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.

Supreme Court Sends Gen Z Agreement for Hearing

The Supreme Court of Nepal ordered a full hearing on Tuesday regarding a petition challenging the agreement between the government and Gen Z representatives. Justices Kumar Regmi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel moved the case forward after all parties submitted written responses. Advocates, including Prem Raj Silwal, filed the writ on December 18, 2025, arguing that the 10-point deal signed by Prime Minister Sushila Karki on December 10, 2025, is unconstitutional. The petitioners claim an interim government lacks the authority to make long-term structural changes or form new commissions that overlap with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority’s (CIAA) jurisdiction.

Rabi Lamichhane Hospitalized in Teaching Hospital After Leg Infection

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) president Rabi Lamichhane has been admitted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj after an injury to his left leg developed into an infection, his office said. According to Lamichhane’s secretariat, he sustained a minor injury to his left leg several days ago while attending a RSP public program in Janakpur. The injury later progressed into a skin infection that spread to the inner layers of the skin, a condition doctors identified as cellulitis. Following medical examinations and advice, doctors recommended hospital admission, citing the potential risks associated with such infections. Lamichhane is currently under medical supervision and receiving treatment at the hospital, his personal secretary Avinash Acharya said.

Hearing Postponed on Madhesh Health Equipment Scam Case

The government side requested a postponement of the hearing for the Madhesh Province health equipment corruption case on Tuesday. The case, involving nine officials and a supplier, was scheduled before Special Court Justices Sudarshan Dev Bhatta and Bidur Koirala. The CIAA previously filed charges against former Secretary Imnarayan Shrestha, Director Dr. Shrawan Kumar Mishra, and Bishal Pandit of Hospitech Enterprises, claiming embezzlement of Rs 218.9 million. The charges relate to the procurement of medical equipment for the Provincial Public Health Laboratory in Janakpurdham.

Former Bharatpur Engineer Charged Over Unclear Wealth

The CIAA filed a corruption case at the Special Court on Tuesday against Bharat Kumar Acharya, a former senior engineer of Bharatpur Metropolitan City. An investigation into his tenure from January 20, 1992 to June 21, 2023 revealed a legal income of Rs 35.1 million, but expenditures and investments totaling Rs 10.299 billion. The CIAA has identified Rs 67.8 million as unexplained wealth. His wife was also named as a defendant for the purpose of confiscating properties registered in her name, which the commission claims were purchased using illegal funds.

Election Monitoring Officers Granted Special Authority and Seals

The Election Commission has instructed monitoring officers in all 77 districts to use a specialized “Official Seal” for election-related decisions. Following a decision on January 23, Assistant Chief District Officers and Treasury Controllers have been appointed as monitoring officers for the March 5 polls. Mohan Raj Joshi, a legal officer at the commission, stated that these officers have the authority to seek immediate clarifications and seize materials if the code of conduct is breached on-site. The specialized seal will read “Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer, House of Representatives Election, 2025” to ensure uniformity and legal weight in all administrative actions.

Election Commission Seeks Clarification from 7 Candidates and Bodies

The Election Commission has demanded explanations from seven individuals and organizations for violating the election code of conduct. Januka Pathak of the Nepal Janasewa Party was asked to explain defamatory social media posts against a rival, while Kamal Bhusyal (Nicholous) was questioned regarding the use of “blood-stained shoes” in his campaign. Mahesh Basnet of CPN (UML) faced a query over alleged hate speech against the Madhesi community. Additionally, Balendra Shah of RSP was asked to clarify comments made on social media. The commission also sent notices to the Shram Sanskriti Party for using children in campaigns and a school for forced teacher transfers.

National Assembly Members Urge Fair Polls and Protection

During a National Assembly session on Tuesday, members urged the government to ensure a peaceful and impartial parliamentary election. Ganga Kumari Belbase called for the election of candidates who oppose corruption and foreign interference, while also demanding action against the misuse of the national flag during campaigns. Rajendra Laxmi Gaire noted that the Gen Z protest was a result of past government failures in governance. Gopal Bhattarai of CPN (UML) warned that weapons looted during the Gen Z protests and escaped prisoners pose a significant security risk to the March 5 polls, urging the state to strengthen security measures immediately.

Banke Intensifies Security Near 65 km India Border for Polls

Security is being tightened in Banke district, which shares a 65 km open border with India, ahead of the March 5 elections. CDO Dil Bahadur Tamang reported that 61 out of 139 polling stations are “highly sensitive.” A joint force of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police will be deployed across 400 polling centers. Banke currently has 350,371 registered voters. To ensure a peaceful environment, joint patrols with India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will commence several days before voting and continue throughout the election period.

Kalikot Classifies 74 Polling Stations as Highly Sensitive

Chief District Officer Gorkarna Raj Suyal announced that 74 out of 104 polling stations in Kalikot have been classified as “highly sensitive” for the March 5 elections. Only two locations, the Manma prison and Bal Mandir, are ranked as “normal.” DSP Him Bahadur Khatri stated that security strategies are based on past violence, geographical remoteness, and communication hurdles. A total of 2,196 security personnel, including 509 Nepal Police and 1,102 election police, will be deployed. Additionally, 14 stations are marked highly sensitive due to potential snowfall, including Mahadev Secondary School and Malika Secondary School.

Dhanusha Flags 194 Polling Stations as Highly Sensitive Ahead of Elections

The District Administration Office, Dhanusha, has classified 194 of the district’s 322 polling stations as highly sensitive, citing the open border, high voter turnout, and past election-related issues. Another 106 stations are marked sensitive and 22 normal. Chief District Officer Prem Prasad Luintel said 10 to 12 security personnel will be deployed at each of the 645 polling booths, with monitoring focused on Nepal-India border areas. Dhanusha has 514,571 voters across four constituencies. A total of 6,500 staff will be deployed, while 142 candidates are contesting the House of Representatives elections.

Lamjung Adds 6 Polling Booths for Upcoming Elections

The Election Commission has added six new polling booths in Lamjung based on the current voter density, bringing the total to 192 booths across 130 stations. This is an increase from the 182 booths used in the 2022 elections. District Election Officer Yadav Raj Acharya noted that two new polling stations were also established in Besishahar-10 and Dordi-2. Lamjung currently has 137,124 registered voters, consisting of 69,524 females and 67,600 males. This represents an increase of 3,407 voters compared to the previous election cycle. Monitoring of these sites is currently underway to ensure logistical readiness.

Gorkha Fills Election Police Quota After Two Deadline Extensions

Gorkha district has finally met its recruitment quota for election police after extending the application deadline twice. Initially, the recruitment for 2,283 positions saw low turnout, with only 1,964 applicants by January 17. Following additional extensions on Saturday and Sunday, the total number of applicants reached 2,760. DSP Rajkumar Shrestha reported that 2,204 personnel were selected for the Nepal Police and 79 for the Armed Police Force, leaving 323 on the waiting list. The final results were published on Monday evening, and the selected candidates are scheduled to begin training tomorrow.

Court Orders Files for Hetauda Road Expansion Case

A joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Shanti Singh Thapa ordered the retrieval of original decision files related to the Hetauda road expansion. The Supreme Court set the next hearing for February 1. Local residents, including Bindabasini Kansakar, filed a writ seeking protection of private property against the 25-meter expansion plan. Although the Division Road Office demolished nearly 500 structures along the Mahendra Highway and Tribhuvan Highway on December 6, 2025, further work is stalled due to a short-term interim order issued by the court.

Cyber Crime and Online Fraud Cases Rise in Kaski

The District Police Office Kaski received 213 cybercrime complaints and 607 online fraud reports in the first six months of the current fiscal year. SP Nabin Karki Chief of the Kaski District Police Office revealed on Tuesday, that the total claimed loss from these scams exceeds Rs 191.9 million. Victims range from businesspeople to college professors and government staff, often falling for “get-rich-quick” schemes or lottery scams. Police noted a rise in “sextortion,” where individuals are blackmailed over private videos. SP Karki emphasized that greed is the primary factor driving these incidents, with fraudsters often using fake social media identities and OTP theft.

Aquatic Bird Population Increases in Shuklaphanta National Park

The latest census at Shuklaphanta National Park has recorded 25,660 aquatic birds, a significant increase from last year. The national park authorities on Tuesday reported that 82 species were found across the park’s wetlands. Shikari Lake hosted the highest number with 20,949 birds, followed by Pureini Lake with 1,554. Key species identified include 3,247 Northern Pintails, 3,134 Gadwalls, and 4,777 Gadwall ducks. The census was a joint effort involving NTNC, the Nepal Bird Conservation Association, and local nature guides. Experts noted that improved wetland conditions have attracted more migratory species, including various types of teals and storks.

Labor Ministry Restricts Permits for Domestic Workers in Iraq

The Ministry of Labor has begun issuing labor permits only to Nepali citizens working in companies in Iraq, excluding domestic workers. Although the Council of Ministers decided on December 26, 2025, to provide permits to all Iraq-based Nepalis with valid residency cards, the Department of Foreign Employment is reportedly discriminating against domestic staff. Binod Shrestha, president of NRNA Iraq, stated that of the 30,000 Nepalis in Iraq, 80 percent are women in domestic roles. Director General Meera Acharya of the department noted that while company workers are being processed, guidelines must be amended to specifically include Iraq for domestic labor permits.

Folk Singers’ Convention Postponed Due to Election Code

The National Folk and Duet Song Academy has postponed its 9th National General Convention, citing the election code of conduct. Originally scheduled for February 13 to 15 in Bardibas, Mahottari, the event was halted to comply with Election Commission regulations for the upcoming March 5 parliamentary polls. A joint statement by President Rita Thapa Magar and General Secretary Shiva Hamal on Tuesday confirmed that the convention is suspended until further notice. The Academy serves as the primary umbrella organization for folk and duet artists across Nepal.

‘Aa Bata Aama’ Gets Universal Certificate, Set for January 30 Release

The film Aa Bata Aama, directed by Chandra Pant, has received a Universal (U) certificate from the Censor Board and will release on January 30. Starring Bipana Thapa, Paul Shah, Usha Upreti, Simran Pant, and Indian actor Pradeep Ram Singh Rawat (famous for Ghajini), the film features music by Koshish Chhetri, Babul Giri, and Thaneshwar Gautam. The film also stars Paul Shah, Usha Upreti, and Simran Pant, and distribution is handled by RR Films.

Army and Laligurans Draw in ANFA National League

The departmental side Tribhuvan Army Club and Laligurans Association played to a goalless draw in the ANFA National League on Tuesday. Held at the ANFA ground in Satdobato, both teams shared points after a highly competitive match where several scoring opportunities were missed. With this draw, Laligurans Association remains at the top of the table with 10 points, while Army has secured 5 points. The league features 13 “A” Division clubs and four provincial teams, including Kankrebihar Youth Club and Chitlang FC, with the winner set to receive Rs 5 million.

Gandaki Dominates Police in 6th Tiger Cup Volleyball

Gandaki Province secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nepal Police Club on Tuesday in the 6th Tiger Cup International Invitational Club Volleyball Championship. At the Pokhara Stadium court, Gandaki won the sets 25-22, 25-20, and 25-14. Earlier, Parbat District Volleyball Association defeated Maldives Volleyball Association 3-0. In the women’s category, New Diamond Youth Sports Club reached the final by beating Nepal Police Club 3-0, while Thailand Queens kept their final hopes alive by defeating Army. The championship, organized by the Tiger Group of Pokhara, will conclude with the women’s final on January 31 and the men’s final on February 1.

PABSON Kathmandu to Launch U-15 National Cricket League

PABSON Kathmandu announced the PABSON Cricket League (PCL U-15) during a press conference on Tuesday. The Twenty20 tournament will take place at the Lower Mulpani Ground from February 11 to February 18. Eight teams, including representatives from seven provinces and the host side, will compete on a league-cum-knockout basis. The winner will receive Rs 150,000, and the runner-up will get Rs 75,000. President Nawaraj Bhatta stated the goal is to integrate the Rs 8 million budget event into the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) annual calendar to scout talent for the national level.

Nipah Virus Outbreak in India Triggers Airport Alerts Across Asia

A fresh Nipah virus outbreak in India’s West Bengal has prompted heightened health screenings across Asia. Thailand has begun screening passengers arriving from West Bengal at major airports, while Nepal has stepped up checks at Kathmandu airport and land border points. At least five healthcare workers have been infected, with one in critical condition, and over 100 contacts quarantined. Nipah, a zoonotic virus with a fatality rate of up to 75 percent, has no approved treatment or vaccine. The World Health Organization lists it among its top priority diseases due to its epidemic potential.

Trump Raises South Korea Tariffs to 25 Percent, Markets Shrug Off Threat

US President Donald Trump has announced a sharp hike in tariffs on South Korean imports to 25 percent, accusing Seoul of delaying approval of a trade deal reached last year. The move affects automobiles, pharmaceuticals, lumber, and other goods. South Korea said it had not received formal notice and sought urgent talks with Washington. Despite early jitters, Korean markets rebounded, with the Kospi closing higher. Analysts remain skeptical the tariff threat will be enforced, citing Trump’s recent reversals on Europe. South Korea exported goods worth USD 123 billion to the US last year, with cars leading shipments.

Verified Videos Reveal Scale of Iran’s Deadly Protest Crackdown

Verified footage from Iran shows bodies piled in hospitals, rooftop snipers, and destroyed surveillance cameras amid a sweeping crackdown on protests. Human rights groups estimate nearly 6,000 people have been killed since unrest erupted in late December, with warnings the toll could rise far higher. Authorities dispute the figures, claiming most deaths involved security forces or bystanders. Internet blackouts have hindered documentation, though some videos surfaced via satellite internet and VPNs. Protests have been tracked across at least 71 cities, making the unrest one of the deadliest in Iran’s recent history.

India and EU Seal ‘Mother of All Deals’ After 20 Years of Talks

India and the European Union have finalized a landmark free trade agreement after nearly two decades of negotiations. Leaders hailed the pact as historic, covering nearly 25 percent of global GDP and a market of two billion people. The deal slashes tariffs on automobiles, machinery, chemicals, wine, and agricultural goods, while granting Indian exports preferential access to European markets. It also includes mobility provisions and a growing security partnership. Signed amid global trade tensions and US tariff pressure, the agreement is seen as a strategic shift toward deeper India-EU cooperation.

UK Recruits AI Experts to Build Open-Source Tools for Public Services

The UK government has assembled a team of artificial intelligence specialists to develop open-source AI tools aimed at improving transport, public safety, and national security. Backed by funding from Meta, the year-long program will focus on systems public agencies can operate independently, without relying on commercial platforms. The team includes researchers from the Alan Turing Institute and universities, specializing in machine learning, computer vision, and safety-critical AI. Tools developed under the program will remain government-owned, allowing sensitive data to stay in-house and technologies to be adapted for long-term public use.