KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

SC Orders Release of Durga Prasain

The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered to free Durga Prasain, a medical entrepreneur and Coordinator of Rastra, Rastriyata Bachau Abhiyan. In a habeas corpus writ petition lodged by Prasain’s son Nirajan, the division bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Shree Kanta Paudel ordered to immediately release Prasain.  The SC’s order stated that putting Prasain behind the bars only due to his expressions was a violation of the constitutionally given right to freedom of expression. Likewise, the SC has mentioned that further investigations and custody as well as the other processes for taking more time for probe were not required for Prasain in the changing context following the Abhiyan’s agreement with the government on Saturday to launch its activities in a peaceful manner. Prasain was arrested from his residence on November 17 from his residence in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, for the investigation into public security.

HoR Candidates Required to Submit Property Details

The Election Commission’s proposed Code of Conduct mandates that all candidates for the House of Representatives (HoR) election must submit sealed property and personal details upon filing their nomination papers. According to Section 19, property details will remain confidential until the final election results are published. If an individual is elected, their property details will be made public only with their consent. Section 20 mandates that the personal details form will be published on the Election Commission’s website after the final list of candidates is released.

Durga Prasai Calls Off Nationwide Strike After Government Talks

The whole country shutdown and indefinite general strike planned by the Rastra, Rastriyata, Dharma, Sanskriti ra Nagarik Bachau Maha Abhiyan, led by Durga Prasai, have been called off. An agreement was reached after a dialogue between the government and Maha Abhiyan representatives on Saturday at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar. The two parties discussed the 27-point demands of the campaign. The government’s team included Home Minister Omprakash Aryal and Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Ajay Bhadra Khanal. Both sides agreed to continue negotiations to address the issues raised. Continuous dialogue aims to address the campaign’s demands and maintain peace.

Mahesh Basnet’s Vehicle Attacked in Biratnagar

On Sunday, CPN (UML) leader Mahesh Basnet’s vehicle was targeted in an attempted red color attack on the Airport Road in Biratnagar while he was traveling towards Sunsari. District Police Office Morang SP Kabit Katwal confirmed the incident and said that police have detained two youths for their alleged involvement. The SP claimed the youths attempted to throw the color but failed to stain the vehicle. Following the incident, Basnet continued his scheduled journey towards Itahari.

Protests Against Mahesh Basnet Continue in Sunsari

Protests against CPN (UML) leader Mahesh Basnet continued in Sunsari after his vehicle, also carrying Bhanubhakta Dhakal, passed through Duhabi. Local youth, identified as Gen Z, burned tires on the street, which was later cleared by police, confirmed DSP Chandra Khadka. This incident follows the red color attack on Basnet’s vehicle at Biratnagar Airport. The two individuals arrested for the ink attack, Sanjog Gautam and Arpit Kunwar, are reportedly affiliated with the Nepal Student Union. Gautam is confirmed to be a district member of NSU, Morang.

Ex-MP Urges Home Minister to Implement Local Administration Offices

Former Member of Parliament Ram Hari Khatiwada met with Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal and Home Secretary Rameshwar Dangal on Sunday to urge the immediate implementation of the Cabinet’s decision to establish 23 Area Administration Offices across the country, including in Champadevi-06, Okhaldhunga, and Ghorakhari. Khatiwada also stressed the need to strengthen the security environment for the upcoming election on March 5, 2026, requesting strict action against “anarchic groups” engaging in threats and intimidation that could negatively affect the polling process. Security preparations are prioritized for the upcoming national election.

Nepali Congress Registers for Upcoming National and HoR Elections

The Nepali Congress (NC) has formally registered with the Election Commission for the upcoming National Assembly and House of Representatives (HoR) elections. Central Office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel completed the registration process on Sunday, following a decision by the Central Working Committee on Saturday. The National Assembly election is scheduled for January 25, 2026, and the HoR election is set for March 5, 2026.

Janardan Sharma Launches Progressive Democratic Party Today

The unified party formed by groups led by Baburam Bhattarai, Janardan Sharma, and Santosh Pariyar will be named the Pragatishil Loktantrik Party. The official launch is scheduled for Sunday at the Rastriya Sabha Griha. The party will adopt the ‘Eye’ symbol previously used by Naya Shakti. Instead of a single chairperson, the party will be led by an inclusive 7-member presidium. The unity agreement among the three groups was formalized on November 14, and the central committee is being finalized with a proposed size of up to 151 members.

Ujyalo Nepal Names Dr. Raju Thapa Spokesperson, Prepares for Polls

The Ujyalo Nepal Party, chaired by former Energy Secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyaya and founded by Minister Kulman Ghising, has appointed lawyer Dr. Raju Thapa as its spokesperson. The decision came during the party’s Central Committee meeting in Kathmandu on Saturday, following its official registration with the Election Commission. The 51-member Central Committee decided to invite applications for 165 direct and 110 proportional candidates for the March 5, 2026 election. The party is also working on uniting alternative political forces for the upcoming polls.

27 NC Leaders Meet Koirala to Push for Early Convention

27 Central Committee members loyal to Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba met with rival leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala on Sunday morning to press for an early and regular General Convention. Central Committee member Angelu Sherpa stated they urged Koirala to be more active in the internal campaign. Koirala confirmed his commitment to holding the regular convention by December and added that any special convention should be called only through a decision by the Central Committee. The delegation, which included co-General Secretaries Jeevan Pariyar and Bhadri Pandey, is now attempting to coordinate efforts for a definitive conclusion.

Probe of Gen Z Protests: 60% Work Done, Army Unresponsive

The Judicial Inquiry Commission, formed on September 21, has completed over 60% of its task investigating the September 8–9 Gen Z protests with one month remaining in its three-month mandate. The commission, led by Gauri Bahadur Karki, has recorded statements from numerous officials and Rastriya Swatantra Party chair Rabi Lamichhane. The Nepal Police eventually cooperated after a delay and a warning to then-IG Chandra Kuber Khapung. However, the panel noted that the Nepali Army has yet to respond to a request for details, even after two weeks. The commission has received around 300 complaints and will question Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal and former PM KP Sharma Oli soon.

15 of 19 Daily Incidents Are Fire-Related in Nepal, Authority Confirms

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported a high frequency of fire incidents across Nepal in early November. On Saturday, 15 of 18 reported disaster events were fires, causing an estimated Rs 5.37 million in damages. Similarly, Friday saw 15 out of 19 incidents as fires, and Thursday saw 13 out of 20 incidents as fires. The Authority has urged the public to exercise extreme caution with fire and flammable materials to prevent major losses caused by carelessness or electrical short circuits. Disaster management agencies urge caution to prevent fire damage.

E-Passport Supply to Normalize with Deal for 700,000 Units

The supply of electronic passports (e-passports) is set to normalize following the Department of Passports signing a contract with the original supplier, Idemia Identity and Security of France. The deal, reached through the personal initiative of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, secures the purchase of 700,000 new e-passports at the old price. Director General Tirtharaj Aryal stated that the department will immediately resume its normal distribution pace of around 6,500 passports per day, up from the restricted 1,000 per day that caused severe shortages. The first consignment is expected to arrive within three weeks. The government resolves the passport shortage crisis to ease public access.

Beni Provincial Hospital Suspends C-Section Service Due to Doctor Shortage

Beni Provincial Hospital in Myagdi has suspended C-section delivery services following the resignation of the obstetrician/gynecologist specialist in Kartik. The hospital, which previously handled 120 to 150 C-sections annually for patients from Myagdi and surrounding districts like Mustang and Parbat, is now directing expectant mothers to Baglung or Pokhara. Acting Chief Dr. Ramu Sapkota confirmed that efforts to recruit a replacement have failed, and the Provincial Health Ministry has not provided one. Most other surgical services, except for orthopedic and neurological ones, have also been halted due to staff shortages.

3 Sites on BP Highway Under Reconstruction for Rs 8.5 Billion

The permanent reconstruction of the BP Highway, severely damaged by floods and landslides in the 2023 and 2024, has begun at three key locations. The floods damaged approximately 30 kilometers of the road in the Kavrepalanchok and Sindhuli sections. The Division Road Office confirmed that contracts have been awarded for the permanent construction of three main segments. The work is targeted for completion within the next two years and will involve upgrading the highway to a two-lane standard, including widening five bridges. The overall cost has been estimated at Rs 8.5 billion. Key infrastructure is being rebuilt to enhance connectivity.

Supreme Court Bans Private School Penalty for Mother Tongue Use

The Supreme Court has issued a significant mandamus, banning all private schools from penalizing students for speaking their mother tongue or Nepali. The ruling, issued on November 19 by the bench of Justices Tek Prasad Dhungana and Shanti Singh Thapa, orders the private schools’ umbrella organization, PABSON, and all member institutions to immediately cease such actions. The order further directs the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Education to formulate necessary policies, guidelines, and a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the order.

New Five-Kilometer River Boating Route Opens in Sauraha

A new five-kilometer river boating route has been launched on the Rapti River in Sauraha to attract tourists. The route runs from Jindagani Ghat to Bhimpura Ghat in the eastern part of the Chitwan National Park. The service, operated by Kinara Restaurant and Bar, takes approximately one hour and offers a combined experience of jungle safari through the Kunaroj Buffer Zone Area forest and water safari for wildlife viewing. Ten boats, each seating ten people, are operating, allowing 100 tourists per turn, with two turns daily. New tourism activities enhance the Chitwan experience.

837,094 New Voters Added to Electoral Roll

The Election Commission announced that 837,094 new voters were added to the electoral roll after the extended deadline closed at midnight last Thursday. Of these, 492,180 were registered using their National Identity Cards, a process that significantly boosted applications. The registration period was extended from November 16 to November 21 in response to heavy public turnout. With these additions, Nepal had a total of 18,168,023 eligible voters aged 18 and above as of November 2, 2025. The updated list is now complete, supporting preparations for the upcoming polls.

Banke Records Over 16,000 New Voters for February 4 Election

Over 16,811 new voters, predominantly youth between 18 and 25 years old, have registered in Banke district for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026 According to District Election Officer Tek Bahadur Shahi, 11,711 individuals registered directly at the Election Office, and 5,100 registered online using their National ID Card. The voter registration deadline was extended to November 21. Banke had 333,934 voters in the 2022 election. Youth participation surges ahead of the national polls.

Over 6,000 Voters Added in Syangja via National ID Integration

Over 6,384 new voters were added in the Syangja district within the one-week period from October 14 to November 21 through the provision allowing registration using the National ID Card. This provision largely benefited citizens who were abroad or away for work. District Election Officer Sriram Thapa reported that a total of 8,225 new voters were added during the latest campaign period. The preliminary voter roll will be published on December 6, and the final list will be finalized on December 30. Digital registration streamlines the electoral process for citizens.

Tanahun Adds Over 8,300 New Voters and Recommends Two New Polling Centers

The Tanahun district added 8,366 new voters during the latest registration campaign. District Election Officer Bikash Lamsal noted that 5,166 of the new registrations were processed online using the National ID Card, making the process easier for voters. As of October 24, the district had 247,004 total voters. The District Polling Center Recommendation Committee has also proposed adding two new polling centers in Rishing Rural Municipality to the existing 305 centers. The district prepares for upcoming parliamentary elections.

Gorkha Adds 7,785 New Voters, Total Rises to 229,766

Gorkha district registered 7,785 new voters by the final deadline on Friday for the upcoming March 5, 2026, House of Representatives election. The majority of the registrations, 6,235, were completed online using the National ID Card. Information Officer Rabilal Subedi noted a high level of enthusiasm among the youth during the campaign. With the additions, the total number of eligible voters in Gorkha has reached 229,766, up from 221,981 in the previous election.

Film ‘Paran’ Grosses Over Rs 10 Million on Fourth Saturday

Neer Shah’s film Paran earned over Rs 10 million on its fourth Saturday at the domestic box office, maintaining strong performance since its October 31 release. The film’s total domestic gross is estimated to be between Rs 130 million and 140 million, officially making it the highest-grossing Nepali film of 2025, surpassing Anmol KC’s Jerry on Top. One of the producers, Shekhar Golchha, revealed that the film was financed through a bank loan, which may be a first for a corporate entity producing a Nepali movie.

Ratnadeep Chaudhary Wins Silver Music Award for Tharu Song

Singer Ratnadeep Chaudhary was honored with the Best Language Group Award at the 4th Silver Music Award, organized by Apasana Music. He won the accolade for his popular Tharu language song, Nathiya Wali, which he wrote, composed, and performed himself. Chaudhary, who is a technical staff member in the Armed Police Force from Sunsari, is a veteran artist in the Tharu music scene, having released his first song in 1998. His hit song, E Hau Sali Jhumkawali, gained significant attention back in 1999.

Nepal Clinches Runner-Up in Blind Women’s T-20 World Cup

Nepal finished as the runner-up in the inaugural Blind Women’s T-20 World Cup after losing the final to India by seven wickets. The match took place on Sunday at the P Sara Oval Cricket Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nepal posted a score of 114 runs for three wickets in 20 overs, with Sarita Ghimire scoring a high of 33 runs and Bimala Rai adding 26 runs. India chased the 115-run target in 12.1 overs, with Phula Saren scoring 44 runs not out. Nepal had previously secured their spot in the final after defeating Pakistan in the semi-final round.

FIFA Bans Panama Soccer President for 6 Months Over Fat-Shaming

FIFA has banned Panamanian soccer federation president Manuel Arias for six months and fined him USD 25,000. The new ban was imposed for failing to respect a previous ban and for fat-shaming women’s national team star Marta Cox. Arias suggested Cox was “fat” after her critical comments on the team’s setup in March 2024. The president is now barred from attending the World Cup draw on December 5. The ban comes days after Panama’s men’s team qualified for the 2026 World Cup by beating El Salvador 3-0 last Tuesday.

Korean SMEs Seek Higher Foreign Worker Quota

A survey by the Korea Employers Federation shows that over 60% of South Korean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) rely on foreign workers due to severe domestic labor shortages, with 45.2% calling for an increase in the annual quota. The non-professional EPS quota for 17 member countries, including Nepal, is 130,000 this year, which is 35,000 less than last year. Despite the reduction, Nepal remains a priority, with over 10,000 youth having entered Korea so far this year. Companies are urging the government to make the worker supply system more flexible to match economic conditions.

90 Dead, 12 Missing in Vietnam Floods

Heavy rains in Vietnam have caused severe flooding and landslides, resulting in the deaths of at least 90 people, with another 12 reported missing. The disaster, which follows Typhoons Kalmaegi and Bualoi, has left 186,000 homes damaged and over 3 million livestock swept away. The mountainous Dak Lak province is the worst hit, recording more than 60 fatalities since November 16. Rainfall exceeded 1.5 meters in some areas. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chaired an emergency meeting from the G20 summit in South Africa on Sunday morning to coordinate relief efforts across the five worst-affected provinces.

Meta Allegedly Buried Harmful Health Study

Unredacted filings in a class action lawsuit against Meta allege the company suppressed internal research from 2020’s “Project Mercury” that found its products harmed user mental health. The study showed that users who deactivated Facebook and Instagram for a week reported lower levels of anxiety and depression. Staff allegedly likened burying the negative data to the tobacco industry. The lawsuit, filed by Motley Rice on behalf of US school districts, also claims TikTok influenced the National PTA. Meta spokesman Andy Stone disputes the claims, asserting the methodology was flawed. A hearing is scheduled for January 26 in Northern California.

China Asks Italy to Ensure Fair Business Environment

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Italian President Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. Premier Li welcomed more Italian companies to enter the Chinese market. Crucially, he expressed hope that Italy would provide a fair and nondiscriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in the country. This dialogue reinforces the economic relationship between the two nations following their high-level meeting at the international forum, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency.

200,000 Ukrainians Face Deportation Risk in US

Nearly 200,000 Ukrainians are at risk of losing their legal status in the United States due to processing delays by the Trump administration regarding a humanitarian program. The program, launched in April 2022 by former President Joe Biden, allowed nearly 260,000 Ukrainians to enter the US for two years. Kateryna Golizdra, 35, lost her work permit in May and was forced to quit her USD 50,000 job, losing her health insurance. The administration paused processing in January, citing security concerns. The affected people face potential deportation and severe financial stress while waiting for their renewal applications to be decided.