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Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal today visited the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University (TU) Cricket Ground to witness a match between Nepal and the United Arab Emirates under the ICC World Cup League II. The Prime Minister's presence aims to boost up the morale of the Nepali cricketers. Nepal and the UAE are playing the final match under the League today.  On the occasion, the Prime Minister wished for the success of the Nepali team, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat. A large number of spectators have gathered in the TU ground to watch the match. They have painted the color of Nepal's flag on their face and carry the Nepali flags. PM Dahal was accompanied by the Bharatpur Metropolis Mayor Renu Dahal and member secretary of the National Sports Council Tanka Lal Ghising among others. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba offered best wishes of a win to the Nepali cricket team via social media. "We are hopeful that our team will play with high morale and will make a new history in the country's cricket. Best wishes of a win to the Nepali team," he said. Similarly, former PM and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli also extended greetings to the team. "Since some days ago, I had been waiting for today's day. Best wishes of a win for the Nepali team. The state is with you. I am with you."

The influence of westerly wind is still prevailing in Nepal. According to the Weather Forecasting Division, light rain with thunder and lightning is predicted in some places of the Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces this afternoon. Meteorologist Barun Poudel said that Gandaki and Lumbini Provinces have been witnessing general changes while mountainous and high hilly areas of other provinces would also see partial changes. According to him, partial to general changes would occur in mountainous areas of the country tonight. Likewise, weather would remain clean in remaining provinces despite general changes. Similarly, light rain with lightning is predicted in one to two areas of the mountainous belt of the Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim Provinces, the Division said.  

The silence period for the vice-presidential election will come into effect from Tuesday midnight. According to the Election Commission, the election silence commences from 48 hours before the day of voting and it will remain in effect until the closure of the polling center. Election-related publicity and promotional activities shall not be allowed once the silence period begins. The election has been scheduled for March 17. Earlier, the EC had issued the election code of conduct beginning from March 1 and it shall remain in effect till March 19. The EC issued the code of conduct in accordance with the Clause 22 of the Election Commission Act, 2017. EC Spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel said that the silence period aims to ensure the election be held in a free, fair, transparent and safe manner. Astalaxmi Shakya (Bohara), Pramila Kumari Yadav, Mamata Jha and Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav have filed their nominations for the election. Pramila Kumari, however, withdrew her candidacy saying that her support will be for Ram Sahay Prasad.  

There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning in some parts of the hilly region in the country due to the effect of the westerly winds today. According to Barun Paudel, a meteorologist at the Weather Forecast Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, light rainfall with thunder and lightning is likely in some places of Tarai belt of Lumbini Province this afternoon. There is a possibility of light rainfall in some parts of the hilly region in Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki provinces tonight, Paudel said. At present, the impact of westerly wind is normal in the country.

Two antique idols of Gautam Buddha were stolen from Chapagaun, Lalitpur on Sunday. Shreedhar Shrestha, a local, said the archaeologically important Buddha idols of the 8th century were stolen last night. The idols were located nearby Moti Library at the Old Bus Park in Chapagaun. It may be noted that an idol of Buddha was already stolen from the monastery having four idols on March 1. Three of the four idols installed in the monastery have so far been stolen. Locals found that the robbers stole the precious idols by breaking the monastery. According to the stone sculpture, the monastery was established in 827 AD.  

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane has clarified that his party is not making any preparations to join the government immediately. Talking to journalists here today, he said that they are busy evaluating the contemporary situation of the country. "We are not making any preparations to join the government but are busy assessing the evolving situation", he noted. "There is no internal discussion in the party whether or not to join the incumbent government", he added. The President admitted that the political exercise of his party was in the formative stage. On a query about their future move when RSP has not withdrawn its support to the government, he said that the party would discuss this issue in the meeting.  

There is a possibility of light rain with thunder and lightning due to the effect of the westerly winds today. According to Barun Paudel, senior meteorologist at the Weather Forecast Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the pre-monsoon season is active leading to light rainfall with thunder and lightning in the past few days. The months of March, April and May are considered pre-monsoon. The westerly wind is active with the sun shining throughout the day, leading to light rain with thunder and lightning in the evening. There is hence possibility of light rainfall in the hilly areas of the country in the evening today, Paudel said. The weather forecast bulletin issued by the division also states that the weather will be generally clear in the hilly areas of the country today afternoon. The minimum temperature of Kathmandu today is 10 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature is 25 degrees Celsius.

Visiting British Minister of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Anne-Marie Trevelyan paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the latter's official residence in Baluwatar on Friday. The meeting between the duo dwelt on a wide range of issues including bilateral relations between Nepal and the UK, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat. Prior to this, Trevelyan, who arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, attended a ceremony organized on Wednesday at the Hanumandhoka Durbar Square by the British Embassy in Nepal. Her visit marked the 100 years of the signing of a treaty of friendship between Nepal and the UK in 1923, which formalized the relations between the two countries. She also inspected the Arun Hydropower Project. The project has an investment of the British government through the Investment Board Nepal. The British Minister of State is returning home today after wrapping up her visit to Nepal.