currently, around 200 borrowers are being blacklisted daily, with 220 added on Falgun 25 alone. The rising trend indicates increasing financial distress among borrowers.
Film Censorship Controversy Heats Up in Nepal: Recent film censorship issues have sparked debate, with accusations that the board is becoming too restrictive. Filmmakers argue that artistic freedom is under threat, as movies face bans over violent scenes, place names, or political references. The latest controversy surrounds Rajaganj, which was denied screening approval due to certain scenes and dialogues. Director Nischal Basnet criticized the board, questioning its artistic understanding. Similarly, filmmaker Manoj Pandit expressed concerns that political films may no longer be possible in Nepal, despite politics being central to the country’s issues. Calls for censorship reform are growing louder.
‘Basanta’ Songs Gain Popularity Ahead of Film’s Release: Singer Prakash Saput’s debut film Basanta, set to release on April 4, is already making waves with its music. The song Saanjh Paryo Jhamakka has surpassed 6.5 million views on YouTube in two months, while Bina Swadai Ko, released a week ago, is also trending with over 1.2 million views. The song, featuring a Jhakri (shamanistic) theme, has gone viral on TikTok. Starring Saput and Swastima Khadka, the film follows a young man from the Bishwakarma community pursuing his dream of becoming a writer.
‘Rajaganj’ Cleared for Release After Censorship Hurdle: Nepali film Rajaganj, set for release on March 14, has finally passed censorship. Initially, the board objected to certain scenes and dialogues, delaying approval. After necessary edits, the film received a “Universal Certificate.” A controversial scene featuring former PM KP Sharma Oli’s speech was removed. Despite earlier pre-screenings, its release was uncertain. Now, with clearance, the film, directed by Deepak Rauniyar and starring Dayahang Rai, Richa Sharma, and Asha Magrati, is ready for nationwide screening. It depicts a police operation to rescue kidnapped lawmakers and a school principal’s son.
CAN Announces New Central Contracts for Nepali Cricketers: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a new player classification system. Five players, including captain Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, Asif Sheikh, and Sandeep Lamichhane, are in Grade A, receiving a monthly salary of NPR 100,000. Sandeep, previously ungraded due to legal issues, has been reinstated. Karan KC and Kushal Bhurtel have been demoted to Grade B (NPR 70,000/month), along with Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Anil Sah. The contract period is six months (January–June), with performance-based reassessment for July–December. CAN also introduced a Grade D and an emerging player category from different provinces.
Major Reshuffle in Nepal Women’s Cricket Team: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced a new classification for the women’s cricket team, making significant changes. Pooja Mahato has been promoted to Grade A, while Kabita Joshi has moved up to Grade B. Meanwhile, Kabita Kunwar has been demoted to Grade C. Several players, including Asmita Karmacharya and Apsari Begam, have been excluded. Many from the emerging category also failed to secure contracts.
B Division League: New Basti and Boys Union Share Points in Opener: New Basti Youth Club and Boys Union Club started the Shahid Smarak B Division League with a goalless draw on Wednesday at ANFA Complex, Satdobato. Both teams created chances but failed to convert, settling for a shared point in their opening match.
B Division League: Saraswati Youth Club Starts with Hard-Fought Win: Saraswati Youth Club began the Shahid Smarak B Division League with a 2-1 victory over Bansbari Club on Wednesday at ANFA Complex, Satdobato. Sabin Lungeli Magar and Dhirendra Bahadur Shah scored for Saraswati, while Bikki Rai netted a consolation goal for Bansbari. Dhirendra doubled the lead in the 51st minute after a goalkeeper error. Despite Bikki’s late goal, Saraswati secured three points.
Mechinagar Gold Cup Football: Kakarvitta Enters Final After Sudden Death Victory: Kakarvitta Football Training Center advanced to the Mechinagar Gold Cup final, defeating Dharan FC 5-4 in sudden death on Wednesday. The match ended 1-1 in regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout. Kakarvitta’s Hemant Limbu equalized in the 69th minute after Suraj Rasaili’s early goal for Dharan. Kakarvitta will face the winner of Church Boys United vs. Machhindra FC in the final.
PM Cup Cricket: Nepal Police Club Secures Second Consecutive Victory: Nepal Police Club continued its strong run in the PM Cup National One-Day Cricket Tournament, defeating Koshi Province by 154 runs on Wednesday. Batting first, Police posted 288/8, with Kushal Bhurtel scoring 65. Koshi collapsed for 134 in 36.2 overs, with Karan KC taking three wickets. Police now has four points from two matches, while Koshi remains winless in the tournament.
Women’s T20 Cricket: Nepal Suffers Third Defeat, Final Hopes Fade: Nepal faced its third loss in the Women’s T20 International Tournament, falling to Namibia by 23 runs on Wednesday in Entebbe. Chasing 126, Nepal managed only 102/5 in 20 overs, with Sanu Pravin scoring 31. With two points from four games, Nepal’s final chances look slim. Namibia secured its second win, reaching four points in the tournament.
India-Mauritius Elevate Ties, Ink Eight Agreements: India and Mauritius have upgraded their relationship to an ‘enhanced strategic partnership’ and signed eight agreements to boost cooperation in maritime security, trade in local currencies, and other sectors. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam announced the decision during talks in Port Louis. Modi also introduced India’s new Global South vision, “MAHASAGAR.” He attended Mauritius’ National Day celebrations and received the country’s highest civilian honor.
EU Imposes Countermeasures on U.S. Imports Amid Tariff Dispute: The EU has launched countermeasures on U.S. imports, targeting products like boats, bourbon, and Harley-Davidson motorbikes. The move responds to new U.S. tariffs, which the EU calls unjustified and disruptive. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned the tariffs would hurt businesses, raise prices, and threaten jobs on both sides. The dispute adds tension to transatlantic trade relations.
G7 Ministers Meet in Canada as Ukraine Accepts U.S. Ceasefire Proposal: G7 foreign ministers are meeting in Quebec to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war and supporting Ukraine. The talks follow the U.S. decision to resume intelligence sharing and security aid. Ukraine has accepted a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, pending Russia’s approval. U.S. officials will engage Russia on the plan. Meanwhile, Ukraine and the U.S. are negotiating a mineral deal to develop Ukraine’s resources for economic and security benefits.
