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.

EC Asks Candidates to Appear With Required Documents for Filing Nomination on January 20

The Election Commission (EC) has asked the candidates to appear in the Office of the Returning Officer in the concerned election constituencies with certain documents to file the nomination of the candidates for the first past the post electoral system. As per the election calendar, the candidates of the first past the post electoral system will file nomination on January 20 for the House of Representatives (HoR) election to be held on March 5. The candidates should bring photocopies of their citizenship certificate and voter’s identity card. The EC stated that the candidates should submit the documents as per the Voter’s Namelist Act 2073, HoR Member Election Act 2074, HoR Election Regulations 2074, Directives Related to HoR Election 2082 and Election Code of Conduct 2082. Likewise, the candidates should have the evidence of their names in the voter’s namelist from any of the local levels. Furthermore, the candidates should also submit the evidence of resignation tendered from the post in the state-owned organization or agency, if the candidate had taken any position by taking wages and remuneration from such agencies. Similarly, the candidate should have a proposer and a seconder along with the nomination form.

EC Makes Public 3,213 Proportional Candidates in Closed List

The Election Commission has made public the closed list of 3,213 candidates, which the political parties submitted for the proportional category of the House of Representatives (HoR) election. The closed list was made public on Sunday. Spokesperson at EC, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, informed that the closed list of proportional candidates was made public as per Section 25 of HoR Proportional Election Directive, 2082. The list has names (3,213) of the candidates submitted by 63 political parties with 57 election symbols. Anyone objecting to the qualification of any candidate in the proportional list can lodge the complaint from January 19 to 24. The objection can be filed in the format determined as per the Directive, Spokesperson Bhattarai added.

KMC Mayor Balen Shah Resigns from His Post

Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra (Balen) Shah has resigned from his post. Balen, who entered politics through the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has resigned from the position of metropolitan mayor in order to contest the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. Balen is preparing to contest the election from Jhapa–5 as a prime ministerial candidate from the RSP. He submitted his resignation on Sunday, addressing Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol. “In reference to the present matter, in accordance with the Constitution of Nepal 2015, the Local Government Operation Act 2017, and the prevailing legal provisions of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, I hereby voluntarily submit my resignation from the post of Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, effective from the date 18/01/2026,” he stated in his resignation letter.

Sunita Dangol Assumes Acting Mayor Role after Balen Shah’s Resignation

Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol has taken on the responsibilities of the acting mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Following Mayor Balen Shah’s resignation, Sunita automatically assumed the role of acting mayor in accordance with the Local Government Operation Act, 2074. Balen, who began his political career with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), resigned from the position of metropolitan mayor in order to contest the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5. He submitted his resignation to Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol on Sunday.

Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang Resigns

Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang, resigned from his post on Sunday evening. He is the central chairperson of the Labor Culture Party, which has recently been strengthening its presence in Koshi Province. Sampang, who won the 2079 (2022) local election as mayor carrying a symbolic walking stick, has resigned to contest the House of Representatives election from Sunsari Constituency No. 1. He submitted his resignation letter to Dharan’s Deputy Mayor Aindra Bikram Begah, who was elected from the CPN (Maoist Centre). Earlier, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah had also resigned from his post to contest the parliamentary election.

Election Code of Conduct Effective from Coming Midnight

The Election code of conduct -2082 for the upcoming March 5 election to the House of Representatives is getting in force from coming midnight.NKul Bahadur GC, Assistant Spokesperson of the Commission, told Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) that a meeting of the Election Commission convened on Sunday took the decision to this effect. The Commission, constitutional body responsible to conduct and monitor election, formulated and implemented the code of conduct by exercising the authority granted by the Section 22 of the Election Commission Act-2073 to enable a free, fair, impartial, transparent and fear-free environment as well as to ensure frugality during the election. The Commission is going to apprise the members of Council of Ministers and high-ranking government officers about the enforcement of election code of today itself, said Assistant Spokesperson GC.

Cabinet Decisions: Grants to be Accepted for Management of Human-Tiger Interface

The government has decided to accept the grant equivalent to 3.6 million US dollars to be received for a project on management of human-tiger interface. Minister for Communications and Information Technology and spokesperson of government, Jagadish Kharel, shared it while making public the government decisions made on January 16. The grants would be provided by the Global Environment Facility via World Wildlife Fund (WWF). A dialogue team led by joint-secretary at Finance Ministry will be formed for holding talks to receive the concessional loans and grants from the World Bank for the project relating to clean air and prosperity. The government also took a decision to endorse the financial modality of the reservoir-based Budhigandaki hydropower project. As per government decision, a commission has been formed under the coordination of former judge at High Court, Binod Prasad Sharma, to investigate the problems facing cooperatives. Mohammad Shafillah has been nominated as the Vice Chairman of the Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training Centre (CTEVT).

PM Karki, EC Officials Discuss Election Issues

As the deadline for nomination of candidates contesting March 5’s election under first-past-the-post system draws closer, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and officials of the Election Commission (EC) held a discussion on the relevant matters today. The discussion was held at the official residence of Prime Minister at Baluwatar, Kathmandu. Minister for Finance Rameshwor Khanal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentarian Affairs Anil Kumar Sinha, Minister for Foreign Affairs Balananda Sharma and Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari among others dwelt on the election-related matters. The interim government led by PM Karki is conducting election to House of Representatives coming March 5. EC, a constitutional body, is responsible for conducting and monitoring election. The deadline for nomination of candidates contesting the election under the first-past-the-post system is January 20. The political parties are making last-ditch efforts to finalize the FPTP candidates from 165 constituencies from across the country. Similarly, the election code of conduct is getting in force from coming mid-night.

Health Insurance Board Executive Director Dr. Raghuraj Kafle Resigns

Health Insurance Board Executive Director Dr. Raghuraj Kafle has resigned from his post. He submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Health and Population. Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki confirmed that Dr. Kafle has tendered his resignation and said discussions are currently underway regarding the matter. “We will present the details of the resignation to the Cabinet for a necessary decision,” spokesperson Budhathoki said. Dr. Kafle was appointed Executive Director of the Board in Falgun (February–March). A resident of Tanahun, he was appointed during the tenure of then Health Minister Pradeep Paudel. His resignation comes at a time when the Health Insurance Board is under severe pressure due to a growing burden of insurance payments. Major government hospitals have already issued notices announcing the suspension of services under the health insurance program, while others are preparing to do the same.

Middle Way Imperative to Resolve Intra-Party Dispute: Leader Koirala

Nepali Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala has said he faced utmost pressure while mediating to avert crisis in party. The middle way and the journey to truth are always difficult, he said before the leaders and cadres close to him in the party. “Although I tread a path to truth, facing difficulty, I’m not unfazed,” he said, arguing that only middle path can patch up differences and resolve crisis in the party. In his view, it is still not sure the election is held on the slated date. However, there is no choice before us but to hold the election to save country and democracy, leader Koirala reminded. The leader urged the party leaders and cadres to involve in the election. As the dispute in the party has entered court, he would accept whatever the court delivers.

Bus Crash in Eastern Nepal Kills Five, Injures 12

At least five people were killed and 12 others injured Sunday afternoon when a passenger bus crashed at Zero Point in Dharan, police said. The accident occurred around 4:15 p.m. on the Koshi Highway in Dharan Metropolitan City–13, as the bus was traveling from Bhedetar toward Dharan. The vehicle, bearing the registration number Ko 1 Kha 7119 and marked “International Thames Academy,” lost control and veered off the road, according to police. The bus slammed into a medical shop located in the shuttered section of the New Sabha building near the Shri Krishna Pranami Temple, said Sunsari District Police Chief Keshav Thebe. Five passengers died at the scene. Their identities had not been confirmed as of Sunday evening. The injured were rushed to the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, where they are undergoing treatment, police said.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier: Nepal Defeated by Thailand

Nepal was defeated by Thailand by eight wickets in the opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. In the match held today at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Thailand chased the target of 123 runs set by Nepal and won the match losing two wickets in 16.5 overs. For Thailand, Nathakan Chantham contributed an unbeaten 57 runs. She scored 57 runs off 29 balls, hitting nine fours and one six. Nanpat Koncharonkai scored 32 and Afisra Suwanchonrathi scored 28 runs. Sita Ranamagar from Nepal took two wickets. Before that, having lost the toss and invited to bat first, Nepal lost all wickets in the allotted 20 overs and made a total of 122 runs. Bindu Rawal scored the highest 44 runs for Nepal. She made 44 runs off 56 balls, hitting four fours. Similarly, Samjhana Khadka scored 26 runs in 11 balls. Rubina Khatri scored 17 runs off 10 balls, including two sixes and one four, while Pooja Mahato made 12 runs.

Melamchi Wins First Saroj Smriti Cup Men’s Volleyball Championship

Melamchi Municipality has claimed the title in the first Saroj Smriti Cup Men’s Volleyball Competition. In today’s final match, Melamchi defeated Jugl Rural Municipality in straight sets 26–24, 25–12, and 25–23, securing the championship. Along with the title, Melamchi received a cash prize of Rs. 100,000, a trophy, and a certificate. Runner-up Jugl Rural Municipality was awarded Rs. 75,000. Balephi Rural Municipality secured third place by defeating Helambu Rural Municipality. Balephi received Rs. 50,000, a trophy, and a certificate. Helambu, finishing fourth, received a cash prize of Rs. 25,000. A total of 11 teams participated in the tournament.

“Phone Nagar” Rap Song Released for Ana Sharma’s Film “Ramitako Priti”

The title rap song of the film Ramitako Priti, starring actress Ana Sharma, has been sung by YouTuber and rapper Kushaal Pokharel. The production team released the song “Phone Nagar” on Saturday, featuring Kushaal’s vocals and lyrics. The film, set to release on 7 Feb, was promoted through a concert held in Butwal on 16 Jan, where Kushal performed the song publicly for the first time. The song’s music video, now available on YouTube, also features Kushaal. Actress Ana Sharma appears in the video. The song is based on events that unfold after a breakup, and the video was directed by Jholeism. The cast of Ramitako Priti includes Ana Sharma along with Dhiraj Magar, Sameer Shrestha, Vinay Shrestha, Gaumaya Gurung, and Pashupati Rai, among others. The film is written and directed by Sudipta, and it is her debut film.

Film Journalist Raghunath Sapkota Announces Two New Films Under “Raghuji Films”

Film journalist Raghunath Sapkota has announced the production of two films. Sapkota revealed that his banner, “Raghuji Films,” will produce “Kalkatti” and “Kaka Ko Bihe.” He aims to release both films in 2083 BS. According to him, “Kalkatti” will begin filming first. He said, “The shooting will start towards the end of the month of Magh.” Sapkota himself will produce the film, while Amardeep Sapkota will be responsible for the story, screenplay, and direction. For “Kaka Ko Bihe,” the same team will handle the same responsibilities, but Sapkota said that its filming will begin later.

India’s Largest Airline Fined 2.45 mln USD for Mass Flight Cancellations

India’s civil aviation watchdog imposed a fine of 2.45 million U.S. dollars on IndiGo airline for its mass flight cancellations last month, officials said Sunday. The large-scale delays and cancellations took place between Dec. 3 and Dec. 5, 2025, during which IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and 1,852 saw delays. These factors left over 300,000 passengers stranded in airports across India.  IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has a fleet of over 400 aircraft, and used to operate around 2300 flights daily from over 90 domestic airports and 40 international airports.

Trump Says 8 European Countries Will Face 10% Tariff for Opposing US Control of Greenland

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European nations because of their opposition to American control of Greenland, setting up a potentially dangerous test of U.S. partnerships in Europe. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland would face the tariff, Trump said in a social media post while at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. The rate would climb to 25% on June 1 if no deal was in place for “the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” by the United States, he said. The Republican president appeared to indicate that he was using the tariffs as leverage to force talks with Denmark and other European countries over the status of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark that he regards as critical to U.S. national security.

Thousands March in Greenland to Support Arctic Island in the Face of Trump’s Threats to Take it Over

Thousands of Greenlanders carefully marched across snow and ice to take a stand against U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday. They held signs of protest, waved their national flag and chanted “Greenland is not for sale” in support of their own self-governance in the face of increasing threats of an American takeover. Just as they finished their trek from the small downtown of Greenland’s capital city Nuuk to the U.S. Consulate, the news broke: Trump, from his home in Florida, announced he will charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries over their opposition to U.S. control of Greenland. “I thought this day couldn’t get any worse but it just did,” Malik Dollerup-Scheibel said after The Associated Press told him about Trump’s announcement. “It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now.” Trump has long said he thinks the U.S. should own the strategically located and mineral-rich island, which is a self-governing territory of Greenland. Trump intensified his calls a day after the military operation to oust former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.