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.

VP Yadav Discusses 70-Year Ties with Japanese Envoy

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav met with Japanese Ambassador MAEDA Toru to discuss bilateral relations and the upcoming 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Yadav praised Japan as a trusted development partner that has provided grants and technical aid since 1954. He sought further Japanese investment in hydropower, infrastructure, and technology as Nepal prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2026. Ambassador Toru acknowledged the contribution of 300,000 Nepalis living in Japan to the local economy. Both officials emphasized the socio-cultural bridge formed by Lumbini, which continues to attract thousands of Japanese tourists to Nepal annually.

Sleeping Nepali Mother Killed in Car Crash in Australia

A 53-year-old Nepali woman, Bishnu Kumari Gurung, was killed while sleeping after a car crashed into her bedroom in Perth, Australia, on Friday night. The incident occurred at 11:40 PM when a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Rhys Hawkins veered off the road and entered the house. Gurung had recently traveled to Australia to support her daughter, Nisha Gurung, following the birth of a grandchild. Witnesses described the impact as sounding like a plane crash. Hawkins was arrested on Saturday and denied bail on Sunday. The next hearing is scheduled for February 18 as the Nepali community mourns the loss.

Candidates in Dhankuta Ignore Mandatory Election Bank Accounts

Despite Election Commission rules requiring separate bank accounts for campaign finances, seven out of 17 candidates in Dhankuta have failed to open one. These include representatives from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Janata Samajbadi Party, and Mongol National Organization, along with independent candidates. Information Officer Suraj Shrestha noted that only 10 candidates, including those from the Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), and CPN (Maoist Centre), have sought the necessary recommendation. Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka directed all candidates to conduct transactions solely through designated accounts to ensure transparency. The commission allows spending between Rs 2.5 million and Rs 3.3 million per candidate, and accounts must be closed 35 days after the March 5 election.

National Assembly Withdraws Social Media Bill 2024

The National Assembly unanimously approved the government’s request to withdraw the Social Media Bill 2024. Chairperson Narayan Dahal announced the withdrawal on Monday after the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology decided to recall the piece of legislation on February 3. The bill, originally introduced for discussion also in 2025, had faced 155 amendment proposals from 35 lawmakers. Legislation Committee Chairperson Tulasha Kumari Dahal reported that multiple informal discussions were held with stakeholders before the recall. The government intends to revise the framework before potentially reintroducing a more refined version of the social media regulation law.

Law Minister Reports 1,130 Federal Laws in Effect

Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha informed the National Assembly that 1,130 federal-level legal instruments have been enacted to date. This includes 355 Acts, 325 Regulations, 66 Formation Orders, 134 Directives, and 250 Procedures. Sinha emphasized the effective implementation of the Legislation Act 2024, which mandates that all delegated legislation from ministries be registered with the Law Ministry. So far, eight regulations and 45 procedures have been formally registered under this system. The minister assured that the government remains committed to amending existing laws to rectify errors and improve the overall efficiency of the country’s legal and administrative framework.

Rescued Himalayan Black Bear Cub Released in Mustang

The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) team in Jomsom rescued and released an 8-month-old female Himalayan Black Bear cub in Chimang, Mustang. The cub was found eating apples at a local store after wandering into the settlement in search of food. ACAP Chief Rajesh Gupta stated the cub was healthy and capable of surviving independently in its natural habitat. To mitigate human-wildlife conflict, local authorities have installed three km of electric fencing covering 254366.41 square meters of farmland. ACAP continues to provide relief to farmers affected by bear activity in the Gharapjhong and Thasang rural municipalities to encourage conservation.

Survey Finds 13.2% of Teens Out of School

Despite progress in primary education, the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) 2024/25 reveal that 13.2% of children aged 14 to 18 (grades nine to 12) remain out of school. In contrast, the out-of-school rate is lower for grades 1 to 5 at 4.5% and grades 6 to 8 at 3.6%. The study also highlighted the social impact of migration, finding that 33.2% of children under 17 have at least one parent living abroad. This trend is highest in Gandaki at 40.8%. On child rights, Karnali Province leads the nation with a 95.8% birth registration rate, while the national average stands at 85.4%. Health insurance coverage remains low at under 20%.

Survey Highlights High Infant Mortality in Sudurpashchim

The National Statistics Office’s 2024/25 survey revealed that 27 out of every 1,000 infants in Nepal die before their first birthday. The under-five mortality rate stands at 31 per 1,000 live births. Sudurpashchim Province recorded the highest neonatal mortality at 26 and under-five mortality at 48, while Bagmati and Gandaki reported the lowest rates. The study also found that 31.5% of children suffer from stunting, with Madhesh Province having the highest rate of underweight children at 33.2%. On a positive note, 90.5% of births now occur in health facilities, and 80.7% of children receive all basic vaccinations within their first year.

82% of Nepali Households Now Use Internet Devices

The National Statistics Office’s latest survey reveals that 82% of Nepali households now own internet-capable devices. While 96.7% of homes have electricity, digital access shows a slight urban-rural divide, with 86.5% in cities and 73% in rural areas. Gender disparity in mobile ownership persists; 81.6% of women aged 15 to 49 own a phone compared to 90.4% of men. Interestingly, 82.1% of adult men use smartphones, while 72.8% of women do. Karnali Province has the lowest digital penetration, with only 59.1% of rural homes using such devices. The survey, supported by UNICEF, serves as a critical baseline for monitoring Sustainable Development Goals and measuring multi-dimensional poverty.

Fertility Rate Drops Below Replacement Level

The country’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.9 children per woman, according to the National Statistics Office. Despite this decline, teenage pregnancy remains a significant concern, with 48 live births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19. Furthermore, 1 in 10 women aged 20 to 24 gave birth before turning 18, indicating persistent issues with early marriage. While only 35% of married women use family planning methods, maternal health services have improved significantly. The survey shows that 90.5% of births now occur in health facilities, and 91.4% are attended by skilled professionals. However, the rise in C-section deliveries to 25.3% suggests a growing reliance on surgical interventions.

High Tobacco Use Among Nepali Men Revealed

The Fourth Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) highlights a stark gender gap in tobacco consumption, with 41.8% of men aged 15 to 49 using tobacco products. In comparison, only 5.1% of women in the same age group use tobacco. The data suggests that men are significantly more prone to tobacco addiction in Nepali society. Alarmingly, the habit often begins in childhood, with 7.6% of men and 2.1% of women admitting to smoking their first full cigarette or bidi before the age of 15. Public health experts expressed concern over these figures, as early initiation increases the long-term risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among the adult population.

First Pangolin Conference Begins in Chitwan

The first-ever national conference dedicated to pangolins commenced in Madi, Chitwan, on Monday. Organized by the Bagmati Province Ministry of Forest and Environment, the event brought together over 200 experts, forest officials, and community representatives. Division Forest Officer Bishnu Prasad Acharya highlighted that the conference aims to develop a strategy for the endangered mammal, which is listed as a protected species under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1972. Nepal is home to two of the world’s eight species: the Chinese and Indian pangolins. Illegal trade of this “farmer’s friend” carries a fine of up to Rs 1 million and 15 years imprisonment.

Tikapur Literature Festival to Focus on Tharu Culture

The third edition of the Tikapur Literature Festival is scheduled for March 27 to March 29, 2026. This year’s theme highlights Tharu literature and cultural heritage, featuring 21 discussion sessions over three days. Founder Mahesh Bikram Shah stated that the festival aims to preserve indigenous identity for future generations. Key events include a scholar’s lecture by linguist Madhav Prasad Pokharel and the Sudurpashchim Poetry Festival, offering prizes up to Rs 15,000. Promoted by the Sudurpashchim Provincial Government and Nepal Tourism Board, the event will also feature book exhibitions and boat tours on the Karnali River to promote local tourism and social harmony through literature.

Box Office Performance of Recent Releases

The film Aa Bata Aama has earned Rs 48 million at the box office within nine days of its release. Data from the Film Development Board shows that 176,552 tickets were sold by Saturday. Directed by Chandra Pant, the movie stars Paul Shah and Bipana Thapa and explores the emotional bond between a mother and son. Other recent releases showed slower momentum, with Gobar Ganesh earning Rs 14 million and Jhari Pachhi Ko Indreni reaching Rs 12.9 million. Producers expressed satisfaction with the turnout as the film continues its successful run into the second week.

ANFA Announces Rs 12 Million Women’s Championship

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) will organize the ANFA Women’s Championship knockout tournament in Udaipur from February 13 to February 21. Ten teams, including Tribhuvan Army, Nepal Police, and APF Club, will compete at the Tharuhat Stadium. The winner will receive Rs 750,000, while the runner-up takes home Rs 500,000. Individual excellence awards are set at Rs 50,000 each. ANFA estimated the total tournament cost at Rs 12 million. Preparations are complete for the event, which aims to elevate women’s football through competitive matches among top domestic, departmental, and local clubs.

Adventure Running Federation Honors Top Ultra Runners Today

The Nepal Adventure Running Federation honored several national and international medal-winning athletes during its annual general meeting on Monday. Awardees included Sunmaya Budha, Arjun Kulung Rai, Mira Rai, and Suman Kulung Rai, among others. Olympian Hari Bahadur Rokaya, a Guinness World Record holder, received special recognition for his role in producing talented runners. The federation, led by President Akendra Kunwar, passed a budget of Rs 11 million for the upcoming year to organize domestic races and facilitate international participation. Member Secretary of the National Sports Council, Ram Charitra Mehta, presented the awards, emphasizing the growing global success of Nepali trail runners.

USA: Court Case Tests Social Media Addiction Liability
A California trial began over claims that Instagram and YouTube harmed a woman’s mental health through addictive design. The 20-year-old plaintiff sued Meta and Google, alleging the platforms worsened her depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snap settled earlier. If successful, the case could open the door to similar lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging Big Tech’s legal protections. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg may testify, while companies plan to cite other life factors and their safety measures. The trial is part of a global push addressing children’s mental health risks from social media.

India: Starlink to Bring Satellite Internet to Gujarat
The state of Gujarat signed a letter of intent with Elon Musk’s Starlink to expand high-speed satellite internet access across remote and underserved regions. The agreement aims to bridge connectivity gaps in western India, bringing reliable online services to areas lacking traditional infrastructure. This initiative is expected to support digital growth, education, and economic opportunities in rural communities. Starlink’s satellite network could transform internet accessibility, enhancing communication, e-governance, and online services in the state. The plan reflects India’s broader efforts to strengthen technological infrastructure and bridge digital divides in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai Sentenced to 20 Years Under Security Law
Pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai was jailed for 20 years under Hong Kong’s national security law for colluding with foreign forces. Lai, 78, faces criticism over the harsh sentence, which his family and rights groups say threatens press freedom. Six other Apple Daily executives and activists received six–10-year terms. Lai, a longtime critic of China, denies wrongdoing, stating his contacts with US officials were informational. Authorities defend the verdict as upholding law and order. The case highlights tensions over Hong Kong’s legal system, free speech, and international concerns about media suppression and human rights under Chinese oversight.

South Korea: Official Expelled for Controversial Birthrate Comment
A South Korean official in Jindo County was expelled from the ruling Democratic Party after suggesting the import of young women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to boost the country’s low birthrate. The remark, made during a town hall, triggered public outrage and a diplomatic protest from Vietnam. The province apologized for the insensitive comment, acknowledging harm to women and migrants. South Korea faces one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, prompting discussions on demographic challenges in rural areas. Activists plan protests in response, emphasizing respect for women’s rights and the need for responsible government discourse on population issues.

Japan: Stocks Surge After LDP Lands Historic Election Win
Japanese shares hit a record high after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds lower house majority, winning 316 of 465 seats. The coalition with the Japan Innovation Party brings a combined 352 seats. The victory is seen as a mandate for pro-business policies, fiscal stimulus, tax cuts, and deregulation. Markets responded positively, with the Nikkei 225 climbing 3.9% to a record 56,363.94. Takaichi, Japan’s first female PM, aims to boost economic growth, tackle cost-of-living issues, and support strategic sectors like defense and AI, while balancing public debt concerns amid an aging population.