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Media Action Nepal has condemned the recent attacks on media houses, including the stone-pelting incident at the Kantipur Television and Annapurna Post offices this afternoon (March 28). The targeted attacks on the offices of these media houses, which serve as the cornerstone of independent journalism in Nepal, represent a grave assault on the freedom of the press.

On Friday (March 28), demonstrators, allegedly associated with royalist groups, resorted to violence by throwing stones at the Kantipur Television office in Tinukne area of Kathmandu, damaging the windows and creating an environment of fear and intimidation. Similarly, the Annapurna Post office in Tinkune was also attacked with stones, disrupting its operations and putting the safety of journalists and staff at risk.

“These acts of attacks are unacceptable and reflect a serious threat to the media’s ability to operate freely,” said Laxman Datt Pant, Executive Director of Media Action Nepal. Pant called for those responsible for damaging media property to be held accountable under the law. He also urged all political groups and demonstrators to respect journalists’ rights and refrain from any acts of violence or intimidation that disrupt the media’s ability to operate freely.

Pro-monarchy supporters set ablaze a house in Tinkune on Thursday.

Protesters turned violent after security personnel fired teargas canisters at the demonstration of royalists.

They pelted stones at people's homes, shops and chanted slogans against the government.

A clash ensued between protesters and police after the former tried to cross the prohibited area.

The pro-monarchy supporters are staging a demonstration by leaving the program venue.

Police are constantly firing tear gas at them.

Gold price has set a new record in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of precious yellow metal has increased by Rs 1, 400 per tola and is being traded at Rs 176, 200 per tola. It was traded at Rs 174, 800 per tola on Thursday.

Likewise, the price of silver has increased by Rs 20 and is being traded at Rs 2, 040 per tola.

Security has been tightened in Kathmandu ahead of the separate demonstrations to be launched by the political parties in the Socialist Front and pro-monarchists today.

A total of 3, 500 police personnel will be deployed under the command of SSP to avert any untoward incident.

Kathmandu Valley Police Office spokesperson Shekhar Khanal said that the Office is going to mobilize the police personnel in addition to those deployed on regular duty.

The Kathmandu Valley Police Office is also going to mobilize a large number of police in civics at Exhibition Road and Tinkune.

District Police Range, Kathmandu Chief SSP Bishwo Adhikari said that the DSP of Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala and Baneshwor will take the security command in Tinkune and the DSP of Janasewa, Durbarmarg and Metropolitan Police Circle, Singhadurbar will be deployed in Exhibition Road.

The royalists are scheduled to hold the program in Tinkune and Republicans at Bhrikutimandap.

CPN (Maoist Center), CPN (Unified Socialist), Nepal Socialist Party and the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN affiliated with the Socialist Front are scheduled to stage demonstrations at Bhrikutimandap.

Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had urged the protesting groups to hold the demonstrations peacefully.

Likewise, the NHRC had also urged the government and the security agencies to remain sensitive to human rights while making arrangements for law and order, considering the possible consequences of the situation.

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has said that the role of local government was instrumental for the development of the agriculture sector.

At a meeting with the chiefs and deputies of the local levels from Dhading district at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development on Thursday, Minister Adhikari said so while expressing commitment to incorporate the recommendations from the local levels on agriculture development. 

Adhikari also vowed to make maximum efforts to ensure best policy and programmes on agriculture. 

The Trump administration is planning to end funding for Gavi, a global health organization that helps provide vaccines and other life-saving care to developing countries, The Guardian reported.

A 281-page spreadsheet obtained by the New York Times lists the Trump administration’s plans for thousands of foreign aid programs, including financial cuts to the organization that buys vaccines for children, as well as scaling back on programs that combat malaria in developing countries.

Gavi is estimated to have saved the lives of 19 million children since it was set up 25 years ago with the US contributing 13% of its budget, the Times said.

“The US has historically been one of Gavi’s biggest donors and I hope that longstanding champions on Capitol Hill will urge the administration to reverse course,” said Janeen Madan Keller, policy fellow and deputy director of the global health policy program at the Center for Global Development, according to The Guardian.

She added: “Gavi is one of the most impactful global health initiatives. We know that vaccinating children is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health and save lives – which is exactly why Gavi has enjoyed bipartisan support to date.

“This latest move will turn back years of hard-won progress and stymie Gavi’s efforts to stop the spread of infectious disease outbreaks before they reach the US border.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada's old relationship with the United States, "based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over".

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa after a cabinet meeting, Carney said Canadians must "fundamentally reimagine our economy" in the face of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, BBC reported.

He said Canada would respond with retaliatory tariffs that will have "maximum impact" on the US. 

Trump announced on Wednesday he would target imported vehicles and vehicle parts with a 25% tax, stating: "This is permanent."

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged one and all to exercise the right to freedom of expression and demonstration in a peaceful manner while putting forth their demands.

The statement of the NHRC comes ahead of the separate demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow by the political parties in the Socialist Front and pro-monarchists.

In a press statement by NHRC Spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokhrel, the demonstrating sides have been urged to remain sensitive to abide by the constitution and the provisions stated in the national as well as international laws for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and speech. The NHRC has asked both sides to ensure peaceful demonstrations and to remain aware of the infringement of others' rights.   

Likewise, the NHRC has urged the government and the security agencies to remain sensitive to human rights while making arrangements for law and order, considering the possible consequences of the situation. 

The NHRC has stated that it discussed with the chief district officers of Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts, Chief of Kathmandu Police and representatives of the Human Rights Cell of Nepal Police in regard to the law and order situation of the Kathmandu Valley. 

On the occasion, NHRC Chair Tapa Bahadur Magar directed the officials and stakeholders to consider the principles of human rights while ensuring and managing law and order.

Similarly, the NHRC is to monitor the demonstrations on Friday in the Capital City.