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.

Election Commission Requests Removal of 98 Misinformation Posts

The Election Commission has requested social media companies to remove 98 posts identified as “misinformation” or “disinformation.” Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai confirmed the action on Friday, stating that these contents violated the election code of conduct. While specific details of the posts were not disclosed, the commission is collaborating with a private firm for fact-checking and has established a dedicated task force to monitor digital platforms. This move is part of a broader effort to prevent the public from receiving false information that could influence the upcoming March 5 parliamentary elections.

One Disqualified, 49 Candidates Withdraw Nominations

Out of those who filed nominations on January 20 for the House of Representatives election, at least 49 candidates nationwide have withdrawn, the Election Commission announced today. Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai confirmed the withdrawals during a press briefing. Additionally, five candidates faced complaints or objections, leading the Commission to cancel one nomination. Resham Lal Chaudhary of the Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal had his candidacy revoked following the review.

Resham Chaudhary Files Supreme Court Writ Over Disqualification

Resham Lal Chaudhary, Chairman of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, has filed a writ at the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s decision to cancel his candidacy. The Kailali-2 Election Officer invalidated his nomination for Kailali-1, citing a permanent criminal record despite a presidential pardon for a life sentence. Chaudhary argues the disqualification is illegal and demands his right to contest the March 5 polls. The Supreme Court has scheduled a preliminary hearing for the coming Sunday. The outcome will determine if pardoned individuals with prior major convictions are eligible for legislative office under current Nepali law.

RSP Leader Balen Shah Uses Rs 40 Million Vehicle for Campaigning

Photos of RSP senior leader Balen Shah, a candidate from Jhapa-5, using a luxury Land Rover Defender worth over Rs 40 million have gone viral. Records from the Transport Management Office reveal the black vehicle belongs to Trimurti Industries in Rupandehi, a company owned by Kamal Malpani. Malpani, who also owns Yasoda Foods and Shreeram Tobacco, confirmed his company provided the vehicle to Shah for election purposes. While the duration of this arrangement remains unspecified, Shah has been seen using the vehicle during recent campaign rallies in Janakpur and Jhapa.

NC Names President Gagan Thapa as Candidate for Prime Minister

Nepali Congress (NC) has officially decided to nominate its newly appointed party President, Gagan Thapa, as its candidate for the prime minister’s post in the upcoming House of Representatives election. The decision was made during a meeting of the party’s Central Work Execution Committee held today. Following the meeting, Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma confirmed that party President Thapa will be officially presented as the party’s candidate for the top executive position.

Independent Candidate Mahabir Pun Assigned ‘Triangle’ Election Symbol

Former Education Minister Mahabir Pun, contesting the March 5 elections as an independent candidate from Myagdi, has been assigned the triangle symbol. Pun announced the symbol on social media, suggesting other independent candidates across Nepal use it as well. He has secured official support from the Ujyaalo Nepal Party, which did not field a candidate in the region. Party General Secretary Dharma Chaudhary urged party supporters and local residents to vote for Pun under the Triangle symbol, citing his commitment to innovation and social service as the primary reasons for the endorsement.

Police Check Criminal Records for 197,727 Election Police Applicants

A total of 197,727 individuals applied for temporary Election Police roles for the March 5 polls. Nepal Police will hire 133,980 personnel with a budget of Rs 7.13 billion, while the Armed Police Force will recruit 15,110 for the first time. According to the police, results will be published on January 26. To ensure security, headquarters is running Criminal Record System (CRS) checks on all applicants to filter out fugitives or those involved in past Gen Z protest violence. Personnel from districts with surplus applicants will be deployed to areas facing manpower shortages.

Karnali Provincial Assembly Winter Session to Begin on February 1

The winter session of the Karnali Provincial Assembly will begin on February 1 at 1:00 PM. The decision was made during a meeting of the Karnali Province Government’s Council of Ministers, which has recommended Province Chief Yagya Raj Joshi to summon the session. Spokesperson and Minister for Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives Binod Kumar Shah of Karnali confirmed the move. The previous, sixth session of the assembly concluded on August 6.

IMF Completes Preliminary Governance and Corruption Scoping Mission

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) technical team, led by Jonathan Pampolina, completed its preliminary “scoping mission” in Kathmandu to evaluate Nepal’s governance and corruption. The IMF headquarters announced on Thursday that the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic (GCD) aims to identify risks affecting Nepal’s economy. The team held discussions with the Ministry of Finance, Nepal Rastra Bank, and CIAA, focusing on public financial management, money laundering, and the rule of law. A detailed “diagnostic report” will follow a main mission in the coming months, providing a framework for future economic reforms and accountability measures.

Social Security Fund Announces 16 Job Openings

The Social Security Fund (SSF) published an advertisement on Friday, inviting applications for 16 positions ranging from the 4th to the 9th level. Vacancies are available in administration, finance, investment, law, and computer engineering. Age limits vary by level: 18–35 years for the 4th level, 21–35 for the 5th, and a maximum of 40 years for the 8th and 9th levels. Eligible Nepalese citizens can apply by February 12 or by February 19 with a double fee. The recruitment aims to strengthen the fund’s internal administrative and technical capacities.

Telecommunication and Power Survey Conducted at Annapurna Base Camp

A technical team led by Annapurna Rural Municipality Chairman Bharat Kumar Pun conducted a survey for expanding Nepal Telecom towers and electricity lines at the Annapurna Base Camp. Located at 4,150 meters, the site currently lacks reliable communication and power, hindering tourist safety and rescue operations. The survey follows a memorandum submitted to the Ministry of Communication and the Ministry of Energy last month. Nepal Telecom Engineer Jibraj Upadhyay stated that a plan will be drafted based on this preliminary data to provide a 4G network and stable electricity to the 22-km stretch beyond Humakhola.

Aquatic Bird Population Increases in Shuklaphanta National Park

The latest aquatic bird census in Shuklaphanta National Park and surrounding wetlands recorded 25,660 birds across 82 species, an increase of 3,500 from last year. Ornithologists reported that Shikari Lake hosted the highest number, with 20,949 birds. Despite the numerical growth, experts warn that habitats are shrinking due to invasive species in Rani Lake and Puraini Lake, as well as human encroachment and climate change. The need for scientific wetland management to link bird conservation with sustainable eco-tourism while mitigating threats like illegal fishing.

HAN and MRCSN Sign Licensing Agreement

The Hotel Association Nepal (HAN) and the Music Royalty Collection Society Nepal (MRCSN) signed a formal agreement for the public use of musical intellectual property. The deal establishes a framework for hotels, ranging from star-rated to local establishments, to pay designated royalties for playing music. HAN General Secretary Sajan Shakya and Society President Suresh Adhikari signed the document, ending years of disputes over collection procedures. Society General Secretary Basanta Sapkota noted that this agreement clarifies the legal obligations for hotel owners, ensuring creators receive fair compensation while providing businesses with a legitimate pathway to use copyrighted music.

Dayahang Rai, Saugat Malla’s ‘Mitjyu,’ Begins Filming in Dang and Rolpa

The shooting of the film Mitjyu started today on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami at Dang’s Ambikeshwari Temple. Directed by popular filmmaker of Gharjwai, Anil Budha Magar, and produced by Janak Ghartimagar, the social drama will be filmed across Dang and Rolpa. The film stars Dayahang Rai, Saugat Malla, and Teriya Phounja Magar, leading an ensemble cast including Pushkar Gurung, Shisheer Bangdel, and Khadga Bahadur Pun Magar. The technical team features cinematographer Shishir Bishankhe, editor Lokesh Bajracharya, and music director Shree Krishna Bam Malla. Distributed by RR Films, Mitjyu is set to release on May 29 in celebration of Republic Day.

First Chess Puzzle Solving Contest on Sunday

The Himalayan Chess Academy, in collaboration with the World Federation for Chess Composition (WFCC), will host Nepal’s first-ever chess puzzle-solving competition on Sunday. Director Yaishas Yasir Khambu noted that puzzle-solving enhances game analysis and overall skill. The event is part of the 22nd International Solving Contest (ISC), which began in 2005. This year, over 900 players across 65 cities in 27 countries, including Kathmandu and 9 cities in India, will compete simultaneously. The contest aims to break previous participation records while fostering analytical growth among local chess enthusiasts.

Sudurpaschim Provincial Selection for PM Cup to Start January 26

The Sudurpaschim Provincial Cricket Association is organizing the provincial selection for the Prime Minister Cup One-Day National Cricket Tournament starting January 26. The matches will be held at the Phapla Cricket Ground with 8 district teams participating. Secretary Laxman Datta Bhatta announced that Group A includes Kailali, Kanchanpur, Doti, and Achham, while Group B comprises Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Darchula, and Bajhang. The opening match features Kailali versus Achham. The top teams from each group will compete in the final on February 7 to determine the provincial squad for the national tournament.

UK Regulator Probes Meta Over WhatsApp Data Disclosure
Britain’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has opened an investigation into Meta Platforms over information it submitted about WhatsApp during a market review. The probe relates to Ofcom’s assessment of the wholesale business bulk SMS market, commonly used for services such as delivery updates and appointment alerts. Ofcom said preliminary evidence indicates that Meta’s responses may not have been complete or accurate. The investigation will examine whether Meta complied with its regulatory obligations when providing information for the review.

Russia, US and Ukraine Set for Security Talks Amid Territorial Standoff
Russia confirmed it will hold security talks with the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on Friday, following late-night discussions between President Vladimir Putin and US envoys. Moscow said the talks were constructive but warned that lasting peace would remain impossible without resolving territorial issues. Russian officials reiterated interest in a diplomatic solution while maintaining military operations. The talks come as Ukraine faces intensified attacks on energy infrastructure and amid continued US-led efforts to push negotiations toward ending the conflict.

TikTok Secures Deal to Continue Operations in the United States
TikTok announced a deal allowing the app to continue operating in the United States after years of regulatory pressure. Under the agreement, TikTok’s US operations will be run by a new joint venture with majority American ownership and governance. The app’s recommendation algorithm has been licensed and will be retrained using only US user data, secured through American-based cloud infrastructure. ByteDance will retain a minority stake. The deal follows repeated delays to a planned ban over national security concerns.

Mass Killing of Stray Dogs in Telangana Triggers Police Investigation
Authorities in India’s Telangana state have launched an investigation after at least 354 stray dogs were killed across multiple villages over the past month. Police have arrested nine people, including local council heads, while forensic tests are underway to determine the methods used. The incidents reportedly followed local election campaign promises to remove stray animals. The killings have sparked public outrage and renewed debate over animal control policies amid wider national discussions on managing stray dog populations humanely.