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 Susila Karki Thanks, India, for Election Logistics Support

Prime Minister Susila Karki expressed gratitude to India for its support regarding the upcoming March 5 general elections. During a meeting with Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava at Singha Durbar on Tuesday, the prime minister thanked the neighboring nation for providing vehicles and other physical materials essential for the democratic process. Ambassador Srivastava reaffirmed India’s commitment to Nepal’s democratic and constitutional stability, stating that assisting an “excellent neighbor” during elections is a priority. The two leaders also discussed bilateral interests and mutual cooperation. The support arrives as the Election Commission ramps up logistics for voting across all seven provinces.

9 Identified Following Fatal Bus Accident in Ramechhap

Authorities have identified nine out of the 12 victims who died when a passenger bus plunged into the Tamakoshi River on Tuesday morning. The bus (Bagmati Province 01-005 Kha 9975) was traveling from Shirise Dhande, Ramechhap, toward Okhaldhunga when it crashed at Machanetar. The deceased include seven men and five women. Additionally, eight people were injured and are receiving treatment. All bodies have been transported to Manthali Hospital. Armed Police Force divers are continuing search operations in the river to ensure no other passengers are missing. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by the local district police.

3 Nepalis Killed in India’s Coal Mine Explosion Cremated

Three Nepali migrant workers from Khotang, killed in an illegal coal mine explosion in Meghalaya, India, were cremated in Shillong on February 9. The victims named Purna Bahadur Khapangi (27), his brother Surendra Khapangi (24), and Nar Bahadur Khapangi (35) died on February 5 and February 6 following a dynamite blast in East Jaintia Hills. Families chose to cremate them in India due to the high cost of transporting the bodies to Nepal. Another victim, Ratna Rai (50), has also been identified. Three other Nepalis remain critically injured. The families expressed grief over the lack of support from the Nepal government in repatriating the deceased.

Election Commission Announces TikTok Video Competition

The Election Commission of Nepal has launched a TikTok video competition to promote voter education and awareness for the upcoming election on March 5. Participants are invited to create one-minute videos focusing on election campaigning, the code of conduct, and voter education. The commission will award Rs 50,000 for first place, Rs 30,000 for second, and Rs 20,000 for third, based primarily on view counts. Contestants must upload their videos to TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook and submit the links via email to [email protected] between February 15 and March 1.

Nepal Scores 34 in 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index

Nepal maintained a score of 34 out of 100 in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 released by Transparency International Nepal. Ranking among the weaker nations for transparency, Nepal’s score suggests no significant improvement in corruption control. In South Asia, Bhutan leads with 71 points, while India and the Maldives both scored 39. The report attributes Nepal’s stagnation to political instability, weak governance, and impunity. Madan Krishna Sharma, president of Transparency International Nepal, noted that despite Gen Z and youth protests against corruption, solid policy reforms are still lacking in public service delivery, procurement, and the judicial process.

DAO Warns RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane

The District Administration Office in Bardaghat Susta Paschim issued a warning to Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane on Monday regarding his scheduled visit. The administration cautioned Lamichhane against activities that violate the Election Code of Conduct 2026, which came into effect on January 28 for the upcoming March 5 election. Lamichhane was scheduled for public relations and “Bell Greeting” programs in two constituencies on Tuesday. Authorities emphasized the need for a free, fair, and fear-free environment. RSP maintains the visit was strictly for internal meetings with candidates and party workers.

3 Arrested for Murder of Police Constable in Darchula

Police in Darchula have arrested three individuals, including 20-year-old Deepika Pal, for the murder of Police Constable Yogendra Gharti in Mahakali-4. Four others, including bar owner Ashik Pal, remain at large. According to SSP Padam Bahadur Bista of the Sudurpashchim Province Police Office, the constable was attacked with a sharp weapon at Asmita Beer Bar after a dispute. Preliminary investigations suggest the bar owner and his brother attacked Gharti after he allegedly teased Deepika Pal. The deceased suffered a fatal head wound. Police are actively searching for the remaining suspects who assisted in the crime and the disposal of the body.

4 Arrested for Attacking Armed Police in Birgunj Warehouse Raid

Police in Parsa have arrested four individuals for attacking Armed Police Force (APF) personnel during a warehouse raid in Adarshnagar, Birgunj. The incident occurred on Monday when a joint team from the Customs Office and APF attempted to seize smuggled cloth worth Rs 1.2 million from the residence of Madan Prasad Gupta. DSP Hari Bahadur Basnet stated that three officers were injured and two vehicles damaged after a group of local traders launched an assault. Authorities identified the suspects through CCTV footage. Investigations continue to identify more participants in the clash, while the seized goods have been sent to customs for processing.

Over 13 Million Ballot Papers Printed for March 5 Elections

The Election Commission has printed 13,791,000 ballot papers for the House of Representatives election across 110 constituencies in 47 districts. Ballot papers have been printed for Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum Paschim, Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorkha, Myagdi, Parbat, Bardaghat Susta Paschim, Morang, Udayapur, Mustang, Lamjung, Tanahun, Syangja, Bardia, Rukum Purba, Dang, and Banke. Currently, 1,500,000 ballot papers are being printed daily. Meanwhile, 20,830,000 ballot papers have already been printed for the proportional representation election system. Under the First-Past-The-Post system, a total of 20,323,000 ballot papers are scheduled for printing.

Sumana Shrestha Criticizes Delay in Gen Z Commission Report

Former Minister Sumana Shrestha expressed strong dissatisfaction Tuesday after the government extended the deadline for the commission investigating the Gen Z rebellion. Shrestha questioned why the Gauri Bahadur Commission report, which has been delayed three times, will not be released before the March 5 election. She raised concerns that the delay fosters impunity and prevents accountability for the families of the martyrs and the injured. Shrestha urged citizens to demand commitment from political leaders during the election campaign, warning that the report might be used for political bargaining or shelved permanently, repeating the history of previous commissions like Mallik and Rayamajhi.

Supreme Court Bans English Language on Embossed Number Plates

The Supreme Court issued an interim order on Tuesday banning the use of the English language on embossed vehicle number plates. A joint bench of Justices Mahesh Sharma Paudel and Kumar Regmi ruled against the government’s decision to use English instead of Devanagari. The order follows a petition filed on March 6, 2018, against the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and the Department of Transport Management. The court emphasized that the Vehicle and Transport Management Act 1992 was previously amended to allow the Nepali language, and the current enforcement of the English script violates linguistic standards.

Bagmati Province Assembly Passes 90 Bills in 8 Years

The Bagmati Province Assembly has passed 90 bills since its formation eight years ago. According to Purna Bahadur Darji, Secretary of the Bagmati Province Assembly Secretariat, 89 of these bills have been authenticated by the Province Head and are currently in implementation. One bill concerning the management and control of provincial lotteries was returned by the Province Head and remains under review by a thematic committee. To date, 93 bills have been registered, including 50 original acts and 21 amendments. Additionally, all 14 ordinances registered were approved, while seven were replaced and five became inactive.

Corruption Case Filed Against Godawari Municipality Engineer

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed a corruption case at the Special Court on Tuesday against Subas Bista, an engineer at Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur. Spokesperson Suresh Neupane stated the commission is seeking to recover Rs 19.7 million in fines. Investigations revealed that Bista acquired illegal assets exceeding Rs 10 million beyond his legal income by abusing his position. The CIAA has requested the seizure of assets held in the names of the engineer and his family members, alongside legal punishment as per the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Illegal Herb Processing Factory Sealed in Okhaldhunga

The Division Forest Office in Okhaldhunga has sealed Chinese Huocheng Biotechnology Private Limited, an illegal herb processing plant in Harkapur, Manebhanjyang-7. Office Chief Manaraj Rai stated the company failed to provide environmental impact assessments and necessary permits despite repeated warnings. Investigations revealed the factory intended to process herbs legally restricted in Nepal. The facility had been operating for several months without meeting legal standards or environmental criteria. Authorities confirmed the industry will remain closed until all legal documentation is submitted and verified. The office emphasized that processing prohibited forest products carries severe legal penalties under provincial and national forestry laws.

US Court Clears Way for Deportation of Nepali TPS Holders

A United States appeals court has cleared the way for the potential deportation of immigrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua by lifting a previous stay on the termination of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the government can proceed with ending the legal protection while appeals continue. Approximately 7,000 Nepalis received TPS following the 2015 earthquake. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that TPS was never designed as a permanent program. While US presidents historically renewed these protections, the current administration maintains that conditions in the home countries have improved sufficiently for safe return.

Over 1,300 Nepali Caregivers Enter Israel

As security concerns in Israel ease, 1,300 Nepali youth out of a roster of 2,112 selected caregivers have entered the country as of January 29. The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) reported that an additional 750 individuals are currently in the process of signing labor contracts. Among them, 84 are scheduled to fly shortly. These workers are being deployed to various long-term care centers and hospitals (Beit Avot). Israel remains an attractive destination due to high wages, and the government has signaled plans to increase the annual quota for Nepali workers and potentially open recruitment for the agricultural sector in the near future.

Film Development Board Launches Horse Riding Training for Actors

The Film Development Board (FDB) has initiated a one-week horse riding training program for actors as part of the “Filmmaker Skill Enhancement Year 2026. “Held at White House Agro Villa in Bhaktapur, the training aims to prepare actors for historical, action, and adventure films. Participants include prominent actors Bijay Baral, Najir Husen, Kabita Nepali, and Nisha Adhikari. Instructor Suresh Thakuri is leading the sessions focusing on safety, horse coordination, and practical maneuvers. The FDB believes this skill will improve film quality and stunt safety. Additionally, the board plans to launch swimming lessons for actors next week to further enhance professional versatility.

Madan Krishna Shrestha Urges Cooperation After Gen Z Protest

Veteran artist Madan Krishna Shrestha, speaking as a guest on the dance reality show Nations Got Talent Season 2, noted that the Gen Z protest has brought a “new turning point” to Nepal. He urged incoming election winners to combine youthful “zeal” with the “wisdom” of experienced leaders. Shrestha, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, also expressed regret over never learning to dance, stating that the physical flexibility might have prevented his condition. During the show, which airs on Space 4K Television every Sunday at 6:00 PM, he performed snippets of his famous songs. The competition, judged by Mithila Sharma and Neeta Dhungana, has now reached the final five stage.

Film ‘Laalimaa’ Set for Nationwide Release on March 13

The release date for the film Laalimaa has been fixed for March 13. According to the poster released on Tuesday, actress Roshni Karki plays the lead role in a story based on the life experiences of 3,000 sex workers. Directed by Roshan Miraj, the film features Usha Rajak, Shishir Wangdel, and Jiban Bhattarai. The plot follows Lalima’s struggle to free her mute mother from prison, a journey that pushes her into the city’s dark underbelly. Produced by Reena Lama in collaboration with Faith Astha and Amplify Change, the movie depicts human courage against systemic injustice and exploitation.

Pakistan Reverses Decision to Boycott World Cup Match Against India

Pakistan has reversed its earlier decision to boycott the group stage match against India in the ICC T20 World Cup. Following a tripartite meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan Cricket Board, and Bangladesh Cricket Board, Pakistan agreed to play the match on February 15, 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Previously, the Pakistan government had threatened a boycott after the ICC expelled Bangladesh for refusing to play in India due to security concerns. Scotland has replaced Bangladesh in the tournament based on rankings. Both India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia.

Bangladesh: China Poised to Deepen Influence After Election Amid Strained India Ties

China is expected to expand its political and economic influence in Bangladesh following the February 12 election, after the fall of a long-standing India-aligned government in 2024. The two leading parties contesting the vote historically maintained cooler relations with New Delhi, while China has intensified engagement through investments, diplomacy, and a defense agreement to build a drone facility near the Indian border. Relations between Dhaka and Delhi have deteriorated, marked by visa curbs, limited official contact, and disputes linked to cricket diplomacy. Despite tensions, analysts say India’s geographic and economic importance prevents a full rupture, as bilateral trade remains stable and cooperation continues in energy, transit, and border security.

Australia: Calls for Calm After Violent Clashes During Protests in Sydney

Australian leaders have urged restraint after violent clashes erupted between police and protesters opposing the visit of Israel’s president in central Sydney. Police arrested 27 people after attempting to disperse thousands of demonstrators near city hall, using pepper spray, tear gas, and mounted officers. Authorities said officers acted under emergency crowd-control powers approved by a court earlier that day. Protest groups and opposition figures alleged excessive force and said some demonstrators were prevented from leaving the area. No serious injuries were reported. The unrest followed heightened security concerns after a deadly attack at a Jewish religious event in December, with officials stressing the need for peaceful protest.

Somalia: Mogadishu Expands Gulf Defense Ties Amid Somaliland Tensions

Somalia has signed a military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, weeks after concluding a similar defense pact with Qatar, as it seeks regional backing amid rising tensions linked to Somaliland. The agreement aims to strengthen defense coordination, training, and security cooperation, though specific details were not disclosed. The diplomatic push follows Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which Mogadishu views as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability. Somalia has warned against any foreign military presence in the breakaway region. Separately, the government cancelled security and port agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing actions undermining national unity, amid broader geopolitical rivalries in the Horn of Africa.

United States: Landmark Trial Tests Big Tech Liability Over Youth Mental Health

A major trial has begun in California examining whether leading social media platforms can be held responsible for mental health harm suffered by minors. The case centers on claims that platform designs encouraged addictive behavior among young users without adequate warnings. Defense arguments counter that underlying family and personal issues, not platform features, were the primary causes of harm. The six-week trial is expected to feature testimony from technology executives, former employees, and expert witnesses. Its outcome could shape thousands of similar lawsuits nationwide. Separately, multiple state governments are seeking court orders requiring major platform changes, including limits on youth access and removal of addictive features.

Somalia: Mogadishu Expands Gulf Defense Ties Amid Somaliland Tensions

Somalia has signed a military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia, weeks after concluding a similar defense pact with Qatar, as it seeks regional backing amid rising tensions linked to Somaliland. The agreement aims to strengthen defense coordination, training, and security cooperation, though specific details were not disclosed. The diplomatic push follows Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which Mogadishu views as a threat to its sovereignty and regional stability. Somalia has warned against any foreign military presence in the breakaway region. Separately, the government cancelled security and port agreements with the United Arab Emirates, citing actions undermining national unity, amid broader geopolitical rivalries in the Horn of Africa.

Philippines: Supreme Court Recognizes Property Co-Ownership for Same-Sex Couples

The Philippine Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples may be recognized as co-owners of property if both parties contributed financially, marking a landmark legal development in the conservative Catholic nation. Applying a Family Code provision for partners who cannot legally marry, the court overturned lower rulings in a dispute between two former partners over jointly acquired property. The decision clarifies that property rights are not restricted by gender and apply to all forms of cohabitation. While same-sex marriage remains illegal and divorce is banned, the ruling offers limited legal protection for LGBT couples. The court also urged lawmakers to address broader rights gaps.