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Five hours of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump's senior negotiator appear to have failed to produce a breakthrough on securing a Ukraine peace deal, BBC reported.

A Kremlin spokesman said the Moscow meeting was "constructive", but parts of the plan remained unacceptable to Russia.

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner attended the talks after weeks of intensive diplomacy aimed at ending the war. The US team has not commented since leaving Moscow, according to BBC.

Kumari, the new Nepali romantic film directed by Dinesh Raut, has released its first official song, “Kata Chhau Mero Phool.” Along with the song launch, the production team announced that the film will be released nationwide on 6 Feb 2026. The release date, close to Valentine’s Day, suggests the film is targeting young audiences.

The song was first performed live during a grand announcement event held at Tundikhel, which generated significant attention on social media. Sung by Kehar Singh Limbu and his band Kehar & The Lunga, the track has been gaining popularity on YouTube and TikTok, particularly among GenZ listeners.

The film features Abhishek Khadka and Aakriti Rajbhandari in lead roles, both making their debut as main actors. The cast also includes Ghanshyam Joshi, Sunita Shrestha, Aakanksha Karki, Madhu Khadka, Sanam Shrestha, Saku Shah, Saroj Lamichhane, and Manisha Sharma, among others.

Director Raut, known for romantic films such as I Am Sorry, November Rain, and Classic, has recently focused on social-issue-based projects. 

Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Kumar Thapa has formally presented an additional proposal to the party’s Central Committee, urging immediate steps to hold the 15th General Convention before the upcoming general election scheduled for March 5. 

In his proposal presented before the party’s Central Committee meeting on Monday, Thapa argues that the country’s political landscape has fundamentally changed since the Sept 8–9 GenZ uprisal, making a timely convention essential for the party’s credibility and renewal.

According to Thapa, the situation before and after the GenZ-led protests, which toppled the previous coalition government led by KP Sharma Oli, dissolved parliament and paved the way for an interim administration, was “completely different.” He said the unexpected national crisis shattered the political ground the party had been standing on.

“After the Sept 8-9 upheaval, the party cannot move forward with regular activities,” Thapa states in his proposal. He adds that in the new context, political parties across the spectrum are preparing for elections with fresh strategies, new leadership, and reorganized structures.

Thapa notes the Nepali Congress’s historical tradition of navigating moments of crisis through national gatherings, such as Mahasamiti sessions, special conventions and general conventions. “We cannot abandon that tradition,” he says, stressing that the party must present voters with renewed policies, leadership, and a clear political message before facing the electorate.

He also criticizes the party leadership for halting convention-related work for the past 45 days, arguing that the delay weakened the party’s political position and prevented necessary interventions in national politics. “Had the party allowed convention preparations to proceed as proposed in September, lower-level conventions would already have been completed,” he says.

On Monday, the party presented a revised schedule to conclude the central-level convention within 45 days. As per the party’s decision, the 15th General Convention will be held on Jan 10–12. Thapa describes the timeline as “highly challenging” but insists that the party must compensate for the time lost due to internal disagreements.

Thapa references the signatures of more than 54 percent of Central Committee members who on Oct 15 formally demanded a special general convention under Article 17(2) of the party statute. “Their intention was clear: the party must hold a convention (regular or special) before participating in the general election,” he states. 

He maintains that the party cannot face the general election, or the people, without a new mandate from the general convention. “Public trust cannot be secured through internal assurances alone. Our accountability lies with the Nepali people.” 

He also warns that if the 15th General Convention cannot be held for any reason by January, the party should not wait until the month’s end. Instead, it should immediately decide to move toward a special general convention. “In that situation, the party will have no choice,” he concludes.

Defending champion Janakpur Bolts registered their first victory in the second edition of the ongoing Nepal Premier League (NPL)  at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Tuesday. Janakpur defeated Chitwan Rhinos by six wickets. 

Janakpur, which had lost four matches in a row, added two points today. 

Chitwan, on the other hand, have won only two out of five matches. 

Janakpur achieved the victory target of 177 runs in 17.3 overs at the loss of four wickets.

Maz Sadaqat scored 63 runs while Anil Shah contributed 61 runs.

On the bowling side, Kamal Singh Airee, Sahil Tanveer, and Amar Singh Rautela from Chitwan took one wicket each.

Earlier, Chitwan won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 176 runs for the loss of four wickets in the allotted 20 overs. 

The opening pair Dawid Malan and Arjun Saud scored half-centuries. 

Malan contributed 80 and Arjun 52 runs. 

There was also a century partnership of 112 runs between these two batsmen.

Anil Shah, Rupesh Singh, Maaz Sadaqat and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton from Janakpur each took a wicket each. 

The Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu has provided monetary assistance to the Bharatpur Eye Hospital, which is operated by the Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H Hashmi, handed over assistance worth Rs one million to support the hospital’s transition toward paperless technology during a ceremony held today. 

The assistance was received by Hospital Management Committee Chair, Jayaram Shrestha.

On the occasion, the ambassador emphasized the importance of ensuring access to affordable eye-care services for all, expressing appreciation for the hospital’s outreach to rural communities. 

He expressed hope that the support would help the hospital advance its technological capabilities and pledged continued assistance on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.

According to Shrestha, the Pakistan Government had previously supported the construction of the hospital building in 2044 BS and provided medical equipment worth Rs 20 million. 

Likewise, with an earlier support of Rs 6.6 million, the hospital was able to procure a pickup van.

Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh Central Treasurer, Chij Kumar Maskey, was also present at the handover ceremony.

Properties worth millions were destroyed when a massive fire broke out in Martadi, the district headquarters of Bajura, on Tuesday. 

Police Inspector of District Police Office Bajura, Laxmiraj Joshi, said that the fire broke out reportedly due to a short circuit in the furniture shop of one Prakash Thapa. 

The workers were working in the shop while the incident took place this afternoon. 

A furniture factory, auto garage and other goods were gutted at Jiula area of Badimalika-8 in Martadi. 

The fire is now taken into control with the help of police personnel and local people, Police Inspector Joshi said.

Details of the loss are awaited, it has been learnt. 

Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal has vowed that the elections will not be disrupted due to the looted weapons and escaped prisoners.

Addressing the Sudurpaschim Province-level security seminar held in Dhangadhi today, Home Minister Aryal stated that it is not necessary to exaggerate much regarding the weapons looted and the escaped prisoners during the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9.

He said that 727 weapons looted during the Gen Z movement have been returned and 4,552 prisoners remain to be captured, adding that an 'operation' has been launched to arrest the remaining absconding prisoners and additional looted weapons are also in the process of being returned.

Noting that elections are indispensable in a democratic system, he said, "The government has prioritised talks, dialogue and discussion, and has geared up for the elections, listening to everyone without excluding anyone, and has moved towards elections incorporating everyone's sentiments."

He clarified that establishing good governance with the rule of law and an interference-free administration, and conducting fair and fraud-free elections within the stipulated time, is the main objective of the government.

Home Minister Aryal maintained that the Home Administration has been sincerely working on maintaining peace and security, controlling crime, good governance, and the effectiveness of service delivery in response to the demands raised by youths for good governance and justice following the events of September 8 and 9.

"The morale of the citizens and the nation will be high only if the morale of the security personnel is high," he said, adding that the relationship between citizens and security personnel has been gradually strengthening. 

He emphasized that the provincial government's role will also be important in creating an electoral environment within the designated time.

Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah, said that the provincial government is committed to creating an environment conducive for elections. 

He said, "Since the country can be led in the right direction through elections, it is necessary for everyone to unite and create an environment conducive to elections."

Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sarki stated that the Government of Nepal should coordinate with parties to create a proper security environment.

The security seminar is chaired by Home Ministry Secretary Rameshwar Dangal.

The seminar is attended by the Inspectors General of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, the Chief of the National Investigation Department, the commander of the Army's Far-Western Regional Headquarters, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the chief security officials including the Chief District Officers from all nine districts of the province.

The workshop will discuss topics including provincial-level security challenges.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 0. 53 points to close at 2, 644. 70 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 26 points to close at 453. 99 points.

A total of 10,810,106-unit shares of 324 companies were traded for Rs 4. 48 billion.

Meanwhile, Sagar Distillery Limited (SAGAR), Swastik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SWASTIK), Jhapa Energy Limited (JHAPA), Mabilung Energy Limited (MABEL) and Bungal Hydro Limited (BUNGAL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Green Ventures Limited (GVL) was the top loser as its price fell by 9. 85 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 50 trillion.