Nepal has benefited immensely from Japan's assistance: President Paudel
President Ram Chandra Paudel met with Emperor Naruhito of Japan at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday. .
During the meeting, President Paudel, who is on a four-day visit to Japan, highly appreciated the assistance provided and the role played by Japan as an important and reliable development partner in Nepal's socio-economic development.
“Japan is supporting Nepal in areas such as human resources, health, agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental protection, and cultural preservation, and Nepal and Nepalis have benefited greatly from it,” President Paudel said, according to the President's press advisor Kiran Pokharel.
He also said that both countries are inspired by the teachings and ideals of Gautam Buddha.
“Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, has served as a strong bridge to strengthen the relationship between the people of Nepal and Japan,” President Paudel said.
He said that the long-standing relationship between the two countries has progressed with closer and deeper friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“The 70th anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations that we are celebrating this year is a milestone in the bilateral relationship established between us,” Paudel said.
Stating that the exchange of high-level visits has further strengthened the relations between the two countries, President Paudel recalled Emperor Naruhito's visit to Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Pokhara and Lumbini during his friendly visit as a Crown Prince in 1987.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Emperor and the Government of Japan for conferring the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on him in 2020.
The President also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal for the goodwill and support of the Government of Japan, and extended an invitation to the Emperor and Empress to visit Nepal at a suitable time.
On the occasion, Emperor Naruhito of Japan said that the anniversary of Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations should be celebrated with joy.
He mentioned that the memory of his visit to Nepal in 1986 was still afresh, shared President Paudel's Press Advisor Pokharel.
Emperor Naruhito mentioned that he was inspired to study water-related issues after seeing women carrying water pots for drinking water during his trek to Sarangkot in Pokhara.
He said Japan would provide Nepal with all possible assistance and noted that Japan honored President Paudel for his contribution to strengthening Nepal–Japan relations.
At the invitation of the Japanese government, President Paudel, along with First Lady Sabita Paudel, arrived here on Monday to participate in a special ceremony to be held on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan.
Elections can be held in 2nd phase in mountain districts if weather worsens: PM
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the elections to the House of Representatives could be held in the second phase in the mountainous districts in case the weather is not favourable on March 5.
PM Karki said this while talking to journalists after attending the concluding ceremony of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Training held at the Nepali Army's NCC Mid-Region Training School at Hattikhor, Kawasoti Municipality-1 today.
"The government will provide necessary support for the elections. However, especially if the weather is not favourable in the Himalayan districts, we will conduct the elections in the second phase," she said.
Prime Minister Karki mentioned that in areas with few voters, elections would be conducted even if voters had to be transported using vehicles, stating if it is absolutely not possible to hold the elections due to unfavourable weather, consideration could be given to holding the second phase of elections in these districts.
She urged everyone to participate confidently in the elections scheduled for March 5, as no reason has so far prevented the election from being postponed.
PM Karki expressed the confidence that the newly elected representatives will take charge of the government and lead the country in a new direction after the timely completion of the elections.
She said, "We have put in hundred percent efforts to ensure the elections are conducted peacefully and it will be completed in a fear-free environment."
Prime Minister Karki asserted that although some challenges may arise, the elections will be conducted by resolving them as it is going to be held under special circumstances.
Over 10,000 foreign tourists visit Mustang in January
The number of tourists visiting Mustang has gone up even in the winter season.
The number of tourists has sharply increased in the district this January as compared to corresponding period of the last year.
According to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) under the National Trust for Nature Conservation, Mustang, 10,822 foreign tourists entered Mustang in January, 2026.
ACAP, Mustang, Chief Rajesh Gupta shared that 10,045 tourists from SAARC countries visited Mustang in this January while 777 from other countries.
According to ACAP, Jomsom Office, the number of foreign tourists visiting Mustang was 4,346 in January, 2025.
The number of tourists increased by 6,476.
Out of 6,476 foreign tourists—3830 were from SAARC countries and the remaining 830 from other countries.
Mustang had welcomed 161,142 foreign tourists from January to December, 2025.
Chief Gupta added that, specially, the number of Indian tourists to pay homage to Muktinath Temple has remarkably increased.
The ACAP has estimated that around 200,000 foreign tourists would visit Mustang in 2026.
Israeli documentary wins first prize at Nepal Cultural International Film Festival
The Israeli documentary Gimpel the Fool Returns to Poland, directed by renowned actor and filmmaker Howard Rypp, won First Prize at the 7th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2026, in recognition of its outstanding cinematic excellence, powerful storytelling, artistic merit, and meaningful contribution to global cinema.
Inspired by the short story Gimpel the Fool by late Nobel Laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer, the film generated significant interest and discussion, particularly around the author’s life, legacy, and the film’s exploration of Jewish history and the Holocaust.
Rypp—founder of Nefesh Theatre—visited Nepal to represent Israel through the documentary.
The Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu facilitated special screenings of the documentary at Dibyabhumi Multiple College and Imperial World School in Kathmandu.
Students and faculty members attended the screenings in Rypp’s presence, where he shared insights into the film’s background, themes, creative process, and historical context.
Through such programs , the Embassy of Israel continues to promote cross-cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties between Israel and Nepal.
Senior British Army officer Elvis in Kathmandu
A senior British Army officer arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday.
Lieutenant General Michael Richard Elvis of the British Army arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon.
He came to Nepal to participate in a program of the Royal Gurkha Rifles.
According to a source, he arrived in Nepal in coordination with the British Embassy in Kathmandu.
His team includes three British Army officers.
Lieutenant General Elvis is currently serving as Commander Field Army.
PM Karki calls on youths to serve nation with discipline
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged the youth to be disciplined and devote themselves to the service of society and the nation.
Addressing the final graduation ceremony of the 20th Batch Senior Division National Cadet Corps (NCC) training, run by the Mid-Region Training School of the Nepali Army at Hattikhor, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), PM Karki said youth participation and leadership roles will be more effective in society for building an advanced society.
“I especially urge and request the youth to make discipline a way of life, to consistently carry out their duty, to practise respect in life, studies, and daily service, and to translate patriotism into action,” said Prime Minister Karki on the occasion.
Calling upon the NCC graduates to present themselves as honest, dutiful and responsible citizens through their actions, she urged them to strengthen national unity and social harmony by embracing the feeling of 'I am Nepali' while respecting the diversity of languages, cultures and ethnicities.
The Prime Minister said that priority will be given from next year to increasing the number of students trained annually through the National Cadet Corps program and stated that the training has been fruitful in teaching young people duty and discipline.
"The discipline, punctuality, leadership skills and sense of patriotism taught by the NCC are lessons for life," said Prime Minister Karki.
Out of a total of 7,710 students undergoing the NCC training in the current fiscal year 2082/83, 1,080 have graduated in the senior division and 6,630 in the junior division, according to Lieutenant Colonel Dinesh Chaulagain, the Principal of the National Cadet Corps Mid-Region Training School.
In the NCC training involving students from 77 districts at four training schools, 530 students have been inducted at the National Cadet Corps' Mid-Region Training School located in Hattikhor, Kawasoti Municipality-1, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East).
NCC training aims to develop in youth a sense of national service and capacity for disaster management, social leadership, the ability to work in a team, and responsibility towards civic concerns. The NCC Mid-Region Training School has been providing regular training to hundreds of school-level students each year.
Nepse plunges by 12. 58 points on Tuesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 12. 58 points to close at 2, 683. 15 points on Tuesday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 45 points to close at 456. 71 points.
A total of 18,703,183-unit shares of 322 companies were traded for Rs 1. 53 billion.
Meanwhile, Kalinchowk Darshan Limited (KDL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.
Likewise, Sanvi Energy Limited (SANVI) was the top loser as their price fell by 4. 63 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 50 trillion.
SIA introduces wide-body flights
Singapore Airlines plans to operate two weekly wide-body flights between Singapore and Kathmandu from March 4 to 24 April, 2026, boosting capacity during Nepal’s spring season. Operating on Wednesdays and Fridays, the wide-body aircraft offers 337 seats, including fully-flat Business Class beds, enhanced Economy Class seating, KrisWorld entertainment with over 1,900 options, and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi for eligible customers. The move supports increased spring travel demand, benefiting Nepalese returning home, outbound holiday travelers, and international visitors arriving for the peak trekking season.
