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.

NC Special General Convention: Proposals of Two General Secretaries Passed

The proposals submitted by party general secretaries Gagan Kumar Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma have been passed by the closed session of the Nepali Congress Special General Convention. The contemporary political proposal presented by General Secretary Thapa in Monday’s closed session and the party’s organizational proposal put forward by Sharma in today’s closed session were passed. Meanwhile, the election process has begun to elect a new leadership. Election committee coordinator Sitaram KC shared that the program to register candidacies is today and voting will take place on Wednesday.

Nepali Congress Central Working Committee Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday

The Nepali Congress Central Working Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. According to information provided by the party’s Chief Secretary, Krishna Prasad Poudel, the meeting will take place tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. at the party’s central office in Sanepa. He informed that office-bearers and members of the Central Executive Committee have been requested to attend the meeting as per the directive. The meeting, which was initially scheduled for today at 11:00 a.m. and later postponed to 1:00 p.m., has been rescheduled for tomorrow due to the need for further discussions and preparations.

Rawal Appointed as Prime Minister’s Press Advisor

The government has appointed Ram Bahadur Rawal (Bajura) as the Prime Minister’s Press Advisor. The Cabinet meeting on Monday appointed him to the post. At a press conference organized today, Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Government Spokesperson Jagadish Kharel shared the cabinet decision, which also includes the approval for formulating a bill on the rights and development of Dalits. The government has also accepted the resignation of Uddhav Prasad Timalsena, a member of the management committee responsible for managing the assets and liabilities of problematic organizations, and nominated Madhukar Rana (Lalitpur) to the post. A decision was also taken to transfer eight gazetted first class officers of the Nepal Judicial Service, and to post eight gazetted second class officers of the same service to the gazetted first class of the concerned group. According to Minister Kharel, the government has approved the organizational structure and positions of the Land Revenue Office and Survey Offices to establish Land Revenue Offices and Survey Offices in Fikkal of Ilam, Sotab of Solukhumbu, Kolti of Bajura and Ramtadi of Mugu. Furthermore, the government has approved the visits to different countries by different ministers, secretaries and office-bearers of different commissions.

NC Special General Convention: Election To Take Place As Per Existing Statute

The Special General Convention of the Nepali Congress (NC), which kicked off at Bhrikutimandap on Sunday, has decided to conduct elections in accordance with the party’s existing Statute. An election committee formed by the Convention shared this information at a press meet today. As per the party’s Statute, one president, two vice-presidents, two general secretaries, eight joint general secretaries, and 121 members will be elected, said Election Committee Coordinator and senior advocate Sitaram KC. According to the work procedure drafted and endorsed by the Special General Convention, KC is coordinating a five-member election committee. The event is being attended by factions within the NC that support the Special General Convention organised by the Party Publicity Committee. The 14th General Convention had a total of 4,743 voters. The number has now been reduced to 4,635 after excluding those who have passed away and those who have joined other political parties.

Nine Nepalis Killed in Fire Caused by Gas Cylinder Blast in Himachal Pradesh

At least nine people from Salyan district, who were in India’s Himachal Pradesh for employment, have died in a fire incident. According to the ward office, all nine deceased belonged to two families from Siddha Kumakh Rural Municipality–2 of Salyan district. Those who lost their lives are Dhan Bahadur BK, Kabita BK, Radha BK, Renuka BK, Rajan BK, Kashiram Kami, Anu BK, Tika BK, and Kiran BK. The ward office stated that the victims were staying in a rented room in Arki Bazaar of Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, India, where a gas cylinder explosion caused a fire on Monday night. Indian media reported that the gas cylinder exploded around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, causing a fire in the house the Nepalis were living in. Expressing grief over the incident, the ward office of Siddha Kumakh–2 has declared a holiday on Tuesday for all government offices and community schools within the ward.

Vapes Worth 22.4 Million Confiscated

E-cigarettes (vapes) worth Rs 22.4 million have been seized at the Korala border. The Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and Mustang Customs Office seized 16,000 units of vape from a container bearing the registration number plate Na 6 Kha 7591 on Monday evening. According to Santosh Basyal, the information officer of the District Police Office, the container driver, Pema Lama from Sunsari Rural Municipality-5, Sindhupalchok, have been taken into custody while the vehicle has been impounded. Vapes worth Rs 68.1 million had been seized from Korala border transit last year also.

Minister Kharel Sees Need for Qualitative Growth in Nepali Journalism

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has emphasized the need to raise the quality and standards of Nepali journalism. In a journalism training organized by the Department of Information and Broadcasting for the journalism students here on Tuesday, Minister Kharel encouraged them to pursue professional, truthful, credible and research-based journalism. “It is possible to advance one’s life by studying and pursuing journalism,” motivated Minister Kharel, who himself was a working journalist prior to taking up this role. He observed that earlier there was less competition in this field and thus lesser opportunities prevailed. Competition was among certain people only. “But now,” he continued, “There are opportunities and so are the competitions. To sustain in the competition, journalists should emphasize and expedite research and studies.”Kharel, who is also Spokesperson of the interim government, viewed that those pursuing journalism should be creative enough or best performer or deliver differently to sustain in the journalism sector. Underscoring the importance of studies and research in this field, he argued that without studies neither could we speak properly nor could we write well.

Annual Report of Financial Information Unit Unveiled

The Financial Information Unit (FIU) of the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has unveiled its annual report of the last fiscal year 2024/25.  The report details the policy and operational activities and programmes carried out by the unit concerning the prevention of money laundering, financing of terrorism, and the financing of the production and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in Nepal.  The report includes the reports of suspicious transactions received by the unit, their analysis, submitted data, details regarding internal and international coordination, as well as upcoming strategic priorities. The unit stated that in the fiscal year 2081/82, guidance regarding information security, confidentiality, and usage was prepared. Similarly, the annual report mentioned that the unit completed tasks such as issuing and updating the ‘Go-AML Operation Guideline’ and updating guidance related to suspicious transactions and border transactions. Additionally, the unit conducted targeted capacity development, orientation, and awareness programs throughout the year for reporting institutions, regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders.

Yari Customs Office Closed for Three Months Following Excessive Cold

Yari Customs Office, Hilsa, has been closed for three months.The Office has been closed for months after the import of goods was stopped from Taklakot, China, in Hilsa due to extreme cold. Office staffs have reached Simkot-based contact office closing the office from second week of Poush after the import of good was stopped from Taklakot from the beginning of Poush month, said Office Chief Ram Raj Jaisi. “Though the snowfall has not occurred this year, transport service has also remained closed after the snowfall occurred in November 2025. So good from Taklakot have not been imported,” he added. However, the border towards China has been kept open, mentioned Chief Jaisi. The Office would be reopened after employees will return back to the Office in second week of Chaitra. The Office has collected Rs 1.865 million in revenue so far since the beginning of the current fiscal year.

Nepali Cricket Team to Travel to Sri Lanka and India for World Cup Preparations

As part of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the Nepali national cricket team will travel to Sri Lanka and India for training and practice matches. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the national team will head abroad for practice after completing two phases of training camps at home. In Sri Lanka, Nepal will play practice matches against the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team, while in India they will face a team from the Mumbai Cricket Association. The Nepali team is currently training at the Extratech Oval in Rupandehi. The team will first travel to Sri Lanka and then proceed to Mumbai, India, for final preparations. CAN has informed that the team will leave for Sri Lanka next week and, after about a week of training there, will move on to Mumbai. The Nepali squad includes captain Rohit Paudel, vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sandeep Jora, Aarif Sheikh, Basir Ahmad, Gulshan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla, and Lokesh Bam.

National Football League Starts Wednesday with NPR 5 Million Prize for Champion

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) held a press conference on Tuesday to provide details about the upcoming National League Football Tournament, which will kick off on 30 Poush. A total of 17 clubs will participate in the league, which will be played in a single round-robin format, featuring 136 matches in total.The opening match will be contested between Kankrebihar Youth Club and Friends Club, while Shree Bhagwati Club will face Church Boys Club on the same day. Both matches will take place at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato. ANFA has also announced that the winner of the National League will receive a cash prize of NPR 5 million.

Real Madrid Parts Ways with Xabi Alonso, Appoints Alvaro Arbeloa as New Head Coach

Spanish club Real Madrid has parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso and appointed Alvaro Arbeloa, the coach of the ‘B’ team, as the new first-team manager. In a statement released by the club on Monday, Alonso’s departure was described as a mutual agreement. The announcement came a day after Real Madrid lost 3–2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia. The statement read, “The club and Xabi Alonso have mutually agreed to end his tenure as first-team coach. Alonso is a Real Madrid legend and will always have the love and respect of the Madridistas. Real Madrid will always be his home.” The club also thanked Alonso for his contributions and wished him the best for the future. Like Alonso, the newly appointed coach Alvaro Arbeloa is also a former Real Madrid player.

Kannada Superstar Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Faces Controversy Ahead of Release

Kannada superstar Yash’s highly anticipated film “Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups” has run into serious controversy even before its release. Social activist Dinesh Kallahalli has filed a complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), claiming that certain scenes in the film’s teaser are obscene, offensive, and against moral values. The complaint alleges that the content shown in the teaser could have a negative impact on children and young audiences. Kallahalli accused the teaser of crossing the limits of freedom of expression, citing sexual and obscene content. He also claimed that the teaser violates the Cinematograph Act of 1952 and the CBFC guidelines, and demanded a review and removal of the objectionable scenes. Earlier, on January 8, the teaser—which featured bold scenes between Yash and a woman—prompted the Women’s Wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to file a complaint with the Karnataka State Women’s Commission.

Actress Barsha Raut and Priyanka Karki Join Jitu Nepal’s Upcoming Film ‘I Am Jitbahadur’

Actors Barsha Raut and Priyanka Karki have officially joined the cast of “I Am Jitbahadur”, a film announced by actor-producer Jitu Nepal. Jitu confirmed via social media that both actresses have signed formal agreements with the production team. He wrote, “Despite their busy schedules, I am sincerely grateful to them for accepting my request and supporting the project.” Jitu will also be the lead actor in the film, which he is producing with his own investment in collaboration with Indian director Suvendu Ghosh. The team plans to begin shooting in the first week of Magh. Both Barsha and Priyanka have previously worked with Jitu in “Chhakka Panja 2”, while Jitu has also collaborated with Priyanka in “Wada Number 6” and “Chhakka Panja”.

Death Toll in Central Philippine Landfill Collapse Rises to 11

The death toll from a landfill landslide in the central Philippine city of Cebu has climbed to 11, as rescuers continued searching on Tuesday for 25 missing workers, authorities said. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival told a news conference on Monday that all 18 survivors were injured and have been receiving treatment in hospitals.”The 72 hours have lapsed already, but we’re hoping we still have people who are alive, so that’s why we continue to be on this rescue operation,” Archival said.The dumpsite collapse occurred last Thursday at a waste management facility in the city. Archival acknowledged the concerns of victims’ families over the pace of the rescue, but said operations must proceed cautiously to avoid further danger. “The building is actually a metal structure, and all the parts are interconnected. If we try to lift it, the trapped individuals could be caught in the middle,” he said, noting that rescuers are working slowly and carefully based on assessments by the command center.

Civil Defense in Gaza: 4 Deaths in Partial Collapses of Buildings Damaged by Israeli Shelling

The Civil Defense in Gaza announced the deaths of four Palestinians due to partial collapses of buildings and homes already damaged by Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, coinciding with the arrival of a new weather system. The spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, Mahmoud Basal, reported the deaths of three Palestinians – an elderly man, a woman, and a child – when a wall of a house damaged by previous Israeli shelling and walls of a site used as a shelter for displaced people in Gaza City collapsed. Another Palestinian woman was killed when a wall of a house damaged by previous Israeli shelling collapsed in the vicinity of Al-Thawra Street, west of Gaza City, due to the stormy weather. Strong winds and heavy rain caused the remains of several houses to collapse, while a tent belonging to displaced people fell from the roof of the Deir al-Balah municipality building in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in injuries. The winds also tore down tents belonging to displaced people in AlMawasi area of ​​Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in that region.

World Food Programme Warns of Severe Levels of Food Insecurity in 2026

Executive Director of the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) Cindy McCain warned of a worsening global hunger crisis in 2026, stressing that more than 318 million people face acute levels of food insecurity. According to the UN News Centre, McCain said that the WFP cannot end hunger on its own, noting that today’s crises require “swift, strategic and decisive action.” The UN official called on world leaders to take urgent action to end human-made famines, increase humanitarian funding, and address the conflicts that are at the heart of escalating hunger around the world. “Barely two weeks into the new year the world is already confronting the risk of a dangerous and deepening global hunger crisis”, she stressed. “WFP’s resolve remains unshaken. We will seize every opportunity to rally the support and resources needed to reach those who depend on us for their survival”, McCain added.