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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 8. 16 points to close at 2, 662. 91 points on Monday. 

The sensitive index, however, increased by 1. 06 points to close at 455. 66 points.

A total of 19,616,395-unit shares of 335 companies were traded for Rs 1. 52 billion.

Meanwhile, Buddha Bhumi Nepal Hydropower Company Limited (BNHC), Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) and Salapa Bikas Bank Limited (SABBL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Likewise,  Khanikhola Hydropower Co. Ltd. (KKHC) was the top loser as their price fell by 9. 38 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 47 trillion.

The body of a nine-year-old boy missing after a bus accident in Ramechhap has been found. Police said the body was recovered from the banks of the Sunkoshi River on Monday.

The child was identified as Krichan Tamang of Manthali Municipality-2, Piple. His body was found near the lower market of Golanjor Rural Municipality-7, according to the District Police Office Sindhuli. He was identified by his great-grandfather, Yubaraj Tamang.

With the discovery, the death toll from the Ramechhap bus accident has risen to 13. Earlier, the bodies of 12 passengers had been recovered from the Tamakoshi River after the bus plunged into the river.

The bus, bearing the number Province 3-01-005 Kha 9975, met with the accident on 10th Magh. The incident occurred near Benighat Bridge in Manthali Municipality-6. Police said further investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Nepal successfully hosted the panel discussion “Nepal’s Next Decade” at Xavier International College on February 13, bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics, and youth leaders to discuss the country’s economic and governance priorities for the coming decade.

The event, organized by Students for Liberty, opened with remarks from Nitisha Ban, who stressed that Nepal’s policies over the next 10 years must be evidence-based and rooted in the principles of liberty. 

She emphasized that sustainable progress depends on a governance framework that balances individual freedoms with innovation and economic growth.

Youth activist and advocate Nabin Giri facilitated the main discussion.

Amit Agrawal, Co-Founder of IME Khalti, highlighted Nepal’s potential to generate IT exports worth Rs 2 trillion. 

Urging youth to move beyond the “landlocked mindset,” he called for proactive engagement in AI and entrepreneurial ventures. 

Agrawal warned that weaponised digital regulation could stifle startups and innovation, underscoring the importance of protecting digital property rights to retain talent. 

Sabita Bhandari, Attorney General, addressed governance and accountability, noting that GenZ’s primary demand is good governance and proper legal processes. She clarified that all decisions regarding allegations against her have been made in accordance with the Constitution and Section 36 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2017.

Economic analyst Murahari Parajuli observed that Nepal has yet to achieve meaningful economic transformation despite political upheavals. 

Advocating for personal freedom and an open market economy, he argued against excessive government intervention. 

Dr Arjun Singh Saud of Tribhuvan University highlighted the importance of investing in digital skills and technical expertise. He recommended localizing AI applications in education and healthcare while ensuring curricula align with industry demands.

The discussion concluded with consensus that Nepal’s next decade should be guided by evidence-based policymaking, digital innovation, economic openness, and a commitment to liberty-oriented governance.

Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted daily life across New Zealand’s North Island on Monday. Flights, trains and ferries were cancelled. Many roads were closed due to flooding and fallen trees. Tens of thousands of homes lost power, reported Reuters.

Images online showed flooded neighbourhoods and damaged roads. Trees fell onto vehicles and homes were inundated. Marilyn Bulford from Bunnythorpe described the storm as “absolutely terrifying” in an interview with the The New Zealand Herald. She said she had never seen trees blowing so violently before.

According to Reuters, emergency services received 852 calls overnight. The Wellington region accounted for more than half of them. Authorities said more than 30,000 properties were without electricity. Several schools were closed and residents were urged to stay off the roads.

The storm is expected to move toward the South Island’s east coast on Tuesday. Officials warned of further heavy rain and disruption. The severe weather comes weeks after a deadly landslide at Mount Maunganui, where six people died during heavy rains.

The price of gold and silver has slightly decreased in the domestic market today. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association, the price of gold has declined by Rs 3,000 per tola (11.66 grams) and silver by Rs 125 per tola today.

The Federation has determined the gold price at Rs 302,800 per tola and silver at Rs 4,985 per tola. Gold price was Rs 305,800 per tola on Sunday while silver was traded at Rs 4,860 per tola.  

According to international media, gold is being traded at USD  5,025 per ounce and silver at USD Rs 77 per ounce today.

The printing of ballot papers for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections has reached the final stage.

According to the Janak Education Materials Center Limited, the remaining 500,000 ballot papers would be printed by this afternoon. 

Managing Director of the Center, Yadunath Poudel, confirmed that printing works will be completed by this evening.

"Printing of the ballot papers under the direct election system has reached the final phase," he said, adding that the remaining 500,000 ballot papers out of 20.3 million ballot papers will be printed by today. 

The Center had started the printing works with a schedule of 42 days and is accomplishing its task in 40 days.  

The ballot papers will be dispatched in all districts by tomorrow, Managing Director Poudel said. 

Similarly, 20,830,000 ballot papers for the proportional representation electoral system have already been printed. 

A total of 20,323,000 ballot papers are to be printed for the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The 11th edition of the Pakistan–Nepal Friendship T20 Cricket Tournament concluded on Sunday amidst a function at the Pakistan Embassy Plot in Kathmandu. 

Held from February 7 to 15, the annual tournament featured 12 teams from various Nepali cricket clubs, along with the Pakistan Embassy Team. 

Since 2014, the event has been organized each year to celebrate the shared love of cricket between Pakistan and Nepal and to support young players.

Ambassador of Pakistan to Nepal, Abrar H. Hashmi, and special guests presented the trophies, medals, and cash prizes to the winning team, top performers and tournament officials, reads a statement issued by the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu. 

Baluwatar Cricket Academy won the tournament and received the winning trophy and cash prize. The Pakistan Embassy Team secured the runner-up position.

In his remarks, Iqbal Haider, Counsellor (Political & Education), highlighted Pakistan Embassy’s sustained efforts to promote cricket at the grassroots level, noting the tournament’s role in nurturing emerging talent in Nepal.

In his closing address, Ambassador Abrar Hashmi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening youth engagement and sporting exchanges between the two countries. 

He announced that the 12th edition of the tournament in 2027 will expand to participation of 16 teams, according to the statement. 

The Ambassador congratulated all participating teams, particularly the winning team, and thanked Ambassadors, distinguished guests, supporting partners IME Global Bank and Filli Cafe; broadcasting partners Action TV and Dish Home Media Network for live coverage that reached audiences across Nepal and beyond. 

West Indies charged into the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup after the two-times champions defeated Nepal by nine wickets in Mumbai on Sunday, with Jason Holder's four-wicket haul and Shai Hope's half-century setting up the win, Reuters reported. 

Chasing a modest 134 for their third straight victory after battling knocks by Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee (58) and Sompal Kami (26 not out), West Indies eased to victory at Wankhede Stadium with 28 balls to spare.

After paceman Holder's wickets laid the platform, captain Hope (61 not out) and Shimron Hetmyer (46 not out) guided their team home to rule Nepal out of the reckoning for the next stage of the tournament, according to Reuters.