Good governance and elections are government major agenda: PM Karki

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that the government is presently focussed on implementing its two prime agendas: the establishment of good governance and the successful conduction of elections.

Addressing the 107th establishment day of Lalitpur Metropolitan City today, the Prime Minister said the government is working round the clock with intensive preparations to conduct the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, in the aftermath of the special situation that developed following the September 8–9 Gen Z movement.

“We are eager to hand over executive power to a new government to be formed in accordance with the mandate expressed through the election. I urge one and all to contribute from their respective sides to ensure that the elections are held in a free, fair, impartial, and cost-effective manner. 

Elections are the sole alternative to move the nation forward on the path of democratic values and good governance in a constitutional way,” said the head of the election government.

Stressing that no anarchic activities should find space in society, the Prime Minister said the security administration is competent and active in combatting those who jeopardize peace and security and engage in criminal offenses.

“The role of the community is equally vital in resisting nefarious forces. Let us join hands to build a nation with good governance by establishing peace in society,” she said.

Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiri Babu Maharjan sought support from Gen Z groups to make the elections successful, while Deputy Mayor Manjali Shakya Bajracharya recalled the contributions of people from various walks of life in bringing the metropolis to its present state.

 

 

Warner Bros likely to reject nearly $140b Paramount bid, back Netflix in bidding war, sources say

Warner Bros Discovery’s board could announce a decision as early as Dec 17 on Paramount Skydance’s US$108.4 billion (S$139.7 billion) takeover bid, with the board likely to advise shareholders to vote against the offer, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported. 

The decision to recommit to Netflix’s buyout offer would mark the latest twist in the race for assets that include Warner Bros’ storied film and TV studio, and its extensive film and television library.

Its portfolio includes classics from Casablanca and Citizen Kane to contemporary favourites like Harry Potter and Friends, HBO and the HBO Max streaming service, according to Reuters. 

 

Pakistan's military chief Asim Munir in spotlight over Trump's Gaza plan

Pakistan's most powerful military chief in decades faces the toughest test of his newly amassed powers as Washington pushes Islamabad to contribute troops to the Gaza stabilisation force, a move analysts say could spark domestic backlash, Reuters reported. 

Field Marshal Asim Munir is expected to fly to Washington to meet President Donald Trump in the coming weeks for a third meeting in six months that will likely focus on the Gaza force, two sources told Reuters, one of them a key player in the general's economic diplomacy.

Trump's 20-point Gaza plan calls for a force from Muslim nations to oversee a transition period for reconstruction and economic recovery in the war-torn Palestinian territory, decimated by over two years of Israeli military bombardment, according to Reuters. 

Trump orders naval blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers

United States President Donald Trump has ordered “a total and complete” blockade of all US-sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, Aljazeera reported. 

“Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday evening.

“For the theft of our Assets, and many other reasons, including Terrorism, Drug Smuggling, and Human Trafficking, the Venezuelan Regime has been designated a FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION,” Trump said, according to Aljazeera. 

Dembele wins Fifa Best men's player of the year

Paris St-Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele has been named the men's player of the year at the Fifa Best awards, BBC reported. 

The 28-year-old, who won the Ballon d'Or in September, picked up the Fifa award in Qatar on Tuesday after helping PSG to four trophies in the 2024-25 season.

The former Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund player, who joined PSG in 2023, had 51 goal contributions in 53 games for Luis Enrique's side last term.

After helping PSG to a first Champions League triumph, Dembele beat Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe to the prestigious individual award, according to BBC. 

Chelsea hold off impressive Cardiff to reach EFL Cup semi

Chelsea held off League One leaders Cardiff City to secure their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a hard-fought and absorbing win in south Wales, BBC reported. 

Roared on by a fervent capacity crowd at Cardiff City Stadium, the home side impressed in and out of possession as they contained their Premier League opponents and showed flashes of their own attacking threat in a goalless first half.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca had changed his entire team from Saturday's Premier League victory over Everton, which had been overshadowed by his post-match comment that the preceding 48 hours had been the "worst" of his tenure, according to BBC. 

Christensen and Rashford on target as Barcelona beat Guadalajara in Copa del Rey

Late strikes from Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory for Barcelona against third-tier side Guadalajara on Tuesday, sending the Catalans through to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey, Reuters reported. 

Barcelona laboured for much of the match at the Pedro Escartin stadium, holding over 80% of possession but struggling to break down a disciplined five-man Guadalajara defence.

The home side posed a constant threat on the counter-attack and frustrated the European heavyweights for long stretches, according to Reuters. 

Gold price increases by Rs 700 per tola on Wednesday

The price of gold has increased by Rs 700 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday. 

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 259, 700  per tola today. It was traded at Rs 259, 000 per tola on Tuesday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 170 and is being traded at Rs 4, 055 per tola today.