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Even the commercial banks, which are regarded as financially transparent, follow regulatory guidelines to the letter, and are considered excellent in corporate governance, have been included in the list of worst performers in terms of their financial standing, performance, and governance by Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse).

Four commercial banks—Agricultural Development Bank Ltd, Nepal Investment Mega Bank Ltd, Kumari Bank Ltd, and Prabhu Bank Ltd—have been classified in Group ‘Z’ by Nepse. Out of 20 commercial banks in the country, only eight have been included in Group ‘A’ by Nepse.

A total of 31 companies listed on the bourse have been classified in Group ‘A’. The list includes eight commercial banks, seven development banks, one finance company, six microfinance institutions, and three hydropower companies. Nepal Reinsurance Company Ltd, Himalayan Distillery, Shivam Cements, Nepal Telecom, Hydropower Investment and Development Company, and Nepal Infrastructure Bank have also been included in Group ‘A’. 

Garima, Lumbini, Mahalaxmi, Miteri, Muktinath, Shangrila, and Shine Resunga are the seven development banks that have made it to Nepse’s ‘A’ list. Likewise, Chhimek, First, Jiwan Biwaks, Sana Kisan, NIC Asia, and Swabalamban are the microfinance institutions included in Group ‘A’. Three hydropower companies—Butwal Power, Chilime Hydropower, and Sanima Hydropower—and one finance company—ICFC Finance are also in Group ‘A’.

Nepse has classified 35 companies in Class ‘B’, 70 in Class ‘G’, and 135 in Class ‘Z’.

Nepse has said that listed companies can ask for a review of the classification by furnishing proofs within 35 days. The stock exchange company has been classifying companies as per Rule 11 of the Securities Listing and Trading Rules, 2018.

As per Nepse, companies with a paid-up capital above Rs 1bn, that have been listed for a minimum of two years, consistently demonstrated profitability over the past three fiscal years, have a credit rating above average, distributed dividends, and conducted their annual general meetings within six months of the fiscal year-end have been classified in Group ‘A’.

Similarly, companies with a paid-up capital of at least Rs 500m, that have been listed for a minimum of three years, recorded profits in two out of the past three fiscal years, and held annual general meetings within six months of the fiscal year-end have been categorized in Class ‘B’.

Companies that have been listed for two years but have not met the criteria for either A or B groups have been classified in Group ‘G’. Companies that are not in either of the three groups have been classified in Group ‘Z’.

An Indian national has been arrested with 855 grams of gold from the Tribhuvan International Airport.

Airport Security Police Office apprehended Sharif Ahmed Abdul Gafur (35), who arrived in Kathmandu on a Fly Dubai flight, with the precious yellow metal during a regular security check.

He has been handed over to the airport customs office for further investigation.  

The gold is being traded at Rs 118, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 117, 450 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,410 per tola today.  

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that Nepal’s participation in UN peace operations has always remained an important component of its foreign policy, aimed at achieving and strengthening global peace and stability which has been well praised by the global society. "I feel extremely proud as I assert the fact that Nepal presently contributes the highest number of troops and police personnel in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions and has further pledged to deploy up to 10, 000 well-trained and equipped personnel for UN Peace operations on request of the United Nations", he said.

In his statement at the opening ceremony of exercise "Shanti Prayas IV" at a function held at Army Officer's Club in Bhadrakali this morning, he said Nepal contributes the highest number of women troops among all the UN member countries in its Peacekeeping missions. The government of Nepal will continue to give highest priority to the United Nations Peace Operations and continue to support the United Nations in its every endeavors, he assured.

Stating Nepal has and will always vehemently advocate for peace and equality in international forums, he said Nepal’s commitments are rooted in its desire for peace and harmony in the world and are expressed through her participation in international treaties and agreements that promote disarmament and peaceful resolution of conflicts. "This is further manifested through our participation in the UN peace operations, where our peacekeepers have distinctly demonstrated bravery, compassion, and selflessness in their noble mission to protect and restore hope in regions torn apart by conflict."

In the contemporary global landscape, peacekeepers face heightened and multiple threats due to the complex and multi-layered nature of conflicts, driven by various factors from ethnic tensions to terrorism among others, he said and noted that adapting to this changing scenario is a must as peacekeeping operations have evolved into complex politico-military-humanitarian efforts demanding a greater understanding and preparation on the part of peacekeepers. "It has thus become crucial to reassess how we deliver peace amid new complex challenges to maintain trust and legitimacy of the UN Peacekeeping."

The Prime Minister noted that the significance of peacekeeping cannot be overstated, as it requires a deep sense of humanity, a profound commitment, and a readiness to intervene to protect the vulnerable. Peacekeepers have been embodying these principles, and their efforts have made a profound impact, often in the face of great peril.

He said that the multinational exercise emphasizes and reminds us of the necessity to continually train, refine strategies, and build strong partnerships among nations for the successful conduct of peacekeeping operations.

Extending a warm welcome to all esteemed delegates and friends from friendly foreign countries gathered in Kathmandu, the Prime Minister also extended honor and paid tributes to the brave peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace worldwide.

He also took the opportunity to admire the steadfast commitment and dedication of all peacekeepers, who despite facing formidable challenges, continue to serve with valor and compassion. "Their contributions and sacrifices have not only brought honor to their nations but have also played a crucial role in the pursuit of global peace and stability."

Prime Minister Dahal expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, the Nepali Army for hosting the event, while also appreciating the support of the US Indo-Pacific Command - Global Peace Operations Initiative for co-sponsoring this significant event.

The onus of preparing credible peacekeepers lies on the contributing countries, thus apart from regular peacekeeping training; Nepal has been participating in and hosting similar kinds of multinational peacekeeping exercises in the past, the Prime Minister noted.

Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud is scheduled to address the Raisina dialogue that begins from February 21-23 in New Delhi.

Raisina is a premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

Every year, leaders in politics, business, media, and civil society converge in New Delhi to discuss the state of the world and explore opportunities for cooperation on a wide range of contemporary matters, ORF said.

The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers, and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media, and academia, according to ORF.

Similarly, Swarnim Wagle, a member of Parliament will also address the dialogue. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece will inaugurate the conference on Wednesday.

The cloudy weather that started from the west last night is spreading across the country today. This process will continue till Thursday and the weather will gradually improve from Friday, said Ganga Nagarkoti, a meteorologist of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

The weather has become cloudy with light to moderate rain in some places of Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. There is also a possibility of rain in Kathmandu on Thursday with sporadic drizzle before that.

There is currently the influence of westerly winds in Nepal. However, the weather is partly to mostly cloudy in Gandaki, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces, while in the rest of the land the weather is partly to mostly clear.

A few places in the Tarai are experiencing light rain.

The closed session of the Mahasamiti meeting of the Nepali Congress is starting today.

The Mahasamiti meeting ended with the opening session on Monday and the closed session will start from 9 am today, said NC Central Office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel. Five different reports are going to be submitted for discussion in the meeting.

The reports includes the policy proposal by Party Vice President Purna Bahadur Khadka, organizational proposal by General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa, contemporary political proposal by General Secretary Bishwa Prakash Sharma, proposal regarding the economic situation, prospects and future direction by the party's spokesperson Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat while coordinator of the audit committee Shyam Kumar Ghimire is going to submit the audit report proposal, according to coordinator of the information, communication and publicity department of the party, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma.

The proposals presented in the meeting will be discussed and passed by the Mahasamiti meeting.

The meeting which started from Monday at Sunrise Conference Center in Godavari, Lalitpur will continue till February 22.

More than 2,000 delegates from across the country are participating in the meeting.

Five vultures were found dead on the banks of the Lokaha River in Kawasoti Municipality-11 of Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East).

Seven others were found in a sick condition at the same place on Monday, said DB Chaudhary, president of Jatayu or vulture restaurant.

Since two foxes were also found dead at the place where the vulture died, Chaudharya suspects that the vulture died after eating the carcasses of the foxes which may have been poisoned to death.

After seeing the dead vultures on the banks of the river, the locals informed the Jatayu restaurant. Chaudhary shared that a test will be carried out to find the exact reason for the death of the vultures while the sick vultures are undergoing treatment.