NSC recommends Council of Ministers to mobilize Nepali Army in elections
The National Security Council has recommended the Council of Ministers to mobilize the Nepali Army in the elections to the House of Representatives.
A meeting of the National Security Council held on Thursday under the headship of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, decided to recommend the Council of Ministers to mobilize Nepali Army in accordance with Article 266 (1) of the Constitution in order to conduct the elections in a free, impartial and fear-free environment, reads a press statement issued by NSC member-secretary, Suman Raj Aryal.
Various issues including possible challenges of national security in the wake of recent development in the national and international levels and future strategies to be adopted were focused during the meeting.
NSC's eighth annual report, 2081/82 and its endorsement after necessary amendment also featured in the meeting.
Curfew continues in Bara
Following a protest by Gen Z in Simara, the District Administration Office has issued a curfew order.
Chief District Officer Dharmendra Kumar Mishra stated that the curfew was enforced to prevent untoward incidents.
After a clash erupted between leaders and supporters of the CPN-UML and Gen Z on Wednesday, the local administration had imposed curfew from 12:30 pm to 8 pm..
As the Gen Z youths organized a demonstration at Simara Chowk early Thursday morning, the District Administration Office clamped a curfew from 1 am to 8 pm.
Meanwhile, CDO Mishra has urged Gen Z to seek a solution through dialogue.
Nepse plunges by 0. 79 points on Thursday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 0. 79 points to close at 2, 560 . 29 points on Thursday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 1. 61 points to close at 440. 65 points.
A total of 10,449,296-unit shares of 328 companies were traded for Rs 4. 68 billion.
Meanwhile, Dhaulagiri Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (DLBS), Bandipur Cablecar and Tourism Limited (BANDIPUR) and Jhapa Energy Limited (JHAPA) were the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent.
Likewise, Bungal Hydro Limited (BUNGAL) was the top loser as its price fell by 9. 05 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 45 trillion.
PSG defender Hakimi wins African Footballer of the Year
Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi was named African Footballer of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards in Rabat on Wednesday, the first defender to claim the prize in 52 years as he finished ahead of Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen in the voting, Reuters reported.
Moroccan right back Hakimi was rewarded for a trophy-laden 2025 with PSG in which he claimed the Champions League, Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and UEFA Super Cup.
He is the first Moroccan to win the award since midfielder Mustapha Hadji in 1998, and the first defender since Zaire centre back Bwanga Tshimen in 1973, according to Reuters.
Philippines sentences 'Chinese spy mayor' to life in jail
A former Philippines mayor who was accused of spying for China has been found guilty of human trafficking for her role in running a scam centre, BBC reported.
On Thursday, she and three others were sentenced to life in prison and a fine of 2m pesos ($33,832; £25,942).
The case of Alice Guo has gripped the Philippines for years, after authorities uncovered one of the country's biggest scam centres in her small town of Bamban. Some 800 Filipinos and foreigners were later rescued from the scam hub after a raid, with many of them saying they were forced to run "pig butchering" scams, according to BBC.
Turkey set to host COP31 after reaching compromise with Australia
The COP31 climate meeting is now expected to be held in Turkey after Australia dropped its bid to host the annual event, BBC reported.
Under the UN rules, the right to host the COP in 2026 falls to a group of countries made up of Western Europe, Australia and others.
A consensus must be reached but neither country had been willing to concede. Australia has now agreed to support the Turkish bid in return for their minister chairing the talks following negotiations at COP30, currently being held in Brazil, according to BBC.
US military officials in Ukraine amid reports of Russia peace plan
Senior Pentagon officials have arrived in Ukraine to "discuss efforts to end the war" with Russia, the US military has said, BBC reported.
The team, led by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday when he returns from a trip to Turkey.
Reports began surfacing on Wednesday that the US and Russia had prepared a new peace plan, containing major concessions from Ukraine. Neither Washington nor Moscow has officially confirmed the plan, according to BBC.
Trump signs bill ordering justice department to release Epstein files
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he signed a bill ordering the release of government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, BBC reported.
The bill requires the justice department to release all information from its Epstein investigation within 30 days, although some could be withheld if they relate to an active investigation or are deemed to invade personal privacy.
With Trump's support, the legislation overwhelmingly cleared both chambers of Congress, the House of Representatives and Senate, on Tuesday, according to BBC.
