South Korean court sets date for Yoon Suk-yeol impeachment ruling
South Korea's Constitutional Court will issue its long-awaited ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment Friday, months after he was suspended for declaring martial law.
Yoon's December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule plunged South Korea into political chaos, after he sent armed soldiers into parliament, Aljazeera reported.
Lawmakers disobeyed the army by voting against the measure and impeaching Yoon shortly after, but months of political unrest have harmed South Korea's economy and put the country in leadership uncertainty, even as US President Donald Trump targets the region with tariffs.
The court convened weeks of impeachment proceedings to decide whether to officially remove Yoon from office, and then spent weeks to deliberate on the matter, sparking speculation that the justices were in deep disagreement, according to Aljazeera.
Yoon, who was elected in 2022 despite having no prior political experience, is also facing criminal charges for rebelling over the edict.
Despite the fact that a number of South Korea's democratic-era leaders have been imprisoned for crimes committed after their terms ended, Yoon is the first president to face charges while in office.
Winter session ends with passing condolence motion on Bohara's demise
The winter session of the House of Representatives (HoR) ended today endorsing a condolence motion on the demise of lawmaker Deepak Bohara.
In the today's session of the lower house, Speaker Devraj Ghimire tabled the condolence motion on the passing of Bohara and it was followed by the unanimous endorsement.
Bohara, a member of the House of Representatives from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), passed away this morning at the age of 76.
Suffering from various illnesses for the last three years, he died while undergoing treatment at Om Hospital.
In the meeting, the Speaker shared information about those lawmakers remaining absent in the HoR winter session 10 times or more than that due to various reasons.
He also apprised the session of a letter received from the Office of the President regarding the prorogation of the Federal Parliament's current session by midnight today.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday had decided to recommend to President Ram Chandra Paudel for the prorogation of the current session of both Houses of Parliament to be effective from midnight today.
With this, the Speaker also announced the prorogation of the HoR session from midnight today.
Nikita Nepal: An orthodox tea entrepreneur’s story of passion and innovation
Nikita Nepal is a visionary young female Entrepreneur who transformed a deep-rooted passion for orthodox tea into a thriving business empire. Born and raised amidst the rolling hills and lush tea garden, Nepal developed an early fascination for the intricate art of tea cultivation and preparation. From the verdant tea plantation of Fikkal (Ilam), Nepal developed a deep appreciation for the intricate nuances of orthodox tea production.
Born and raised in a small village, Nepal’s journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit. Her pursuit of education took her from her hometown to Kathmandu, where she completed her higher studies, and later to Pokhara University for a BBA. Determined to expand her horizons, she further earned an MBA from Shinawatra University in Thailand. From a young age, she displayed a keen business sense—starting with small ventures like selling newspapers and gas cylinders. However, it was after graduation that she identified a significant gap in Nepal’s tea industry. Inspired by her vision to bring premium, authentic flavors to the market, she founded Aroma Tea, a brand that embodies quality, sustainability, and the rich heritage of Nepali orthodox tea. Her journey from a small-scale entrepreneur to an industry innovator showcases the power of dedication, foresight, and the courage to chase one’s dreams.
Nepal’s entrepreneurial journey is a story of vision, determination, and strategic growth. After completing her MBA, she set out to transform her business ideas into reality. In 2018, she founded Aroma Girls Hostel, providing safe and comfortable accommodation for students and working women. A year later, driven by her passion for business, she ventured into trading under the name Nepal Aroma Traders, expanding her footprint in the market. Recognizing the need for quality packaging solutions, she further established the Aroma Packaging Industry, reinforcing her commitment to innovation and excellence. Through Aroma Group, Nepal has built a dynamic enterprise that spans multiple sectors, reflecting her entrepreneurial acumen and unwavering dedication to creating impactful businesses.
Under Aroma Tea, Nepal has curated a diverse range of premium tea products that capture the essence of Nepal’s rich tea heritage. Specializing in orthodox leaf tea, the brand offers exquisite varieties such as Golden Tea/Needle, White Tea/Needle, Green Tea, and Black Tea, each crafted with precision and care. Expanding into convenience and flavor, Aroma Tea also features a collection of 22 naturally infused tea bag variants, including Chamomile, Jasmine, Cardamom, Tulsi, Mint, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, and more—available in both green and black tea options. To cater to the lovers of bold and aromatic blends, the brand also presents its signature Premium CTC Masala Tea, a perfect fusion of strong flavors and traditional spices. With this extensive range, Aroma Tea continues to redefine Nepal’s tea industry, offering a perfect brew for every tea enthusiast.
Nepal’s expertise in the tea industry is backed by extensive training and hands-on experience in tea processing, marketing, and branding. In December 2024, she completed a 25-day Training Course on Tea Processing Technology and Tea Industry Promotion at Zhangzhou College of Science and Technology, China. This intensive program provided in-depth knowledge on tea art, tea marketing, tea plantation, tea manufacturing, and branding, strengthening her ability to innovate in the sector. Additionally, in January 2023, she underwent specialized training in Tea Tasting and Blending in India, further refining her skills in crafting high-quality blends. With a strong foundation in both technical and business aspects of tea, Nepal continues to drive Aroma Tea toward excellence, combining tradition with modern innovation.
Through Aroma Group, Nepal has successfully built a diverse business portfolio, with Aroma Tea at its heart—offering premium orthodox teas, natural tea bag infusions, and rich CTC masala blends. Her extensive training in Nepal, India, and China has equipped her with deep expertise in tea processing, branding, and marketing, allowing her to elevate Nepalis tea on a global scale. With a vision for excellence and sustainability, Nepal continues to redefine the industry, proving that dedication and foresight can turn a simple idea into a thriving legacy.
Nepal's Ambassador to Portugal Paudel presents credentials
Nepal's newly appointed ambassador to Portugal, Prakash Mani Paudel, presented his Letter of Credence to President of Portugal, Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa.
The ambassador presented his credentials amidst a function at the Lisbon-based Presidential residence and office Belém Palace on Monday.
After this, the ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Portuguese President.
On the occasion, the discussions between the two were focused on further consolidating Nepal-Portugal ties and enhancing the level of mutual interest and cooperation. Nepal has urged Portugal to establish the Embassy of Portugal in Nepal and cooperate with it in the promotion of trade and tourism.
The Portuguese President congratulated Paudel on his assumption of the post, wishing him a successful term.
Ambassador Paudel was accompanied by his spouse Rupa Paudel and embassy's second secretary Ram Babu Nepal on the occasion. Appointed as the Ambassador to Portugal in December, Paudel arrived here to assume office on March 6.
It may be noted that Nepal had established its embassy in Portugal in February.
Nuno Sampaio, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal and the Portuguese government representatives were also present on the occasion.
Gold price increases by Rs 1, 800 per tola on Tuesday
The price of gold has increased by Rs 1, 800 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.
According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 179, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 177, 900 per tola on Monday.
Similarly, the silver traded at Rs 2, 035 per tola today.
Number of suspicious financial transactions surges
Nepal’s financial oversight system recorded a 24 percent surge in suspicious transaction reports (STRs) and suspicious activity reports (SARs) last fiscal year, with cases climbing from 5,935 to 7,338, according to a recent report by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) under the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).
This escalation, tracked through the government’s anti-money laundering (goAML) platform, reflects intensified monitoring as Nepal faces global pressure to bolster its anti-money laundering (AML) framework.
The goAML system, now connecting 1,639 investigative and regulatory agencies, has seen a significant rise in both reporting and analysis of STR/SARs over the past eight fiscal years. In fiscal year 2023/24, while 7,338 STR/SARs were received—a steep jump from the previous year—only 1,635 were analyzed, highlighting a bottleneck in processing capacity.
Of those, 889 were forwarded to law enforcement agencies (LEAs), regulators and supervisors, while 746 were dropped due to insufficient evidence or gravity.
In 2023/24, the FIU forwarded details of 60 suspicious transactions to the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, 615 to Nepal Police and 197 to the Department of Revenue Investigation.
Likewise, 19 were forwarded to anti-graft body the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, while 38 and 30 cases, respectively, forwarded to Inland Revenue Department and Payment Systems Department of the central bank. Though these figures mark progress from previous years, the gap between reporting and analysis points to strained resources, underscoring the need for enhanced analytical capabilities.
Nepal’s efforts in combating money laundering come under the shadow of its Feb 2025 placement on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ‘gray list’ after a plenary in Paris. Criticized for weak enforcement and oversight in sectors like cooperatives, the country faces a two-year deadline to exit “increased monitoring” or risk blacklisting, which could disrupt trade and investment. The greylisting, which is the second after 2008-2014, could result in higher transaction costs and erode investor trust, observers say.
The FIU report reveals persistent hawala and trade-based laundering alongside rising digital crimes—cyber fraud, cryptocurrency misuse and illegal online gambling. Likewise, tax evasion tied to cross-border flows remains prevalent in Nepal, according to the report.
Although large cash transactions dipped to 1.69m, the STR/SAR surge suggests either growing illicit activity or sharper detection by authorities. Experts attribute the reporting spike to improved bank compliance and evolving criminal tactics. The IFU said in its report that it has adopted risk-based prioritization in goAML and plans to integrate AI and advanced techniques to boost efficiency.
President Paudel prorogues Parliament session
President Ram Chandra Paudel has prorogued the current session of both Houses of the Federal Parliament from Tuesday night.
The Head of the State prorogued the current session of both Houses of Parliament on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers as per Article 93 (2) of the Constitution of Nepal.
A meeting of the Council of Ministers on Monday had decided to recommend to the President to prorogate the current session of both houses of Parliament to be effective from midnight today.
Myanmar announces week of national mourning as hopes of finding quake survivors fade
More than 2,000 people in Myanmar have been killed following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that affected areas as far as Thailand and China.
Myanmar's military government has proclaimed a week of national mourning, with a minute of silence scheduled for later on Tuesday at 12:51 local, the exact time the tremor struck on Friday, BBC reported.
In neighboring Thailand, 20 people have perished, and many have been evacuated from Bangkok's shattered buildings. Rescuers in both nations are still continuing their hunt for survivors, though hopes are diminishing since the vital window—the first 72 hours following a quake—has passed.
The UN believes the earthquake has exacerbated "an already dire crisis" in Myanmar, which is in the midst of a four-year civil conflict, according to BBC.
Despite the wreckage, reports indicate that the country's military officials are still conducting air attacks against pro-democracy rebel forces.