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.

RSP Chairman Lamichhane Registers Candidacy Through Power of Attorney

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has registered his candidacy from Chitwan Constituency No. 2 for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Lamichhane registered his candidacy through a power of attorney issued to Sita Gyawali, chairperson of the RSP Bharatpur Metropolitan Committee. Assistant Election Officer Deviram Bhandari at the Office of the Chief Election Officer, Chitwan, confirmed that the candidacy was filed through a power of attorney. Bikram Shrestha is listed as Lamichhane’s proposer, while Ramji Thakuri has seconded his candidacy registration. Lamichhane’s candidacy was registered through a power of attorney as Lamichhane was delayed in arriving due to his presence at Parsa District Court in connection with a cooperative fraud case.

SC show-cause order in NC dispute clears way for Gagan to continue as party president

The Supreme Court (SC) has issued a show-cause order after a preliminary hearingson a writ petition related to the dispute within the Nepali Congress (NC), stating that constitutional and legal questions need to be adjudicated. On Tuesday, a single bench of Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel ordered the Election Commission (EC) and Gagan Kumar Thapa, among others, to appear for discussions, and deferred a decision on issues related to the Constitution, laws, the NC statute, and the EC’s decision until later. With this order, the central executive committee led by Gagan Thapa has been able to function without hindrance until any further order is issued. The SC has also summoned both sides for discussions. Amid an ongoing internal dispute within the NC, a special general convention was held recently, electing Gagan Thapa as party president. Subsequently, the EC awarded the party’s election symbol – the tree – and the four-star flag to the faction aligned with the special general convention. Challenging this, former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba filed a writ petition at the apex court, claiming that his faction was the legitimate one.

PM Karki Takes Charge of 3 Vacant Ministries

President Ram Chandra Paudel has designated Prime Minister Sushila Karki to take charge of three ministries left vacant by recent resignations. According to the Office of the President, Prime Minister Karki will now oversee the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The vacancies occurred after Mahabir Pun, Jagadish Kharel, and Bablu Gupta resigned to contest the upcoming House of Representatives elections. Pun has filed an independent candidacy from Myagdi, while Kharel joins the Rastriya Swatantra Party for Lalitpur-2, and Gupta prepares to contest from Siraha-1.

Durga Prasai Released on Recognizance

Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai, the coordinator of the ‘Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizens Protection Campaign,’ has been released on recognizance. After his arrest in Pokhara and subsequent transfer to Kathmandu on Monday, the District Government Attorney’s Office in Kathmandu ordered his release. District Police Range Kathmandu Superintendent Pawan Kumar Bhattarai confirmed Prasai was freed following the order. The investigation involves accusations from the Election Commission regarding Prasai’s public claims that Rs 520 million was paid to legitimize the Nepali Congress special general convention. Prasai must appear for further proceedings when summoned.

Election Commission Prepares Lists for 18.9 Million Voters

The Election Commission (EC) has begun printing and dispatching final voter lists to districts for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Assistant Spokesperson Prakash Neupane confirmed on Tuesday that there are around 18.9 million registered voters nationwide. Lists have already been sent to the 165 constituency offices for the nomination process. The EC is managing the printing internally to ensure security and accuracy. These documents are essential for election officers, polling stations, and candidates to verify the eligibility of the massive electorate ahead of the March 5 polls.

Balen Shah Challenges KP Oli in Jhapa-5

Balendra Shah, a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), officially registered his candidacy from Jhapa-5 on Tuesday. Accompanied by a massive crowd of supporters, Shah filed his nomination at the Office of the Election Officer located in Damak Municipality-8. By entering the race in this constituency, Shah has chosen to compete directly against CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli for the upcoming election scheduled for March 5. This high-profile matchup in Jhapa is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in the national polls.

Rabi Lamichhane Deposits Rs 10 Million Bail in Cooperative Embezzlement Case

Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane has deposited Rs 10 million in bail at the Parsa District Court in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Sano Paila Saving and Credit Cooperative. On Tuesday, a single bench led by Judge Rudra Subedi ordered the bail amount, which Lamichhane subsequently paid at the court. He is among 29 individuals facing charges in the case. After completing the bail process, Lamichhane left for Chitwan to register his candidacy for the upcoming elections. The case follows a detailed investigation into financial irregularities at the cooperative.

Mahabir Pun Resigns as Minister, Enters House Election Race

Mahabir Pun, having resigned from his position on Monday as the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, has officially registered his candidacy for the upcoming House of Representatives election. Pun filed his nomination in Myagdi on Tuesday, following his visit to the district to submit his resignation. His decision to step down from a powerful cabinet position and contest the election has drawn wide attention within national political circles. The move marks a rare shift from an executive role directly into an active parliamentary contest.

Sudan Gurung Files Candidacy for HoR Polls from Gorkha-1

Sudhan Gurung, a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has filed his nomination from Gorkha Constituency No. 1 for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives. Gurung formally registered his candidacy at the Office of the Election Officer as part of preparations for the forthcoming parliamentary election. On Sunday, Sudhan Gurung, one of the leading figures of the Gen Z protest, joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party. He is a local resident of Gorkha district.

Harka Sampang and Jagadish Kharel File Parliamentary Nominations

High-profile candidates filed their nominations for the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Dharan Mayor Harka Raj Rai (Sampang), chairman of the Shram Sanskriti Party, filed from Sunsari-1, vowing to lead the federal government. Similarly, former Communication Minister Jagadish Kharel registered his candidacy for Lalitpur-2 under the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). In Gorkha-1, Gen Z activist Sudhan Gurung also filed his nomination for the RSP. These filings mark the end of the first-past-the-post nomination phase as newcomers challenge established political figures across Nepal.

Education Reforms Stall in Cabinet Due to Election Code

Critical educational laws proposed by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology have stalled in the Cabinet as the election code of conduct took effect on Monday. The ministry aimed to introduce ordinances for a University Umbrella Act and a Higher Education Act, including a plan to spend 1 percent of GDP on innovation. Advisor Abhishek Ghimire of the ministry noted that proposed changes to teacher transfers and school management committees are now unlikely to pass before the March 5 polls. The country continues to operate under the Education Act-1971.

NMA Finalizes 54 Candidates for Upcoming Election After Court Order

The Nepal Medical Association (NMA) election committee released its final list of 54 candidates on Tuesday, following a Supreme Court ruling. The court ordered the inclusion of all aspiring candidates, leading to a highly competitive field where 18 individuals are vying for just six member positions. The NMA published the updated list after holding consensus discussions with various professional factions. This election is seen as a critical turning point for the medical fraternity, as the new leadership will be tasked with addressing long-standing issues regarding physician safety, workplace benefits, and healthcare policy reforms across Nepal.

Erika Gurung Leads Nepali Karate Squad to Istanbul Premier League

National karate star Erika Gurung departed for Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday to compete in the WKF Karate 1 Premier League. Competing in the 68 kg plus category, the 19th Asian Games silver medalist is accompanied by chief coach Kushal Shrestha and international referee Tara Gurung. Following the Turkey event, the team will head to the United Kingdom for the 9th Harlow Open International Karate Championship. In the UK, Gurung will be joined by athletes Neli Joshi and Prajwoshan Yamato Shrestha, while Tamu Dhee UK plans a special ceremony to honor her recent international achievements.

Nepal Police Club Secures Draw Following Chitlang FC Own Goal

Nepal Police Club and Chitlang FC settled for a 1-1 draw during the National League football match on Tuesday. Held at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Complex, the game saw Chitlang FC take an early lead in the 41st minute through a goal by Matthew Babatunde. However, Nepal Police Club avoided defeat in the 87th minute when a suicide goal by Lachhuman leveled the score. Both teams earned one point each from the competitive encounter.

Nepathya to Perform in Siliguri on February 28

Iconic Nepali folk-rock band Nepathya is set to perform in Siliguri, India, for the first time on February 28. The concert, titled Nepathya Live in Siliguri, will take place at Utsodhaara Teesta Township in Kawakhali. The event is expected to draw fans from Nepal, Bhutan, and major Indian cities like New Delhi and Mumbai. Tickets are priced between Rs 1,600 and Rs 2,400 and can be booked online. The show aims to provide a world-class experience for the regional Nepali-speaking community.

TikTok Removes 2.8 Million Nepali Videos for Content Violations

TikTok removed over 2.8 million videos from Nepal between July and September 2025, according to its latest community guidelines report. The platform achieved a 99.7 percent proactive removal rate, with 98 percent of offending content taken down within 24 hours. Roughly 32.9 percent of the videos were removed for spreading misinformation, while 34.4 percent were identified as edited or AI-generated. Globally, TikTok removed over 204 million videos and closed 118.6 million fake accounts to ensure user safety and maintain community standards.

Factory Explosion in Northern China Kills 9 People

A massive explosion at the Baogang United Steel plant in Inner Mongolia, China, killed at least nine people, state media reported on Tuesday. One person remains missing as rescuers search the debris of the factory. Preliminary investigations suggest a 650-cubic-meter water and steam tank caused the blast, which shattered windows in nearby homes and injured 84 people. Footage showed thick smoke and a large cylindrical fireball erupting from the site. This disaster follows similar industrial accidents in Hunan and Tianjin, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding safety protocols in Chinese industrial zones.

Spain Declares National Mourning After Deadly High-Speed Train Crash

Spain has declared three days of national mourning after a high-speed train collision in southern Spain killed at least 40 people and injured more than 120. The crash occurred near Córdoba on Sunday evening when a Madrid-bound train derailed and collided with another train. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed a full and transparent investigation as rescue teams searched wreckage. Authorities said the death toll may rise. High-speed rail services between Madrid and several southern cities have been suspended while investigations continue.

Taiwan, US Seal Strategic AI and Chip Partnership Under New Tariff Deal

Taiwan plans to build a democratic high-tech supply chain with the United States and forge a strategic AI partnership under a new tariff agreement signed last week. The deal cuts broad US tariffs on Taiwanese exports to 15 percent and offers chipmakers like TSMC lower or zero tariffs if they expand US production. Taiwanese firms will invest USD 250 billion in US semiconductors, energy, and AI, with another USD 250 billion in credit support. Taipei says the pact strengthens, not weakens, Taiwan’s chip industry while deepening US ties.