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The size of public debt in the first eight months of the current fiscal year has increased by over Rs 204 billion, reaching Rs 2,878.29 billion.

According to the Public Debt Management Office, at the beginning of the current fiscal year 2082–83 BS (2025–26), which commenced in mid-July, public debt stood at Rs 2,674.04 billion.

During this period, the government owes Rs 1,348.11 billion in domestic borrowing and Rs 1,530.18 billion in external debt. 

Of the total public debt by the end of Fagun, the share of external debt is 53.16 percent, while domestic debt accounts for 46.84 percent.

So far, the total public debt amounts to 47.13 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In the current fiscal year, the government aims to mobilize Rs 559 billion in public debt. 

By the end of Fagun (mid-March), Rs 295.19 billion had been raised, which is 50.44 percent of the total target.

Of the domestic borrowing target of Rs 362 billion, Rs 243.66 billion has been collected, accounting for 67.31 percent of the target.

Similarly, of the external borrowing target of Rs 233.66 billion, Rs 56.89 billion has been raised, which is only 24.31 percent of the target.

In the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs 411 billion for the repayment of principal and interest on public debt. By mid-March, payments had reached Rs 242.26 billion, which is 58.94 percent of the annual allocation.

The office stated that, based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the total debt servicing cost up to the end of Magh (mid-February) stands at 3.97 percent.

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) surged by 13. 51 points to close at 2, 812. 34 points on Tuesday. 

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 2. 14 points to close at 482. 56 points.

A total of 34,852,760-unit shares of 340 companies were traded for Rs 1. 62 billion.

Meanwhile, Reliance Spinning Mills Limited (RSML) and Solu Hydropower Limited (SOHL) were the top gainers today with their price surging by 10. 00 percent.

Similarly, NIC ASIA Growth Fund-2 (NICGF2) was the top loser as its price fell by 4. 74 points. 

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 4. 76 trillion.

Vice President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Dol Prasad Aryal has urged the party’s newly elected lawmakers to fulfill their responsibilities while maintaining the civic trust and confidence placed in them.

Addressing an orientation and introduction program organized by the party for its newly elected lawmakers, Aryal echoed the need for both the party and its representatives to work in the best interests of the nation and its people.

“It is necessary to form a government that can deliver effectively so that citizens can truly feel the presence of the state, end corruption, and establish good governance. Political parties that held state power for a long time are now facing consequences due to their past wrongdoings. This has made our party and the people's representatives more responsible and accountable to citizens,” he said.

Another Vice President, Swarnim Wagle, stressed the need for preserving public trust by respecting and safeguarding the mandate given by voters. 

He added that the party had received a significant level of public support, reflecting strong faith from the electorate.

“Establishing a functional and accountable system is one of the core commitments of our party. The people’s mandate is sufficient for us to act, and we are obliged to deliver with honesty,” he stated.

Wagle also urged party lawmakers to carry out their legislative duties responsibly, recognize the significance of the public mandate, prioritize public concerns, and raise their voices if the party becomes involved in any wrongdoing.

According to the party’s General Secretary, Kabindra Burlakoti, the program aimed to familiarize newly elected lawmakers with parliamentary practices, legislative procedures, policy formulation, and the roles of parliamentary committees.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has expressed heartfelt condolences to KP Sharma Oli, Chairman of the CPN-UML, who is in mourning.

President Paudel visited the residence of former Prime Minister Oli in Gundu, Bhaktapur to express his condolences and other members of the mourning family.

Former Prime Minister Oli's father, Mohan Prasad Oli, passed away last Friday at the age of 97.

Dozens of people are feared dead or injured at a drug treatment centre in Afghanistan's capital after an air strike that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan, BBC reported. 

The centre in Kabul was hit on Monday evening, killing some people and injuring others, the government's spokesman said on X.

Pakistan denied striking any health facility, saying it "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure" in Kabul and the eastern province of Nangahar, according to BBC. 

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City and Bir Hospital have signed an agreement to provide free testing and preliminary treatment for breast and uterine cancers.

The agreement was signed on Monday by Dipak Kumar KC, Chief of the Health Department at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Office, and Hospital Director Prof Dr Dilip Sharma.

Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol and Chief Administrative Officer Saroj Guragain were present at the event.

The Acting Mayor said that cancer causes many premature deaths among women, emphasizing that regular screening and testing are vital for prevention and timely treatment.

Hospital Director Prof Dr Sharma highlighted that early screening is essential in preventing breast and cervical cancers among women. 

He warned that assuming “I have no symptoms, so I don’t need testing” can worsen the situation later, stressing that screening is important even when a person is asymptomatic.

According to KC, women aged 30–60, those who missed last year’s tests, and individuals showing positive symptoms will be included in the screening and preliminary treatment program.

The cancer screening will begin on March 30, with 100–120 women examined each day. 

Cervical cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers among women in Nepal.

The 41-kilometer section from Aabukhaireni to Jamune in Tanahun under the Muglin–Pokhara road expansion project has been completed.

The construction company handed over the section to the government on Monday. 

This road is in the market area and it has been expanded to four lanes in rural areas. 

Information Officer of the road expansion project, Bishnu Prasad Pandey, said that as per the agreement the company will carry out road maintenance for the next five years.

This road section has been expanded with a loan of Rs 6. 31  billion  from the Asian Development Bank.

Persian Gulf states did not ask the U.S. to go to war with Iran, but many are now urging it not to stop short by leaving the Islamic Republic still able to threaten the Gulf’s oil lifeline and the economies that depend on it, three Gulf sources said, Reuters reported. 

At the same time, these sources and five Western and Arab diplomats said Washington was pressing Gulf states to join the U.S.-Israeli war. According to three of them, U.S. President Donald Trump wants to show regional backing for the campaign to bolster its international legitimacy as well as support at home.

“There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country,” said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center and familiar with government thinking, according to Reuters.