Indian Additional Secretary Mahawar calls on PM Karki

Additional Secretary at India's Ministry of External Affairs Munu Mahawar paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sushila Karki today.

Issues of bilateral interests were discussed during the meeting held at the PM's office, Sindha Durbar, according to the PM's secretariat. 

 

 

Nepse surges by 7. 39 points on Tuesday

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 7. 39 points to close at 2, 614. 07 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 0. 30 points to close at 447. 05 points.

A total of 8,742,084-unit shares of 331 companies were traded for Rs 3. 75 billion.

Meanwhile, Swastik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SWASTIK) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. 

Likewise, Him Star Urja Company Limited (HIMSTAR) was the top loser as its price fell by 3. 88 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 48 trillion.

Nepse snaps six-day losing run, closes 7.39 points higher

Investors finally breathed a sigh of relief, as the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) index ended a six-day losing streak on Tuesday. The benchmark index climbed 7.39 points to close at 2,614.07 points.

The recovery comes as a welcome respite for the secondary market, which had been in a downward spiral after its five-day winning run came to a halt on November 30. Over the subsequent six trading sessions, the index shed a total of 69.35 points.

The index opened in green territory on Tuesday and quickly hit an intra-day high of 2,620.47 points. The gain, however, was short-lived as selling pressure dragged the market down, sparking fears that the bearish momentum would persist. Just as the market seemed poised for another session in the red, a sudden spike toward the closing minutes of the session pushed the index back into positive territory.

Despite the recovery in the index, total turnover shrank to Rs 3.75 billion, a significant drop from Monday’s Rs 4.61 billion. This figure represents the lowest daily turnover since November 19, when securities worth Rs 3.73 billion were traded on the bourse. The low turnover indicates a lack of strong conviction in the secondary market, as many investors likely remained on the sidelines, waiting for clearer trends before committing fresh capital.

By the close of the session, unit prices of 148 scrips had advanced, while 101 declined and nine remained unchanged. Sector-wise, the performance was mixed but generally positive. Of the 13 sub-indices, nine ended the day in the green, while four posted nominal losses. The Hotels and Tourism sector led the recovery, advancing by 0.88%, signaling renewed interest in hospitality stocks. On the other hand, the Non-Life Insurance sector recorded the biggest slide of 0.17%.

Ngadi Group Power Ltd topped the turnover charts with Rs 319.2 million worth of shares traded. Laxmi Sunrise Bank and Radhi Bidyut Company Ltd were next with turnovers of Rs 111.48 million and Rs 99.12 million. A total of 8.74 million units were traded through 62,665 transactions. 

Although the benchmark index has snapped its losing streak, the shrinking volume suggests that the market has yet to find a solid footing for a sustained rally.

Japan threatening us militarily, China tells German foreign minister

Japan is threatening China militarily which is “completely unacceptable”, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his German counterpart, after Japan said that Chinese fighter jets had aimed their radar at Japanese military aircraft, Reuters reported. 

Japan has denounced the encounter as a dangerous act, though China has blamed Japan for sending aircraft to repeatedly approach and disrupt the Chinese navy as it was conducting previously announced carrier-based flight training east of the Miyako Strait.

Relations have soured in the past month since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that Japan could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan if it also threatened Japan’s security, according to Reuters. 

 

 

RPP stages demonstration in Kathmandu

Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a protest in Ratnapark area, Kathmandu on Tuesday.

The RPP staged the demonstration to mount pressure to implement the understanding reached among the monarchy, political parties, and representatives of Gen Z.

The RPP has been demanding that a roundtable conference be held between the king, the prime minister, and the parties to reach an agreement on constitutional amendment.

RPP had designated spokesperson Gyanendra Shahi as the coordinator of the program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French PM gambles on crucial social security vote

France's social security budget faces a knife-edge vote on Tuesday that could trigger a fresh political crisis and leave ​a 30-billion-euro ($35 billion) hole in funding for healthcare, pensions and welfare, Reuters reported. 

Prime Minister ‌Sebastien Lecornu has no majority in parliament and his scramble to win Socialist support - including suspending President ‌Emmanuel Macron's pension reform - has alienated centrist and conservative allies, leaving the bill's fate uncertain.

Lawmakers in the lower house begin reviewing the bill after 4 p.m. (1500 GMT) on Tuesday, days after narrowly approving the taxation side of the legislation, according to Reuters. 

Ukraine prepares new peace plan as Zelensky rules out giving up land

Ukraine is preparing to present a revised peace plan to the White House, as it seeks to avoid making territorial concessions to Russia, BBC reported. 

Kyiv is set to propose alternatives to the US after President Volodymyr Zelensky again ruled out surrendering land, saying he had "no right" to do so under Ukrainian or international law.

He made the comments as he met European and Nato leaders on Monday, part of a collective push to deter the US from backing a peace deal which includes major concessions for Ukraine, and which allies fear would leave it vulnerable to a future invasion, according to BBC.

Govt at work to speed up good governance drive: PM Karki

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the government, irrespective of its target on elections, has intensified the drive for good governance side by side.

In her address to a program held at PM's office in Singha Durbar on the occasion of the 22nd International Anti-Corruption Day today, PM Karki reminded that as the government was formed on the backing of the Gen Z movement that advocated for good governance, the present government can not brush aside the activities to curb corrupt practices.

"It may take time to secure achievements as per Gen Z demand and aspiration, but the government does not budge from taking any sort of stringent measure against corruption," she reiterated, reminding that the existing mechanisms are working actively to this regard. 

She said that some elements, getting nervous with the anti-corruption drive, were even threatening the movement. But she would not let herself down, PM Karki added. 

She also urged the related government officials not to feel jittery, but to exercise professional freedoms to the fullest for the cause of good governance.