KATHMANDU, July 3: After the CPN-UML emerged victorious in provinces 3, 4 and 6 in the first phase of the local polls, several leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Center) stood in defense of their parties' performances, arguing that the outcome was not that much unexpected given UML's sway in the provinces.

SURKHET, June 21: Geeta Nepali, 26, was an artist in the Maoist militia during the conflict era. Now, she has been elected as the deputy mayor of the Aathbikot Municipality, Rukum. This promotion to a leader from an artist has made her even more ambitious. But her ambitions are not personal. They are for the welfare of the municipality and the nation at large, she says.

KATHMANDU, May 2: The stock market has been buoyed up on Tuesday, the day set by the Election Commission for filing nominations for political parties taking part in the upcoming first-round local election scheduled for May 14.