Chair Oli, senior leader Khanal discuss party unity
At a time when party split and unification bids are gaining pace among communist forces in the wake of Gen Z protest and election to the House of Representatives slated for March 5, Chairman of the CPN UML, KP Sharma Oli, and senior leader of the CPN (Unified Socialist), Jhalanath Khanal, held a meeting on Tuesday.
A significant faction of the Unified Socialist led by Madhav Kumar Nepal has already decided its unification with the CPN (Maoist Center) led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
The two leaders Oli and Khanal held the discussion on unity and entry to the UML, according to politburo member Mahesh Basnet. A positive talk was held between the leaders and it was expected to improve the relations.
It has been learnt that as many as 100 Unified Socialist leaders, including Ram Kumari Jhankri, Kisan Shrestha, Ambar Bahadur Thapa, Gambhir Lal Shrestha, Pitambar Timsina and Arjun Rai are returning to the UML.
The Unified Socialist is the splinter of the UML party.
China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death
A Chinese court has sentenced five top members of an infamous Myanmar mafia to death as Beijing continues its crackdown on scam operations in South East Asia, BBC reported.
In all 21 Bai family members and associates were convicted of fraud, homicide, injury and other crimes, said a state media report published on the court website.
The family is among a handful of mafias that rose to power in the 2000s and transformed the impoverished backwater town of Laukkaing into a lucrative hub of casinos and red-light districts, according to BBC.
Iran releases two French nationals from detention
Iran has released two French nationals who were detained there for more than three years, French President Emmanuel Macron has said, BBC reported.
Cecile Kohler, 41 and her partner Jacques Paris, 72, have been released from Evin prison, Macron said on Tuesday, with France's foreign minister later confirming they were "safe" at the embassy in Tehran "ahead of their final release".
"I welcome this first step. The dialogue continues to allow for their return to France as quickly as possible," Macron said, according to BBC.
Drone strike hits funeral in Sudan, killing many mourners
At least 40 people in Sudan have been killed in a drone strike that targeted a funeral that was taking place outside the army-held city of el-Obeid in North Kordofan state, officials and activists say, BBC reported.
They blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for Monday's attack on al-Luweib village as mourners had gathered in a tent. The RSF has not yet commented.
Many reportedly died before getting to hospital in el-Obeid, a strategic city that connects the capital, Khartoum, to the western region of Darfur.
Fighting has intensified in this oil-rich Kordofan area and around 20,000 people fled to el-Obeid last week after the RSF captured Bara town, 30km (18 miles) north of the city, according to BBC.
At least 40 dead as typhoon wreaks havoc in the Philippines
At least 40 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes as one of strongest typhoons this year ripped through the central Philippines, officials say, BBC reported.
Typhoon Kalmaegi has flooded large areas, including entire towns on the most populated central island of Cebu, where most fatalities occurred. Reports suggest casualties will rise.
Videos show people sheltering on rooftops, while cars and shipping containers have been swept through the streets.
A military helicopter deployed to assist relief efforts crashed in northern Mindanao island killing six crew members on board, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said, according to BBC.
Nepse plunges by 27. 64 points on Tuesday
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 27. 64 points to close at 2, 595. 24 points on Tuesday.
Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 3. 93 points to close at 452. 46 points.
A total of 10,343,898-unit shares of 322 companies were traded for Rs 5. 15 billion.
Meanwhile, Mabilung Energy Limited (MABEL) was the top gainer today with its price surging by 9. 98 percent.
Likewise, Muktinath Krishi Company Limited (MKCL)was the top loser as its price fell by 10. 00 percent.
At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 47 trillion.
Trump backs Cuomo for New York City mayor and threatens to cut funding if Mamdani wins
US President Donald Trump has endorsed Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayor's race, urging voters not to elect left-wing front-runner Zohran Mamdani, BBC reported.
"Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job," Trump posted on Truth Social Monday evening. "He is capable of it, Mamdani is not!"
Independent candidate Cuomo, a long-term Trump critic who was formerly a Democrat New York governor, responded to the tepid backing: " He's not endorsing me. He's opposing Mamdani."
Public barred as Tanzanian president sworn in
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been sworn in for a second term amid tight security, following an election marred by violent protests and rejected by the opposition as a sham, BBC reported.
The inauguration ceremony was held at a military parade ground in the capital, Dodoma, instead of a stadium as in previous years. It was closed to the public but was shown live on state TV.
Samia was declared the winner on Saturday with 98% of the vote. She faced little opposition with key rival candidates either imprisoned or barred from running, according to BBC.
