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. 

PM Announces Potential Two-Phase Elections

Prime Minister Sushila Karki stated on Tuesday that the government may conduct elections in two phases if adverse weather persists in Himalayan districts. Speaking at a National Service Corps event, she emphasized that while the government aims for a single-day poll on March 5, the safety of voters in high-altitude regions remains a priority. The Prime Minister assured that the state would provide all necessary resources, including vehicles to transport voters in sparsely populated areas. Despite potential weather challenges, she urged citizens to remain committed to the electoral process, expressing confidence that the new representatives will lead the nation toward stability.

EC Announces More than 18.9 Million Registered Voters

The Election Commission (EC) released comprehensive voter statistics on Tuesday, confirming a total of 18,903,689 registered voters nationwide. The demographic breakdown includes 9,663,358 men, 9,240,131 women, and 200 individuals in the “others” category. Ramechhap emerged as the constituency with the highest number of voters at 187,952, followed by Arghakhanchi-1 and Dolakha-1. Conversely, Manang has the fewest voters with only 7,000 registrations. To facilitate the upcoming polls, the commission has designated 10,967 polling stations and 23,112 polling centers across the country to ensure accessible voting for all citizens.

EC Lists Valid Documents for March 5 Elections

The Election Commission (EC) clarified on Tuesday that voters can participate in the March 5 elections using alternative government documents if they lack a formal voter ID. While name registration in the voter list remains mandatory, the commission will accept six types of original identification: the Nepali Citizenship Certificate, National ID Card, Passport, Driver’s License, or Land Ownership Certificate. This decision, relayed through the commission’s call center, aims to prevent disenfranchisement due to lost or damaged ID cards, ensuring maximum participation in the upcoming parliamentary proceedings.

76 Candidates Removed from Proportional Lists

The Election Commission removed 76 candidates from the proportional representation (PR) closed lists on Tuesday. The decision followed investigations into eligibility and public complaints. Disqualifications included 21 individuals listed in the Credit Information Bureau blacklist, 25 candidates duplicated on provincial lists, and 10 who failed to pay commission-mandated fines. Additionally, four candidates were removed for being under the minimum age of 25. Following these removals, 3,137 candidates remain across 63 political parties for the 110 PR seats. The commission is scheduled to publish the final candidate list later this evening.

APF Suspends Leaves and Resignations

The Armed Police Force (APF) issued a circular on Monday halting all resignations and leaves for its personnel to ensure maximum deployment for the March 5 elections. Following the Integrated Election Security Plan 2026, the APF headquarters directed all units to freeze personnel movement and only approve leaves in extreme emergencies. This administrative freeze, effective since Sunday, aims to maintain a full operational strength of security forces during the sensitive polling period. The APF spokesperson emphasized that these measures are critical for maintaining order and a fear-free environment throughout the electoral process.

Myanmar Sentences 18 Nepalis to Prison for Online Scams

Myanmar authorities sentenced 18 Nepalis to one year in prison for their involvement in illegal online scamming centers on Monday. These individuals were working in the Myawaddy region at Shwe Kokko and KK Park, hubs for telecom fraud and online gambling. The Nepali Ambassador to Myanmar confirmed that the group had already spent two months in custody before the sentencing. While 144 Nepalis have been rescued from such centers this fiscal year, this marks the first instance of a formal prison sentence. The Nepali Embassy in Bangkok has maintained a travel advisory since August 2023 to warn citizens about human trafficking in the region.

Lamjung Citizens Surrender 69 Weapons Amid Recruitment Crisis

The District Administration Office in Lamjung reported that citizens have surrendered 69 licensed weapons as of Tuesday. Notably, Lamjung is identified as the district with the highest number of registered weapons in the country, with over 1,000 firearms on record. Despite extending recruitment deadlines three times, only a small fraction of these weapons have been submitted following the security directive for the March 5 elections. Records indicate that only 143 weapons were officially renewed during fiscal year 2024/25. Nepal Police warned that failure to comply with the surrender deadline by the end of today will lead to legal action under the Arms and Ammunition Act 1962.

Recruitment Shortfall Forces Baglung to Source Personnel from Myagdi

The District Police Office Baglung has supplemented its election security force by bringing in 154 personnel from Myagdi on Tuesday. Despite extending recruitment deadlines three times, Baglung only received 1,086 applications against a required quota of 1,298 temporary election police. Currently, 1,240 recruits have begun a 10-day training program at four locations, including Burtibang and Galkot, to address the personnel deficit. Local police posts stated that an additional 58 personnel will be sourced from other neighboring districts to meet the security demands for the March 5 House of Representatives elections.

CIAA Files Corruption Case Against Siraha Hospital Officials

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed corruption charges against 10 individuals on Tuesday. The accused include former Medical Superintendents Dr. Nagendra Prasad Yadav and Dr. Saroj Yadav of Provincial Hospital Siraha. An investigation into the 2023/24 fiscal year revealed that Rs 3.8 million in revenue from hospital ticket counters was embezzled instead of being deposited into the bank. The CIAA has also named administration and accounting heads as defendants. Since one former accounting chief has passed away, the commission is seeking to recover the embezzled funds from his legal heir, Muskan Kumari Mandal, through the Special Court.

Unclaimed Bodies Overwhelm Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital

Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital in Rajbiraj reported a critical space shortage due to eight unclaimed bodies stored in its morgue for over four months. The bodies, including those of two girls and one woman, were recovered from various locations in Saptari by the Nepal Police. Hospital officials noted that the morgue’s deep freezers are at full capacity, and power outages have caused foul odors in the facility. Although local units like Kanchanrup and Rajbiraj are legally responsible for management, the hospital’s Medico-Legal Branch expressed frustration over their continued inaction.

National Parks Release 147 Gharials, 137 Crocodiles into Natural Habitats

On the occasion of World Wetlands Day, Bardia National Park and Chitwan National Park released a total of 147 gharial into natural river systems on Monday. In Bardia, 10 gharials were released into the Khauraha River and Banke National Park habitats. Meanwhile, Chitwan National Park released 137 crocodiles into the Rapti River, bringing the total number of crocodiles released from its breeding center to 2,207. Conservation officials noted that these crocodiles, aged over three years, are now capable of hunting. The gharial is a protected species in Nepal under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973.

Film ‘Kumari’ to Use Advanced Immersive Audio

Director Dinesh Raut announced that the upcoming film Kumari will be released on Friday, featuring high-quality immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and Aura-Max. The production team officially requested cinema halls to maintain a minimum sound level of 5.5 fader units to preserve the audio’s dynamic range. This technical standard, mixed at the Fader Unit 5.5 level, aims to provide a superior cinematic experience for the audience. The film’s producers emphasized that mandatory test runs have been completed to ensure domestic theaters can handle the advanced sound mapping, which represents a technical milestone for the Nepali film industry.

Film Board Starts Horse Riding Training for Actors

The Film Development Board announced a one-week horse riding training program starting this coming Saturday as part of its ‘Skill Enhancement Year 2026’ initiative. High-profile actors and directors, including Saroj Khanal and Deepa Shree Niraula, will participate to gain skills necessary for historical, mythological, and action-based films. Board Chairperson Dinesh DC stated that such skills are now essential for improving the production quality and safety of Nepali cinema. The training aims to professionalize stunt work and prepare local talent for international-level storytelling. The program will involve 15 prominent industry figures and specialized trainers at a facility in Kathmandu.

BTS to Reunite for ‘Arirang’ Concert in Seoul

The South Korean band BTS will officially reunite for a live concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, marking their first performance together in nearly four years. The event, titled “The Comeback Live,” will be broadcast globally by Netflix and starts at 4:45 PM Nepal time. The band will also release their fifth studio album, Arirang, on March 20. Following the concert, BTS will embark on a massive world tour spanning 34 locations with 82 scheduled shows. A documentary titled BTS: The Return is also set to premiere on Netflix on March 27 to showcase the album’s production.

SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 Match Schedule Released

The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) released the match fixtures for the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 on Tuesday. Nepal is placed in Group A alongside the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. Nepal will face Bhutan in their opening match on March 23, followed by matches against Sri Lanka on March 25 and the Maldives on March 27. Group B consists of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on April 1, with the final scheduled for April 3. Currently, 80 players are undergoing preliminary training in Nepal.

Jawalakhel Youth Club Secures 4-0 Victory in ANFA League

Jawalakhel Youth Club defeated Nav Janajagruti Youth Club with a score of 4-0 in the ANFA National League on Tuesday. During the match at Dasharath Stadium, Harish Bhatta scored the opening goal in the 8th minute, followed by a penalty from Klassokho in the 10th minute. Yuvraj Dhakal and Bharvendra Kunwar added two more goals in the 43rd and 86th minutes, respectively. This marks the second win for Jawalakhel, bringing their total to 6 points after five games. In contrast, Nav Janajagruti has faced five consecutive losses. The league winner is set to receive a prize of Rs 5 million.

Nepal Warns Citizens Over Fake Visa Documents

The Government of Nepal has warned citizens to submit only accurate and official documents when applying for foreign visas, especially for the United States. The caution follows scrutiny of affidavits and police character certificates submitted by Nepali applicants. Authorities said false or misleading documents could lead to visa rejection, travel bans, and legal action under Nepali law. The warning comes amid new U.S. immigration rules effective January 21, which paused immigrant visa processing for Nepal and introduced bonds of up to USD 15,000 for certain B1/B2 applicants. Concerns were also raised by U.S. officials over flaws in Nepal Police character certificates.

US-India Trade Pact Reduces Tariffs to 18 Percent

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a landmark trade agreement on Monday. Under the deal, the USA will reduce reciprocal tariffs on “Made in India” products from 25 percent to 18 percent. In return, India committed to purchasing over USD 500 billion worth of American energy, technology, and agricultural goods while moving toward zero trade barriers. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated the pact would strengthen the ‘Make in India’ campaign, though opposition leaders criticized the move as succumbing to international pressure.

Trump Administration Demands USD 1 Billion from Harvard

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his administration is demanding USD 1 billion in compensation from Harvard University. The administration accused the institution of failing to protect Jewish students during recent protests and promoting specific ideologies. Trump stated on Truth Social that the administration would cease all future collaborations with the university. This follows a previous agreement where Columbia University paid USD 200 million to the government. Harvard’s counter-proposal regarding job training programs was rejected by the administration as ‘insufficient.’ Critics have described these measures as a campaign to pressure liberal academic institutions through financial penalties.

Norway Puts Crown Princess’s Son on Trial in Major Criminal Case

Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has gone on trial in Oslo on 38 charges, including four counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to the rape charges but admitted to some lesser offenses. The seven-week trial began with Høiby in custody after a recent arrest linked to assault allegations. The case has intensified scrutiny of the royal family, particularly after revelations of the crown princess’s past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein. If convicted, Høiby could face at least 10 years in prison. The royal family will not attend the trial.

China Bans Hidden Door Handles on Electric Vehicles Over Safety Risks

China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles, becoming the first country to prohibit the design amid growing safety concerns. The new rules, effective January 1, 2027, require mechanical door releases inside and outside vehicles. The move follows fatal crashes in China where power failures reportedly prevented doors from opening. Hidden handles are used in about 60 percent of China’s top-selling new energy vehicles, including models inspired by Tesla. Vehicles already approved for sale will be given two years to comply. The decision is expected to influence global auto safety standards due to China’s market size.

India Supreme Court Warns WhatsApp Over Data Sharing With Meta

India’s Supreme Court has warned it may reimpose restrictions on WhatsApp’s data sharing with Meta entities, criticizing the app’s privacy policy as misleading. The case stems from a 2024 ruling by India’s antitrust authority that fined WhatsApp USD 25.4 million and barred data sharing for advertising. An appeals court later lifted the ban, prompting the dispute to reach the top court. Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned whether ordinary users could understand WhatsApp’s policy. The court has not issued a final ruling and will continue hearings next week. India is WhatsApp’s largest market by users.

France Raids Elon Musk’s X Offices

French cybercrime police, assisted by Europol, have raided offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform X (Twitter) as part of an investigation into its recommendation algorithm and AI chatbot Grok. Prosecutors said the probe covers alleged circulation of sexually explicit deepfakes, Holocaust denial content, and potential child abuse material. Musk and former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for hearings in April. The investigation began in January 2025 and was expanded in July. X has denied wrongdoing, calling the probe politically motivated. European and UK regulators are also examining AI-generated content on the platform.