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.

Kharel Holds Talks with Deuba, Oli, and Dahal as Election Date Takes Center Stage

Government spokesperson and Minister Jagadish Kharel held separate meetings with major political leaders on Friday to ensure consensus for the upcoming polls. During the discussions, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba clarified that parliamentary restoration is not a priority, emphasizing that timely elections remain the party’s main focus. CPN (UML) Chairman KP Sharma Oli expressed concerns regarding security and urged the government to ensure a fearless environment for voters. Meanwhile, Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal reiterated that there is no alternative to the March 5, 2026 date. Minister Kharel noted that the administration is fully committed to delivering a fresh mandate through a transparent electoral process.

Government Shuffles CDOs in 12 Districts and Prison Chief

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced a significant administrative reshuffle on Friday, transferring Chief District Officers (CDO) in 12 districts. According to the official notice, Shashidhar Ghimire has been appointed as the Director General of the Department of Prison Management. New CDO appointments include Rajan Paudel for Bhojpur, Lakshmi Prasad Paudel for Parbat, Rekha Kandel for Khotang, and Shanti Raj Prasai for Pyuthan. These changes are part of the government’s effort to strengthen local administration and security ahead of the scheduled national elections, ensuring that experienced officials are positioned in key sensitive regions across the country.

Former LG Balanand Sharma Sworn in as Foreign Minister

Former Nepal Army Lieutenant General Balanand Sharma officially took the oath of office as the Foreign Minister of Nepal on Friday. The ceremony was conducted by President Ram Chandra Paudel at Shital Niwas, following Sharma’s appointment by Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The event was attended by the vice president, prime minister, chief justice, and various high-ranking officials. Sharma, a seasoned military strategist with extensive experience in international peacekeeping, is expected to lead Nepal’s diplomatic efforts during the sensitive transition period. His appointment fills a critical vacancy in the cabinet as the government prepares for the national elections scheduled for early next year.

CPN Salyan Recommends 5 Candidates for Direct Elections

The Nepali Communist Party (CPN) Salyan district committee has recommended five candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives direct elections. Following meetings on Thursday and Friday, the party proposed Ramesh Malla, Tek Bahadur Basnet, Prakash Jwala, Dhan Bahadur Pariyar, and Sita Bishta Basnet. Among them, Prakash Jwala is a seasoned politician, having won elections in 1999, 2013, 2017, and 2022. Malla, a central member and former personal secretary to Pushpa Kamal Dahal, urged the senior leaders to take an advisory role to allow youth leadership. For proportional representation, the party recommended Umakant Sharma, Pramod Kumar Shrestha, and Prema Adhikari.

NC Special Convention Advocates Submit Memo to Acting President

Supporters of a special general convention within the Nepali Congress (NC) submitted a memorandum to Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka on Friday. Leader Debraj Chalise stated that the group is pushing for a special session as uncertainty grows over the regular general convention schedule. This group had previously submitted signatures from 2,488 representatives on October 15 to demand the special meeting. The memorandum highlights the internal pressure on the party leadership to address organizational delays and maintain democratic processes within the country’s largest democratic party as the national electoral cycle approaches in early 2026.

EC to Enforce Code of Conduct from Mid-January

The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to implement the Election Code of Conduct 2025 starting 45 days before the March 5, 2026, House of Representatives elections. Acting Chief Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari stated that the draft is undergoing final reviews with political parties and the government. Under the rules of the Election Commission Act 2017, the code is expected to take effect in the second-to-last week of January. Once active, the government is prohibited from making new appointments, transfers, or major policy decisions. Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai noted that the code aims to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral environment.

Former Secretary Released on Bail in Land Lease Case

The Kathmandu District Court has ordered the release of former Secretary Arjun Kumar Karki on bail of Rs 600,000. Karki was accused of financial irregularities regarding a Nepal Trust land lease deal. Similarly, former Joint Secretary Lekh Bahadur Karki was released on bail of Rs 1 million. The orders were issued by Judge Ram Chandra Khadka following a case filed by the District Government Attorney’s Office on December 17. The investigation involves three individuals and one company related to a decade-old leasing process. Authorities initiated the legal action after police reports suggested significant embezzlement of state funds during the original agreement.

Supreme Court Dismisses Petition Against Gen Z Inquiry Commission

The Supreme Court of Nepal has dismissed a writ petition challenging the validity of the commission formed to investigate the September 8 and 9 Gen Z protests. A full bench comprising Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma, Nahakul Subedi, and Shreekant Paudel delivered the verdict on Friday. The petition, filed by Advocate Bipin Dhakal, questioned the legality of the probe into government suppression and subsequent arson. While dismissing the plea, the court issued several directive orders concerning the commission’s operations. This ruling effectively settles the legal dispute over the inquiry’s legitimacy, allowing the investigative body to proceed with its assessment of the political unrest.

Kaski Adds 17,842 New Voters Ahead of Upcoming Elections

Kaski district has recorded 17,842 new voters for the upcoming elections, bringing the total number of eligible voters significantly higher than the previous 294,151. Information Officer Rudra Neupane from the Provincial Election Office stated that applications were collected between September 26 and November 21. The office is currently reviewing the applications before publishing the final list. Additionally, the number of polling stations in the district has been increased to 153, up from 150 in the last election. The final determination of polling centers will be completed once the voter list is finalized, ensuring adequate access for all residents during the national voting process.

Bheri Hospital Successfully Performs First Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Medical specialists at Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj successfully performed the facility’s first advanced endoscopic spine surgery using UBE technology. A team led by spine surgeon Dr. Prakash Thapa operated on a 23-year-old male from Jajarkot to treat a disk herniation. The 3-hour procedure was made possible through equipment purchased with Lumbini Province government funds. Medical Superintendent Dr. Nirajan Subedi stated this historic achievement provides a low-risk, safe alternative for patients in western Nepal who previously had to travel to Kathmandu or India. The hospital plans to make this minimally invasive surgery a regular service for regional residents.

Reflective Stickers Placed in Rautahat to Prevent Winter Accidents

To mitigate road accidents during heavy winter fog, Rautahat police have launched a reflective sticker campaign under the “Youth Against Road Accidents, 2025” plan. Led by Inspector Rajendra Thapa Magar, teams placed 350 feet of reflective tape on bridges, culverts, and signboards along the East-West Highway and the Chandranigahpur-Gaur road. The initiative, supported by the Janakpur Provincial Police Office and the Chandranigahpur Road Division, targets low-visibility areas from the Dhansar bridge to the Bagmati bridge. Authorities noted that increasing fog and cold waves in the Madhesh Province have significantly hampered vehicle movement, making high-visibility markers essential for driver safety during night hours.

Ministry Launches New Guideline to Modernize Agriculture Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has introduced the Agriculture Department Program Implementation Guideline 2025 to transition the sector toward a competitive, export-oriented model. Approved by Minister Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar, the plan includes establishing Custom Hiring Centers to provide small farmers with access to machinery through 50 percent subsidies. Additionally, the ministry will offer 85 percent grants for community seed banks and 100 percent funding for technical demonstrations and training. A strategic partnership with the Nepal Army will also be utilized to cultivate barren land and engage retired personnel in commercial farming enterprises.

Actress Karishma Manandhar Warns Legal Action Over Body-Shaming

Actress Karishma Manandhar has expressed outrage over social media comments targeting her daughter, Kabita Manandhar. In a lengthy post, the actress condemned “body-shaming” remarks and warned of legal consequences for those attacking her daughter’s appearance and mental well-being. Manandhar questioned the motives behind comparing her daughter to her and emphasized that the family’s tolerance has reached its limit. She stated that such online harassment causes significant psychological harm and that she is prepared to pursue the legal route to protect her family’s dignity. The incident has sparked a wider discussion on digital etiquette and the impact of celebrity-related trolling in Nepal.

3rd Karnali International Film Festival to Begin in April

The Third Karnali International Film Festival will be organized under the slogan “Visit Karnali, See Karnali” to promote regional stories on global platforms. Festival Director Chakra Bahadur Chand announced that the event will feature four phases, including the main festival in Surkhet on April 17, 2026, and a climate summit in Jumla on June 10, 2026. Forest and Environment Minister Madhav Chaulagain noted that Karnali serves as a vital cultural hotspot for original storytelling. Actor Pradip Khadka emphasized that the region should be viewed with pride as the origin of Nepali language and art, serving as a future hub for the film industry.

Singer Narayan Thapa Performs at Galkhi Agricultural Festival 2025

Singer Narayan Thapa captivated audiences at the Galkhi Agricultural, Cultural, and Trade Festival 2025 with a selection of over half a dozen hit songs. His performance included popular tracks such as Mayale, Khatra Hola Ni, and Barpipal. Thapa, who has been active in the Nepali music industry for over 20 years, is currently busy with various festivals and new recordings. Organizers noted that the music video for his upcoming song Baiguni Manaba is prepared for release. The festival aims to promote local talent and culture while providing entertainment to residents of the Dhading district.

SPG Automobiles Names Rohit Paudel as Brand Ambassador

SPG Automobiles, the official distributor for Omoda and Jaecoo in Nepal, has appointed national cricket captain Rohit Paudel as its new brand ambassador. Following Paudel’s recent success leading Lumbini Lions to the NPL Season-2 title, the company gifted him a J5 EV vehicle. The firm also announced it would cover all applicable vehicle taxes for the captain. During the event, the company honored its outgoing ambassador, Dipendra Singh Airee. This partnership aligns with the brand’s strategy to connect with Nepali youth through sports icons while promoting electric vehicle adoption across the country.

9th National Women’s Volleyball Tournament Starts January 7

The Sher Bahadur Khadka Memorial Trust announced that the 9th National Women’s Volleyball Tournament will take place from January 7 to 10, 2026. Chairman Ranjan Khadka confirmed that 5 teams, including defending champions Nepal Police Club, APF Club, and Everest Volleyball Club, will compete in Kathmandu. The winners will receive Rs 500,000, while runners-up get Rs 250,000. KNP Nepal continues as the title sponsor despite economic challenges. Nepal Volleyball Association President Jitendra Bahadur Chand lauded the trust’s commitment. Additionally, a standout player will receive the Sher Bahadur Khadka Special Award worth Rs 50,000 during the opening ceremony.

Government Launches ‘Help Us to Help You’ for Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Labor has launched the ‘Help Us to Help You’ program across 753 local units to curb fraud in foreign employment. Spokesperson Pitambar Ghimire stated the initiative provides answers to 10 critical questions regarding official fees, safe processes, and employer verification. This system connects local employment centers with the Department of Foreign Employment to prevent misinformation spread through social media. Additionally, the Nepali Embassy in Kuwait facilitated the recovery of KWD 73,748 in compensation for 78 deceased and injured workers. The funds, including KWD 5,547 for Hem Bahadur Sunari, have been sent to Nepal.

Three Foreign Women Detained at Airport for Fake Nepali Passports

Three women, identified as Kalmaya Tamang, Indramaya Limbu, and Sanumaya Tamang, were detained at Tribhuvan International Airport on Tuesday for using fake Nepali passports. Arriving from Saudi Arabia via Qatar Airways on travel documents, the women were unable to speak Nepali or identify their permanent addresses in Dhankuta and Jhapa. Preliminary investigations by Director General Ram Chandra Tiwari revealed they are likely two Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi national who entered Saudi Arabia a decade ago using handwritten Nepali passports with altered photos. The Department of Immigration has handed them over to the police for further investigation into the human trafficking syndicate involved.

Nepal and Saudi Arabia to Sign Historic Labor Agreement in January

Nepal and Saudi Arabia are set to sign their first formal labor agreement during the World Labor Market Conference on January 26-27, 2026. Labor Minister Rajendra Singh Bhandari and Saudi Acting Ambassador Abdulnasser bin Hussain Al-Harthi finalized the date on Wednesday. The agreement aims to secure legal rights, minimum wages, and insurance for approximately 400,000 Nepali workers currently in Saudi Arabia. According to Equidem director Rameshwar Nepal, the pact will prioritize transparency in recruitment and the safety of female workers. Data shows that 152,000 workers departed for the kingdom in the last fiscal year, while 684 deaths were recorded over the past two years.

Russia Accuses US of Piracy Over Venezuela Oil Blockade

The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the United States on Thursday, accusing the Trump administration of reviving “piracy and banditry” in the Caribbean Sea. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the blockade of Venezuelan oil, calling it a display of complete lawlessness and theft of property. Russia urged for a de-escalation of tensions and expressed hope that US pragmatism would prevent a regional disaster. Zakharova reaffirmed Moscow’s support for the government of Nicolas Maduro in protecting national sovereignty. The statement highlights growing international friction as Washington uses military assets to enforce economic sanctions, a move Russia claims violates established international legal norms.

China Sanctions 20 US Firms and 10 Individuals Over Taiwan

China’s foreign ministry announced sanctions on Friday against 10 individuals and 20 US defense firms, including Boeing’s St. Louis branch and Northrop Grumman. The measures freeze all assets held in China and prohibit domestic entities from conducting business with them. This move follows Washington’s recent USD 11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest package ever recorded. A spokesperson stated that Taiwan is a “red line” that cannot be crossed. Individuals banned from entering China include the founder of Anduril Industries. Beijing views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, while the US maintains a legal obligation to provide the island with defensive means.

Najib Razak Found Guilty of Abuse of Power in 1MDB Trial

A Malaysian judge found jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak guilty of abuse of power on Friday in the massive 1MDB scandal. Investigators from Malaysia and the US allege that over USD 4.5 billion was stolen from the state fund, with more than USD 1 billion linked to Najib’s accounts. Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah dismissed Najib’s defense that the funds were Saudi royal donations, calling the narrative “implausible.” Najib faced four counts of corruption and 21 counts of money laundering involving USD 569.45 million. This verdict follows a recent court denial of Najib’s bid for house arrest, heightening political tensions within the current administration.

Tech Giants Sign Multi-Billion Dollar AI and Cloud Deals

Nvidia has agreed to license technology from Groq, marking its largest chip deal to date. This comes amid a surge in multi-billion-dollar AI investments. Amazon is considering a USD 10 billion investment in OpenAI, while Walt Disney is investing USD 1 billion to integrate characters into the Sora video generator. Oracle reportedly signed a USD 300 billion cloud deal with OpenAI for computing power over five years. Additionally, the Stargate data center project, a joint venture involving SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle, was announced by US President Donald Trump with a planned investment of up to USD 500 billion to fund critical AI infrastructure.

South Korea Indicts 10 for Leaking Memory Tech to China

South Korean prosecutors indicted 10 individuals on Tuesday for allegedly leaking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix memory chip technology to Chinese firm ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT). The leak involved 10-nanometer DRAM processes, which Samsung spent KRW 1.6 trillion developing. Prosecutors claim a former Samsung researcher copied hundreds of proprietary steps by hand to help CXMT achieve production in 2023. This technology is a critical component for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) used in AI computing. Potential losses for South Korean firms are estimated in the tens of trillions of won as CXMT prepares for a USD 42 billion listing in Shanghai.

US Conducts Air Strikes Against IS Militants in Nigeria

The United States military launched “powerful and deadly” air strikes on Wednesday against Islamic State (IS) camps in Sokoto, Nigeria, near the Niger border. US President Donald Trump stated the Christmas Day operation targeted “terrorist scum” responsible for killing innocent Christians. However, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar clarified it was a “joint operation” based on long-term planning and shared intelligence, unrelated to any specific religion. While the Trump administration has previously labeled Nigeria a “country of particular concern” regarding religious freedom, the Nigerian government maintains that the strikes are part of a broader, secular fight against complex jihadist networks like Boko Haram.