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NATO countries are attempting to avoid potential upheaval if the United States withdraws from the transatlantic military, alliance according to Aljazeera.

According to a new report, Europe's major military forces are developing plans to assume increased responsibility for the continent's defense from the United States, including a pitch to President Donald Trump's administration for a managed handover over the next five to ten years.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Nordic nations are among those involved in informal but organized conversations aimed at reshaping the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security bloc, according to The Financial Times, citing four European officials, Aljazeera reported.

The announcement coincides with a report by Bloomberg News on Friday that, in the face of Trump's repeated threats to leave the organization and NATO's political infighting with the US, the alliance will ask Europe and Canada to increase its weapons and equipment stocks by 30%.

Russian President Vladimir Putin would breach a peace deal with Ukraine if it is not defended, Sir Keir Starmer has said, after attending a meeting of senior military leaders in London, BBC reported.

The UK prime minister said any agreement to stop the fighting between Russia and Ukraine would "only be lasting" if there were "security arrangements in place".

He was speaking at Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, London, where more than 20 countries gathered at a closed meeting to discuss proposals for troops in Ukraine to help guarantee the country's security as part of any peace deal.

Sir Keir said security arrangements would make clear to Russia there would be "severe consequences if they are to breach any deal".

The prime minister said the UK and its allies were moving from "political momentum" to "military planning", which he said had "to be done now" before a deal was agreed.

He said: "It is vitally important we do that work because we know one thing for certain, which is a deal without anything behind it is something that Putin will breach, according to BBC.

"We know that because it happened before. I'm absolutely clear in my mind it will happen again".

Sir Keir ruled out redeploying UK troops from countries such as Estonia to commit to Kyiv, saying: "There's no pulling back from our commitments to other countries."

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stated that there are no immediate plans for his visit to Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura. During a question-answer session in Parliament on Thursday, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Buddhi Man Tamang asked the Prime Minister when he would visit the disputed territories and whether any plans had been made.

In response, PM Oli said, “There is no immediate plan, but a visit could happen in the future.” He also counter-questioned MP Tamang, asking if he had made any plans to visit the areas himself.

PM Oli revealed that he has been trying to contact Maoist Center Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal regarding unresolved issues of the peace process. He stated that while the government is committed to finalizing appointments for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappearances, Prachanda has been unavailable due to health reasons. “As soon as we establish contact, the remaining tasks of the peace process will move forward,” he said.

PM Oli also addressed the operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport, stating that efforts are underway to bring it to full capacity. He mentioned that the government has been working with relevant agencies to develop a concrete action plan. He highlighted incentives such as reduced passenger service fees, ground handling, landing, parking, and navigation charges to attract airlines.

Currently, Al Jazeera, FlyDubai, AirAsia, and Nepal Airlines operate international flights from the airport. Additionally, the government has initiated labor permit services from the Butwal Labor and Employment Office and is expanding immigration and banking services at the airport.

The government plans to provide startup loans to at least 500 entrepreneurs this year, PM Oli announced. He stated that the selection process for startup loans at concessional interest rates is in its final stage. The initiative aims to foster innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and create employment opportunities within Nepal.

He emphasized that while Nepali youths have the freedom to seek employment and education abroad, the government is actively working to create job opportunities at home. “The narrative that nothing can be done in Nepal is misleading. We are taking steps to build an industrial-friendly environment to encourage domestic and foreign investment, boost productivity, and reduce trade deficits,” he added.

PM Oli expressed concern over the increasing number of Nepalis leaving the country, particularly those taking irregular migration routes to reach the United States. “Some degree of migration is understandable, but leaving farmlands barren, taking loans, and opting for illegal routes to reach the US, only to face deportation, is not ideal,” he said. He attributed the issue to a lack of awareness and stressed the need to educate the youth about sustainable opportunities in Nepal.

PM Oli informed Parliament that the government has allocated Rs 50m for road construction in the remote village of Changru in Darchula. “The village has historically lacked proper road access. In response to local demands, we have started constructing a horse trail to connect it to the district headquarters,” he said. Additionally, he mentioned that roads are being developed in all district headquarters of Karnali Province with the support of the Nepal Army.

The upcoming Federal Civil Service Act will address the reservation demands of Tharu, Muslim, and other marginalized communities, PM Oli assured lawmakers. In response to questions from lawmaker Bina Kumari Thanet, he said that the proposed legislation, currently under discussion in Parliament’s State Affairs Committee, includes provisions for reserving quotas for Tharu and indigenous communities in civil service positions. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive representation in public appointments.

Meanwhile, Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) leader Prabhu Sah boycotted the PM’s question-answer session in Parliament, accusing Oli of failing to address his previous questions. Before walking out, Sah urged that the session be removed from the agenda, claiming it had lost relevance. “By not responding to my queries, the Prime Minister has disrespected the entire Parliament and the Speaker’s authority,” he said.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Friday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 175, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 176, 000 per tola on Thursday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 1, 995 per tola today.

Heathrow Airport will be closed for all of Friday over a "significant" power outage linked to a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it, BBC reported. 

The airport, which is the UK's busiest, has warned of "significant disruption" over the coming days and told passengers not to travel "under any circumstances" until it reopens.

"To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, we have no choice but to close Heathrow until 23:59 on 21 March 2025," a spokesperson said.

"We know this will be disappointing for passengers and we want to reassure that we are working as hard as possible to resolve the situation," they added, according to BBC.

"Whilst fire crews are responding to the incident, we do not have clarity on when power may be reliably restored," the Heathrow spokesperson said.

The airport has apologised for the disruption and has advised passengers to contact their airlines for further information.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the identity and self-respect of the Muslim Community has been better as compared to the past.

However, the Muslim Community still faces some discriminatory practices, the former Prime Minister said on Thursday at a meeting with the members of the Muslim Community in Birgunj city.

He viewed that all ethnic, lingual and religious communities should be treated equally.

During his party's ongoing political campaign along the Tarai-Madhes, the Maoist Center Chairman argued that the campaign is an initiative for coordination and promotion of social goodwill. 

This campaign is a move to maintain political stability in the country, he argued.

The Maoist Center is conducting different programs in Parsa district today as part of its Tarai-Madhes awakening campaign along the Postal Highway.

Top leaders of the party have already arrived in Parsa district.

Happiness isn’t defined by a single day or event but by a cumulation of moments. Whether it’s spending time with family, helping others, or connecting deeply with friends, happiness takes many forms. In a world increasingly consumed by technology, it’s essential to remember the value of real-world connections and meaningful experiences that truly bring us joy. As we celebrate World Happiness Day on March 20, ApEx talked to three people about what makes them happy.

Aayush Basnet, 22

For me, the happiest days are those when I get to celebrate occasions with my family. There’s nothing that brings me more joy than that, and I define happiness by these moments. True happiness comes when you’re surrounded by people who appreciate you for who you are and for what you do. Many people I know say they find joy in spending time with their partner, playing games, or enjoying different activities. I remember the last time I truly felt happy. It was two years ago, when I spent a night with my friends and family before leaving the country. I don’t think I’ve ever felt as content as I did at that moment.

Binda Thatal, 30

I think every day can be seen as a day of happiness. As a child, I remember the joy I felt when my father bought me a hairband. I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep the whole night. I found happiness in even the smallest things, like when my parents would bring home sweets or take us to the mela, holding our hands. Now, as an employee at the National Campaign for Women, I feel immense happiness in my work, especially in supporting women and addressing topics that matter to them. Through the years, I’ve also come to understand that being a supportive friend or partner brings its own kind of happiness. There’s a sense of relief, safety, and a comforting feeling of having backup support. It’s this connection that makes us feel cherished and valued.

Bijay Ram Ghimire, 48

When we were younger, we would spend entire days outside, but nowadays, people seem addicted to their phones, rarely stepping out. I remember how happy I felt when I went outside to play football, volleyball, kabaddi, and dandi biyo. We spent most of our time playing, socializing, and exploring, while today, many people are absorbed by their mobile devices. One of the happiest feelings back then was when we could help someone in need. It was a simple joy, but it brought a sense of fulfillment. Perhaps the definition of happiness has changed over time. Today, many people find happiness through their phones and social media, tying their well-being to digital validation. But it’s important to look beyond screens—to stay active, engage with the world around us, and disconnect from materialistic pursuits. By managing our time wisely, we can rediscover happiness in the real world too.

Senior military officers from the "coalition of the willing" are meeting in private in the UK on Thursday to discuss plans for a potential peacekeeping mission for Ukraine.It is believed that almost 20 nations are participating, BBC reported.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is anticipated to attend on Thursday afternoon after first visiting Barrow, where he will lay the keel for one of Britain's new generation of nuclear submarines.
Plans for a Western-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine are thought to be entering the operational phase. Senior military leaders from the "coalition of the willing," led by Britain and France, are expected to debate how this might operate in practice when they meet at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.

According to Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard, they want the coalition to be a "credible force" that would allow Ukraine to "enjoy a lasting peace" and "reconstitute and rearm".
"If Putin wins the Ukrainian conflict, he will not stop. If he subjugates the entire Ukraine, as he has for many years, he would just rearm and look for new ways to extend his power and dominance," he told BBC Breakfast.

"That is not in our interest as a country, certainly not in the interest of our European friends."

Pollard stated that preserving peace in Ukraine may require "some boots on the ground," but the force will also include "a strong component of air and maritime forces."
However, there are still significant difficulties, according to BBC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Moscow will not tolerate the presence of any NATO troops in Ukraine, regardless of their role.
The United States is also proving unwilling to offer the air cover that potential member’s claim they require.

Sir Keir is set to attend a portion of the meeting after first visiting Barrow to lay the keel for HMS Dreadnought, one of the next generation of nuclear-armed submarines. Sir Keir will visit Barrow and describe it as a "blueprint" for how defense investment can benefit a community.

He is expected to declare that the King has decided to bestow the title of "Royal" to Barrow in recognition of its commitment to national security, BBC added.

Earlier, he met with the crew of HMS Vanguard, one of Britain's nuclear submarines, as it returned to Scotland after patrolling the waters of the north Atlantic.

The prime minister told reporters that the Kremlin respected the United Kingdom's nuclear arsenal because "we have our own independent deterrent and are committed to NATO."